Every thought I had while watching To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You [Spoilers]

• Okay, but who actually needs a recap for this series? It’s not THAT complicated.
• Kitty remains the best character, “Have you even showered?” This is the Kitty we want and deserve. #JusticeforKitty
• John Corbett also remains the best actor to portray Dr. Covey.
• This is clearly too nice of a restaurant for your average teenagers to be going to on a date.
• Lara Jean not being able to keep her purse on her shoulder is super relatable.
• Definitely thought they were watching a Youtube video–not chatting with Gogo.
• I’m loving this sassy Kitty that wasn’t in the first movie. So much closer to book Kitty (but still not quite there unfortunately).
• Oh man. That Korean food looks SO good.
• There’s nothing wrong with not dating until college…HAVEN.
• John Ambrose is the best.
• Here’s hoping Gen gets more depth this movie.
• Nope. Still just your basic mean girl.
• How was Peter supposed to let Lara Jean know he was going to be late when he was literally practicing the whole time?
• What carnival game gives out snow globes??? And if this means John Ambrose ISN’T going to give her a snow globe at the end, there will be blood.
• Tree!!!
• Wow. When I get old this is EXACTLY the kind of retirement community I’d like to live at.
• I’m getting very anxious about Stormy spilling her Bloody Mary.
• Classic Lara Jean being a complete spaz when John Ambrose shows up.
• Does Lara Jean think she and John Ambrose would still be together or something if he’d gotten the letter back in middle school? Because that seems unlikely.
• Two eggs seems a bit excessive for an egg wash for eight turnovers.
• Jenny Han cameo.
• These singing valentines would never actually happen at a real high school, right? Certainly not the high school I went to.
• Okay, wait a second. It’s just dawning on me that it’s Valentine’s Day and Lara Jean is wearing short sleeves OUTSIDE. IN OREGON. No.
• I’m glad Subway is still sponsoring these movies.
• I like the angle of John Ambrose being Stormy’s great-nephew or whatever better than him being another volunteer.
• All of the sets in this movie are amazingly beautiful.
• This seems extremely awkward for John Ambrose. Lara Jean has left him alone for a really long time.
• It is super weird for Lara Jean to just be sitting on the counter like that. Shoes on and everything.
• Was Ross Butler a character in the last movie? Maybe I DID need that recap.
• I feel like this scene in the car needs some music or something. It’s weirdly quiet.
• John Ambrose continues to be perfect for Lara Jean in every way.
• Who was in charge of setting up the Bingo stuff in the first place? Why are Lara Jean and John Ambrose responsible for draggin everything to the basement?
• Oh man. Lara Jean is making it so awkward for when John Ambrose finally discovers that she’s dating Peter.
• Okay. Now I’m imagining the teacher spending hours drawing a chalk octopus on the board.
• Why didn’t Lara Jean and Peter show up to the time capsule thing together?
• Chris. MVP.
• Of course John Ambrose plays piano. Because he’s PERFECT.
• Fakesgiving sounds great. I would LOVE to have Thanksgiving twice a year! (But I don’t remember this from the book?)
• Get a bag for the Brussels sprouts, Lara Jean!
• Lara Jean is being a little too dramatic right now re: Peter and Gen.
• The picture of Slot Canyon on Lara Jean’s wall seems kind of random? I don’t feel like it really fits the rest of her decor.
• I don’t totally remember from the book, but I feel like Lara Jean should be trying to get advice from Margot or something. She’s hardly been in this movie!
• The music video-ish part in the hallway is kind of weird and doesn’t really fit with the rest of the movie.
• I just feel on such a deep level that Lara Jean and Peter shouldn’t be together. Especially when compared to John Ambrose.
• I’m glad that Gen did get a little more depth in this movie, but I still feel like the book helps their whole dynamic to make more sense.
• Old people dancing is the best.
• More product placement! It just would look so much less staged if SOME of the Bubly labels weren’t directly facing the camera.
• I’m glad John Ambrose is drawing attention to it snowing so late in the year (he continues to be perfect).
• GET OVER PETER, LARA JEAN.
• Get out of here, Peter. This doesn’t happen in the book and now I’m mad that they’re making movie Peter more likable than book Peter.
• Those construction people are there very early to take down that tree house.
• Peter and Lara Jean floating into the air at the end…just why. Every once in a while this movie tries to get a shot that’s just a little too weird and doesn’t match the feel of the rest of the movie.

