On June 17, 2022, Jenny Han blessed the world with a new Amazon Prime television series called The Summer I Turned Pretty and it’s been the only thing anyone’s talked about ever since. Trust us, don’t watch the first episode unless you’re ready to watch the six that follow.
Noted as binge-worthy, the seven-episode series is based on a 2009 novel by the same name and author – Jenny Han. In fact, this story is a part of a much larger trilogy, which includes the 2010 novel It’s Not Summer Without You and the 2011 novel We’ll Always Have Summer.
Labeled as a coming-of-age romantic drama, The Summer I Turned Pretty is about a young woman – Isabel ‘Belly’ Conklin – who gets herself tangled in a love triangle with two brothers – Jeremiah and Conrad Fisher – while on summer vacation. It’ll have you feeling all the emotions.
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Best Reactions to The Summer I Turned Pretty
While the story might be new to some people, it’s something many others have been waiting over a decade for – knowing it may never come. Now that it’s been a month since its release date, there’s no more excuses or reasons why you shouldn’t watch it – I know you want to!
Many fans of the show were impressed by the cast, which is full of actors and actresses you’ve likely never heard of. They were also impressed by the music soundtrack, which features a long list of popular artists today, and by how relatable the story is – most people will connect to it.
The Summer I Turned Pretty has only been released for one month, but it’s already the talk of the town – no matter what town you’re in. Whether you’re looking to get the inside scoop or simply want to see what everyone else thought of it, let’s see some of the best fan reactions!
25. How Many Times Have You Watched it?
For some people, binge-watching the first season isn’t enough – they need more. Unfortunately, there won’t be anything more until they release the second season. Don’t worry, you can always rewatch the first season – it won’t have the same effect, but it’ll help you pass some time as we await the next season. Now, the real question is how many times have you watched it already?
24. He’s Always Cleaning Something
One fan noticed something as they were watching The Summer I Turned Pretty and I’m sure it’s something you noticed too – even if you weren’t thinking about it. The character pictured above is Conrad, who is played by Christopher Briney. He’s one of the two brothers that Belly is stuck between and he seems to have a thing with cleaning – which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
23. Who Are You Watching it With?
Are you looking for a new show to watch with your significant other? If so, then The Summer I Turned Pretty might be the perfect one! It’ll be one of those shows they pretend they don’t like, but we all know they enjoy it. Even if you don’t have a significant other, this is a great series to watch with anyone – it’s much more mature than some of the other drama series out today.
22. It’s Almost an Addiction at This Point
Like we mentioned earlier, fans have been raving about The Summer I Turned Pretty on social media – everyone has their own opinion and they want as many people to know it as possible. This fan captured that notion perfectly with this tweet, with another fan replying “and we never will.” I must say, I agree – why stop when you don’t have to? It’s just that good of a show!
21. Everyone Seems to Love Gavin
Gavin Casalegno is an actor who plays Jeremiah Fisher – the younger of the two brothers. Although Belly has a longstanding crush on his older brother, Jeremiah gives us a reason to root for him in the race to Belly’s heart. In fact, many people want Belly and Jeremiah to end up together, but will they? Well, you’ll have to watch the series to find out – no spoilers here!
20. How Did You Feel About Taylor?
Taylor is one of the recurring characters in The Summer I Turned Pretty – she’s played by Rain Spencer and appears in episodes one, three, five, and six. She’s one of Belly’s best friends from back home, but she doesn’t really act like a best friend. She slept with Belly’s brother, tries to control Belly, gets super jealous when Belly talks to other people, and oversteps boundaries.
19. I Wouldn’t Try to Fight It, Either
There are so many quality television shows available on Amazon Prime right now and while The Summer I Turned Pretty might seem like just another show on the list, it’s actually on top of a lot of people’s lists – even more so than Reacher, With Love, Downton Abbey, Night Sky, Outer Range, and The Terminal List. Forget about all of those until you finish this one first!
