By: Cait Marie
Blurb
Lara Jean is having the best senior year.
And there’s still so much to look forward to: a class trip to New York City, prom with her boyfriend Peter, Beach Week after graduation, and her dad’s wedding to Ms. Rothschild. Then she’ll be off to college with Peter, at a school close enough for her to come home and bake chocolate chip cookies on the weekends.
Life couldn’t be more perfect!
At least, that’s what Lara Jean thinks . . . until she gets some unexpected news.
Now the girl who dreads change must rethink all her plans—but when your heart and your head are saying two different things, which one should you listen to?
Review
I put this book off way too long. I read the first two before each movie released, and I was determined to do the same with this one as well, but then I got busy and just wasn’t in the mood. Mostly because it’s the end of the series, and I tend to procrastinate endings like it’s my job. I just wasn’t ready to say goodbye to Lara Jean and Peter.
I was also nervous about not enjoying the final book as much because the second wasn’t my favorite, to be super honest. I loved the first one and obsessively watched the movie over and over, and then the second released, I watched them both… and I haven’t watched either since. It might be because my brain doesn’t like just watching one and I never have time to watch both (or all three now), but it was also because the second book felt repetitive and dramatic just for drama’s sake. Don’t get me wrong, I still liked it, but it wasn’t something I loved enough to reread/rewatch frequently.
Hence, I was worried about the third book.
But I actually loved it! The first two were very love-triangle based, whereas this one was more focused on Lara Jean preparing for college, growing up, and figuring out how she and Peter were going to work out if they ended up at different schools. It also had a lot more of her family in it as well, which I really enjoyed.
There were a couple moments were Lara Jean felt a little immature, but I’m not sure if it was because of the writing or the narration since I listened to the audiobook. It wasn’t too bad though, and it didn’t make me want to stop reading. In fact, I listened to the whole book in two sittings because I wanted to know what happened.
This was a really good series finale. The very end felt a little rushed and didn’t give quite as much closure as I would have liked. However, since the characters are teenagers, it makes sense to leave it kind of open. They’re young and have a whole lifetime ahead of them. I would like to know what happens to them in the future though. (Hint hint, Jenny Han!)
Overall, I’m happy I read this trilogy. It was fun and sweet, with a lot of heartfelt moments, strong family bonds, and great messages about growing up. Now, I get to go watch the movie finally! I think I shall binge-watch the whole trilogy this weekend.
Functionally Fictional 