My concluding thoughts–despite their best efforts, I am still strongly on #TeamJohnAmbrose. Peter Kavinsky is better in the movie than he is in the books, and they took out some of the things that made John Ambrose especially perfect for Lara Jean, but it’s still not enough. At least they cut Lara Jean’s “Peter was there first” line.

Enter John Ambrose

Late this last week, Netflix made the announcement of who would be playing John Ambrose McClaren in the second To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before movie. Spoiler: It isn’t the guy from the end of the last movie. How would it feel to be that guy? Geez. I wasn’t a huge fan of that guy’s look in the first place, but I still feel bad for him.

Anyway, John Ambrose will be played by…drumroll…Jordan Fisher!

So there we go. I’ve been a fan of Jordan Fisher since his Teen Beach Movie days, but especially after Grease Live. I’m actually super excited about this casting and I continue to be, as ever, #teamJohnAmbrose. We welcome any and all new recruits.

How do you guys feel about this casting announcement? Are there any other actors you had in mind for John Ambrose?

TTT | I WILL go down with this ship

Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

Favorite Couples In Books

1) Iseult and Aeduan from the Witchlands series by Susan Dennard

I just finished Bloodwitch and I love these two together! They will find each other no matter what. I believe it.

2) Cress and Thorne from the Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer

These two are so sweet together! I love every scene that involves them in the series.

3) Macy and Wes from The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen

Wes was probably my first big bookish crush. I love their dynamic at Wish Catering and their entire truth game.

4) Kaz and Inej from the Six of Crows duology by Leigh Bardugo

These two are so low-key, but there’s also so much underlying tension–so good.

5) Lupin and Tonks from the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

RIP

6) Karou and Akiva from the Daughter of Smoke and Bone series by Laini Taylor

This is an ultimate Romeo and Juliet type relationship. They’re up against so much opposition, but their love is so pure.

7) Khalila and Dario from The Great Library series by Rachel Caine

Even though these two aren’t the “main” couple of the series, I still love their relationship. I love that Dario is so protective of Khalila and she lets him even though everyone knows, she doesn’t need protecting.

8) Amy and Roger from Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

Cute couple on a road trip! Such a good slow burn romance.

9) Bailey and Porter from Alex, Approximately by Jenn Bennett

I don’t really know why I loved this book so much, but I did. Bailey and Porter have a great hate-to-love type thing going, but actually they just like each other the whole time.

10) Kitty and John Ambrose McClaren from the To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before series by Jenny Han

Okay, so I know this couple doesn’t actually exist, but just listen. Lara Jean clearly does not deserve John Ambrose even though he is literally the most perfect boy ever. She would obviously be upset if Kitty started dating him, but Kitty wouldn’t care. She would appreciate John Ambrose’s perfectness and John Ambrose would appreciate Kitty’s spunk. Plz Jenny Han let this be a thing.

Who are some of your favorite bookish couples? Do you disagree with any of my picks?

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Overall thoughts after rereading the TATBILB trilogy [SPOILERS]

The first time I read these books, I remember LOVING the first book. The second and third books were okay for me, but that’s mostly because I’m 100% #TeamJohnAmbrose. This time around though, I’m struck by how incredibly immature Lara Jean is. She’s selfish and petty and dramatic. I mean I guess that’s just being a teenager? But she’s trying to have this incredibly grown up relationship with Peter and it’s 1,000,000% clear that she’s not ready for something this deep and heavy.

