You know that feeling when a character shows up and everything just... implodes? That is basically the job description for Lacie Barone. If you have been following the Prime Video adaptation of Jenny Han's beloved series, you already know the name is basically synonymous with the biggest "Team Conrad" vs. "Team Jeremiah" war in internet history.
Honestly, it is a mess.
Lacie isn't just some random background student at Finch College. She is the catalyst for the "we were on a break" debate of our generation. In the world of The Summer I Turned Pretty, Lacie Barone is the girl Jeremiah Fisher hooks up with in Cabo after he and Belly have a massive blow-up. It is the drama that fuels the third book, We’ll Always Have Summer, and now, it is the center of every Season 3 leak and theory online.
Who is Lacie Barone?
Let’s get the facts straight because the rumors are flying everywhere. Lacie Barone is a student at Finch and a member of Taylor Jewel’s sister sorority. In the books, she is described as someone who is pretty, popular, and clearly has a thing for Jeremiah.
For the TV series, Lily Donoghue has been cast to bring Lacie to life. You might recognize her from Black Christmas or Dr. Bird's Advice for Sad Poets. Casting Lily was a move. She has that effortless "cool girl" vibe that makes her the perfect foil for Belly’s more earnest, sometimes slightly insecure energy during her college years.
The Cabo Incident
This is where things get sticky. After a huge fight with Belly, Jeremiah heads to Cabo for spring break with his frat brothers. He’s hurt. He’s angry. He’s drinking. And he meets up with Lacie.
They hook up. Not just once, but according to the source material, it was a whole thing. The problem? Jeremiah doesn't tell Belly. They get back together, things seem "fine," and then Belly overhears Lacie talking about the hookup at a party. It is the kind of betrayal that makes your stomach drop.
Why the "Break" Matters
Is it cheating? That is the question keeping the fandom up at night.
- The Jeremiah Defense: They were technically broken up. He was devastated and thought it was over.
- The Belly Perspective: They had been together for two years. A two-day breakup shouldn't mean you're in bed with someone else immediately.
- The Reality: It’s a massive betrayal of trust, regardless of the label.
In the show, things might play out a bit differently. We’ve already seen that the TV version of Belly has more "agency"—basically, she’s a bit more experienced and makes her own choices. Some fans think the show might make the Cabo hookup even more complicated to keep the audience guessing about the endgame.
Lacie Barone and the Season 3 Leaks
The internet has been a goldmine for Season 3 details. Based on filming sightings and cast lists, Lacie isn't just a one-and-done character. We’re likely going to see her interacting with Taylor, which adds a whole new layer of awkwardness. Imagine your best friend being in the same sorority as the girl your boyfriend cheated on you with.
That is Taylor’s nightmare.
New Characters to Watch
Lacie isn't the only one shaking things up in the upcoming episodes. Here is a quick look at the other new faces:
- Anika (Sofia Bryant): Belly’s college roommate and her voice of reason. She’s the one who might actually tell Belly when she’s being a disaster.
- Agnes (Zoé de Grand’Maison): A medical student friend of Conrad’s. She represents the life Conrad has built for himself away from the Cousins Beach drama.
- Redbird (Tanner Zagarino): Jeremiah’s frat brother. There are theories that Redbird might be the one who accidentally spills the beans about what really happened in Cabo.
The Impact on "Jelly" vs. "Bonrad"
The introduction of Lacie Barone is basically the death knell for many Team Jeremiah fans. It’s hard to root for the "sweet" brother when he’s hiding a Cabo hookup while trying to plan a wedding. Yeah, if you haven't read the books, Jeremiah tries to fix the mistake by proposing. It's... a lot.
Conrad fans are, understandably, having a field day. For them, Lacie is the proof that Jeremiah isn't the stable choice everyone thought he was. But if we’re being real, both Fisher brothers have their issues. Conrad has his "I'm going to push you away for your own good" thing, and Jeremiah has his "I'm going to act out when I'm hurt" thing.
What to Expect Next
If the show follows the book’s trajectory, expect a lot of tension at Finch College. We will likely see the Cabo trip in flashbacks or through snippets of rumors spreading through the Greek system. The most heartbreaking part won't be the hookup itself, but the look on Belly's face when she realizes the guy she thought was her "safe" choice was keeping a secret that big.
Keep an eye on the official trailers. Usually, they hide "the other woman" characters until the last second to preserve the shock value. But with Lily Donoghue officially on the roster, Lacie Barone is coming, and she’s about to change everything for Belly and the Fisher boys.
If you're looking to prep for the emotional damage, your best bet is to re-read We'll Always Have Summer or keep a close watch on the Finch College filming updates. The drama is going to be peak television, whether you're Team Conrad, Team Jeremiah, or just Team Belly Needs Better Friends.