The Summer I Turned Pretty, the debut young adult novel by author Jenny Han, follows teenager Isabel “Belly” Conklin as she navigates a summer of first loves and heartbreak. Over the course of the summer, Belly finds herself caught in a love triangle between two brothers, Conrad and Jeremiah Fisher. The brooding and mysterious Conrad is Belly’s long-time crush, but his unpredictable behavior ends up hurting Belly deeply.
One of the major story arcs in the novel involves Belly’s tumultuous relationship with Conrad and the emotional rollercoaster he takes her on. Belly has pined for Conrad for years, hoping he will finally see her as more than a little sister. But Conrad blows hot and cold, leaving Belly confused by his intentions.
His actions over the fateful summer end up damaging their relationship, perhaps beyond repair. This article will explore what exactly happens to Conrad over the course of the summer to better understand his motivations and the fallout from his choices. Analyzing Conrad’s character arc provides insight into Belly’s growth as she learns difficult lessons about love and learns to protect her heart.
Also Read: 20 TV Shows Like Survivor To Watch
The Summer I Turned Pretty: What is it About?
The Summer I Turned Pretty is a young adult romance novel by Jenny Han that follows teenager Isabel “Belly” Conklin over the course of a summer she spends at the beach with her mother and older brother, along with her mother’s lifelong best friend and her two sons, Conrad and Jeremiah. Published in 2009, the book became a New York Times bestseller and launched Han’s career as a prominent YA author.
One of the main storylines in The Summer I Turned Pretty involves the love triangle that develops between Belly and the two Fisher brothers, Conrad and Jeremiah. Belly has had a lifelong crush on Conrad, the older of the two brothers. Handsome, brooding, and aloof, Conrad captures Belly’s attention, though he often seems irritated by her presence. Meanwhile, Conrad’s younger brother Jeremiah has always treated Belly like a friend.
Also Read: How to Watch The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 2 Episodes Online? Streaming Guide
What Happened To Conrad In The Summer I Turned Pretty?
As the summer progresses, Belly finds herself growing closer to both brothers in different ways. She shares kisses with Conrad and goes on a date with Jeremiah. This leads to rising tension between the three of them. Belly has strong feelings for Conrad but worries that he only sees her as a kid sister. With Jeremiah, things seem less complicated, even though Belly doesn’t feel the same spark she does with Conrad.
The critical event comes when Conrad gets into a drunken fight at a local club. In the ensuing chaos, Belly gets knocked to the ground and injured. Conrad flees the scene, leaving Belly confused and heartbroken. After this, Conrad becomes distant and cold towards Belly, refusing to explain his side of the story. Belly’s hurt turns to anger about the way Conrad has treated her. She grows closer to Jeremiah over her shared frustration with his brother’s behavior.
At a neighborhood party later in the summer, Conrad finally reveals to Belly that he has real feelings for her, not just a passing crush. He apologizes for the club incident and says he left because he felt ashamed about Belly getting hurt. Belly is moved by this admission but remains wary.
In the final chapter, Belly meets up with Conrad one last time before leaving for home. He reiterates his feelings for her and says he wants to make things work between them, despite the challenges. Belly is torn, wondering if she should give Conrad another chance or if too much damage has been done. She leaves, unsure of what will happen next.
The novel ends on an open-ended note regarding Belly’s relationships with both brothers. It’s unclear whether she will pursue anything romantic with Conrad after the way he hurt her over the summer. And while Jeremiah never did anything to betray Belly, she also doesn’t seem to reciprocate his romantic interest. Conrad’s actions over the summer have left Belly with complicated feelings towards him, and the story concludes without resolution regarding where things will go next.
Also Read: The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 2: Everything You Need To Know
