Review: To All the Boys I've Loved Before (To All the Boys I've Loved Before #1) by Jenny Han

10:00

To All the Boys I've Loved Before
Series: To All the Boys I've Loved Before #1
Author: Jenny Han
Published August 7th 2014 by Scholastic

Goodreads Synopsis
Lara Jean keeps her love letters in a hat box her mother gave her. One for every boy she's ever loved. 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...
Goodreads

Review
I first read To All the Boys in September last year, and was blown away by every single part of this book. As the release date for PS I Still Love You is closing in, I knew I'd need to re-read the book, and I'm so glad I did, as I'd forgotten so much, which would have ruined by reading experience for PS I Still Love You.

In To All The Boys, we meet 16 year old Lara Jean Song Covey, whose private, personal love letters to ex-crushes were accidentally posted out, causing irrevocably problems for Lara Jean. Out of the five letters sent out, on was sent to her neighbour, her friend, her sister's ex-boyfriend, Josh, who she had had the biggest crush on since she was in 9th Grade. To try and deal with the embarrassment of finding out the person she fancies knows about her feelings, she arranges to have a fake relationship with another recipient of the letters, Peter Kavinsky, a relationship not without it's own problems.

Throughout this whole book, both times I've read it, I've just loved the story, the plot, and the characters. Though I agree with many other reviews I've seen that Lara Jean's voice is younger than you would expect - she sounds younger than 16 - I still really enjoyed her as the protagonist, and I felt her voice was useful in showing her naivety. Out of all the characters the one I really disliked most was Margot, with Josh coming in in a close second. I never really understood the appeal of Josh as a love interest for Lara Jean, I felt as if her was hung up on Margot for the majority of the book, and it was only once he received the letter that he actually thought about Lara Jean in a romantic way.

On the other hand, Peter Kavinsky was the perfect 'fake' boyfriend/love interest, as I felt as though he really grew as a character from the very first interaction. Though he was also hung up on his ex-girlfriend, Genevieve, and she remained a big part to the plot, Peter always seemed to really care for Lara Jean, even when they were just faking their relationship. I really can't wait for PS I Still Love You to see how Lara Jean's and Peter's story ends. The romance between these two was always so cute, so sweet, and they will always remain one of my favourite YA contemporary couples.

If you haven't read this book, and love YA Contemporary novels, where have you been?! Pick up a copy now!!! This will always been one of my go-to cutesy reads, and it has really helped me to overcome exam stress these past few days. With PS I Still Love You being released next week, I can't wait for my exams to be over with so I can dive straight in without feeling guilty.

Dates Read:
May 22-23, 2015

Rating
5 Stars