18. When Does Season 2 Come Out?
Those looking for a new show to watch were elated when Jenny Han released The Summer I Turned Pretty in June of 2022, but now they’re all left with the same question – when does season two come out? While we can rest easy knowing there will be a second season, they have yet to release a date. Of course, all signs point towards a possible summer 2023 release.
17. That Last Scene, Though!
Alright, we promised no spoiler alerts and we’re going to remain true to that, but just know that the last scene will likely have you in tears – if not balling your eyes out. By the time you get to the end scene, you’ll have your mind made up as to who you want Belly to be with – some people will say Conrad and some people will say Jeremiah, but the end scene has answers.
16. Watch Out for the Tears!
This fan explained the final scene perfectly and it hints at what we were trying to say before – prepare for the tears because there’s no hiding from them. If you’re one to wear mascara and makeup, consider taking it off before you start the final episode. Those that don’t will be left with quite a mess to clean up and I don’t think Conrad is going to be there to help you – unfortunately.
15. Funeral by Phoebe Bridgers
The ending isn’t the only time you’ll be forced to let out a few tears. In fact, a lot of fans couldn’t help but notice the perfect, yet sad timing when the song Funeral by Phoebe Bridgers started to play during an emotional scene. It’s enough to make you cry, but it also changes the entire mood of the episode. Considering the name of the song playing, the future can’t look good.
14. That’s a Nice Plot, Isn’t It?
Conrad, Conrad, Conrad – some people are obsessed and there’s a good chance you’re one of them. Like any show, all fans are going to have their own personal favorite character and while there are plenty to choose from, many people are Team Conrad. He might be the one that Belly has crushed on for a long time, but will that mean he wins her heart in the end? Watch to find out!
13. Gotta Take What You Can Get
We get it, everyone wants their summer to go like they do on TV – the only problem is it almost never does. In this case, having a ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ summer would mean finding your true love – no matter what you have to go through to get it. Unfortunately, most people won’t find their true love and will only get played by someone who only wants to waste their time.
12. It’s So Good It’s Illegal
Alright, it’s about time we talk about the soundtrack to The Summer I Turned Pretty because it’s top-notch and is perfect for the demographic known to watch the show. It features artists such as Taylor Swift, Cardi B, Olivia Rodrigo, Alessia Cara, Saweetie, Doja Cat, Bon Iver, Carly Rae Jepsen, Billie Eilish, Jack Harlow, Tyler the Creator, Dua Lipa, and so much more.
11. There’s a T-Swift Song for Everything
Of all the artists used in the soundtrack, perhaps no one is utilized more than Taylor Swift. The five primary songs used throughout the first season include Cruel Summer, Lover, False God, The Way I Loved You (Taylor’s Version), and This Love (Taylor’s Version). And, if I may say so myself, the songs are placed perfectly – at the right moments. It really helps bring the story together.
10. Did It Leave You Wanting More?
I’m sure we all had the same thought when episode seven ended – “No, that can’t be it! I’m not ready for it to be over!” On one hand, releasing all seven episodes on the same day allows you to binge watch. On the other hand, we now have to wait another year (or more) before we get season two. It’s what some might call a blessing and a curse.
9. Is This How You Felt, Too?
When we say The Summer I Turned Pretty will take you on an emotional rollercoaster, we’re not lying. It’ll have you falling in love with certain characters, hating other characters, wondering what’ll happen next, and hoping things had happened differently. You’ll laugh, cry, worry, and hope. There will be parts you relate to personally and also moments you can learn from!
8. It’s a Breath of Fresh Air
Let’s be honest, every film or television show today pushes the same conflict when it comes to two female characters – and it always has something to do with a guy. The tweet is talking about the relationship between Susannah and Laurel. Susannah is the mother of Jeremiah and Conrad, while Laurel is the mother of Belly. They have a good friendship that remains intact.
