Summer Romance For 20-Somethings: Like TSITP, But Older

Hey guys, ever found yourself absolutely hooked on the dreamy, sun-drenched vibes of The Summer I Turned Pretty? You know, that intoxicating blend of first loves, rekindled flames, unforgettable friendships, and all the emotional twists and turns set against the backdrop of a perfect summer? It's pure escapism, right? But let's be real, while Belly and the Fisher boys give us all the feels, sometimes we crave that same romantic intensity and emotional depth, but with characters who are a little more our age. We're talking about the twenty-somethings crowd – navigating careers, tricky adulting, and those messy, complicated relationships that feel oh-so-real. You're not alone if you've been scouring the streaming services for shows that capture that same magic but with a more mature lens, exploring love, loss, and self-discovery as young adults step into their own.

The Summer I Turned Pretty truly nails the nostalgic summer romance aesthetic. It's got the iconic beach house, the endless summer nights, the undeniable chemistry, and that bittersweet feeling of youth slipping away. We love how it dives deep into love triangles, family dynamics, and the often-turbulent journey of growing up and finding your place. It's a show that makes you remember your own crushes, your own moments of intense joy and heartbreak. But as much as we adore it, many of us are looking for something that mirrors those experiences in our twenties, where the stakes feel a bit higher, the choices carry more weight, and the definition of 'growing up' takes on a whole new meaning. We want to see characters grapple with career aspirations, serious commitment issues, navigating adult friendships, and discovering who they truly are after high school. This article is your ultimate guide to finding those incredible, heartfelt, and often steamy shows that offer all the feels of a summer romance, but with the added complexity and relatability of characters in their most formative adult decade. So, grab your favorite snack, get comfy, and let's dive into some truly unforgettable series that will fill that The Summer I Turned Pretty void with a grown-up twist.

Finding Your Grown-Up Beachy Romance

When we talk about finding shows similar to The Summer I Turned Pretty but for 20-somethings, we're really chasing a specific kind of vibe. It's not just about the love stories, though those are definitely front and center. It's about the emotional resonance, the coming-of-age journey that continues long after adolescence, and often, a setting that feels like a character in itself – whether it's a sun-drenched city, a quaint town, or even an international backdrop. We're looking for shows that beautifully capture the essence of summer flings turning into something more, or long-term relationships being tested, all while characters are trying to figure out who they are and what they want from life and love. The core elements often include intense chemistry, vulnerable emotional arcs, and narratives that aren't afraid to explore the messiness of young adulthood. These aren't just sugary sweet romances; they often delve into deeper themes like self-discovery, mental health, career pressures, and the challenges of maintaining friendships as lives diverge.

The beauty of The Summer I Turned Pretty lies in its ability to make you feel every blush, every pang of jealousy, and every heartwarming moment. For the 20-something version, we're seeking that same level of immersion. We want characters who feel real, whose struggles with love and life resonate with our own experiences. This means shows that might feature love triangles or complex romantic entanglements, but with the added nuance of adult decisions and consequences. The aesthetic is also important; while a literal beach house isn't always a prerequisite, a certain cinematic quality and a feeling of escape are often present. Think long summer days (or nights), vibrant settings, and a soundtrack that perfectly encapsulates the mood. We’re moving beyond high school crushes and into the world of career choices, shared apartments, and the often-confusing path to adult commitment. It’s about those relationships that shape you, the ones that teach you hard lessons, and the ones that make you believe in forever, even when forever feels like a really long time. So, get ready to explore some top-tier series that masterfully blend romance, drama, and real-life challenges for our favorite young adult demographic, providing that much-needed fix of summer love, grown-up style.

Top Picks for 20-Something Summer Love

Normal People: Intense, Raw, and Unforgettable

If you're looking for a show that truly captures the intense emotional depth and the complicated journey of first love through the tumultuous twenties, then look no further than Normal People. This isn't your light, fluffy summer romance; it's a profound, often heart-wrenching exploration of two young people, Marianne and Connell, who continually orbit each other's lives from their late teens through their early twenties. What makes it similar to The Summer I Turned Pretty isn't a literal beach setting, but its absolute mastery of emotional vulnerability, the palpable chemistry between its leads, and the way it portrays a deeply formative relationship that shapes both individuals over many years. The show is based on Sally Rooney's beloved novel, and it translates that literary richness into a visual masterpiece. It perfectly illustrates how two people can be incredibly drawn to each other, yet constantly struggle with communication, self-doubt, and external pressures that pull them apart and bring them back together. The series follows their on-again, off-again relationship as they navigate social classes, university life, and personal growth, always with an underlying current of intense, almost suffocating, love.

