Lara Jean Covey from All the Boys I've Loved Before
The To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before trilogy, adapted from Jenny Han’s YA novels, ended with Always and Forever this Valentine’s Day weekend, and no one should doubt that the project was carried from start to finish by Lana Condor as Lara Jean Covey: a dreamy introvert who wins the ultimate prize of every teenage romantic comedy: the social status that comes through hooking up with high school’s most popular boy.
As is the way of things, it was her screen partner that got all the attention on social media, but there’s really no understating how vital Lara Jean is in making this all work. Often love stories write their female leads as little more than ciphers, their main purpose being to provide a blank slate for readers to project themselves onto, but Lara Jean is interesting enough on her own, and the romance itself is built heavily upon the quirks of her distinct personality.
Specifically, that the death of her mother at a young age means she relies heavily on rules and conditions – things that she can control. The initial fake relationship with Peter involves them drawing up a contract of dos and don’ts, sealed with a handshake and strictly adhered to (at least at first) and it’s genuinely beautiful the way this love story premise reflects so deeply on Lara Jean’s inner self.
As such, the romance doesn’t just happen for its own sake, but reintroduces Lara to both spontaneity and risk-taking. She’s allowed to set her boundaries and literally make the rules, but – as is the way in stories – these are gradually eroded (on her terms!) as the story goes on. A teenage love story in which the girl is completely in control? That’s the fantasy.
And naturally, there’s more to her than that. From her dynamics with her widowed father and two sisters (one older, one younger), to her love of baking and romance novels, her Korean heritage and distinctive fashion style, Lara Jean carries the series with ease and charm and depth.
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