.jpg)
10 Shows to Watch Like The Summer I Turned Pretty
- Joao Nsita
- 2 hours ago
- 14 min read
Are you currently staring at your screen in a complete daze, feeling that familiar, heavy ache in your chest because you’ve officially finished every available episode of The Summer I Turned Pretty? You’ve lived through every messy, heart-stopping moment at Cousins Beach, debated the merits of Team Conrad versus Team Jeremiah until you were blue in the face, and now you’re left with a massive, Taylor Swift-shaped hole in your heart. We’ve all been there—that specific "post-series depression" where no other show seems to capture that perfect, golden-hour blend of first loves, coastal aesthetics, and the agonizingly beautiful growing pains of coming-of-age. You crave that specific feeling of a summer that changes everything, but finding a series that actually delivers that same level of emotional depth and romantic tension can feel like looking for a seashell in a storm.
By exploring these ten meticulously selected shows, you will finally find the ultimate cure for your Cousins Beach withdrawal and discover your next favorite binge-watch that actually understands your soul. Whether you’re looking for more sibling rivalries that make your head spin, soundtracks that perfectly score every heartbreak, or mystery-filled islands that hide dark family secrets, this list is your definitive roadmap. You’re about to trade your Cousins Beach blues for a new world of electric chemistry, sweeping slow-burn romances, and the kind of layered family drama that makes you feel seen. This isn't just about finding another show; it’s about finding a series that captures the magic of being young, messy, and hopelessly in love during the most transformative summers of your life. Let’s start 👇
Check out these related articles from That Love Podcast:
If you love this, check out: 10 Best Teen Romance TV Shows Ever Made, Ranked
10. We Were Liars — Prime Video
The Vibe: Mystery-Romance, Atmospheric Thriller
If you loved the wealthy, sun-drenched setting of Cousins Beach but wished there was a little more "danger" lurking behind the white picket fences, We Were Liars is your absolute next stop. Adapted from the viral E.L. Lockhart novel that traumatized half of TikTok, this show takes the "coastal aesthetic" and dips it into a vat of ink and secrets. We follow Cadence Sinclair, the eldest grandchild of a sprawling, impossibly wealthy family that spends every summer on their private island, Beachwood. However, after a mysterious head injury during "Summer Fifteen," Cadence is left with amnesia and a family that refuses to tell her what actually happened.
The parallels to The Summer I Turned Pretty are striking, but they hit different. You have the same feeling of a sacred summer house where time seems to stand still, and the same focus on a group of kids who have grown up together and are now navigating the messy shift into adulthood. But where Belly is dealing with a love triangle, Cadence is dealing with a haunting truth that threatens to dismantle her entire family legacy. Emily Alyn Lind delivers a powerhouse performance as Cadence, capturing that specific brand of teenage angst and displacement that TSITP fans know so well.
The romantic tension here is centered around "The Liars"—Cadence, her cousins Johnny and Mirren, and the outsider Gat. The connection between Cadence and Gat provides that same "first love" intensity that defines Belly and Conrad. It’s a slow-burn mystery that uses the summer heat to crank up the psychological pressure. If you want a show that looks like a dream but feels like a ghost story, this is it.
Where to stream: Prime Video
Shop This Look
[Buy Oversized White Linen Button-Down Shirt on Amazon]
[Buy High-Waisted Distressed Denim Shorts on Amazon]
[Buy Minimalist Gold Compass Necklace on Amazon]
9. Daisy Jones & The Six — Prime Video
The Vibe: Music, Romance, 70s Nostalgia
Listen, we know that for many fans, the The Summer I Turned Pretty experience is 50% plot and 50% the Taylor Swift soundtrack. If music is your love language and you live for "will-they-won't-they" chemistry that feels like it could literally catch the screen on fire, you need to watch Daisy Jones & The Six immediately. Based on the Taylor Jenkins Reid bestseller, the show chronicles the meteoric rise and sudden fall of a legendary 70s rock band.
