Fans of The Summer I Turned Pretty, this one’s for you! If you’re in need of a break from finals week, I highly recommend checking out Netflix’s latest YA series, My Life With The Walter Boys. You can even wait until finals are over because, TBH, there’s a strong possibility you’ll watch this series in one day. This show is centered around teenage drama, identity, and a crazy love triangle. And y’all, it’s good.
One of the largest plotlines in the series is the love triangle between Jackie, Cole, and Alex. Cole is the hotter, older, and more popular brother while Alex is the more soft-spoken, cute, and kind, younger brother. Both boys express interest in Jackie in their own ways: Alex is more straightforward while Cole holds back a bit. Ultimately, Jackie ends up being romantically involved, in one way or another, with both brothers. She dates Alex, but she also clearly likes Cole, and almost kisses him several times before it finally happens in the last episode. Spoiler Warner: Spoilers for My Life With The Walter Boys follow.
After finishing the series, I had a ton of questions, the main one being: Who does Jackie choose? Personally, I’ve been Team Cole from the beginning, so when Jackie and Cole made out in the last episode, I was stoked. But, of course, there had to be a curveball — Jackie leaves the Walter’s home the next morning and returns to NYC. Ugh.
While we don’t know who Jackie chooses (or if she even does choose somebody), we do know some stuff that can help us figure out an an answer.
Alex Loves Jackie, But She Doesn’t Know If She Loves Him Back
Ahhhh, the good ol’ “I love you” out-of-nowhere trope. Makes me cringe every time. In the last episode, Alex dropped the “L-bomb” during Haley and Will’s wedding, and Jackie was speechless. It was really awkward. I think it’s fair to say that Jackie doesn’t feel the same way, or at least, she didn’t at that moment. When Jackie doesn’t say anything, Alex gets sloppy drunk to distract himself.
IMHO, I don’t think Jackie and Alex are compatible. She’s an independent young woman who knows what she wants, but is also dealing with a family tragedy. While Alex is comforting and caring for her, I don’t really feel like they developed a connection as deep and memorable as the one she built with Cole.
Jackie And Cole Don’t End Up Together In The Book, But It Doesn’t Mean That’s The Way In The Show
At the end of the book, Jackie goes back to NYC, but travels with Cole and Alex’s brother, Danny Walter (as friends). Jackie and Cole’s chapter doesn’t end in the novel, but they don’t establish any sort of relationship or commitment. TBH, this gives me hope for their future if there is a season 2. Even if Jackie stays in NYC, I’m sure her and Cole’s paths will cross again.
I think Jackie and Cole are compatible, and they clearly are attracted to one another. They are both grieving something: Jackie is grieving the loss of her family and life in NYC while Cole is grieving his football career. While their situations are drastically different, they share a common ground that helps them grow closer to one another.
At the very least, I hope Jackie doesn’t go back to Alex, simply because I’m Team Cole all the way. In the meantime, you can find me watching My Life With The Walter Boys edits on TikTok while I wait for the second season.
Wait… Is There Even A Second Season?
It’s hard to know who Jackie chooses without confirmation of a second season. Netflix has neither confirmed nor denied if there will be one. It’s even harder to tell if we’re even getting another season because there isn’t a second book in the series. However, author Ali Novak, who wrote My Life With The Walter Boys revealed on her website, “In the past I’ve said there won’t be a published sequel. However, this might change if a Walter Boy TV show happens,” she explained. “I can’t make any promises at the moment, but keep your eyes peeled for exciting news by following me on Twitter and Instagram.”
We’ll just have to wait and see if Netflix gives us another season of My Life With The Walter Boys. I would definitly watch it because I, for one, need to know what the future has in store for Jackie’s love life.