To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han
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- miss_taylor_d
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To All The Boys I Loved Before
Right from the very first introduction of my favourite character (josh) I was hooked!
Its the story of a girl who helps look after her 2 other sisters and her dad. One day a box of her old love letters (that she wrote) get sent out to each of those boys and thats when the story really kicks off.
although, around half way through the book, things began to go not exactly how I wanted and it's safe to say things didnt turn out the way I would have liked.
I'm always falling in love with the first romantic interest that gets mentioned in a story and I don't really like it when the two characters dont end up together!
All in all, I loved the book especially in the begining, but the further I got into the book and the more I realised she was falling in love, the less I enjoyed it. An amazing story and concept none the less.
- A P Bullard
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Author: Jenny Han
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
ASIN: B00DA0X0A
Genre: YA Romance
Pages: 288 (eBook)
Summary:
Lara Jean is in the middle of her sophomore year, and the middle child of three sisters, who call themselves the Song girl. Song was their late mother’s maiden name, and they use it as a tribute to her and a way of remaining bonded to her in her absence. She is Korean on her mother’s side, and American on her father’s. The family carries on Korean traditions, and celebrates Korean holidays, and it’s a very important part of their culture. So is family, and Lara Jean’s is about to change dramatically.
The eldest sister, Margot, is leaving for college in Scotland at the end of the week. She decides to break up with her long-term boyfriend, Josh, to make the transition easier for both of them. Shortly after Margot leaves, Lara Jean’s box of love letters that she has written to previous crushes mysteriously disappear. She searches everywhere, but she could not find them. Well, until the boys at school come up to them with their respective letters, demanding explanations.
When Josh receives his letter, Lara Jean panics and kisses the most popular boy in school – Peter, another letter recipient. Having just broken up with his girlfriend, he comes up with an idea. They make a pact, and enter into a fake relationship to make his ex jealous and throw Josh off the idea that Lara Jean loves him.
Will this work out? What will happen when Margot comes back? Worse, yet, is Peter’s ex going to kill her?
Pre-reading Opinions:
I was really excited about reading this book. The cover, the exciting synopsis, and the raving reviews were all things that had me longing to read this. It sounded really cute, and I was ecstatic when I was finally able to get it. (Birthdays are a wonderful thing.)
give it to me now
Post-Reading Reactions:
Um…What? Okay, so I’m probably going to be labeled as bitter or grumpy with my past two reviews, but I feel validated in my opinions. The main character is a really important part of any story – the most crucial part, in fact – and this main character was obnoxious. This severely dampened my enjoyment of the book.
She is naïve to a fault, selfish, and pretty darn dumb. Some of the things she says, thinks, and does are just plain stupid, and I could not help but roll my eyes at her. Oh, and the whole Josh thing? Not acceptable. I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t want to have a romantic relationship with my sibling’s ex. You’re touching places they’ve touched, and just…UGH. *Shudder*
The main plot sounded great in the synopsis. If any of the letters that I had written back in my teenage years had been mailed out like that, I would have been so mortified that I would have quite literally died. Just fallen over and BAM! Dead. Lara Jean, on the other hand, doesn’t seem all *that* embarrassed, and the result of such a horrible event really was pretty anticlimactic.The female friendship was really lacking, too. I just didn’t get any emotion from Lara Jean and Chris’ relationship.
That being said. . .
I really wanted to know how it was going to all work out. I couldn’t put this book down, despite the obnoxious main character. I was horrified at her actions, but it made for a really dramatic read. I wanted to know how her faux relationship with Peter would turn out, and how it would affect Josh.
It wasn’t the complete love triangle that most YA Romances have, and it worked really well with the main plotline. Plus, I absolutely loved the cultural diversity! The family finds their Korean heritage to be very important to them, and that is evident throughout the story.
The character development of Margot and Kitty were evident, though I’m still not keen on Lara Jean. All in all, it was a good read and I recommend it. I don’t regret spending money on it at all.
This story shows that, sometimes, even something horrible can be truly beautiful.
4/5 stars for this adorable read. Oh, and I REALLY want to know what the sequel will bring. That ending has me on edge.
Have YOU read this book? Did you like it? What did you dislike?
- [karla]
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Can't wait to read the second book "P.S I Still Love You"
- cj17
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- AimeeTanner24
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- Jesska6029
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So, what’s to love about this book?
A. The story and the it’s flow was realistic enough to believe that Jenny Han’s characters in here really exist and inhaling oxygen as much as we do. The characters each have distinct traits that you can relate to. Like, I really feel Lara Jean’s position that she would rather choose to keep all her letters to all the boys she have loved before than giving it a shot. Not that I’m a coward, or maybe I am, I just like to imagine a lot of what if’s with someone I like rather than making all of those what if’s into real.
B. This is not all about getting smitten and whatnot, it is all about family. And that’s what I like about this book. In real life, we don’t just consume our 365 days by thinking if you are falling in love with someone and all the sappy craps about love- we have family, friends, LIFE that didn’t just revolve about who is your flavor of the day, month, or year. I like that the story shows how family and our unconditional love for them is the most important thing in this world. I must admit that I kinda relate with Lara Jean and Margot’s life because I also have two sisters and I always have to act as an example to them.
“You’re keeping me going, Lara Jean.
C. And lastly, what’s not to love about PETER KAVINSKY and JOSH SANDERSON? Though I am Team Peter all the way, I must admit that Jenny Han really did a good job on executing two adorable and swooning male characters in one book! Hahaha!
So, I’m not just hoping but eventhough my review isn’t convincing enough, I am not denying and I am proud to say that this book is a must-read and definitely one of the best book I’ve ever read this year! xoxo
- spablo_94
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- stephs143
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I also read the second novel in the duo called, "P.S I Still Love You" and found it just as moving as "To All the Boys I've Loved Before". Both Han books were enjoyable and I would recommend reading these to teenagers as well as woman who want to relive their first love experience.
- Mother
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- Cleothereader
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Not only is this book about the three sisters, it is about one sister mainly and her love life turned upside down. With her older siste going off to college she has to figure out not only how to run the household but also how to be an older sister that her younger sister could depend on and still keep her sanity. Everything thrown her way she gets through with her own personal touch and flare which makes her the gem she truly is. If you're looking for a great book written by and even better author Jenny Han is the author you need to go for.