Review: To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han
To All the Boys I've Loved Before #1
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Published April 15, 2014
Hardcover, 368 pages

Overview:

Lara Jean Song 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 pours out her heart and soul and says 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.

Review:

Wow! The thought of having all of my personal, private writing being read is terrifying--and this is exactly what happens to Lara Jean when the letters she's written to her past loves are mailed. Lara Jean never intended for her letters to be read by anyone (especially not the boys they're written for!), and this book follows her attempts to keep her (previously nonexistent) love life from getting out of control.

Family plays a pretty big role in the book. Lara Jean's mom died when she was younger, and the book starts as Margot, Lara Jean's older sister, is going away to college in Scotland. Lara Jean has to deal with being the oldest sister at home for her younger sister, Kitty, and their dad.

One of my favorite things about To All the Boys I've Loved Before is the characters. Every single person in the book--from Lara Jean and her family to her neighbor Josh and the school's Handsome Boy Peter--is relatable and realistic. I felt like I really got to know these characters as the book progressed, and I genuinely cared about what happened to them.

I was surprised by some of the things that happened in the book, as Lara Jean struggles to put her relationships back into place like they were before her letters were mailed. I can't remember ever being so torn between two fictional love interests, and the book kept me almost nervously on-edge throughout the whole thing. To All the Boys I've Loved Before is the first in a duology, and I literally cannot wait to find out what happens to all of these characters in book two.

To All the Boys I've Loved Before is a great, enjoyable read about friendship, falling in love, and family life. I don't read a lot of contemporary fiction, but this one reminded me of why I love it so much.

Overall rating: 4.5 of 5 stars.

Review: The One by Kiera Cass

The One by Kiera Cass
The Selection #3
Publisher: HarperTeen
Published May 6, 2014
Hardcover, 336 pages

Overview:

The Selection changed America Singer's life in ways she never could have imagined. Since she entered the competition to become the next princess of Illéa, America has struggled with her feelings for her first love, Aspen—and her growing attraction to Prince Maxon. Now she's made her choice . . . and she's prepared to fight for the future she wants.

Review:

I really enjoyed this series! The story itself is interesting and entertaining, even if it is a little predictable at some points (with teenage girls competing for the prince's hand in marriage).

Without giving away too much about the previous books, The One does a good job of tying together many of the questions that were brought up earlier in the series. There's more discussion about the caste system and the rebellions trying to end it, and of course, America finally makes a choice between Prince Maxon and her love from home, Aspen. There's still some drama between the girls competing to be princess, but not too much.

Most of the book had a really good pace, although I thought the ending was a little rushed for all the action that happens in the last section of the book. I would have preferred more of a conclusion, but overall, I enjoyed this book and the series as a whole.

Overall rating: 4 of 5 stars.