Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins

Release Date: August 14, 2014

Publisher: Dutton

Pages: 339

Received: Bought

Star Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★








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. [goodreads]

My Thoughts:

*Disclaimer: This is a spoiler free review, but if you haven't picked up ANNA or LOLA by Stephanie Perkins, you need to do that RIGHT NOW. Literally.*

I'm not sure where to start with this. When you finish a book, your thoughts are focused on the ending. At first you rate the book on its ending, then after contemplation, you realize your full 5 star rating is a mistake. This was not one of those mistakes. ISLA was everything I would've possibly ask for in a conclusion. Stephanie Perkins has a pure talent for writing. She reels you in with her authentic and heartfelt characters, then she shatters your heart, piece by piece. Stephanie leaves you aching and longing for a happily ever after. In the end, she repairs your emotions, but not your heart.

Isla was such a realistic character from the beginning to the end. She sometimes left me annoyed, but I've come to notice realism in books is alarming. But we deal with it. All us readers want to escape into cliche fiction, but we need to face the facts that realistic fiction is the closest we can get to reality. Now back to ISLA.

Don't get me started with Josh. He is the canvas we all want to paint on. He's loyal, charming, and commited. I'm really jealous of Isla. Their relationship was endearing and Right. (that was just a reference from the book). Isla and Josh's romance was never a cliche, but true love. Their relationship was straight forward and swoon worthy. The plot was like eating ice cream. It only got better. Isla had such a cute, quirky voice and I enjoyed every minute of it.

The acknowledgments was beautiful, Steph. I was crying myself. The recurring characters made me squeal of pure happiness. The wrap up was beautiful and now one of my favorite series.

I have one more thing to say: buy tissues. I cannot stop raving about Isla. Including Stephanie. The whole trilogy is magic on paper and it'll leave you spellbound. It's an experience that'll never leave you.

5/5 STARS