This is it—the critical turn. Episode 9 of The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 could reflect the book’s ending where Belly and Conrad eventually wed… or shatter expectations with a complete rebuild. Whatever happens next, it’s not the ending we’ve known. 👉 Don’t miss the path Belly really chooses.

The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3, Episode 9: A Pivotal Turn Toward an Unknown Ending

The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3, Episode 9, which dropped on September 3, 2025, on Prime Video, marks a critical juncture in the series, delivering a heart-wrenching reunion that could either echo the book’s romantic resolution or forge an entirely new path. With Belly Conklin (Lola Tung) at the airport, poised to board a Paris-bound flight, and Conrad Fisher (Christopher Briney) appearing unexpectedly at her gate, the episode crackles with emotional intensity. This 1,000-word analysis explores how Episode 9 navigates the delicate balance between honoring Jenny Han’s novel We’ll Always Have Summer—where Belly and Conrad ultimately wed—and shattering expectations with a bold reimagining. Drawing on fan reactions from X, narrative clues, and the show’s thematic evolution, we dive into the path Belly might truly choose.

The Airport Reunion: A Crossroads Moment

Episode 9 picks up immediately after the cliffhanger of Episode 8, where Belly, fresh from ending her engagement to Jeremiah Fisher (Gavin Casalegno), spots Conrad at Charles de Gaulle Airport. This moment, absent from the books, replaces the novel’s Spain setting with Paris, amplifying the stakes with a cinematic backdrop. The reunion is raw, charged with the weight of their shared history—Christmas in Cousins, the bathtub scene, Michele’s—and the pain of their recent distance. As one X post raved, “The way Conrad’s eyes find Belly in the crowd is PEAK romance.” The scene, underscored by Taylor Swift’s Cardigan, feels like a nod to the book’s letter-writing epilogue, where Conrad’s persistence wins Belly’s heart, but it also teases a divergence.

Belly and Conrad’s conversation is not a simple reconciliation. Belly, clutching her boarding pass, is resolute in her decision to prioritize herself, telling Conrad, “I need to be someone outside of you and Jere.” Conrad, visibly torn, respects her choice but slips her a note before she boards—a subtle hint at the letters that, in the book, lead to their engagement. This moment leaves viewers wondering: is the show setting up a slow-burn path to the book’s wedding, or is it subverting expectations by letting Belly walk away?

Deviating from the Book: A New Ending in Sight?

In We’ll Always Have Summer, Belly’s journey culminates in her marrying Conrad after a series of letters rekindles their bond. The show, however, has already diverged significantly. The Paris setting, the timing of the breakup, and the absence of the book’s immediate post-breakup reconciliation suggest the writers are crafting a distinct narrative. Episode 9 leans into Belly’s self-discovery, a theme fans on X have championed, with one user noting, “Belly choosing Paris over either brother is the growth we needed.” This shift could mean the show bypasses the book’s wedding entirely, opting for an ending where Belly remains independent or reconciles with Conrad on different terms.

The note Conrad gives Belly is a tantalizing clue. In the book, his letters are heartfelt, persistent, and pivotal to their reunion. The show’s single note, unseen by viewers, could be a precursor to a similar arc or a red herring. Fan theories on Reddit speculate it might contain a simple goodbye, aligning with Conrad’s growth toward letting Belly go. Others believe it’s a confession, setting up a Season 4 arc where Belly, in Paris, grapples with her feelings. The ambiguity is deliberate, keeping viewers hooked for the remaining episodes.

Jeremiah’s Role and the Fading Love Triangle

Jeremiah’s arc in Episode 9 further distances the show from the book’s trajectory. After the devastating revelations in Episode 8—his awareness of Belly and Conrad’s Christmas secret and the collapse of their engagement—Jeremiah throws himself into his father’s firm. This career focus, not present in the novel, suggests he’s stepping out of the love triangle. Gavin Casalegno’s nuanced performance captures Jeremiah’s heartbreak and resolve, though some fans on X lament his shift from the “golden retriever” of Season 1 to a needier figure. A poignant scene where Jeremiah rereads Susannah’s letter, which favored Conrad for Belly, underscores his acceptance of their fractured bond.

The love triangle, once the series’ heartbeat, feels secondary in Episode 9. Belly’s Paris decision signals a shift from choosing between brothers to choosing herself. This aligns with the show’s coming-of-age ethos, emphasizing personal growth over romance. However, Conrad’s lingering presence at the airport ensures the “Bonrad” spark remains alive, fueling fan debates. A poll on X showed 60% of viewers rooting for Belly and Conrad, 20% for Belly’s independence, and 20% still holding out for Jeremiah.

Supporting Characters: Light Amid the Storm

The episode balances its emotional weight with lighter moments from supporting characters. Taylor (Rain Spencer) and Steven (Sean Kaufman) share flirty scenes as they pack for college, building on their Episode 8 chemistry. Their budding romance, a fan-favorite subplot, offers relief from the main plot’s intensity. Laurel (Jackie Chung) also appears, supporting Belly’s Paris decision in a heartfelt phone call, reinforcing the show’s theme of female empowerment. These moments ground the episode, ensuring it appeals to viewers beyond the love triangle’s drama.

Taylor Swift’s Soundtrack: Emotional Glue

Taylor Swift’s music continues to weave the narrative together. Cardigan’s use in the airport scene amplifies the nostalgia and longing between Belly and Conrad, echoing the book’s themes of memory-soaked love. The song’s lyric, “I knew you’d come back to me,” feels like a direct nod to the novel’s ending, yet the show’s context—Belly boarding her flight—suggests a different outcome. Other Swift tracks, like August in a flashback to Cousins, deepen the episode’s emotional texture, making it a standout for fans who’ve tracked the series’ Swiftian connections.

Fan Reactions and Speculation

X is abuzz with reactions to Episode 9. Fans praise the performances, with one user calling Lola Tung and Christopher Briney “electric” in the airport scene. Others debate the Paris arc, with some arguing it elevates Belly’s agency, while book purists worry it strays too far from the wedding resolution. A Reddit thread speculates that the show might end with an open-ended finale, leaving Belly’s romantic future ambiguous to set up a potential Season 4. The note from Conrad has sparked fan fiction, with theories ranging from a love confession to a simple “good luck.”

What’s Next for Belly?

With three episodes left, Episode 9 positions Belly at a crossroads. Paris promises a fresh start, where she’ll pursue her writing dreams, as hinted in earlier episodes. The show could follow the book’s path, with Conrad’s note leading to letters and an eventual wedding, but the emphasis on Belly’s independence suggests otherwise. Will she return to Cousins, as in the novel, or carve a new life abroad? Conrad’s future is equally uncertain—will he follow her, or let her go, as his growth arc suggests? Jeremiah’s focus on work hints at closure, but the show loves its twists.

Conclusion

The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3, Episode 9 is a masterclass in emotional storytelling, balancing the book’s romantic roots with a bold new direction. The airport reunion, charged with longing and restraint, sets up a finale that could either honor the novel’s wedding or redefine Belly’s path. As she boards her flight, note in hand, the episode leaves fans craving answers. Will Belly choose love, independence, or both? Tune in to Prime Video on September 10, 2025, for Episode 10 to see where her journey leads. Whatever happens, it’s not the ending we’ve known—and that’s what makes it unmissable.