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5 Shocking Ways Steven And Taylor’s Endgame In TSITP Season 3 Defied The Books

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The question of whether Steven Conklin and Taylor Jewel finally become an official, lasting couple has been a major source of fan speculation since the very first season of *The Summer I Turned Pretty* (TSITP). As of December 22, 2025, the definitive answer is *yes*, the show’s most surprising side-pairing ultimately finds their way back to each other, but the journey to their happy ending was a dramatic, show-only deviation that completely rewrote the original book canon. Their Season 3 storyline, which was reportedly one of the most difficult for creator Jenny Han to write, cemented them as a beloved secondary couple, proving that sometimes the best relationships are the ones you never saw coming.

The turbulent, on-again, off-again dynamic between Belly’s older brother and her best friend became a central plot point, evolving from a simple beach hook-up in Season 1 to a full-blown love triangle in the final season. This relationship—affectionately dubbed "Staylor" by fans—faced its ultimate test with college decisions, new romantic interests, and the looming reality of a long-distance future. Their resolution provides a satisfying, if unexpected, conclusion to their chaotic but deeply rooted connection.

Steven Conklin and Taylor Jewel: Character and Actor Profiles

The chemistry and compelling storyline of Steven and Taylor are largely credited to the actors who brought them to life, making their relationship a fan-favorite deviation from the source material. Their profiles are key to understanding the foundation of the 'Staylor' phenomenon.

  • Steven Conklin (Played by Sean Kaufman):
    • Role: Belly Conklin's older brother.
    • Character Arc: Known for being protective, ambitious (attending Brown University), and initially focused on his own path, Steven evolves into a more emotionally mature character, especially when navigating his feelings for Taylor.
    • Actor Profile: Sean Kaufman has received praise for his portrayal of Steven’s emotional complexity and his supportive role in the Fisher family drama.
  • Taylor Jewel (Played by Rain Spencer):
    • Role: Belly Conklin's best friend.
    • Character Arc: Taylor is initially introduced as a confident, sometimes dramatic, friend who has her own messy relationship history (including a brief relationship with Milo). She is fiercely loyal to Belly and, despite her initial flirtation with Steven in Season 1, finds herself in a genuine, complicated relationship with him by Season 2 and 3.
    • Actor Profile: Rain Spencer's performance has highlighted Taylor's wit and vulnerability, making her relationship with Steven particularly engaging for viewers.

The Definitive Answer: Do Steven and Taylor End Up Together?

For fans who have endured the relationship roller coaster, the good news is that Steven and Taylor *do* end up together in the show’s final season.

Their endgame is a significant shift from the book trilogy, where their romantic interaction was limited to a single hook-up in the first book, *The Summer I Turned Pretty*, and never developed into a serious relationship. The showrunners, led by creator Jenny Han, chose to expand their narrative, recognizing the potential in their sibling-like banter and undeniable chemistry.

The Season 3 Hurdles That Tested 'Staylor'

The final season of the series threw several major obstacles in Steven and Taylor's path, forcing them to confront whether their connection was strong enough to survive the real world outside of Cousins Beach:

  • The Denise Love Triangle: Steven's brief but intense relationship with Denise created a painful wedge between him and Taylor. This period saw Steven torn between his first love, Taylor, and the stability offered by Denise, highlighting Steven's emotional immaturity at the time.
  • The San Francisco/California Move: The final, relationship-ending hurdle centered on Steven's post-college plans. He was preparing to move to San Francisco (or California) for his future, and the possibility of a long-distance relationship, or Taylor not being part of his future, caused a major rift. This conflict was a pure show invention, designed to give the couple a dramatic, final test.
  • The On-Again, Off-Again Cycle: Despite their break-up, the two continued to hook up, a classic "will-they-won't-they" trope that frustrated and delighted fans alike. This pattern made it clear that their emotional and physical connection was difficult to sever, even when they tried to move on with other people.

How The Show Made Steven and Taylor Endgame (A Major Book Change)

The decision to make Steven and Taylor a central pairing is perhaps the biggest creative risk the television series took, but one that paid off with topical authority. The book series, which focuses almost entirely on Belly Conklin and the Fisher brothers (Conrad Fisher and Jeremiah Fisher), gave Steven's character very little romantic depth. By contrast, the show transformed Taylor from a minor character—Belly’s supportive best friend—into Steven’s romantic equal.

The final resolution saw the couple choosing to prioritize their relationship over separate paths. In a heartfelt moment, Steven and Taylor decide to move to California together, solidifying their commitment and signaling a future beyond the summer romance.

The Fan Theory That Almost Came True

Leading up to the finale, a popular fan theory circulated on social media: What if the series ended not with Belly’s wedding (to Conrad, as suggested by the book's epilogue), but with Steven and Taylor’s wedding? While the show did not go that far, the fact that their relationship was given such a conclusive and hopeful ending—moving to the West Coast together—suggests the creators acknowledged the fervent fan desire for their storyline to have a lasting resolution.

Their journey from a casual summer fling to a committed partnership, overcoming cheating and long-distance anxieties, makes their story arguably the most grounded and relatable love story in the series. While Belly’s story is about a dramatic love triangle, Steven and Taylor’s narrative focuses on the messy reality of young adult relationships and the struggle to communicate honestly.

Ultimately, the show’s ending provides a satisfying closure for the Conklin family. While Belly's destiny with the Fisher brothers is the main draw, the stability and commitment found by Steven and Taylor provide a hopeful parallel. The 'Staylor' relationship proved to be a necessary, exciting, and fan-backed addition that successfully expanded the emotional world of *The Summer I Turned Pretty* beyond the primary love triangle.

5 Shocking Ways Steven and Taylor’s Endgame in TSITP Season 3 Defied the Books
do steven and taylor end up together
do steven and taylor end up together

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