YA Wednesday! To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is the story of Lara Jean, who has never openly admitted her crushes, but instead wrote each boy a letter about how she felt, sealed it, and hid it in a box under her bed. But one day Lara Jean discovers that somehow her secret box of letters has been mailed, causing all her crushes from her past to confront her about the letters: her first kiss, the boy from summer camp, even her sister's ex-boyfriend, Josh. As she learns to deal with her past loves face to face, Lara Jean discovers that something good may come out of these letters after all

 

Published April 15th 2014 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

AMAZON GOODREADS

 I am so in love with this book. I am so in love with Jenny Han and her hilariously brilliant writing. If you have not read Jenny Han, you need to. You are missing out. I loved every single page of this book.

The story is told by Lara Jean Song a quirky goody two shoes of a girl who likes to write love letters to say goodbye to the boys she loved. Lara Jean is pretty vanilla but not in an annoying way, it's actually cute how quirky she is. The letters are not really love letters but rather a way for her to say goodbye and to give her closure. Once she writes the letter she tucks it away, the letter and her feelings.  There are five letters to five VERY different guys. Cheers right now to Han for bringing diversity to YA literature. She seems to capture every aspect of diversity in this book. The guys were never supposed to get the letters. They were supposed to be tucked into the back of Lara Jean's closet for all eternity but then they get sent out (insert DRAMA) and she has to deal with the aftermath. Which is embarrassing and sweet and hilarious.

So much of the story focuses around Lara Jean and her two sisters Margot and Kitty. Since their mom died they have been taking care of each other and their father. Margot is the oldest sister and ends up going to Scotland for school early on. Margot has always been the caretaker of the family so her leaving causes a huge absence in all their lives. Kitty is the younger sister and she is one of my favourite parts of the book. She is hilarious and wild. I should point out now that one of the letters went to Margot's ex-boyfriend Josh. Josh is their neighbour and has been part of their lives since they moved into the neighbourhood. He is a constant staple at the house and everyone including their dad loves him.  He is nerdy but in a cute and quirky way so it's easy to see why the Song girls fell for him. Josh and Margot break up right before Margot leaves from Scotland. When I was reading this I was really hoping that Lara Jean would not end up falling for Josh again BUT things happen and it causes problems between the sisters and the rest of the family is effected by it.

In an attempt to save face with the letters being sent out Lara Jean starts a fake relationship with one of the recipients, Peter! Oh, Peter! I adore you. These two are complete opposites and they start out their fake relationship using one another but end up developing feelings for each other. As I write this I realize how cliché this sounds and it's not an uncommon theme but it's the way in which Han writes that draws you in. She adds elements to the story that make it unique. Plus there is a chapter that is pretty much all Harry Potter references. I mean. Come one!!!!!!!!!!!! That's lovely.

This is the perfect YA mix of high school drama, humor, and young love. It's like the perfect 80 movie. Popular kid and awkward kid find love. I was giddy the whole time I was reading it. Pure enjoyment. The ending was like whhaaaaaa so I am soooo happy that there is a second book in the works. Seriously, this is my happy place, I want to read Jenny Han all day long.