“I don’t think relationships are just about physicality. There are ways to show you care about someone, not just using your lips.”
4/5
If you ever need a break from the constant action/suspense/tension in thriller books, or just need something simple to follow along with rather than the elaborate world of fantasy stories, Jenny Han’s To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is your solution.
In this novel, we follow sixteen-year-old Lara Jean, who is probably in love with love. She’s had numerous crushes, but never dares to confess – instead, she writes them love letters and hides them away in her hatbox. She writes to her heart’s content, withholding not a trickle of her feelings; everything she would never say out loud. However, when Lara Jean discovers that those letters have actually been mailed, her life turns into a whirlwind of mortification, embarrassment, and, most important of all, unexpected romance.
Spoilers ahead!
Lara Jean is possibly one of the most lovable characters I’ve ever read about. She’s real, she’s optimistic, she’s quirky, and she loves her family more than anything. Usually, when reading a romance novel, things such as family and friends are cast aside for the sake of the love interest – I was ecstatic to find out that that is not the case here. The father-daughter relationship, sister-sister bonding, and strong friendships are a fundamental part of this book. Lara Jean looks up to Margot, cares deeply for Kitty, and loves her father to death. She misses her mother and constantly thinks about her, but not in a way that seems to beg for pity from the reader. Thank God. Also, Chris is seriously badass – even if I do question her priorities at times. Seriously, how could you hate Chris? OR LUCAS? I really love Lucas. ❤
The Korean representation is excellent in this book. You have snippets here and there about Korean food, clothing and lifestyle, and there’s no overload of information just to tell you: “LOOK! WE HAVE AN ASIAN MC, SO YOU CAN’T COMPLAIN ABOUT THE LACK OF DIVERSITY!” *claps* I also really appreciate how the Song Girls’ father keeps trying to preserve their Korean heritage by cooking their food and practising their traditions. You rock, Daniel. Here, have this Dad of the Year medal; you deserve it.
The romance in this book is bubbly, funny, witty, and definitely not annoying to read. I love Peter Kavinsky to death, y’all. Everyone in the book keeps on clubbing him with the “douche-y guys” who only want to “use” girls, but really, Peter smashes through that stereotype. I love how realistic he is: yeah, sure, he’s vain and likes to talk about himself a lot, but that doesn’t change the fact that he really loves Lara Jean. He can be extremely considerate and caring when the situation calls for it, and having those parts of him slowly revealed to us is a joy to read.
There are also very important issues addressed here: rumours and sex, especially in high school. As Chris says, “It’s not fair for the girl. Guys have it easy. I’m sure they were all congratulating him, pounding him on the back for being such a stud.”
You’d think this book is just about the ups and downs of romance, but it’s not. It’s so much more.
“When someone’s been gone a long time, at first you save up all the things you want to tell them. You try to keep track of everything in your head. But it’s like trying to hold on to a fistful of sand: all the little bits slip out of your hands, and then you’re just clutching air and grit.”
“Just because a girl is sad, it doesn’t mean it has anything to do with PMS.”
“Love is scary: it changes; it can go away. That’s part of the risk. I don’t want to be scared anymore.”
I’d recommend this book in a heartbeat – a light and adorable read for everyone.
Have you read All the Boys I’ve Loved Before? Would you like to? Let’s discuss it!
Stay creative,
Angel
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