So that’s pretty much my problem with Lara Jean. I find her slightly unlikable because of how immature she is. I feel like there are quite a few instances in each book where Kitty is more mature than she is and Kitty’s just a kid (though, obviously the superior character–Kitty rocks).

My next issue is obviously the fact that Lara Jean picks Peter over John Ambrose. I mean…excuse me, Jenny Han? You can’t just write the literal most perfect teenage boy character/potential love interest who LITERALLY has no faults and then not have your protag pick him. There is literally no good reason why Lara Jean decided to stick with Peter. I mean, Lara Jean says it’s because Peter got there first, but that is NOT a good reason. I challenge anyone to list John Ambrose’s faults. I’ll wait. THEY DON’T EXIST. He gives her the most perfect birthday present and he and Lara Jean are about to have this wonderful life together and then Peter walks up because he’s jealous of John Ambrose. If Peter hadn’t felt threatened by John Ambrose would he have wanted to get back together with Lara Jean? I submit that he would not.

Then in the third book they paint Peter to be the sweetest guy who is doing all of these things for Lara Jean like getting her chocolate chip cookies and recreating the scene from Sixteen Candles…but all of those things are so OBVIOUS. If Lara Jean was dating John Ambrose in the third book, he would be doing all kinds of sweet things that Lara Jean didn’t even know she wanted until he did them. He also would have been super supportive of Lara Jean going to whatever school she wanted and wouldn’t have made her feel bad or guilty in any way.

But whatever. Lara Jean and Peter deserve each other. I’ll wait for the next book which will feature the two best characters of the whole series falling in love (Kitty and John Ambrose). Lara Jean will be mad because John Ambrose is HERS but Kitty won’t care because she’s Kitty and she does what she wants. Margot will be a little freaked out because of the age difference, but again, Kitty won’t care because she’s Kitty and she does what she wants. Trina will just say, “You go, Kitty!” and Kitty WILL care because she loves Tree, but also because Trina is supporting Kitty doing what she wants.

Everything wrong (and right) with the To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before movie [SPOILERS]

Does anyone else spend a ton of time on Buzzfeed or is it just me? One of the things I really enjoy is reading articles where someone is doing a stream of consciousness type review for a movie or TV show (usually the Bachelor/Bachelorette). So here’s my stream of consciousness review for the To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before movie–I’m literally typing this as I watch it. Prepare yourselves for lots of book vs movie comparisons and I guess there will probably be some spoilers for people who haven’t already watched the movie. Here we go!

