Review: Isla and the Happily Ever After

Title:  Isla and the Happily Ever After
Series:  Anna and the French Kiss #3
Author:  Stephanie Perkins (Website | Twitter)
Age Group:  Young Adult
Publication Date:  August 14, 2014 by Dutton
Source:  Bought

Love ignites in the City That Never Sleeps, but can it last?
From the glittering streets of Manhattan to the moonlit rooftops of Paris, falling in love is easy for hopeless dreamer Isla and introspective artist Josh. But as they begin their senior year in France, Isla and Josh are quickly forced to confront the heartbreaking reality that happily-ever-afters aren’t always forever.
Their romantic journey is skillfully intertwined with those of beloved couples Anna and Étienne and Lola and Cricket, whose paths are destined to collide in a sweeping finale certain to please fans old and new.

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My Review:  Is it possible for Stephanie Perkins to write a bad book?  Seriously you guys, this is a legit question.  I think she must mix some sort of magic in with the ink because every time I pick up one of her stories, I'm hooked.  Isla was no exception.  This is a gorgeous conclusion to one of my favorite contemporary YA series with everything Stephanie Perkins in known for: relatable characters, amazing dialogue, and a romance that'll have you swooning!

Out of all of Stephanie Perkins' lead girls, I think I related most with Isla.  She was shy, quiet, a book lover, and hardcore crushing on a guy.  Basically my life, amiright?  It was so easy for my to jump into her head and just connect with her.  I completely understood where she was coming from and why she was doing what she was doing.  Even when I didn't agree with her, I got why.  The only real problem I had with her (and the book in general) was how completely she let Josh take over her life.  I'm all for happily ever afters and being with the guy of your dreams but the way she let him and being away from him affect the other facets of her life wasn't healthy and made me cringe.

I adored Josh.  Seriously.  He was amazing.  Maybe my favorite of all three boys in this series.  He was complicated and shy at times and so real.  It was like I could just reach out and touch him in the page I wish.  One of my favorite parts of his character was his art.  I loved the scenes when we got to see him paint or got to look at his drawings.  The descriptions were just gorgeous.  I especially loved the tree house scenes.  You'll know it when you get to it :)

Another aspect of this novel I really liked was Isla's relationship with her sisters.  I have an older sister and a younger brother and the way to interacted with her siblings was on point.  I completely know where Isla was coming from with her feelings, especially how she felt about her little sister.

The plot was different from the other books in this series but no less enjoyable.  It was less about the characters finding there way to be with each other and more about learning how to be together.  There were definitely ups and downs and very frustrating moments but it was so worth it.  I was rooting for them the entire time and I loved seeing the way their relationship played out.

I'm so sad I don't have another novel in this series to look forward to but I love the way this ended.  The characters were gorgeous, the writing amazing, and the plot was unique.  I can't wait to see what Stephanie Perkins comes out with next.

“How does one proceed in a situation like this? If only the discovery of mutual admiration could lead promptly into making out. If only I could say, 'Listen. I like you, and you like me, so let’s go find a secluded park and touch each other.” 

Four cards

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