Summary
- The Summer I Turned Pretty season 2 adapts Jenny Han's second book, It's Not Summer Without You, with some crucial differences that fit the strengths of television storytelling.
- The show introduces new characters Aunt Julia and Skye, who were not in the books, and expands on Conrad's character with panic attacks and a Stanford plotline.
- The relationship between Taylor and Steven is expanded upon in the show, and the character Cam has a bigger role than in the books. The show also changes the timeline of events and adds a more explicit portrayal of Belly and Conrad's relationship.
With The Summer I Turned Pretty season 2 finale fresh in viewers' minds, fans of Jenny Han's source material are no doubt comparing how Belly's story plays out across both mediums. The sophomore season of the Prime Video original series pulls much of its narrative from the second book in Han's popular trilogy, It's Not Summer Without You. Even so, the leap from page-to-screen comes with a few crucial differences, many of which play to the strengths of television.
The Summer I Turned Pretty's popularity surges with each episode, making it the rare series that excites both new and returning fans. That success is due, in part, to the fact that Han adapts the story herself. While this allows the writer to focus on the small details and include sly nods to her novels, the approach also makes room for changes that feel aligned with the characters, but better-suited to the flow of TV storytelling. However, given season 2's comparatively bigger changes, it's clear that new twists and turns are in store for The Summer I Turned Pretty season 3.
11 Aunt Julia & Skye Aren't In The Summer I Turned Pretty Books
In The Summer I Turned Pretty season 2, much of the drama hinges on Susannah Fisher's (Rachel Blanchard) sister, Aunt Julia (Kyra Sedgwick). ing Jeremiah (Gavin Casalegno) and Conrad's (Christopher Briney) Aunt Julia is her child, Skye (Elsie Fisher). That said, who Julia and Skye are to the Fishers come to deeply impact the season's plot.
Viewers learn that the sisters were estranged before Susannah's ing. Moreover, Julia harbors bad memories of the Cousins beach house, namely because she was put in the middle of her parents' contentious divorce. The whole experience makes her all-the-more eager to sell the house, despite Jeremiah and Conrad's wishes. Perhaps surprisingly, Aunt Julia and Skye aren't in the books.
10 Adam Was Selling The Beach House In The Books, Not Aunt Julia
Since Aunt Julia isn't in The Summer I Turned Pretty trilogy, she isn't the one attempting to sell the Cousins beach house. Instead, that role falls to Adam (Tom Everett Scott), Conrad and Jeremiah's father. The novel version of Adam cheated on Susannah; between that and his unresolved grief, he can't wait to sell the house that reminds him of her. When Conrad, Jeremiah, and Belly (Lola Tung) first arrive in Cousins to save the house, they get into a heated argument with Adam's real estate agent. However, much like in the show, Belly's mom Laurel Park (Jackie Chung) talks some sense into Adam.
9 Taylor & Steven Didn't Get Together In It's Not Summer Without You
Although much of The Summer I Turned Pretty focuses on Steven (Sean Kaufman) and Taylor's (Rain Spencer) flirtatious, slow-burn relationship, that's not the case in the season's book counterpart, It's Not Summer Without You. Perhaps the extra attention paid to their romance was done in an effort to give both Steven and Taylor more to do. Either way, the two characters really sell the relationship thanks to their witty banter and sweet moments. In a way, Steven and Taylor's kiss one-ups the love triangle at the show's center.
8 Conrad Doesn't Have Panic Attacks Or A Stanford Plot Line In The Books
In It's Not Summer Without You, Conrad struggles to navigate his grief and frustration over Susannah's death. This plays out in the show as well, complicating everything from Conrad's relationship with Belly to his schoolwork. However, the show takes things a little further: throughout season 2, Conrad experiences what he learns are panic attacks, adding a more visceral element to his on-screen emotional state.
Additionally, the show adds another thread about Conrad's long-held dream of attending Stanford, since Susannah always wanted him to move to California. In the books, Conrad isn't an as accomplished student, so his end-of-the-story cram sesh is about ing summer school at Brown, not qualifying for a college transfer. With the series' version of Conrad off to California, it's clear the physical distance between him and Belly will impact their dynamic in The Summer I Turned Pretty season 3.
7 Cam Cameron's Return Isn't In The Books
In the first season of the series, Belly finds her attempts to attend the debutante ball with Conrad thwarted by his other romantic entanglements. While at a bonfire on the beach, Belly meets Cousins local Cam (David Iacono) and the two hit it off, with Belly even kissing Cam. The two have a sweet but short-lived relationship and remain friends even after they stop dating. For book-Cam, that's about the extent of the character's role. However, The Summer I Turned Pretty season 2 brings the character back, making him a charming love interest and first kiss for Skye.
6 The Boardwalk Shenanigans & Junior Mint's Backstory
In the first Summer I Turned Pretty novel, Belly narrates an outing to the local beach boardwalk. Although she's pretty sure Conrad tags along because of another girl, he does win Belly a prize: a polar bear with a scarf and wire-frame glasses. "I named him Junior Mint, and I left him where he belonged — at the summer house," Belly says. In the show, Junior Mint is a fixture in Belly's Cousins beach house bedroom, but the backstory, which plays out in season 2, is slightly different.
In the present timeline, the Cousins crew all head to the boardwalk for some summer fun. Taylor, Belly, and Skye team up to beat the boys at various boardwalk games, and Belly and Jeremiah grow closer. However, the outing is intercut with Belly's memories of the day she and Conrad won Junior Mint. The very different boardwalk experiences not only illustrate Belly's feelings for the Fisher brothers but contrast the two romances quite well. Plus, it's great to see the nod to Belly's polar bear keepsake.
5 Belly & Jeremiah's Kiss Plays Out Differently
At the end of The Summer I Turned Pretty season 2, episode 7, Belly and Jeremiah kiss while waiting for Conrad to finish up his exam. While this does happen in the book, it plays out differently. In the show, Jeremiah takes Belly on a tour of the nearby Finch College, which he attends, in the hopes that Belly will feel inspired to apply. It's a sweet scene that deepens their relationship and helps Belly reconnect with her ion for volleyball.
When the pair arrive back, they lean against the hood of Conrad's car and talk. Jeremiah its he can't take Belly's flip-flopping, but she assures him things are different. Instead of the crush she dreamed of, she wants someone (and something) real. At the end of her romantic confession, Belly kisses Jeremiah. In the book, Jeremiah initiates the kiss, in large part to make Conrad jealous. In true love-triangle fashion, Conrad catches them making out in both instances.
4 The Second Book Unfolds Over Fourth Of July Weekend
Although it may seem like an insignificant change at first glance, the series alters the book's timeline. After Susannah es away in the spring, a month or so goes by, and it's the end of the school year. The Summer I Turned Pretty season 2 opens with Steven's high school graduation. Conrad, meanwhile, is still wrapping up classes at Brown before summer break.
In Han's second novel, the story plays out over Fourth of July weekend, making the beach house party more holiday-themed than a send-off. As a result, Conrad is in summer school, struggling to stay afloat after the last year. It's a small shift, but it also allows the Cousins crew to promise each other that they'll return to the beach house for the Fourth. This leaves room for some potential drama: given the way they all left things, it's hard to say if all the teens will show up, especially since Jeremiah and Belly are an item.
3 Conrad & Belly's Relationship Directly Addresses Sex
While much of the dialogue from Conrad and Belly's romantic, off-season getaway to Cousins is lifted directly from the novel, there are some differences. The hot chocolate-making and frolicking on a snowy beach, set to memorable The Summer I Turned Pretty season 2 soundtrack songs, remain the same. This makes these key, relationship-building moments as significant as ever. A major difference, however, is that the show confirms that Belly and Conrad have sex. Even though it mentions that Conrad is more experienced in that realm than Belly, the book isn't as explicit.
2 Belly No Longer Loves Conrad, Who Demands The Infinity Necklace Back
The second novel in Han's trilogy sees Belly much more hung up on Conrad than her TV counterpart. For much of The Summer I Turned Pretty season 2, Belly is navigating her grief, frustration, and embarrassment, much of which is tied to her outburst at Conrad during Susannah's funeral. Why Belly and Conrad broke up before season 2 remains a bit unclear for Belly; Conrad was emotionally distant, sure, but she doesn't understand why that spelled the end for them.
Given the very recent nature of their romantic history, Belly does feel a little unsure at key moments during season 2, but, by and large, finds herself really falling for Jeremiah. In fact, by the latter half of the season, it's clear she's pretty over Conrad and merely wants to mend their friendship. Getting over a long-standing crush is hard, but Belly clearly finds a lot of happiness with Jeremiah. After solidifying her romantic relationship with Jere, Belly "evicts" Conrad from her heart. Conrad claims to be over their relationship too, though his calm demeanor crumbles once he's alone.
Regardless, he forces Belly to take back the silver infinity necklace that's come to symbolize so much of their relationship. In the book, Belly finds the necklace in Conrad's dorm and takes it as a sign that he still loves her. After Belly and Jeremiah kiss, Conrad demands the necklace back. In some ways, the necklace (and Junior Mint) are the show's version of The Summer I Turned Pretty's glass unicorn. This may seem like a small change but helps convey how much more intense the show's love triangle is in comparison, as Belly has an equally strong, unique bond with both brothers.