The "love triangle" energy here is next-level. You have Billy Dunne (Sam Claflin), the tortured, brooding leader of the band who is trying to stay sober and faithful to his wife, and Daisy Jones (Riley Keough), the wild, magnetic force of nature who understands his soul in a way no one else does. The push and pull between Billy and Daisy is the adult version of the tension between Conrad and Belly. It’s that feeling of two people who are clearly meant to be together but are constantly kept apart by timing, pride, and their own self-destructive tendencies.
The California setting offers a different kind of summer vibe—dusty, golden, and filled with canyon parties and sunset recording sessions. The soundtrack isn't just background noise; the characters literally write their feelings into the songs, making the emotional stakes feel incredibly high. Riley Keough is a revelation as Daisy, and her chemistry with Claflin is the kind of explosive stuff that TSITP fans live for. It’s messy, it’s loud, and it’s devastatingly romantic.
Where to stream: Prime Video
Shop This Look
[Buy Vintage Suede Fringe Jacket on Amazon]
[Buy Retro Round Tinted Sunglasses on Amazon]
[Buy Classic Denim Flare Jeans on Amazon]
8. One Day — Netflix
The Vibe: Slow-Burn Romance, Heartbreaking Drama
If the five-year spanning timeline of Belly and Conrad’s relationship felt like a long journey, One Day is here to say, "Hold my iced coffee." This Netflix series (based on David Nicholls’ novel) follows Dexter (Leo Woodall) and Emma (Ambika Mod) on the exact same date—July 15th—every year for nearly two decades. We see them meet on their university graduation night and then check in on them as they grow, fail, date other people, and perpetually orbit one another.
This show is for the fans who love the "soulmate" aspect of TSITP. It’s for the people who believe that some people are just tethered to each other by an invisible thread that can’t be broken, no matter how hard they try. Emma and Dex have that same "Conrad and Belly" dynamic where one is often more ready than the other, leading to years of missing each other by mere inches.
Ambika Mod and Leo Woodall have some of the most natural, effortless chemistry ever put on a streaming service. Their banter feels real, their fights feel earned, and their love feels inevitable. It’s a more "adult" take on the coming-of-age theme, but it captures that same sense of yearning and the terrifying realization that time is slipping away. Be warned: this one will require several boxes of tissues and a very long walk afterward to process your emotions. It is a masterpiece of the genre.
Where to stream: Netflix
Shop This Look
[Buy Classic Navy Wool Topcoat on Amazon]
[Buy Retro 90s Style Rectangular Glasses on Amazon]
[Buy Canvas Messenger Crossbody Bag on Amazon]
7. Never Have I Ever — Netflix
The Vibe: Coming-of-Age, Love Triangle, Comedy-Drama
Created by Mindy Kaling, Never Have I Ever is the show that arguably shares the most DNA with The Summer I Turned Pretty. It’s a vibrant, funny, and deeply emotional look at Devi Vishwakumar (Maitreyi Ramakrishnan), a first-generation Indian-American teenager navigating the chaos of high school while dealing with the sudden death of her father.
The love triangle between Devi, the popular jock Paxton Hall-Yoshida, and her academic rival Ben Gross is legendary. Much like the Conrad/Jeremiah debate, the Never Have I Ever fandom was fiercely divided. Paxton represents the "fantasy" (the Jeremiah-esque charm and accessibility), while Ben represents the "soul level" connection (the Conrad-esque intellectual match and shared history).
What makes this show so special is how it handles grief. TSITP fans know that the loss of Susannah is the dark cloud that hangs over the beautiful Cousins Beach summers. Never Have I Ever explores that same intersection of joy and mourning, showing how grief doesn't just go away—it becomes part of who you are. Devi is a messy protagonist; she makes mistakes, she screams at her mom, and she tries too hard to be cool. She is incredibly relatable, and her journey toward self-acceptance is just as compelling as her romantic exploits. With four seasons of perfection, this is the ultimate comfort watch.
