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. 

Discussion: What makes me love a book

We all have those times where we just can't get into the books were reading. I'm kind of going through that right now. Usually, I try to persevere and finish the book just so I can mark it as 'Read' on Goodreads (let's face it, that's the only reason I will continue to read it). But I want to talk today about the books that make me want to continue reading. You know, those things that make a book enjoyable. So today, I'm going to go through what a book generally has to have in order for me to like it. It doesn't necessarily have to have it all of them, but have a few and I'm hooked.

- An engaging story - This is a big one. If the story is boring, I'm onto the next book

- Good writing - A few times the plot of the book seemed really interesting. However, the way it was delivered I didn't like. And it's sad, you know. I could have enjoyed that story but didn't

- Relatable Characters - This one pretty much speaks for itself. If the character seems like someone who will not exist in real life (because of their personality) or if one of the main characters are a complete asshole it can ruin a story for me (not always, but mostly)

- Humor - I love it when books have really funny dialogue or the character themselves are funny (eg. Daemon from Lux Series, Jace from The Mortal Instruments). It makes the book so much more enjoyable. I often love it in action type novels especially. It gives you a break from reading about all the action

- When books grab you from the first line - This I LOVE. For example, the first line in Divergent is 'There is only one mirror in my home'. This grabbed me. Who has only one mirror in their home? And if so, why does it seem as though it is intentional? I want to keep reading to find out why

- A romantic relationship that is super cute - My close friends know that I love fictional relationships whether it's in a book (eg. Anna/St Clair - Anna and the French Kiss) TV show (eg. Hanna/Caleb - PLL) or movie (eg. Becca/Jesse - Pitch Perfect). Those are just a few of my fictional relationship obsessions (actually, mainly I love the romantic interests). I'm always the one fangirling over them. And I love it.

That's all I can think of at the moment. What makes you love a book?

Movie Review: If I Stay

Those of you who know me well know that I adore the book If I Stay. You can read my review about it here. So when the trailers came out for the movie, it looked really good. I was excited. So I went out and saw the movie on the opening day. The first time I watched it, I didn't particularly enjoy it (for reasons that had nothing to do with the movie). So I went and watched it again and it was so much better than the first time. This is why my review is really late to be posted. I wanted to make sure that my first impression of the film was proper and not because of that specific reason

(NOTE: There are spoilers in here for those who haven't read the book. Proceed with caution)

Did it follow the novel? For the most part yes. But they also took quite a bit out. I felt as though some of the scenes that were not in the movie would have been great for those who haven't read the book. Who is Willow? Why was she at the hospital? Was she a friend? Was she a nurse? I don't feel as though it was explained. She was just there. She stopped Kim and Adam getting into trouble by saying to the security guards that they were close friends and she could handle it. But I don't think they told us why she was able to get them out of trouble. It was like some friend of Mia's family came and was like 'Wow. I know that they are actually a bit irrational at the moment, but I know them so let them go'. If she was a nobody, the security guard would have told her to get lost and leave. Obviously she was someone important but who was she? I actually asked my friend (who hasn't read the book) and she said she was confused as to who she was. Why did she have this power to prevent them from getting into trouble with the security guards?

Another part that bugged me was how they changed characters, particularly Adam and Liz. Liz in the book was so friendly, she loved Mia. In the movie, she was just there. She couldn't care less for Mia and it seemed as though she wasn't happy that Adam was in a relationship with her. Adam also came across at times very rude. He wasn't the Adam I feel in love with in the book. Maybe they changed their characters (especially Liz) to emphasize how much Mia doesn't fit into that 'rocker group'. And if that was the reason, I do understand. But it was still heartbreaking to see some of my favourite characters become a bit more rude. If I were to have only watched the movie and not read the book, I don't think I would have loved him very much. And I LOVE book Adam.

I wasn't too fond of the editing either. Towards the ending when Mia 'wakes up', I felt as though I was watching a horror movie. The editing of when basically Mia's life flashed before her eyes, while a good idea, the music that accompanied it was wrong.

