Review: Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins

Isla and the Happily Ever After

(companion to Anna and the French Kiss & Lola and the Boy Next Door)

by Stephanie Perkins

8/14/14

Penguin

source: arc from publisher

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.

What some cool peeps are saying about Isla and the Happily Ever After

"Stephanie Perkins is the Jane Austen of our generation. Her stories ache, soothe, and leave you breathless with joy; there's true magic in these pages — it's an experience you won't soon forget."

–Tahereh Mafi, author of the bestselling Shatter Me series.

 

“Stephanie Perkins’s characters fall in love the way we all want to, in real time and for good.”

–Rainbow Rowell, award-winning, bestselling author of Eleanor & Park and Fangirl

“This adorable YA romance is half New York love story, half Parisian romance, and fully prepared to make your heart melt quicker than a gelato dropped on a sidewalk. Between sexy English expat Etienne St. Clair, and hottie west-coast intellectual inventor Crick Bell, Stephanie Perkins is already the creator of two of the greatest fictional boyfriends we’ve ever had the pleasure of sweating over. But, pssssst, you guys: you know that good things come in threes, right? Which is why we’re so excited for ‘Isla and the Happily Ever After,’ the long-awaited follow-up finale to ‘Anna and the French Kiss’ and ‘Lola and the Boy Next Door.’” –MTV.com

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So much adorableness, so much swoon-worthiness, so much humor, intensely felt emotion, gorgeous settings, and so much more...this is what’s in store for readers of Isla and the Happily Ever After!

This companion to Stephanie Perkins’ Anna and the French Kiss and Lola and the Boy Next Door, is the story of Isla and Josh (both seen in Anna). A chance encounter over the summer finds these two drawn to each other, and this sweet, yet intense attraction continues as they start their senior year in Paris. From Manhattan to Paris to Barcelona, their epic love story spans countries and continents, but Isla and Josh soon learn that happily ever after isn’t something so simply attained.

Fans of Perkins’ books have come to expect smart, funny stories full of addicting romance and engaging characters, and Isla and the Happily Ever After is no exception. There is so much to love about this final companion and the romantic, electric journey of Isla and Josh. I’d say this book is a bit darker and more intense than its predecessors, with palpable emotions that are felt soul-deep and so beautifully written. Like its companions, the writing in Isla and the Happily Ever After is zingy, smart, full of laughs, and accessible. Never stilted, forced, or unbelievable, Perkins’ storytelling sizzles, dazzles, and is perfectly paced. The hectic streets of Manhattan, the romantic city of Paris, and the utterly stunning sights of Barcelona, provide the most exquisite and fun settings. I fell in love with Paris through Anna’s eyes in Anna and the French Kiss, but I loved re-discovering this breathtaking city through Isla’s eyes and being a part of Isla and Josh’s Paris.

If you’ve read either companion book, then you know Perkins has an undeniable talent for creating charming, endearing, and relatable teen characters (and the most swoon-worthy guys!). Both Isla and Josh are just as wonderful as Anna, Etienne, Lola, and Cricket. Isla is utterly adorable, funny, engaging, and beautifully flawed. This tiny redhead captured my heart and tickled my funny bone. Josh is just as snarktastically witty as he is in Anna and the French Kiss, but we get to intimately know this captivatingly passionate and complex guy in Isla and the Happily Ever After. As individuals Isla and Josh are awesome, but together?! *boom* Fireworks! I love how insanely cute and fun, yet totally natural, they’re interaction always feels, from their sweet friendship, to budding romance, and fiery relationship.

Perkins ability to capture the thrilling, fervent, awkward, utterly terrifying, all consuming essence and act of falling in love, never ceases to amaze me! Isla and Josh’s romance, with all its sweet; sexy; heart-pounding; and heart-aching moments, feels so real and I became completely engrossed and enthralled by it. But, I also love that Isla and Josh’s stories are about more than just each other; they’re also about self-discovery, facing fears, and figuring who they are as individuals.

And of course, the wonderful, awesome, loverly Anna, Etienne, Lola, and Cricket make a superb appearance that readers will adore!

My Final Thoughts: Isla and the Happily Ever After made me laugh and cry, had me flailing and swooning, and, for a few hours, captured me completely. This is a lovely last line in the stunning love letter that is Anna and the French Kiss, Lola and the Boy Next Door, and now Isla and the Happily Ever After!

MY RATING

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Review: Lola and the Boy Next Door- 4/5 Cupcakes

TITLE: Lola and the Boy Next Door AUTHOR: Stephanie Perkins PUBLISHER: Dutton PUB. DATE: Sept. 29, 2011 FORMAT: Hardcover 339 pgs SOURCE: gift from baby sis

Lola and the Boy Next Door

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

THREE WORDS: Funny. Colorful. Sweet

MY “I JUST FINISHED THIS BOOK” REACTION: *swoons* I get it now…all the Cricket love/gushing/adoration/hype…I totally get it now *big sigh*.

MY REVIEW: Stephanie Perkins’ Lola and the Boy Next Door was a nice reprieve from my usual paranormal/fantasy reads and a great way to delve back into Contemporary Fiction. This book has had such great buzz and I totally get why. It has a quirky, delightful story; charming, engaging characters; and a sweet, realistic romance.

