If you thought teen dramas were just guilty pleasures, think again. Some of the most-watched and passionately discussed shows on streaming today started as books. Whether it’s Jenny Han’s swoon-worthy romances or Robyn Carr’s small-town heartwarmers, these adaptations prove that young adult storytelling has a universal pull.
With the finale of The Summer I Turned Pretty leaving fans reeling, let’s dive into seven other shows that made the leap from the bookshelf to the binge-watch list — and changed the streaming game along the way.
🌊 1. The Summer I Turned Pretty (Prime Video)
Adapted from Jenny Han’s trilogy (The Summer I Turned Pretty, It’s Not Summer Without You, We’ll Always Have Summer), this series brought the love triangle of Belly, Conrad, and Jeremiah to life with a perfect blend of nostalgia and angst. Across three seasons, fans lived through every sun-soaked kiss and heartache, with music playlists that became just as iconic as the plot.
👑 2. Bridgerton (Netflix)
Though not a teen series, Julia Quinn’s bestselling novels captivated audiences who couldn’t resist the scandal and romance of Regency London. Bridgerton has become a streaming juggernaut with three seasons, plus a hit prequel (Queen Charlotte). Renewed through Season 6, it’s proof that historical fiction — when laced with modern flair — is just as addictive as YA romance.
🌲 3. Virgin River (Netflix)
Robyn Carr’s book series introduced readers to a quaint Northern California town filled with secrets, heartbreak, and second chances. Netflix’s adaptation has now made Virgin River its longest-running scripted original series, renewed through Season 8. While not strictly a teen drama, its heartfelt storytelling and slow-burn romances have won over YA fans who crave emotional stakes beyond the high school setting.
🎧 4. 13 Reasons Why (Netflix)
Based on Jay Asher’s 2007 novel, this series started as a one-season exploration of teen suicide and its aftermath. Controversial yet conversation-sparking, it eventually spanned four seasons, unpacking issues like bullying, trauma, identity, and mental health. It remains one of the most debated YA adaptations of the streaming era.
💌 5. To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (Netflix)
Jenny Han strikes again. Her To All the Boys trilogy transformed into a wildly popular film franchise that gave us Lara Jean Covey, Peter Kavinsky, and the love letters that launched a thousand TikTok edits. The success spawned a spinoff series, XO, Kitty, proving this sweet rom-com universe still has stories left to tell.
🎡 6. The Kissing Booth (Netflix)
Beth Reekles’ Wattpad-originated romance grew into a trilogy of films that cemented Joey King and Jacob Elordi as breakout stars. The story of Elle’s forbidden crush on her best friend’s older brother may have been divisive among critics, but it undeniably captured the imagination of millions of fans — and solidified Wattpad-to-Hollywood as a real pipeline.
🔥 7. My Fault / The Fault Series (Prime Video)
Based on Mercedes Ron’s Wattpad trilogy (My Fault, Your Fault, Our Fault), this Spanish YA drama embraces the enemies-to-lovers trope with intensity. Steamy, dramatic, and brimming with betrayal, the adaptation has quickly become a global hit, signaling that international YA storytelling is thriving in the streaming era.
✨ The Bigger Picture
From beachy love triangles to Regency-era scandals, these book-to-screen adaptations highlight something bigger: stories written for teens and young adults resonate far beyond their intended audience. They comfort, provoke, and inspire — whether you’re 16 or 60.
With Virgin River making Netflix history and Jenny Han practically running the genre, one thing is clear: the next generation of binge-worthy dramas is already waiting on your bookshelf.
