Spoiler Alert: character names, themes, and plot discussed.
Summary
P.S. I Still Love You is the second book in the To All the Boys trilogy by Jenny Han. To get more acquainted with the characters in this series or for a memory refresh of the first book click here.
In this book we see Lara Jean’s and Peter’s REAL relationship unfold. The tension that we saw in the first book with Josh and Peter dies down here and we are introduced to a new boy, John Ambrose McClaren.
John Ambrose McClaren (I’m going to use his full government name to refer to him because that’s how he’s referred to in the book and it’s such a fun name) is a recipient of one of Lara Jean’s infamous love letters. He received his letter later that’s why he is late to the party and being formally introduced now.
In P.S. I Still Love You we see how Lara Jean responds to John Ambrose McClaren coming back into her life and how that affects her real relationship with Peter.
About the Author
Jenny Han is a New York Times best selling author for To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before; Always and Forever, Lara Jean (On Netflix); and the Summer I Turned Pretty trilogy (On Amazon Prime Video).
She has also written Shug and Clara Lee and the Apple Pie Dream; and co-wrote the Burn for Burn trilogy along with Siobhan Vivian.
Review
“Don’t let it happen to you, Lara Jean. Don’t get too serious to where things can’t go back. Be in love with Peter if you want, but be careful with your heart. Things feel like they’ll be forever, but they aren’t. Love can go away, or people can, without even meaning to. Nothing is guaranteed.”
― Jenny Han, P.S. I Still Love You
Oh the joys of teenage love…
There’s something so simple yet complicated about it.
Sometimes I want to go back to that time when it all seemed so simple, but then I remember how young and stupid I was and come back to my senses.
With that being said, I found Lara Jean a little annoying in this book.
I wanted Lara Jean to come to her senses a lot about her own self worth and stop comparing herself to Genevieve, her former best friend and nemesis, and Peter’s ex-girlfriend.
But honestly, don’t we do that alot even now in our adult lives. Compare. I know I do.
In this age of social media and everyone displaying their highlight real, it is really easy to get focused on what everyone else has and what you don’t have.
Lara Jean does the same thing with Genevieve.
Lara Jean and Genevieve do not get along. We are introduced to Genevieve in the first book, but it is here that we get to see the reason why.
I won’t spoil this part for you, you’ll just have to get the book and see for yourself.
1 theme of P.S. I Still Love You:
Widowed Fatherhood
“A girl’s relationship with her father is the most important male relationship of her life.”
― Jenny Han, P.S. I Still Love You
We already talked about sisterhood being a theme in my review of the first book. Now, in P.S. I Still Love You, we see a closer look at how Lara Jean and Kitty care for their widowed father.
I wouldn’t say this is a major theme, but something noteworthy nonetheless.
There is such intentionality there.
P.S. I Still Love You starts out with the whole family (their widowed father, Margot, Lara Jean, and Kitty) going to a New Years celebration at their aunt’s house. It is here that we get to see a little of their Korean heritage.
It is also here that the idea was proposed by Lara Jean’s maternal grandmother that her father should be dating. Because it isn’t good for a man to be alone.
Before this proposal Lara Jean had not thought much about her fathers dating life. But this proposal got her thinking.
And while Lara Jean was thinking, Kitty was spurring into action trying to play matchmaker with their father and their neighbor, Mrs. Rothchild.
Lara Jean is against this at first because she doesn’t think that the two will make a good match, because Mrs. Rothchild is nothing like their mother.
But she eventually comes around and supports Kitty’s efforts.
I think this is very mature for the both of them to ultimately want what’s best for their father.
In another situation we see Lara Jean hosting a slumber party for Kitty’s birthday.
While Lara Jean takes on the hosting duties, their dad is upstairs retreating in his room.
I think this says a lot about the trust he has in Lara Jean and the protection she has for her dad.
Not that she’s protecting him from physical harm but protecting his peace.
Ok, let’s pivot to the infamous John Ambrose McClaren…
John Ambrose McClaren
Lara Jean and John Ambrose McClaren start writing each other back and forth. Then he shows up in person.
John Ambrose McClaren is described by his grandma as a young Robert Redford. I would describe him as a genuinely nice guy.
You can tell he really cares for Lara Jean because he pays attention to the details.
What’s the saying, ‘love is in the details?’
Why read?
If you’ve read the first book, that’s reason enough to read this one. But if you need more persuading, here’s four other reasons to read P.S. I Still Love You
4 Reasons to read P.S. I Still Love You
- The suspense- because you’re obviously invested in who Lara Jean ends up with, Peter or John Ambrose McClaren
- Drama with Genevieve- I know you want to know what happens between the two.
- Family Ties- I really do love the closeness of the Covey family.
- Excellent Character Building- again each character in this book plays a part in Lara Jean’s story.
“So much of love is chance. There’s something scary and wonderful about that.”
― Jenny Han, P.S. I Still Love You