Honestly, it is rare for a contemporary YA series to have the kind of staying power that Jenny Han’s trilogy managed to pull off. Usually, these things flare up and die out. But To All the Boys books basically rewrote the blueprint for how we handle teenage romance in the digital age, despite the fact that the whole plot kicks off with something as archaic as physical, handwritten letters.
It’s been years since Lara Jean Song Covey first panicked over her secret stash of "love" notes being mailed out, yet we’re still talking about it. Why? Because it wasn't just about a fake dating trope. It was about the specific, messy, and often frustrating way a family deals with grief and growing up.
Most people think of the Netflix movies when they hear the title. That’s fine. But if you haven't actually sat down with the paperbacks, you are missing about forty percent of the nuance that makes the Covey sisters feel like real people rather than just character archetypes.
The Reading Order That Actually Makes Sense
You’d think it’s straightforward, right? Read one, then two, then three. But the emotional arc of the To All the Boys books shifts significantly between the first and the third installment.
- To All the Boys I've Loved Before (2014): This is the foundation. It introduces us to the hatbox, the five letters (Peter, Josh, Lucas, John Ambrose, and Kenny), and the deal that started it all.
- P.S. I Still Love You (2015): This one is actually the most divisive among fans. It introduces the "Team John Ambrose" vs. "Team Peter Kavinsky" debate, and honestly, the book version of John Ambrose McClaren is vastly different—and arguably more compelling—than the movie version.
- Always and Forever, Lara Jean (2017): The finale. This isn't really about the boys at all. It’s about NYU vs. UVA and the terrifying reality that your life doesn’t stop just because a relationship might have to change.
What Most People Get Wrong About Lara Jean
There is this weird misconception that Lara Jean is "weak" because she likes baking and scrapbooking. It’s a tired take.
In the books, her internal monologue reveals someone incredibly stubborn. She isn’t just a "shy girl" waiting for a boy to notice her; she is a girl who actively chose to live in her head because reality was too painful after her mother died. Jenny Han did something subtle here. She used the letters as a psychological defense mechanism. By writing them, Lara Jean was effectively "closing" the chapter on those feelings so she wouldn't have to deal with them in the real world.
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When those letters get out, it isn't just an embarrassing social moment. It’s a violation of her mental sanctuary.
And let’s talk about Peter Kavinsky for a second. In the movies, Noah Centineo made him the ultimate "Internet Boyfriend." In the books? Peter is kind of a jerk sometimes. He’s a teenage boy. He’s arrogant, he’s occasionally insensitive, and he has a lot of baggage regarding his dad. This makes the relationship in the books feel much more earned. They have to actually work through his flaws, whereas the screen version often glosses over his edge to keep him "dreamy."
The Cultural Impact of the Song Sisters
You can't discuss the To All the Boys books without looking at the representation of a biracial Korean-American family.
Before 2014, how many mainstream YA hits featured a Korean-American lead where the story wasn't exclusively about the trauma of the immigrant experience? Han balanced it perfectly. The girls eat kimbap and drink Yakult, and they honor their heritage, but they also just deal with the "normal" stuff like college applications and sisterly betrayal.
Margot, Lara Jean, and Kitty represent the three stages of girlhood.
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- Margot is the "perfect" one who has to be the surrogate mother.
- Lara Jean is the heart, the one stuck in the middle.
- Kitty is the fire, the one who refuses to be ignored.
The dynamic between them is the actual spine of the series. When Margot leaves for Scotland in the first book, the vacuum she leaves behind is what forces Lara Jean to grow up. The romance with Peter is just the catalyst.
Why John Ambrose McClaren Deserved Better
If you’ve only seen the movies, you saw Jordan Fisher play a charming, piano-playing version of John Ambrose. In the books, he’s the "Model UN" kid. He’s thoughtful, he’s nostalgic, and he represents the life Lara Jean thinks she wants—one that is safe and predictable.
The second book, P.S. I Still Love You, explores the "What If" scenario better than almost any other YA novel. It asks if you can truly love two people at once for different reasons. Peter represents the present and the excitement of the unknown. John Ambrose represents the past and the comfort of shared childhood memories.
Most fans who read the books actually end up feeling a bit more conflicted about the ending than movie-watchers do. The book version of their breakup (or lack thereof) is far more poignant.
The Real-World Details That Make the Books Sing
Jenny Han is a master of the "sensory detail."
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She describes the scent of cookies, the specific way a vintage dress fits, and the exact feeling of a cold night in Virginia. These aren't just filler. They ground the story. In an era where a lot of YA felt like it was trying to be "The Hunger Games," Han dared to write about the importance of a well-organized craft room.
It’s cozy. It’s what people now call "low stakes," even though for a seventeen-year-old, deciding where to go to college feels like the highest stake imaginable.
Practical Steps for New and Returning Readers
If you are looking to dive into the world of Lara Jean Covey, don't just stop at the trilogy. There are layers to this fandom that make the experience better.
- Read the books before the spin-off: If you’ve watched XO, Kitty on Netflix, go back and read the books to see how much Kitty has actually changed. Book Kitty is much more of a tactical mastermind.
- Track the recipes: Many of the recipes Lara Jean mentions—like her snickerdoodles—are based on real variations. Baking your way through the series is a legit way to experience the "vibe."
- Compare the John Ambrose arc: Pay close attention to the second book. The letters exchanged between him and Lara Jean are far more extensive than what we see on screen.
- Check out the "Burn for Burn" trilogy: If you finish the To All the Boys books and need more Jenny Han, she co-authored this series with Siobhan Vivian. It’s darker, dealing with revenge and ghosts, but the character writing is just as sharp.
The legacy of these books isn't just about a cute boy and a yellow car. It’s about the fact that your private thoughts—the ones you’re terrified to share—might actually be the most relatable thing about you. Lara Jean taught a whole generation that being a "romantic" isn't something to be ashamed of, even if it gets you into a bit of trouble along the way.
To get the most out of the series now, find a physical copy. There is something about holding the book, seeing the doodles on the pages, and feeling the weight of the story that a screen just can't replicate. Start with book one, keep a pack of sticky notes nearby for the quotes that hit too close to home, and remember that it’s okay to be a little bit obsessed with the "what ifs" of life.