Thousands of Readers Never Got Conrad’s Full Ending
The original hardcover was released in 2011. Its short epilogue, the final section after the main story, revealed Conrad began writing to Belly while she was studying in Spain. His letters arrived every month, Belly eventually responded, and they reunited at her college graduation. The story then moved forward to their wedding. Readers knew the outcome, but they never saw the actual exchange behind their reunion.
A paperback released in 2012 added five letters from Conrad and one reply from Belly as bonus material. Certain later collections included them as well, while copies without the extra pages kept only the short epilogue. Many people could therefore finish the complete trilogy without knowing a longer version of Conrad and Belly’s final chapter existed.
The bonus pages do not change Belly’s final choice. Both versions end with her marrying Conrad. Their importance comes from showing how contact began after Belly and Jeremiah cancelled their wedding and everyone went their separate ways.
In the first letter, Conrad finds the stuffed polar bear he won for Belly years earlier and sends it to her in Spain. The bear gives him a reason to contact her without beginning with a serious conversation. His second letter arrives with a large bag of her favourite sour candy after Laurel tells him Belly struggled to find any abroad. Conrad keeps both letters casual, even though he clearly hopes she will answer.
By the third letter, Conrad has learned about Benito, the man Belly met in Spain. He makes jealous jokes about Benito’s name and scooter while pretending not to care. He also points out Belly has not replied to either of his previous letters.
The fourth letter contains news from Thanksgiving. Conrad tells Belly Jeremiah attended dinner with the family and the tension between the brothers became easier once everyone sat down to watch football. He also admits he thinks about her constantly, even though she has given him no reason to expect a response.
Conrad writes his fifth letter during Christmas after visiting the Cousins house. He remembers Belly being there the previous year, jokes about an embarrassing Fisher family portrait hidden in the attic and asks her to send anything back, even a postcard. He ends by telling her their Christmas together was the best one he ever had.
Belly finally answers. Her reply is short, but it changes the direction of their relationship. She asks Conrad to show her the hidden family portrait, tells him their Christmas was also her favourite and asks him to write again. Conrad now knows Belly wants their conversation to continue.
Without the bonus pages, months of communication are reduced to a few sentences. Their meeting at graduation can feel like a sudden jump from separation to marriage. The letters show Conrad making the first move, continuing even without an answer and slowly becoming honest about his feelings. Belly’s reply opens the door before they meet again.
Readers did not receive two different final couples. They received two different levels of closure. One version reveals who Belly marries, while the longer version shows the first steps leading her back to Conrad. Five letters and one short reply fill the biggest gap in their story, making the ending far easier to understand.