“To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” is the new cult classic rom-com of this generation. This Netflix Original film has viewers of all demographics caught up in their feelings. 

The premise of the storyline revolves around the protagonist, Lara Jean Covey (Lana Condor). An introverted and shy sixteen-year-old that has a close relationship with her sisters after the loss of their mother. Being raised by a signer father and older sister, Margot (Janel Parrish). Lara struggles with Margot’s decision to go off to college in Ireland and her new responsibility to be the big sister to Kitty (Anna Cathcart).

There is also that secret crush on her sister’s ex-boyfriend and childhood friend/neighbor, Josh Sanderson (Israel Broussard) that is only made more complicated by Margot’s absence. Even though Margot broke up with Josh in a cold-hearted way. Lara feels loyal to her sister by not crossing the boundary of pursuing her feelings for Josh. Resorting only to fictional book fantasy dreams and writing a love letter to Josh.

However, Josh’s love letter is not the only letter she has written as she keeps a box of unsent letters to past loves from youth. The box was never meant to be found, but younger sister Kitty decides to put Lara’s love life in her hands after discovering the addressed letters and has them mailed out.

One by one the letters are returned to sender (Lara) in person. First by Peter Covey (Noah Centineo), whom she developed a crush on in middle school after kissing him during spin the bottle. The two have a history as Peter dated Lara’s former middle school BFF, Gen (Emilija Baranac). Lara sees Josh approaching with a love letter in hand and tunes out Peter’s declination. Resorting into a spur of the moment choice to tackle Peter onto the track field and kiss him before fleeing to the women’s bathroom. Where she greeted by another love letter recipient, Lucas (Trezzo Mahoro) a boy she developed a crush on during the freshman homecoming dance. Lucas politely returns her letter back and informs Lara that he is gay.

Embarrassed and confused how the letters got out. She knows that Josh cannot confront her about the letter for the sake of Margot and devises a plan with Peter. One that will help Peter get Gen back after she broke up with him. While keeping Josh out of the picture from confronting her about the letter. The two decide to begin a fake relationship and soon develop true feelings for another. However, things get complicated as Lara’s jealousy and insecurities get the better of her about Gen.

Then there’s Peter and his struggles with letting go of Gen in order to allow himself to fall in love with Lara. In the end, Lara brings Peter another letter that confesses that she loves him. The two embark on a real relationship and fans are wondering if this story will continue as the book adaptation has two more sequels.

Personal Thoughts

• I loved the character of Lara Jean and found her relatable. Being a shy introvert like Lara, I found myself resonating with her journey. Minus the older sister bit as I have an older brother that had the same sibling code: No dating friends. While Lara has love letters with thoughts of crushes, I poured mine into my diary. But I wonder what would have happened if my own variation of love letters were sent out to my crushes?
• I enjoyed seeing diversity in leading roles and how they are interacted with another minus, of course, the antagonist, Gen. I am hoping we get more rom-com diverse leads in future films and a continuation of Lara’s love story.