To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han
Genre: Contemporary
Publication Date: 2014
Synopsis:
(from GoodReads)
Lara Jean keeps her love letters in a hatbox her mother gave her.
They aren’t love letters that anyone else wrote for her, these are ones she’s written. One for every boy she’s ever loved—five in all. When she writes, she can pour out her heart and soul and say all the things she would never say in real life, because her letters are for her eyes only. Until the day her secret letters are mailed, and suddenly Lara Jean’s love life goes from imaginary to out of control.
–Minor Spoilers! Read at your own risk!–
I love contemporary books where I can relate and feel for the main character. Sure, maybe I’ll never have a crush on my sister’s (ex)boyfriend, or have a Peter Kavinsky in my life. But Lara Jean, her life, her fears, her lack of confidence, they really hit me.
This might sound really lame, but in one of the beginning scenes when Lara Jean was driving, I started to cry. All of her fears just hit really close to home and I couldn’t help but cry with her, it was pathetic really.
Lara Jean does have a lot of innocence to her, she’s sixteen but at times she felt like no more than ten, her voice sounded really childish throughout the novel. She cried over almost everything, which did get annoying sometimes. But I don’t know, she felt so real to me, I enjoyed reading and spending time with her.I wish the thing with her love letters played a bigger part, they were kind of just there as a catalyst and then completely forgotten about. Also did I mention the letter she wrote to Peter, hilarious. I loved every minute of it! I did immediately guess who had sent the letters (it was pretty obviously honestly) and I know it was mentioned that Lara Jean doesn’t hold a grudge for long, but if I were her I’d be so mad! Perhaps I’m just someone who does hold grudges though.
I wish the thing with her love letters played a bigger part, they were kind of just there as a catalyst and then completely forgotten about. Also did I mention the letter she wrote to Peter, HILARIOUS. I loved every minute of it that one! I did immediately guess who had sent the letters (it was pretty obviously honestly) and I know it was mentioned that Lara Jean doesn’t hold a grudge for long, but if I were her I’d be so MAD! Perhaps I’m just someone who does hold grudges though.
I went into this book with little expectations, contemporary has never been my genre. And even though I heard so many good things about To All The Boys I’ve Love Before, I was still extremely skeptical. But I was wrong, I really really liked this book.
However (there’s always a however with me) I cannot give this book a 5 star rating because it wasn’t perfect (most books rarely are and I’m personally very picky). I felt like it was lacking a plot, nothing really happens. The book is mostly just Lara Jean and her everyday life with its ups and downs. Which was pretty entertaining most of the time, but I just wanted more, there wasn’t any action. Well, as much action as a contemporary novel can get. There were some dull scenes that I really wanted to skip and I just feel like I can’t give it a perfect 5 star rating.Overall, this book was so cute and adorable! It’s a very quick read, the writing is very easy to read. I absolutely loved the relationship of the Song sisters and honestly their entire family was awesome.
Overall, this book was so cute and adorable and just hilarious, I laughing over 70% of the time, I have so many favorite scenes! It’s a very quick read, the writing is very easy to read. I absolutely loved the relationship of the Song sisters (CAN KITTY BE MY SISTER?) and honestly their entire family was awesome! Thank god there’s a sequel because otherwise WORST OPEN ENDING EVER. I’m very excited to pick up P.S. I Still Love You! I hope it has more character development I’m looking for and that Lara Jean finally takes the risk and works things out with her love interest!
4.5 out of 5 stars
★★★★½
“Love is scary: it changes; it can go away. That’s the part of the risk.”
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It’s been so long since I’ve really liked a romantic contemporary. My last one might have been Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell, which I’m pretty sure I read last year. I was so surprised about how much I loved To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before, I’ve already ordered the sequel, P.S. I Still Love You. I probably shouldn’t have since I’m saving up for a camera, but it’s too late now! I recommend this book to all you contemporary lovers out there! I really hope you guys check it out if you haven’t already. This book has really brought up my hopes for the genre again (after my last contemporary romance trainwreck) and I’ll definitely be checking out more of Jenny Han’s books! Now I’m going to go stalk my mailbox.
Let’s discuss in the comments! What were your favorite scenes? I absolute loved the hot tub scene, and basically every scene with both Peter and Kitty, I love their relationship! I didn’t really like Peter at first, but he really grew on me and I just really hope him and Lara Jean work it out!
To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before was actually my TBR Jar pick for June! I’ve already picked my next book from my jar and it’s…
The Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac by Gabrielle Zevin! I don’t really remember what this book is about, and I probably won’t get to it this month, but I’m super excited to dive right into it! I’ll post more info about it in my June Update.
Until then, happy reading guys! 🙂
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