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Book Review: Isla and the Happily Ever After – Stephanie Perkins


islaandthehappilyeverafterIsla and the Happily Ever After
Author: Stephanie Perkins
Series: Anna and the French Kiss #3
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Release Date: August 14, 2015
Publisher: Dutton

Goodreads | Amazon | TBD

Summary:

Love ignites in the city That never sleeps, but can it last?
Hopeless romantic Isla has had a crush on introspective cartoonist Josh since their first year at the School of America in Paris. And after a chance encounter in Manhattan over the summer, romance might be closer than Isla imagined. But as they begin their senior year back in France, Isla and Josh are forced to confront the challenges every young couple must face, including family drama, uncertainty about their college futures, and the very real possibility of being apart.
Featuring cameos from fan-favorites Anna, Étienne, Lola, and Cricket, this sweet and sexy story of true love — set against the stunning backdrops of New York City, Paris, and Barcelona — is a swoonworthy conclusion to Stephanie Perkins’s beloved series.

 
First Sentence: It’s midnight, it’s sweltering, and I might be high on Vicodin, but that guy – that guy right over there – that’s him.

My Review:

If you had asked me this time last year what my most anticipated book was, I would tell you that my most anticipated book of the year was Isla and the Happily Ever After, obviously. I mean, I even wrote a love letter to it and pretty much moaned about how much I want it to anyone who would listen. When I finally got my hands on Isla and the Happily Ever After, I started it immediately, hoping to get the same feeling I got when I first read Anna and the French Kiss. To my disbelief, I reached a little more than the one-third point of Isla and the Happily Ever After and felt absolutely nothing. No emotions, no feels, no love – nada. Devastated, I decided to put down Isla and the Happily Ever After for now until I’m (hopefully) in a better mood for it.

Ohmygod what the hell did I do last night????????? (12)

Flash forward a little less than a year later and I nervously picked up Isla and the Happily Ever After on a whim. By then, reviews of Isla and the Happily Ever After had poured in and many people were disappointed by it, including one of my book twins. However, I started Isla and the Happily Ever After without all those reviews in mind and happen to enjoy it. There’s just something so magical about Stephanie Perkins’ writing that makes me head over heels for her books.

I’m sure many people have mentioned this before, but the relationship between Isla and Josh is insta-love. However, I’m not annoyed by it at all. In fact, I kind of understand it. Isla had admired and adored Josh from afar for three long years while Josh had always had some interest in Isla. To me, it totally makes sense that their feelings will just explode when they finally get together as they were already there and strong, they just needed to do something about it. In addition, the way Stephanie Perkins wrote about Isla and Josh’s time hanging out together made it feel like they were dating a lot longer than a month, but more like three months or so.

The next few days are unsettling.
Josh is aware of me. (39)

In my opinion, the ending of Isla and the Happily Ever After was one of the best parts of the book. It was just so cuteeeeeee and wrapped up the entire book – and series – perfectly. Okay, just talking about the ending makes me want to reread again and again and again as it is full of equal parts creative, love, swoons, adorableness, and happiness.

Overall, Isla and the Happily Ever After is a great, sweet ending to the series, but my heart is still with my favorite book of the series, Anna and the French Kiss.

four

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-Kelly

Posted by Kelly on 8-21-15 · 18 Comments
Categories: 2014 book, book review Tagged: 4 star

« ARC Book Review: Rebel Mechanics – Shanna Swendson
ARC Book Review: Everything Everything – Nicola Yoon »

Speak Your Mind

  1. Kaitlyn A. says

    8-21-15 at 12:25 PM

    I have yet to read this series, but many people seem to enjoy them! I’m sure I’ll get around to them sometime! Love your review!

    Reply
  2. Kyra @ Blog of a Bookaholic says

    8-21-15 at 1:23 PM

    I loved Anna and the French Kiss and Lola and the Boy Next Door, so I’m hoping that I’ll enjoy this too! I started reading the first few chapters but I stopped because I felt like reading fantasy and I knew I wouldn’t enjoy it that much if I kept reading. I’m hoping to pick this up the next time I’m on a contemporary kick! Great review! :)
    Kyra @ Blog of a Bookaholic recently posted…Review – A Court of Thorns and Roses – Sarah J. MaasMy Profile

    Reply
  3. Laila Campos says

    8-21-15 at 2:47 PM

    i actually enjoyed this book a lot because of that twist towards the end…yes the ending is the best part….but i had a lot of emotions reading this book…but like you Anna and the French Kiss will always hold a special place in my heart :)

    Reply
  4. Zaira F says

    8-21-15 at 9:44 PM

    I agree with what you mentioned about Isla and Josh — it kind of was insta-love now that I think about it, but it didn’t bother me when I was reading at all. Same reasons as you, probably. I do see the point that the feeling will just explode once they finally get together. AND YES, THAT ENDING. *heart everywhere*

