Freshmen Valentina Peterson and Lindsay Rice recently sat down to talk about the last installment of “The Summer I Turned Pretty” which dropped on July 17, 2022 and wrapped up September 17 2025. These students share a fresh take on this show. Season one premiered in 2022 and season two dropped in 2023, which meant fans had to wait two whole years to finally end.
Peterson explained that the ending felt both satisfying and emotional, capturing the bittersweet nature of growing up. She mentioned how the final moments really showed Belly’s journey and how she’s no longer the same girl from the beginning of the summer but someone who’s learned a lot about love and herself. For Valentine, the ending was a mix of happiness and nostalgia, like saying goodbye to a chapter of life that shaped her deeply. “I really enjoyed it. It was not what my past self would have wanted but I now love Conrad and I think he is really amazing for Belly,” Peterson said.
Rice agreed with Peterson, adding that the ending was powerful because it wasn’t just about who Belly ended up with romantically, but about the choices she made for herself. “It felt real, like life doesn’t always give you clear answers, but you have to keep moving forward,” Rice said. She appreciated how the story didn’t sugarcoat the complexities of relationships or growing up, making the conclusion feel honest and meaningful. Rice also pointed out how the family moments in the finale added depth, showing that love takes many forms. “I really did want to see more of Belly and Conrad. I did not like seeing Jeremiah and Belly together the whole season. Jeremiah really ruined it every time Belly and Conrad had a moment” Rice said.
Together, Bice and Peterson reflected that the ending left them with mixed emotions, sadness for what was ending but also hope for what’s next. They both felt that “The Summer I Turned Pretty” ended with a theme that encourages embracing change and growth, even when it’s hard. For them, the story’s conclusion was a reminder that summer memories and the lessons learned during that time stay with you forever, shaping who you become and who you become it with.
