To All The Boys I've Loved Before // #TATBILB // Jenny Han

Hello, readers! Welcome to our very first series post! Today we will be discussing the ever popular "To All The Boys I've Loved Before" series by New York Times Bestselling Author Jenny Han. These three books are probably the best teen romance series I have read. he crazy thing is, this is one of the rare cases where the books and movies are equally as good. If you are looking for a YA romance with a bit of humor, culture, fashion, and family sprinkled in, then this is the place for you. So grab a drink and get cozy, because we're about to dive into Jenny Han's greatest and most fabulous work!

#1 : To All The Boys I've Loved Before

The book: Lara Jean and Josh have always been friends, and their friendship has always been easy, innocent and carefree. Josh is the best friend a girl could ask for; he plays with Lara Jean's little sister Kitty, he helps her family during good times and bad, and he puts up with her dad's really bad Korean food. There was once a time when Lara Jean had fallen for Josh, but she disposed of those feelings when Josh and Margot, Lara Jean's older sister- started dating. Lara Jean has a method for moving on when she has a crush so all-consuming that she can do nothing else but think about it: she writes them a love letter. These aren't the kind of letters that get sent. These are the kind of letters that Lara Jean pours her heart and soul into, the kind of letter that she uses to confess everything to the boy she loves, the kind of letter that will never ever never not ever be sent. But then Lara Jean's world comes crashing down when each and every letter is sent, five in all. When feelings are hurt, relationships faked, and forbidden kisses are had, Lara Jean can barely tell what's real. Is she supposed to be with the boy her family loves now that her sister is broken up and off to college, or is she going to fall for Peter, the boy who's fake feelings just might become real? Lara Jean realizes that love isn't something that disappears just because you refuse to put it in the mailbox. She realizes that when it's real, it's wonderful.

The movie:

***WARNING: THE FOLLOWING REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS AND YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO BE MAD AT ME IF YOU READ IT AND RUIN THE BOOK AND/OR MOVIE FOR YOURSELF***

    To be honest, I had not yet read the "TATBILB" series when I watched the movies. My younger sister who reads nothing but romance novels and poetry had stumbled upon the books long before they were on Netflix, so it was a big deal for her to see the movies right when they came out. I watched them with her, and have watched them many times since. Now that I have immersed myself in the literary version of the story, it is safe to say that both the books and the movies are the best YA romance around. (If you'd like to challenge me on that point, leave us a message via the blog, our email, Instagram, or Pinterest and let us know what you think is even better than "TATBILB")

    On that note, it's time to look into the main differences between Jenny Han's "To All The Boys I've Loved Before" and its respective- and awesome!- movie.

1. In the book, Lara Jean regularly volunteers at the Belleview retirement home, but she never goes there in the movie. In my opinion, this didn't make the movie worse than the book.

2. This one is rather important and I feel it should have been included in the movie: Lara Jean and Josh kissed after he got her love letter! There is zero romance between them in the movie. Come on, Netflix!

3. In the book, the Song girls threw a Christmas recital party to bring back an old tradition and even honor their late mother. It was an important event because it was the author's way to get everyone in a room and bring multiple internal and external conflicts to light. In the movie, there is no such party. I think this one can be considered neutral, because the movie wasn't any better or worse because of it.

4. Finally, Peter Kavinsky doesn't drink in the movie like he does in the book. While the minor drinking in the book better fit the stereotypical high school jock role that Peter seemed to be, his lack of alcohol in the movies sets him apart and shows that he cares too much about Lara Jean to be drinking when he has to drive her home.  In this case, the movie is better!

Overall, I'd say this was a draw. The novel and film were equally impressive! What do you think?

