Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins

** 5 AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL AND BITTERSWEET STARS **

Isla and the Happily Ever After is the third and possibly last book in the Anna and the French Kiss series and we have all waited a very long time for it in anticipation. I can't even begin to describe how happy and heartbroken I was by the end of this book. I am not ready to let these precious characters go... I want to read more about life and what may happen to them in the future. But even so, I know it's probably for the best. Anyway, starting from the get-go, you're immediately thrust into Isla's head and her interactions with her long-time crush, Josh Wasserstein. I adore Isla when it comes to her witty responses and dorky personality as well as her depreciating manner. And Josh! How can I ever forget him. The sweet, funny, and just adorable artist whom Isla has had a crush on since forever. They're literally a match made in heaven and I loved how adorable they were together.

"It’s midnight, it’s sweltering, and I might be high on Vicodin, but that guy - that guy right over there - that’s him. The him."

Many readers may say that their love happened way too quickly, but that's where you're wrong. Josh has always noticed Isla and she, him. Although they didn't get together, Isla became the one person who truly mattered and one whom Josh came to love dearly. I knew from the beginning that there would eventually be heartbreak between Isla and Josh... and Stephanie Perkins definitely delivered. Many tears will be shed, you hear me! I was absolutely devastated starting from 60% to the end. Something really sad happened and Isla begins to doubt herself as well as her relationship with Josh. Don't get me wrong, I actually sympathized with her. Josh was becoming, well, rather distant. He barely had time for her and not to mention long-distance relationships don't always work out in the end. Thankfully! Everything worked out in the end for those two because I was near the breaking point. I wanted things to work out between them so badly and that separation nearly broke my heart.

"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, it’s okay to be inspired by the people who do know their future."

Rating: ★★★★★

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

I fell completely and utterly in love with this book. There are no words to describe how I feel about it besides postive words like wonderful, marvelous, and just beautiful overall. Even the ending made me smile! I love Anna and Etienne's relationship so much because it was so freaken sweet! Etienne literally redefines the word sexy and adorable. I recommend this book to any YA and contemporary romance fans because it's definitely a book that you don't want to miss out on! The cover and title may be quite misleading because of it's simpleness... but there is NOTHING simple about this book. It's story about finding true love, independence, and friendship. What's not to love?

After reading so many positive reviews about this book, I decided to give this one a go and I've been hooked ever since. Anna is a very likable heroine who is often flawed in many ways. Yes, there were many moments when I had to face palm because of some of the "dumb" things that she did. She's not perfect but no one truly is. She's just a girl who's falling in love with a guy who she isn't supposed to fall in love with. I love how she tries her best to not fall in love with him because she knows it's wrong. But unfortunately, when you've fallen too deep in love with someone... it's hard to keep it all in. As for her friends, Mer, Josh, and Rashmi were pretty much awesome and what anyone would want in a group of friends. If it wasn't for them, I don't think Anna would have felt at home in Paris and found where she belonged. But her other friend back home Bridgette... let's just say I don't have a lot of nice things to say about her. To sum it up, she did the most hurtful thing that a best friend could do. Read this book to find out!

And now, let's finally talk about the cute English boy with a French name who claims that he is an American, Etienne St. Clair! Ugh, this guy is such a sweet, adorable, funny, and sexy mess. Not really, he's actually a neat freak like Anna. I think his relationship with Anna made this the most enjoyable book I have read in awhile. It's quite obvious that he's gorgeous and is the most popular boy in school... but alas, he is also another flawed character and I think this aspect is what makes him real. He fell in love with Anna the first time he met her but with a few complications such as his girlfriend, Ellie, it things a lot more complicated. Of course he feels guilty which is why both he and Anna try desperately to be just friends but it doesn't exactly work. They end up falling deeper and harder for each other the more time they spend with one another. But seriously, you'll know why these two make the perfect couple when you read it!

So YES, this book was so good that I had to go out and buy my own copy and read it over and over again. Not to mention that while I was reading this, Colbie Caillat's Falling For You was on! Overall, I give this book a HUGE 5 stars because of how great it was. For Stephanie Perkins first debut, she did an AMAZING job and I can't wait to read her next work!!

Rating: ★★★★★