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The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han is a novel that captures the essence of adolescence, as it tells the story of a young girl named Belly, who spends her summer at the beach house with her family and their long-time friends, the Fishers.
Throughout the summer, Belly navigates her complicated feelings for the Fisher brothers, Conrad and Jeremiah, while also trying to discover her own identity.
In this blog post, we will explore the ending of The Summer I Turned Pretty and provide a deeper analysis of the romantic relationships and family dynamics.
We will examine Belly’s growth and maturity throughout the summer, and how it shapes her relationships with Conrad and Jeremiah. Additionally, we will discuss the themes of loss, love, and forgiveness in the novel, and how they are reflected in the ending.
So, if you’re looking to gain a better understanding of the ending of The Summer I Turned Pretty, keep reading. Below you will find a comprehensive analysis of the novel’s ending, with quotes and citations from the book to help illuminate the story.
Be advised that there are spoilers ahead, so be entirely sure you want to continue reading.
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The Summer I Turned Pretty Ending Explained
So just what happened at the end of The Summer I Turned Pretty?
At the end of the novel, Belly reveals her true feelings to Conrad, and they share a kiss. However, Conrad tells her that he can’t be with her, and Belly is heartbroken. She spends the rest of the summer trying to avoid Conrad and coming to terms with the fact that their relationship is over.
In the final chapter of the book, Belly returns home from the beach house and starts her freshman year of high school. She has a newfound confidence and sense of self, and she is determined to make the most of her new start. The novel ends with Belly reflecting on the summer and how much she has grown and changed.
Themes
One of the central themes of The Summer I Turned Pretty is the complexity of love and relationships. Belly’s romantic feelings for the Fisher brothers are complicated, as she navigates her attraction to both of them.
At the end of the novel, Conrad tells Belly that he loves her but cannot be with her, stating, “I love you, Belly. God, I love you so much it hurts. But I can’t do this. I can’t give you what you want” (Han, 268). This conversation marks the end of Belly’s romantic relationship with Conrad, leaving her heartbroken but also giving her a sense of closure.
The novel also explores the theme of loss, as Belly grieves the loss of her childhood and the changes in her relationships with the Fisher brothers.
The loss of her childhood is further highlighted by the death of Susannah, the mother of the Fisher brothers, who was like a second mother to Belly. Susannah’s death has a profound impact on the Fisher family, bringing them closer together and leading to a greater understanding of each other.
The ending of The Summer I Turned Pretty is also characterized by forgiveness and reconciliation. The Fisher brothers have a complicated relationship, marked by jealousy and misunderstandings, but they ultimately reconcile, with Jeremiah forgiving Conrad for his past mistakes.
Belly also forgives the Fisher brothers, recognizing that they are flawed but still caring deeply for them. She states, “I forgive them for being older and for not always being there for me when I was little. I forgive them for not being able to love me enough. For not loving me the way I wanted to be loved” (Han, 276).
Belly’s Confession
The climax of the novel occurs when Belly finally musters the courage to confess her love to Conrad. Her feelings for him have been growing over the summer, but she has been hesitant to express them out of fear of being rejected.
However, at the end of the summer, when she realizes that she may never see Conrad again, she decides to tell him the truth. Belly says, “I always thought you didn’t like me. But the truth is, you were the one I didn’t like” (Han, 250). Conrad is shocked by her confession and asks her why she waited so long to tell him. Belly replies, “Because I was afraid” (Han, 250).
Conrad’s Rejection
Despite Belly’s confession of love, Conrad tells her that he cannot be with her. He explains that he is not in the right headspace to be in a relationship and that he needs to work on himself.
Conrad says, “I’m sorry, Belly. I can’t be what you want me to be” (Han, 252). Belly is heartbroken, and their exchange is a clear example of the harsh reality of unrequited love.
Belly’s Growth and Maturity
Despite the pain that Belly experiences, her summer at the beach house is a transformative experience. She learns to be more assertive and to stand up for herself. For example, when she confronts Conrad about his rejection, she does not allow him to belittle her feelings. Belly says, “Don’t you dare treat me like I’m nothing. I am not one of your…stupid girls” (Han, 252).
In the final chapter of the novel, Belly reflects on her growth and maturity. She says, “I had finally grown up. I was not the same girl I had been in the beginning. I was stronger now. I knew who I was. I knew what I wanted” (Han, 276). Belly’s newfound strength is evident in the way she handles her relationships with the Fisher brothers, and it sets her on a path towards a more confident and self-assured future.
The Fisher Family Dynamics
Throughout the novel, the Fisher family is a source of tension and conflict. Belly is caught between the two brothers, who are both vying for her attention, while their mother struggles with alcoholism, and their father is emotionally distant. However, by the end of the novel, there are signs of reconciliation and healing within the Fisher family.
Conrad tells Belly that he is going to try to fix his family. He says, “I’m going to try to fix things with my mom and my brothers. I’m going to make it better” (Han, 252). Similarly, Jeremiah reconciles with his father after a long period of estrangement. Jeremiah says, “I think we could try to start over. Do you want to try?” (Han, 262). These moments of closure and resolution provide a satisfying conclusion to the novel.
In conclusion
The ending of The Summer I Turned Pretty is bittersweet, as Belly’s love for Conrad is left unrequited, but her growth and maturity are evident. Additionally, the Fisher family dynamics are on the path towards healing and reconciliation, providing a sense of closure to the novel.
Overall, The Summer I Turned Pretty is a coming-of-age story that captures the essence of adolescence, with its complicated emotions and relationships.
The novel’s ending may leave readers with mixed feelings, but it is a realistic portrayal of the complexities of love and growing up. As Belly reflects, “It was the summer that everything began to change. It was the summer I turned pretty” (Han, 276).
I hope you enjoyed this ending explanation for The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han! And as always, I wish you happy reading! ❤️