• BEAUTIFUL opening scene and KITTY IS THE BEST.
• I don’t like that the girls are ragging on Dr Covey’s Korean food. From what I remember from the book, it’s not always terrible.
• Josh walking into the house with his shoes in his hand is pretty weird. Like, either he should have left them on the porch or taken them off inside.
• What Asian family eats that little rice with a meal?
• Margot is making this dinner supes awk questioning Josh about the plane ticket but once again, Kitty is the best.
• EWWWWW MARGOT GETTING INTO LARA JEAN’S BED WITH HER SHOES ON
• John Corbett is the perfect guy to play the Song girls’ dad. There is no one else.
• Why haven’t Lara Jean or Kitty called Margot “Gogo” yet? It’s such a cute nickname!
• LOL at Lara Jean’s awkward school picture smile.
• Okay, so I know they’re in Oregon, but Lara Jean’s wardrobe seems a little too Fall for the first day of school. She’d be way too warm!
• Gen doesn’t look as cliché popular girl as I would have imagined…and I don’t really get why she’s making fun of Lara Jean’s boots? They look super trendy to me… I will say that Lara Jean’s defense of “They’re vintage? But I got them on Etsy?” isn’t super helpful though.
• DISLIKE that they made Lara Jean’s kiss with Peter into a spin the bottle thing. That changes the WHOLE dynamic between her, Peter, and Gen imo.
• Josh is super awkward and stiff and I can’t tell if it’s the character or the actor.
• How is there popcorn all over the couch when the popcorn bowl looks like it’s been untouched? It’s the little things…
• KITTY IS THE BEST
• No, no, no, it erases an entire vindictive side of Kitty for her to be sending out the letters with good intentions. I want evil Kitty!
• For anyone who doesn’t recognize Jenny Han, she’s just looking like the world’s most awkward chaperone.
• I’m really digging this soundtrack.
• KITTY IS THE BEST!!!!!!
• These letters seem to be MUCH more cringeworthy than they were in the book.
• That fall out of her window would hurt SO BAD.
• This whole diner convo between Lara Jean and Peter is super stiff and awkward.
• There has to be a better time for Lara Jean to talk to Peter that’s NOT in the middle of Lacrosse practice.
• I am so glad that Peter is pointing out the weirdness of the “hand in back pocket” thing. No one does that anymore! It was weird when Jason Segel did it in Freaks and Geeks and it’s still weird–not romantic.
• It’s very distracting that every time we get a view of the contract, “Ski Trip” is written differently.
• LJ–solid nickname for Lara Jean. That should’ve been in the book for sure.
• Like I said, the hand in the back pocket is NOT cute.
• I’m so glad Dr Covey is less clueless in this movie than in the book. I cringed so hard when he thought Peter was taking Lara Jean to a birthday party in the book.
• No one’s hair looks that good coming straight out of a ponytail.
• Peter, what part of FAVORITE SCRUNCHIE do you not understand?
• Obviously at this point in the movie, Peter is starting to like Lara Jean but it still feels like it’s coming out of nowhere. This is another point that the book does a lot better.
• Josh is coming on super strong and way too intense right now. It makes it seem like he’s having a hard time getting his lines out and makes the scene hard to watch.
• Awkward sofa pillow fight.
• This conversation in Peter’s kitchen feels way more natural than any of their other conversations.
• Blatant Subway product placement.
• I don’t really see how Josh can shed any light on Lara Jean’s situation with Peter. Oh, surprise, he doesn’t. He literally just says, “I don’t know what to tell you.”
• Instagram posts weren’t in the contract, Peter. If you wanted that, then you should’ve included a social media clause.
• Chris rocks. She’s asking the question that we all want to ask male gynecologists. Also, she’s the best actor in this whole movie (besides John Corbett).
• Again, ballin’ soundtrack.
• Lucas is great too. There’s some really good secondary cast going on here.
• I’m not really understanding Lucas’ logic here, though. He kind of makes it sound like Peter’s liked her since the beginning (which isn’t true) and how does he make the leap to Peter waiting for her in the hot tub?
• Okay wait, but how is Lara Jean’s night gown now completely dry???
• *sigh* classic high school angst created by miscommunication (or refusal to communicate in this case).
• Josh is such a lurker. What is he doing slinking around the Covey’s house with his hood up?
• Yes Kitty, you ORDER that pizza, girl! Also, I would watch a whole movie of Kitty and Dr Covey playing chess.
• THIS MAKES NO SENSE. If Kitty really wanted Lara Jean to have a boyfriend, she wouldn’t have sent out the letter to Josh. An 11-year-old would recognize that couldn’t work and would only cause family drama. This is why we need vindictive Kitty back who sent the letters out for revenge. That makes so much more sense.
• Who exactly took that picture of sleeping Peter and Lara Jean for her phone background?
• Another reason the spin the bottle kiss was a bad change–it makes Gen way crazier than she is in the book. I mean, she’s crazy in the book, but in this movie I feel like she’s completely unhinged.
• The movie also makes Peter’s notes way more romantic than they were in the book.
• Lara Jean is making this whole thing so awkward. First, she makes Peter turn around and then she does the most awkward shoulder tap in all of history.
• There’s no reason for John Ambrose to be wearing his Model UN blazer here. But whatever, I’m die hard #TeamJohnAmbrose.