7. It Was Everyone’s Teen Dream
We all have what we call a ‘teen dream’ and while it’s unique for everyone, a lot of people can relate to the story being told in The Summer I Turned Pretty. If it’s not something we personally experienced in real life, then it’s something we always hoped would happen to us. Either way, watching this television series will help you relive that moment or live it for the first time!
6. Don’t Forget to Read the Book, Too!
Did you recently finish season one? Are you eager for the next season to be released? If so, then hang tight because you have a while to go. Don’t worry, you have some reading to catch up on. The first season of the television series follows the events that happen in the first book of the trilogy. After you read the first book, you can move on to the next two books – so you can see what happens next!
5. If Only That Was Possible!
If we always got our way, then life would be pretty spectacular, wouldn’t it? One of the most disappointing things about finishing a movie or television series is that you’ll never quite experience the same way ever again. There won’t be as many surprises, you won’t be as thrilled or engaged, and you’ll already know all the major turning points to the story.
4. Are You Team Jeremiah or Team Conrad?
Alright, I hate to put you on the spot here, but it’s time we all choose sides. Which one are you – Team Conrad or Team Jeremiah? The early consensus shows a lot of people favoring Conrad, but Jeremiah has his own group of supporters. Of course, some people are bypassing both choices and going with the Cinderella pick – Team Cameron – but more on that below.
3. Don’t You Dare Hurt Cam Cameron
Cameron is a character in The Summer I Turned Pretty – played by David Iacono. His character is a Cousin Beach local (where the main characters are vacationing). Cam knows Belly from a previous encounter, which makes sense considering this vacation was an annual tradition for the two families. In fact, he ends up being Belly’s first kiss of the summer that year.
2. The Casting Was On-Point
The cast is full of people you likely haven’t heard of, so let’s introduce them (along with their character names). The main ones include Lola Tung (Belly), Jackie Chung (Laurel), Rachel Blanchard (Susannah), Christopher Briney (Conrad), Gavin Casalegno (Jeremiah), Sean Kaufman (Steven), David Iacono (Cam), Summer Madison (Nicole), and Rain Spencer (Taylor).
1. Some Might Call It Overnight Fame
We leave you with one last fan reaction after watching the first season of The Summer I Turned Pretty – and it makes a valid point. It’s crazy how most of the actors and actresses in this show are rising to prominence for the first time in their career. And while the show was just released a month ago, they’re already forming some pretty hardcore fanbases that stand fairly strong.
What About Season 2 of The Summer I Turned Pretty?
Alright, be honest, how many days did it take you to binge through all seven episodes of the first season? If you’re like most people, the series premiere and series finale were watched on the same day – which is fitting that it’s on Amazon Prime because they preach same-day delivery.
And delivered, they have. The Summer I Turned Pretty is the next up-and-coming show that everyone’s talking about. In fact, the producers knew it would be a hit before the first season even dropped – announcing a Season 2 was in the works weeks before releasing Season 1.
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With how popular the show is already, Jenny Han might have to expand past her original trilogy because people are going to be thirsty for more when/if Season 3 comes to an end. The good news is we can likely expect at least three seasons considering the books are already released.
If you enjoyed these fan reactions to The Summer I Turned Pretty, you might also like some memes about another huge TV show at the moment, Stranger Things. We’ve rounded up some hilarious memes that truly capture the magic of the show. Scroll down below and enjoy!
Spoiler Alert! We’ve Got Some Seriously Fun Stranger Things Memes to Share With You Below:
This Duo
If you would have told us that Steve and his co-worker at the ice cream shop in the mall would become two of the most lovable characters in the show, we would not have believed you a couple of seasons ago. It’s clear from the above Stranger Things meme that we’re not the only ones obsessed with Steve and Robin.
