Where was 'The Summer I Turned Pretty' filmed? A peek inside

What's better in the summertime than kicking back with a YA love story? 

For a dash of sun and surf with a generous helping of romance, tune in to The Summer I Turned Pretty. Jenny Han's latest book-to-TV sensation sends viewers to the luxurious town of Cousins Beach, so bring some SPF in your tote. 

The fictional seaside spot is where Isabel "Belly" Conklin vacations every year. Her mother's best friend and her two boys also tag along annually. It's relaxing, picturesque and the perfect respite from real life. 

But what happens when platonic emotions take a turn for the more serious one summer? Will this annual tradition change forever? The eight-part series just dropped on Amazon, and since you haven't been treated to a familial love triangle since Bridgerton, you're going to want to hop aboard. 

(Fear not, if you are mighty attached to Lara Jean and co., XO, Kitty, To All the Boys spinoff is slated for a Netflix release, though release dates and specifics are still mum.) 

Where was 'The Summer I Turned Pretty' filmed?

If you haven't planned a getaway just yet, Cousins Beach will certainly inspire a coastal break. Equal parts glamorous and serene, Han used inspiration from the Hamptons and Cape Cod to shape her fictional town (which would explain the lofty accommodations). 

But when it came time to bring Belly's story to life, where exactly did the film cast and crew venture? Several hours south of the Cape and the Hamptons, as it turns out. Dubbed "Hollywood's East," Wilmington, North Carolina (opens in new tab), was location where the coming of age story was brought to life. 

Recognize Cousins Beach at all? This North Carolina locale was also home to film shoots for One Tree Hill and Dawson's Creek. For those who like to err on the side of spooky, some of the best Halloween movies were filmed in Wilmington, including Scream and Halloween. It's truly the best of both worlds! 

You might want to get acquainted with the area. Although the debut Summer series just premiered on June 17, Amazon already gave the second season a green light. 

“As fans anticipate the beach fun and young romance in the upcoming first season, we’re excited to announce more summer to come with a second season of The Summer I Turned Pretty,” said Vernon Sanders, head of global television, Amazon Studios, said in a press release. 

It looks like we're going to be treated to Belly's story in its entirety!

Speaking of which let's get you up-to-speed with Belly's story if you're not yet familiar with the novels: things have always been amicable between her and the boys, but this summer, things seem...different. Jeremiah and Conrad aren't looking at her the same way, and she's starting to feel a bit of romance. But which brother is her true match?

Although Cousins Beach seems plenty relaxing, we have a feeling our heroine and her suitors might send tensions through the roof. (Just a thought!) If you need us, we'll be down by the beach and setting up shop near the pool, watching all the drama unfold.