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aylasmart's review against another edition
4.0
This book was really really good, as is every book I have read by Stefanie Perkins. She describes the characters very well and their romance is adorable. Reading this after Anna and Lola, it's hard to love Josh as much as I love St. Clair and Cricket. The one thing I would say is their love works out too quickly. When the relationship doesn't work out at first it makes it so much better when it finally happens. This love was cute, but it didn't seem as real as in the other two books.
helloooooree's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
pestowitch's review against another edition
1.0
It concerns me how many people are reviewing this saying it's like the oh so perfect love story. The relationship between Isla and Josh is so beyond ridiculous and harmful to each other! Josh essentially gives up on school, starts going on unsanctioned trips to other countries, and gets expelled during the course of their relationship. Isla lets her grades start falling, decides to entirely change her future plans to go to a different college to be with a boy she's been dating for A MONTH, and basically drops her childhood best friend.
This went from a creepily obsessive crush to intense, all consuming love within a matter of pages and didn't feel very romantic to me at all? This was not a healthy relationship. It didn't have the warmth of Anna and St Clair, it didn't have the backstory of Lola and Cricket. It just had privileged teenagers throwing tantrums and jetting across Europe with each other without telling their parents. Isla was insanely jealous and continually attacked Josh about his previous relationship with Rashmi, and said incredibly hurtful things to him about the graphic novel he wrote. Also, the descriptions of the graphic novel didn't work at all. It's graphic for a reason?
The only thing I liked about this book were the descriptions of Barcelona and the voice of reason from Isla's best friend, Kurt (who she doesn't listen to, and basically drops to hang out with Josh all the time).
Side note again: Just like the previous book, if the bit at the end about Anna and St Clair had been taken out, it wouldn't have made any difference to the story, so am annoyed this is marketed as "Anna and the French Kiss #3".
This went from a creepily obsessive crush to intense, all consuming love within a matter of pages and didn't feel very romantic to me at all? This was not a healthy relationship. It didn't have the warmth of Anna and St Clair, it didn't have the backstory of Lola and Cricket. It just had privileged teenagers throwing tantrums and jetting across Europe with each other without telling their parents. Isla was insanely jealous and continually attacked Josh about his previous relationship with Rashmi, and said incredibly hurtful things to him about the graphic novel he wrote. Also, the descriptions of the graphic novel didn't work at all. It's graphic for a reason?
The only thing I liked about this book were the descriptions of Barcelona and the voice of reason from Isla's best friend, Kurt (who she doesn't listen to, and basically drops to hang out with Josh all the time).
Side note again: Just like the previous book, if the bit at the end about Anna and St Clair had been taken out, it wouldn't have made any difference to the story, so am annoyed this is marketed as "Anna and the French Kiss #3".
betka_s's review against another edition
3.0
Lepší než Lola, ale tak moc přeslazené, že mi trnou zuby. Anna je prostě Anna, i když tady mi ten konec s ní přišel trochu ujetý, promiňte všechny fanynky :D
aameem's review against another edition
3.0
Okay, let's start with the obvious. This is yet another in a long line of popular YA trotting out the same stereotypical heroines, childish misunderstandings, unimaginative rumours, transparent lies, shitty parents, dramatic kisses (that happen right as the fireworks go off behind the couple on New Year's Eve), watered down language and best friends who also double as your shrink. We know what's going to happen before we read it. We've read a hundred like it before. Why, then, do we keep going back to it?
I believe a potent combination of nostalgia and the comfort of a familiar narrative structure is at work. It's why adults still read YA. They liked it because they could relate to the themes explored in it when they were teenagers discovering themselves and the world around them (but mostly themselves) for the first time. Then the mere exposure effect took over. Repeated exposure created preference and they became hooked. It is the same reason we crawl back to our exes and into toxic relationships, the same reason we play songs on repeat even after we kind of hate them and the same reason we can't stop watching Disney movies. Let's face it, stereotypes make it easier for us to read because we don't have to put in time and effort behind processing the unfamiliar. We can just sit back and trust the story to take over and do what it's done in the past.
