To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before – Full Movie Story

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:

  1. Peter Kavinsky – Her first kiss during a spin-the-bottle game in 7th grade.

  2. Josh Sanderson – Her next-door neighbor and Margot’s boyfriend.

  3. Lucas James – A sweet guy from homecoming who later comes out as gay.

  4. John Ambrose McClaren – A Model UN heartthrob.

  5. Kenny Donati – Her camp crush.

She doesn’t intend to ever send the letters. They're just a way of letting go of overwhelming feelings.

Margot Leaves for College

As summer ends, Margot prepares to leave for college in Scotland. The family says emotional goodbyes. But Lara Jean is quietly struggling — she’s also secretly in love with Josh, her sister’s boyfriend. They’ve been close for years, playing video games, biking, and talking about anything. Lara Jean even crushed on him before Margot started dating him.

Now that Margot has broken up with Josh to keep things uncomplicated before college, Lara Jean is feeling all kinds of confused and guilty.

The Letters Get Sent

Days later, Lara Jean’s life explodes.

While walking in school, Peter Kavinsky approaches her and pulls out her letter. Lara Jean is shocked — how does he have it? Peter thinks she still likes him. Before she can even respond, she sees Josh approaching from the other side — also holding his letter.

Panicked, Lara Jean kisses Peter on the spot and tells Josh she’s dating Peter now — just to escape the moment.

Turns out, all five letters have been mailed.

She rushes home and finds the box gone. Kitty, her little sister, confesses that she mailed them — thinking it would help Lara Jean “stop hiding.”

The Fake Relationship Deal

Peter later finds Lara Jean and proposes a solution: a fake relationship.

  • He wants to make his ex-girlfriend Genevieve (Gen) jealous.

  • She wants to avoid the Josh drama.

They agree to pretend-date and draw up a contract with rules:

  • No kissing (unless necessary).

  • No feelings.

  • No telling anyone the truth.

  • Peter will write her notes and buy her Korean yogurt drinks.

  • They must attend events together like a real couple.

Fake Dating Starts

They begin staging their relationship:

  • Holding hands in the hallway.

  • Sitting together at lunch.

  • Posting selfies online.

Peter starts writing cute Post-It love notes. Lara Jean is annoyed — but secretly touched.

At a party, Gen confronts her in the bathroom and taunts her. Lara Jean plays it cool, pretending she’s not intimidated. Peter, meanwhile, is gentle and protective. He doesn’t realize how this arrangement is making Lara Jean actually feel something.

Real Feelings Grow

Peter and Lara Jean start to spend real time together:

  • They bond over movies, snacks, and car rides.

  • Lara Jean opens up about her mom and her fears about love.

  • Peter talks about his parents' divorce and how his dad left.

  • They have inside jokes and natural chemistry.

At one point, Peter drives across town to get Lara Jean her favorite Korean yogurt drinks — a small but meaningful gesture that shows he really listens.

They both begin to fall for each other… but neither admits it.

The Ski Trip

The school ski trip becomes a turning point.

  • Lara Jean hesitates to go but ultimately agrees.

  • Gen tries to share a room with Peter, but he chooses Lara Jean’s side.

  • In a romantic moment under the stars, Lara Jean and Peter kiss in a hot tub — passionate, tender, real.

Unknown to them, a classmate records the moment and posts it online.

The next morning, Lara Jean is humiliated. People assume they had sex. She finds out Peter talked to Gen afterward, which devastates her.

Lara Jean shuts him out, feeling used and confused.

Fallout & Family Conflict

Margot comes home for winter break. Lara Jean and Josh finally talk, and he confesses he liked her too — but nothing ever happened between them. Lara Jean now realizes she no longer has those feelings.

Kitty, feeling bad, confesses she mailed the letters. She also shows Lara Jean all the love notes Peter wrote — he really does care.

Meanwhile, Lara Jean talks to her dad about being scared to love someone who might leave — just like her mom did. Her dad reassures her that love is always risky, but worth it.

The Final Letter

Lara Jean writes one final letter, this time not to get over someone — but to open her heart.

She finds Peter on the school field and reads it aloud:

“You were never second best.”

Peter confesses that he’s fallen for her, not Gen. He assures her that the hot tub kiss was special to him too.

They kiss again — this time, with no lies, no pretending. Just love.

Ending Scene

The movie closes with Lara Jean narrating how she used to be afraid of love — but now, she’s finally ready.

Peter and Lara Jean walk off together, hand in hand, smiling. The screen fades out as the real story of their love begins.

💖 Themes in Depth

  • Vulnerability in Love: Lara Jean learns to open up emotionally, even though it scares her.

  • Sisterhood: The bond between the Covey sisters is vital — they grow stronger through honesty and forgiveness.

  • Identity and Growth: Peter and Lara Jean both discover more about themselves through their relationship.

  • Fantasy vs Reality: Romantic fantasies are sweet, but real love is messy, confusing, and even better.