Han, Jenny--Always and Forever, Lara Jean informal buddy read starts July 7, 2018

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

This thread is open to discuss Always and Forever, Lara Jean by Jenny Han.



Synopsis
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?

[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

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[Moderators of NBRC, Challenger-in-Chief]

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[Maritza]

My copy should be in in 10 days.

[Laura]

I've started ( and will come back Maritza to chat with you)

Through chapter 4
(view spoiler)[
I can sympathize with Lara Jean worrying about acceptance into college as my son just went through this in the fall/winter. Then he stressed about exams. Grade 12 is an emotional year; wanting to be an adult and worrying about exams, acceptance, the future, etc.

Lara Jean at least has a positive outlet.

Lara Jean's dad and neighbor are cute together. I 'm happy that he isn't alone anymore. (hide spoiler)]
Looking forward to reading more

[Laura]

through chapter 11
(view spoiler)[ Oh no, I knew Lara Jean wasn't going to get accepted into the college of her choice. How devastating. I love how supportive her family is when she finds out that she hasn't been accepted.

Peter and Lara Jean still have that vibe, friendship, fun, humor to their relationship that I loved in book 1. Peter's promposal was cute.
I'm definitely being sucked back into the story but can't understand why there is no mention of Stormy's grandson from book 2?

I'm glad that Ravi was respectful to Lara Jean's dad that he decided the guest bedroom was the best option. How do you forget to tell your family that your b/f is vegetarian? I'm being to be a bit annoyed by Margot; though she does give Lara Jean an awesome pep talk about college at the end of chapter 11.
(hide spoiler)]

[Sarah]

I'm somewhere in chapter 11, so I think I can read your spoilers now, Laura. ;)

(view spoiler)[
I'm enjoying the vibe so far, too. I knew before it happened that Lara Jean wouldn't get into UVA, or where would the plot come from? (And really pleased that the plot doesn't seem to be all about boys this time, although the 'how will they cope with a "long-distance" relationship at college' will no doubt get some mileage. Not that I didn't like the other books, as I did, but you know. There are other important parts of life too.)

I like that we're about a year on from the last book, and Lara Jean does seem to have grown up - she is more sure of herself and of Peter.

I still love her dad and Trina. And I loved it when Lara Jean declared herself a Hufflepuff. Go Hufflepuff! :) (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

@Sarah
(view spoiler)[I knew there was something I was forgetting! How could I forget the Harry Potter talk? Go Hufflepuffs!!

(hide spoiler)]

[Sarah]

Laura wrote: "@Sarah
(view spoiler)[I knew there was something I was forgetting! How could I forget the Harry Potter talk? Go Hufflepuffs!! (hide spoiler)]"

Lol!

[Laura]

Finished
(view spoiler)[ I finished. I enjoyed it as much as the first two. Even though its YA; Han hits some big topics- young adults and the stress of their graduating year, choices and the consequences of, friendship and family.

Stormy's death was sad! The tribute at the home was very touching.
Lara Jean's dad deserves his happy ending!

Sarah- I agree; Lara Jean has matured through this book ( as has Peter though perhaps to a lesser extent) which Han shows us by the decisions Lara Jean makes. I like that Lara Jean was willing to listen to Peter's mom even though it was hurting her. I actually think Peter and Lara Jean both made the right choices. I thought the ending was appropriate.

I gave this one a 3 star. I 'd round up to 3.5. Thanks everyone for reading this trilogy with me. I thoroughly enjoyed it. (hide spoiler)]

[Claire]

I'm starting this now. I'm glad there's a buddy read for the last book in the trilogy. It gives me motivation to finish the series :)

[Sarah]

I've finished chapter 18.

(view spoiler)[
The proposal was very cute, I loved that. Seems like Lara Jean is using wedding prep the same way she was using baking - as a displacement activity.

Seriously, she ought to have some sort of creative career.

Otherwise, just like with book 2, by this point it feels like the book is losing its way a little. I start out happy to be back with these characters, and then when nothing much happens by the middle of the book, I lose interest a little. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

@ Sarah
(view spoiler)[ Lara Jean would definitely do well in a creative career. I agree she has definitely replaced the stress baking with wedding planning as an outlet for her stress. (hide spoiler)]

[Maritza]

Just got copy and i see that Lara Jean and Peter are still going strong. Glad to see them getting out and enjoying each other. Maybe he was the best choice for her.

[Sarah]

Laura wrote: "@ Sarah
(view spoiler)[Lara Jean would definitely do well in a creative career. I agree she has definitely replaced the stress baking with wedding planning as an outlet for her stress. (hide spoiler)]"

(view spoiler)[I can completely see her being a wedding or events planner. (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah]

Maritza wrote: "Just got copy and i see that Lara Jean and Peter are still going strong. Glad to see them getting out and enjoying each other. Maybe he was the best choice for her."

I liked Peter a lot more in this book! I've come around to him and Lara Jean as a couple.

[Sarah]

Laura wrote: "Finished
(view spoiler)[Sarah- I agree; Lara Jean has matured through this book ( as has Peter though perhaps to a lesser extent) which Han shows us by the decisions Lara Jean makes. I like that Lara Jean was willing to listen to Peter's mom even though it was hurting her. I actually think Peter and Lara Jean both made the right choices. I thought the ending was appropriate. (hide spoiler)] "

(view spoiler)[
I was really happy with the ending. I'm glad Lara Jean and Peter were able to allow each other their best options for college and still stay together.

It even persuaded me to add an extra star. (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Sarah wrote: "Laura wrote: "@ Sarah
[spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Lol.. yes or Bakery owner; baker? (hide spoiler)]

[Laura]

Sarah wrote: "Laura wrote: "Finished
[spoilers removed] "



..."
(view spoiler)[ It was a sweet ending wasn't it? I did like it and agree I am happy that decided to do their own thing and still be together.
At the end of the book I was convinced that Peter really did care for Lara Jean (hide spoiler)]

A movie based on To All the Boys I 've Loved.... is coming to Netflix!! Yeah!

[Maritza]

Laura wrote: "I've started ( and will come back Maritza to chat with you)

Through chapter 4

I can sympathize with Lara Jean worrying about acceptance into college as my son just went through this in the fall/w..."

I think that Lara Jean is an old soul that is why she worries so much about all things. She is an innocent romantic and I hope everything goes smoothly for her.

[Maritza]

Laura wrote: "through chapter 11
Oh no, I knew Lara Jean wasn't going to get accepted into the college of her choice. How devastating. I love how supportive her family is when she finds out that she hasn't been..."

I had some of the same thoughts. I am glad that their dad is getting his HEA. I felt that Lara Jean put too much emphasis on the school she wanted and did not leave possibilty for something else. Margot is just hurt as she is the oldest and would most remember her mother.

[Maritza]

Laura wrote: "Sarah wrote: "Laura wrote: "Finished
[spoilers removed] "



..."
It was a sweet ending wasn't it? I did like it and agree I am happy that decided to do their own thing and still be together.
At ..."

Oh my God I loved jt. What an ending and yet a beginning. I am glad they are going to try to make it work. I have tears in my eyes and my heart is aflutter.

[Maritza]

Sarah wrote: "Laura wrote: "@ Sarah
[spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

I see her as a mom. Baking and comforting her family.