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

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Isla and the Happily Ever After
Anna and the French Kiss #3
Author: Stephanie Perkins
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Expected Release Date: August 14th 2014
Review Source: Penguin Group

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.

Mini-review from 6/2/14: I was beyond thrilled when asked to read a sneak peek into Perkins next book release due out this August. I am a HUGE fan of the previous companion books. There is just something about Perkins work that immediately connects with you as you are reading. Isla and the Happily Ever After did that in just 40 plus pages. I cried out loud when it finished because I needed to keep going. I already feel attached to the book, Isla and Josh. 

You always get worried how a author will top the last book or that favorite character everyone relates to, well I can tell with Isla she is going to be loved by many and Josh, as mysterious as he is in those few pages, you already like him too. Isla is socially awkward but its just too cute how she is affected by Josh. Can't wait to read the rest and see where Josh and Isla take their "friendship" too. 

And if your wondering how Isla is pronounced, in the book its shows us:

It's Isla (Eye-la) and not Isla (Iz-la).

And Chapter Two was adorable:

"Ohmygod what the hell did I do last night?????????"

Perkins at her finest!

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To continue the mini-review that I shared after reading the sneak peek a few weeks ago with a longer review today will be easy. Why? Because it's Perkins and there isn't a book written by her I don't love. They are those happy ever after stories you need sometimes. Yes reading angst or sad story are good but nothing like a amazing happy ever after with a side of sappy to win ya over. I have said it time after time. When you are feeling down, just grab a Perkins novel and everything will be so much better in the world after that. Her books just take you to that happy place you need to be in some days.

Isla and Josh's story is romantically adorkable! It's like when we read Anna's book and remember all those moments, Isla's story takes you back down memory lane but with her own romantic story. Plus we are back in Paris, the city of love. Isla loves Josh for years but has just watched him from the sidelines literally until that one loopy day changes everything and turns out Josh has had an eye in Isla too. Once they are back at the Paris school things take off but before you know it Isla and Josh past and insecurities come front and center and the relationship begins to crumble. Josh is letting his past dictate his life while Isla can't hey past her doubts. Then distance is thrown in their for a curve ball that at one point seems no one will survive the changes but love conquers all!

Bonus points in the story is seeing the past characters make cameos. Plus the news ones we are introduced too because favorites immediately. I loved Isla and the Happily Ever After and just know that everyone else will too. Perfect summer read to make any gloomy day shine the brightest.