P.S. I Still Love You
Author: Jenny Han
Series: To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before #2
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Release Date: May 26, 2015
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Summary:
They were just pretending. Until they weren’t. And now Lara Jean has to learn what it’s like to be in a real relationship and not just a make-believe one.
But when another boy from her past returns to her life, Lara Jean’s feelings for him suddenly return too.
Can a girl be in love with two boys at once?
In this charming and heartfelt sequel to the New York Times bestseller To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, we see first love through the eyes of the unforgettable Lara Jean. Love is never easy, but maybe that’s part of what makes it so amazing.
First Sentence: Dear Peter, I miss you.
I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for a honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.
My Review:
P.S. I Still Love You was one of my most anticipated books of the year. With how To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before left things, I needed some answers, especially since there would be a sequel. I was the happiest girl in the world when I found P.S. I Still Love You two weeks early in my mailbox (thank you so much Simon & Schuster!) and hoped that I would enjoy it. I am happy to report that I did!
I felt extremely conflicted and worried when I read the summary of P.S. I Still Love You. The summary of P.S. I Still Love You screamed LOVE TRIANGLE ALERT! and I was definitely worried that that would ruin everything. However, after reading P.S. I Still Love You, I can say that even though P.S. I Still Love You has a sort-of love triangle, there were no annoying love triangle elements like Lara Jean hanging out with the other guy to make him jealous, you know, all those annoying love triangle elements. I can’t say anything else in fear of spoilers.
Strangely, I think of Genevieve, of who we used to be to each other. Ours was the kind of friendship that makes sense as a kid but not so much now that we’re older. I suppose you can’t hold on to old things just for the sake of holding on. (29)
Man, did P.S. I Still Love You also constantly pull at my emotions. While reading P.S. I Still Love You, one moment I was grinning with a goofy smile on my face and at the next moment, I was wiping my tears away during a certain point in the book. You guys are definitely in for one wild ride.
I know a lot of people were annoyed at Lara Jean in To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before because she acted so much younger than her actual age. However, Lara Jean really matures and grows in P.S. I Still Love You. She still doesn’t act completely like her age – only two years younger – but she is a lot brighter and smarter than she was in To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before.
I love the minor theme that was going on in P.S. I Still Love You – P.S. I Still Love You explores and points out the double standards for girls and guys. I can’t say much more as it’ll be a spoiler (I wonder how much times I’ll be saying this in my review), but I definitely approve of what Jenny Han was doing.
“I think that as long as you’re ready and it’s what you want to do and you’re protecting yourself, then it’s okay and you should do what you want to do.”
Margot says, “Society is far too caught up in shaming a woman for enjoying sex and applauding a man…It’s a ridiculous double standard.” (50)
My only problem with P.S. I Still Love You was that I am not exactly sure if I love the ending. At my first read – yes, I read P.S. I Still Love You more than once, it was that good – I really enjoyed the ending. The second and third time I read it, I had more and more questions popping up in my mind, little questions that I doubt I would ever get answers to. I guess Jenny wanted everything else to be left to the imagination?
Overall, I definitely enjoyed and loved P.S. I Still Love You. If you’re a fan of To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, you’ll definitely enjoy reading P.S. I Still Love You too!
I just started To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before last night! I am so glad you enjoyed PS!
Missie @ A Flurry of Ponderings
Missie recently posted…Blast From The Past Revew – Cinder (Re-Read)
Okay it’s good to know that Lara has grown up quite a bit here. I was rather annoyed with her in the first book. I don’t deal well reading about immature characters. Still I am looking forward to this one. Ah the bliss of being young and in love….
Wow! If it’s a 4 stars for you, then it must be really good.
I wasn’t sure I wanted to read it because of the love triangle, but I’m glad you enjoyed it. I’ll give it a try.
