How Old Is Everyone In The Summer I Turned Pretty

So picture this: I’m sprawled on my couch, three episodes deep into The Summer I Turned Pretty, and my partner wanders in. They squint at the screen and ask, completely deadpan, “Wait—how old is everyone, exactly? Is the main character a minor or a cryptid?” I laughed, but then I realized they had a point. The age thing in this show? It’s a whole vibe—and kind of a mess.

The Belly Equation: Sixteen Going on… What Exactly?

Let’s start with our narrator, Belly Conklin. In Season 1, she’s turning 16, and the show makes a big deal out of that sweet-sixteen milestone. But here’s the thing: she acts, dates, and emotionally ages like she’s stuck between 12 and 25 depending on the scene. One minute she’s blushing over a game of Truth or Dare, the next she’s navigating a love triangle with the intensity of a seasoned divorcee.

By Season 2, she’s supposedly 17, but honestly? The timeline hops around like a pinball. The show is set over two summers, but flashbacks and “present day” blur into a fog of Infinity towels and tanned legs. So Belly’s age is mostly a suggestion. You’re not alone if you keep Googling it mid-episode. (I’ve done it. Twice.)

The Boys: A Tale of Two Age Gaps

Jeremiah Fisher is the younger brother, and he’s basically Belly’s age—17 by Season 2. He’s the “fun one,” which in teen-TV terms means he’s allowed to be immature and dreamy in equal measure. But Conrad? Oh, Conrad. Our brooding, poetry-reading, guitar-playing heartbreaker.

Conrad is supposed to be 18 in Season 1 and 19 in Season 2. That’s only a two-to-three-year gap with Belly. But the show shoots him like he’s a tragic college senior haunted by existential dread, while Belly is still worrying about what bikini to wear. It creates this weird dynamic where their romance feels either swoon-worthy or slightly predatory, depending on the lighting. You’ll find yourself arguing with the TV: “He’s legal! She’s almost there! Shut up, brain!”

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The Adults Are… Adults, I Guess?

Let’s not ignore the actual grown-ups. Laurel, Belly’s mom, is your classic “cool Gen X mom” who drinks wine and writes books. She’s probably in her late 40s. Then there’s Susannah, Conrad and Jeremiah’s mom, who is the same age and functions as Laurel’s best friend. Their storylines are legitimately tragic and grounded, which makes the teen drama feel even more chaotic by comparison.

And the dads? Steven is Belly’s older brother, a freshman in college (so 18–19), and he dates Shayla, who is also in that range. The parents are mostly background noise, orbiting the show like wise moons who occasionally drop wisdom bombs. But honestly? They’re not the ones you’re here for. You’re here for the will-they-won’t-they, and that means obsessing over months and years.

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The Timeline Twist: Why Age Feels Like a Suggestion

Here’s the kicker: the show’s timeline is held together by emotional glue. The books by Jenny Han give clearer ages, but the adaptation lets summer last forever. Belly turns 16 in Episode 1, and by the end of Season 2, maybe a year has passed? Maybe two? Characters age based on how much angst they’ve accumulated rather than actual calendar dates.

It’s common in YA adaptations. Think Gossip Girl or Pretty Little Liars, where everyone is perpetually “a senior” until they suddenly aren’t. The The Summer I Turned Pretty style is extra confusing because the whole premise relies on summer being a magical time bubble. So yes, you will squint at the screen and wonder, “Is Belly still 16? Is Conrad now a college sophomore? Does Jeremiah have a fake ID?” (Spoiler: he probably does, but that’s another article.)

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So, What’s the Verdict?

After deep-diving the scripts and my own sleepless nights, here’s the cheat sheet: Belly is 16 in Season 1, 17 in Season 2. Jeremiah is 16–17. Conrad is 17–18. Steven is 18–19. The moms are ageless forces of nature. But honestly? The show doesn’t want you to math too hard. It wants you to feel the salty breeze, the tension at the bonfire, and the ache of a first heartbreak.

So next time someone asks you “How old is everyone?” just shrug and say, “Old enough to make bad decisions, young enough to look good doing it.” Then pour yourself a lemonade. Summer rules don’t care about birth certificates. Neither should you. But also—yeah, it’s a little weird. You’re valid for noticing.