“I wonder what it's like to have that much power over a boy. I don't think I'd want it; it's a lot of responsibility to hold a person's heart in your hands.”

What makes a good story? Is it the craft, the style, or the storyline? Do we read for the characters? Do we read for the thrill? Why do we keep picking up that bound stack of pages?

I ask because I’m not entirely sure why people picked up To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before.

*Warning* this is an unpopular opinion.

Using the gift of words, Lara Jean writes letters to her crushes as a way to finally put to rest the feelings fluttering inside her. She’s written them to the guy at camp, her first kiss, and even her sister’s boyfriend. What was an innocent act of catharsis turns into a sinister plot when all those letters somehow get mailed to their prospective recipients.

So what would you do?

Great concept. I clicked right away to get this guy from the library and gushed with everyone else when Netflix announced the movie. I practically bounced on the balls of my feet when I walked back, book in hand from the library hold shelf, and an afternoon free to read away. And then I turned the page.

I’m not going to knock the idea. I think it’s great and original. The problem is everything else, including the storyline.

“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.”

I’ll first start with the voice. As a writer, you have to stay true to your age. I understand that Han played Lara Jean as an innocent younger voice. The character stays home a lot, crafts, and reads, but in my opinion, that’s not an excuse to write your character as a twelve-year-old. And what are you saying about the rest of the world that stays home, writes and reads a lot? When the little sister is a stronger character, you’ve got something to be worried about.

Lara Jean, and this could all be an unpopular opinion, was not a likable character for me.

I won’t even start with Peter and Josh. *eye roll* Seriously… what is up with those two. I get Peter stays friends with his ex, but he reads as an entire asshole the whole time. Which really plays poorly with Lara Jean’s decision in the end.  And Josh… I’ll let him sit in the same pool as Peter. I don’t know what I would have done in his shoes but playing the hurt victim isn’t even close.

Now, let us talk about the writing style. Not my thing again. I find that most YA contemporary tends to have a lack of meaty substance. No clue as to why writers suddenly lose all sense of a good story. I know they exist because I’m listening to an amazing version right now. Going back to my topic of description, writers stop describing their character’s world. As readers, we know what an average home might look like, but what makes Lara Jean’s home so special? What images are plastered on the walls or smells drift through the rooms? I need more. More feel of the wind as the rain rolls in. Something to dive into and get lost.

In addition, the dialogue was straining. Not enough conflict to draw a reader in and make them want to know why Lara Jean isn’t going to the game. There needs to be a reason for every word uttered. It’s another chance to develop the character and allow the story to become its own creature.

“Do you know what it’s like to like someone so much you can’t stand it and know that they’ll never feel the same way?”

So you may ask…. Why did I place the next book on hold? I have no idea. *palm to face* To be honest, once you move past the letters, the story plays out overdone writing tropes. Nothing was really resolved in the end. Lara Jean never really grew, let alone the other side characters. I really liked her little sister though. And maybe I just love to torture myself. I will give To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before 3 stars.

I’m reading One of Us is Lying for book club right now. I’m curious to see where it might lead because so far I’m hooked. Keep an eye out on my instagram feed or check back here next week for a full break down.

Happy Reading

Love Kait

Reading Challenge: 75/100