Why TSITP Fans Are Falling for Bonrad Again?

Let’s face it — The Summer I Turned Pretty fandom has always been divided. Team Conrad-Belly (Bonrad) vs. Team Jeremiah-Belly (Jellyfish) isn’t just a love triangle; it’s an emotional battleground. But as the final season heats up, something unexpected is happening: even some hardcore Jellyfish shippers are quietly (or loudly🤣) jumping ship.

So what’s behind the mass Bonrad migration? Here are 10 reasons fans are switching sides:

1. JEREMIAH CHEATED

Let’s talk about that bombshell: Jeremiah hooked up with Lacie Brown in Cabo, when he thought that he and Belly were broken up. But for a lot of fans (and for Belly), they were not on a break and hence, it felt like a betrayal (slash out that ‘felt’). Belly was clearly heartbroken, and the timing made it seem like Jeremiah moved on way too fast. That moment cracked the trust and made fans question how deep his feelings really went.

Meanwhile, Conrad was out there pining, hurting, and never even looking at another girl. For many, this was the turning point — and the start of their switch to Team Bonrad.

2. CARELESS JEREMIAH

Let’s face it — Jeremiah’s laid-back, easygoing attitude was part of what made fans love him early on. But there’s a big difference between being carefree and being careless. It’s not unreasonable to expect that a college student who believes he’s mature enough to get married should also be mature enough to keep track of the basic graduation requirements. At the very least, he should know how to check his emails.

Fans were especially frustrated that Jere could open his laptop to book a trip to Cabo, but somehow couldn’t be bothered to check emails about his academic standing. Needing an extra semester to graduate — simply because he was careless — didn’t sit well with viewers, especially when he has a perfect, soon-to-be-doctor brother to compete with.

Further, the man wants to execute a marriage while he’s still in debt because of his carelessness.

3. JEALOUS JEREMIAH

Jeremiah is jealous of Conrad — and fans are finally starting to see it. Let’s pretend no one noticed how he tried to sabotage Conrad’s chances with Belly back in Season 1. He’s had plenty of time to grow up, but instead, he continues to treat Belly like she’s part of some ongoing competition with his brother. Rather than loving her for who she is, he drags her into his insecurities and rivalry with Conrad.

His statement, “Belly picked me,” wasn’t a victory — it was a major red flag. It made the relationship feel more like a win over Conrad than a genuine connection with Belly, and for many fans, that was a serious turn-off.

4. CONRAD’S LOVE IS QUIET, NOT FLASHY — AND IT HITS HARD

Unlike Jeremiah, Conrad isn’t shouting his love from the rooftops. He’s hurting—quietly, deeply—holding back, protecting everyone but himself. That restraint? That depth? Fans are finally feeling it. He doesn’t need grand gestures or loud declarations. Instead, he cancels his flight, gives up a Boston gig, and agrees to be his brother’s best man—all because he hears Belly cry.

That speaks louder than Jeremiah’s car karaoke—and definitely louder than his apologies for cheating.

5. IRRESISTIBLE SLOW BURN

Bonrad’s chemistry has been simmering since day one. Fans are drawn to the tension, the lingering glances, the quiet intensity — it’s the ultimate slow-burn romance. Every time Belly and Conrad share a scene, the air shifts. It’s magnetic.

And then there’s Conrad’s signature energy — the “I’ve always loved you” kind. From the infinity necklace to the soft stares in season one, it’s clear: Conrad’s been in love with Belly long before she ever realized it. Now, more fans are finally seeing the depth behind his silence — and falling for it.

6. CONRAD LETS BELLY GROW

Conrad never tries to control Belly or ‘win’ her — he supports her growth, even if it means stepping back. That’s real love. From teaching her how to ride a bike to reminding her she’s strong enough to take on the world alone, he consistently encourages her to become her best self.

Jeremiah, on the other hand, passively agrees when Belly suggests giving up her dream of studying in Paris — just so they won’t be apart after the wedding. This is the same dream she’s been talking about for years, and he’s ready to toss it aside for a few months of togetherness? You have your whole life for that. Let the girl live, instead of clinging around her neck.

7. JEREMIAH WAS ALWAYS THE SAFE OPTION

Fans are starting to realize that Jeremiah was the comfort zone—not the soulmate. Bonrad is messy, complicated, and real. It’s a love worth fighting for.

Team Jellyfish? The chemistry is starting to feel… forced. The cutesy moments are sweet, sure, but more and more viewers see them as manufactured drama—not lasting love.

Conrad, on the other hand, challenges Belly—emotionally and intellectually. Their relationship isn’t just about fun. It’s layered. It’s painful. It’s real.

Jere and Belly’s connection feels more like a rebound. The stakes aren’t as high, and the emotions don’t run as deep. Jere was always the easygoing person, and when Conrad shut down emotionally, Jere became the simpler, more accessible bond. But more and more fans are sensing that it wasn’t just about romance—Susanna’s death left a massive void in both their lives, and it’s starting to feel like they clung to each other just to fill it.

8. GROWTH & REDEMPTION ARC

Conrad Fisher didn’t start as the perfect boyfriend — and that’s exactly why his journey matters. His love was always there, but buried under grief, pressure, and emotional walls he didn’t know how to break down. He was the boy who pulled away to protect the people he loved, who carried the weight of his mother’s illness in silence, and who chose distance over vulnerability — not out of selfishness, but out of fear.

But Conrad grows. Slowly. Quietly. Meaningfully.

He learns that love isn’t just about shielding others — it’s about showing up, being honest, and letting people in even when it’s hard. He apologizes without excuses. He begins to communicate. He prioritizes Belly’s happiness, not his own desires. And perhaps most importantly, he learns to let her choose — even if it breaks his heart.

Whether it’s stepping aside for Jeremiah, encouraging Belly’s dreams, or choosing to be there in moments that matter (like canceling his Boston gig), Conrad’s actions reflect a quieter kind of love — one rooted in growth, sacrifice, and emotional maturity.

His redemption arc isn’t about becoming perfect. It’s about becoming real. And for many fans, that’s the kind of love story worth rooting for.

9. FACE IT, JELLYFISH IS RIDICULOUS

When you think about it, Jellyfish is kind of ridiculous. They seem like two little kids so in “love” that they are planning to marry even before finishing college, while still in debt and making money for the wedding by working overtime at restaurants instead of making their careers. And to top it all, Belly “runs away” 🙄from home only because her mother suggested that they wait for the marriage till at least finishing college.

10. BONRAD IS ENDGAME

Bonrad is clearly the endgame—and the series drops countless hints to prove it. One of the most telling comes straight from author Jenny Han’s own words in the book: “For Belly, Conrad is the sun. And when the sun comes out, the stars disappear.” Jeremiah is the star, and Conrad, unmistakably, is the sun—her center, her constant.

Another subtle but powerful moment is the crossword puzzle Conrad leaves behind. The clue: “P.S. I —– Love You.” Belly fills in the blank with “STILL”—but what fans quickly noticed is that Conrad had already filled in that same word before erasing it. That detail is huge. It shows that he still loves her, even if he’s trying to hide it. And when Belly writes “STILL” again, unknowingly retracing his steps, it’s a quiet confirmation that she feels the same.

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DID YOU SPOT THESE HIDDEN SECRETS IN SEASON 3?