Sophie Reads YA: Jenny Han

2017 Contemporary Romance Challenge

ARC Review: Always and Forever, Lara Jean (To All the Boys I've Loved Before #3) by Jenny Han

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Always and Forever, Lara Jean
Series: To All the Boys I've Loved Before #3
Author: Jenny Han
Published May 4th 2017 by Scholastic

Goodreads Synopsis
Lara Jean is having the best senior year. And there’s still so much to look forward to: a class trip to New York City, prom with her boyfriend Peter, Beach Week after graduation, and her dad’s wedding to Ms. Rothschild. Then she’ll be off to college with Peter, at a school close enough for her to come home and bake chocolate chip cookies on the weekends.

Life couldn’t be more perfect!

At least, that’s what Lara Jean thinks…until she gets some unexpected news.

Now the girl who dreads change must rethink all her plans—but when your heart and your head are saying two different things, which one should you listen to?
Goodreads

Review
I received an Advance Reader Copy from the publisher. This in no way impacted on my view.

I really enjoyed the first two books in this series, so when I heard there would be a third book, I knew I needed to read it, and was overjoyed when Scholastic offered me a review copy. However, I just found myself disappointed in the book, and I don't know if that's because I'd grown up, and Lara Jean still felt extremely childish, even though she was now looking at what university to go to, and preparing for the 'real' world. Most of this book just seemed like filler material, with no real plot or story arc taking place. Everything, except the option of university, just fell into place, with no conflict or anything. Really, I sort of wish this book didn't exist. Like I said, I was happy with the first two books, and would've been more than fine with a duology, rather than a trilogy. I mean, considering this book was so simple, and easy, it still took me a week to read it, which isn't like me with contemporary books that I enjoy. I don't know if I could recommend this series now, with how disappointing the finale was, unless you stop at book 2, and ignore this book completely - then I could get on board!

Dates Read:

May 21-28, 2017

Rating
3 Stars

Always and Forever Lara Jean

Waiting on Wednesday: Always and Forever, Lara Jean (To All the Boys I've Loved Before #3) by Jenny Han

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5 Stars

Review: P.S. I Still Love You (To All the Boys I've Loved Before #2) by Jenny Han

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P.S. I Still Love You
Series: To All the Boys I've Loved Before #2
Author: Jenny Han
Published May 26th 2015 by Scholastic

Goodreads Synopsis
Lara Jean didn't expect to really fall for Peter.
She and Peter were just pretending. Except suddenly they weren't. Now Lara Jean is more confused than ever.
When another boy from her past returns to her life, Lara Jean’s feelings for him return too. Can a girl be in love with two boys at once?
In this charming and heartfelt sequel to the New York Times bestseller To All the Boys I've Loved Before, we see first love through the eyes of the unforgettable Lara Jean. Love is never easy, but maybe that’s part of what makes it so amazing.
Goodreads

Review
See my review of To All the Boys I've Loved Before.

I have some quite conflicting thoughts on this book, but I can safely say that I definitely loved it, and it deserves the 5 star rating I've given it.

P.S. I Still Love You begins following the events of To All The Boys, and the fall out of Lara Jean realising she's in love with Peter, and the video of them in the hot tub being made public. This book is definitely a lot angst-ier that To All The Boys, but was still very enjoyable.

I definitely felt like Lara Jean developed further as a character, and lost some of her naivety in this book, which had been very present in the previous book. I still really like Lara Jean, but her sister Kitty definitely takes the prize for the best character of the whole series. She's a bit cheeky, and conniving - but in a good way. If it wasn't for her, none of the events of series would have happened, and she was very instrumental in solving a lot of the issues in this book, particularly.

One of the main problems I had with this book all revolved around Genevieve. She is pretty much the definition of a bitch, and whilst I understand she had family problems, her reason for hurting Lara Jean was complete ridiculous. Why she had stopped being friends with Lara Jean in the first place was stupid, and I can't believe that everything that has happened since then, was all due to this tiny little issue.

I was also really conflicted about the two boys. In To All the Boys, there was never a choice to me: Peter was the better choice over Josh. However, in P.S. I Still Love You, I couldn't decide on who was the better choice for Lara Jean between Peter and John. At times it definitely seemed like John would be the best option, as he was unlikely to hurt her as much as Peter was doing, and he seemed like a much fit for Lara Jean, personality wise. However, I did feel some loyalty to Peter because of how sweet he was in both books. I feel like the problems present between Lara Jean and Peter in PSISLY were down to Genevieve, and if she hadn't been around, everything would've gone a whole lot smoother.

Overall, I completely love this duology, as even with the little issues I had, it was an amazing 5 star read. If you haven't read this series yet, where have you been?! This is by far one of my favourite YA contemporary series I've ever read, and I could not recommend it enough!

Dates Read:
June 7-8, 2015

Rating
5 Stars

5 Stars

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

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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

Jenny Han

Waiting on Wednesday: P.S. I Still Love You (To All the Boys I've Loved Before #2) by Jenny Han

10:00

ARC Review: Always and Forever, Lara Jean (To All the Boys I've Loved Before #3) by Jenny Han

Waiting on Wednesday: Always and Forever, Lara Jean (To All the Boys I've Loved Before #3) by Jenny Han

Review: P.S. I Still Love You (To All the Boys I've Loved Before #2) by Jenny Han

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

Waiting on Wednesday: P.S. I Still Love You (To All the Boys I've Loved Before #2) by Jenny Han

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