Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
I finished this right before I had to go in to work and I spent my entire shift thinking what it is I wanted to say about it. I'm not sure I've found the right words to describe this yet besides disappointing.
"If love is a possession, maybe my letters are like my exorcisms."
(ARC)
When I heard of the title of this book, I just KNEW it was going to be paired with an interesting premise and even better writing. While I was right on both accounts, the way it was carried out just didn't do it for me. I expected there to be some out of control fights and multiple dudes all trying to fight for the love and attention of Laura Jean, but it just seemed like two dudes (along with Laura Jean) that couldn't figure out what they wanted. The letters didn't even seem to matter that much to the story. I thought they would be the center of the story, but it could have been written without them. And I didn't like that. I wanted them to have so much meaning they fell for her all over again. And they did, but there was only two. And obviously, I didn't like the characters as much.
"Life doesn't have to be so planned. Just roll with it and let it happen."
(ARC)
Now when I say I didn't like them, it was for a legitimate reason. Laura Jean seemed so childish and juvenile. Like the entire scheme? In real life, no one would have went along with that. It was just so non-believable. And for the way the entire scheme began? Yeah I wouldn't buy it for a second. Most people now a days get mad if you put your arm too close to them, let alone do what Laura Jean did. It just seemed like she was immature and doing things that little girls do.
"How was I supposed to know what's real and what's not? It feels like I'm the only one who doesn't know the difference."
(ARC)
But I did like the writing style. Since this is my first Jenny Han book, I found myself a little worried because of all the hype surrounding her other books. But even with a few issues, I did like some things about her writing. Such as her imagery. I also loved the way she wrote the relationship between the sisters. It was spot on accurate. With me being the middle child and a younger and older sister, I could relate to everything Laura Jean said. Although the person we're looking out for is my mom, my family is the same way. They annoy me sometimes, but I wouldn't trade my sisters for the world.
"Love is scary: It changes; it can go away. That's part of the risk. I don't want to be scared anymore. I want to be brave."
(ARC)
With a few issues, my first Jenny Han book was a success. No it wasn't what I was expecting, but that didn't make the book bad. I just wish I had known what it would actually be about and that the characters would act their age.
"If love is a possession, maybe my letters are like my exorcisms."
(ARC)
When I heard of the title of this book, I just KNEW it was going to be paired with an interesting premise and even better writing. While I was right on both accounts, the way it was carried out just didn't do it for me. I expected there to be some out of control fights and multiple dudes all trying to fight for the love and attention of Laura Jean, but it just seemed like two dudes (along with Laura Jean) that couldn't figure out what they wanted. The letters didn't even seem to matter that much to the story. I thought they would be the center of the story, but it could have been written without them. And I didn't like that. I wanted them to have so much meaning they fell for her all over again. And they did, but there was only two. And obviously, I didn't like the characters as much.
"Life doesn't have to be so planned. Just roll with it and let it happen."
(ARC)
Now when I say I didn't like them, it was for a legitimate reason. Laura Jean seemed so childish and juvenile. Like the entire scheme? In real life, no one would have went along with that. It was just so non-believable. And for the way the entire scheme began? Yeah I wouldn't buy it for a second. Most people now a days get mad if you put your arm too close to them, let alone do what Laura Jean did. It just seemed like she was immature and doing things that little girls do.
"How was I supposed to know what's real and what's not? It feels like I'm the only one who doesn't know the difference."
(ARC)
But I did like the writing style. Since this is my first Jenny Han book, I found myself a little worried because of all the hype surrounding her other books. But even with a few issues, I did like some things about her writing. Such as her imagery. I also loved the way she wrote the relationship between the sisters. It was spot on accurate. With me being the middle child and a younger and older sister, I could relate to everything Laura Jean said. Although the person we're looking out for is my mom, my family is the same way. They annoy me sometimes, but I wouldn't trade my sisters for the world.
"Love is scary: It changes; it can go away. That's part of the risk. I don't want to be scared anymore. I want to be brave."
(ARC)
With a few issues, my first Jenny Han book was a success. No it wasn't what I was expecting, but that didn't make the book bad. I just wish I had known what it would actually be about and that the characters would act their age.
Sadly I expected more from this one! It just didn't quite pull on my heart strings like I'd hoped! However I did enjoy it ~ easy reading.
a wonderfully sweet book that reminded me of the dreamy-eyed teen i used to be - i wish i had read this earlier!
4.5/5
Reread in August 2018
This was so much cuter than I remember! Though I still have some of the problems with the book that I had the first time I read it (basically, it just annoyed me that she called her dad Daddy - though I did the same thing up until I was like 13? Why am I so judgmental?), it was a very enjoyable experience. It was even more enjoyable since it was a reread in preparation for watching the Netflix original! Though I haven't seen it yet, I had the actors in mind the entire time. And let me tell you, Noah Centineo is a much handsomer Peter than the one I had in my head. I'm not complaining.
