The Summer I Turned Misunderstood:
Let’s be real, relationships can be messy. Crushes, confusing feeling, jealousy, mixed signals…it’s all part of growing up and figuring out how to connect with other. And no show captures that emotional chaos quite like “The Summer I Turned Pretty.”
At first glance, it might seem like just another teen love triangle, but if you look a little deeper, it’s actually packed with lessons about communication, boundaries, and what happens when we don’t speak our true feelings. Let’s break it down.
Belly: When you change yourself to be liked
Belly is at the center of it all, she is stuck between a long time crush on Conrad and his charismatic brother Jeremiah. She’s navigating love, friendship, and that huge transition from being the little sister to being seen as someone with real feelings and desires.
But here’s the thing: Belly often changes who she is to fit what she thinks other people want. And this is pretty common. Maybe you know someone who has pretended to like a band you’ve never heard of, or laughed at a joke that didn’t sit right, just to fit in or seem cool to someone they like.
But the problem is people often hide their real self. And when this happens it becomes harder and harder to be truly seen. And eventually that leaves people feeling more alone than ever. If you want real connections (romantic or platonic) you’ve got to start by being honest, with yourself and with other. Practice by speaking up, setting boundaries, and being your most authentic self even when it’s scary.
Conrad: Bottling it up until it breaks
Conrad is complicated. He’s quiet, mysterious, and always seems like he’s got a storm going on inside, but he rarely lets anyone in. instead of talking about what’s bothering him, he shuts down, pushes people away, or just says “I’m fine” when he’s clearly not. And although he goes out of his way to show he cares about others, as long as he keeps hiding his emotions they don’t see those gestures.
Does the sound familiar? So many people think being strong means staying silent. But when you bottle things up, those emotions don’t disappear—they just build until something snaps. In Conrad’s case, his silence creates confusion, frustration, and ultimately a breakdown in his relationship with Belly. Vulnerability isn’t weak, it’s actually what makes relationships stronger. Start small, even with talking through things that have happened before it will build more comfortableness.
Jeremiah: The danger of trying to be “enough”
Jeramiah is the golden retriever of the group, he is outgoing, funny, and always trying to keep the peace. But under that smile is someone who’s constantly feeling second best, especially when it comes to his brother Conrad.
He tries to be the fun guy that everyone likes, but deep down he’s scared people don’t choose him. That insecurity shows up in his relationships and sometimes it leads to jealousy or trying too hard to compete.
This happens a lot in relationships—comparing yourself to someone’s ex or feeling like you have to prove your worth. But relationships built on competition or insecurity usually don’t last because no one can continue to perform for other forever. If you’re feeling unsure or anxious in a relationship talk about those feelings. What is happening on the relationship that is causing that, and know trust is built through honesty not trying to be perfect.
So what can we learn?
Miscommunication is a huge theme in “The Summer I Turned Pretty” and it shows up in almost every relationship. Why? Because everyone is dealing with their own internal struggles and fears about rejection, not being enough, or being misunderstood.
But here’s the truth: You can avoid a lot of unnecessary drama by learning how to communicate openly and respectfully. That means:
- Saying what you really feel even if it feels awkward.
- Listening without jumping to conclusions.
- Being honest about your boundaries and what you need.
- Checking in when something feels off instead of assuming the worst.
Watching Belly, Conrad, and Jeremiah navigate their messy love triangle can feel so relatable, because we’ve all experienced moments of miscommunication, mixed feelings, or just straight up confusion. But if we can learn from their actions and start being a little more honest with ourselves and each other, we might see that our relationships can be healthier, stronger, and less complicated.