10 Romance Shows Better Than The Summer I Turned Pretty

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Prime Video’s series, The Summer I Turned Pretty, was a big success. Adapted from Jenny Han’s popular novels, the show captured viewers with its charming setting, nostalgic music, and a classic love triangle. However, while enjoyable, the writing sometimes relied too heavily on predictable storylines common in young adult fiction without adding much depth.

While TSITP is enjoyable and works well for casual viewing, its story and characters don’t offer anything new or exciting within the young adult romance genre. These shows have changed over time, moving from sincere, character-focused stories to more visually appealing and fantastical entertainment, with each new series building on what came before.

As a film and TV buff, I remember when shows like My So-Called Life and Dawson’s Creek really changed the game. They weren’t just about teen romance; they dug into what it felt like to be a teenager – first loves, figuring out who you are, and actually talking about your feelings. Then, in the 2000s, things got a little bigger and more dramatic with shows like The O.C. and One Tree Hill. They took that core idea and added even more intense love triangles and storylines that unfolded over multiple seasons, often with these really glamorous settings.

TV shows about growing up are so popular because almost everyone can relate to the experiences of first love, figuring out who you are, and the strong feelings that come with being a teenager. This list features 10 young adult TV romances that capture those feelings just as well, or even better than, The Summer I Turned Pretty.

Dash & Lily

2020

Dash & Lily is a well-paced and satisfying love story, arguably more compelling than The Summer I Turned Pretty. Set during Christmas in New York City, the show follows two teens who fall for each other by passing a notebook back and forth, sharing dares and revealing their true selves. Their connection builds through genuine personality and honesty, without getting bogged down in complicated relationship drama.

Despite its lighthearted, romantic comedy style, Dash & Lily handles its characters’ emotions in a genuine and believable way. Like many great shows that were unfortunately short-lived, it doesn’t get bogged down in drawn-out drama. Instead, the characters consistently develop, and the romance feels natural and steady. This focused approach, along with the show’s delightful starting point, makes the central love story feel complete and truly rewarding.

Maxton Hall—The World Between Us

2024-Present

Unlike The Summer I Turned Pretty, Maxton Hall—The World Between Us delivers a more compelling and realistic love story by giving its main couple significant challenges and relatable motivations. The series follows Ruby Bell, a smart and ambitious student on a scholarship, as she navigates the wealthy and exclusive environment of Maxton Hall, determined to get into Oxford.

She immediately butts heads with James Beaufort, a spoiled and privileged young man who expects everything to go his way. Their initial dislike blossoms into something more, but it’s complicated by their different social classes and the way they challenge each other, creating a tense and meaningful connection.

Though TSITP touched on differences in social and economic status, Maxton Hall makes class distinctions a central element that impacts how characters develop, mature, and open up emotionally. The show’s renewal for a third season after season 2 suggests the network is committed to its complex and evolving love story.

The Sex Lives Of College Girls

2021-2025

The show The Sex Lives of College Girls isn’t just about sex – it’s a funny and relatable look at the friendships and relationships of four college roommates as they figure out life on their own. While the title suggests a focus on sexuality, romance is a key part of almost every story.

Compared to The Sex Lives of College Girls, this show offers a more detailed and varied look at how relationships shape identity, personal limits, and self-esteem. By focusing on the romantic lives of several characters, it provides a broader and more realistic portrayal of young adult relationships.

Outer Banks

2020-Present

While both Outer Banks and The Summer I Turned Pretty offer fun, summery teen dramas with romance and love triangles, Outer Banks is the stronger romance series. This is because Outer Banks also features a compelling adventure-mystery plot that keeps things moving and adds higher stakes beyond just the relationships.

Both shows feature romantic relationships, but Outer Banks does a better job of making those relationships evolve alongside the main plot. While The Summer I Turned Pretty often revisits the same emotional issues, Outer Banks throws obstacles at its couples, forcing them to grow and change. This creates a more exciting and fast-paced story where romance feels connected to what’s happening around them, even though both shows share a similar young adult, beachside setting.

Bridgerton

2020-Present

Bridgerton delivers both grand, emotional moments and a story that feels more consistently engaging. As a historical romance, it leans into the drama, strict social rules, and formal dating customs of the time – all of which build tension and excitement in the love stories.

One of the show’s greatest strengths is its format, where each season tells the love story of a different Bridgerton sibling. This keeps the world and familiar characters consistent, while also preventing the storylines from becoming stale like they sometimes do with long-running love triangles.

