Isla and the Happily Ever After
by Stephanie Perkins
Series: Anna, #3
Released on: August 14th, 2014
Published by: Dutton
Rating: TBD when I read the full thing
Word rating: ANTICI...
Reviewed by: Blythe
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.
Disclaimer: this is not a review of Isla and the Happily Ever After in its entirety, but rather one of a sneak peek of the novel that was provided to me by the publisher. (And which is available to you all here on NetGalley starting today!)
This sneak peek was only about fifty pages long, and yet, I shipped it. Truthfully, I shipped it about five pages in, which I think is a record for me. If you throw in an awkward heroine and a slightly bad boy, artistic love interest and put them together while one is high on Vicodin, you can trust I will ship that immediately. Stephanie Perkins, you smart, shippy mastermind.
I have not yet read Anna or Lola, so Isla is the first introduction I have of both Isla and Josh. And, given that it's about fifty pages of a full novel, it's more of an introduction of an introduction. But even so, this introduction-ception was a really great one; again, if the heroine of the relationship is delightfully awkward and the love interest is likable and artsy, I will ship that without a doubt. And what could make room for awkwardness better than the MC being high from a wisdom tooth removal while flirting with the love interest (and at a café named Kismet, no less)?
This, of course, makes for some awesome and funny moments, and I found myself grinning at the characters and their interactions very soon in the novel (preview?). The rest of the sneak peek has funny moments too, and a lot of promise for a completely platonic relationship between Isla and her male best friend, so I'm excited for that. Overall, I'm not exactly sure what else there is to say about Isla, since I had only read about fifty pages of it, but those fifty pages were wonderful and full of shippiness that will likely hold me over until the novel's release in August, which I will await eagerly so that I may ship some more.
Also, Anna and Lola are now so far up in my reading list.
I have not yet read Anna or Lola, so Isla is the first introduction I have of both Isla and Josh. And, given that it's about fifty pages of a full novel, it's more of an introduction of an introduction. But even so, this introduction-ception was a really great one; again, if the heroine of the relationship is delightfully awkward and the love interest is likable and artsy, I will ship that without a doubt. And what could make room for awkwardness better than the MC being high from a wisdom tooth removal while flirting with the love interest (and at a café named Kismet, no less)?
This, of course, makes for some awesome and funny moments, and I found myself grinning at the characters and their interactions very soon in the novel (preview?). The rest of the sneak peek has funny moments too, and a lot of promise for a completely platonic relationship between Isla and her male best friend, so I'm excited for that. Overall, I'm not exactly sure what else there is to say about Isla, since I had only read about fifty pages of it, but those fifty pages were wonderful and full of shippiness that will likely hold me over until the novel's release in August, which I will await eagerly so that I may ship some more.
Also, Anna and Lola are now so far up in my reading list.
I'm glad you still enjoyed it even though you haven't read the first 2 books. I tried reading Anna and the French Kiss but couldn't get into it. Lovely snippet review Blythe!
ReplyDeleteJeann @ Happy Indulgence
I am reading the first two books SOON. I have the first book (and had actually started it a few months ago, but put it aside because I was super behind on ARCs at that moment).
Delete"If you throw in an awkward heroine and a slightly bad boy, artistic love interest and put them together while one is high on Vicodin, you can trust I will ship that immediately."
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure if you should be allowed around children, tbh. Also, if you like the awkward, you're going to love Lola. I really liked Anna but Lola was excellent. Second also: Kismet makes me think of Golden, which was also very excellent.
Third also: still jealous.
There's some -ception in this comment, too.
Probably shouldn't be.
DeleteYou haven't read her other books?! Oh they are SO AMAZING! I absolutely cannot WAIT to read this book!
ReplyDeleteI read both of the other books, and while I liked both of them, Lola was EPIC. I've been waiting on this little gem for what feels like FOREVER. I'm so glad you liked the sneak peek. When an author disappears, it makes me a bit nervous, but it sounds like I don't need to be ;)
ReplyDeleteJessica @ Rabid Reads