Book Review: To All The Boys I Loved Before by Jenny Han

To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Synopsis:

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~~
 



MY THOUGHTS

It was a long but fun read. It was cute. Lara Jean didn't sound like the usual 16 year old girl in most American YA books. She sounded younger than 16. It must be because she's half-Korean. I have to admit but Asian teenage kids are really childish. That goes the same with Filipino kids as well. I was still childish at 16. He-he.

Anyways, back to Jenny Han's book which I think means "to all my crushes before"  but still has an amazing and catchy title, is a smart piece. The "Lets-Pretend-to-be-in-a-relationship-to-make-my-girlfriend-jealous" is already used-up plot but Jenny Han really gave it a nice twist and I like it. For a moment, it was like I was living the life of Lara Jean. I felt her panic when the letters were lost. I felt the vavavum and zsazsazsu with Peter that Lara Jean didn't felt with Josh and I felt the fun with Kitty. Reading it reminds me of the importance of family. The Song girls are really cute. Kitty was really funny that I never thought she was the one responsible of starting every complications Lara Jean experienced. I thought it was Chris since she always sneaks in to Lara Jean's room. In all fairness with Chris, I agree with her on the perception that Margot was a bit of a control freak. She was so controlling and I hated the part when she rat about the rumors about Lara Jean and Peter. It was definitely frustrating. I understand that she was upset about what she found out about Josh and Lara Jean but if there is anyone she should be upset with, it should be Josh. Lara Jean was not the one who made an attempt with Josh. She was quiet the whole time about her feelings for Josh. Well, until the letters were sent.

Photo from Tumblr

I adored Josh and Peter but if I'm going to choose between them, it would be Peter. Why? Because I think he was the one who really is sure about his feelings. He turned Lara Jean to braver girl. Josh on the other hand was confused of his feelings for Margot and Lara Jean. He liked Lara Jean, then he liked Margot, they got together, when they broke up, he liked Lara Jean again and I was like WHATTTT? Can you just make up your mind dude?

Photo from Xclusivetouch

The sad part is that, no matter how cute the story is, I was still kind of upset with the ending though. I was looking forward for a Peter-Lara Jean final confrontation but all I got was a hanging "Dear Peter" in the end. Opppss.. SPOILER ALERT. Did I just spoiled the moment for the other readers? Sorry! :) But I heard there's a part 2 so maybe we'll have another Lara Jean-Peter moments.

I was also curious for the other 2 guys Kenny and John. Maybe the story would be more chaotic but fun if the other 2 came into the picture. I wish Lara Jean turned when John called her. :( I wonder what he's going to say.

I love the quote...

“Love is scary: it changes; it can go away. That’s the part of the risk. I don’t want to be scared anymore.”

I think everyone should take risks in love. I think it's what Love is. Taking risk. No one should be afraid of it. And for that, even when I'm still upset with the ending, I still find this book a nice read. Sometimes, it's not the ending that matters, it's the experience in between the first and last page of the book. :)

-A Four Star for Jenny Han-

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