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April 21, 2014

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

To All the Boys I've Loved Before (To All the Boys I've Loved Before, #1).
Title: To All The Boys I've Loved Before (Book #1)
Author: Jenny Han
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Canada
Publication date: April 15, 2014
Genre(s): Young Adult (Contemporary)
Source: Publisher 
Format: ARC
Pages: 368
Lara Jean's love life goes from imaginary to out of control in this heartfelt novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Summer I Turned Pretty series.

What if all the crushes you ever had found out how you felt about them... all at once?

Lara Jean Song keeps her love letters in a hatbox her mother gave her. They aren't love letters that anyone else wrote for her; these are ones she's written. One for every boy she's ever loved—five in all. When she writes, she pours out her heart and soul and says 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.
Jenny Han is just an amazing contemporary writer. To All the Boys I've Loved Before was one of my most anticipated books of 2014.. and basically a book I was waiting from Jenny Han ever since she wrote The Summer trilogy… and that was years ago. To say I had high expectations of it is an understatement. But To All the Boys was everything I ever wanted in a contemporary, it was so so cute, adorable, fun, have I mentioned cute? and I love love loved the main protagonist Lara Jean. She's half korean and I LOVED that. I am such a huge fan of the korean culture and even went on vacation to South Korea so reading up about her culture and background just made me so happy. The synopsis is one of the best synopses I've ever read in a contemporary novel. She's a genius, seriously. Her secret letters to all her crushes get mailed to them all? the catastrophe! the awkwardness that will ensue, and the promised hilarity were just too exciting! 
Of course, without a doubt, Jenny Han delivered. She was able to let these characters come to life and imprint on the readers.. I still remember them all, Lara Jean, Kitty, and Margot, known as the Song girls, as well as Josh and Peter. Also, Han knew how to write a book from a teenage girl's perspective.. it was believable and it showed through the writing. Lara Jean herself was such an adorable character and I loved her to pieces. The situation she was put in was so embarrassing but the way she handled it was just how any panicky teenager would. I especially loved young Kitty and her cute yet lethal temper. That girl can hold a grudge and I just loved her know it all attitude too. As for Josh and Peter, and all the other boys in the letters, I really liked them. I truly loved one of them but I don't want to say which one in order to not skew your perspective before starting the book. However I adored him and I just loved his relationship with Lara Jean. It was swoon worthy yet innocent yet cute yet frustrating, yet (insert every other emotion you can think of). Basically, these two were one hell of a team! 
To All the Boys isn't just fluffy, as with all of Han's books, all the characters go through character development and you witness that gradually. Lara Jean in the beginning of the book is a different, yet the same, Lara Jean at the end. She's more mature, has more life experience that made her grow, and a, not better per say, more developed version of her self. I loved the dynamic between the Song girls and I wanted to get in their sisterly hugs because of how adorable they were. I can't say enough positive things about this book. I loved it to pieces and I will be re-reading it soon because I need to get back into Lara Jean's world, it puts a smile on my face and gives me happy feelings <3. I can't wait for the second book, P.S. I Still Love You, and I am so impatient.. but one thing I know for sure, I am going to love it! 
Below is a non-spoiler review as well as a spoiler discussion. I give enough warning before I start the spoiler discussion 

8 comments:

  1. Well, not the biggest fan of contemporary here, but this does sound fairly interesting. Ya' know sort of. Thanks for the great review!

    Asma @ IceyBooks

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  2. That's great you really liked this one! i always love to hear that characters grow and develop through a novel.

    -Lauren

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  3. I hear SO many great things about this book and your review just did it. I'm buying this book now and reading. I want in on the love! Great review! =)

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  4. Gahhh, I love this book so much. I didn't expect to. I mean, I love Jenny Han so I knew it would be brilliant but I never though Jenny Han could top the Summer Series. To All the Boys I've Loved Before is a tie. I love it so much but in a different way than the Summer Series. It's the mood and the characters that Han creates. I can't stop gushing. It's for sure one of my new favorite books, and so far my favorite of the year, no doubt.

    Aly @ My Heart Hearts Books

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  5. I love the sounds of this one and the characters sounds wonderful. Great review.

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  6. Love, love, love Jenny Han and I can't wait to read this :)
    Jen @ YA Romantics

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  7. I have been immensely excited about giving this book a go ever since I heard about it. Also I've loved all of Han's previous novels, so have high hopes that this book won't disappoint either. I definitely need a cute book in my life! So glad that you enjoyed this Juhina!

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  8. Oh, fine. You make this sound like an amazing book :) I am so happy that you loved it Juhina. <3 I do think it sounds great. But I also think it sounds like a big love triangle thingy.. which I will not enjoy at all :( but ohh. It makes me happy that you liked it so much, and that the main character was a great character, hih :) Amazing review sweetie. <3

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