The wait for Cousins Beach feels longer than a winter in Philadelphia. If you've been refreshing Jenny Han’s Instagram or TikTok every five minutes hoping for a crumb of news, you are definitely not alone. The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 is easily one of the most anticipated returns in streaming history, and honestly, the stakes couldn't be higher after that chaotic Season 2 finale.
Belly made a choice. Conrad is heartbroken. Jeremiah is, for the moment, the "winner" of the love triangle. But if you’ve read the books, you know that the story is nowhere near finished. Jenny Han has basically promised that this next chapter will be the biggest one yet, and with 11 episodes on the way, we’re getting more Cousins than ever before.
When are we actually getting The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3?
Let's get the painful part out of the way first. We aren't seeing this show in 2024. Prime Video officially confirmed that The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 is slated for a Summer 2025 release.
Why the massive gap?
The 2023 Hollywood strikes pushed everything back. Filming didn't even start until the spring of 2024 in Wilmington, North Carolina. Seeing the cast—Lola Tung, Christopher Briney, and Gavin Casalegno—back on set via those grainy "leaked" TikToks was the first bit of hope fans had in over a year. Because the show relies so heavily on that specific summer "vibe," they couldn't just film in the middle of a snowy winter and call it a day. They needed the heat. They needed the real Carolina sun.
What happens in the third book?
If you want to know where the plot is headed, you have to look at We’ll Always Have Summer. This is the third and final book in Han’s trilogy. While the show has changed some details—like making Jeremiah bisexual or adding the whole "saving the beach house" plotline—the core emotional beats usually stay the same.
In the book, we jump forward a couple of years. Belly is in college. She’s still with Jeremiah, but things aren't exactly perfect. There’s a massive revelation involving a spring break trip that Jeremiah took, which leads to a very impulsive, very dramatic proposal.
Yes, a wedding.
The idea of Belly trying to get married at 18 or 19 is wild, but that’s the driving force of the third act. It forces Conrad back into the picture in a way that he can't ignore. He’s been away at Stanford, trying to move on, but seeing Belly walk toward a permanent life with his brother? That’s the breaking point.
The 11-episode expansion
The first season had seven episodes. The second had eight. Prime Video upped the order to 11 for Season 3. This is huge. It suggests that Han isn't just rushing through the third book; she’s likely expanding on the college years and giving us more of the "Team Conrad" or "Team Jeremiah" flashbacks that fans crave.
More episodes mean more room for the supporting cast, too. We need to see what's happening with Steven and Taylor—the internet's favorite "will-they-won't-they" that actually happened. Rain Spencer and Sean Kaufman have incredible chemistry, and honestly, sometimes their drama feels more grounded than the central triangle. We also need to see how Laurel is coping with her grief and her new career moves.
Team Jeremiah vs. Team Conrad: The Final Showdown
This isn't just a TV show; it's a war zone for some people.
Jeremiah spent Season 2 being the "stable" choice. He was there when Conrad pushed Belly away. He’s fun, he’s communicative, and he’s deeply in love with her. But Conrad is... Conrad. He’s the "infinite" love. In Season 2, we saw him struggling with his mental health and the weight of his mother’s death, which made him act like a jerk. But that final scene at the motel, where he gives Belly her necklace back? That was a knife to the heart for many viewers.
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Season 3 has to deal with the fallout of Belly’s choice.
"There’s no world where this ends quietly," says a common fan theory on Reddit. "Conrad is going to have to actually use his words for once if he wants her back."
That's the real growth we need to see. Conrad growing up. Jeremiah realizing he might be a second choice. Belly realizing she needs to be her own person before she can be anyone's wife or girlfriend.
Production details you might have missed
The show is filming at its usual haunts around Wilmington. Screen Gems Studios is the home base, but they’ve been spotted at Wrightsville Beach and around the historic downtown areas.
Jenny Han is also taking a very hands-on approach this season. She’s the showrunner, and she’s been vocal about wanting to satisfy the book fans while also surprising the TV audience. This is a delicate balance. If she follows the book ending exactly, one half of the internet will be furious. If she changes it, the other half will riot.
It's a tough spot to be in.
Who is returning?
Basically everyone.
- Lola Tung as Belly
- Christopher Briney as Conrad
- Gavin Casalegno as Jeremiah
- Sean Kaufman as Steven
- Rain Spencer as Taylor
- Jackie Chung as Laurel
There have been rumors of new characters being added for the college years—specifically roommates and new love interests that might make the brothers jealous. While no major casting announcements have been leaked yet, expect some fresh faces to shake up the dynamics at Finch College.
Why this season feels different
There’s a shift in tone coming. The first two seasons were about the loss of innocence and the pain of first love. Season 3 is about adulthood. It’s about the realization that love isn't always enough to make a relationship work.
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You've got the wedding plot, the college pressure, and the lingering shadow of Susannah. Even though Rachel Blanchard’s character passed away, her presence is the glue of the show. Her letters to the boys and Belly are likely going to play a massive role in how the series wraps up.
Honestly, the show has become a cultural touchstone for a reason. It captures that specific, hazy, humid feeling of being young and feeling everything too deeply.
Actionable steps for fans
While we wait for Summer 2025, there are a few things you can do to stay ahead of the curve.
- Read (or Re-read) Book 3: We'll Always Have Summer is the blueprint. Even if the show changes things, knowing the original ending helps you spot the "Easter eggs" Jenny Han loves to hide.
- Watch the Taylor Swift Connections: Han and Swift are close. Taylor’s music is basically the soundtrack of the show. Keep an eye on which "Taylor's Version" tracks are dropping; there’s a high chance a major Season 3 moment will be scored by a song from Reputation (TV) or Debut (TV).
- Follow Official Production Logs: Instead of trusting every "leak" on TikTok, follow the official Prime Video and Jenny Han accounts. They’ve started releasing "Cousins Beach" postcards and behind-the-scenes clips that are actually verified.
- Re-watch Season 1 and 2 with a focus on Conrad's POV: The show has given us a lot of Belly and Jeremiah's perspective. If you watch closely, Conrad’s actions in Season 2 look very different when you realize he was trying to protect everyone but himself.
The countdown is on. Whether you're wearing a "Team Conrad" sweatshirt or you're firmly "Team Jeremiah," the third season is going to be the emotional peak of the series. Brace yourself for the wedding drama, the beach house nostalgia, and the final answer to who Belly ends up with.
It’s going to be a long year, but Cousins Beach is always worth the trip.
Practical Insight: If you're looking to visit the real-life locations, plan a trip to Wilmington, NC, but avoid the peak filming months if you want to actually access the beaches near the "house" locations. Most of the iconic spots are on private property, so stick to the public Wrightsville and Carolina Beach areas to capture the vibe without trespassing.