#2: P.S. I Still Love You

The book: Everything in Lara Jean's life is finally calming down and she's loving every moment. How could she not when her boyfriend is Peter Kavinsky, the handsomest boy of all the boys? It's junior year after all, the year to reach goals and impress colleges, which is just what Lara Jean's doing by volunteering at Belleview, a retirement home where she gets to bond with Stormy, the spunkiest grandma alive. Everything was going well, that is, until Lara Jean ran into John Ambrose McClaren, Stormy's grandson and the recipient of one of Lara Jean's infamous love letters. As they grow closer through planning a USO party, having a sleepover at Belleview, and planning a reunion of their childhood friends, Lara Jean realizes that just because she's in love with one boy, it doesn't mean she's immune to all the boys she's loved before. With drama between Peter and his ex, sparks between Lara Jean and John, and old drama coming back to haunt L.J. and Peter's relationship, things aren't looking too good for anyone. And now Lara Jean has to decide which of the boys she loves the most.

The movie:

***WARNING: THE FOLLOWING REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS AND YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO BE MAD AT ME IF YOU READ IT AND RUIN THE BOOK AND/OR MOVIE FOR YOURSELF***

   I'll hand it to Jenny Han, she writes her books in a way that draws a reader in and doesn't let them go until their swooning for fictional boys and dying to be just like Lara Jean who thrifts, bakes, and scrapbooks like a pro. (guilty!) The second time around, nobody could have made a movie that outshines her writing. So the consensus here is that the book certainly was better. 

    Here are the differences between the book and movie:

1. John Ambrose McClaren is described a blond boy with pale complexion that, to be honest, looks like an angel. While Jordan Fisher definitely played the role well and looked good doing it, he didn't fit the description in the looks department.

2. Stormy is always telling Lara Jean to date her grandson, who turns out to be Lara Jean's middle school crush, John Ambrose! This twist was a really great addition to the book and I think that movie John only being at Belleview for volunteer work was a little disappointing.

3. In the book, Lara Jean prepares nostalgic snacks like ice-cream sandwiches from the summer of sixth grade to have at the time capsule opening. In the movie, they just have pizza and cupcakes. However, in the movie Peter takes the last slice of pizza, which further reveals his character and brings John and Lara Jean together.

4. In the book, John and Lara Jean plan and host a USO party at Belleview, compared to the star ball they throw in the movie. Maybe the movie writers thought a star ball would be better in creating a romantic atmosphere for the two of them?

5. In the book, Gen and Lara Jean have a meaningful conversation in the school bathroom about Lara Jean seeing Gen's father with another woman. They talk about Peter and form a mutual understanding of one another when it comes to their broken friendship and their relationships with Peter. In the movie, Lara Jean doesn't see Gen's dad with the woman, but the two still have a much needed conversation. In the movie this conversation happens in the tree house where Gen also reveals that she had hidden her friendship bracelet with Lara Jean from the group when they opened the time capsule. I have to admit that this scene was better in the movie.

6. In the movie, they (Lara Jean, Peter, Gen, John and some other friends) don't play "Assasin" like they did in the book. The game tied in with the novel really well. #thebookwasbetter

7. The movie version of John and Lara Jean's almost-romance differs from the book in a few ways. The book was better there, too.

#3: Always And Forever, Lara Jean

The book: Lara Jean and Peter have finally figured things out. There's no more boys to contend with, no more arguing about Gen, and they're even going to the same college! On the class trip to New York City, Peter and Lara Jean can see their future together and Lara Jean knows she made the right choice by being with Peter. It's senior year and nothing can get in the way of their being together! Except Lara Jean's college plans taking a few turns, Peter's mom practically telling them to break up, a surprise trip that will take away their summer together and Peter becoming cold and distant. Lara Jean tries to focus on her dad's engagement to Ms. Rothschild and her sister Margot's excitement over her new beau. Lara Jean figures she'll use "Beach Week" -the annual senior celebration trip where everyone rents houses and parties all week long- to show Peter how much she cares. It's a rough week after all, because Peter's in an inexplicable bad mood and Lara Jean's attempts to mend things are backfiring. Maybe Lara Jean's mom was right: you should never go to college with a boyfriend. Or maybe after all this heartache, Peter really is the boy Lara Jean wants to be with.

The movie:

I can't wait to see it on Netflix! I will post a review as soon as possible. :)