I absolutely loved P.S. I still love you!! I went through 4 of Jenny Han’s books in less than 4 days! I had read To all the boys I’ve loved before a wile ago but I didn’t know that there was a sequel! So I read the summer I turned pretty series and P.S. I still love you very quickly for my pace of reading, and just because they were so amazing! I love her writing! And even now after I’ve read them I feel like the books are all I think about! Whenever I hear or see something that remotely goes with the book I think about the books and how good they were!!! 😘😘
Hopping over to Goodreads now to add it to my pile! Sqqquueee! I’m super excited to read this one and have been eyeing this beauty for a while. (Also, didn’t know there was a previous one before thus one so duhh, have to add that one as well.) ♡♡
Keionda@Keionda Hearts Books recently posted…Eh, Slightly Better Than The First ^^Review Running Home To You
I was worried about the love triangle too but I’m happy to hear that it isn’t super annoying? Or used mainly as a plot device to keep up the intrigue of who will she pick. I have heard a bit about the ending being maybe a little too open-ended… I don’t know how I feel about that. But at least I can find out in TWO MORE DAYS. Wonderful review Kelly!
Annie recently posted…If We Were Having Coffee #3
Good review. Jenny Han is a good writer and I have read some of her books. I haven’t read this one yet though. :)
If it’s a 4 stars from you, I definitely can’t wait to read it! I liked the first book but was unsure about the love triangle in this one because they usually make you scream in frustration at the characters.
Smitha recently posted…The Zombie Apocalypse Book Tag!
I’m really glad you enjoyed this because I’ve been waiting for this since I read the first one at the beginning of the year! And if you read it THREE times?!? Well I need to read it soon then!
Katie @ Book Arrows recently posted…Mini Reviews: Series, Series, Series
As one of those people who thought Lara Jean was immature in the first, I am so excited to know that she matures in this one! I’m also glad the love triangle isn’t all that annoying. You convinced me to read this! :)
Gabs @ My Full Bookshelf recently posted…Review: The Executioner’s Daughter
I was really worried about the appearance of a love triangle! Thank goodness that won’t be a problem! I loved the first book and can’t wait to read this one!
Great review! :)
Jessica recently posted…REVIEW: The Heir by Kiera Cass
Glad to hear you liked it and Lara Jean grew up a bit. I am really looking forward to reading this one. Great review!
Grace @ Rebel Mommy Book Blog recently posted…Weekly Rewind ~ 5.24.15
I’ve heard a but about this book now. It looks so good! I better add it to my list to read hey! Great review thanks for sharing :)
The Cosy Dragon recently posted…Review: Karelia Stetz-Waters – The Purveyor
not a fan of triangles; nice review
I’m so excited to read this book! I preordered it and am eagerly awaiting that delivery in the mail! I read To All The Boys in a days time and was shocked at how Jenny Han left me hanging! I’m excited to see what happens next. Good review!
Let recently posted…My FIRST book review!
Since you seemed to enjoy P.S. I Still Love You more than I thought you would, I’m totally psyched to read this one too! Though I haven’t caught up with everyone else and seem to still be behind everyone else too. I still need to read To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before…I’m super late. But now that I know book 2 is something to look forward to, I’m definitely going to try to read TATBILB as soon as I can! :D
Stunning review Kelly :D I’m so glad that you liked this one a whole lot. <3 I do think it looks so cute. But not my kind of book, sadly. Sigh. One day, I hope :D You do make it seem amazing. <3 Thank you for sharing about it sweetie :)
Carina Olsen recently posted…Waiting on Wednesday #189
I agree with you. I love how it started, I love how Lara Jean gives importance to her family, but gawd, the ending? I don’t even know what to say.
I am actually really excited to read this book! It took me a long time to pick up the first book, but I was so glad I did!
I’m glad there aren’t any annoying love-triangle elements, it’s something I try to avoid when it comes to books, because that had me really worried when I read the synopsis to PSISLY.
Awesome review!
WOW! It is so awesome that you got a review copy of this two weeks early! That’s really surprising since I hadn’t heard a whole lot about review copies. :)
Oh my gosh, I’m glad there isn’t any of the juvenile “Oh, I’m going to hang out with this guy to make my ex jealous”. That’s such a relief.
