Teen Pick: To All the Boys I've Loved Before

To All the Boys I've Loved Before
by Jenny Han
Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
2014
368 pages
ISBN: 9781442426702

Available April 22, 2014

From the author's website:

"Lara Jean's personality--goofy, awkward, prone to strong emotions, and entirely naïve when it comes to boys give this touching story an individuality and charm all its own." --Publishers Weekly, starred review.

"An ultimately compelling exploration of teenage growth and young love." --Kirkus Reviews


Meet Lara Jean Song (Covey). She's opinionated, articulate, sweet, and smart. She is the most real YA character most of us will ever meet. Han does a fantastic job of fleshing out Lara's character, her hopes and dreams, her fears and shortcomings.

When older sister Margot goes off to college in Scotland, Lara Jean becomes in charge of the household. It is up to her to make sure younger sister Kitty gets her lunch and gets to bed on time and that Dad gets his coffee just like her likes it. Next door neighbor Josh continues to be part of their family even though Margot broke up with him before leaving for Scotland.

Lara Jean keeps a decorative hat box with her love letters inside. Each letter is to a different boy and is a break up letter, a good-bye to romance letter. She never intended sending them; they were for her eyes only. She thought if she put her feelings on paper, she would get rid of her feelings for each boy.


A mistake is made and Lara Jean's love letters are sent to each boy. She is mortified! How will she do damage control? And what will happen when each boy realizes that Lara Jean had feelings for him? 

Lara Jean makes mistakes and doesn't know how she is supposed to act in many situations,  and in situations where she has to deal with  boys, she's positively clueless. Girls who love romance and innocence will appreciate To All the Boys I've Loved Before. 

Recommended grade 9-up. Mature situations, underage drinking.

FTC Required Disclaimer; I received the ARC from the publisher. I did not receive monetary compensation for this review.

This review has been posted in compliance with the FTC requirements set forth in the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (available at ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf)