In the wait for season three of The Summer I turned pretty, should fans of the show read the books?  

Jenny Han’s Summer series has become widely popular, especially since it was made into a show on Amazon Prime Video. 

The Summer I turned Pretty is named after the first book in the Summer series and follows the main plotline of a love triangle between Belly Conklin and the Fisher brothers who she grew up with.  

The books came out between 2009 and 2011 and is the second series written by Han that has been adapted as a screenplay.  

Just like Jenny Han’s To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before movies, this screenplay adaptation has received a lot of popularity and interest. This summer, the second season of The Summer I Turned Pretty was released, and people of all ages waited patiently every week to watch it.  

The show has divided its fan base into two teams – team Conrad and team Jeremiah – based on which brother they think Belly should end up with.  

The drop of the season finale two weeks ago created a lot of buzz on social media about what might happen in the next season and if Belly will stick with the decision she has made. 

Of course, those who have read the book already know what happens, but one can never be too sure since the show so far has put an interesting spin on the books.  

For instance, the show has made more of an effort than Han in her books to make Belly’s choice between the two brothers difficult. 

In the book series, the author seems to have made it clear from the get-go that Belly should end up with Conrad, the elder brother of the two. While the third book explores the idea of Belly and Jeremiah being the couple of the series, Han makes it clear that Jeremiah is the wrong guy.  

In addition to the clear bias towards Conrad, Han’s writing in the books feels rushed and does not allow readers to see the development of Belly’s feelings towards Jeremiah.  

The show, however, has taken time and care towards Jeremiah’s character. Readers of the books have also found a soft spot for Jeremiah after watching the show because of the maturity he possesses, and the clarity of emotions shown between him and Belly. 

Some lovers of the books and the show have gone as far as to say that Han glorifies toxic relationships by making the happy ending for Belly and Conrad in the books.  

They believe that while Conrad’s broodiness and lack of communication skills comes off as charming and sexy in the books, the show has made it rather apparent that they are red flags.  

Watchers of the show also know that another big change in the series is the way Belly’s best friend, Taylor, is portrayed. Han wrote Taylor’s character in the book with something that felt almost like spite. Her character in the book was just this best friend who only cared for herself and someone that Belly has outgrown. The show gives her more personality, which seems to be a trend for this screenplay adaptation. 

The one thing that has not changed – but is, again, more detailed in the show – is the friendship shared by Belly’s mother Laurel and the boys’ mother Susannah. A beautiful friendship that ties the entire series together and brings Belly and the boys into each other’s lives.  

From one point of view, the tv show has attracted more people to read the books. In another, it has put into perspective the flaws in the book series.  

Whichever it may be, the second season and its heart-touching play on the second book of the Summer series has made the book series better. It almost says, ‘This is why the Summer series is a story worth telling!’