What sets Normal People apart is its unflinching honesty about the complexities of young adult relationships. It doesn't shy away from the awkwardness, the misunderstandings, or the profound impact that our early loves have on our entire being. Marianne and Connell's story is one of self-discovery through connection, as they each find solace and challenge in the other. Connell, initially popular but insecure, and Marianne, intelligent and ostracized, find a unique bond that transcends their social standing. As they move to Dublin for university, their roles sometimes reverse, and they face new challenges like mental health struggles, academic pressures, and developing new relationships outside of their intense bubble. The cinematography is stunning, capturing the beauty of the Irish countryside and the intimate moments between the characters with exquisite detail. Every lingering glance, every hesitant touch, and every painful separation feels incredibly real. It's a show that will make you feel everything – joy, frustration, sadness, and ultimately, a deep understanding of the human heart. If you're seeking a show with incredible character development, a powerful love story that evolves with its characters in their twenties, and a level of emotional investment that rivals The Summer I Turned Pretty, then Normal People is an absolute must-watch. Be prepared for a raw, beautiful, and utterly unforgettable experience that delves into the very core of what it means to love and grow up.

Love Life: Exploring Love in the City Through the Years

Moving on to a show that perfectly captures the dating landscape and relationship evolution of a twenty-something in the modern world, we have HBO Max's Love Life. This anthology series is a brilliant choice for anyone who loved the emotional journey of The Summer I Turned Pretty but wants to see that journey unfold with characters navigating their formative adult years. Each season of Love Life focuses on a different protagonist and their journey from their first romance to their last, exploring the various relationships, heartbreaks, and lessons learned along the way. It’s an incredibly relatable and often humorous look at the quest for 'the one' in a bustling urban environment, primarily New York City. The first season, starring Anna Kendrick as Darby Carter, is particularly compelling. It follows Darby through a series of relationships – the good, the bad, and the utterly awkward – as she slowly but surely figures out what she wants, who she is, and who she truly belongs with. It’s a beautifully honest portrayal of how our relationships, even the ones that don’t last, profoundly shape us and lead us to our ultimate partner.

Love Life stands out for its episodic structure, where each episode often highlights a significant relationship in the protagonist's life, from casual flings to serious boyfriends, allowing viewers to witness the evolution of their emotional intelligence and self-awareness. It's like a romantic drama meets a personal growth diary, chronicling the trials and triumphs of dating in your twenties and early thirties. While it might not have the literal summer beach house setting of The Summer I Turned Pretty, it absolutely exudes a vibrant city summer feel in many of its segments, showcasing rooftop parties, park dates, and the general energy of young love blooming amidst the urban sprawl. The show explores universal themes like self-doubt, career aspirations affecting relationships, friendship dynamics, and the often-confusing path to true love and commitment. The narration adds a thoughtful, almost philosophical layer to the romantic entanglements, giving insight into the characters' inner thoughts and anxieties. It's a show that offers both laughs and poignant moments, making you reflect on your own dating history and the people who've left an imprint on your heart. If you’re yearning for a show that dives deep into the complexities of modern romance for the 20-something demographic, with an optimistic yet realistic outlook, Love Life is an absolute must-watch. It’s an engaging, witty, and deeply human portrayal of the lifelong search for connection, making it an excellent successor to the emotional depth you found in The Summer I Turned Pretty, just with a more mature and metropolitan twist.

You're the Worst: Edgy Rom-Com with Deep Heart

For those of you who appreciate the raw honesty and emotional rollercoaster of The Summer I Turned Pretty but want a more adult, darkly comedic, and refreshingly real take on relationships, then You're the Worst is your next binge-watch. This FX series, which ran for five brilliant seasons, initially presents itself as an anti-rom-com about two cynical, self-destructive individuals, Jimmy and Gretchen, who begrudgingly fall in love. But beneath the surface of snark, sarcasm, and truly terrible behavior lies one of the most profound and honest explorations of love, commitment, and mental health in the 20-something and early 30-something demographic. It captures the essence of young adults figuring things out – not just their careers or friendships, but how to be in a healthy, lasting relationship when you're inherently a bit, well, the worst. While The Summer I Turned Pretty captures the sweet agony of budding love, You're the Worst delves into the gritty, beautiful, and often hilarious agony of sustaining love when both parties are deeply flawed.

The show is primarily set in Los Angeles, and while it doesn't have a specific