Review: Isla and the Happily Ever After

Title: Isla and the Happily Ever After (Anna and the French Kiss #3)
Author: Stephanie Perkins
Released: August 2014
Pages: 352
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Favourite Quote: “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.”
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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.

My Review

Initial Thoughts: Isla and the Happily Ever After follows Isla (we briefly met her in Anna and the French Kiss for like two seconds). Ever since she can remember, she has always had a crush on Josh but was always too scared to do anything about it. But after a chance meeting in New York at a small cafe, the two catch up. However, the next time she sees him isn't until they both arrive back at school in Paris for their senior year of school. Will they finally become an item?

The Pros: This book is just so damn cute and Josh and Isla are just so cute together. I couldn't stop reading it. I loved how finally I get to see two characters together for the most part of the book (unlike Lola and Anna where they get together in the end) and it was so cute seeing them interact together. I loved how she supported his drawing and how he was so smitten with her.

The crossover where Anna, St Clair, Lola, Cricket, Mer, Josh and Isla are all in Paris together. AT THE SAME TIME. INTERACTING. Perkins definitely knows how to make me have all those feels. And what happened with between two specific characters. I did not see that coming. Everything was so perfect. I loved seeing where all the characters were now and what's to come in their future. 

The Cons: Although the relationship was super cute, I found it to be a bit of insta-love. I get why Isla loved Josh - she's had a crush on him for like forever. But I didn't really understand how Josh could like her that quickly. I felt as though he only really took notice of her properly when he saw her in New York. I didn't believe that he could love her that quickly. But I'm not complaining too much. They were adorable to read about. 

Some of the problems the characters faced within the book I found to be quite small. Problems, I found, were often blown out of proportion and I think a lot of these problems could have gone away if they actually talked about it. But then again, I could easily see these problems being present in a real life relationship.

Would I recommend this book?  Overall, it is a really cute book. If you loved Anna and Lola, then you will love this book. I'm really upset now that this will be the end of the Anna and the French Kiss series. It was so enjoyable to read about and it helped me get back into reading when I was in a reading slump. This series will forever be one of my all time favourites.