The Summer I Turned Pretty is set in the fictional Cousins Beach, a dreamy East Coast beach town that captures the essence of endless summer vibes. Author Jenny Han drew inspiration from real-life spots like Cape Cod, the Hamptons, Outer Banks, and Virginia Beach to craft this nostalgic haven.

Book Setting Details

In Jenny Han's trilogy, Cousins Beach serves as the heart of the story, where Belly Conklin and the Fisher brothers—Conrad and Jeremiah—spend their summers at the iconic Fisher family beach house. The Fishers live in Boston during the school year, adding an urban contrast to the coastal escape.

Han kept the exact state unnamed on purpose, letting readers imagine their own cherished beaches —a storytelling choice that makes the setting feel universally personal and timeless.

This ambiguity fuels fan theories, with some picturing a Massachusetts vibe due to the Boston tie-in, while others lean toward Virginia or North Carolina shores.

TV Show Filming Locations

The Amazon Prime series brings Cousins Beach to life in Wilmington, North Carolina , turning real spots into Belly's summer world. Key sites include:

  • Porters Neck Plantation : The stunning Fisher beach house, perched on a golf course for that perfect Cape Cod-like charm.
  • Wrightsville Beach : Iconic scenes like Belly and Conrad's first kiss unfold here, with its sandy stretches and ocean waves.
  • Fort Fisher area : Bike rides and beachfront moments capture the show's breezy energy.

Filming wrapped recent seasons in this coastal gem, blending North Carolina's beauty with Han's vision ahead of the 2025 season three premiere.

Fan Discussions & Trending Takes

Online chatter, like on Reddit's pop culture threads, buzzes with fans debating if Cousins Beach "feels like home"—some swear it's their local beach, others hunt filming spots for pilgrimages.

"That's part of the reason why people can read the book and feel like it's their beach." – Jenny Han

As of early 2026, with season three fresh in minds, forums highlight how the Wilmington sets nailed the bittersweet summer romance aesthetic, sparking travel inspo and "Team Conrad vs. Team Jeremiah" wars.

Quick Location Comparison

Aspect| Book| TV Series
---|---|---
Main Town| Fictional Cousins Beach (East Coast-inspired) 1| Filmed in Wilmington, NC 5
Beach House| Unspecified beach mansion 1| Porters Neck Plantation 7
Inspo Sources| Cape Cod, Hamptons, etc. 15| Wrightsville Beach for kisses & swims 9
Family Base| Fishers in Boston 1| N/A (focus on summers) 3

TL;DR : Cousins Beach is fictional but feels real—books evoke East Coast classics, while the show films in sunny Wilmington, NC, for that ultimate summer glow-up.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.