As the premiere of "The Summer I Turned Pretty" season 3 approaches, fans are receiving a crucial reminder from the show's official channels: kindness and respect are paramount. With the final season set to drop on July 16, 2025, the series' Instagram account issued a warning against hate speech, bullying, and harassment, reinforcing a zero-tolerance policy within the "Summer" community.
The social media announcement, made on July 14, 2025, included two infographics emphasizing that "Cousins is our safe place" and urging fans to "keep the conversation kind this summer". The specific guidelines prohibit hate speech, bullying, targeting the cast or crew, and doxxing community members, with violations resulting in bans.
This proactive measure comes in response to the passionate, and sometimes toxic, discourse that has surrounded the series. The love triangle between Belly (Lola Tung) and the Fisher brothers, Conrad (Christopher Briney) and Jeremiah (Gavin Casalegno), has fueled intense debates among viewers, occasionally leading to hateful comments directed at the cast and even the show's creator, Jenny Han. Han herself spoke out against the online bullying that occurred during the airing of season 2, particularly concerning the inclusion of the nonbinary character Skye, played by Elsie Fisher.
The series' stars have also acknowledged the intensity of fan reactions. Lola Tung expressed gratitude for viewers' attachment to the characters but noted that some fans become "a little scary about it". She pleaded with viewers to avoid extreme behaviors such as making death threats if the story doesn't unfold as they desire.
Prime Video's decision to address potential negativity proactively underscores a commitment to safeguarding both the show's audience and its creators. The release strategy for season 3 may also reflect this concern. The first two episodes will be available on July 16, followed by weekly releases, with the series finale scheduled for September 17. Episodes will drop at 3 a.m. ET, which might discourage large community viewings that could potentially foster unpleasant online interactions.
Season 3 of "The Summer I Turned Pretty" is based on the third and final book in Jenny Han's trilogy, "We'll Always Have Summer". The season picks up two years after Belly's choice to be in a relationship with Jeremiah. Now in college, Belly and Jeremiah shock everyone by announcing their plans to get married. However, the return of Conrad throws Belly's world into turmoil, forcing her to confront her true feelings and make a final decision about which brother holds her heart.
While the series generally sticks to the main points of the books, some changes and surprises are expected. Jenny Han has stated that she aims to include beloved book scenes but also wants to keep viewers guessing. The final season consists of 11 episodes, an increase from the previous seasons, allowing for a more developed and nuanced conclusion to Belly's story. New cast members, including Isabella Briggs and Kristen Connolly as series regulars, and Sofia Bryant, Lily Donoghue, Zoé de Grand'Maison, Emma Ishta, and Tanner Zagarino in recurring roles, will also join the familiar faces of Cousins Beach.
As fans eagerly anticipate the resolution of the love triangle and the end of Belly's coming-of-age journey, the creators of "The Summer I Turned Pretty" hope that the online discourse surrounding the show remains respectful and positive.
