The Summer I Turned Pretty 3 Review reveals what many longtime fans feared the spark that once defined the teen romance drama has fizzled out. Season 3 returns with the same sun-soaked beaches, slow-motion longing glances, and emotional love triangles, but without the charm or freshness that made the original season a breakout hit.

This time around, the show tries to mix personal growth with romantic complications. Belly (Lola Tung), no longer stuck in the emotional tug-of-war between brothers Conrad and Jeremiah, is now focused on her budding relationship with Jeremiah (Gavin Casalegno) and her future. But the stakes feel unusually low. Even with big decisions on the horizon, the drama lacks urgency. The writing struggles to land impactful moments, making most of the emotional highs feel like scripted filler.

Recycled Romance and Shallow Drama Hold Back Season 3

In the first two episodes, the pacing stumbles. Conversations stretch too long, conflicts feel repetitive, and even the cliffhangers fail to create real suspense. A Ross-and-Rachel-style misunderstanding from Friends shows up near the end of Episode 1, but rather than adding nostalgia, it feels like a tired, borrowed trope. Nothing in these opening episodes truly sets Season 3 apart.

Belly’s best friend Taylor (Rain Spencer) and Steven (Sean Kaufman) provide brief relief from the main plotline. Their scenes offer some freshness and realism that the central triangle desperately lacks. However, the shift in focus doesn’t help enough to lift the overall energy of the season.

The show still relies heavily on aesthetics: dreamy lighting, cinematic beach sunsets, and a killer soundtrack. Taylor Swift, Lana Del Rey, and other pop icons elevate the emotional tone of scenes where the dialogue falls flat. But even a strong playlist can’t rescue a script that feels stuck on loop.

The Summer I Turned Pretty 3 Review – All Aesthetics, No Soul

The Summer I Turned Pretty 3 Review also reflects the series’ inability to evolve. Audiences today expect teen dramas to offer more depth to reflect the realities of growing up with authenticity, not clichés. The endless beach walks, dramatic glances, and half-whispered monologues are no longer enough. Season 3, instead of building on its previous emotional arcs, reuses ideas, leaving many moments feeling uninspired and forced.

One of the show’s biggest problems is its resistance to real change. While it tries to explore Belly’s maturity, career ambitions, and friendships, the development often gets lost in the romance-heavy screenplay. Every serious moment is quickly followed by another awkward breakup or teary-eyed confession none of which adds anything new to the story.

And yet, fans who have stayed invested since Season 1 may still find some comfort in the familiarity. The chemistry between the cast remains strong, even if the material doesn’t support it fully. Visually, the series is still a treat. But storytelling-wise, it seems to be treading water. Also Read: Stranger Things Season 5 Teaser Sparks Buzz—Is Vecna Really Making a Terrifying Return?

With only the first few episodes released, there’s still time for The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 to recover. If later episodes dig deeper into the characters’ emotional journeys, the season could find a more meaningful rhythm. But as it stands now, the show is leaning too hard on formula and too little on substance.

Conclusion

The Summer I Turned Pretty 3 Review confirms what many suspected that the series is losing its emotional depth and originality. Despite a good-looking cast and strong music, the recycled drama and uneven pacing hold it back. Season 3 needs more than aesthetics to leave a lasting impression. For now, it’s more of the same and that’s starting to feel like too much.