    Reply
  5. alexandra @ twirlingpages says

    8-22-15 at 12:17 AM

    this is a great review! i enjoyed isla as well and didn’t mind isla and josh’s “insta-love.” i just find all of stephanie perkins’ couples SO ADORABLE that i don’t particularly mind how they got together ?? the ending for this was surly the best <333
    alexandra @ twirlingpages recently posted…HAPPY BLOGOVERSARY! ( + GIVEAWAY)My Profile

    Reply
  6. Tiffany @ The Bookish Thought says

    8-22-15 at 1:35 AM

    So glad that you like this one! I’ve read the other 2 books in this series and I love them, so I really want to read this one too. Josh and Isla seems really cute together! I agree though, Anna and the French Kiss is definitely my favorite <3
    Tiffany @ The Bookish Thought recently posted…Weekly Recap : Semi-Hiatus AnnouncementMy Profile

    Reply
  7. MsArdychan says

    8-22-15 at 12:07 PM

    Hi Kelly,
    I have sometimes needed a break from a book in order to go back and appreciate it. I haven’t started this series yet, but it is on my library holds list!
    I have nominated you for a Blogger Recognition award! I think you have one of the prettiest blog designs I have ever seen! It is so charming! Here is the link to the award:
    http://ponderingtheprose.blogspot.com/2015/08/blogger-recognition-award.html

    Please answer the questions if you have time. If not, no worries. Have a great weekend.
    MsArdychan recently posted…Blogger Recognition AwardMy Profile

    Reply
  8. Fatima says

    8-22-15 at 1:46 PM

    I agree with you.

    Isla and the Happily Ever After was my least favorite out of all the other books, which is such a shame because I also rambled on about it to anyone who’d listen. I finished it in one go, but I didn’t feel any connection to the characters – unlike in Anna and the French Kiss. :/
    Fatima recently posted…Blogger Recognition AwardMy Profile

    Reply
  9. kenny says

    8-23-15 at 1:44 AM

    I haven’t read any of the series which is a shame but I’ll definitely give it a go, I love sweet endings <3
    kenny recently posted…Hello world!My Profile

    Reply
  10. nurmawati djuhawan says

    8-23-15 at 3:36 AM

    sounds great !! must put on muy TBR list
    thx u for review :)

    Reply
  11. Poulami says

    8-24-15 at 4:00 PM

    I still haven’t read this series yet but I really, really want to. I just love happily ever afters! Great insightful review!

    Reply
  12. Carina Olsen says

    8-24-15 at 5:07 PM

    Aw, yay :D Stunning review Kelly. <3 So glad you decided to give it another chance :) It sounds so cute. Yay for loving the romance and the ending :D That is awesome. <3 I did not like the first book.. so sadly won't read them :\ but so glad you loved these books :) Thank you for sharing your thoughts sweet girl. <3
    Carina Olsen recently posted…Review: Menagerie by Rachel VincentMy Profile

    Reply
  13. Isha @ Two Sisters Bloggin says

    8-25-15 at 12:35 AM

    i actually enjoyed isla and the happily ever after too! i love stephanie perkins’ books, it’s perfect after reading a heavy fantasy book or if you just need a fluffy read. i can’t wait to read what she writes next because i’ll definitely read it :)
    Isha @ Two Sisters Bloggin recently posted…// book review + discussion: the kiss of deception by mary e. pearsonMy Profile

    Reply
  14. Cyn @ Book Munchies says

    8-25-15 at 11:34 PM

    Glad to hear a second pick of up of the book wasn’t disappointing! I thought this one definitely had its cute moments, and totally agree, there’s just something about Stephanie Perkins and her writing! While I didn’t love love this (Isla was a bit immature for me), it was a cute series ender (:

    Great review, Kelly!
    Cyn @ Book Munchies recently posted…Book Blitz: Tough Love by Lori FosterMy Profile

    Reply
  15. Alyssa E. says

    8-28-15 at 3:39 AM

    I agree with you about the ending. Isla was my favorite of the series mainly because of how all things wrapped up at the end. It was just the cutest thing I’ve read in a contemporary book, Stephanie Perkins is a great writer!

    Reply
  16. JM Cabral says

    9-05-15 at 9:39 AM

    I’m so glad that you liked this book! I’m one to read books about LDR and I find it absolutely fascinating! Although, I have to say, out of Perkins’ 3 books, Anna & The French Kiss is my absolute favorite! Etienne is ♥
    JM Cabral recently posted…[Book Review #43] ARC: Hello, Goodbye, and Everything in Between by Jennifer E. Smith (Book Tour + Giveaway)My Profile

    Reply
  17. sophia says

    9-05-15 at 7:27 PM

    I have to start reading with this series it’s just that i have a lot of books in my tbr list. I hope i will love this series as much as u did. :)

    Reply
  18. Abbie SJ says

    9-17-15 at 5:45 AM

    I easily fell in love with Stephanie Perkins’ writing when I read Anna and the French Kiss. I agree with you and didn’t feel anything the first few parts of this book. But the ENDING. AHH. It’s perfect. Ties everything up excellently and I couldn’t ask for anything more… Except I could do without the instalove to be completely honest.

    Great review!! :)

    Reply

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