Why won't there be The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 episode 12? Explained

The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 brought fans to the end of Belly Conklin’s story, closing out the series with love, heartbreak, and hope. The show, created by Jenny Han for Amazon Prime Video, is based on her bestselling novel trilogy. It first premiered in 2022 and quickly became a fan favorite for its mix of romance, family drama, and coming-of-age themes. Lola Tung stars as Belly, caught in a long-running love triangle with brothers Conrad (Christopher Briney) and Jeremiah (Gavin Casalegno). Amazon renewed the show for a third and final season, which arrived on July 16, 2025. Unlike the earlier seasons, this last chapter ran for 11 episodes, making it the biggest season yet.

The finale gave answers to the central love triangle and showed the Cousins crew growing into adulthood. Yet many fans still ask: why does the season stop at episode 11, and not continue with a twelfth?

Why won’t there be The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 Episode 12?

Amazon confirmed from the start that The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 would have 11 episodes. This was unusual since season one had 7 and season two had 8. Fans expected another round number, but the creative team chose 11 for story reasons. Jenny Han, who created both the novels and the show, wanted the final season to match the pace of the last book. Eleven episodes gave enough space for the main storylines to play out without dragging on.

There was never meant to be an episode 12. Episode 11 is the official finale and was always the plan. The choice was not about cancellation or missing material. It was about giving the characters closure within a set structure. Ending the series on 11 episodes also adds weight to the idea of one final summer — not stretched longer than it needed to be.

So while fans may wish for more, there will not be a twelfth episode. The story has already reached its natural and complete ending.

The ending of The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 explained

The final episode of The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 answered the biggest question: who would Belly end up with? Much of the finale focused on her and Conrad in Paris. Belly has been living there for over a year, trying to find her independence. When Conrad shows up, she is cold at first but agrees to spend the day with him. They visit landmarks, share memories, and open up about the past.

The turning point comes during Belly’s birthday dinner, where Conrad faces her friends and even meets Benito. By the end of the night, the tension between Belly and Conrad is impossible to ignore. Later, along the Seine, they finally share a kiss. Belly admits she is unsure if their love is real or tied to Susannah’s wishes. Conrad assures her that his feelings are his own. He tells her he would love her even if they met for the first time that very night.

Though Conrad tries to leave, Belly follows him onto a train the next morning. She chooses him openly, saying she would make the same choice in every possible world. They return to Cousins hand-in-hand, closing the series where it all began.

Meanwhile, Jeremiah embraces a new path in Boston. He explores cooking and builds a bond with Denise, hinting at a new romance. Steven and Taylor face a possible separation but decide to move forward together in San Francisco. The finale shows each character finding peace and hope for the future.

The ending ties back to the themes of growth, love, and family. Belly has changed from a girl caught in a triangle to a young woman who knows what she wants. The beach house in Cousins becomes the symbol of that journey.

There won’t be a The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 episode 12 because the season was designed to end with 11 episodes. Fans may feel sad to say goodbye, but the story ends in the right place. The final season closes the chapter with love, growth, and a return to where it all started.