Floating Up That Hill
In the first half of season four, Max is featured listening to a lot of music and it becomes central to the plot of the show. It’s revealed that Max’s favorite song is “Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God)” by Kate Bush. The show introduced a new generation to the hit song and many to Art Pop Queen, Kate Bush. It’s not the only meme about the song on this list!
Not Now
Here’s a hilarious Stranger Things meme that acts as a sign of our times. Binge-watching television is a national pastime and we Netflix to largely thank for it. In the meme, a mom is neglecting her child in favor of watching the new season of Stranger Things in one sitting. This is both absurd yet also highly relatable.
No Context Spoilers
This “spoilers without context” meme is genius. We find a scrunched-up body, some skates, a floating SpongeBob, and Jif peanut butter. If you’ve seen the first part of season four, you know that each one of these items is very significant and represented in the show. The creator of this meme deserves some sort of award. Brilliant!
Truly
Stranger Things has been pretty brutal on some of its most beloved characters. Barb, Bob, and Alexei are three examples of fan favorites who have been killed off by the show. This meme argues that all three characters deserved better. We agree! Duffer Brothers, why did you have to do them so dirty? Does anyone else have nightmares about Bob’s downfall? Not cool!
You Can’t Unsee It
In the climax of the first half of season four, audiences are treated to a particularly hellish scene that finds Max facing off against Vecna in the Upside Down. It’s terrifying to see Max in such danger. Thankfully, we’ve found a meme that might help you recover. “I’m never going to emotionally recover from this,” Tiger King says. We could not agree more.
We Watch Too Much TV
The explosive climax of season three of Stranger Things has been dubbed the “Battle of StarCourt,” a reference to the big fight that occurs in the mall’s food court. “Battle of Winterfell” is a huge battle sequence from HBO’s smash hit Game of Thrones. This meme lets folks know which episode of television was more compelling. Do you agree? We’re pretty sure this is debatable but it’s likely both sequences made you hold your breath.
It’s Just Too Good
For fans of Stranger Things, it was quite the wait for season four to return. Not one, not two, but three whole years passed between season three and four. Fans were so eager that they zoomed through all episodes released of season four. This meme captures the feeling of emptiness we all experienced after we finished the first half of season four. We get that things take time but… come on!
Will Just Wants to Play D&D With His Buds
Here’s a great meme about Will’s experience in seasons two and three in Stranger Things. Will got returned from the Upside Down and all he wanted to do was play D&D with his friends. Unfortunately, the stakes of the real world were too much for Dustin, Mike, and Lucas to just slip back into the imaginary world they created with their game. Meanwhile, Will is still very much in danger!
The Good Hair
How good are these photoshopped images of Steve? In all honesty, it really does feel like his hair gets bigger each time we see him throughout the show. We get it, Steve. You’ve got some enviable hair. This extremely goofy Stranger Things meme is one of our favorites. Never stop doing you, Steve.
No, You Really Don’t
Here’s an excellent meme that finds parallels between the happenings in Hawkins and Bikini Bottom. Is Stranger Things actually based on SpongeBob? There’s no denying the similarities in the above images. Writers turn to the strangest places for inspiration and it’s possible that Robin and Steve were based on Patrick and SpongeBob. Do you believe it?
Facts
For whatever reason, Steve is constantly partnered with the younger character in Stranger Things. He’s helped those kids battle the meanest baddies from the Upside Down. It’s true that the kids of Hawkins would be better off with Steve than just about any other character at this point. It’s a funny bit that the show has actually turned into a cool plot point. Who else is thankful for Steve?
Eleven Meets 8 Mile
“Feel old yet?” memes are hit or miss and this one that imagines Eleven and Eminem as the same person is a winning one. It’s just so stupid. Honestly, at this rate, the kids of Stranger Things are going to be college-aged by the time the fifth and final series airs. So, this ridiculous meme might be truer than we give it credit.
Extended
Who remembers this scene from season four? It was just so refreshing and funny amidst all the high stakes of the season. A simple screen pull is all it takes to elevate the moment to meme status. Honestly, when Lucas returned to be with his group of friends we were just so overjoyed so we will just savor the moment via this perfect meme.