I was one of the people who was really annoyed at how young Lara sounded, but the more I think about it, the more it makes sense for her to act that way. I’m so glad that she matures a bit at least. I don’t think I could take a repeat of the last book with her same personality.
I love books that talk about and show double standards between women and men, that’s something that needs to really be talked about more because it’s so relevant.
Oh no, now I’m scared. Someone was telling me a week or two ago about how they want a THIRD book in the series and I was hoping she’d be the lone wolf in that but…apparently not. D: I’m just a bit scared now, I can’t do a do-over of the ending like TATBILB again. Gah…I guess I’ll take my chances though since I’ve got a copy of this book on it’s way to me. :)
Great review Kelly. I have to say I’m very proud I managed to not look at any of the quotes you used. Haha. Minus the first line.
Amber @ YA Indulgences recently posted…May Recap + Looking Forward To: June
I’m kinda with you on the ending. Though I’ve only read it once, I thought it was a bit rushed. Especially the thing with Gen and John. I thought there would’ve been something more added… but oh well. Awesome review, by the way!
I’m supposed to get this on the mail tomorrow! I can’t wait to read it; the anticipation is killing me. I really hope I enjoy i because I loved the first book.
Great review! :)
Sophie @ Seamless Reader recently posted…Waiting On Wednesday #10: The Lies About Truth
These books look sound and look darling. Not only do I love the covers, I also love the little bit I read of book one. It seems like this duology wouldn’t follow all of the normal contemporary patterns and I love that. Thanks for sharing your well-written, thoughtful review, Kelly.
Rissi recently posted…Hearts Made Whole by Jody Hedlund
This book was a WIIIILLLDD ride for me. Oh, I ended up loving it as much as the first one in the end, but for a while I was worried I’d have to drop my rating to a 3 star…and I was loathe to do that! But by the end I was so happy with the way things played out. The payoff was worth it. And the most important thing to me: Everything was *really* realistic. It was happy and sweet in the end, but I felt like Han gave us the truth…what most high schoolers would do/feel.
Great review, and I’m glad we both enjoyed the book! :)
Sierra @ Yearning to Read recently posted…Review: Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater (#1)
I have this just waiting to be cracked open! Can’t wait to revisit Lara Jean and her boys. Glad you enjoyed it!!
This makes me so much more curious about To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before. Your reviews always make me more intrigued d:
I want to start reading TATBILB so i can read this book! It seems that it’s a fun and light read. I’m happy that you got to read it and you met Peter again haha.
OMG! OMG! Glad you love it because I totally love this book also the first one. I’m so inlove with this. I’m 21 yo but I enjoyed reading this book though it’s a little childish. I’m wishing for a book 3 because I’m a little unsure with the ending. But this is an awesome read. :)
Elle (@bookcatastrophe) recently posted…Photo
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE OTHER CHARACTER? LOL
Yup I love these 2 books of Jenny Han but I must agree about the ending of PS. At first I thought there was going to be a book 3 so I did a lil research and straight from the horse’s mouth that it’s just a duology. There were so many things left hanging in PS: did Peter really get over Gen already? Did Mr. Covey and Ms. Rothschild really went for a date? Did LJ and Peter finally do it? (LOL) these were just some of my concerns. :)
Oh, this is my favorite book! A little inappropriate, so would not recommend for younger children (8-11). I was laughing one moment, then crying. Emotions, emotions. I really liked John, and quite honestly, I don’t think Peter deserved Lara Jean. I mean, if I were her, I’d be very, very jealous. But anyway, great book. Love it. 5 stars in my opinion.
Jenny Han left a lot of things hanging. I just hope there’s a book 3. I hope Jenny Han will change her mind. I was a bit disappointed about the ending. And there’s a part where I realized I’ve been reading a lot of what’s going on with her family and every food they eat and every single detail of that food (I didn’t read PS for the food). P.S is kinda nice tho, I had my ups and downs. I even drink beer while I read it because of the heartache I felt. For me it was okay.