A Reflection on P.S. I Still Love You: When Ships Don’t Sail
Jenny Han’s P.S. I Still Love You caught my attention not only because it’s the sequel to the beloved To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before but also due to the recent movie adaptation that has taken the world by storm. If you haven’t seen it yet, what are you doing with your life? But let’s talk about the book—because even though some movies sparkle brighter than their source material, this one had me grappling with more feelings than I’d anticipated!
In this charming yet frustrating sequel, we dive back into the life of Lara Jean Song Covey, who finds herself entangled in the on-again, off-again drama of young love. The story expands on the love triangle between our already familiar players: Lara Jean, her charming but frustrating boyfriend Peter Kavinsky, and the not-so-charming but infinitely more interesting John Ambrose McClaren. Right from the get-go, it’s clear that this installment brings layers of emotional complexity, which resonated so strongly with my own tumultuous high school experiences.
One of the standout themes is the turbulence surrounding love and identity. Lara Jean grapples with expectations—both external and internal—which feels super relatable. The tension between her heart and her head leads to moments of genuine self-discovery amidst the chaos of teenage relationships. But let’s be real: Peter and Lara Jean’s relationship reaches the level of "is this really what I want?" which left me feeling oddly conflicted.
As for the writing style, Han continues to shine with her ability to weave humor and heartfelt moments seamlessly. Yet, I couldn’t help but feel that the pacing occasionally lagged, which threw me out of the emotional whirlwind. The moments where Lara Jean bakes or shares activities with her sister Kitty spark joy, but the subplots involving Peter’s immature tantrums and online mishaps felt like unnecessary distractions. Seriously, who approved those plot points?
And let’s not even get started on Kitty—oh sweet, sassy Kitty, you steal every scene you’re in! She’s a comic relief and a heartwarming presence, showing that spunk and sass can come in small packages. That said, my heart also went out to John Ambrose McClaren, who, despite his ‘saltine cracker’ personality, offered a refreshing innocence and kindness that I craved for Lara Jean amid the ever-dramatic tides of high school romance.
Memorable moments abound, but when Lara Jean refers to her parents as "Mommy" and "Daddy," I had to roll my eyes a bit—it felt just a touch too juvenile for the deeper themes Han attempts to tackle. And although the highs outweighed the lows, the raw emotion sometimes tangled itself in arcs that didn’t quite land for me.
In conclusion, P.S. I Still Love You is a patchwork of enchanting moments and frustrating character developments. It’s perfect for readers who revel in the joys—and pains—of young love and appreciate characters that might make you scream and cheer in equal measure. Reflecting on my time with this book, I can’t help but embrace it as part of my ever-evolving literary journey.
While I may feel the yearning for the story to be a bit different—and trust me, I harbor plenty of righteous anger—I also can’t wait to see where Han takes us next! Whether you loved the first book or are intrigued by the movie, this sequel will certainly make your heart flutter… and perhaps even ache a little.
For a deeper dive into the series and my reflection on the movies, check out my review at Emma Reads Too Much. And yes, my bookworm card is still intact, thank you very much!
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