What I Liked. I LOVED seeing Mia and Adam's relationship unfold. It was so beautiful and seeing the the parts from the novel on screen was so magical. I loved Mia's parents. They came to life really well.

How was the acting? Quite good actually. I don't have much to complain about in this section. I was a bit uncertain of Chloe Grace Mortez's acting, based on what I saw in the trailer. But I was pleasantly surprised by how happy I am that they chose her. I loved all the casting choices. Adam, Kim, Gramps, Kat. I loved all of them. And Chloe and Jamie looked so cute together as Mia and Adam

Did I cry? Yes I did. Although the movie was sad, I cried because I started thinking what if that was me in that situation? What would I choose? Where would I go if I did choose to stay? It really hit me hard. I know I thought about this while reading the book. And although I don't remember if I cried or not, I do know I was upset. But I guess seeing it on screen really made me cry again. I had to get out my tissues

Overall, the movie was a faithful adaptation and although I do have a few negatives about the film, those were the only ones. It wasn't enough for me to go 'Man, this movie sucks'. It is up there on my list of good adaptations. I would recommend you go to see it. It is an enjoyable movie to watch. I really hope that they make the sequel "Where She Went'. That will break my heart into a thousand more pieces.

Review: Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins

Title: Lola and the Boy Next Door (Anna and the French Kiss #2)
Author: Stephanie Perkins
Released: September 2011
Pages: 338
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Favourite Quote: “I know you aren't perfect. But it's a person's imperfections that make them perfect for someone else.”

Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn’t believe in fashion...she believes in costume. The more expressive the outfit--more sparkly, more fun, more wild--the better. But even though Lola’s style is outrageous, she’s a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighborhood. When Cricket--a gifted inventor--steps out from his twin sister’s shadow and back into Lola’s life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door.

  My Review

Initial Thoughts: Man, Stephanie Perkins does it again. I am now officially in love with a new fictional male character. 

Lola has always liked Cricket Bell, ever since they were really young. They would have chats through their windows (they lived next door) and go on walks together 'accidentally'. But after Cricket breaks her heart and then moves away straight after, it was time for Lola to move on. So she did. She met Max - he's 22. She's 17. Although her parents don't approve of their relationship, they are still going strong. But then Cricket moves back into the house next door and a whole wave of emotions start to creep back into her.

The Pros: The flashbacks. I loved how they were beautifully woven into the story. I loved reading about Lola and Cricket's past and how they started to like each other. It was so adorable. It felt as though everything flowed. One minute were were reading about the present and the next we were in a flashback. I didn't even realise because I was so invested in the story. Stephanie Perkins never fails to create adorable stories

The romance was so damn cute. I loved Cricket and seeing what he would do for Lola even though it breaks his heart that she has a boyfriend. I loved how he was the nice guy. He didn't want Lola to cheat on her boyfriend with him even though it was so obvious that he was still in love with her. He was such a sweetheart. 

ANNA AND ST CLAIR. You do not know how much I fangirled seeing them there. And they had such a large part in the story. I think part of the reason why I loved this book so much was because of them. I loved seeing where their relationship was at now, what they were doing, how they were seeing each other. Anna and the French Kiss is my favourite book and basically seeing an update of their relationship in Lola was the best thing ever (can you tell how much I loved this?) 

The Cons: For this novel, I didn't feel as though we really knew too much about the secondary characters, mainly her friend Lindsey. We didn't really get to know her too well, compared what we got to know with Anna's friends in Anna and the French Kiss. But with that being said, I did feel as though we knew her parents really well, which is an unusual thing for a young adult novel. Usually the parents are forgotten about. But it was so good to see some really good parents and a protagonist who loved them so much.

Would I recommend this book? Yes, definitely. Although this book is not a good as Anna and the French Kiss, it will still be very much enjoyed by those who loved Anna. 

