Spoiler warning: this post explains the full ending of The Summer I Turned Pretty. If you have not finished the book, stop here and come back later.
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Quick answer: At the end of the summer at Cousins Beach, Isabel “Belly” Conklin finally kisses Conrad Fisher, the older brother she has loved for years, after his brother Jeremiah confesses his own feelings for her. Belly learns that Conrad's mother Susannah has cancer, the secret behind his moodiness, and the book ends with Belly turning sixteen and the summer closing.
Quick facts
– Book: The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
– First published: 2009
– Type: A young adult romance
– Tone of the ending: Sweet and bittersweet
Table of Contents
What Leads Up to the Ending
Every summer, Belly, her mother Laurel and her brother Steven stay at Susannah's beach house with Susannah's sons, Conrad and Jeremiah. This summer, Belly has grown up, and the boys notice. She dates a boy named Cam, but her feelings for Conrad return.
What Happens at the End of The Summer I Turned Pretty
Over the summer, Belly goes out with Cam Cameron, a sweet boy she meets at a party, but she keeps comparing him to Conrad. Conrad, who has started drinking, quit football and pulled away from everyone, seems angry at the world. Jeremiah, always the friendly brother, admits he likes Belly, which confuses her. Belly breaks up with Cam. Near the end of the summer, she learns that Susannah's breast cancer has returned, which explains Conrad's anger: he found out and has been carrying the secret. At the end-of-summer party, Conrad asks Belly to stay with him and finally kisses her. In the last pages, Belly turns sixteen and realizes the summers at Cousins Beach will never be the same.
The Ending in 4 Quick Points
- Conrad kisses Belly.
- Susannah's cancer is revealed.
- Jeremiah confesses.
- The love triangle begins.
What Happens to the Main Characters
| Character | What happens to them |
|---|---|
| Belly Conklin | Kisses Conrad |
| Conrad Fisher | Kisses Belly |
| Jeremiah Fisher | Confesses to Belly |
| Susannah Fisher | Has cancer |
What the Ending Means
The ending shows growing up and first love.
Other Ways to Read the Ending
Readers have long debated Team Conrad versus Team Jeremiah, and the debate continues through the trilogy. Many readers say Susannah's illness is what gives the light romance its emotional weight.
Themes the Ending Brings Together
Growing up. Belly changes.
Love. The triangle.
Family. The families' bond.
Is the Ending Happy or Sad?
Most readers describe the ending of The Summer I Turned Pretty as sweet and bittersweet. How you feel about it usually depends on what you hoped for the characters and what you expected Jenny Han to do with the story, so it is worth asking friends how they felt before you compare notes.
Who Will Like This Ending
Readers who enjoy endings that are sweet and bittersweet will find a lot to talk about here. If you prefer every thread tied up neatly, it helps to know in advance how Jenny Han closes the story, which is exactly why many readers look it up. Either way, the final chapters reward a second look once you know where everything is heading, because small details from the middle of the book start to matter. If you are reading with a group, agree beforehand whether everyone has finished, so nobody has the last chapters spoiled.
Book Versus Adaptation
The Prime Video series changes several details.
Discussion Questions About the Ending
If you are reading The Summer I Turned Pretty with a book club or a friend, these questions work well once everyone has finished:
- Did the ending surprise you, or had you seen it coming from the first chapters?
- What does the final scene say about growing up, and do you agree with Jenny Han's view?
- Which character made the most important choice in the last part of the book, and was it the right one?
- How would the story feel if it had ended one chapter earlier or one chapter later?
- Does the ending leave you hopeful about the characters, or do you worry about what comes next?
- Would you describe the ending as sweet and bittersweet, or would you choose a different word?
How to Read the Final Chapters Again
- Compare the opening with the close. Look at how the first chapter introduces growing up and how the ending answers it.
- Track each final choice. The table above shows where every main character ends up, so ask which of those outcomes was earned.
- Notice what Jenny Han leaves unsaid. Gaps in the last pages are often deliberate, and they are where most of the debate about the ending begins.
- Listen for echoes. Images, phrases or settings from earlier in The Summer I Turned Pretty often return in the final scene with a new meaning.
Questions to Ask Yourself After Finishing
- Was the ending of The Summer I Turned Pretty earned by what came before it, or did it feel sudden?
- Which character's final moment affected you most, and why?
- If you could change one thing about the last chapters, what would it be?
- Did the ending change how you think about the opening pages?
Check price of The Summer I Turned Pretty on Amazon
Books to Read After The Summer I Turned Pretty
- It's Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han
- To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han
Related: The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han: Summary and Key Takeaways · 15 Books Like The Summer I Turned Pretty You’ll Love: Summer Love Triangles and Coming-of-Age Romance
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at the end of The Summer I Turned Pretty?
At the end of the summer at Cousins Beach, Isabel “Belly” Conklin finally kisses Conrad Fisher, the older brother she has loved for years, after his brother Jeremiah confesses his own feelings for her. Belly learns that Conrad's mother Susannah has cancer, the secret behind his moodiness, and the book ends with Belly turning sixteen and the summer closing.
Is the ending of The Summer I Turned Pretty happy or sad?
Most readers call it sweet and bittersweet.
What does the ending of The Summer I Turned Pretty mean?
The ending shows growing up and first love.
Is the ending of The Summer I Turned Pretty the same in the adaptation?
The Prime Video series changes several details.
Who wrote The Summer I Turned Pretty and when was it published?
The Summer I Turned Pretty was written by Jenny Han and first published in 2009.
Is The Summer I Turned Pretty worth reading if I already know the ending?
Yes, especially if you enjoy young adult romances. Knowing the ending can make a first read richer, because you notice how Jenny Han prepares for it from the opening chapters.
Should I read The Summer I Turned Pretty before reading the ending explained?
Yes, if you plan to read it, because this post gives away the whole ending.