Who Belly is in The Summer I Turned Pretty, how the series ended for her, how the show differs from the books, and what the movie may cover. Spoilers ahead.
Quick answer: Belly, full name Isabel Conklin, is the main character of The Summer I Turned Pretty, played by Lola Tung in the Prime Video series based on Jenny Han’s novels. The series ends with Belly building her own life in Paris and reuniting with Conrad. A follow-up movie has been confirmed as the story’s final chapter.
Belly’s story begins with one summer at Cousins Beach and grows into a much longer journey about love, grief and growing up. This guide covers who she is, her relationships, how she changes, and what happens at the end. If you have not finished the series or books, be aware that this article includes major spoilers.
In this article
- Who Is Belly?
- The People in Belly’s Life
- How Does Belly Change?
- Belly, Conrad and Jeremiah
- How Does Belly’s Story End?
- Show vs Books
- What Do We Know About the Movie?
- Why Do Viewers Disagree About Belly?
- Where to Start
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Thoughts
Who Is Belly?
Isabel “Belly” Conklin is the story’s narrator and lead. Each summer, she goes with her mother, Laurel, and her brother, Steven, to the beach house at Cousins that belongs to her mother’s best friend, Susannah Fisher. At the start of the story she is 15 and beginning to see the Fisher brothers, and herself, differently.
Her age and first love give the series its warm and nostalgic feel. Her nickname also shows how the people around her still think of her as a child, even while she is growing up.
The People in Belly’s Life
| Character | Relationship to Belly | Actor in the series |
|---|---|---|
| Conrad Fisher | Older Fisher brother and first love | Christopher Briney |
| Jeremiah Fisher | Younger Fisher brother and close friend | Gavin Casalegno |
| Laurel Conklin | Her mother | Jackie Chung |
| Susannah Fisher | Her mother’s best friend, and a mother figure | Rachel Blanchard |
| Steven Conklin | Her older brother | Sean Kaufman |
| Taylor Jewel | Her best friend | Rain Spencer |
How Does Belly Change?
1. Season 1: first love
Belly starts to be noticed at Cousins and begins to explore who she is. Her feelings for Conrad and her growing bond with Jeremiah set up the story’s central tension.
2. Season 2: grief
Susannah’s illness and death change everything. Belly and the brothers must deal with loss, and their relationships become more complicated because of it.
3. Season 3: adulthood
Belly becomes engaged to Jeremiah, but the relationship falls apart before the wedding. She then moves to Paris, where she starts to build a life that is not defined only by the Fisher brothers.
Consider Belly at the start and at the end of the story. Early on, her happiness depends on what happens at one beach house each summer. By the finale, she has her own home, friends and routine in another country. That change matters as much as whichever boy she ends up with.
Belly, Conrad and Jeremiah
The love triangle drives much of the fan conversation. Viewers often sort themselves into Team Conrad or Team Jeremiah.
- Conrad: quieter and more guarded. His connection with Belly goes back to childhood, but his difficulty with expressing himself causes a lot of pain.
- Jeremiah: open and fun, he offers Belly warmth and friendship, although their relationship later suffers from mistrust and immaturity.
How Does Belly’s Story End?
Spoilers: in the series finale, Belly is living in Paris. She ends things with Benito before Conrad comes to visit for her birthday. After they spend time together, Belly panics when Conrad talks about the future. She then rushes after his train, tells him she loves him, and they kiss. The series closes with the two of them back at Cousins Beach.
A photo album in the credits shows them spending Christmas together in Paris. Jeremiah also moves forward, discovering a passion for cooking and sharing a kiss with Denise.
If you are writing or talking about the ending, separate two points: who Belly ends up with, and what she has learned on her own. Many viewers are satisfied by one and frustrated by the other.
Show vs Books
The show follows Jenny Han’s trilogy in its main shape: The Summer I Turned Pretty, It’s Not Summer Without You and We’ll Always Have Summer. In both versions, Belly’s engagement to Jeremiah ends and she eventually returns to Conrad. The series gives more space to her time in Paris and to other characters, while the final book includes an epilogue set at Belly and Conrad’s wedding. The confirmed movie may deal with some of that later part of her life, although details have not been fully revealed.
What Do We Know About the Movie?
- Prime Video confirmed a movie to conclude the franchise.
- Jenny Han has described it as the story’s final chapter, covering another milestone in Belly’s life.
- When NBC News reported on it in 2025, no release date had been announced.
Check Prime Video or trusted entertainment news for the latest, since more details may have been shared since then.
Why Do Viewers Disagree About Belly?
Belly can be a divisive lead. Some viewers find her selfish for moving between the brothers and hurting people along the way. Others see a young woman making realistic mistakes while dealing with grief and first love. That debate is part of why the character gets talked about so much online, and neither reaction is wrong. Her flaws are also what make her feel like a person, and not simply a fantasy.
Where to Start
- Watch season 1 on Prime Video, or begin with the first novel.
- Continue in order, because each season builds on the last.
- Read the books after the show if you want to compare her inner voice.
- Avoid social media until you finish, as the ending is widely discussed.
Write down which brother you favored after season 1, and check whether your answer changes by the finale. It makes for a fun rewatch and a good discussion with friends.
Her story has also made the show a popular choice for viewers who like coming-of-age drama, and the books remain a good next step for fans.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Belly’s real name?
Her full name is Isabel Conklin. Belly is her nickname.
Who plays Belly?
Lola Tung plays her in the Prime Video series.
Who does Belly end up with?
She reunites with Conrad at the end of the series and the books.
Does Belly marry Jeremiah?
No. They become engaged, but the wedding does not go ahead.
Is there a Summer I Turned Pretty movie?
Yes, a follow-up movie has been confirmed. Check for the latest release news, as no date had been announced in the reports we reviewed.
Final Thoughts
- Belly is Isabel Conklin, played by Lola Tung.
- Her story moves from first love through grief to independence.
- She ends the series with her own life in Paris and with Conrad.
- A movie will continue the story as its final chapter.
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Sources: NBC News: The Summer I Turned Pretty movie · The Daily Campus: series finale recap
