Isla and the Happily Ever After (Anna and the French Kiss, #3)

by Stephanie Perkins

[Kelly]

3½ Stars
http://www.divabooknerd.com/2014/09/isla-and-happily-ever-after-by.html
I'm always hesitant when it comes to a series finale, previously I've been left feeling disappointed, frustrated and angry enough to flip a table and storm out. Isla and the Happily Ever After was a somewhat fitting end, engaging, entertaining, emotional but also annoyingly predictable. Unlike Anna and the French Kiss, Isla doesn't explore beyond her room within the American School of Paris and it sadly lacked the same sweeping romance that was introduced in book one. The physical romance is ramped up as the storyline follows both Isla and Josh, two incredibly different teens that surprisingly compliment one another, until it seemingly all falls apart. Although Isla is the model student, she lacks direction and has no idea where her life is heading. While Josh is distracted and acts out against the guidelines of The American School of Paris, and seemingly wants to be removed. But Josh knows where his future is headed and that he wants to share it with Isla.

I loved Josh, although he had his own issues, he persisted with Isla and her insecurities believing that she was worth waiting for. After loving him from afar for so many years, Isla struggles with what she believes is Josh's sudden interest, and where Josh is concerned she has very low self esteem and her insecurities may just be her undoing. I felt that Isla was difficult to relate to at times. The unrequited crush is something most teens experience, the feeling of being lost, insecure and unsure about yourself and the world around you but she seemed to constantly complain, especially once forming a relationship with Josh. Once the initial excitement dulled, her thoughts constantly turned to why he loved her, why he wanted to be with her and it became tedious at best.

It was an entertaining read, but I must admit that I was left a little disappointed as I had been expecting so much more. It certainly lost the magical quality I'd found with both Anna and the French Kiss and Lola and the Boy Next Door, and bordered on just another generic young adult romance. No passionate love and adoration for the series finale, more entertained yet frustrated.