Where to stream: Netflix
Shop This Look
[Buy Vibrant Plaid Mini Skirt on Amazon]
[Buy Colorful Cropped Cardigan Sweater on Amazon]
[Buy Retro Platform Sneakers for Teens on Amazon]
6. My Life with the Walter Boys — Netflix
The Vibe: Romance, Love Triangle, Drama
If you want the literal definition of "The Summer I Turned Pretty energy," you need to pack your bags for Colorado. My Life with the Walter Boys is practically a spiritual sequel to the Jenny Han universe. The story follows Jackie, a straight-A New York City girl who loses her family in a tragic accident and is sent to live on a rural ranch with her mother’s best friend—who happens to have ten sons.
Yes, ten. But the show focuses primarily on two: the brooding, mysterious Cole and the sweet, reliable Alex. Sound familiar? Cole is the quintessential "Conrad"—he’s a former star athlete dealing with a career-ending injury, he’s emotionally distant, and he has a magnetic pull that Jackie can’t resist. Alex is the "Jeremiah"—he’s kind, he’s there for her, and he’s the "safe" choice that makes sense on paper.
The show is pure, unadulterated "teen drama" goodness. It’s about being an outsider in a small town, finding family in unexpected places, and the absolute chaos of living in a house full of boys. Season 1 and 2 were massive hits, and with Season 3 set to drop in late summer 2026, there has never been a better time to get caught up. It’s cozy, it’s romantic, and it captures that specific "new girl in town" magic that makes for perfect binge-watching.
Where to stream: Netflix
Shop This Look
[Buy Sherpa-Lined Corduroy Trucker Jacket on Amazon]
[Buy Classic Plaid Flannel Button-Down on Amazon]
[Buy Durable Leather Western Boots on Amazon]
You’ll also love: 15 Unspoken Female Gestures That Can Drive A Man Crazy
5. Outer Banks — Netflix
The Vibe: Adventure-Romance, Action, Summer Vibes
If Cousins Beach is a peaceful retreat, the Outer Banks is a high-octane battlefield. While Outer Banks (OBX) leans much more into the "action-adventure" genre with its treasure hunts and boat chases, the emotional core of the show is 100% TSITP. It’s about the Pogue-on-Kook rivalry, the sun-bleached hair, the salt on your skin, and the desperate, ride-or-die friendships of youth.
The romance between John B (Chase Stokes) and Sarah Cameron (Madelyn Cline) is the heart of the series. They are the ultimate "star-crossed lovers" from opposite sides of the tracks. Their chemistry is so palpable it practically vibrates off the screen (helped by the fact that the actors dated in real life during the early seasons).
But the real TSITP hook is the summer aesthetic. No show on television captures the feeling of summer quite like OBX. You can practically smell the marsh water and feel the humidity. As the show prepares for its fifth and final season in Summer 2026, the stakes have never been higher. Following the tragic events of Season 4, the Pogues are on a mission for revenge and redemption. If you love the "summer vibes" of TSITP but want a plot that moves at 100 miles per hour, get on the boat.
Where to stream: Netflix
Shop This Look
[Buy Tropical Hawaiian Print Short-Sleeve Shirt on Amazon]
[Buy Retro Surfboard Graphic T-Shirt on Amazon]
[Buy Waterproof Woven Friendship Bracelets on Amazon]
4. XO, Kitty — Netflix
The Vibe: K-Drama Romance, Coming-of-Age
We can’t talk about The Summer I Turned Pretty without mentioning the woman who started it all: Jenny Han. If you’ve finished TSITP and haven't watched XO, Kitty, you are missing out on the most direct extension of that specific creative DNA. A spin-off of the To All the Boys I've Loved Before films, this series follows the youngest Covey sister, Kitty (Anna Cathcart), as she moves to Seoul, South Korea, to attend a prestigious boarding school and reunite with her long-distance boyfriend, Dae.
However, in true Jenny Han fashion, things get complicated the second Kitty lands. She enters a world of fake dating, hidden family histories, and—you guessed it—a massive, messy love triangle (that eventually becomes more of a love square/pentagon).
The show is a brilliant blend of American teen drama and classic K-Drama tropes. It’s bright, it’s fast-paced, and it’s incredibly fun. The "enemies-to-lovers" tension between Kitty and the wealthy, arrogant Min Ho provides some of the best sparks in the series. Plus, for long-time fans, Lana Condor’s return as Lara Jean in Season 3 (now streaming!) is the emotional payoff we’ve all been waiting for. It has all the heart and humor of Jenny Han's writing, just with a fresh, international flavor.