 

Review: Anna and The French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Title: Anna and the French Kiss
Author: Stephanie Perkins
Pages: 372
Released: December 2010
Genre: Romance, Contemporary
Publisher: Dutton
Favourite Quote: “French name, English accent, American school. Anna confused.”
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Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris--until she meets Étienne St. Clair. Smart, charming, beautiful, Étienne has it all...including a serious girlfriend. But in the City of Light, wishes have a way of coming true. Will a year of romantic near-misses end with their long-awaited French kiss?

My Review

Initial Thoughts: I didn’t expect to like this book as much as I did. I mean, I think I always knew I would like it, but LOVE it? Yeah, I didn't think that. I honestly would have finished this book within a day. But due to school and being in an exam period, it took me a bit longer. But all I was thinking about when I should have been studying was St Clair!

The story basically follows Anna's time in Paris after being sent there to boarding school by her father. Very angry with her dad, she reluctantly goes but ends up making a lot of new friends (and starts crushing on the most gorgeous guy in the school, who happens to have a girlfriend).

I thought this book was going to be one of those cheesy romance novels where she crushes on this guy who she can't have and then she gets upset and so on. And I guess it was sort of like that. But it was so much better.  

The Pros: The characters. Stephanie Perkins has created such enjoyable characters to read about. This story could have easily turned into one of those boring books about a girl trying to win over a guy, but it didn’t because she made the characters relatable. I understood the characters and even when they did do something that I didn't necessarily agree with, I understood why they did it. It made sense.

I was so engaged with the characters that I just kept wanting to read about them. Especially the secondary characters. I felt as though I knew them so well, I wanted to know what they were doing when we were looking at what Anna was doing (don’t get me wrong, I wanted to know what Anna was doing but I enjoyed the secondary characters so much that I wanted to know what they were doing too). Honestly, I would read a companion novel about this whole story but from another persons perspective. It was so enjoyable.

The Cons: To be honest, nothing really. The only thing that comes to mind was that it drove me crazy seeing St Clair and Anna not admitting to each other properly their feelings for one another. But then again, that is what this whole story is about.

Would I recommend this book? Of course! Anyone who, like me, is always fangirling about fictional relationships. Then this is for you (you probably already read it then cause I’m like 100years late to the party). Or if you want something different like a quick, cute and adorable read then this is for you too 

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Book Characters That Would Be Sitting At My Lunch Table

HIII, (can you tell I'm excited?)
Want to know why I'm excited? This weeks Top Ten Tuesday meme, run by The Broke and the Bookish, is Top Ten Book Characters That Would Be Sitting At My Lunch Table, which basically means list all my fictional boyfriends.

So, lets go through who of my fictional boyfriends I mean fictional characters I would choose to sit at my lunch table.

First up is... (drum roll please)

FOUR - (Divergent)

That's right. Four (aka Tobias) will be sitting at my table. I mean, who doesn't like Four? I'm sure he will protect me from all those bullies in the school 

Etienne St Clair - (Anna and the French Kiss)

How can I not choose him? He's so sweet and adorable and man, I just can't think properly right now. He is just so perfect. I can't process how perfect he is right now (fangirling moment)

Adam - (If I Stay)

Adam is just the perfect boyfriend. I'm sure he will always stick by me and he can play me his guitar and sing to me. He could write a song about me

Will Herondale - (The Infernal Devices)

Will. Will. How much I love you.

Peeta - (Hunger Games)

The most sweetest guy ever. And he can bake.   

Daemon Black - (Lux Series)

He can entertain us all with his sarcastic comments. 

Augustus - (TFiOS)

I'm sure he can teach us a thing or two

 

Well, since I should pick some girls to sit at my table (although I'm sure the 7 guys would give me more than enough company) they would be...

Anna - (Anna and the French Kiss)

She is just so nice and caring and patient

Katy - (Lux Series)

Cue the fangirling over fictional characters

Rose - (Vampire Academy)

Her badassness. And her sense of humor. She could entertain my for days 

That was very fun to list. I'm always ready to list all my favourite fictional boyfriends characters.  Are yours the same as mine? Let me know below

Lux Series by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Series: Lux Series (Obsidian, Onyx, Opal, Origin, Opposition)
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
First Book Released: May 2012
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
Favourite Quote: “I don't think he meant to kiss me," I said finally.
"What? Did he slip and fall on your mouth? Those things are known to happen.”
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Starting over sucks.

