'To All The Boys' Changed This MAJOR Storyline From The Book And Fans Are Divided

25 August 2018, 16:09 | Updated: 28 August 2018, 16:47

By Sam Prance

This is a pretty big deal...

The hype for To All the Boys I've Loved Before is next level. If you've been anywhere near the internet over the past few days you'll have noticed that almost the entire world is obsessed with Lara Jean Song Covey and her various romantic dilemmas and escapades. Not only is she relatable af (who hasn't fawned over multiple people at one time) but the cast is so gifted: Lana Condor (Lara Jean) and Noah Centineo (Peter) both deserve awards.

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However, being a fan of TATBILB is nothing new. The rom-com is based on a best-selling novel by Young Adult fiction queen Jenny Han and it came out in 2014. Not only that but it's also part of an incredible trilogy (check out P.S. I Still Love You and Always and Forever Lara Jean). With that in mind, readers are super attached to and protective of the books, so much so that they are divided over one major plot change in the film.

To All the Boys I've Loved Before
To All the Boys I've Loved Before. Picture: Netflix

The Netflix adaptation is for the most part very loyal to the novel. Jenny Han was even on set to give suggestions to the film makers and have a surprise cameo in the movie. However, like with all books that are transformed into films, some changes were made to the plot of TATBILB and not all of them have gone down well. One of the main differences between the book and the film is how much Josh features.

In both the book and the film, Josh is one of the five boys who accidentally gets sent a love letter from Lara Jean. He's Lara Jean's next-door neighbour and her sister Margot's ex-boyfriend. To avoid Josh confronting her about the letter, Lara Jean starts a fake relationship with Peter. However, she ultimately ends up realising that she's in love with Peter as opposed to Josh and it's all kinds of adorable.

via GIPHY

In the film, Lara Jean gets over any romantic feelings that she has for Josh pretty quickly. As soon as she begins to fake date Peter, Josh becomes an afterthought. There is never any real competition between the two boys; Peter is the one. Lara Jean and Josh eventually end up discussing the letter and Lara Jean reveals that she no longer sees Josh as anything other than a friend. It all ends smoothly.

In the book, things are a little bit more complicated. After Margot ends things with Josh, Josh reveals that he originally had a crush on Lara Jean. This reignites Lara Jean's desire for Josh and makes it even more awkward when he receives her letter. That's not all though. When Lara Jean and Peter start fake-dating, Josh gets jealous (!), kisses Lara Jean (!!) and says he wants to be with her (!!!).

Lara Jean still realises there and then that she is in love with Peter and the novel pans out similarly to the movie but, in short, the film cuts out quite a bit of spice and fans are split over it. Here are just a few of the reactions.

Some think that Josh has been done dirty.

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It was very clear in the film that Lara Jean was destined to end up with Peter.

Others are sad about the lack of drama.

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The Josh/Lara Jean kiss would have been pretty jaw-dropping on screen.

A couple of people think that the film was rushed.

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We would love to see an extended version.

And many are sad that in the film you're only really encouraged to fall in love with Peter.

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Team Peter and Team Josh should be a thing.

Oh and the second book brings another boy into the equation.

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Jenny Han does not play!

Nevertheless, lots of readers are completely happy with the adaptation.

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It's still pretty perfect.

One or two fans even think that the film resolves things better than the novel.

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Both are excellent on their own terms.

And there is already demand for the sequel to be made into a film too.

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We need this in our lives now.

No adaptation is 100% true to its source material. It would have been great to see all of Josh's scenes from the novel in the film but, all things considered, we think that Netflix did an amazing job. Fingers crossed that they adapt P.S. I Still Love You and Always and Forever Lara Jean into films too. We want more Lara Jean content!