It’s the age old question asked by any film or print fan around the planet. I know how many times I’ve been asked, ‘why would you read that, they made a movie?’ Obviously it’s because the book is always better.

But is it really?

Goodreads Synopsis:

Lara Jean didn’t expect to really fall for Peter.
She and Peter were just pretending. Except suddenly they weren’t. Now Lara Jean is more confused than ever.
When another boy from her past returns to her life, Lara Jean’s feelings for him return too. Can a girl be in love with two boys at once?

In this charming and heartfelt sequel to the New York Times bestseller To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, we see first love through the eyes of the unforgettable Lara Jean. Love is never easy, but maybe that’s part of what makes it so amazing.

My Thoughts

Turning on PS, I Still Love You the movie, I knew three things going in. First, Peter Kavinsky still has to steal my heart, even if I feel a connection to John Ambrose. (In the book, I did feel something for John Ambrose.) Second, the movie has to capture the childhood friendships in the retelling. It was my second favorite aspect of the book. Finally, Stormy has to steal the show. The connection between Lara Jean and Stormy needs to speak to me.

If those aren’t written and acted well, I guarantee disappointment.

So, Noah Centineo as Peter Kavinsky was fantastic, once again. I feel like he is the embodiment of Peter. I loved the character, but I love watching him even more. I got my wish when it comes to this character. I feel like John Ambrose was better in the book, but but in both adaptations my love for Peter knows no bounds.

The history of friendships was also done really well. So, in the first movie Lara Jean never says John Ambrose’s name to Peter when talking about the letters. I was afraid it would be because Peter and John’s friendship was hitting the drawing room floor. It wasn’t. It was as I suspected, LJ just didn’t say his name at the time purposely because of their history. The entire web of history between the group came to light in PS I Still Love You, just as it did in the book, done pretty darn well.

Baby Chick also pointed out how the title also applied to LJ and Gen’s history. You know, “PS, I still love you, Gen. You were my best friend.”

Mind blown.

Stormy was fantastically acted, and almost as fiesty in the movie as she was in the book. Almost, but not quite. I just wanted more.

When writing my Book vs Movie post for To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, one thing I remember being disappointed in was the lack of baking. Lara Jean is a stress baker. It was a big freaking deal. Baking was a big part of the story that felt dropped. In PS, I Still Love you the creators made an investment in this plot line. It wasn’t just one quick scene of baking, it was quips and one liners, and multiple baking scenes. It was very well done!

Now, as in any film adaptation of a book, there were multiple changes, but for me they were understandable, or at least so minor nothing really mattered.

For instance, John Ambrose is another volunteer in the movie, and not Stormy’s grandson like he was in the book. Not so big a deal though, right? The end result is the same. With that said, there was one difference from the book to the movie that, while it was minor, did make me sad; I really wanted to see John Ambrose in a vintage uniform at the dance. There’s a chance I’m remembering this wrong, but I could swear he surprised Lara Jean by wearing an army uniform for a throwback 50’s dance…

Finally, Kitty was fantastic, of course. And I loved the addition of Mrs Rothschild. I love the actress that plays Mrs Rothschild, and I’m looking forward to the next movie, Always and Forever, Lara Jean.

Winner

PS I Still Love You, Book

My heart lies with the book. Maybe it’s because PS, I Still Love You was my favorite book installment, because it was, but for me the written word was where it’s at.

With that said, overall, when comparing the first movie to the second, I seriously believe they franchise has found the best director. Maybe the movie comes in just behind the book for me, it doesn’t change the fact that Michael Fimognari was a genius at keeping his version of the adaptation true to the heart of the series. Fimognari is also the director for the final movie, and (terrible but true) I wish he had been the director of the first.