Publisher:
Dutton/Usborne
Release
Date: 14th
August 2014
Edition:
US
hardcover/Kindle edition, purchased
Hopeless
romantic Isla has had a crush on brooding artist Josh since their first year at
the School of America in Paris. And, after a chance encounter in Manhattan over
the summer break, romance might be closer than Isla imagined. But as they begin
their senior year back in France, Isla and Josh are forced to face uncertainty
about their futures, and the very real possibility of being apart. Set against
the stunning backdrops of New York, Paris and Barcelona, this is a gorgeous,
heart-wrenching and irresistible story of true love, and the perfect conclusion
to Stephanie Perkins’ beloved series.
After falling in love with Anna and the French Kiss and Lola and the Boy Next Year I waited over
two years for this book and my expectations were high. Isla and the Happily Ever After was incredible and so worth the
wait.
Isla is an adorable heroine. I have
to admit that I didn’t remember her from Anna
but I loved how shy she is and how genuinely that’s put across. I often
hear protagonists being described as shy and then they go on to launch
themselves into big social situations, sass complete strangers (usually hot
boys) and have a razor comeback for everything, but Isla isn’t like that at
all. She forgets to speak and when she does it’s often not what she wanted to
say and when she manages to say something witty, she internally congratulates
herself! It’s only when she gets to know the people she’s with that she becomes
comfortable and confident. Serious props to Stephanie Perkins for accurately
portraying shyness.
The realness of Isla just
continues. I thought that the way she kept calling Josh her boyfriend in her
internal monologue was just adorable. It was almost as if she couldn’t quite
believe it – it was the result of a three-year crush, after all – and had to
reinforce the idea for it to be real! Isla
and the Happily Ever After is such a vibrant and true portrayal of falling
in love and how dizzying, but confusing and painful it is. It made my heart
ache in all possible ways. I loved that Isla and Josh had their issues. They got
scared and did silly things, there were confusions and miscommunications and,
finally, a squee inducing happily ever after.
I adore this companion trilogy
and though I’m sad it’s over, I can’t wait to see what Stephanie Perkins brings
to the table next. I’m pretty sure I’ll love it though.
Sophie
I loved this so much! And I definitely agree with Isla's accurate shyness, she was pretty damn adorable. Oh, did you cry at the squee ending with Anna, because I totally did!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to read this - I'm saving it 😍
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