The Summer I Turned Pretty season 2 & the books differences

It’s safe to say that we’re pretty obsessed with The Summer I Turned Pretty. But if you’ve read the books that the Amazon Prime Video series is based on, you will have noticed a few differences between the two.

So, here are the biggest differences between The Summer I Turned Pretty season 2 and the books *spoilers ahead*:

John Merrick

Belly doesn’t lose her virginity in the books

That’s right, the momentous scene in episode 2 of the second season where Belly announces to Conrad, “I want to. I want it to be with you,” doesn’t happen at all in the books.

Jenny Han, who wrote the books and is a showrunner on the series, revealed to Variety, "I felt like they had really been through something together - and we had been with Belly through many first-times. It was important for the audience to be with her for that one. I thought no matter what happened in the future, this will always be a moment that she shares with her first love."

ERIKA DOSS//Amazon Prime

Jeremiah’s sexuality

In the books, Jeremiah has only dated girls. While on screen, it’s clear that he has been with both boys and girls. When speaking with TV Line, Jenny outlined: "I think perhaps if I was writing the novel today, I may have made that choice because I think that he's always been a character, to me, that is really at ease with himself, really comfortable in his own skin, and open-minded, and open to exploration."

There’s a lot less kissing and drinking in the books

It wouldn’t be a coming of age story without experiencing new things but the books take a much more PG approach to some of the steamy kisses and parties. For example, Belly getting drunk on cocktails is completely unique to the series. And that iconic pool kiss between Belly and Jeremiah doesn’t happen in the books either. It’s instead replaced by a flashback of the two kissing during a game.

Amazon Prime Video

Aunt Julia and Skye

Neither of these characters – both of which are new for season 2 – exist in the books. In the books Susannah’s husband, Adam, is the one who puts the beach up for sale. While in the show, it is Susannah’s half sister, Aunt Julia, who decides to sell it.

Steven and Taylor’s stories

Belly’s big brother, Steven and her best friend, Taylor, both have bigger roles and storylines in the show compared to the books.

In the second book, which season 2 is based on, the two characters only make brief appearances. They also don’t have any kind of romantic relationship in the source material.

Craig Barritt

The show is more diverse than the books

While Belly’s race is never explicitly referred to in the books – the original book covers showed Belly as white – Belly is mixed-race in the show. Nicole is also described simply as “blonde” in the book but she is played by a Black actress in the show, where there is also more diversity more generally.

Jenny suggested, when talking to Cinema Blend, “when I was approaching the adaptation, I wanted to really reflect the moment that we're living in. And I think the diversity of characters is a piece of that, so it felt like a really great opportunity to showcase different kinds of talent."

She added: "We get to have an Asian American family on the show. And we also have a new character Cleveland, who is Filipino. So it's really exciting I think. And I think it feels really natural to the show, to the characters and the story."

A change in perspectives

In the books, the first is told solely from Belly's perspective. While the second is told from Belly and Jeremiah's perspectives and the third is from Belly and Conrad's perspectives. This means that many scenes from the show simply don't happen at all.

The series, on the other hand, gives us much more insight into the lives of the supporting characters.

WATCH NOW The Summer I Turned Pretty is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.

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