How to Read the To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before Books in Order
If you are ready to dive into the sweet, cozy, and heartfelt world of Lara Jean Song Covey, the reading path is straightforward. Jenny Han’s famous series is a contemporary young adult romance trilogy that follows a strict chronological order. You will want to read them in the exact order they were published to watch the relationships, characters, and high school drama unfold naturally.
Here is the recommended reading order for the main novels:
- To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (2014) – This is where it all begins. Lara Jean’s secret love letters, written to the five boys she has loved, are mysteriously mailed out. To save face, she enters a fake-dating arrangement with Peter Kavinsky, sparking a real-life romance.
- P.S. I Still Love You (2015) – Lara Jean didn’t expect to actually fall in love with Peter, but now they have to navigate the complications of a real relationship. Things get even more complicated when another recipient of her letters, John Ambrose McClaren, enters the picture.
- Always and Forever, Lara Jean (2017) – The final chapter of the main trilogy. Lara Jean is facing her senior year of high school, major college decisions, and the bittersweet prospect of what graduation means for her relationship with Peter.
The To All the Boys Graphic Novel Adaptation
In addition to the original novels, fans can experience Lara Jean's story in a whole new format. A graphic novel adaptation of the first book was released in May 2026. This version features script work by Jenny Han herself, with adaptation by Barbara Perez Marquez and illustrations by artists Akimaro and Li Lu. It is a fantastic companion piece for long-time fans who want to see their favorite scenes visualized on the page, or for newer readers who enjoy graphic novel formats.
The On-Screen Universe: Movies and the XO, Kitty Spin-Off
While the book series ended with the third novel in 2017, the story expanded significantly on screen. Netflix adapted the trilogy into three hit movies, starring Lana Condor and Noah Centineo, which stayed relatively close to the books:
- To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (2018)
- To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You (2020)
- To All the Boys: Always and Forever (2021)
If you want to continue exploring this universe after finishing the books, you can watch the television spin-off series, XO, Kitty, which premiered on Netflix in 2023. This series shifts the spotlight to Lara Jean’s younger sister, Kitty Song Covey, as she moves to Seoul, South Korea, to attend an international boarding school and seek out her own epic romance. Note that while Jenny Han co-created and wrote for the show, there are no companion novels or books written for XO, Kitty.
What to Know Before You Start
Before you crack open the first book, here are a few practical tips to help you get the most out of the series:
- Can the books be read as standalones? No, we highly recommend reading them in order. The narrative builds directly from one book to the next, tracking the growth of Lara Jean's relationships and her journey toward adulthood. Reading them out of order will spoil major plot points.
- The Tone: The series is famous for its cozy, comforting atmosphere. It places a heavy emphasis on family, particularly the bond between the three Song sisters (Margot, Lara Jean, and Kitty), baking, and cultural identity alongside the central romance.
- Connections to other Jenny Han works: Jenny Han is also the author of the popular The Summer I Turned Pretty trilogy. While both series share a signature warm, romantic tone and have been adapted into major screen projects, they take place in entirely separate fictional universes. You do not need to read one to understand the other.