This is one of those times when I think the book was not as good as the movie—still, a fast read to get out of a minor reading slump. ( )

Jenny Han has crafted a dramatic, YA romance that will leave you breathless and potentially very frustrated.

I haven't jumped into many YA series for a long time. I kept wanting to but it just didn't happen. Why? Because I get so frustrated with cliffhangers and I've found the YA genre LOVES them, and then I don't have the remainder of the series and I begin to slowly lose my mind. I found the first two books in this series and was like "YES! I CAN NOW WATCH THE NETFLIX MOVIES", like any normal adult during quarantine.

So, we're back at it with Lara Jean and Peter. Lara Jean is a sweet girl just trying her best to be in a relationship with a popular guy who seems to be easily manipulated and controlled by his ex. His ex, Genevieve, seems to be quite the wicked girl with a bone to pick. Anywho, plot time: Someone has posted an explicit video of Lara Jean and Peter making out. Yeah, it's kind of child pornography but no one really seems to get in trouble? Don't worry about that part though, you'll find out who posted it and who knew about it by the end of the book. Onwards: Lara Jean and Peter face some difficulties in their relationship, as expected in a sequel of a romance book (and it's high school, and everyone knows there is typically trouble in paradise for high school romances). John Ambrose, a fella that Lara Jean wrote a letter to, finally gets his letter and responds to Lara Jean. He's quite the sweetheart and definitely a nice guy! This is gonna cause more trouble for the couple. Will they make it out of this relationship alive with John and Genevieve around?

My comments and notes from when I was reading:

1. Genevieve is a mean girl with a kind of, maybe, potentially understandable back story? I understand we see the world through Lara Jean's eyes so we are going to see her as the big baddie... But she's just mean. And controlling. And manipulative.

2. Peter and Lara Jean's relationship is a wee bit toxic. Heck, I would argue Peter is toxic. I can understand being friends with your ex, but if your girlfriend is uncomfortable with you being all touchy feely with you ex, maybe don't do that? It seems reasonable. You can totally be friends and talk to them, but if you're actively going out of your way to lie to your girlfriend or leave out crucial information... Yeah, you're kind of a jerk.

3. Lara Jean needs to grow up a bit and learn to advocate for herself. Boys and relationships are hard, but man... Don't go for a guy who makes you feel like trash and runs to his ex. Go see a counsellor, get some therapy and learn that you are worth more than a dumb boy.

4. John Ambrose seems like a really nice guy. I'm kinda curious if he was meant to seem like the knight in shining armour with no flaws, or if there are flaws we just didn't learn about.

5. This book is a fantastic book! Do not take my comments on the goofiness of the drama too seriously. I honestly loved reading it but as an adult I'm going "nooooooo! Been there, done that! Noooo! Don't do that!" and enjoying every second of it. The book is fictional and is supposed to be dramatic. As long as you are looking for a soap opera like book, this is good! If you want a serious, relationship building book... Yeah, this isn't it.

6. I really like the cover! It's very cute and classic and looks like she's yearning and thinking.

Overall, this book is a fantastic, dramatic, YA soap opera book. Lara Jean and Peter are one insanely toxic couple but man am I digging the drama. I miss YA books, I need to read more! Now, hopefully I can find the finale soon because OMG I need to know the ending...

Four out of five stars. ( )

High school cutesy! ( )

I thought after the first book I was firmly TeamPeter, but after this one... TeamJAM all the way!

This book was full of sistery goodness- Lara Jean is such a good sister to Kitty. It’s full of family and friendship, and lots of teenage drama. Love triangles are usually not my favorite, but it works here.

I gotta say it- John Ambrose McClaren is the perfect guy for Lara Jean. Would Peter dress up in full costume and go to a USO party at a retirement home with her? I really don’t think. He’s too into himself and what Lara Jean can do for him (bake him stuff, go to his lacrosse games, etc). John Ambrose is the cutest and Peter comes off as a real douche in this book. Keep coddling Gen, Peter...

In conclusion, TeamJAM. ( )

Weaker than the first book. Lara Jean is a rather boring protagonist, but the first book had her entangled with enough interesting other character to make up for it, something that was sadly changed in this book when we're introduced to another incredibly boring character: John Ambrosius Flambrosius McLambrosius or something.

Lara Jean frustrated the hell out of me in this book and I constantly had to take a step back and remind myself that she is seventeen and I would have acted the exact same way her age and the narrative is most likely on my side blah blah. I did not care for her plot-lines, I was much more interested in what was going on with Gen and her family (spoiler: iew), and that mystery kept me going. But Lara Jean goes on to have a boring side plot at a senior home with boring MacBrosius and honestly I found myself skimming those pages. Snore!

Anyway, the ending definitely saved this from a 2 star rating and I'm interested in seeing where this goes now. Gen is a really interesting character to me, the Enemies To Friends in YA has become a pretty established trope by now (and it's a good one), but Gen is still a real Bitch and I like that about her. I also love her and Peter's complex relationship and I hope it stays platonic but slightly toxic for the next book. Heh. ( )