After the release of season three of “The Summer I Turned Pretty,” the highly anticipated TV adaptation of author Jenny Han’s book series, fans are once again split over the question that’s sparked debate since the show’s 2022 premiere: Team Conrad or Team Jeremiah?

The show follows Isabel “Belly” Conklin, a teen caught in a complex love triangle with her childhood friends, Conrad and Jeremiah Fisher. As the show progressed, Belly’s shifting feelings for each brother stirred widespread discussion and speculation about who she truly loves.

After watching the season finale, two reporters from the B reflected on the series and shared their thoughts on Belly’s true love.

Iny: Team Conrad

Whether you were a day-one Team Conrad fan or rooted for Team Jeremiah before his flaws shone through in season three, it’s undeniable: Conrad’s love for Belly is infinite.

Since childhood, it’s been clear that Conrad’s care ran deeper than Jeremiah’s sudden attraction to Belly in season one. Take a season three flashback, for instance, when Jeremiah urged Conrad to leave Belly behind during their bike ride. Conrad, sacrificing his own fun, chose to wait patiently for Belly and even promised he would never let her go.

Through subtle acts of service, Conrad remains an enduring, grounding figure as they enter adulthood, particularly when Belly and Jeremiah prepare their sudden wedding. Despite his own heartbreak, Conrad intentionally misses his flight back to California to help Belly with errands, even going as far as cooking meals and fixing the Cousins’ house before the ceremony. And Jeremiah? Not only does he carelessly disregard the wedding budget for the infamous $750 “two-tier dark chocolate cake with a raspberry coulis filling and a mirror glaze on top,” but he nearly takes on Adam’s job offer without communicating with Belly. It’s a stark contrast to the continuous sacrifices Belly made for Jeremiah and their relationship.

But no scene across all three seasons compares to the moment when Conrad persuades Laurel, Belly’s mother, to support the wedding. After noticing Belly’s fading appetite and lack of enthusiasm, he begs Laurel to back up Belly, demonstrating his maturity and genuine desire for Belly to be happy — even if that means erasing him from her life.

Whether he’s carrying an injured Belly after her fall down the stairs or writing heartfelt letters when she was in France, Conrad has always been undeniably loyal. He isn’t afraid to remind Belly of her worth, especially when he found out that Belly knew Jeremiah had cheated on her in Cabo.

Conrad isn’t flawless, though. Confessing his undying love to his brother’s fiancée the night before the wedding wasn’t the most responsible move, nor was giving the cold shoulder to Belly for much of the first two seasons. Still, the audience knew Conrad was battling extreme anxiety and depression during his mother’s last moments, and he did what Jeremiah could never do: face his own struggles and support Belly in an honest, mature manner.

While Jeremiah’s repeated mistakes show immaturity — such as preventing Belly from going to France, kissing several people immediately after their breakup, and letting his father’s presence overshadow his loved ones — Conrad’s consideration shows emotional maturity, making him Belly’s true partner.

The show’s ending makes the final couple clear: it is and will always be Conrad and Belly.

Addison: Team Jeremiah

Jeremiah has always triumphed over his brother, Conrad, and the finale shouldn’t change that. Since the beginning of the show, his charisma and unwavering support for those he cares about easily beat Conrad’s broody, emotionally distant personality.

What’s special between Belly and Jeremiah is their unquestionably deep friendship. Their banter, shared jokes, and heartfelt conversations in Jeremiah’s car have solidified their long-standing bond.

In season two, Jeremiah’s generosity stood out. He encouraged Conrad to pursue Belly despite his own heartbreak and even gave him his blessing to date Belly, a sign of maturity far beyond his years.

However, their connection is most evident after the Fisher brothers’ mother, Susannah, passed away. Jeremiah stands by Belly’s side to comfort her while battling his own grief. His steadfast presence and ability to show up for her — especially in difficult moments — is yet another reason Jeremiah has the upper hand over Conrad. He handles hardship with resilience and a rational mindset, handling his mother’s medical bills and taking care of her during cancer treatment.

In contrast, Conrad has a tendency to shut people out when he encounters struggle, a trait that was especially prominent in the second season. After his mother’s death, Conrad’s seclusion was detrimental to those around him, most notably when he neglected his responsibilities at Belly’s prom. To make matters worse, Conrad also played with Belly’s heart by expressing romantic interest one day but pulling back the next — a habit that left her feeling hurt and unappreciated. His emotional distance and inability to reciprocate love fall short when compared to Jeremiah’s openness and honesty with his feelings.

In the third season, Conrad not only pushes people away, but he also lacks emotional control and acts on impulses without considering the consequences. In the scene the night before Belly’s wedding, Conrad suddenly professes his love out of the blue. This was not the right time nor place to make such confessions. Truly, it was a lousy and selfish attempt to win Belly back, knowing very well she is in a committed relationship with Jeremiah.

Jeremiah is also far from perfect. In season three, he’s blinded by his desire for his father’s approval, flaunts his relationship with Belly to make Conrad jealous, and notoriously cheats on her in Cabo. Despite these flaws, he showcased immense growth at the end of the series by accepting Conrad and Belly’s reconciliation and finding his own happiness through cooking. Just like before, Jeremiah worked past his struggles and established a life for himself, not for his father or Belly.

Even though Jeremiah and Belly weren’t endgame, his consistent presence in people’s lives and personal growth make him the best Fisher brother.