Okay, overall the movie was pretty good–probably especially if you haven’t already read the book. It’s a cute idea and kind of different from other teen rom coms coming out right now. However, I felt like most of the acting was about a 4/10 for me. Everything just felt so stiff and scripted. If you want to see teen conversations that actually feel real, just watch any episode of Friday Night Lights–that’s the real stuff.

But that’s just my opinion, what did you guys think of the TATBILB movie?

MOVIE TRAILER: To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before

It’s here!!!

What do you guys think about the trailer? Despite my initial reservations about some (one) casting decisions, I think this movie looks like it’s going to be great! I mean, I stand by my original post, but I’m excited for the movie despite that. I still think John Corbett is the best (and only) decision for Mr. Covey so I’m SUPER EXCITED for that.

To be honest though, I’m a little nervous about this movie because Netflix has gotten some serious backlash recently about certain shows/movies like 13 Reasons Why and The Kissing Booth (not making a comment on whether that backlash is deserved, just stating that it exists). I’m really, REALLY hoping that TABILB rises above all of that and is just a quality movie. The last thing I’ll say is that if that’s what John Ambrose McLaren is going to look like in future movies…I will be very upset (#TeamJohnAmbrose).

What were your guys’ initial thoughts after watching the trailer? Let me know in the comments!

The quickest of takes and the mini-est of reviews

I read a bunch of books while I was out on my hiatus and since I was on hiatus, I wasn’t taking notes as usual. Let’s just say that I remember some of these books better than others. But it’s the lasting impressions that really count, right?

Our Dark Duet by Victoria Schwab – I LOVED the first book in this series! And this one honestly did live up to my expectations. If you liked the first book, you’ll like this one too. Everything that I liked about the characters from the first book were in this one as well plus more. The book was just…deeper. I cried. 5/5

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart – My first experience with E. Lockhart and I absolutely loved it. I loved the writing, I loved the characters, I loved the setting. The plot was masterful and I think I started to suspect what the twist was exactly when the author wanted me to. I will definitely be reading more by her. 5/5

The Thousandth Floor by Katharine McGee – I don’t really know what I expected this book to be… It was just a little too artificial for me. The characters were all fake with each other (as they were supposed to be, but still) and the setting of the tower also seemed a bit contrived. I don’t think there were any characters that I really just liked. I won’t be reading the second one. 3/5

Imprudence by Gail Carriger – I keep reading this series because I keep hoping it’ll get better. I adore the Finishing School series and I just want this series to be a little more like that. Something about Prudence repeatedly rubs me the wrong way. She’s just so…arrogant? Bossy? Entitled? I’m not exactly sure what it is. Nevertheless, I will probably read the next one. 3/5

Proof of Forever by Lexa Hillyer – This book was just so…weird. The girls were in the past, but they could remember everything about the future. There was no real reason why they should need to recreate a photo in order to get back to the future. And then the ending with one of the characters seemed a little dramatic and unnecessary. I also didn’t really like any of the characters. 2/5

The Siren by Kiera Cass – The story was okay, but had some elements that left me scratching my head. The main character’s decisions didn’t always make sense to me. I didn’t feel like she always acted rationally or like…thought through her decisions. Secondary characters were all just okay. 3/5

The Rose & the Dagger by Renee Ahdieh – This was a great follow-up to the first book. I enjoyed the strategy involved at various points throughout the story–it just kind of mixed things up a little bit. I also enjoyed getting to know the little sister better as a character. 4/5

The Wrong Side of Right by Jenn Marie Thorne – I liked this book more than I thought I would! The main character was relatable and likable. I loved her interactions with her half-siblings and her dad’s wife (especially that last relationship). Her struggles seemed genuine and the conflict that she has to face was really well done. I would definitely recommend this book! 4/5

Fireworks by Katie Cotugno – This book…I liked that it was set in the 90s. The girl band/boy band thing seemed genuine because of the time period. But then there’s just a lot of girl/girl fighting and backstabbing and not being good friends-ing. I did like where the main character ended up though. 3/5

