Based on the novels by Jenny Han and adapted into films by Netflix, the “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” franchise has just released their second movie, “To All the Boys: P.S I Still Love You”. Since the first film had hooked so many fans, the second film had already built a following, leaving many awaiting its release. Like the first film, the release of the sequel caused an uproar amongst rom-com fans everywhere.

  The film was released on February 12, 2020, just two days before Valentines Day. The timeline of the movie matched up with the timeline of the release: the sequel picked up right around Valentines Day with Lara Jean Covey’s (Lana Candor) and Peter Kavinsky’s (Noah Centineo) relationship in full swing.

  At the first movie’s end, Lara Jean and Peter had just confessed their true feelings toward each other, leaving viewers wondering what would be in store for them. With the fate of the couple up in the air, many viewers were relieved to see the second film open with a montage of their happy, healthy relationship.

  However, I had seen far too many rom-coms to believe their happiness would last; there was still an entire movie left to add trials and tribulations. After I saw the blooming relationship going well, I instantly realized that the director was probably building up their relationship so much because something that would jeopardize their relationship was about to happen.

  Unfortunately, I was right.

  In the first movie, the main idea was that Lara Jean’s love letters had been sent out to all the boys she had loved before. In relation to the first movie, the letter had been sent to John Ambrose McClaren (Jordan Fisher) had some repercussions. After meeting John Ambrose at Model UN, Lara Jean had written a letter for him, with no intention of it getting out, but it did.

  Once John Ambrose had received the letter he, unlike any other letter recipient, wrote Lara Jean back. Normally, this would not be a problem, but since Lara Jean’s and Peter’s relationship was going so well, this added a tiny conflict. To add to the conflict, Lara Jean’s partner for her community service project is (you guessed it), John Ambrose.

  Entangled in the classic rom-com love triangle, Lara Jean is forced to choose between Peter and John Ambrose.

  Avoiding any spoilers, Lara Jean goes through many instances to make her choice. My personal favorite being the scene where Lara Jean, Peter, John Ambrose and a few others go to dig up a time capsule they had made when they were younger. This scene shows the awkwardness of the love triangle, because John Ambrose doesn’t know that Lara Jean and Peter are together.

  Through many other trials and tribulations, the film follows Lara Jean in making her decision, choosing between her childhood crush and her current love. Without giving anything away, or releasing any spoilers, I will say I was very happy with how the movie ended, and naturally was left wondering if there would be a third movie.

  I was thrilled to find out that there will be a third and final film to complete the franchise! After looking for any information regarding the production and release of the film, I found that the filming of the third movie had wrapped in September of 2019 and the franchise is currently working on production. While there is not a release date set yet, it gives avid fans of the movie something to look forward to after watching the sequel.

As a fan of every rom-com to ever exist, it’s safe to say that I thoroughly enjoyed the entirety of “To All the Boys: P.S I Still Love You.”

However, the biggest factor that separates it from other movies of it’s kind is the undeniable on-screen chemistry of Candor and Centineo (who play Lara Jean and Peter Kavinsky). The two actors so easily convey their characters’ stories that it makes the audience really invest in the characters and forget that they are watching a movie.

  While the first film was more lighthearted and heartwarming, the second film was more realistic and showed the more practical side of dating, while still holding onto the fanciful and romantic rom-com traits. Many viewers will like the first movie because of its lightheartedness, and others will like the second film more due to its realism.

  Many people believe that sequels are never as good as the originals in book or movie franchises, and I have to agree that this theory rings true in the “To All the Boys” franchise. While I still love the second movie, the first film, in my opinion,  is unmatched.

  To any rom-com fans in search of a new favorite, I highly recommend watching both “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” and “To All the Boys: P.S I Still Love You” on Netflix, and keeping an eye out for the release of the third film in the franchise.