Isla and the Happily Ever After (Anna and the French Kiss #3) by Stephanie Perkins ( Review and my playlist )

Summary:

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.

Published: August 14th 2014 by Dutton

Goodreads / Amazon / B & N / Book Depository

My review:

“I am hard on myself. But isn’t it better to be honest about these things before someone else can use them against you? Before someone else can break your heart? Isn’t it better to break it yourself?”

It seems forever ago that I first read Lola and the Boy Next door, not in 2011 but I waited almost three years for this and let me tell you, it was well worth it. I am glad Stephanie Perkins took the time to edit, tweak the book and change what she think was needed because the end result is almost perfect, at least for me. 

 I dont really like quiet people or quiet book characters, I may be shy to people I dont know but most of the time I am incredibly loud so Isla was not my favorite character. Before finishing the book, I would probably give it a 4 star rating because of that but in the end it was just amazing, how she grew as a character and was trying to overcome her insecurities and learning to speak up. Jen from YA Romantics said that she was surprised that Isla was ordinary, with no adorable quirks. That is what made this book amazing to me. The main character is a normal girl, shy, tiny , a great student who doesnt know what she wants to do in the future, with a love of adventure books who has been in love with Josh from afar for years. She is unremarkable yet that makes her real and I most of all, love reading about characters that could be real. Josh is also an amazing character. I loved him in Anna and the French Kiss, the disinterested artist, who hides most of his intelligence, longs for his parents to pay attention to him and to spend time with him without the cameras and lonely since his friends graduated.

 These two were perfect for each other, they canceled each others imperfections out and they had some pretty adorable or funny or steamy or heartbreaking scenes in this book. But those two were not my favorites from this book, it was Kurt, Isla a best friend. He stole my heart from the first sentence he utters, such a lovely soul. He is the reason every fan of this series will adore this book. And there is a surprise visit from my old favorites, Anna, Etienne, Lola and Cricket who when they appeared made me smile like an idiot.

     This is without a doubt one of my favorite YA releases of 2014 and an ending to a wonderful series which is bittersweet. In conclusion, you better read this! :)

“I’m…getting there. I’m beginning to think that maybe it’s okay to be a blank canvas. Maybe it’s okay that my future is unknown. And maybe,” I say with another smile, “it’s okay to be inspired by the people who do know their future.” “It goes both ways, you know.” I link his icicle fingers through mine. “What does?” “Artists are inspired by blank canvases.” My smile grows wider.”

And here are some songs that reminded me of this book or I was listening to them while reading so they will always be connected to me. I wont post lyrics, everyone hears something different, something special to them... that is why I wont post them but mostly the whole songs are perfect for Isla and the Happily Ever After to me. Also, since there will be songs posted in Croatian on most playlists I make, at least one per playlist, I can translate them for you if you want. I hope you like them, I mostly listen to rock, different genres of metal and alternative, so be warned :)

Best shot by Birdy and Jaymes Young
Far from home by Five Finger Death Punch
I know, I know, I know by Tegan and Sara
Tighten up by The Black Keys
Stay by Hurts
Sympathy by Goo Goo Dolls
Let love in by Goo Goo Dolls
Vrati se by Vatra
Midnight city by M83
Never again by Theatres des vampires
Sleeping sun by Nightwish

About the author

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

Blog  /  Website

Twitter: http://twitter.com/naturallysteph

Tumblr: http://naturallysteph.tumblr.com

8tracks:  http://8tracks.com/naturallysteph