Though I wasn't planning on continuing on and rereading the rest of the series, I think I just might. I always need more Lara Jean in my life <3
Original review (June 2014)
I really enjoyed this book and how it wasn't really what I was expecting. The character development was also great, especially Peter's. I still prefer her other books from the Summer trilogy as I found myself loving every single character. In this book, I only really liked Lara Jean, Kitty, Josh (sometimes), Peter, and her dad. The writing also started out a little young in my opinion. I guess I was just thrown off by her calling her mother and father Mommy and Daddy, but I thought I was reading from her POV of when she was 11 or so. I quickly got used to this writing, though, and it made for a quick and enjoyable read! The reason I couldn't give it a full 5/5 was because of the things I stated above and the ending, which ended a bit abruptly.
Reread in August 2018
This was so much cuter than I remember! Though I still have some of the problems with the book that I had the first time I read it (basically, it just annoyed me that she called her dad Daddy - though I did the same thing up until I was like 13? Why am I so judgmental?), it was a very enjoyable experience. It was even more enjoyable since it was a reread in preparation for watching the Netflix original! Though I haven't seen it yet, I had the actors in mind the entire time. And let me tell you, Noah Centineo is a much handsomer Peter than the one I had in my head. I'm not complaining.
Though I wasn't planning on continuing on and rereading the rest of the series, I think I just might. I always need more Lara Jean in my life <3
Original review (June 2014)
I really enjoyed this book and how it wasn't really what I was expecting. The character development was also great, especially Peter's. I still prefer her other books from the Summer trilogy as I found myself loving every single character. In this book, I only really liked Lara Jean, Kitty, Josh (sometimes), Peter, and her dad. The writing also started out a little young in my opinion. I guess I was just thrown off by her calling her mother and father Mommy and Daddy, but I thought I was reading from her POV of when she was 11 or so. I quickly got used to this writing, though, and it made for a quick and enjoyable read! The reason I couldn't give it a full 5/5 was because of the things I stated above and the ending, which ended a bit abruptly.
I read this book last spring. Yeah, that's quite a while to wait before writing a review but not only am I writing a review now, but I am also lowering my rating for this book after proper reflection.
To me, this book's biggest flaw was the main heroine. It was hard for me to relate to her because of how exaggeratingly innocent and perfect she was. The stay-at-home young girl that avoids partaking in anything that most kids would find fun or at least curious. She also cooks, sews and is affronted when somebody shows the slightest signs of being a proper living and breathing person (oh my god, how can anyone cheat on a test or act irresponsible). She is just like a baby doe thrown out of the woods and expecting the world to be this bright and shiny place where everything works out.
The thing that attracted me to the book in the first place was the blurb which turned out to be just a slight development in the beginning and did not turn into an interesting story. It just folded and the book focused instead on Lara Jean's journey into life, handling her family, her feelings and her desire to hang out with Peter, who is perceived by her as the oh-so-confusing but cute jock instead of what he really is: a nice boy with normal behaviour and certainly one of the most mature characters in the book.
Even so, I was drawn into the story by the middle of it which is a good sign. I stopped asking myself "What is all this fluff?" which I definitely did in the first third of the book. The book grew more enjoyable and interesting, however I just hate it when stories end in the middle. I think even if you're intending to make this story a two-part thing you should give the reader some closure - they spend time and money on the book and I'll bet they expect some conclusion, some feels, instead of being baited to wait a year or more for the next one.
While I wanted to know what happened next at the time I now know that I do not care enough for the story to pick up the sequel. I think the book would be better if it was extended a bit and wrapped up with a nice bow.
This book will be a good fit for young girls of 12-13 or so because its innocence made it a bad fit for me. I like my characters properly FLAWED :D
To me, this book's biggest flaw was the main heroine. It was hard for me to relate to her because of how exaggeratingly innocent and perfect she was. The stay-at-home young girl that avoids partaking in anything that most kids would find fun or at least curious. She also cooks, sews and is affronted when somebody shows the slightest signs of being a proper living and breathing person (oh my god, how can anyone cheat on a test or act irresponsible). She is just like a baby doe thrown out of the woods and expecting the world to be this bright and shiny place where everything works out.
The thing that attracted me to the book in the first place was the blurb which turned out to be just a slight development in the beginning and did not turn into an interesting story. It just folded and the book focused instead on Lara Jean's journey into life, handling her family, her feelings and her desire to hang out with Peter, who is perceived by her as the oh-so-confusing but cute jock instead of what he really is: a nice boy with normal behaviour and certainly one of the most mature characters in the book.
