To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before | P.S. I Still Love You | Always & Forever, Lara Jean
author: Jenny Han
released: April 2014 | May 2015 | May 2017
Publisher: S&S
cover love: ♥♥♥♥♥
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is the story of Lara Jean, who has never openly admitted her crushes, but instead wrote each boy a letter about how she felt, sealed it, and hid it in a box under her bed. But one day Lara Jean discovers that somehow her secret box of letters has been mailed, causing all her crushes from her past to confront her about the letters: her first kiss, the boy from summer camp, even her sister’s ex-boyfriend, Josh. As she learns to deal with her past loves face to face, Lara Jean discovers that something good may come out of these letters after all. (from Goodreads)
*Full disclaimer*
This review is totally biased. I love the Netflix series (it’s disturbing how many times I’ve watched it).
Review:
#1: To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before:
Almost immediately I knew I would hate this book. Lara Jean sounds super super childish. She acts like she’s 12, her mannerisms and the way she speaks. I gave up any chance that I would make it to book 2. But I was surprised, I started actually liking the book around the middle. I shouldn’t blame the book, again, I was already used to the characters in the movie so I had to try and give the book the benefit of the doubt. The book and movie share a lot of the same elements, plot wise, but not necessarily in the order that they happen in the book. And some things cross over from book 2. I actually preferred the way Lara Jean and Peter get back together in the book vs. the movie. It was more romantic. I gave this book a solid 3 star rating.
#2: P.S. I Still Love You:
This one was my favorite of all three. I loved Lara Jean and Peter’s relationship, and even though this is YA, the book did not shy away from talking about sex and all things sex related. You see Lara Jean and Peter struggle with their new relationship in high school, especially since she’s never been in one before. where she is shy and he’s outgoing and popular. She also struggles with the physical aspects of their relationship. She feels inadequate because of Peter’s history with Gen and questions everything they do together. Probably one of my favorite scenes was the one between Lara Jean and Gen, where they rectify their issues with each other. I didn’t know who she would go for in the end John or Peter. She seemed to have more in common and feel more comfortable with John but something in me wanted her to stay with Peter because though he didn’t seem like the type, he really did love her and went out of his way to show that he’d do anything for Lara Jean.There were parts where I was laughing out loud. and also tearing up. I don’t know why but the end made me cry a bit. I blame PMS for my oversensitivity. 4 stars.
#3: Always & Forever, Lara Jean:
I didn’t even take a break after reading PSISLY, I jumped right into Always and Forever, Lara Jean. I think I cried at the end of this book too to be honest (again I don’t know why).But Lara Jean is preparing to head off to college and when she realizes nothing is going as planned she has to really think about her future with Peter and how things will end or how they will stay together. Lara Jean has to really grow up and think about what’s best for her and not her relationship. My favorite part was Lara Jean and Chris’s goodbye scene. And my other favorite part was the Peter’s yearbook letter. There was a scene earlier in the book where Peter accuses Lara Jean of trying to solidify an end to their relationship after high school by giving him things to remember her by and the his letter to her was his way of paving a road to their future long distance relationship. His way of saying he never once gave up on what they have. It’s all very sweet. The book leaves off very open-ended. You never know how things go after summer ends. (I like to think they live happily ever after). 3.5 stars.
Overall:
Even though I really did enjoy the series, I decided to give it a lower rating than I anticipated due to the fact that I was heavily influenced by the movies. I was already well invested in the characters when I started the books so it makes me wonder would have I enjoyed them just as much if I hadn’t seen the movies? I’ll never know. But I did enjoy the series nonetheless. When I reached the end of book 3 I was secretly hoping book 4 could be in the works but the author made it clear this will remain a trilogy (wahhhhhhhh)!
3.5