Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Family, Responsibility, and Growing Up
Love and Fear
Social Structure, Reputation, and High School
Lies vs. Honesty
Summary
Analysis
Josh texts after school and invites Lara Jean to go to the diner after school, “like old times.” Though Lara Jean thinks that old times would mean Margot was with them, this might be a nice change. They sit in their usual booth by the jukebox, and Lara Jean wonders what Margot is up to in Scotland. She takes Josh’s quarters and puts on Margot’s favorite song on the jukebox. They both order their usual dishes.
Lara Jean is still uncomfortable with everything else going on in her life, so going to the diner with Josh, “like old times,” is a way to try to recreate the past. It’s supposed to help her feel like nothing has changed—but instead, she discovers that it’s impossible to ignore that things have changed. Margot, for one, isn’t here.
Themes
To break the awkward silence, Lara Jean asks if Josh has spoken to Margot at the same time as he asks how things are going with Peter. Josh says he thinks Margot is homesick, since she calls occasionally. Lara Jean says she hasn’t gotten that impression, and she’s pretty sure she’s not willing to go to college so far away. Josh muses that they’re definitely not going to Paris now. When their food arrives, he offers Lara Jean his first sip of milkshake, as usual.
Lara Jean and Josh haven’t really had to negotiate their relationship to each other without Margot around, so this is all new for them. Margot is the main thing they have in common, and it seems like they’re focusing on her to avoid acknowledging the awkwardness between them.
Themes
Josh asks again about Peter. Lara Jean doesn’t want to lie—but as she says that Peter is sweet and “not what you’d think,” she realizes it’s true. He might be chronically late and obnoxiously cocky, but she likes him. Josh doesn’t look convinced, so Lara Jean says that Kitty loves Peter. Though Lara Jean has been thinking the same thing, it hurts when Josh says that Kitty shouldn’t get too attached. After Josh says this, the atmosphere changes, and Lara Jean thinks that nothing will ever be the same.
Josh has dropped hints that he might still have a crush on Lara Jean, which may explain some of his skepticism when it comes to Peter. Lara Jean is able to come to the conclusion that she truly likes Peter because she’s finally gotten to see him for who he really is, not just for his reputation. Josh, though, hasn’t gotten to that point.
Themes
Suddenly, Josh apologizes for what he said and says he’s just jealous. Lara Jean feels immediately warm toward him and notes that Kitty still loves Josh best. Then, Josh notes that there’s a Lord of the Rings marathon at the theater this weekend. He invites Lara Jean but then suggests he’ll take Kitty instead. Lara Jean privately wonders if she and her sisters are interchangeable in Josh’s mind. A bit later, Genevieve comes into the diner with a little kid; she volunteers to tutor elementary kids. Genevieve takes in Josh and Lara Jean and then waves. She looks happy, which Lara Jean knows is bad news.
Lara Jean has already observed that Josh is lonely these days, with Margot gone and Lara Jean keeping him at a distance. He wants friendship and someone to hang out with, just like Lara Jean does. Genevieve’s appearance reminds Lara Jean that she can’t escape the purpose of her pretend relationship with Peter: to annoy Genevieve.
Themes
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At dinner later, Peter texts and asks Lara Jean to at least not hang out with Josh in public. Lara Jean reads the text under the table and wonders if Peter is jealous. Daddy and Kitty interrupt Lara Jean’s reverie; Daddy says that he likes Peter, and that Peter is very taken with Lara Jean. Kitty concurs. She notes that Peter always looks at Lara Jean to make sure she’s having a good time. Then, Daddy starts to tear up as he says that Margot took on so much, and it’s nice to see Lara Jean making new friends. Lara Jean feels like it’s a lie. Then, Daddy asks Kitty to never grow up. Kitty says she won’t if Daddy gets her a puppy. Lara Jean vows to talk to Daddy about the puppy. She admires Kitty’s shamelessness.
Though Daddy and Kitty aren’t aware of the circumstances surrounding Lara Jean and Peter’s relationship, they may still be able to offer some important insight into their relationship. Daddy seems to pick up on the fact that Lara Jean is falling for Peter, and that Peter seems to return her feelings. When Daddy starts to tear up, it suggests that while he may have appreciated Margot’s help, he still wants his daughters to enjoy their youth. He’s aware that they’re choosing to take care of the family rather than pursue their own interests.
Themes
