One of the most talked-about fan observations in The Summer I Turned Pretty isn’t about cheating scandals or endgame theories.
It’s about energy.
Some viewers have noticed a striking contrast: Belly feels softer and more carefree with Conrad, but more responsible and mature with Jeremiah.
Is that unfair? Or is it a pattern worth examining?
With Conrad: She Gets to Be a Girl
When Isabel “Belly” Conklin is with Conrad Fisher, many fans describe her energy as lighter and more vulnerable.
She blushes. She overthinks. She giggles. She dreams.
Even when Conrad is emotionally unavailable, their dynamic often feels balanced. They challenge each other. They misunderstand each other. They grow alongside each other.
There’s push and pull — but it feels mutual.
Some viewers argue that with Conrad, Belly gets to exist in her softness. She isn’t managing him. She isn’t guiding him. She’s reacting, feeling, and discovering.
It feels like first love in its rawest form.
With Jeremiah: The Mature One in the Room?
With Jeremiah Fisher, however, some fans feel the tone shifts.
They argue that Belly often appears to be the steadier one — the more emotionally regulated one — especially in tense situations. Instead of leaning into fantasy, she leans into responsibility.
That’s where the “mom” comparison comes from.
Critics of the pairing say she couldn’t fully relax into the same comfort zone romantically. Instead of floating in romance, she sometimes seemed to manage conflict or smooth things over.
But is that fair?
The Defense of Jeremiah: Comfort and Consistency
Not everyone agrees with that interpretation.
Supporters of Jeremiah argue that he has consistently loved Belly. They point out multiple moments where she sought comfort in him, felt safe in his presence, and leaned on him during grief.
They also remind fans of one important detail: he’s only 22.
Of course he has growing to do.
The argument that “he’ll never change” feels premature to some viewers. After all, every character in the show is still learning — including Conrad.
Using one scene or one still image to define an entire dynamic may ignore the many times Belly laughed, relaxed, and felt secure with Jeremiah.
And that’s a fair point.
Growth vs. Compatibility
At the heart of this debate is a bigger question:
Is maturity imbalance a sign of incompatibility — or simply youth?
With Conrad, the growth appears mutual but messy. With Jeremiah, the love appears steady but sometimes uneven in emotional weight.
Some fans see Conrad and Belly as two flawed people learning together.
Others see Jeremiah and Belly as safe, healing, and rooted in comfort.
The interpretation depends on what you value more in a relationship: intensity and evolution, or stability and reassurance.
So… Is It a Dynamic Problem or a Perspective Problem?
The idea that Belly “acts like a girl” with Conrad and “a mom” with Jeremiah may resonate with some viewers, but it isn’t universally accepted.
Relationships look different depending on the stage of life, the emotional context, and personal expectations.
In the end, both brothers represent different kinds of love.
And Belly? She’s still figuring out which version of herself feels the most authentic.
That’s why this debate isn’t ending anytime soon.
