To All the Boys I've Loved Before is a romance and young-adult novel, which describes the love-life journey of main protagonist Lara Jean. After her secrets get spilled to different individuals, it encourages her to step out of her comfort zone and to fix the mess that has been made. 

Lara Jean is a high schooler who is introverted and lives among her two sisters Kitty and Margot alongside her father Dr. Covey. Due to the absence of their mother, the sisters grow an unbreakable bond. However, all turns upside down for this connection when her secrets are revealed.

After having a crush, Lara holds the habit of writing a letter to each of them describing the feelings she held towards these people. In each of these letters Lara conveys her feelings and thoughts she held with each of her past crushes, until she realizes that one letter can ruin the relationship she holds with her sister Margot. 

Once the letter surrounding a relationship that her sister Margot possessed resurfaces to one of her old crushes, it causes Lara to think rashly.

Conflicted by what decisions she should make, Lara eventually starts a fake relationship with popular lacrosse player Peter, something she never would have imagined in an attempt to bury embarrassment caused by one letter. Two wounded people by love, the two grow to understand each other despite their dislike towards one another at the start. As time passes the two develop into something more than just “fake”. However, everything goes wrong when feelings are interpreted incorrectly and the act is falling apart.

Lara is in denial of her love for Peter. Josh (Margot’s ex-boyfriend), and spoiler alert one of Lara Jean’s crushes develops unexpected emotions. As chaos rules Lara’s life, more secrets are created which need to be carefully told around certain individuals, until lies can not hide the truth further ruining a family, friend, and love relationship.

Lara Jean showcases the reality of living a high school life. While an unreal relationship may be out of the picture for many teenagers, this novel showcases the lives of adolescents and how they deal with hardships, miscommunication, embarrassment, and love. Author Jenny Han, does an especially splendid job with highlighting topics such as family and new beginnings. This is shown through how Lara Jean lies to her family about her alleged boyfriend and how she deals with what can be a real relationship.

There were some scenes of mature topics that are more suitable towards an older audience. Regardless, the book is pretty manageable and easy to comprehend.

It was a pleasure to see how important discussions over getting to know someone before judging them and family communications were illustrated within the book. I also enjoyed how Han demonstrated the uniqueness to each individual character and how they had their own upbringings which leads to how they react and act around others. It explores their different perspectives and how it impacted them personally to feel certain ways that came in the way to produce certain misunderstandings. Understanding the Korean and American culture that the Covey family possessed as well as their cultural and personal identities was also a special and well thought out representation.

All in all, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is a must-read for teenagers. It’s an impactful and relatable tale that will have readers on the edge of pages in suspense to what will come. The book also helps the reader develop the same background and environment which allows the audience to feel as if they are experiencing the story as well. It is a thought provoking novel as well as a light read for readers who love a good dramatic, romance, and rollercoaster read. It is definitely worth the read!

 Check out to all the Boys I've Loved Before at NBPL!