Review: Isla and The Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins

Title: Isla and The Happily Ever After
Author: Stephanie Perkins
Publication: August 14th 2014, Dutton Books
Format: ARC
Source: Borrowed from Godwin (THANKS A BUNCH BRO!)
Buy it on: Amazon | Barnes and Noble | iBooks | Kobo | National Book Store / Fully Booked (PH)

SYNOPSIS:

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.

Misfit Review:

Romance contemporaries are dominating the Young Adult sphere and it's somehow impossible to go to a bookstore without seeing one on the shelves or at the best selling list! Isla and The Happily Ever after proves to be one knockout of a contemporary that brings forth a familiar feel from any of Stephanie Perkins' books while being itself.

“There's no story,' I say. 'I saw you one day, and I just knew.”

The story starts with Isla Martin mooning over Josh Wasserstein at the cafe in Manhattan.  Isla, groggy from her wisdom tooth being pulled out, makes conversation with the charming cartoonist. The two share a moment of talking and even Josh sketching her. He sends her home and Isla doesn't realize what she has done.

The following days we are taken into the School of America in Paris where Isla is studying with Josh. Knowing about Josh's past with another girl, Isla keeps a distance while dreaming of being his girlfriend. The two share another moment of hanging out, Isla being her awkward self and Josh being the usual charmer that he is. And you can say the rest is history, or is it?

Isla and The Happily Ever After is a romance of all romances that speaks of the truth on how love is a roller coaster that goes up and down, tumbles and turns upside-down. I really enjoyed the fun, quiet times that Isla and Josh spend together going through the streets of Paris and Barcelona, those sweet, cute moments that they have and how deep there story is. I especially loved it when the two of them were talking simply about dreams and interests in Isla's rooftop.

“A blank canvas...has unlimited possibilities.”

The simplicity of the story was what dragged me into reading further. It wasn't so special as Lola and The Boy Next Door because it wasn't as unique or weird, but love in any way that you write it is interesting and heart tugging.

Kurt was interesting and cute, but it felt like he was just there. I wish he had more involvement into the characterization of Isla. But, in many ways, he'd be a best friend I'd want.

The conflict around the middle of the book was interesting but Isla felt sort of annoying for me during those times. She started getting whiny and complicated. She just became a coward and I was really rooting for her.

“St. Clair waggles his eyebrows at Josh, but the moment he sees that I've caught him, his expression changes to a flirtatious grin. "Aw, mate," he says to Josh. "Admit it. You couldn't resist me."

Josh relaxes into a smile. "You're like a gorgeous little bonbon."

"Delicious in every way," St Clair says.

Anna rolls her eyes. "Wait until you try his creamy centre.”

The end was very so-so but enjoyable nonetheless! THE CAMEOS WERE LOVELY!!! And that proposal!!! You just gotta read it to get my point! :) I wish that there was more of Isla and The Happily Ever After but story all in all however, was really good!

Stephanie Perkins knows how to whisper to the heart with her sweet stories and characters that you wish you can meet in real life! She knows how to interact with her readers and has an idea of how to make them happy in the end. I am truly hoping that Stephanie Perkins' makes something uber-fantastic next time! :)

Isla and The Happily Ever After is a novel that is perfect for those who are hopeless romantic and happy in love.

About The Author:


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Hi, there! I'm Steph, and I wrote ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS, LOLA AND THE BOY NEXT DOOR, and ISLA AND THE HAPPILY EVER AFTER. I also edited (and contributed a short story to) a romantic holiday anthology called MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME. My next YA novel will be horror—a teen slasher published by Dutton.