Belly arrives in Paris but her heart is still tangled in Cousins Beach — The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 Episode 10 kicks off Belly’s self-discovery with Conrad’s letters echoing in the background. The emotional fallout is just beginning. 👉 Watch the emotional reset.
Belly’s Parisian Reset: A Journey of Self-Discovery Amidst Lingering Love in The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3, Episode 10
The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3, Episode 10, titled “Letters from the Heart,” premiered on September 10, 2025, on Amazon Prime Video, marking a significant shift in the narrative as Isabel “Belly” Conklin (Lola Tung) steps into a new chapter in Paris. After the dramatic fallout of her canceled wedding to Jeremiah Fisher (Gavin Casalegno) in Episode 8, “Last Kiss,” and the chaotic self-sufficiency chase in Episode 9, “Last Call,” this episode dives deeper into Belly’s journey of self-discovery. However, her heart remains tethered to Cousins Beach, with Conrad Fisher’s (Christopher Briney) heartfelt letters serving as an emotional undercurrent that complicates her fresh start. This recap explores how Episode 10 sets the stage for Belly’s emotional reset, weaving together themes of independence, lingering love, and the enduring impact of family bonds, all while introducing new dynamics in the romantic drama that has captivated fans worldwide.
A New Beginning in Paris
Episode 10 opens with Belly settling into her Parisian life, a stark contrast to the sun-soaked beaches of Cousins. The City of Light is both a literal and metaphorical escape, offering Belly a chance to redefine herself after the emotional turmoil of her failed engagement. The episode wastes no time establishing Paris as a vibrant, bustling backdrop—cobblestone streets, quaint cafes, and the hum of a new language envelop Belly as she navigates her exchange program. Yet, the show cleverly juxtaposes this fresh setting with Belly’s internal struggle, as her voiceover reveals: “I thought leaving Cousins would fix everything, but my heart’s still there, tangled up in the sand and the memories.”
Belly’s initial days in Paris are marked by challenges. As seen in Episode 9, her study abroad program spot was a misunderstanding, forcing her to fend for herself in a foreign city. Episode 10 builds on this, showing Belly grappling with practical issues—finding housing, managing finances, and adapting to a new culture. These struggles are not just logistical but symbolic of her broader quest to find her identity outside the Fisher brothers’ orbit. The show introduces new characters, including Gemma, the spirited Parisian who helped Belly recover her stolen bag in Episode 9. Gemma becomes a key figure in Episode 10, inviting Belly into a tight-knit group of international students who encourage her to embrace her independence. Their late-night conversations in a dimly lit Parisian nightclub, filled with laughter and shared stories, mark a turning point for Belly, who introduces herself as “Isabel” rather than “Belly”—a subtle but powerful nod to her evolving sense of self.
Conrad’s Letters: A Pull Back to Cousins
Despite her efforts to move forward, Conrad’s presence looms large through his letters, which begin arriving in Episode 10. The first letter, teased in the trailer for the final episodes, is a poignant reminder of the love triangle that has defined the series. Written in Conrad’s introspective tone, the letter reflects on their shared history at Cousins Beach, referencing moments like the glass unicorn he bought her as a child and their Christmas reunion that sparked doubts about her engagement to Jeremiah. “Dear Belly,” he writes, “I know you’re far away, but I can’t stop seeing you in every corner of Cousins. I hope you’re finding what you need, but I’ll always be here.” The letter, narrated in Christopher Briney’s emotive voiceover, hits Belly hard, stirring memories she’s tried to suppress.
The show uses these letters as a narrative device to keep Conrad relevant despite the physical distance. Unlike the books, where Belly initially ignores Conrad’s letters, the TV adaptation has her reading the first one immediately, her fingers tracing his words as she sits alone in her temporary Parisian apartment. This choice amplifies the emotional tension, as Belly grapples with whether to respond. Her new friend Gemma notices her distraction and encourages her to “live in the now,” but the letters pull Belly back to the unresolved feelings she left behind. The show’s soundtrack, featuring Taylor Swift’s “Evermore,” underscores this push-and-pull, with lyrics about holding on and letting go mirroring Belly’s inner conflict.
