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
Lucas is waiting for Lara Jean after third period. He has something important to share: he saw Peter leaving Genevieve’s house last night, and Genevieve just broke up with her college boyfriend. She’s trying to get Peter back, and Lara Jean shouldn’t let her. Lara Jean knew that this was going to happen—Peter is going to go back where he belongs.
Lucas’s information doesn’t inspire Lara Jean to be truthful with Peter in an attempt to get him to stay with her. Rather, she sees this as proof that their relationship isn’t real, and that she’s just holding Genevieve’s place until Peter goes back “where he belongs.”
Themes
Lara Jean initially plans to keep Josh’s kiss a secret. But when she sees Genevieve and Peter walking together, she changes her mind. In chemistry, she writes Peter a note saying he was right about Josh; Josh kissed her. Peter stiffens but doesn’t write back. Once class is over, Peter angrily asks what happened. He says it’s ridiculous that Josh kissed his girlfriend and vows to confront him. Peter asks Lara Jean if she kissed him back. She asks why it matters and asks Peter to not talk to Josh.
Given how angry and jealous Peter is that Josh kissed Lara Jean, it seems likely that he is falling for her—and that he’s just as confused about where their relationship stands as Lara Jean is. But again, because neither of them is willing to be totally truthful about their feelings, they’re unable to resolve this argument.
Themes
