The story opens with Lara Jean Covey , a quiet, book-loving, dreamy teenager who imagines herself in old-fashioned love stories. We see a fantasy sequence: she’s in a lush meadow wearing a long dress, kissing her crush. But it’s not real. She snaps out of her daydream — she’s still at home, in her room, living in a regular suburban house in Virginia. Lara Jean is 16, lives with her widowed father Dr. Dan Covey , older sister Margot , and younger sister Kitty . Her mother died when she was very young. Her older sister Margot is responsible and kind, practically the "second mom." Kitty is cheeky and clever, often stirring up harmless trouble. The Secret Letters Lara Jean has a secret. Whenever she has a serious crush, she doesn’t tell the boy — instead, she writes him a love letter. She pours out all her emotions, then seals the letter, addresses it, and hides it in a teal hatbox her mother gave her. Over the years, she has written five letters: Peter Kavinsky – ...