Always and Forever, Lara Jean by Jenny Han – To be completely honest, I haven’t been on the Peter train since the second book (John Ambrose all the way–don’t @ me). So this book was a little bit ugh for me. But also, I know that we all want happy endings, etc, but why do YA authors want us to believe that all high school relationships will work out in the long run? I know that some do, but the vast majority of high school relationships are just that–high school relationships. NOT “always and forever” love. I would not have wanted to end up with any of the boys I went to high school with. Just saying. 3/5

The Last Boy and Girl in the World by Siobhan Vivian – The main character was a pill and I didn’t like her 85% of the time. She was a butt to the love interest for the first 95% of the book but then he still likes her in the end? I just don’t even know. Also, is this plot something that could really happen? If so, local government can be scary. 3/5

Lucky in Love by Kasie West – I was excited that this book portrayed an interracial relationship (I’m all about that rep) but then the love interest might as well have been white. I don’t remember any defining characteristic that made him Asian except for his last name. Kasie West has been super hit or miss for me. Some books I love, but others are just flat. I did like the zoo setting though. 3/5

Let me know which of these books you’ve read in the comments! Do you agree or disagree with my quick takes?

MOVIE: To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before Cast

I’m sure most of you are already aware, but a couple of days ago some casting decisions regarding the movie adaptation of To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han were released. Here are my thoughts:

John Corbett as Lara Jean’s dad

I LOVE THIS CASTING DECISION. Seriously. I haven’t seen John Corbett in a ton of things, but he’s the perfect guy to play the well-meaning but a little lost dad of three half-Korean girls. I LOVE THIS.

Janel Parrish as Margot, Lana Condor as Lara Jean, Anna Cathcart as Kitty

I really like Janel as Margot. She seems the appropriate age and definitely has that older sister vibe.

Lana was the first casting decision I saw and at the time I thought, “Alright, she looks like she’d fit”. Now that I see her with the other two sisters, though, she looks way more Asian than they do. Like…she doesn’t look like she’s half-white while the other two do (and I would know, since I’m only half-Asian and have half-Asian siblings). I just feel like that’s going to bug me the whole movie, but we’ll see.

Anna looks like a suitable Kitty, which is a big relief. Kitty is probably THE MOST IMPORTANT CHARACTER and if they get her wrong, HEADS WILL ROLL.

Noah Centineo as Peter Kavinsky

Sure *shrugs*. This isn’t how I pictured Peter looking (for some reason I thought he had reddish hair?) but I can buy it.

Israel Broussard as Josh Sanderson

Pretty much the same reaction that I had for Peter. I guess he looks like the boy-next-door type, so I can buy it.

On a completely separate note, IMDB says that Will Smith is a producer? Random.

What do you guys think about the casting decisions for TABILB? Is there another actress/actor that you wish had been cast instead?

P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han [Spoilers]

Warning: This post will contain spoilers. I normally try to steer clear of those, but I just can’t talk about this book without spoiling some things.

Lara Jean likes Peter for real and it looks like he likes her back, but she’s not quite sure how to act in this new, real relationship. So she and Peter draw up a new contract. Peter will not be more than five minutes late. Lara Jean will not make Peter do crafts of any kind. Peter doesn’t have to call Lara Jean before he goes to bed at night, but he can if he feels like it. Lara Jean will only go to parties if she feels like it. Peter will give Lara Jean rides whenever she wants. Lara Jean and Peter will always tell each other the truth. Peter and Lara Jean will not break each other’s hearts.

I FEEL SO CONFLICTED ABOUT THIS BOOK. I remember really liking the first one, but as I started to read this one, I couldn’t remember why I liked Peter or even why I liked Lara Jean. I will say, though, I still LOVE Kitty. She’s probably my favorite character. I’m sure she’d be hard to live with, but she’s awesome to read about. But back to Peter and Lara Jean. I just didn’t get why they were together. I didn’t see what Lara Jean saw in Peter besides his good looks. What else is there about him? He just doesn’t seem like her type at all. It was also hard for me to see what Peter saw in Lara Jean. Why does he want to be with her so bad? I just don’t get it. Somehow they made sense to me in the first book, but not in this one.

So…the love triangle. I agree with some reviewers that it was a little much to add a second love triangle to the series. But let’s be honest, Jenny Han loves writing about love triangles (I mean, you guys have read her Summer series, right?) What I’m trying to say is, this shouldn’t have been unexpected and frankly, I like John better. I think he and Lara Jean are MUCH better suited for one another. Just take the end and compare John’s birthday present versus Peter’s. John gives her this wonderful gift, a snow globe that Lara Jean LOVES. He obviously thought really hard about what to give her and just naturally seems to be on the same wavelength. Peter’s gift, on the other hand, pales in comparison. He gives her back the necklace (which he took back from her in the first place) and it’s not even like he came up with that idea on his own. Lara Jean had told him that she liked the necklace. No way Peter would have thought to get that for her by himself. Also, John definitely would have written an original poem for Lara Jean on Valentine’s Day.

In the end, not only do I feel like Lara Jean chose the wrong guy, but it was also very sudden. First Peter’s kind of being a jerk but then all of a sudden he wants Lara Jean back and it all seems very random and happens within five pages. Honestly, it seemed more like Peter wanted to keep John from having Lara Jean than Peter actually wanting Lara Jean for her. Whatever. I don’t get it, but whatever.

Last thing: there was one part of the book that especially bothered me on a more personal level. Lara Jean and Peter are in the tree house and their conversation leads to Peter saying something like, “Any guy who says he doesn’t watch porn is lying” and Lara Jean isn’t even fazed by it. What? First of all, what Peter is saying here isn’t true. It’s just not. Second of all, Lara Jean should definitely be bothered by this! Ignore any moral or religious beliefs regarding porn–porn is scientifically proven to be damaging to individuals and relationships. Porn is harmful and addictive and–despite the attempts of the media to normalize it–is not okay. Go to www.fightthenewdrug.org for more information on how Porn Kills Love. I’ll get off my soapbox now. Sorry, not sorry.

Overall Rating: 3
Language: Moderate. A few scenes with strong language.
Violence: None
Sexual Content: Heavy. Nothing explicit, but pretty constant talk throughout.
Smoking/Drinking: Mild

The Summer I Turned Pretty Trilogy by Jenny Han

Belly (short for Isabel) has been going to the beach house every summer since she can remember with her mom and her brother, Steven. They share the beach house with her mom’s childhood best friend and her two sons Conrad and Jeremiah. The three boys have always been their own little crew and all Belly wants is to be included. Finally things start to change the summer she turns 16. For the first time she feels pretty and she thinks the boys are starting to notice that too.

I did not particularly care for these books. Obviously Belly is going to be caught between the two brothers and we’re going to see how that plays out. Blah blah blah. First of all, I guess I didn’t particularly care for Belly. In the first book she’s too immature–always on the brink of crying or getting overly embarrassed. In the second book she’s grown up a little bit, but not really. In the last book she’s just okay. Secondly, I didn’t really like either of the brothers! It’s kind of a problem when you don’t like any of the three main characters. I could never take Jeremiah seriously and Conrad was too back and forth. Just make up your mind! I will say, though, that I liked both Taylor and Susannah.

Speaking of people going back and forth…Belly drove me nuts. The. Whole. Time. Pick a guy and stick with it. I just didn’t like that this one girl was pitting two brothers against each other. How awkward. These are people you have to spend the rest of your life with! They were easy reads, but I wouldn’t say they were necessarily fun. Mostly I was agonizing over how dumb the characters were and just wanted them to make up their minds.

Overall Rating: 2
Violence: Mild
Sexual Content: Moderate
Language: Moderate
Smoking/Drinking: Heavy