Author: Jenny Han
Number of Pages: 355
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Date Read: 7.3.15
Rating: <3 <3 <3 <3
“When someone’s been gone a long time, at first you save up all the things you want to tell them. You try to keep track of everything in your head. But it’s like trying to hold on to a fistful of sand: all the little bits slip out of your hands, and then you’re just clutching air and grit.” - Lara Jean
Lara Jean 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 can pour out her heart and soul and say 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.
“It’s not like the movies. It’s better, because it’s real.” – Lara Jean
This was a really cute book. It has been sitting on my bookshelf for quite a while, but I just couldn’t start reading it. I feel like all of my contemporary YA always get read in the summer. I’m glad I did finally read it though.
Lara Jean is such a cute character. It was weird, because I could relate to both Lara Jean and Margot. The older sibling who is always in charge and knows the ins and outs of my family was half of me; the other half was the shy girl around guys and crushing from afar – too afraid to act on it. I could see where both of them came perfectly.
The sisters’ interactions with one another were interesting to read/see. Having only younger brothers, some things I didn’t get. When it came to secrets, my brothers and I kept them. So, I didn’t quite understand the sending of the letters or going to their dad to discuss Lara Jean’s sex life. This didn’t make sense to me. Maybe it’s because they were boys and drama/gossip wasn’t their thing; but we knew when any of us came to the other it was in strictest confidence. I loved the relationship between Kitty and Lara Jean the most (aside from the whole letter business). They were so sassy with one another.
I was not a fan of Josh. I mean, he was sweet and charming and a really great friend – but that was it. A great friend. I feel like he kinda “made” himself like Lara Jean because Margot was gone and he was just transferring his feelings to her.
At first, I wasn’t a fan of Peter either, but he grew on me … slowly. There were times he was a real idiot, but others where a small part of my heart started to hope. And then, he went and bought those donuts specifically for Lara Jean and their trip. My heart melted and that’s when I fell in love with him.
As I read the book, I wondered if it was normal to hang on to notes or letters that we’ve received. I still have a box in the back of my closet with most, if not all, the notes my friends and I passed on another. I may even have a love letter or two in there. Since I went to high school before the big “texting” thing became the popular way to “pass notes” in class, I’m happy I still have mine… partially because of the silly contents and partially because we folded those suckers into the neatest damn things. You almost didn’t want to open them because of how awesome the fold was.
So, needless to say, I really liked the book and it brought back some really great memories. I can’t wait to get my hands on the sequel. I didn’t like how things ended with Peter and I just HAVE TO KNOW!
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