Amazon's new series The Summer I Turned Pretty premiered on June 17, just in time for the warm season. The series is a coming-of-age tale that centers around a teenage girl named Belly and her journey to falling in love. The show highlights the carefree feeling of being young during the summer and the challenges life throws at Belly and the people around her.
Viewers will dive right into this wholesome and romantic story because of the innocence of it all and the charming characters. During the series, there are touching moments that make for some of the best heartwarming quotes of the season.
Belly Reflects On Her Love Of Summer
"For Me, Everything Good, Everything Magical Happens Between The Months June And August."
Belly spends every summer with her mother's best friend Susannah and her sons, Conrad and Jeremiah. Belly appreciates how she can let loose at the summer house and be herself.
She romanticizes just how carefree the summer away is. To her, everything that matters happens during the summer when she can escape from her reality. She can be around her life-long crush, Conrad, and her best friend Jeremiah. She is overall happier here and considers life at the summer house to be her safe space. Belly even mentions how is just a place for the mothers and the children as she doesn't include anyone else in this world.
Belly Meets Cam Which Brings Her Out Of Her Shell
"This Could Be My Summer Wish. This Night. This Boy."
On the first night at Cousins Beach, Belly has an eventful evening which includes meeting a local boy named Cam. He notices her and she realizes that she wants to live an eventful summer.
For years, Belly wished for something spectacular to happen and she truly believes this could be the summer everything changes for her. She could find someone to fall in love with who will fall in love with her. She will take chances this summer because she could never do them before when she was too young. Belly appreciates that she has this moment for herself. This show is about capturing the teen experience and Belly plans to live this summer as freely as possible.
Belly Changes The Cycle Of Her Summer
"I Thought This Summer Was Going To Be Like All Of The Other Summers But It's Not. Because I Won't Let It Be."
Belly is used to the familiarity of each summer she spends at Cousins Beach. The boys go out and have fun while she spends her time at home with the mothers. She waits on the sidelines for something special to happen. However, this summer she's going to make her own adventure.
Belly encapsulates how to live freely and enjoy being young during the summer because it's fleeting. She decides that she is going to stand up for herself and try new things and maybe things will change for the better. She hopes Conrad will notice her and maybe the boys will see how much she's grown up if she takes chances and changes the pattern of how it used to be.
Susannah Comforts Belly
"You Do Not Look The Same. You're In Bloom."
Lola Tung is a perfectly cast coming-of-age main character because of her performance and her innocence. However, her character, Belly is used to being overlooked. Susannah points out how mature she's gotten and comforts her when she doesn't believe so.
Susannah is someone Belly looks up to so she believes every word she says. It's comforting to know that she can embrace her change and learn to be confident this time. It's a relatable and wholesome moment but also highlights how Susannah appreciates that Belly is growing up and things are changing for their family dynamic.
Jeremiah Tells Belly To Embrace Being Special
"You're The Main Character, Belly."
Belly believes that her best friend Taylor is the prettier one. She is more outgoing and goes after what she wants. She constantly feels like she can't be the one to outshine her.
In a wholesome moment, Jeremiah admires Belly for who she is. He tells her that she should accept how much she's changed and blossomed and why she shouldn't feel second best to Taylor. He is flirting with the idea of being her knight and shining armor by complimenting her. He is a good friend to Belly and tries to be there for her. These moments make it easier for him to reveal his feelings for her.
Laurel Teaches Belly The Importance Of A Good Friendship
"We Need To Hold Tight To Our Friendships Because We Never Know What The Future Will Hold."
When Belly and Taylor are at odds, Laurel tells Belly that being mad at a good friend is pointless because life is too short.
There are layers to this quote because Laurel knows that time is precious and that her friendship with Susannah is once in a lifetime. They may not have forever together and she doesn't want Belly to miss out on her friendship with Taylor over something minuscule. She wants to teach her daughter the importance of not holding grudges and spending time taking advantage of the time that can be spent with people who matter.
Susannah Reminisces On The Changes Of This Summer
"Summer Stays The Same But We're The Ones Changing."
Belly isn't the only one growing out of her shell. Laurel also begins to take risks this summer because she knows that the next summer might look different. Susannah notices this and can't help but be proud of her friend.
The characters have gotten older and they are all braver than before. They are capable of facing their fears and revealing truths that could never be said before. The relationship between Susannah and Laurel has evolved as well. They realize that time is ticking and things are getting out of their control with the kids. However, they provide some of the best portrayals of parents on a teen show in a while.
Jeremiah Reveals His Feelings For Belly
"You're My Best Friend. There Are Times I Want It To More."
Jeremiah and Belly get closer during the summer. In this intimate moment between the two of them, Jeremiah admits that he has feelings for her.
Throughout the summer, Jeremiah's feelings grow stronger for Belly. At the beginning of the summer, he is seen not taking any of his emotions seriously. But as the season goes on, he finds himself going out of his way to make Belly happy and make her notice him. He is brave enough to share how he feels even though he knows she has always had strong feelings for Conrad.
Conrad Comes To The Rescue
"For Belly, Conrad Is The Sun, And When The Sun Comes Out, The Stars Disappear."
When Jeremiah runs out during the debutante dance, Belly is left alone on the dance floor. Conrad saves the day and is there for Belly at this moment she knows he is the one for her.
Belly knows Conrad will always be there to have her back. She's grown up to believe that Conrad is the one for her because of how attentive he has always been. This quote stands out because Belly knows that she can rely on Conrad even when his emotions get the best of him. She will always put him on a pedestal and no one will match up to him. Thankfully, this love triangle ends in a satisfying way.
Belly Ends The Summer Feeling Hopeful
"In This Moment I Realized, If This Can Happen Maybe Anything Can."
By the end of the summer, Conrad reveals that he also has feelings for Belly and she is happy to know that they have a future together when he kisses her.
Belly didn't expect to finally have Conrad be hers so it becomes a sweet and heartwarming ending when he finally admits that her feelings are reciprocated. The summer changed a lot and she can finally understand that miracles can happen and life doesn't have to be the same if she puts her mind to it.