Spoiler warning: this post explains the full ending of To All the Boys I've Loved Before. If you have not finished the book, stop here and come back later.
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Quick answer: Lara Jean Covey's secret love letters are mailed out, and her fake relationship with Peter Kavinsky turns real until a rumour about them in a hot tub on a school ski trip breaks them apart. Her sisters help her fight back, and in the last chapter Lara Jean writes Peter a new letter, sincere this time, hoping to start again.
Quick facts
– Book: To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han
– First published: 2014
– Type: A young adult romance
– Tone of the ending: Sweet and open
Table of Contents
What Leads Up to the Ending
Lara Jean writes letters to boys she has had crushes on and hides them in a hatbox. When the letters are sent, she panics, especially about Josh, her older sister Margot's ex. She fakes dating Peter, who wants to make his ex Genevieve jealous.
What Happens at the End of To All the Boys I've Loved Before
Lara Jean and Peter set rules for their fake relationship, but she falls for him for real. On the school ski trip, they kiss in a hot tub, and a video of them spreads, with rumours that they went further. Lara Jean is humiliated, especially when Margot comes home and learns that Lara Jean once had feelings for Josh. Lara Jean blames Peter, believing he and Genevieve were behind the video, and they break up. Kitty confesses that she mailed the letters after a fight with Lara Jean. Lara Jean realizes Genevieve posted the video. With her sisters' help, she gets the video taken down, and she realizes she has been too afraid of real feelings. In the last chapter, she writes Peter a new letter, not a goodbye like the old ones, and decides to give it to him.
The Ending in 4 Quick Points
- Kitty sent the letters.
- The video humiliates Lara Jean.
- Lara Jean writes again.
- The story continues in a sequel.
What Happens to the Main Characters
| Character | What happens to them |
|---|---|
| Lara Jean Covey | Writes to Peter |
| Peter Kavinsky | Hurt by Lara Jean |
| Kitty Covey | Sent the letters |
| Margot Covey | Lara Jean's sister |
| Josh Sanderson | Margot's ex |
What the Ending Means
The ending shows Lara Jean taking a risk on real love.
Other Ways to Read the Ending
Readers love the bond between the three Covey sisters, which matters as much as the romance. The sequels continue Lara Jean and Peter's story.
Themes the Ending Brings Together
Love. First love.
Family. The Covey sisters.
Courage. Lara Jean takes risks.
Is the Ending Happy or Sad?
Most readers describe the ending of To All the Boys I've Loved Before as sweet and open. How you feel about it usually depends on what you hoped for the characters and what you expected Jenny Han to do with the story, so it is worth asking friends how they felt before you compare notes.
Who Will Like This Ending
Readers who enjoy endings that are sweet and open will find a lot to talk about here. If you prefer every thread tied up neatly, it helps to know in advance how Jenny Han closes the story, which is exactly why many readers look it up. Either way, the final chapters reward a second look once you know where everything is heading, because small details from the middle of the book start to matter. If you are reading with a group, agree beforehand whether everyone has finished, so nobody has the last chapters spoiled.
Book Versus Adaptation
The 2018 Netflix film ends with Lara Jean and Peter getting back together at the lacrosse field.
Discussion Questions About the Ending
If you are reading To All the Boys I've Loved Before with a book club or a friend, these questions work well once everyone has finished:
- Did the ending surprise you, or had you seen it coming from the first chapters?
- What does the final scene say about love, and do you agree with Jenny Han's view?
- Which character made the most important choice in the last part of the book, and was it the right one?
- How would the story feel if it had ended one chapter earlier or one chapter later?
- Does the ending leave you hopeful about the characters, or do you worry about what comes next?
- Would you describe the ending as sweet and open, or would you choose a different word?
How to Read the Final Chapters Again
- Compare the opening with the close. Look at how the first chapter introduces love and how the ending answers it.
- Track each final choice. The table above shows where every main character ends up, so ask which of those outcomes was earned.
- Notice what Jenny Han leaves unsaid. Gaps in the last pages are often deliberate, and they are where most of the debate about the ending begins.
- Listen for echoes. Images, phrases or settings from earlier in To All the Boys I've Loved Before often return in the final scene with a new meaning.
Questions to Ask Yourself After Finishing
- Was the ending of To All the Boys I've Loved Before earned by what came before it, or did it feel sudden?
- Which character's final moment affected you most, and why?
- If you could change one thing about the last chapters, what would it be?
- Did the ending change how you think about the opening pages?
Check price of To All the Boys I've Loved Before on Amazon
Books to Read After To All the Boys I've Loved Before
- P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han
- The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
Related: To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han: Summary and Key Takeaways · 15 Books Like To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before You’ll Love
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens at the end of To All the Boys I've Loved Before?
Lara Jean Covey's secret love letters are mailed out, and her fake relationship with Peter Kavinsky turns real until a rumour about them in a hot tub on a school ski trip breaks them apart. Her sisters help her fight back, and in the last chapter Lara Jean writes Peter a new letter, sincere this time, hoping to start again.
Is the ending of To All the Boys I've Loved Before happy or sad?
Most readers call it sweet and open.
What does the ending of To All the Boys I've Loved Before mean?
The ending shows Lara Jean taking a risk on real love.
Is the ending of To All the Boys I've Loved Before the same in the adaptation?
The 2018 Netflix film ends with Lara Jean and Peter getting back together at the lacrosse field.
Who wrote To All the Boys I've Loved Before and when was it published?
To All the Boys I've Loved Before was written by Jenny Han and first published in 2014.
Is To All the Boys I've Loved Before worth reading if I already know the ending?
Yes, especially if you enjoy young adult romances. Knowing the ending can make a first read richer, because you notice how Jenny Han prepares for it from the opening chapters.
Should I read To All the Boys I've Loved Before before reading the ending explained?
Yes, if you plan to read it, because this post gives away the whole ending.