Review by emleemay - Isla and the Happily Ever After

emleemay 's review for:

Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins

1.0

“There’s no story,” I say. “I saw you one day, and I just knew."

^This pretty much sums up the most of this book.

First, let's be clear: I enjoyed Perkins' [b:Anna and the French Kiss|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 [b:Lola and the Boy Next Door|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]. They were pure romantic silliness, I know, but I liked the characters, the cute flirtations and the mindless entertainment.

When this third book was released, I bought it immediately but some negative reviews from my friends put me off. I think I always expected to return to it eventually. Though, honestly, I wish I hadn't bothered.

For one thing, there is literally no story for at least 80% of this book. In fact, I'm still struggling to see it. The other books are about the usual crushes, tensions and jealousies that come with high school romances - like I said, mindless entertainment - but [b:Isla and the Happily Ever After|9627755|Isla and the Happily Ever After (Anna and the French Kiss, #3)|Stephanie Perkins|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1362064564s/9627755.jpg|14515040] does not even have that.

The book opens with Isla drooling all over herself and being unable to function in the presence of Josh. A couple chapters in and we already know he likes her. A couple more and they're making out. Where is the tension? Where is the will they/won't they?

Also, that aside, Isla's obsession with Josh is unhealthy and not even in a cute way. She literally stalks him online, looking up information about his family on Wikipedia and finding his house on Google. That's damn creepy. If it was the other way around, I would be afraid for the girl's safety. Plus, he is her entire life, her crush on Josh is the most defining characteristic she has.

“I like Josh so much that I actually feel miserable.”

“I’m dizzy. It physically hurts to look at him.”

She goes on and on about him. She ignores her friend because she's too busy thinking about Josh. She acts like a self-centred brat because she wants to go gallivanting around Europe with him and - surprise! - she can't just freaking do that.

The biggest problem these rich white kids have is whether to go to Columbia or la Sorbonne. I just don't care about them.

Also, a guy who says “Your sister’s kind of a bitch, huh?” is way out of line, no matter how hot he is or how true it is. My sister’s a bitch too, but no one but me and my brother are allowed to say it

Spoiler

love you really, Chels ;)