The Cut
Will has a pretty unfortunate if not era-appropriate haircut for most of Stranger Things. People really can’t get behind his bowl cut and there are so many Stranger Things memes about it. Here’s one of our favorites. If you’ve ever gotten a bad haircut after following bad advice, this meme will feel all too real. Chop it off, Will! It’ll grow back.
Lonesome
“This is the loneliest I’ve ever been, and I lived alone in the Upside Down for a month,” Will is captioned as saying in this meme. Does this meme pull at your heartstrings? It’s a pretty tender one that feels relatable for anyone who felt like their friends were moving on without them. Will has been through a lot over the seasons and we think he deserves a social life win before things are said and done.
An Eleven
This is so dumb! Despite this being ridiculous, it did make us laugh out loud. “Can we talk? One ten to another?” Max asks in the meme. “I’m Eleven, but continue,” Eleven replies. What a sick burn! Despite the joke here, we love seeing the young women of the show banding together and supporting each other.
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Domestic Bliss
This still image taken from season three of Stranger Things is one of the most widely used ones for memes. For context, Robin and Steve are feeling weird after being drugged with truth serum by the Russians. It’s a hilarious sequence that spawned this priceless image that speaks a million words. The creator of this meme has added a caption with their own context for it.
“When you hate your job but you have 6 kids to care [for], so you keep it internal because you love your kids and you gotta get money to afford the minivan,” the highly specific caption reads. Okay!
Relatable
“I would rather bleed out than sit here and talk about my feelings for ten hours,” this meme with Hopper, Eleven, and Mike says. You know, we really could not have put that any better. If you’re someone who also has difficulty processing and talking about your feelings, this is the perfect Stranger Things meme for you. We promise you’re not alone!
This Is Why We Stan Erica
One of the very best characters to emerge over the course of Stranger Things is Lucas’ sister Erica who keeps it 100. We love how she never has time for nonsense. She’s so driven and self-assured. She’s a true hero of the show. We love this funny comparison to DW from Arthur. Erica could stare right through your body to your soul and this meme gets that.
Forever Young
Here’s an excellent joke that imagines Stranger Things ten years from now. Do you think Mike and Will will end up looking exactly like this? It’s a funny thought and pretty ridiculous. We have no idea where this image of Andy Samberg came from but if you do, please feel free to share!
They Can’t Be Stopped
The next couple of Stranger Things memes play on the same theme as the “deserve better” meme we shared with you earlier on the list. It imagines the Duffer Brothers responding to beloved characters by saying “I’m about to end this man.” It marries an old and treasured meme to Stranger Things in such a refreshing way. You know, there’s not much of a lie in this one.
RIP
Here’s another meme about the beloved characters we’ve lost throughout the seasons. We’ve seen this Stranger Things meme format before but it’s taking a real stance in this meme. We find a hot take that Alexei is better than Barb. We’re sure audiences have some mixed emotions about both of these characters but can you even compare them? We could not pick even if Eleven threatened to make us wet our pants.
Breaking Up Is Hard to Do
Here’s another great Stranger Things meme about Steve taking care of those kids. The meme lists things that most teens do after being dumped. For Steve, the aftermath looks much different. According to this meme, he will, “adopt four middle-school kids and become the best single mom the Hawkins basketball team has ever seen.” Points were made.
Exactly Right
This one is for the introverts out there! “Too many people, it’s against the rules,” feels like the perfect sentiment for an introvert showing up to a crowded party. Where most people see opportunity, introverts see disaster. We felt this one. Eleven has delivered so many relatable one-liners over the course of Stranger Things and this one has to be one of the best.
