Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Review & Book Looks: 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
by Jenny Han

Release Date: April 15, 2014
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Pages: 368
Genre: YA Contemporary
Source: Purchased
Purchase: Amazon | B&N | Book Depository
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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.

Lara Jean writes letters to her crushes as a way to get her feelings out and to move on. They are sort of like a diary in a way and were never meant to be read. She has written to five boys and saved them all in a hat box. There are really only two major guys, Josh and Peter. When Peter approaches her at school one day about all the things she wrote, she is shocked. And worried. If Peter got his letter then Josh probably did. And Josh is her older sister Margot's ex-boyfriend and one of her best friends. To try to take attention off of her she tells Josh to forget the letter because she is dating Peter now. Peter agrees to have a fake relationship to make his ex jealous and to help out Lara Jean.

Peter is the extremely handsome and arrogant guy that everyone has a crush on. He was Lara Jean's first kiss but she is way over him now. But as they pretend to be a couple I began to fall for him and I just knew Lara Jean couldn't resist him for long. I also loved the way he was so sweet to her younger sister Kitty. I usually don't like younger siblings in books but Kitty was very mature and I enjoyed her character and her interactions with Peter. Peter's character really surprised me. I wasn't sure at all where he would lead me but I just loved where he took me. I was just constantly smiling though all his scenes. He made me laugh and swoon even though he could be arrogant at times.

I felt like Lara Jean's feelings were so spot on with the way I have felt before. In her letter to Peter her feelings are very much like the way I felt about some guys when I was young. The way it just feels so huge and so hard to get over. I was a bit disappointed that we didn't get to hear all 5 letters. The others were not that important but I still wanted to hear them. The big ones were to Peter and Josh and I loved the letter to Peter but we never heard the one to Josh. Josh was the best friend and I understood Lara Jean's feelings but she should have said something before Margot got with him. Margot has been such a great big sister and the mother of the family and Lara Jean felt she had to give him up for Margot to be happy and I did think that was very noble. Once a guy is with your sister or one of your friends there is just no going back though. Lara Jean can never be with Josh although after reading the letter Josh is wondering if he made a mistake.

I read this in two sittings and just loved it! Tears and laughs and swoon. I just loved all the relationships and the family dynamic. I've never had a sister and sometimes I am happy since I would never want some of these issues to arise. I think Josh needs to stay friends and not get with Lara Jean or get back with Margot. I think things are just too messed up now but I hope he stays friends with them. I really liked the way he got along with her family. But I just liked Peter even more! LOL They hit quite a few bumps but I found their relationship so fun and sweet. I was a bit disappointed with the rather open ending until I found out this is a duaology and there will be a sequel! I am so excited for the next book now and for the author signing I am attending next Tuesday!




"Good," Peter says. "Don't go falling for me again, okay? I can't have any more girls in love with me. It's exhausting."
I laugh out loud. "You're so full of yourself."


Peter Kavinsky just kissed me. He kissed me, and I liked it. I'm pretty sure I liked it. I'm pretty sure I like him.


"If you make Josh's dumb white-chocolate cranberry cookies and not my fruitcake ones, it's over." I laugh out loud. And then, the one I read over and over: "You look pretty today. I like you in blue."

Rating: 4/5



So as you may have noticed I've been super busy mixed with a lot of blogger burn out and have therefore not been posting much. I decided to take a break on writing reviews because after years of writing them I just needed one. Since I have only been reading about one book a week I have been thinking of trying some new things on the blog. One thing I am trying is Book Looks that was created by Books & Other Happy Ever Afters. My friend Nereyda @ Mostly YA Obsessed posts such fun book looks that I became inspired to try it. You can check out her looks here. After a little frustration in the beginning I soon got addicted and made 12 looks already! I am also going to try doing product reviews and some other new things to keep myself motivated and since I am having a bit of a reading and review writing slump. I will see how it goes! Enjoy my Book Looks for To All The Boy's I've Loved Before!




To All The Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han inspired book look




Since the book is focused around letters I used lots of envelopes and letter inspired jewelry!
I love that ring that Lara Jean can even put a letter from Peter into it.
The blue hat box is so important to the story so I put it in as a burst of color purse. I also put a tiny white envelope clutch purse in there for those that like to be super matchy. I'm kind of a super matchy person but I actually thought the blue hat box ends up working with the outfit in a quirky way. Using Peter's word, quirky! 


7 comments:

  1. I have yet to try one of her books but they all look so good. Glad you liked this one.

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  2. It sounds like a fun read, I wonder if I can get it from my library. :) Great review.

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  3. I liked the wardrobe and accessories. Great idea. I totally hear you about burn out. I am cutting back on Saturday reviews and only doing three a week. It is hard to keep up and real life.

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  4. I can't wait to read this. I hope to get to it soon. Haha - Peter sounds like a hoot. I love that outfit, I'd so wear that.

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  5. I haven't read this yet, but I plan to soon. I love the book looks! :)

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  6. Awww this one sounds so sweet and it's wonderful that the infamous crushing-on-a-boy feeling is captured so well. I haven't read this kind of book in a while so I'm definitely checking this one out as well. Lovely review Jennifer, and that look is really pretty too! <3
    Vivian

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  7. This sounds really good! And I love reading about younger siblings in books and how they played a role in the book. Will be getting this book! Thanks for sharing your review.

    Michelle

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