Even so, I was drawn into the story by the middle of it which is a good sign. I stopped asking myself "What is all this fluff?" which I definitely did in the first third of the book. The book grew more enjoyable and interesting, however I just hate it when stories end in the middle. I think even if you're intending to make this story a two-part thing you should give the reader some closure - they spend time and money on the book and I'll bet they expect some conclusion, some feels, instead of being baited to wait a year or more for the next one.
While I wanted to know what happened next at the time I now know that I do not care enough for the story to pick up the sequel. I think the book would be better if it was extended a bit and wrapped up with a nice bow.
This book will be a good fit for young girls of 12-13 or so because its innocence made it a bad fit for me. I like my characters properly FLAWED :D
I'm just not cut for reading YA. All that unnecessary drama and then everyone is so childish. It's just tiring. I don't care that much about who's hooking up with whom in high school. I don't identify with the main character, nor do I think that having two guys pining after you is thrilling, or am I scared of driving a car or having sex. I can't relate to the characters, I'm too far removed from them, and the novel doesn't have anything else going for it. The writing is not bad, but it's not good enough to make me want to read the book just for it, and I found the plot bland. The best part of the book is the family dynamics of the Song-Covey family, which was great and captured the relationships between sisters perfectly.
Still, I know I'm being too harsh with it, since I am simply not part of the intended demographic. I think YA readers will like this, but then, what do I know. I've only read this because I want to read broadly and diversely, but in this case, it didn't pan out. Oh well, at least I tried.
ETA (18.08.26): I have really enjoy the movie, which has got read of the most annoying aspects of Lara Jean, Margot, and the love triangle, while it has a 100% sold me Peter as a love interest. And I love the motivation for sending the letters far more than in the novel. It's a great book-to-movie adaptation, to be honest. I'd give the movie 3.5-4 out of 5 stars.
Still, I know I'm being too harsh with it, since I am simply not part of the intended demographic. I think YA readers will like this, but then, what do I know. I've only read this because I want to read broadly and diversely, but in this case, it didn't pan out. Oh well, at least I tried.
ETA (18.08.26): I have really enjoy the movie, which has got read of the most annoying aspects of Lara Jean, Margot, and the love triangle, while it has a 100% sold me Peter as a love interest. And I love the motivation for sending the letters far more than in the novel. It's a great book-to-movie adaptation, to be honest. I'd give the movie 3.5-4 out of 5 stars.
I finally finished reading the #toalltheboysivelovedbeforeseries and I loved it.
I won't be fan-girling over the book anytime soon but I liked the sweetness that is both Lara Jean and Peter k .I liked all the elements of romance, friendships,sisterhood present in the book.
I wouldn't have picked up the book if it weren't for the Netflix adaptation. Why? Because while reading the blurb for the book on ,it occurred to me that I have read it before and didn't like the blurb.I had dismissed it without a thought.
I am glad I got to read it because I can relate to the characters. Do I identify with Lara Jean ? maybe.
Moreover,I found a resemblance between the characters #larajeanandpeter and #damonandkaty from the #obsidianseries by @jennifer_l_armentrout .
Maybe that's why I liked LJ and Peter K so much...for they are an unlikely pair and usually the most beautiful things are also unlikely,imperfect.. I liked but not loved the Netflix adaptation. Josh seemed unlikable,more so than the book. Most of the actors portrayed their characters superbly.Although,I am tired of seeing #noahcentineo s face all over social media.🤦😣. Anyway,I think there will be a sequel following the footsteps of another book adaptation .#crazyrichasiansbook
I would recommend the series and give it a 4 out of 5 stars(avg).
P.S. All the hashtags present here are courtesy of my Instagram post.
I won't be fan-girling over the book anytime soon but I liked the sweetness that is both Lara Jean and Peter k .I liked all the elements of romance, friendships,sisterhood present in the book.
I wouldn't have picked up the book if it weren't for the Netflix adaptation. Why? Because while reading the blurb for the book on ,it occurred to me that I have read it before and didn't like the blurb.I had dismissed it without a thought.
I am glad I got to read it because I can relate to the characters. Do I identify with Lara Jean ? maybe.
Moreover,I found a resemblance between the characters #larajeanandpeter and #damonandkaty from the #obsidianseries by @jennifer_l_armentrout .
Maybe that's why I liked LJ and Peter K so much...for they are an unlikely pair and usually the most beautiful things are also unlikely,imperfect.. I liked but not loved the Netflix adaptation. Josh seemed unlikable,more so than the book. Most of the actors portrayed their characters superbly.Although,I am tired of seeing #noahcentineo s face all over social media.🤦😣. Anyway,I think there will be a sequel following the footsteps of another book adaptation .#crazyrichasiansbook
I would recommend the series and give it a 4 out of 5 stars(avg).
P.S. All the hashtags present here are courtesy of my Instagram post.