As a huge fan of both shows, I’ve noticed something really cool about how they use music. The Summer I Turned Pretty definitely spends the money to include a lot of Taylor Swift songs to make the emotional moments hit harder. But Bridgerton does something different – it uses orchestral pop covers, and honestly, it helped kickstart this whole trend of classical-inspired pop that’s everywhere now! I think that approach makes Bridgerton feel more consistent in its style and gives it a wider range when it comes to telling its love stories.

One Tree Hill

2003-2012

One Tree Hill was known for its dramatic and romantic stories, featuring a large cast of characters. Though it wasn’t as consistently good as shows like Dawson’s Creek or The O.C., it played a key role in shaping today’s young adult romance stories, with its use of love triangles, developing relationships, and emotional storylines rooted in the characters’ pasts.

Unlike The Summer I Turned Pretty, One Tree Hill built its romantic storylines over nine seasons, giving relationships time to grow, fall apart, and come back together in a way that felt natural. While The Summer I Turned Pretty follows a similar pattern, it tends to quickly resolve or change its main love triangle without the same gradual development. This makes the romances in One Tree Hill feel more lasting and emotionally rich.

Never Have I Ever

2020-2023

The series Never Have I Ever skillfully combines the relatable experiences of growing up with witty humor and well-developed characters. Created by Mindy Kaling, a leading voice in television, the show tackles familiar themes of first love and self-discovery, but with a more focused and consistent approach to storytelling and character development.

The story is notable for its thoughtful portrayal of race and representation, featuring an Asian American protagonist whose love life is influenced by cultural pressures, loss, and personal goals. Although it doesn’t have the same breezy, beachy vibe as TSITP, and mostly takes place at school, this realistic setting makes the relationships feel more relatable, authentic, and emotionally nuanced.

Dawson’s Creek

1998-2003

As someone who’s seen a lot of teen dramas, let me tell you, Dawson’s Creek was a game-changer. It really set the stage for how we tell stories about young love, especially those complicated love triangles. It basically created the playbook for shows like The Summer I Turned Pretty. Think about it – all that angst, the shifting loyalties between friends and crushes, and all that feeling – Dawson’s Creek was doing it first, and a lot of what we see today still owes a debt to it. It really defined the emotional language of teen romance on TV.

What makes Dawson’s Creek special is how consistently it focuses on realistic, in-depth conversations between its characters, and how seriously it takes teenage feelings. The show’s main love triangle – between Dawson, Joey, and Pacey – is really the heart of the series, driving most of the emotional storylines.

Over time, the connections between the characters changed as friendships broke and new ones formed. Joey’s developing feelings for two different boys created ongoing drama and ultimately satisfying resolutions. This slow burn approach makes each romantic development feel realistic and important throughout the series.

While The Summer I Turned Pretty updates the teen romance formula with a sleek, fast-paced style for today’s streaming audiences, Dawson’s Creek still stands as the original and defining example of sincere teen romance, setting the standard for the genre.

Heartstopper

2022-Present

Heartstopper is a beautifully made and deeply moving story about young love. Adapted from Alice Oseman’s graphic novel, the series is remarkable for its gentle approach, realistic characters, and emphasis on open communication. Relationships unfold naturally and honestly, avoiding typical dramatic conflicts.

Unlike many typical teen romances, this story feels more realistic and subtle, and that’s actually one of its best qualities – even simple interactions feel meaningful. It’s also become important culturally, setting a new standard for how LGBTQ+ stories are told in young adult fiction and on screen, and showing what truly inclusive romance can be.

After two successful seasons, the popular show Heartstopper will conclude its story with a full-length movie, Heartstopper Forever, planned for release in 2026. This marks the end of a well-crafted and beloved romantic story.

The O.C.

2003-2007

Both The O.C. and The Summer I Turned Pretty share a similar formula: a teen romance set by the coast. The O.C., with its wealthy Newport Beach setting, really perfected this blend of lighthearted fun and intense emotional storylines. It became a major model for how many modern young adult love triangles are told.

What makes The O.C. special is its seamless blend of love stories with how its characters grow and the conflicts arising from different social classes. Relationships aren’t just about falling in and out of love; they change because of characters’ changing circumstances, family issues, and where their loyalties lie. These relationships feel important, and the choices characters make truly impact their friendships and overall journeys.

At the heart of The O.C. is the dramatic and often heartbreaking relationship between Ryan and Marissa, which provides most of the show’s emotional impact. This is complemented by the fluctuating romance between Seth and Summer.

Although TSITP shares similar themes and styles, The O.C. tells its story with more energy and had a bigger effect on popular culture. Twenty years later, it’s still remembered as one of the most important and influential teen romance dramas ever made.

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2026-04-18 21:42