I'd like to say this though. While Isla is really another [b:Anna|6936382|Anna and the French Kiss (Anna and the French Kiss, #1)|Stephanie Perkins|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1358271931s/6936382.jpg|7168450] and definitely no [b:Lola|9961796|Lola and the Boy Next Door (Anna and the French Kiss, #2)|Stephanie Perkins|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1358271832s/9961796.jpg|7149084], some of it really hit me hard. I couldn't help but relate to it. Josh and Isla had to go through the agony of separation, work through the anxiety, depression and withdrawal that comes with it, deal with doubts, cope with the dreadful reality of getting caught and get past parental disapproval. This was painful to read because it was all too familiar. I might have cried a little when Josh sends Isla a worn T-shirt that smells like him and she sends her scarf back as a peace offering even though they're fighting. It was all too real. I also have to say this. ISLA IS SUCH A BITCH. I CAN'T BELIEVE SHE MADE HER AUTISTIC BEST FRIEND APOLOGISE TO HER FOR HIS AUTISM. I CAN'T BELIEVE SHE BROKE UP WITH HER BOYFRIEND BECAUSE SHE WAS JEALOUS OF AN EX THAT WASN'T EVEN IN HIS LIFE. HOW SELFISH CAN SHE BE? What went wrong, Stephanie Perkins? How could you go from my beautiful, sparkly Lola to this?
I believe a potent combination of nostalgia and the comfort of a familiar narrative structure is at work. It's why adults still read YA. They liked it because they could relate to the themes explored in it when they were teenagers discovering themselves and the world around them (but mostly themselves) for the first time. Then the mere exposure effect took over. Repeated exposure created preference and they became hooked. It is the same reason we crawl back to our exes and into toxic relationships, the same reason we play songs on repeat even after we kind of hate them and the same reason we can't stop watching Disney movies. Let's face it, stereotypes make it easier for us to read because we don't have to put in time and effort behind processing the unfamiliar. We can just sit back and trust the story to take over and do what it's done in the past.
I'd like to say this though. While Isla is really another [b:Anna|6936382|Anna and the French Kiss (Anna and the French Kiss, #1)|Stephanie Perkins|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1358271931s/6936382.jpg|7168450] and definitely no [b:Lola|9961796|Lola and the Boy Next Door (Anna and the French Kiss, #2)|Stephanie Perkins|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1358271832s/9961796.jpg|7149084], some of it really hit me hard. I couldn't help but relate to it. Josh and Isla had to go through the agony of separation, work through the anxiety, depression and withdrawal that comes with it, deal with doubts, cope with the dreadful reality of getting caught and get past parental disapproval. This was painful to read because it was all too familiar. I might have cried a little when Josh sends Isla a worn T-shirt that smells like him and she sends her scarf back as a peace offering even though they're fighting. It was all too real. I also have to say this. ISLA IS SUCH A BITCH. I CAN'T BELIEVE SHE MADE HER AUTISTIC BEST FRIEND APOLOGISE TO HER FOR HIS AUTISM. I CAN'T BELIEVE SHE BROKE UP WITH HER BOYFRIEND BECAUSE SHE WAS JEALOUS OF AN EX THAT WASN'T EVEN IN HIS LIFE. HOW SELFISH CAN SHE BE? What went wrong, Stephanie Perkins? How could you go from my beautiful, sparkly Lola to this?
saraisreading95's review against another edition
5.0
As always... Another perfect story written by Stephanie Perkins, I just can't get enough.... So... can she please write more?? Pretty please??
ccath's review against another edition
5.0
I was not the biggest fan of Anna or Lola's story but I loved this one!
Loved their chemistry!
I'm glad that Josh's story was also presented. In the first book it was one of the characters that intrigued me.
Loved their chemistry!
I'm glad that Josh's story was also presented. In the first book it was one of the characters that intrigued me.
mehsi's review against another edition
2.0
Let's just start with: I loved the other books, they were romantic, sweet and beautiful. This one, however, was not.
I enjoyed it quite a bit, there were a lot of funny parts, however I didn't like the relationship of Josh and Isla. It was so unrealistic, so strange. I mean, come on, they have been in a relationship for a month, and they act like they are married, have sex, do stuff they are not supposed to do and so much more . I just didn't feel like it was real, just all fake. In the other books the romance was done better, more realistically and more fitting. Josh and Isla didn't feel like they fitted together. I think it would have been better if the relationship was longer, like 6 months, that would make it more believable than a big portion of the book about a 1 month relationship. It is a real shame, I was looking forward to this one, especially since I loved the previous ones.
And I got a bit tired of their over-sexuality. They kissed everywhere, no matter how inappropriate or strange. It was just awkward.
Isla is only a so-so character, I felt like she was a bit too attached to Josh, neglecting other things (friends, family and most importantly, studying). I didn't like how she was just stalking him everywhere ever since Freshman, how desperate are you? Seriously? At times I felt Isla was devoid of character, or that her character was just: JOSH JOSH JOSH OMG JOSH, and nothing else.
Josh was so-so too, I didn't like his character too much. I am not sure why, but I just didn't like his personality.
