The Definitive Answer: 5 Shocking Ways Belly And Conrad End Up Together In The Summer I Turned Pretty Books
The question that has fueled the most intense love triangle debate in modern YA literature finally has a definitive answer: Yes, Belly ends up with Conrad in the original The Summer I Turned Pretty book trilogy. This conclusion, cemented in the third and final novel, We'll Always Have Summer, sees Isabel "Belly" Conklin choose her first love, Conrad Fisher, over his younger brother, Jeremiah Fisher, culminating in a beautiful, long-awaited wedding at Cousins Beach. The journey to this outcome is anything but simple, involving a canceled engagement, a significant time jump, and the emotional wreckage of the Fisher family.
As of late 2025, the book's ending remains the canonical source for fans. However, author and showrunner Jenny Han has hinted that the Amazon Prime Video series may deviate from the source material, suggesting the show's finale could be "better" or a "different" version of the love story. This uncertainty has only amplified the curiosity for the book’s definitive, dramatic conclusion, especially for those watching the adaptation.
The Book's Final Chapter: Belly's Journey to Conrad Fisher
To fully appreciate the final outcome, it is essential to understand the arc of the entire trilogy and the pivotal moments that lead Belly to her forever choice. The books are a masterclass in the "right person, wrong time" trope, which ultimately favored the eldest Fisher brother, Conrad.
- Book One: The Summer I Turned Pretty (2009): Belly's lifelong crush on Conrad finally seems reciprocated, leading to their first kiss and a brief, tumultuous relationship.
- Book Two: It's Not Summer Without You (2010): The relationship with Conrad ends due to his emotional withdrawal following his mother Susannah's death. Belly and Jeremiah grow closer, sharing a deep, comforting bond that turns romantic.
- Book Three: We'll Always Have Summer (2011): The main conflict centers on Belly and Jeremiah's engagement, which is ultimately called off, clearing the path for the book's epilogue where Belly and Conrad reunite.
The final novel, We'll Always Have Summer, is where the "Team Conrad" victory is secured, but not before a heartbreaking detour. The book details five key events that ensure Belly and Conrad's path to the altar.
5 Defining Moments That Lead Belly to Marry Conrad
The conclusion of the book series is built on a series of dramatic decisions and revelations that prove Conrad Fisher was always Belly's "infinite" love, a concept central to the entire narrative. These moments solidify the ending for book readers.
1. Jeremiah’s Cheating Scandal and the Canceled Wedding
The most shocking event of the final book is the catalyst for Belly and Jeremiah’s ultimate breakup. After being together for two years, Belly and Jeremiah decide to get married young, a decision driven by a desire to hold onto the magic of Cousins Beach and the memory of Susannah. However, while on a break during their engagement, Jeremiah cheats on Belly. This betrayal shatters Belly's trust and forces her to confront the reality of their relationship. While they initially try to salvage the wedding, the emotional damage is too great. The cheating incident reveals a fundamental instability in their relationship that Belly cannot overlook, making the wedding cancellation inevitable.
2. The Letter from Susannah Fisher
A deeply emotional moment in the book is the revelation of a letter Susannah wrote to Belly before her death. This letter, intended for Belly's wedding day, speaks of a future with Conrad, confirming that Susannah always believed Belly and her eldest son were meant to be together. This posthumous blessing acts as a powerful sign for Belly, reinforcing the idea of a destiny she had been fighting against. It’s a crucial piece of topical authority, linking the two families and the central theme of enduring love.
3. Conrad's Emotional Breakthrough and Declaration
Throughout the series, Conrad is characterized by his emotional guardedness and tendency to push Belly away, especially during times of stress. In the final book, however, he finally breaks through his barriers. He confesses his true, enduring feelings for Belly, admitting that he never stopped loving her and that his previous actions were rooted in his grief and fear of commitment. This vulnerability is what Belly had always longed for from Conrad, proving that he had matured and was finally ready to give her the stable, open love she deserved.
4. The Significant Time Jump and Reconciliation
After the disastrous non-wedding with Jeremiah, the book employs a time jump of several years. This narrative device is essential for the characters to mature and for the intense emotional drama to cool down. During this time, Belly and Conrad reconnect naturally, away from the pressure of family tragedy and teenage angst. Belly attends college, and Conrad pursues his medical career. They begin exchanging letters, reigniting their connection slowly and genuinely. This period of growth allows them to build a stronger foundation based on adult understanding and mutual respect, rather than the impulsive, dramatic love of their youth.
5. The Cousins Beach Wedding Epilogue
The book’s epilogue is the definitive answer: Belly and Conrad get married at Cousins Beach, the place where their entire story began. The wedding is intimate and perfect, a stark contrast to the drama of the canceled Jeremiah wedding. Even Jeremiah attends the ceremony, bringing a date and showing that the Fisher brothers have reconciled and moved past the love triangle. This final scene confirms that Conrad and Belly are the "infinity" couple, completing the trilogy's central theme of fate and first love enduring all obstacles. Belly, now a 23-year-old woman, is finally marrying the boy she loved since she was ten, closing the loop on a decade of yearning and heartbreak.
The Show vs. The Book: Will the TV Series Change the Ending?
For fans who are "Team Jeremiah," there is a glimmer of hope that the Amazon Prime Video series will deliver a different ending. Author and showrunner Jenny Han has been very open about the opportunity to revisit and potentially change the ending for the screen adaptation.
In various interviews, Han has stated that she has had over a decade to think about the original ending and that the show allows her a "second chance" to tell the story. She has teased that the TV show's final season might not strictly follow the book's conclusion, suggesting she wants the show's ending to be "better" than the books. This sentiment has led to intense speculation among the fan base and the media, with many wondering if the show will lean into the popular "Team Jeremiah" sentiment that has grown significantly due to the casting and on-screen chemistry of the actors.
While the book is clear—Belly and Conrad are the endgame—the television series has created a truly balanced love triangle, giving both Fisher brothers valid claims to Belly's heart. The third and final season of the show, which will adapt We'll Always Have Summer, holds the key to whether the screen version will honor the definitive book ending or forge a new path for Belly Conklin.
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