Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins

Isla and Josh have an undeniable connection and memorable adventures through Europe and New York, but, when the other two couples finally make an appearance, it's obvious they won't knock Anna and Etienne or Lola and Cricket off as Perkins' best couple. In other words, this is definitely more of a make-out book than the previous two. This time, the passion has to be intense, because the conversational banter and buildup of romantic chemistry is replaced by the BOOM of crackling instant love.

But there's something to be said for the slow burn from friends-to-more that formed the basis of her first two literary couples. It's no surprise that Perkins saved the steamiest romance for this final book. Isla has always wanted Josh, and now that Josh is finally single (he had a serious girlfriend all through junior year), everything comes together rather perfectly at first - until Josh's risk-taking and broody family life (and Isla's crippling insecurities) get in the way. Penguin, 2015 - Juvenile Fiction - 368 pages. The wait is finally over, and Perkins' third protagonist, Isla, doesn't fall in love after months of platonic friendship like Anna did or reconnect with a childhood crush like Lola did but rather immediately after years of unrequited longing. Her swoon-worthy first two novels came out less than a year apart in 20, but, due to the author's self-acknowledged depression, fans had to wait nearly three years for the last book to get published. Their romantic journey is skillfully intertwined with those of beloved couples Anna and tienne and Lola and Cricket, whose paths are destined to collide in a sweeping finale certain to please fans old and new.Perkins is extremely adept at describing adolescent romance, expressing the profound way in which attraction and desire can overpower and overwhelm the senses. 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.

'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.'įrom the glittering streets of Manhattan to the moonlit rooftops of Paris, falling in love is easy for hopeless dreamer Isla and introspective artist Josh. 'Stephanie Perkins' characters fall in love the way we all want to, in real time and for good.'-Rainbow Rowell Isla has had a crush on classmate Josh since their freshman year at the School of America in Paris, but after a chance encounter over the summer in Manhattan they return to France for their senior year where they are forced to confront challenges every young couple in love must face.

Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins