The ending of "The Summer I Turned Pretty" centers on Belly facing a major emotional crossroads at the end of her junior year of college. In the story's climax, Jeremiah calls off their wedding after revealing his immaturity and infidelity, and Belly ultimately decides to break off her relationship with him. Although she has deep, complicated feelings for both Jeremiah and Conrad, Belly chooses not to stake her future on either brother. Instead, she chooses herself by deciding to go live her dream in Paris. The final scene shows her spotting Conrad at the airport just as she is about to board the plane, leaving the story on an open, somewhat bittersweet note about what comes next for them. This ending reflects Belly’s growth and her decision to prioritize her own path and dreams rather than being defined by her romantic relationships.

Key Points of the Ending

• Jeremiah ends the engagement and reveals his flaws, including cheating on Belly.
• Belly admits she still has feelings for Conrad but chooses neither brother definitively.
• Belly buys a plane ticket to Paris to pursue her own future and dreams.
• The story ends with a cliffhanger moment of Belly seeing Conrad at the airport before boarding.
• The choice shows Belly's growth and independence beyond the love triangle.

This conclusion is slightly expanded from the book version, where Belly also ultimately chooses her own growth and moves forward without marrying either brother.

Hence, "The Summer I Turned Pretty" ends on a note of self-discovery and new beginnings for Belly rather than a traditional romantic resolution.