Wondering if The Summer I Turned Pretty is ok for kids? The rom-com YA fiction books turned on-screen adaptation from Jenny Han is more mature than To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before and frankly, not as good. This TV adaptation will appeal to teens, especially ones who have read the books, however this series is rated 16+. Here’s what parents need to know in The Summer I Turned Pretty Parents Guide.
The Summer I Turned Pretty Parents Guide
Based on the popular books by Jenny Han, The Summer I Turned Pretty is told from Belly’s (Lola Tung) perspective. Belly (real name Isabel) Conklin. She and her brother have always gone to Susannah’s beach house in Cousins every summer since she was a baby. Her mother Laurel is best friends with Susannah, but Susannah has always loved Belly like a daughter, especially since she has two sons – Conrad (Christopher Briney) and Jeremiah (Gavin Casalegno).
In Season 1 Belly turned 16 and for the first time Conrad and Jeremiah were noticing her as more than a little sister. There’s a debutante ball that is normally not Belly’s thing, but Susannah wants her to do it, and she’d do anything for her. However, Conrad seems different and Belly can’t figure it out. This is more than a love triangle as some secrets are revealed and Susannah just wants to have one more perfect summer.
Read The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 Parents Guide here.
Why is The Summer I Turned Pretty Rated TV-MA?
The Summer I Turned Pretty is rated 16+ for strong language, drug use, and sexual content which means that some material is not suitable for kids under 17.
Is The Summer I Turned Pretty Kid Friendly?
Parents need to know that there is underage drinking, sex, some violence, smoking, drug use, and more in The Summer I Turned Pretty.
Language
There is a lot of language in The Summer I Turned Pretty like a**, jacka**, sh*t, bit*h, and plenty of f-words. There are also crass sexual words used like dick, “screw it,” eye f*cking, f*ck girl, butthole, and dirty little slut. Words of Deity are also used like g-d, g-ddammit, and Jesus Christ.
Mature Content: Is The Summer I Turned Pretty OK for Kids?
Underage characters drink alcohol and smoke pot. Two teens are shown about to have sex with a female on top of a male and takes off her shirt and bra. There are several kisses between males and females and a kiss between two males. Another scene shows two adults having sex in a car with thrusting and groaning and a woman on top of the man.
Teens sneak out of the house. Some teens go skinny dipping and others steal their clothes, leaving them naked.
A parent allows her un-licensed teen drive.
Adults go to a bar and drink a lot and then hook up after drinking.
Topics such as cancer and death, adultery, divorce, and gambling are addressed.
Is The Summer I Turned Pretty Appropriate for Kids Under 16?
The Summer I Turned Pretty on Prime Video isn’t particularly kid friendly due to teens running wild with little adult supervision. However, it will be appealing to many teens and tweens, because who doesn’t dream about a summer at the beach with attractive, rich people? Although Belly’s family isn’t rich, Susannah takes care of her and supplements what they don’t have. I’m not sure which is more unrealistic – this or Outer Banks. But both give the illusion of cool, fun adventures.
The books weren’t particularly kid-friendly either, and there are some changes to the 7-episode series that deviate from Han’s original stories.
The emotional and deeper moments are where this series shines. They’re not afraid to delve into some complicated issues and parents do show compassion when teens make mistakes. I get that teens will be teens, but it seems as though there are no consequences to any of their actions.
Overall, it’s a love triangle amongst brothers and a girl while dragging the rest of the cast into their mess. If you’re looking for a summer soapy teen drama, here you go. Whimsical camera shots and Taylor Swift playing in the background set the mood. You’ll have teenage girls and young adults swooning, casting their votes for Team Jeremiah or Team Conrad.
However, for adults, the story is rather boring, and the whole premise of the books seems archaic. Nobody notices Belly until she’s pretty? Because the series did not showcase her other qualities enough to convince the audience that it was something else that finally turned on the switch for Conrad and Jeremiah.
The actors were fine and seemed like high schoolers instead of 20-somethings meant to play high schoolers. They’re relatable and fun, so I imagine teens will enjoy this one; it just may not be a bad idea to discuss consequences of actions. I think To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is a better choice, but this is still way better than Euphoria for teens.
