The Love Letter That Changes EVERYTHING: The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3, Episode 8’s Shocking Twist Could End Jeremiah’s Fairytale

Cousins Beach is no stranger to heartbreak, but The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3, Episode 8, titled “Letters from the Past,” just dropped a bombshell that’s left fans reeling. A resurfaced love letter, tucked away like a forgotten summer memory, has exposed truths Isabel “Belly” Conklin (Lola Tung) thought were long buried. This revelation threatens to unravel the fairytale romance between Belly and Jeremiah Fisher (Gavin Casalegno), just as their wedding looms. Is this the final nail in the coffin for Team Jeremiah? Or could it push Belly back into the arms of Conrad Fisher (Christopher Briney)? Let’s dive into the twist no one saw coming and why it’s setting the fandom ablaze.

The Letter That Broke Cousins Beach

Episode 8 picks up after the tense vow hesitation from Episode 7, where Belly’s two-second pause at the altar had fans screaming “Conrad!” The stakes are already sky-high, with Jeremiah’s secret texts and Conrad’s emotional beach confession stirring the pot. Enter the love letter—a fragile, yellowed note discovered by Taylor (Rain Spencer) in Susannah’s old beach house desk during a pre-wedding cleanup. The letter, written in Susannah’s elegant handwriting, isn’t just a nostalgic relic; it’s a emotional grenade.

Without spoiling every word (rewatch it on Prime Video for the full gut-punch), the letter reveals Susannah’s deepest feelings about Belly’s relationships with her sons. Addressed to Belly, it’s dated years earlier, before Susannah’s passing, and it’s clear she never meant for it to be found. The note reflects on Belly’s connection with both Conrad and Jeremiah, but one line stands out: “Conrad was only ever truly happy with you.” Ouch. For a fandom already torn between Team Conrad and Team Jeremiah, this is like pouring gasoline on a beach bonfire.

The letter’s discovery comes at the worst possible time. Belly and Jeremiah are days away from their wedding, but cracks are showing. Jeremiah’s cheating scandal from college (revealed in Episode 6) and those mysterious texts from the Season 3 sneak peek have eroded Belly’s trust. Now, Susannah’s words—written by the mother figure Belly adored—force her to confront feelings she’s tried to bury. Fans on X are losing it, with posts like, “Susannah’s letter just ENDED Jeremiah’s chances. Belly’s marrying the wrong Fisher! 💔 #TSITP.”

Why This Hurts Jeremiah’s Fairytale

Jeremiah’s been fighting an uphill battle all season. Once the sunny, reliable alternative to Conrad’s brooding intensity, his charm has taken a hit. The show’s version of Jeremiah is less forgivable than in Jenny Han’s books, where his infidelity is a one-time mistake during a “break.” In Season 3, his two instances of cheating, coupled with those shady texts, paint him as less than prince-like. The love letter is the final straw, not because it accuses him of anything, but because it elevates Conrad as Belly’s true soulmate in Susannah’s eyes.

The timing couldn’t be worse. Episode 8 shows Jeremiah trying to rebuild trust, planning a romantic beach rehearsal dinner and vowing to be transparent. But when Belly reads the letter, her face—Lola Tung’s Emmy-worthy micro-expressions at work—says it all: doubt, longing, and a flicker of regret. Fans are calling it the death knell for Jeremiah’s fairytale. “Jere’s trying so hard, but Susannah’s letter is like her ghost saying, ‘Pick Conrad,’” one X user tweeted. Another wrote, “Jeremiah’s fairytale is OVER. That letter was Belly’s wake-up call.”

The letter also shifts the narrative in a way the books never did. In We’ll Always Have Summer, a similar letter from Susannah exists, but it’s read by Jeremiah and directly leads to him calling off the engagement, realizing Belly loves Conrad. The show, however, gives the letter to Belly, making it her burden. This twist amplifies her agency but also her torment—does she honor Susannah’s insight, or fight for the life she’s built with Jeremiah?

Conrad’s Shadow Looms Large

Conrad Fisher, the tortured heartthrob, has been a quiet force this season, stepping back to let Belly and Jeremiah shine. But Episode 8 brings him roaring back. The letter’s revelation coincides with a scene where Conrad, helping with wedding prep, shares a charged moment with Belly. He doesn’t know about the letter yet, but his lingering glances and soft, “You deserve everything, Belly,” are enough to make Team Conrad fans combust. “Conrad’s gonna get his girl back because of that letter,” one X post declared, complete with heart-eyes emojis.

The letter doesn’t just praise Conrad; it forces Belly to revisit their history—late-night talks, the glass unicorn, that rain-soaked kiss from Season 1. Susannah’s words validate what Team Conrad has been saying all along: their connection is deeper, messier, but maybe truer. The fandom’s split, though. Team Jeremiah loyalists argue that Conrad’s had his chance and broke Belly’s heart too many times. “Jere’s not perfect, but Conrad’s a walking red flag. Let Belly move on!” one fan posted.

Belly’s Choice: Love or Loyalty?

Belly’s at a crossroads, and the letter makes it impossible to ignore. Does she stick with Jeremiah, who’s been her partner for four years, despite his betrayals? Or does she risk everything for Conrad, whose love feels like fate but comes with baggage? The show’s been leaning into Belly’s growth, showing her as a college junior grappling with identity beyond the Fisher brothers. Some fans on X speculate the letter might push her to choose herself. “Belly doesn’t need either brother. That letter’s telling her to live HER truth,” one user wrote.

The episode ends on a cliffhanger, with Belly clutching the letter as she watches Jeremiah laugh with guests. The camera lingers on Conrad across the room, his eyes locked on her. It’s peak TSITP tension, and with only two episodes left (Season 3 wraps September 17, 2025), the finale is poised to break hearts.

The Fandom’s Meltdown

X is a warzone of reactions. #SusannahsLetter is trending, with fans posting edits of Belly’s tearful face set to Olivia Rodrigo’s “Traitor.” Team Conrad is riding high, with memes of Jeremiah’s smile fading as Susannah’s words sink in. Team Jeremiah, meanwhile, is begging for redemption, pointing to his growth since college. A smaller but vocal group wants Belly to ditch both brothers, with one post reading, “Susannah’s letter isn’t about Conrad or Jere—it’s about Belly finding herself. #TeamBelly.”

Jenny Han has teased that Season 3 won’t strictly follow the books, hinting at “surprises that honor the characters’ journeys.” Could the letter lead to a new ending, like Belly postponing the wedding or choosing independence? Or will it mirror the books, with Conrad as endgame?

Rewatch and Feel the Pain

If you haven’t seen Episode 8, stream it on Prime Video and brace for emotional whiplash. The letter’s reveal, paired with Lola Tung’s raw performance, is a masterclass in storytelling. Will it ruin Jeremiah’s fairytale for good? Can Belly forgive his past and ignore Susannah’s words? Or is Conrad her destiny? The love letter has changed everything, and Cousins Beach will never be the same. Sound off on X—what’s your take on this game-changing twist?