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The Shocking Truth: How Much Older Is Conrad Than Belly In The Summer I Turned Pretty (Book Vs. Show)

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The question of "How much older is Conrad than Belly?" is one of the most frequently debated topics among fans of The Summer I Turned Pretty, and the answer is surprisingly complex. As of late 2025, the latest information confirms that the age gap between Conrad Fisher and Isabel "Belly" Conklin is different between the original book trilogy and the hit Amazon Prime Video series, sparking endless discussion about their maturity levels and the dynamics of their relationship.

Understanding the precise age difference is crucial to appreciating the romantic tension and emotional challenges faced by the couple, often referred to as "Bonrad." While the gap is relatively small, it represents a significant developmental chasm during their teenage years, especially in the early summers at Cousins Beach. The subtle change made for the show completely shifts the perception of Conrad's role as the older, more experienced crush.

Conrad Fisher and Belly Conklin: Character Biographical Timeline

To fully grasp the age difference, it's essential to establish the characters' ages and birthdays across the narrative. The story primarily follows Belly's life from age 15 to 18 (in the main trilogy) and beyond (in the epilogue of the final book).

  • Isabel "Belly" Conklin:
    • Full Name: Isabel Susannah Fisher (Conklin before marriage).
    • Birthday: Late June/Early July (Making her a Cancer). Her birthday often marks the beginning of the summer at Cousins Beach.
    • Age in Season 1: Starts at 15, turns 16 during the summer.
    • Age in Season 2: Turns 17, entering her senior year of high school.
    • Age in Book 3 Epilogue: 23 or 24 years old.
  • Conrad Fisher:
    • Full Name: Conrad Fisher.
    • Birthday: Sometime in the winter/spring (He is older than Jeremiah, who is an Irish twin to him).
    • Age in Season 1: 17, about to turn 18 and head to Brown University.
    • Age in Season 2: 19 years old, a college student.
    • Role: The brooding, older brother and Belly's long-time crush.
  • Jeremiah Fisher (For Context):
    • Age in Season 1: 16, turns 17 during the summer (just a few months older than Belly).
    • Relationship: Often referred to as Belly's "Irish twin" counterpart in their friend group, sharing a very close age.

The Definitive Age Gap: Book vs. Show

The discrepancy in the age difference between the source material and the television adaptation is the key piece of information fans need to know. This change was a deliberate choice by author and showrunner Jenny Han to potentially make the relationship dynamics feel less uneven in the show's earlier seasons.

In the Original Book Trilogy: Conrad is 2 1/4 Years Older

In Jenny Han's novels, the age gap is more significant and precise. Conrad is canonically two and a quarter years (2 1/4 years) older than Belly Conklin.

  • The Impact: At the start of the first book, Belly is 15 and Conrad is 17. This two-year gap means Conrad is a full two grades ahead of Belly, making him a high school senior or just starting college when she is a sophomore. This larger gap emphasizes the "older brother's best friend" dynamic and Conrad's perceived maturity, which is a major source of Belly's insecurity and longing. The difference in life stages—Conrad dealing with college applications, parties, and independence while Belly is still in the early stages of high school—creates a powerful, almost insurmountable barrier in the early stages of their romance.

In the Amazon Prime Video Series: Conrad is 1.5 Years Older

For the television adaptation, the creative team decided to slightly close the gap. In the show, Conrad is only one and a half years (1.5 years) older than Belly.

  • The Calculation: This change is reflected in their season one ages. Belly starts at 15, turning 16. Conrad is 17, about to turn 18. This smaller gap means they are closer in life stages, often being only one grade apart in school.
  • The Rationale: The decision to reduce the age difference was likely made to make the romantic relationship feel more appropriate and less like a girl crushing on a much older, unattainable figure. It brings their emotional maturity levels closer together, which may appeal more to a modern television audience and streamline the storytelling.

Age Timeline: Conrad and Belly’s Relationship Milestones

The age difference, whether 2.25 or 1.5 years, constantly influences the relationship's key moments, from their first kiss to their ultimate reunion.

The First Summer (Season 1 / Book 1)

This is the summer Belly "turned pretty," a pivotal moment of self-discovery. Conrad is navigating his mother Susannah’s cancer diagnosis, a burden that makes him seem even more distant and mature than his years.

  • Belly's Age: 15, turning 16.
  • Conrad's Age: 17, turning 18.
  • Dynamic: Conrad is the mysterious, unattainable college boy, while Belly is the girl he has always seen as a little sister, now struggling to be seen as a woman. The age gap feels largest here.

The Second Summer (Season 2 / Book 2)

The second installment deals with the aftermath of Susannah’s passing and the emotional wreckage it leaves behind. Both characters are dealing with grief, but their respective ages and life stages dictate how they process it.

  • Belly's Age: 17.
  • Conrad's Age: 19.
  • Dynamic: The gap is still present, but less pronounced. Conrad is in college, struggling with his studies and personal life, while Belly is dealing with the emotional fallout during her high school years. The breakup, often referred to as the "prom debacle," is heavily influenced by their inability to communicate effectively due to their differing emotional maturity and life pressures.

The Final Summer and Beyond (Season 3 / Book 3)

The third part of the story introduces significant time jumps, which finally make the age difference almost irrelevant. The characters are forced to grow up and find themselves before they can truly be together.

  • Belly's Age: 18 (at the start).
  • Conrad's Age: 20 (at the start).
  • The Gap Closes: The time jump in the books propels Belly into her early twenties (23-24) and Conrad into his mid-twenties. At this point, the difference of 1.5 or 2.25 years is negligible. They are both adults, finished with college, and ready to choose each other on equal footing. This crucial development underscores the core message: they needed to grow up before their love could truly flourish.

Why the Age Gap is a Key Topical Authority Point

The difference in age is more than just a number; it's a narrative device that drives the entire "Bonrad" relationship arc. It’s a major point of topical authority for fans discussing the show and books:

  • Maturity Disparity: Conrad’s slightly older age makes his emotional withdrawal and brooding nature in the early seasons feel more significant. He is expected to be more mature, yet his communication skills are often lacking, frustrating Belly.
  • Life Stages: The gap ensures that Conrad is always a step ahead—graduating, going to college, and experiencing life milestones before Belly. This makes him the "ideal" crush she constantly strives to catch up to.
  • Jeremiah’s Role: The fact that Jeremiah is almost the exact same age as Belly (just months older) positions him as the safer, more accessible, and emotionally present choice, contrasting sharply with the older, more complex Conrad.

Ultimately, whether you follow the books or the show, the key takeaway remains the same: Conrad is the older love interest, but the true maturity of their relationship only blossoms when the age gap no longer matters, and they are both fully-formed adults.

The Shocking Truth: How Much Older Is Conrad Than Belly in The Summer I Turned Pretty (Book vs. Show)
how much older is conrad than belly
how much older is conrad than belly

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