lemanson3's review
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Drug use, Alcohol, Cancer, Death of parent, and Cursing
spideyreads's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I've read this book twice. After reading it a second time, I've realized it's not really worth all the hype. It's just a book that's kind of... there. The protagonists were extremely self-centered and annoying, and even the book acknowledges that they act as if the world revolves around them. Another thing that annoyed me about this book is the age difference and the "practically siblings best friends to lovers" dynamic and how young the protagonist, Belly, is. I'm sorry, I have trouble imagining an eighteen year old wanting to date a fifteen/sixteen year old he's known since birth. I don't know, the age difference just sort of rubs me the wrong way since there's an obvious difference in the characters's maturity levels. I think young adult books should be encouraging teenagers to act their age and be themselves instead of always wanting to be grown, but, not going to lie, that's probably what this book captures the best; the feeling of wanting to be as grown up as your cool older friends. Maybe I'm being too picky, and I'm sure lots of my favorite books also have this problem, but this book just had it showcased front and center.
I'm a big romance reader, so it's pretty shocking I didn't like this book. I recommend To All the Boys I've Loved Before if you want to read something by Jenny Han. Better characters, better writing, and better romance. To All the Boys is definitely worth the hype.
read this book if you like:
I'm a big romance reader, so it's pretty shocking I didn't like this book. I recommend To All the Boys I've Loved Before if you want to read something by Jenny Han. Better characters, better writing, and better romance. To All the Boys is definitely worth the hype.
read this book if you like:
- love triangles
- watching characters grow up
- beachy, summery reads
- teen TV shows
- BookTok
- romance tropes
don't read this book if you hate:
- "Pick me girls"
- will-they-won't-they
- BookTok
- toxic love interests
- bland/boring characters & love interests
- romance tropes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Death of parent, and Drug use
Minor: Toxic friendship and Toxic relationship
moonbin's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Cancer
Moderate: Toxic friendship and Infidelity
Minor: Body shaming, Drug use, Blood, Violence, Addiction, Bullying, and Death of parent
saramcaps's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Such a cute, easy summer read great for younger readers, but entertaining for all ages in a nostalgic sort of way. The ending deals with a difficult topic that I didn’t expect, but I think gives the series more merit than just a love triangle summer romance book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Terminal illness
lyndann's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
viviette's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The thing is… I ADORED this book but HATED it at the same time. It made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me slam my kindle down on my bed, it made me do all those things and more. But afterwards, even after these 3 MONTHS of coping with the ending of the series, I’m traumatized. The third book RUINED my favorite character, breaking my heart in the process; I’ve had BREAK DOWNS over it. Now, do what you want, but if you read this series you must be P.R.E.P.A.R.E.D for the gut wrenching, character breaking, tear making, stupid in the making, baking bacon, flippin’ tazing, ending!!
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcohol, Cancer, Cursing, and Death of parent
katiea714's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Cancer, Alcohol, Toxic friendship, Gaslighting, and Blood
Minor: Classism, Vomit, Pregnancy, Medical content, Death, Death of parent, Injury/injury detail, Homophobia, and Violence
mishasbooks's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol
Moderate: Cancer, Death of parent, and Terminal illness
brookeharbula's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Cancer
rebelbooks101's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Last time I read this book I think I was 13 and I still have such a love hate relationship with this series. Reading it as an adult and reading it already having this previous hate for Conrad definitely had me reading it through a different lens than I did when I was in middle school.
I never planned to reread this series but with the show coming out this Friday plus the new audiobooks narrated by the actors I decided to pick it up to give it a refresher.
My general opinions are still the same. Jeremiah was like my all time favourite fictional crush in middle school which I wouldn’t say he’s my all time favourite now but I still love him enough to say he’s up there (and seeing the previews for the show has only reignited that love 😂)
I went into this book trying to give Conrad a second chance and to understand what Belly and other people see in him and…yeah no I still don’t understand. I don’t think being a jerk for like 95% of the book and having good moments for only 5% of the book makes a good love interest. It doesn’t help when I know what’s coming and that he only gets worse in the next book. Conrad constantly treats Belly like a child or just makes her feel bad every chance he gets. Did he have his moments? Sure. There were two moments in particular that I was like “okay he’s not the worst.” But I don’t think those two moments were redeemable enough for the crappy way he acted the whole time. It’s a lot of telling and not a lot of showing because as the reader, I still don’t understand why Belly likes Conrad when almost all their moments together is just Conrad making Belly feel bad.
Now I’m middle school I did genuinely think he was the worst fictional character of all time which I so wish that were true now but unfortunately I’ve read so much worse.
Jeremiah is kind of the goofy best friend character which middle school me apparently knew my type and it is exactly that. He is just so sweet and kind and caring! I enjoyed the dynamic between Belly and Jeremiah but I felt so bad for him too especially with how Belly just basically buried Jeremiah’s feelings and ignored them like he never even said them. Super excited to see him in the show!
Honestly not a lot happens in this book to be honest. It’s very slice of life and is just about Belly’s summer. A few things happen but not a lot. It’s a fun yet infuriating summer read. I’m excited to see the show!
I never planned to reread this series but with the show coming out this Friday plus the new audiobooks narrated by the actors I decided to pick it up to give it a refresher.
My general opinions are still the same. Jeremiah was like my all time favourite fictional crush in middle school which I wouldn’t say he’s my all time favourite now but I still love him enough to say he’s up there (and seeing the previews for the show has only reignited that love 😂)
I went into this book trying to give Conrad a second chance and to understand what Belly and other people see in him and…yeah no I still don’t understand. I don’t think being a jerk for like 95% of the book and having good moments for only 5% of the book makes a good love interest. It doesn’t help when I know what’s coming and that he only gets worse in the next book. Conrad constantly treats Belly like a child or just makes her feel bad every chance he gets. Did he have his moments? Sure. There were two moments in particular that I was like “okay he’s not the worst.” But I don’t think those two moments were redeemable enough for the crappy way he acted the whole time. It’s a lot of telling and not a lot of showing because as the reader, I still don’t understand why Belly likes Conrad when almost all their moments together is just Conrad making Belly feel bad.
Now I’m middle school I did genuinely think he was the worst fictional character of all time which I so wish that were true now but unfortunately I’ve read so much worse.
Jeremiah is kind of the goofy best friend character which middle school me apparently knew my type and it is exactly that. He is just so sweet and kind and caring! I enjoyed the dynamic between Belly and Jeremiah but I felt so bad for him too especially with how Belly just basically buried Jeremiah’s feelings and ignored them like he never even said them. Super excited to see him in the show!
Honestly not a lot happens in this book to be honest. It’s very slice of life and is just about Belly’s summer. A few things happen but not a lot. It’s a fun yet infuriating summer read. I’m excited to see the show!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent