It is the summer before college and lead star Elle Evans, portrayed by Joey King, is determined to make the most of the summer with her boyfriend, Noah Flynn, best friend Lee Flynn, portrayed by Joel Courtney, and Lee’s girlfriend, Rachel, portrayed by Meganne Young. While cleaning out the Flynn family beach house, Elle comes across her and Lee’s ultimate Beach Bucket List that the pair made when they were younger. On top of trying to complete the bucket list before the end of the summer, Elle has to decide which college she is going to go to pursue furthering her education. The decision on which college Elle has to choose is tough, but when two important people are thrown into the mix, it becomes a whole lot tougher. Elle is faced with the difficult decision of choosing between Harvard, where Noah goes, and Berkeley, where Lee is planning to go. 

Mrs. Flynn, portrayed by Molly Ringwald, Noah and Lee’s mother, has always played a big part in Elle’s life after Elle’s mom passes away. Mrs. Flynn sits Elle down at the beach house and tries to reassure Elle with her difficult decision. Within this conversation, the question of who Elle is making the decision for and who she should be making the decision for comes about. For the viewers, this line serves as a reminder to make sure the choices viewers make are with the intention of helping themselves, not to please others.

This movie, being the last of the trilogy, is a sentimental moment for fans. Being an original fan of the movie, viewers were excited to see what the writers had in store for the third and final movie. With a plot that lacks sense and consistency avid fans are left somewhat disappointed.The movie showcases not only Noah and Elle’s unstable, toxic and mistrustful relationship, but also Lee and Rachel’s. Neither of them ever seem to fully trust each other, and that shows throughout all of the movies. Everyone seems to love close friendships, but Elle and Lee’s is borderline toxic and unhealthy. Throughout the movies, they were always dictating what the other one can and cannot do. The ending happened so fast that it just left most viewers confused; however, the ending had a more realistic element to it. It was a breath of fresh air to show that not all love stories have the ending typically pictured. The ending left viewers wondering if Noah and Elle will get back together, and the producers should have put more context at the end. This final installment of the series just seems random and a way to make more money rather than for actual closure and entertainment.