Reviews provided by Syndetics
School Library Journal Review
Gr 9 Up-The Song sisters are back, and Lara Jean's boy troubles are even more complicated in this To All the Boys I've Loved Before (S. & S., 2014) sequel. The quixotic middle Song sister has fallen for popular Peter, and they've become a real couple. Navigating the awkward and thrilling aspects of her first relationship, Lara Jean inwardly debates realistic teen quandaries: how far should she go with Peter and whether she'll become one of those girls who forgets about her friends once she has a boyfriend. But when her former best friend and Peter's ex Genevieve continues to wreak havoc on the relationship (including making a video of a very private moment that goes viral) and a former crush comes back into the picture, the teen has to decide if she and Peter are meant to be after all. In this tender romance, Han returns to the angsty push-and-pull of her "Summer I Turned Pretty" series (S. & S.), presenting two viable (and swoony) contenders for Lara Jean's heart. The protagonist is just as lovable, quirky, and kind as in the previous volume, volunteering at a nursing home with gusto and trying to balance out her family's issues (including helping to set up her widower dad with a girlfriend). A semi-resolved ending hints at a possible sequel. Stephanie Perkins, Sarah Dessen, and Kody Keplinger fans will love this volume. VERDICT The sparkling dialogue, heartwarming sister relationships, and honest talk about sex and slut-shaming make this a must-have title for teen collections.-Shelley Diaz, School Library Journal © Copyright 2015. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Booklist Review
In this endearing sequel to To All the Boys I've Loved Before (2014), Lara Jean has to decide whether to let go of Peter and send one last letter. There's no more pretending; Peter and Lara Jean's relationship is real, but his ex-girlfriend Gen keeps getting in the way. When a video of Lara Jean and Peter in a hot tub goes viral, she is certain Gen is the one who filmed them. Only, Peter keeps defending his ex, and Lara Jean doesn't feel like she comes first anymore. When another letter brings a past love back into Lara Jean's life, she has to decide who to give her heart to. With tender explorations of first love and first heartbreak, Han deftly handles topics such as cyberbullying and double standards for women. Lara Jean is open and honest with those around her and offers readers a careful, intimate glimpse of how she explores relationships, discusses sex, and deals with jealousy. A sweet and charming sequel that is sure to be devoured by fans of the first book.--Thompson, Sarah Bean Copyright 2015 Booklist
Horn Book Review
When Lara Jean's love letters were accidentally mailed in To All the Boys I've Loved Before, John McClaren was the boy who never wrote back. Now, John reappears, complicating Lara Jean's already strained relationship with Peter. With refreshing honesty about high school love and heartbreak in the age of social media, this contemplative sequel is just as good as its predecessor. (c) Copyright 2016. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Book Review
Lara Jean's romantic entanglements complicate themselves further. In the wake of the events detailed in To All the Boys I Loved Before (2014), Lara Jean confesses her love for handsome golden boy Peter. This frees the pair to start a romantic relationship with a clean slate, but over the course of the novel it becomes clear that embarking on a relationship that turns an aggressive blind eye to baggage is never a good idea. When a viral video of a steamy love session between Peter and Lara Jean rears its ugly head and a boy from the past enters Lara Jean's life once more, Lara Jean's life gets complicated. Every character from Han's adored previous novel is back, with new dimensions given to nearly every one of them. Subplots abound, among them two involving Lara Jean's father and Peter's ex-gal Genevieve, but benefitting most from this second look is John Ambrose McClaren, a boy briefly referenced in the former book who is thrust into the spotlight here as Peter's rival for Lara Jean's heart. With all these characters bouncing around, Han occasionally struggles to keep a steady hand on the novel's primary thrust: Lara Jean's emotional development. Han gets the job done in the end, but this overeventful sequel pales to the original where structure is concerned. The author's greatest success remains her character work, and the book does indeed give everyone a solid arc, narrative be damned. A satisfying if slightly lesser sequel. (Romance. 13-17) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.