Isla and the Happily Ever After

Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins

Age: Young Adult
Category: Romance; contemporary
Rating: 3 stars

Juliet Thinks: It is hard to forget Stephanie Perkins’ debut novel, Anna and the French Kiss, because of all of the praise it received from the YA community. Followed by Lola and the Boy Next Door and Isla and the Happily Ever After, these standalone novels are tied together with cameos from the different main characters of the books. I have to say that this book was my least favorite of the series, but I enjoyed it all the same.

Isla and the Happily Ever After centers around Isla, a studious hopeless romantic in her final year at the School of America in Paris. And then there’s Josh, the son of an American senator with a rebellious streak and artistic talent. Upon having an actual conversation for the first time, their romance escalates rather quickly with a love story that is very bold and rampant. With cameos from Anna, Etienne, Lola, and Cricket, and mentions of the Olympics, the novel grants the reader a sense of continuity and closure.


Perkins’ writing has a natural flow that most certainly captures the mind of a deeply infatuated female adolescent. The intensity of teen emotions dominates Isla and Josh’s relationship with very high school centric conflicts. At times, Lola’s immaturity and indecisiveness is very present, yet somewhat understandable given her age. One notable character from the novel is Isla’s best friend, Kurt, who has Asperger’s Syndrome. Their genuine friendship and Isla’s loyalty to him is heartwarming and realistic. I would even venture to say that I liked him more than I liked Josh.

This book features three different cities--Paris, Barcelona, and New York--which adds an almost magical aura to the happenings between Isla and Josh. The descriptions of city sights made me want to visit those places myself, most especially the Spain scenes. Lastly, I recommend this book to those seeking a quick, light read. Perkins’ touches of humor on this whirlwind adolescent romance will certainly entertain.