If there’s one thing that The Summer I Turned Pretty has mastered, it’s the art of driving fans absolutely insane. Across the three seasons, Jenny Han’s beachside saga has turned Belly Conklin’s love life into a battleground, where every stolen glance, ill-timed confessions, and messy breakups send Team Jeremiah and Team Conrad into a digital war. It’s safe to say that after I spent a concerning amount of time watching the show and debating about the same, it’s safe to say that it is a complete RAGE BAIT. The show is engineered to keep you glued to the screen, hate-tweet the characters, and still tune in every Wednesday to see who Belly will (or won’t) choose.
Why The Summer I Turned Pretty Is A Ragebait Show
1. Team Conrad vs Team Jeremiah
The love triangle isn’t just a storyline; it’s the Hunger Games. Well, you pick a side, you die on that hill, and then the writers make sure your side looks trash for at least half the season. Are you rooting for the broody, emotionally available, but the better brother, Conrad or the golden retriever Jeremiah, who constantly wants Belly to pick him and is basically a manchild? Either way, you’ll be miserable.
2. Belly’s ‘Innocent Girl’ Era
In season 1, Belly said, “What if I ruined everyone’s summer?” and honestly, mission accomplished, girl. She ping-pongs between the two Fisher brothers, wrecks Steven’s bond with them, fumbles her friendships, ruins Susannah’s funeral, and somehow still doesn’t hold accountability. If this was not peak rage bait, then I don’t know what was. She’s written to frustrate you, because if she’d act rationally, there’d be no show. Also, we will always be jealous of her for getting to choose between two charming brothers.
3. The Countless Unnecessary Confessions
Nobody in the world of The Summer I Turned Pretty has heard of ‘healthy communication.’ Conrad clams up until it’s too late, Jeremiah cries at the drop of a hat, and Belly…well, she processes by choosing the obviously wrong brother. Why does every confession have to happen at the worst possible time? Every fight could’ve been solved if Conrad had gone to therapy a bit earlier and taken his brother with him. But that’s just a delusional me.
Also Read: Did You Know Belly’s Lemon Belly Jelly Code Phrase In The Summer I Turned Pretty Means THIS?
4. The Wedding Saga *UGH*
Do I really have to explain this one? We get that your brother’s almost dying gave you a shocker about life, but marrying a guy who just cheated on you, at 21, with a Paris invitation in your hand, is the best solution? Absolutely yes! (Just continuing the rage bait challenge). Getting married that young to the guy you don’t even have real feelings for is a red flag when he is not emotionally or financially stable. I mean..ugh.
5. Side Characters Who Deserved Better
Steven, Taylor, and even Cam Cameron were basically just props cleaning around Belly’s mess. Fans get attached, only to watch these characters tossed aside when the love triangle needs centre stage again. Cue rage threads about how the real best character is sidelined.
Also Read: How Did Laurel Not Notice Belly’s Feelings For Conrad In The Summer I Turned Pretty? Explained