The Emotional Fallout at Cousins Beach
Back in Cousins, the fallout from the canceled wedding continues to ripple through the Fisher family. Episode 10 spends significant time with Jeremiah, who is spiraling in the wake of his broken engagement. Gavin Casalegno delivers a raw performance as Jeremiah grapples with anger and heartbreak, lashing out at those around him, including his brother Conrad and their mother’s friend Laurel (Jackie Chung). A particularly gut-wrenching scene sees Jeremiah confront Conrad at the beach house, echoing his vicious line from Episode 9: “She didn’t choose me, but she didn’t pick you either.” This moment highlights the deep rift between the brothers, with Jeremiah’s pain manifesting as a desire to sever ties with Conrad entirely.
Conrad, meanwhile, is portrayed as a man in quiet turmoil. Having confessed his love to Belly in Episode 7 and apologized for disrupting her wedding in Episode 8, he’s now grappling with the consequences of his actions. His decision to give Jeremiah space, as advised by their father Adam (Tom Everett Scott), shows a newfound maturity, but it doesn’t erase his longing for Belly. The letters he writes are both a catharsis and a lifeline, a way to process his feelings without directly interfering in her life. Christopher Briney’s performance captures Conrad’s vulnerability, particularly in a scene where he sits on the beach, staring at the ocean, and whispers, “I go wherever you go,” echoing the book’s iconic line.
Belly’s Self-Discovery Takes Center Stage
While the love triangle remains a core element, Episode 10 prioritizes Belly’s personal growth over romantic resolution. Unlike the books, where her time abroad is a brief epilogue, the show expands this arc to give Belly room to breathe. Lola Tung shines as she portrays Belly’s tentative steps toward independence—signing up for a French language class, landing a part-time job at a bookstore, and bonding with her new friends over crepes and late-night walks along the Seine. These moments are interspersed with flashbacks to Cousins, where Belly’s identity was often defined by her relationships with Conrad and Jeremiah. The contrast highlights how Paris is forcing her to confront who she is without them.
A pivotal scene in Episode 10 occurs when Belly visits a Parisian art gallery with Gemma and sees a painting of a beach that reminds her of Cousins. She breaks down, admitting to Gemma that she’s scared of losing herself again if she lets Conrad or Jeremiah back into her life. Gemma’s advice—“You don’t have to choose anyone right now; choose you”—resonates deeply, reinforcing the episode’s theme of self-discovery. This moment sets Episode 10 apart from earlier episodes, where Belly’s decisions were often reactive to the Fisher brothers’ actions. Here, she’s beginning to take control, even if her heart still wavers.
Supporting Characters and Subplots
The episode also weaves in subplots that enrich the narrative. Taylor (Rain Spencer) and Steven (Sean Kaufman) continue to navigate their rekindling relationship, with Episode 10 showing them supporting Jeremiah while grappling with their own feelings. Their scenes provide a lighter counterpoint to the heavier drama, with Taylor’s witty one-liners and Steven’s earnest attempts to make amends bringing some much-needed levity. Meanwhile, Laurel’s interactions with Jeremiah highlight her role as a surrogate mother figure, though her own emotional arc—grappling with Susannah’s absence—remains understated but poignant.
New characters in Paris, like Gemma and a potential love interest named Leo (played by Fernando Cattori), add fresh dynamics. Leo, introduced briefly in the trailer, shares a flirty moment with Belly at a cafe, hinting at a possible romantic complication. However, the episode keeps this thread subtle, focusing more on Belly’s friendships than a new romance, which aligns with the show’s emphasis on her self-discovery.
Looking Ahead: The Road to the Finale
With only one episode left before the series finale on September 17, 2025, Episode 10 sets the stage for a bittersweet conclusion. The show has diverged from the books by extending Belly’s Parisian arc, but the letters from Conrad suggest a reconciliation may still be in the cards, as seen in We’ll Always Have Summer. Fans are left wondering whether Belly will respond to Conrad’s letters, reconnect with Jeremiah, or choose herself entirely. The episode ends with Belly standing on a Parisian bridge, holding Conrad’s latest letter, as she whispers, “I don’t know who I am without you, but I’m ready to find out.” It’s a powerful cliffhanger that promises more emotional depth in the final episode.
The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3, Episode 10 is a masterclass in balancing romance and personal growth, with Belly’s Parisian journey offering a fresh perspective on her character. As Conrad’s letters echo in the background and the fallout in Cousins unfolds, the episode captures the messy, beautiful complexity of young adulthood. For fans, it’s a reminder that while Cousins Beach will always hold magic, Belly’s future lies in forging her own path—one letter, one step, at a time.