Where to stream: Netflix
Shop This Look
[Buy Preppy Pastel Uniform Blazer on Amazon]
[Buy Heart-Shaped Gold Locket Necklace on Amazon]
[Buy Korean Skincare Glass Skin Starter Kit on Amazon]
3. Ginny & Georgia — Netflix
The Vibe: Family Drama, Romance, Dark Comedy
One of the most underrated parts of The Summer I Turned Pretty is the relationship between the moms—Laurel and Susannah. If you live for that layered, complex "mother-daughter" dynamic, Ginny & Georgia is your new obsession. The show follows Georgia Miller (Brianne Howey), a young, charismatic, and slightly dangerous mother who moves her kids, Ginny and Austin, to a wealthy Massachusetts town to start over.
Ginny (Antonia Gentry) is a fiercely independent teenager who is trying to find her own identity while living in the shadow of her "cool" but secretive mother. The show masterfully balances Ginny’s high school life—complete with a very "Conrad-like" brooding neighbor named Marcus and a complicated friend group—with Georgia’s dark, thriller-esque past.
The Massachusetts setting gives off major New England "Cousins Beach" vibes, especially during the winter and autumn months. The dialogue is sharp and funny, but the show isn't afraid to go to very dark places. It explores race, class, mental health, and the lengths a mother will go to protect her children. Season 4 is confirmed for late 2026, and after that Season 3 cliffhanger, you absolutely need to be caught up. It’s the "grown-up" version of a teen drama that hits all the right notes.
Where to stream: Netflix
Shop This Look
[Buy Classic Black Leather Biker Jacket on Amazon]
[Buy Oversized Distressed Knit Sweater on Amazon]
[Buy High-Gloss Tinted Lip Oil on Amazon]
2. One Tree Hill — Max / Peacock
The Vibe: Classic Teen Drama, Love Triangle, Friendship
To understand The Summer I Turned Pretty, you have to understand the giants whose shoulders it stands on. One Tree Hill is the absolute blueprint for the modern teen romance. Set in a small North Carolina town, it follows two estranged half-brothers, Lucas and Nathan Scott, who compete on the basketball court and for the hearts of the same girls.
The love triangle between Lucas, Brooke, and Peyton is the stuff of legend. It spans years, includes countless "rainy day" confessions, and features some of the best music in TV history. If you think the Belly/Conrad/Jeremiah drama is intense, the Scott brothers will put you through the emotional wringer.
One Tree Hill excels at making the small moments feel massive. A basketball game isn't just a game; it's a battle for identity. A conversation on a pier isn't just talk; it's a soul-baring confession. It has that same "golden-hued nostalgia" that TSITP captures so well. It’s a show about the family you choose, the people who know you best, and the town that you can never quite leave behind. With nine full seasons to binge, this is the marathon you deserve.
Where to stream: Max / Peacock
Shop This Look
[Buy Retro Tree Hill Ravens Basketball Jersey on Amazon]
[Buy Vintage Band Graphic T-Shirt on Amazon]
[Buy Classic Silver Charm Bracelet on Amazon]
1. Bridgerton — Netflix
The Vibe: Period Romance, Slow Burn, Family Drama
You might be wondering: "A show about 19th-century London? How does that fit?" But hear us out—Bridgerton is the ultimate, evolved form of the TSITP emotional universe. At its core, Bridgerton is a show about the intense, suffocating, and beautiful pressure of family expectations on romance. It is the absolute master of the "slow-burn."
Every season follows a different Bridgerton sibling as they navigate the "marriage mart," and the tension is always dialed up to eleven. If you love the way Conrad looks at Belly across a room, you haven't seen anything until you see Anthony Bridgerton stare down Kate Sharma, or Benedict’s artistic yearning in the upcoming Season 4.