And they are such drama-queens, the both of them. Oh boohoo I did something wrong, and now I have to be separated from my ONE TRUE LOVE (whom you have only been with for a month, so wow). *sniffle sniffle*Nope. Sorry, but the whining at the end, just turned me off so much. They both act like complete idiots, and all because they have to be separated. Girl (and also boy), that is how life is, you can't be with each other 24/7/365. And besides you did something wrong, what did you expect? Oh teehehehe you ran away to another f-ing country and nothing will happen? No, especially with Josh his history and detentions, you could have expected this.
It was just sooo pathetic to see them act like this. Josh desparate and strange (why would anyone in their right minds sent drawn pages about your life which includes sex with ex-girlfriends, to a girlfriend. And then think it is ok.... What?????? No)
Then we have Kurt, who I am sure is around 17 years old. You don't sleep in one bed with your male-friend. Just no. Not at that age. You can do that when you are 10 or so, but not when you are that age. And Isla was just an idiot. Why would you think people think you are having a relationship with Kurt. Maybe because he spends every waking hour with you and even sleeps in your f-ing bed???? *rolls eys* I also didn't like Kurt that much, I found him mostly annoying and I often thought he was more of a puppy than a human boy.
Hattie was just Hattie, I really hated her guts and all that she did. Even with everything that happened near the ending, I still can't and won't like her.
I was happy to see characters from the other books back, hear that they are doing fine and are happy. And that ending, with Anna and St. Clair, ah *swoons*. It was just perfect. So happy to see that happen.
Would I recommend this book? No. However, I would recommend you all pop to page 347 (of the paperback) and swoon over St. Clair and Anna's wonderful scene of romance. And maybe read the few pages before that as well since that contains some Lola + Cricket. <3
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I enjoyed it quite a bit, there were a lot of funny parts, however I didn't like the relationship of Josh and Isla. It was so unrealistic, so strange. I mean, come on, they have been in a relationship for a month, and they act like they are married, have sex, do stuff they are not supposed to do and so much more . I just didn't feel like it was real, just all fake. In the other books the romance was done better, more realistically and more fitting. Josh and Isla didn't feel like they fitted together. I think it would have been better if the relationship was longer, like 6 months, that would make it more believable than a big portion of the book about a 1 month relationship. It is a real shame, I was looking forward to this one, especially since I loved the previous ones.
And I got a bit tired of their over-sexuality. They kissed everywhere, no matter how inappropriate or strange. It was just awkward.
Isla is only a so-so character, I felt like she was a bit too attached to Josh, neglecting other things (friends, family and most importantly, studying). I didn't like how she was just stalking him everywhere ever since Freshman, how desperate are you? Seriously? At times I felt Isla was devoid of character, or that her character was just: JOSH JOSH JOSH OMG JOSH, and nothing else.
Josh was so-so too, I didn't like his character too much. I am not sure why, but I just didn't like his personality.
And they are such drama-queens, the both of them. Oh boohoo I did something wrong, and now I have to be separated from my ONE TRUE LOVE (whom you have only been with for a month, so wow). *sniffle sniffle*Nope. Sorry, but the whining at the end, just turned me off so much. They both act like complete idiots, and all because they have to be separated. Girl (and also boy), that is how life is, you can't be with each other 24/7/365. And besides you did something wrong, what did you expect? Oh teehehehe you ran away to another f-ing country and nothing will happen? No, especially with Josh his history and detentions, you could have expected this.
It was just sooo pathetic to see them act like this. Josh desparate and strange (why would anyone in their right minds sent drawn pages about your life which includes sex with ex-girlfriends, to a girlfriend. And then think it is ok.... What?????? No)
Then we have Kurt, who I am sure is around 17 years old. You don't sleep in one bed with your male-friend. Just no. Not at that age. You can do that when you are 10 or so, but not when you are that age. And Isla was just an idiot. Why would you think people think you are having a relationship with Kurt. Maybe because he spends every waking hour with you and even sleeps in your f-ing bed???? *rolls eys* I also didn't like Kurt that much, I found him mostly annoying and I often thought he was more of a puppy than a human boy.
Hattie was just Hattie, I really hated her guts and all that she did. Even with everything that happened near the ending, I still can't and won't like her.
I was happy to see characters from the other books back, hear that they are doing fine and are happy. And that ending, with Anna and St. Clair, ah *swoons*. It was just perfect. So happy to see that happen.
Would I recommend this book? No. However, I would recommend you all pop to page 347 (of the paperback) and swoon over St. Clair and Anna's wonderful scene of romance. And maybe read the few pages before that as well since that contains some Lola + Cricket. <3
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/