Good adaptation? How ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ books differ from the TV show

https://img.asmedia.epimg.net/resizer/v2/VYSD4DU54VDKHNR2FUSRZ4G63U.png?auth=80a16689514cb11b7ea4b2cdd086dea7a5dbb9b344d7ce34f618d02b9aefbeb5

Scheduled to premiere on Amazon Prime Video on Wednesday, September 17, the 26th and final episode of The Summer I Turned Pretty will close the chapter on the hit coming-of-age series and its dramatic love triangle.

Based on Jenny Han’s popular trilogy, the show stars Lola Tung as Isabel “Belly” Conklin, a young woman torn between two brothers, Conrad and Jeremiah Fisher, played by Christopher Briney and Gavin Casalegno.

TSITP creator reveals delibrate plot differences

Han, who wrote the novels, created the series and serves as one of its showrunners, has emphasized that the series adapts the story with some differences from the books. Before the show’s debut in July 2023, she told Variety that the narrative would not be identical, noting that changes were necessary to fit the new medium.

[embedded content]

“My priority has always been that I want fans of the book to feel really satisfied by the story we’re telling, but also for them to know that this is an adaptation in a new medium, so it’s not going to be exactly the same,” Han said.

Plot differences between TSITP book trilogy and TV series

The Debutante Ball (Season 1): The TV series adds a formal debutante ball that brings Belly and Conrad closer, which never occurs in the book.
Jeremiah’s sexuality (Season 1): Jeremiah is portrayed as sexually fluid on screen, unlike the books where he only shows interest in girls.
The infinity necklace (Season 1): The show introduces Conrad’s necklace as a significant gift from the start, whereas the books only mention it in the sequel.
Taylor More’s role (Season 1): Taylor’s friendship with Belly is expanded onscreen, including a conflict with Steven, which isn’t in the first book.
Steven’s role (Seasons 1–2): Steven has a larger presence in the series, with romantic and personal storylines, compared to a minor role in the books.
Susannah’s cancer (Season 1): In the show, Susannah initially keeps her illness secret from most characters, whereas in the book it is known to both families.
Belly’s Season 1 choice (Season 1): The series clearly advances Belly and Conrad’s romance, while the books leave her love triangle more ambiguous.
Belly’s intimate encounter (Seasons 2–3): The series depicts Belly and Conrad being sexually intimate during a winter visit, unlike the book where the date is romantic but chaste.
Susannah’s sister (Season 2): The show introduces Susannah’s sister Julia and her child Skye to expand the story, characters absent from the books.
Skye and Cam’s romance (Season 2): The series adds a romantic subplot between Skye, a character who only appears in the series, and Cam.
Belly and Jeremiah’s kiss (Season 2): The show alters the kiss scene so Belly wears Conrad’s sweatshirt instead of the infinity necklace, and modifies who takes the first step in the relationship.
Jeremiah’s cheats on Belly (Season 2): Jeremiah is shown as sexually active with Belly before cheating and proposes after an event not in the books, expanding his storyline.
The Ending (Season 3): The series shows Belly leaving Cousins and seeing Conrad at the airport, creating a more visual and immediate conclusion than the book’s general overview of events.

In addition to specific plot differences, the series features several stylistic changes.

For example, flashbacks of Belly’s childhood are reduced on screen, whereas the books frequently revisit her early years. Similarly, the series limits her inner monologue compared to the book’s extensive first-person perspective.

[embedded content]

Why won’t there be a fourth season of TSITP?

Since The Summer I Turned Pretty made its debut three years ago, it has established itself as a streaming sensation, dominating Prime Video’s viewing charts.

Speaking to the L.A. Times this week ahead ofTSITP’s finale, Han was adamant that it is “best” not to extend the series for a fourth run, despite its success.

“To be able to say when, to be able to call it, is rare when something is doing well and making people money,” she said. “But I have to be true to myself and what I think is best for the story.”

However, the 45-year-old didn’t rule out the possibility of returning to the TSITP world for a spin-off.

“I’m definitely open to doing more stories in the universe‚” she said. “It’s just that I want to figure out what the story is that I feel so compelled to tell it that I’m willing to spend the next few years throwing my whole body into it.”