Always and Forever, Lara Jean Review: Nostalgia of Finishing High School

June 13, 2017 by Jeann @ Happy Indulgence | 5 stars, Books, Reviews

Always and Forever, Lara Jean Review: Nostalgia of Finishing High SchoolAlways and Forever, Lara Jean by Jenny Han
Series: To All the Boys I've Loved Before #3
Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers on May 2nd, 2017
Source: Purchased
Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Own Voices, Diversity
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Lara Jean’s letter-writing days aren’t over in this surprise follow-up to the New York Times bestselling To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before and P.S. I Still Love You.

Lara Jean is having the best senior year a girl could ever hope for. She is head over heels in love with her boyfriend, Peter; her dad’s finally getting remarried to their next door neighbor, Ms. Rothschild; and Margot’s coming home for the summer just in time for the wedding.

But change is looming on the horizon. And while Lara Jean is having fun and keeping busy helping plan her father’s wedding, she can’t ignore the big life decisions she has to make. Most pressingly, where she wants to go to college and what that means for her relationship with Peter. She watched her sister Margot go through these growing pains. Now Lara Jean’s the one who’ll be graduating high school and leaving for college and leaving her family—and possibly the boy she loves—behind.

When your heart and your head are saying two different things, which one should you listen to?

Lara Jean and Peter Kavinsky, why are you so adorable? I loved this conclusion to their story, as they farewell high school and start a new chapter of their lives.

This book just felt so nostalgic, perfectly capturing the excitement and nervousness that comes with finishing high school and the future possibilities of college and the beyond. From spending those last few moments with your family and classmates, to finding out that plans change and appreciating the opportunities that have been given to you, Always and Forever captured an authentic high school experience.

From a young girl crushing on guys around her, to learning where she fits in among her family and peers, Lara Jean has grown so much throughout her journey. While I found she was quite young and naive in To All the Boys I’ve Loved Beforehere she’s older and is comfortable with who she is. Unlike her other two siblings, Lara Jean clings onto the past and finds it difficult to embrace change, but I loved how her family and her friends influenced her to embrace the college experience.

The puppy love between her and Peter is adorable, although I found it funny how Lara Jean referred to him as teenage boy at some points. She a teenager herself but she feels like an old soul. It’s refreshing to have a romance that is as sweet and innocent as theirs. I liked that they still had problems in their relationship to work through, like any couple it can’t always be rainbows and butterflies.

I also loved seeing her father remarry and end up someone he’s happy with. It was sweet how important the opinion and thoughts of his daughters were in his life, and seeing them work through the conflicting feelings of so many changes at home and at school.

I guess that’s part of growing up, too–saying goodbye to the things you used to love.

Capturing the excitement upon finishing high school, college acceptances and saying goodbye, Always and Forever Lara Jean was such a beautiful conclusion to the series. I will miss the Song girls and Lara Jean and Peter, but I’m happy to say that I’m completely satisfied with the end of the series.

Rating: 5 out of 5

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Jeann is an Aussie YA blogger and mum who loves to read and recommend books! You can usually find me fangirling about books on my various social media channels including Twitter @happyindulgence, Instagram and Youtube.

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17 responses to “Always and Forever, Lara Jean Review: Nostalgia of Finishing High School

  1. I could not agree with you more, Jeann! I have always felt like Lara Jean was my bookish soulmate, and in this book, I was sure of it! It was SO authentic for me- I went through so much of the same at the end of high school- actually, I was probably even more naive than LJ, if that’s possible? I also love the family dynamics SO much. Because let’s be real, not every teen hates their family! This is my favorite fluffy series in the history of fluffy 😀 Great review, I am so glad you loved it too!
    Shannon @ It Starts at Midnight recently posted…And Then There Were Four by Nancy Werlin: Blog Tour & ReviewMy Profile

    • I’m so glad to hear that you found someone you could relate to! I completely agree, she’s naive and she definitely went through a huge learning curve towards the end of high school, and I loved that! And it’s so true, I’m glad her family were a huge, present part of her life.

  2. Not only are the covers gorgeous, but it is honestly such an amazing story. Her dad is amazing and it was a cute and light read I really needed at the time. I’m so glad you share my sentiments in how FANTASTIC it truly was.

  3. I DON’T KNOW WHY I HAVEN’T READ THIS YET but I need to!! I really want to re-read the first two beforehand so I can really enjoy LJ’s journey and how much she grows. A lot of people have said they didn’t find this book entirely necessary, but I think this pivotal time in her life was really important to include in her story. Also, I love how Han always keeps the romance cute and sweet and just plain real. Wonderful review!!
    Lefty @ The Left-Handed Book Lover recently posted…Lefty’s Lowdown: I’m Not in the Band by Amber GarzaMy Profile

    • I loved this one, it was actually my favourite out of the rest of the series! I feel like Lara Jean’s really come on her own and it gave her that perfect HEA. Thank you Lefty, I hope you enjoy it when you get the chance!

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