“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.” (Goodreads)
Lara Jean, a hopeless romantic, is a girl who has loved many boys in the past, and she has written all about them in letters. She has tucked them away, but one day, they disappear. Every boy that she has loved has now received her letters, including her sister’s ex-boyfriend. This novel, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, may be considered as a love story, but also a relationship between sisters and family. It portrays a family who depends on each other to help one another’s problems. In my opinion, I highly enjoyed this book, as it had humor and moments where I laughed and saw Lara’s character develop. Some references got me fangirling, like the Harry Potter reference that you’ll just have to read. Before reading the story, I had seen the preview and it was intriguing and a bit interesting. Love letters getting sended out to your ex-crushes? Another key-point that I loved about this book was the family. They were the type of family that you saw in the movies, imperfect, but firm and strong by an amazing bond. The sister to sister relationship was also lovely, as well as the father to daughter connection. You don’t normally see this in YA books, as the family dynamic, for me, caught my eye first. Each character got me attached, and even if you are a bit unsure if you want to read this, no matter what, you’ll read To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before to the end.
Han captured the exact feeling it would be like to have all your ex-crushes know that you liked them in the past using Lara. I cheered and stayed by Lara Jean’s side as she struggled and coped through it all, the humiliation and the obstacles along her way. Though she wasn’t the bravest person in the story, I adored her for not falling apart just because of some letters in the past getting sent out. Han also created characters that simply became part of me as I read this novel. In other words, it was a great book; it was funny, had smart characters as well as characters who messed up just like any of us, and had some of the most beautiful scenes that the author could ever create. I must say To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is one of my favorite reads of 2014.
Since there is a second book coming out, I’ll be sure to enjoy it as much as the first one, as I am waiting for more of the Song family. The guys, [wink wink] Peter, the sisters, Margo, Lara Jean, and Kitty, and the father created this entire read wonderful, as it was a unique plot to begin with. Cute and lovely, if you’re a boy or girl, you’ll question love and though this book leaves your answers hanging, it makes you wait and love it even more.
Some of my favorite quotes were:
“You only like guys you don’t have a chance with, because you’re scared.”
“It’s scary when it’s real. When it’s not just thinking about a person,but,like having a real live person in front of you,with like, expectations. And wants”
“My letters are for when I don’t want to be in love anymore. They’re for good-bye. Because after I write in my letter, I’m not longer consumed by my all-consuming love…My letters set me free. Or at least they’re supposed to.”
“There is no use of asking what ifs. No one could give you the answers.”
“When I write, I hold nothing back. I write like he’ll never read it. Because he never will…”
“Love is scary: it changes; it can go away. That’s the part of the risk. I don’t want to be scared anymore.”
For more information, go to Jenny Han’s website at: http://www.dearjennyhan.com/