When we moved to West Virginia right before my senior year, I'd pretty much resigned myself to thick accents, dodgy internet access, and a whole lot of boring... until I spotted my hot neighbor, with his looming height and eerie green eyes. Things were looking up.

And then he opened his mouth.

Daemon is infuriating. Arrogant. Stab-worthy. We do not get along. At all. But when a stranger attacks me and Daemon literally freezes time with a wave of his hand, well, something... unexpected happens.

The hot alien living next door marks me.

You heard me. Alien. Turns out Daemon and his sister have a galaxy of enemies wanting to steal their abilities, and Daemon's touch has me lit up like the Vegas Strip. The only way I'm getting out of this alive is by sticking close to Daemon until my alien mojo fades.

If I don't kill him first, that is.

My Review 

The review below is for the whole Lux Series

Initial Thoughts: Oh my gosh. Daemon. You can be such a complete asshole but also such a good guy at the same time. This book blew my mind

The story basically follows a teenage girl named Katy. She's just moved to West Virgina with her mother, now a single parent, to have a fresh start after the death of her father. After her mother encourages her to make some new friends, she goes next door to get to know the two teenagers that live in the house. The eldest teen is Daemon. He is arrogant and pretty much pisses Katy off to her max. But after walking onto a road with oncoming traffic, Daemon freezes time which in turn 'marks' her. Until the 'mark' wears off, she must keep close to Daemon so he can protect her from the enemies of his kind. Turns out Daemon is hiding a secret of his own

The Pros: I really enjoyed the humor and pop culture references in this book. This made the story very relatable and I felt as though I really knew Katy. She was just like me. Although Daemon can be arrogant, he was hilarious due to his continuous sarcastic comments. There were times when I had to put the book down because I was laughing so much. One example in the first book was when he told Ashley to go buy a happy meal at McDonalds so that she will no longer be angry. I just couldn't stop laughing. There were lots of references to pop culture as well. For example, in the last book, there were so many Harry Potter references and there was even an Avengers reference. This helped the make the series so relatable 

I really loved the character of Katy. I loved how she wasn't one of those characters who let others walk all over her. Katy is very comfortable in her own skin and won't take crap from anyone. She puts Daemon in his place so many times that it was so funny. She was a very enjoyable character to read about. And the best thing was that she loved books as much as I do and even ran her own book blog. That was a pleasant surprise. You don't come across too many books where the main character has their own book blog and it was because of this that I found her so relatable. I loved how every Wednesday she would write a Waiting on Wednesday post. It reminded me of my blog so much and when I participate in Top Ten Tuesday

The Cons:  The beginning of the first book I found quite difficult to read and this was because of Daemon and his arrogant nature. I was so tempted at times to put the book down as he would became very annoying. I just wanted to jump in the book and slap him. He just thought he was the best person ever. However I did power through it and It was about 3/4 into the first book that I actually started to like him. We learnt more about Daemon and why he acts the way he does. I mean I love him so much now. He is now one of my favourite fictional characters 

Although I didn't particularly hate this, I know that many people will. This book as a lot of Twilight parallels to it. Although the characters are very different and how everything happens is different too, it can annoy some people. There were a few times when I thought, didn't something like this happen in Twilight? But honestly, it didn't really annoy me. Armontrout took an idea from Twilight, changed it and made it way more enjoyable. I found this happened more in the first book. But It paralleled Twilight in a good way

Would I recommend this book?  I'm not sure if this series is for everyone. But it is a very easy and fun series to read. I laughed so many times in this series and always had a smile on my face (except in the beginning when Daemon was being an asshole). If you don't mind the Twilight parallels (and as I said before it's not bad. It parallels it in a good way) then you will enjoy it. I enjoyed it way more than I thought I would.