We'll miss The Summer I Turned Pretty community

There was something so heartwarming, so comforting, and so reassuring about Jenny Han's hit series.

And it wasn't just because of the escapism it offered us from adulthood.

There was a community that came with the series, something we haven't felt with a TV series for a long time, and that's what we'll truly miss about the show.

The Summer I Turned Pretty may have been aimed at teenagers, but so many women in their twenties and thirties, and even older, found solace in the show.

31-year-old Sara Ryan opened up about the impact the show had on her.

"For me, the show brings a beautiful mix of nostalgia and escapism. At a time when the world feels heavy, it’s such a comfort; it gives me pure joy in a way that’s rare as an adult.

"I think it’s because it taps into something we all remember - the chokehold of a first love, the way it felt like everything, and how much it shaped us. Now that we’re older, we understand that intensity differently; we can see both the importance of it and the silliness of it. It’s deeply relatable, and it brings a sense of community."

She added, "Back when we were teenagers, we all bonded over the same shows, but as adults, there aren’t many shared experiences like that anymore. This show has become a touchpoint again, bringing women of our generation together to laugh and reflect."

Theodora Van Duin, aged 30, perfectly summed up the show when she said, "Girlhood has no age."

"Girlhood has no age, and I believe that people will always love a coming-of-age story. Not to mention, everyone wants to be loved and chosen by someone at the end of the day.

"What I loved most about the show is that it explores love and relationships in various forms: romantic, platonic, and familial."

26-year-old Roisín said The Summer I Turned Pretty represents friendship and bonding perfectly.

"The show means friendship and bonding. Girlhood. I read the book series after my best friend had read the books and told me about the show. We then watched the last couple of episodes together.

"That togetherness is rare nowadays; we're all so busy with work and family, friendship can often be the thing that gets neglected. However, this show has given us a place to prioritise it."

Rosie said, "For me, it's less about relating to the show but escapism. When watching it, I can totally switch off. I get to hang out with my best friend while watching it, making it all the more memorable."

It's the community that has helped many women escape adulthood, even if it is only for an hour on a Wednesday evening.

"To see characters make mistakes, sometimes learning from them, but sometimes not, is refreshing. It is a world I can escape into. The characters are compelling, and certainly, there are aspects that are relatable. If anyone has experienced grief or carried the responsibility of being the oldest sibling."

The show gave us hope, a place to escape to, and allowed us to walk down memory lane and reflect on simpler times. It was like stepping back into a photo album of all your biggest and richest young adult memories and reconnecting with them.

It helped people strengthen friendships and create new ones in a lonely world that can make adulthood feel like the most isolating journey.

The magic of the community Jenny Han's show helped build will continue. Belly reflects on summers spent in Cousins with a deep fondness, and there's no doubt fans of the show will do the same, long after they watch the credits roll on the final episode.