The production value is lush, the "Shonda Rhimes" dialogue is snappy, and the orchestral covers of modern pop songs (including plenty of Taylor Swift) will make your TSITP-loving heart soar. It captures that specific feeling of "the first time"—the first time you’re truly seen, the first time you’re heartbroken, and the first time you realize that love is a choice you make every day. With Season 5 officially in development for 2027 and Season 4 dominating the cultural conversation in 2026, Bridgerton is the undisputed king of romantic television. It is the most satisfying, high-stakes romance you can find.
Where to stream: Netflix
Shop This Look
[Buy Empire Waist Floral Maxi Dress on Amazon]
[Buy Delicate Lace Lace-Up Corset Top on Amazon]
[Buy Satin Opera Length Evening Gloves on Amazon]
Conclusion
Finishing a show as beloved and atmospheric as The Summer I Turned Pretty always leaves a bit of a void, but as we’ve seen, the world of television is overflowing with incredible stories that capture that same lightning in a bottle. From the high-stakes mysteries of We Were Liars to the timeless, sweeping romance of Bridgerton, your "What do I watch next?" dilemma is officially solved. Each of these series offers a unique window into the universal experience of growing up, falling in love, and finding out who you truly are when the sun finally sets on your childhood.
Whether you’re in the mood for the nostalgic, small-town charm of One Tree Hill or the modern, vibrant energy of XO, Kitty, the common thread is that these shows all prioritize the heart. They remind us that while summers are fleeting, the memories we make and the people we love during those seasons stay with us forever. So, grab your favorite snack, settle into your most comfortable spot, and dive into these worlds. The next great love story is just a "play" button away. Happy binging!
💡 You May Also Love
If you're enjoying this blog, check out these other ones:
10 FAQs About Shows Like The Summer I Turned Pretty
1. When does The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 come out? Season 3 is officially confirmed for release in Summer 2026 on Prime Video. This season will be the biggest one yet, with 11 episodes, and will cover the events of the third book, We'll Always Have Summer.
2. Which show has the most similar "Love Triangle" to TSITP? My Life with the Walter Boys and Never Have I Ever are widely considered the closest matches. Both feature a central female protagonist living in a new environment and torn between two brothers or two very different male archetypes.
3. Is XO, Kitty connected to The Summer I Turned Pretty? Not narratively, but creatively. Both were created by author Jenny Han. XO, Kitty is a spin-off of Han's To All the Boys series, so the tone, humor, and romantic tension will feel very familiar to TSITP fans.
4. Are there any other shows filmed in the same "coastal" style? Outer Banks and Dawson's Creek (the ultimate 90s classic) are the best for that "sun-bleached coastal aesthetic." Both emphasize the setting as a character, making the beach feel like a vital part of the story.
5. Which show on this list is the best for "brooding" male characters? If you’re Team Conrad, you’ll likely gravitate toward Marcus in Ginny & Georgia, Cole in My Life with the Walter Boys, or Anthony in Bridgerton. All three represent that specific "brooding but deep" archetype.
6. I love the music in TSITP. Which other show has a great soundtrack? Daisy Jones & The Six has an incredible 70s-inspired soundtrack. For modern pop and Taylor Swift vibes, Bridgerton (with its classical covers) and One Tree Hill (which features many real-life musical guests) are top choices.
7. Is We Were Liars too scary for a TSITP fan? It’s not a "horror" show, but it is a psychological thriller. If you enjoyed the emotional weight of TSITP but want something with a darker mystery and a mind-blowing twist, We Were Liars is perfect.
8. Which show is best if I want to binge-watch a lot of episodes? One Tree Hill is your best bet with nine full seasons (nearly 200 episodes). It will keep you occupied for weeks!
9. Why is Bridgerton ranked #1? Despite the period setting, Bridgerton captures the "feeling" of first love and romantic yearning better than almost any show currently streaming. Its focus on family legacy, the slow burn of desire, and the emotional stakes makes it the ultimate "must-watch" for romance lovers.
10. Where can I find more show recommendations like these? You can always check out the "What to Watch" section on ThatLovePodcast.com or listen to the latest episodes of the podcast where we break down the newest romantic releases in real-time.
For more deep-dives into the psychology of teen romance and television trends, visit The Hollywood Reporter or Variety.
.jpg)
.jpg)
Comments