The setting of a story is a crucial element for it to work. Some movies and television shows would be completely different if placed in a different location. For example, the funny mother-and-daughter story ofGilmore Girlswouldn’t be the same if not set inthe fictional town of Stars Hollow. Sometimes the setting is so important they become the entrance point to the story threw the opening sequences, as inThe Sopranos. This creative decision can immerse the viewer into the narrative, especially if it deeply connects to the characters and what they experience.
The Summer I Turned Prettyis an adaptation of a trilogy of books by Jenny Han (To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before). A fun, yet extremely sad at times, coming-of-age story about two close families because of a lifelong friendship between the mothers, Laurel (Jackie Chung) and Susannah (Rachel Blanchard). They always spent their summers together in Susannah’s spacious house in Cousins Beach. The location directly influences this story and characters — creating a cohesive narrative that couldn’t happen anywhere else.
Here’s if Cousins Beach is a real place, as well as the shooting locations for the first and second seasons.
Is Cousins Beach a Real Town?
Cousins Beach is the central location ofThe Summer I Turned Pretty. It could even be stated that because of its influence on the plot and the characters, it is a character of its own. The possibilities of spending the summer there influence the group of teenagers (and even the adults at times) to change how they act and see themselves.
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This is especially true for Belly (Lola Tung), who discovers a new side to herself when she gets there in the summer she turns 16 years old. It is also a scenario filled with memories, some good and some not so much, but they wouldn’t be the same people they are if they didn’t spend time there together. Nevertheless, the bonfires on the beach and the fancy club are the perfect scenarios forthis coming-of-age story.
Because of the town’s importance to the story, many wondered if it was real. Unfortunately, the town is fictional. Yet, Han has shared which places she got inspired to create the small beach town. Cape Cod is the first one, as she spent some time there when writing the book. The other inspirations came from The Hamptons, Nags Head, and Martha’s Vineyard. Han explained why sheset the storyon a beach, “I think it’s why these books have really resonated with people all over because. Everybody has like a beach they’ve been to as a kid, so people like in Sweden or in Vietnam can imagine their own.”
Where The Summer I Turned Pretty Is Filmed
There’s quite nothing like a summer romance story. While fans can’t visit Cousins Beach, they can put the places where the series was shot on their vacation list alongside the beaches that inspired the author. The Amazon Prime seriesis mostly set in Wilmington, North Carolina. The state has been the stage for many series, including other teenage-focused stories, such asOuter BanksandAlong for the Ride— which was even shot in the same city asThe Summer I Turned Pretty.
Related:The Summer I Turned Pretty Cast and Character Guide
While it’s almost impossible to shoot every scene of the television show on location, there are a few places that are not studios — and can be visited by fans while they wait for the new season to be released. In Padgett Station, Belly goes to pick up her best friend, Taylor (Rain Spencer), that came for her birthday. The beach the character go to during their summer is Wrightsville Beach. And one of the first scenes of the series, when Belly goes inside the gas station to buy snacks, and her mom puts on gas, is in Russell’s Quik Stop.
Romance Series Set on Beaches
If you are eagerly awaiting the new season of the teen show, there are some series, also set on the beach, to watch in the meantime. One of the first series to focus on teenagers that have a similar setting toThe Summer I Turned Prettyis the 2003 showThe O.C.The O.C.is set in Orange County, California. Needless to say that the scenario is a major element in this story. When an unlikely friendship is formed between Seth (Adam Brody) and Ryan (Ben McKenzie), they become inseparable friends that will be there for one another during the happy and sad times — including falling in love for the first time.
If you want to watch something different in the same setting, theseries adaptation of Jane Austen’sunfinished manuscriptSanditonis a great choice. A more adult story, but that still has some of the best elements of the romance genre. Charlotte (Rose Williams) moves to a fishing town in search of reinventing herself — but all Austen’s heroines know: nothing is quite as easy as they might think, and there’s always a handsome suitor on the way.
The Summer I Turned PrettySeason 1 finale broke everyone’s heart while giving hope that a much-awaited romance will finally occur. Season 2 is set to be released on July 14, the perfect date to continue this summer vacation filled with friendship and romance.
The Summer I Turned PrettySeason 1 can be streamed now on Prime Video.
