Even just thinking about To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before makes me smile. Now, let me be clear: this is no ground-breaking, world-changing story. It’s a simple, sweet, and romantic — nothing to crazy. And yet, in the realm of YA realistic fiction novels, it doesn’t get much better than To All The Boys.

The main character, Lara Jean, is a sixteen year old middle child who has been through a lot in life. After her mother died when she was little, her older sister Margot stepped up to take care of Lara Jean and their younger sister, Kitty. Now that Margot is heading off to college, it’s Lara Jean’s time to grow up and take Margot’s place whether she feels ready or not.

All of a sudden, Lara Jean’s deepest and most confidential secrets — secret love letters that she’s written to every boy she’s ever loved — somehow get sent to the boys whom they address. Lara Jean’s life quickly escalates from busy to beyond chaotic. To All The Boys is Lara Jean’s journey as she learns to be independent, face her fears, take chances, and open herself to love.

One of my favorite aspects of To All The Boys is the strong bond between the Covey sisters (or, as they are more often called, the “Song girls”). Yes, they individually are a bit clichéd (Margot, the oldest, is responsible and smart; Lara Jean, the middle child and main character, admires her older sister and just wants to please the people around her; Kitty, the youngest, is feisty, sassy, and stubborn), but still, sisterhood itself … is never clichéd. I speak from experience. Having a younger sister myself, I know the unbreakable and unconditional friendship that comes with sisterhood. Jenny Han does an excellent job making this clear, and throughout the entire book, I found myself not only rooting for each of the sisters individually, but for their relationship with one another.

Of course, Lara Jean relationship witth Peter Kavinsky is at the core of the story, and it’s what makes the book what it is. They are just one of those couples that you can’t help but root for, and they’re very much the epitome of the couple that would get voted “Cutest High School Couple”: they’re the smarty and the athlete (ahem, High School Musical vibes, much?), and the shy and the outgoing. Even when their relationship is strained, they both still have a soft spot for one another. So cue the “oohs” and “aahs”!

In the end, it comes down to this: To All The Boys will not change your life or break down your walls, but it is comforting. It has the rare power to bring simple, pure, untethered happiness — something that we all crave. For this reason, To All The Boys reminds me of why I love reading. Reading is a place of refuge, something to can enjoy during good times, but also turn to during bad times. To All The Boys suits this purpose perfectly. So, whether you’re having a good day, a bad day, or anything in between, carve out some time for yourself, guilt-free, and check out To All The Boys. It won’t disappoint.    

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