**Major Spoilers for The Summer I Turned Pretty below!**
Just like Taylor Swift sings in the trailer, we've been dreaming about salt air and the rust on your door because season two of The Summer I Turned Pretty comes out July 14 on Prime Video. Season 1 of the series transported us to the sandy dunes and an idyllic poolside at Cousin's Beach, and we can't wait to return. Plus, season 1 left us on a pretty massive cliffhanger.
The show is adapted from Jenny Han's YA romance novel of the same name and follows Belly Conklin as she navigates a love triangle between two equally swoon-worthy brothers: Jeremiah and Conrad Fisher. With all adaptations, there are bound to be some changes with the book vs the TV show. Author Jenny Hay worked as a showrunner for the series, so we know the show is true to the spirit of the original story, but even Han admitted that there are some differences between The Summer I Turned Pretty book vs the TV show.
Han anticipated that some viewers might notice these changes. In an interview with Seventeen, Jenny Han said: "The books came out 13 years ago, so people have these ideas and images in their minds and they want it to match up to what they've imagined. So I'm nervous. I hope they like it. I keep telling them, listen, this is my adaptation, this is my vision for it, but people can still have their own idea in their minds of how the story is because nothing is really going to compare to what you've pictured in your head." So, let's break down The Summer I Turned Pretty TV show versus the original books.
1) There was no debutante ball in the books
In the show, the debutante ball was the culmination of all of season 1's drama. We got brooding looks from Conrad, an iconic dance scene, and the most beautiful white dress and pearl headband combo, but believe it or not, the debutante ball wasn't in the books. In the show, Susannah asks Conrad to take Belly to the dance, but it is ultimately Jeremiah who does. But then, in the sweeping conclusion, Jeremiah learns that Susannah is sick again and leaves Belly alone on the dance floor. Luckily, Conrad is there to save the day.
Jenny Han told The Wrap about her decision to add the debutante ball to the show. "The Deb Ball was a chance to really bring a rite of passage like a ceremonial rite of passage of growing up to life — to really see that visualized," said Han. "I think different cultures have many different ways of marking that moment of between, like, girlhood and adulthood... And that's what Deb Ball is, you're coming out and being seen as an adult," she added.
2. Jeremiah's Sexuality
In the books, Jeremiah has only dated girls. Conversations around his sexuality never come up, but in the show, Jeremiah explicitly says that he has hooked up with both guys and girls. In the second episode of the show he even points out the different girls and guys at the country club that he has made out with.
Of the change, Han told TVLine that she wanted elements of the story to reflect the teenagers of today. "I think perhaps if I was writing the novel today, I may have made that choice because I think that he's always been a character, to me, that is really at ease with himself, really comfortable in his own skin, and open-minded, and open to exploration."
3. Shayla and Steven
In season 1, after the debutante ball, Shayla and Steven kiss and talk about their relationship. Steven is still working to save money for Princeton and has had a very different life than Shayla's wealthy upbringing. By the end of their conversation, Shayla promises Steven that she chooses him over her wealthy lifestyle and the two say 'I love you' in one of the sweetest scenes in the show. Believe it or not, Shayla doesn't even exist in the books. That's right, the showrunners specifically created Shayla's character for the adaptation. In the books Steven wasn't around much, having left to tour colleges early in the novel — meaning all of our favorite Steven and Shayla moments are completely brand new.
4. A more diverse cast
The show has a much more diverse cast than its source material. The original book never states Belly's ethnicity. In the show, Belly is Korean on her mother's side. Cleveland Castillo, a newcomer to the story who serves as a mentor figure to Conrad and a love interest to Laurel, is Filipino.
Jenny Han told CinemaBlend about the increased cast diversity. "When I was approaching the adaptation, I wanted to really reflect the moment that we're living in," she said. "And I think the diversity of characters is a piece of that, so it felt like a really great opportunity to showcase different kinds of talent. We get to have like an Asian American family on the show. And then, we also have a new character Cleveland, who is Filipino. So it's really exciting I think. And I think it feels really natural to the show, to the characters, and the story."
5) Insight into Conrad
The books are limited to Belly's point of view, so the reader doesn't really get to know why Conrad is being so moody all the time. In the show, we see Conrad struggle throughout the series and understand why he is more closed off. Wy finds out that he's hurting Belly's feelings to keep her at a distance on purpose, even before Belly herself does.
The scene where Cleveland Castillo helps Conrad through a panic attack is not in the books either. This scene helps explain to viewers the kind of pain Conrad is in and why he has been so angry all Summer.
6. There's waaaay less kissing in the book
The novels are much more toned down when it comes to kissing. They don't even feature the swoon-worthy pool kiss between Belly and Jeremiah. Plus that scene where Conrad tells Belly "I do want you" and then kisses her on the beach while "This Love (Taylor's Version)" plays? Didn't happen either. So thank goodness we've got the show to give us all those romantic moments.
7. Jeremiah and Belly's Relationship
In the first book, Jeremiah and Belly never date. Jeremiah declares his feelings for Belly after she breaks things off with Cam, but Belly shuts him down. She tells him that she is not over Conrad. It isn't until the second book that she kisses him for the first time (besides in a game of truth or dare a few summers ago).
In the show, Jeremiah and Belly kiss and begin to explore their feelings for one another. Belly tries to ignore her feelings for her childhood love Conrad, because Jeremiah is more emotionally available. After Conrad and Belly kiss on the beach in the season one finale, it seems like the love triangle will be stronger than ever in season two.
8. Belly and Taylor's Friendship Gets Some Character Development
Taylor is mostly shown in flashbacks in the books. When Taylor visits Cousins Beach she kisses Jeremiah and Steven. This causes Belly and her relationship to become strained.
In the show after Taylor kisses Steven, Belly and her have a giant fight. They both are really upset at each other and get honest about the ways they haven't been there for each other. After the fight, Taylor becomes much more supportive and is a good friend for the rest of the season.
9. Susannah and Laurel's Relationship
Susannah and Laurel get a lot more time in the show versus the books. We see these two lifelong friends struggle with Susannah's diagnosis. The two have a deep bond and we see how strong their friendship is. However, this joy is underscored by Susannah's cancer, and the two argue about whether or not to tell the teens.
Jenny Han spoke to Seventeen about their relationship: "Also, I would say the relationship between the two women, Laurel and Susannah, was foundational to the whole story because they created [the house at Cousins Beach] for themselves and their kids to have. It's almost like this separate time and place. It is a magical place. I think as you grow up, you realize how rare that is to find. To say, 'I value my time with you in the summer and in Cousins, and we're gonna do that every single year,' it is a big deal. I wanted that to come across that they put this relationship and this time first in many ways. They value that.''
Alexandra covers pop culture, books, news, and fashion! You can find her listening to Taylor Swift, going on hot girl walks, reading a good book with a cup of tea, and searching for the best sushi in the city!
