With streaming platforms overflowing with new teen dramas, series featuring love triangles have drawn teenagers’ attention and quickly become fan favorites. “The Summer I Turned Pretty” (TSITP) and “My Life With the Walter Boys” (MLWTWB) are two that have captivated viewers, offering fresh perspectives on the classic love triangles. TSITP premiered its third season July 16 on Prime Video, while MLWTWB’s debuted its second season Aug. 28 on Netflix.
TSITP, directed by author Jenny Han, follows Isabel “Belly” Conklin. Belly spends her summers at Cousins Beach with the Fisher brothers, Conrad and Jeremiah. She has always loved Conrad, but as she grows older, Jeremiah provides her stability and a best-friend relationship. This series explores themes like grief, laughter and loss, following Belly’s feelings for both brothers, and her struggle to choose between them.
MLWTWB, produced by Melanie Halsall, follows the story of Jackie Howard. After her family dies in a car accident, Jackie leaves her fast-paced life in New York to live with the Walter family on a farm in Silver Falls, Colorado. She moves in with her mom’s best friend, her husband and their 10 kids. Jackie immediately notices Cole Walter, and throughout the show, they form an undeniable connection as they support each other during hard times. However, she also grows closer to his brother, Alex Walter, who is kind, sensitive and compassionate. Amid tensions between the brothers, Jackie is conflicted on who to pursue, while coping with her profound loss.
Love triangles and romance
Both series’ feature complex love triangles between brothers with a girl caught in the middle. In TSITP, Belly navigates changing feelings and identity as summer love starts to fade; her struggle is complicated due to the fact that she has known Conrad and Jeremiah her whole life, watching their relationships with her evolve over the years.
In MLWTWB, Jackie’s situation is different. After losing her whole family and moving to a small rural town, she seeks stability and belonging. Her choice involves more than romance; it is tied to grief, security and starting over. Both series navigate the confusion of attraction, but the emotional stakes are different. Belly’s choice comes from lifelong relationships, whereas Jackie’s choice arises from sudden change and loss.
Family and belonging
While romance drives much of the action, family dynamics are key to these series. For Belly, comfort comes from her summers at Cousins Beach, where the bond between her mother and Susannah Fisher shapes the atmosphere. Throughout the series, friendship and family struggles highlight the connection between love and loss. Jackie’s life, meanwhile, becomes filled with multiple siblings and new parental figures as she adjusts to small-town life. The shift is difficult and mirrors some of the themes of grief and healing that are explored in TSITP.
Both of these stories underscore how family shapes the teenage experience of life, love, loss, and identity. Whether you’re Team Conrad, Jeremiah, Cole or Alex, these shows prove teen TV is not just about romance—it’s about growing up.