Skittles
Here’s another really stupid Stranger Things meme that coincidentally also features Eminem. “I love Eminem,” Dustin says. “I prefer skittles,” Eleven replies. “I meant the rapper,” Dustin explains. “Why would you eat the wrapper?” Eleven asks. This meme is all about puns and it is just so silly. It also manages to capture Eleven’s lack of pop culture which also makes it work.
A New Concept
Again, we find another meme that plays on Eleven’s unique position in the early seasons of Stranger Things. It turns out you miss a lot when you’re raised in a lab. This meme’s creator clearly found that experience relatable. The meme imagines a set of parents telling their child to go play with friends. “What is ‘friend?'” Eleven asks. It’s okay to have a rich inner life, folks.
The Children Must Learn
Okay, we need to take a moment to discuss Kate Bush and Stranger Things’ use of her hit song “Running Up That Hill” in season four. It’s a killer song that has always been one of Bush’s more accessible entries. Bush’s fans have been fiercely protective of her art through the years because it is so personal to them. The result was a lot of folks who complained about the use of the song in the show.
The complaints are pretty ridiculous if you ask us, but it’s understandable that fans would want to “gatekeep” the song for themselves as it has been used in commercials and other media in recent years. Detractors feel that the song will be “ruined” by overuse. We think folks should be celebrating the use of the song.
It’s a great song and an excellent gateway into the magical world of Bush’s singular music. Let’s let others enjoy her art as well! If you’d like to learn more about Bush, Elise Soutar wrote the definitive primer on her music and how to best enjoy it for Paste Magazine.
Searching High and Low
We’re getting pretty stupid again with this Stranger Things meme that plays with Will’s name for a funny punchline. “Me looking for my will to study,” the caption reads. Then, we’re treated to stills from the show of the many times that characters searched for Will when he was missing in the Upside Down. It’s the right kind of stupid, however, and we rather enjoyed this silly one.
Expectations Meet Reality
We find Eleven in a disguise next to the actor, David Harbour who is wearing the same disguise. If you’ve ever ordered something online and it failed to meet your expectations once it was delivered, you’ve likely experienced the disappointment expressed in this meme. As this has become increasingly common over the last several years, there’s a place for this meme in plenty of hearts.
Get It?
A visual pun? Sure! We find seven Elevens in this ridiculous meme that marries the convenience store giant 7-11 with our friend named Eleven from Hawkins. This is an evergreen Stranger Things meme that will never get old. For a moment, take time to think of the show if it actually had seven Elevens. That would be so wild!
Accurate
“When my friends describe me to other people,” the caption of this meme reads. Above, we find an image of Dustin describing Eleven. “She’s our friend and she’s crazy,” he says in the iconic scene from the first season. This very well might be relatable for you if you are the wildcard of your friend group. We would not be mad about it.
Too Real
“Wow! You’re so mature for your age,” the imagined conversation starts in this meme. “Thanks, it’s the trauma,” says the reply. The entire exchange is imposed over an image of Will looking terrified in the face of pure evil. This meme works because it’s likely that Will would do well with some therapy after all of the crazy stuff he’s lived through so far on the show.
Make It Stop
One thing is certain: fans of Stranger Things know when that moody synth music starts, something really bad is about to go down. The musical queues are one of the most fun things about the show. It’s been a constant from episode one and it continues in the more recent episodes of the series. It’s primed many of us to believe we’re in danger when that 80s-inspired music starts.
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Memories
Okay, this is just hilarious. We all find ourselves in bed thinking about things we regret saying or not saying. It’s a common human thing. It’s made so extremely relatable in this meme of Eleven looking troubled as she lays on her back in a school hallway. We’ve all been there and this Stranger Things meme totally gets that.
There you go! We hope you enjoyed these hilarious Stranger Things memes for fans of the show. Each season of Stranger Things feels more ambitious and emotional than the last. That makes memes about the show even more impassioned and nuanced. While many of these memes are stupid some of them really do poke fun at finer points. Now, share these Stranger Things memes with your friends so they can get a laugh!