            SUMMARY

Seventeen year old Lola Nolan has a pretty great life- a dazzling sense of fashion, two loving dads, loyal friends, a hot, older rocker boyfriend, a great job, and big dreams. Ok, so her dads aren’t thrilled with her choice of boyfriend and her quirky style isn’t a hit with everyone and her biological mother complicates things…but, overall Lola’s life is pretty peachy. Until the Bells move back in next door. Lola has a complicated and painful past with the Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket. Lola must confront her lingering feelings for the handsome boy next door, deal with a less than ideal mother, and discover just who she wants to be.

            THE STORY

On the surface, Lola and the Boy Next Door may seem to be just a witty, sweet romance, which it is, but it’s also so much more. Lola’s journey throughout this book is an emotional and realistic one. This is an insightful, meaningful coming of age story grounded in realism. This is a story that anybody who has ever felt lost, not good enough, and plain confused can relate to. And who hasn’t felt that way?! Every page sparkles and shines with humor, heart, and honesty.

The story itself is nicely paced, with a perfect mix of present tense action and past memories/events that intertwine seamlessly with the immediate story being told. The story is told from Lola’s perspective, giving readers intimate and open access to her thoughts and feelings. And I really loved being inside Lola’s head! The story takes place over about six months, and I love that Perkins really builds Lola’s world layer by layer, giving readers a chance to get to know these people and this world. And I walked away feeling like I kind of became a part of this book for a few hours. There is something very simple, but completely intriguing about the everyday scenes of Lola’s life that Perkins included in this book, such as simple but sweet and funny moments of Lola at work or Lola hanging out with her BFF or Lola and one of her dads having a heart to heart talk. I think moments like these made Lola’s world and story very layered, realistic, and complete.

One of the things I liked best about this book is how much heart it has. At its core, this book is about love, family, acceptance, and finding one’s self. There are so many different, yet universally powerful, kinds of love in this book- romantic love, love between a parent and child, love between siblings, love between friends, love of oneself- and I found each of these examples of love to be quite insightful and meaningful. The emotions and feelings that the characters experience are so incredibly relatable and easy to connect with. With every laugh, tear, or angry snort, I found myself thinking I know exactly how that feels or Yep, been there too.

This isn’t a book with explosive action or a gasp-worthy climax, but it is electric in its own right. Lola’s story is addictive and impossible to put down (I read it in one late night sitting).

            CHARACTERS

This book is chock full of charming, compelling and dynamic characters.

Lola is one of those characters that only comes along once in awhile. She is delightfully unique, yet almost comfortingly predictable. She is bright, caring, determined, feisty, creative, endearingly quirky and frustratingly stubborn. She isn’t perfect, far from it. There were times when I wanted to smack her upside her fashionably wigged head or chastise her for her selfishness or inconsiderate actions, yet, I also wanted to hug her at the same time. Her imperfections are what make her easy to love and so relatable. Underneath her sparkly, fun costumes lies an insecure girl longing to be wanted for exactly who she is…yet, even she’s not sure who that is. I really loved watching this character grow and mature throughout this book. The humor, aching honesty, and unique perspective she brings to this journey of self discovery are refreshing and enchanting.

Cricket Bell *collective sigh*. What an endearing, one of a kind teenage male character! All the Cricket swooning and hype you’ve heard about? It’s not exaggerations! He really is impossible not to love. Cricket has a charming awkwardness, infectious disposition and a genuinely good heart. I loved every moment that Cricket appeared in this book and I only wish there was more of him. And I do think Perkins could have done a bit more with his character. There were moments when I thought perhaps his character was going to be explored more, but wasn’t, or when his issues were eluded to, but not elaborated on. I suppose my only complaint about his character is that there wasn’t enough of him. His intelligence, compassion, sweetness, and cute habit of rambling had me doing the swoony, sighing, big smiled, dreamy face. I’ll admit it, I’m completely smitten!

The supporting characters are fabulous! Lola’s BFF, Lindsey, is too awesome with her sarcastic tongue, love of all things spy-ish, and her loyalty to Lola. Cricket’s twin sister, Calliope, comes off a bit bitchy, but even when she’s being nasty you can tell that there is so much more to her. Her genuine love and care for Cricket is very touching. Lola’s older, rockstar boyfriend, Max, is a lot of fun to hate. He’s a total asshat, but he’s kind of a compelling asshat.  Anna and St. Clair are really fun characters…I haven’t read Anna and the French Kiss but I really want to now!

            ROMANCE

There are several romantic relationships in this book, but the main ones are Lola/Max and Lola/Cricket, and both are important.

Lola’s relationship with Max is intense, fun, and sexy. Lola is in love with Max, or at least she’s in love with the idea of him. For Lola, Max represents her desire to feel grown up and free. This is a relationship that I think Lola needed to experience and readers needed to see her in because it proves vital for her development as a character.

The relationship between Lola and Cricket is nothing like Lola/Max. Lola and Cricket have history together, a sweet, painful, complicated history. I really loved watching these two rediscover one another and kind of fall in love with each other all over again. There were times when the romantic dialogue between these two did sound a bit cheesy, but overall they’re captivating togther.  Like Lola’s fashion, this sweet relationship sparkles, shines, and dazzles.

MY FINAL THOUGHTS: This isn’t a perfect book, but it is an awesome book. Stephanie Perkins’ talent for writing funny, captivating and magical books really shines in Lola and the Boy Next Boy. I enjoyed this book immensely and I think you will too. This is a book that you really should read!

MY RATING

4/5 CUPCAKES

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