The Summer I Turned Pretty season 3 will serve as the show's final arc. It will be based on Jenny Han's We’ll Always Have Summer, the final story about Belly's (Lola Tung) storied love triangle between Christopher Briney's Conrad and Gavin Casalegno's Jeremiah. There will be 11 episodes in the season, and it comes two years after season 2's August 28, 2023 finale.

The love triangle will finally reach a definitive conclusion, but other relationship problems also need to be resolved. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, star Rain Spencer (Taylor Madison Jewel) explained that Taylor and Sean Kaufman's Steven have suffered serious drama in the two-year gap between the seasons. The two have endured an ongoing on-and-off-again relationship, leaving them both "pretty confused" about the status of their own "confusing" relationship. While Spencer loves their connection, they are still working through their drama. Check out the rest of Spencer's comments about the relationship:

She and Steven have broken up and gotten back together more times than anyone re, and their relationship status is so confusing. They don't even know what it is. They're pretty confused. But there will be romance... I love their story so much — they are authentic and true for their age. It feels relatable to me, because I've had to learn how to be vulnerable with someone, but I'm terrified, and how do I do this? I love that they're not perfect, and they both fail, and ultimately they don't really care that the other person failed. It's like, 'Yeah, you hurt my feelings,' or, 'You did X, Y, and Z, but I still love you.' There's a freedom to not be perfect with them, and that is so cool to me.

What This Means For Steven and Taylor's Relationship

There Will Be Some Tension Early On

Taylor and Stephen have always had an intriguing relationship, though the focus has largely been on Belly's long-term love triangle. While the books cover Taylor and Stephen's connection, they are never given much attention outside a few scattered scenes, which is one of the major differences from the show. On screen, their awkward will-they-won't-they dynamic has had the spotlight at times, giving viewers more insight into what makes them work so well together. Unfortunately, the two-year time jump could get in the way of that connection.

The novels also featured a two-year gap after the conclusion of book 2.

Without having seen years of drama, viewers may initially feel disconnected from the tension that plagues these two. Everything that Spencer mentions about their confusing and imperfect bond could suffer from happening off-screen. Still, the idea of catching up on years of tension should provide ample material for the final season, even if Belly's choice remains central. As the controversial Belly adapts to life as a college student, Taylor and Spencer will have the opportunity to take stock of their connection and provide a compelling sub-plot for the story.

Our Take On The Summer I Turned Pretty's Relationships

They May Not Be Meant To Be

No relationship in The Summer I Turned Pretty is perfectly smooth. Poor communication, disparate goals, and ever-changing love interests ensured that this teen drama always feels both dynamic and compelling. Given that Taylor has always struggled with her love for Steven and Will Spencer's Milo, the same is true for this unlikely connection. Yet, as Belly's best friend and brother continue to circle each other, the season could very well end with their confusing relationship finally being cemented. Wherever the show takes their connection, it will undoubtedly honor their bumpy road so far.

Source: EW