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Review

4.5 stars lovestruck stars

OMG, I love this book!! It marks the end to one of my favourite YA romantic series, and it met all of my expectations with two amazing characters and an absolutely fantastic romance full of the joy, wonder, heartache and all-consuming nature of first ‘true’ love.

Josh and Isla were introduced in the first book of this series – Anna and the French Kiss. While Josh was a main character, as best friend to charismatic book-boyfriend, Etienne St. Claire, Isla was a background character who seemed really sweet, but we didn’t really get to know her at all. And now the two of them absolutely shine in their own book. Josh and Isla both attend the School of America in Paris. Isla has crushed on Josh for three years, and after an unexpected meeting in their home town of New York City when they both return to Paris for their Senior year, things between them seem to have shifted.

I love the way Stephanie Perkins writes her characters – a little bit flawed, a little bit quirky, but immediately and infinitely likable. I was already in love with Josh, who is an artist, passionate about his cartoons, and keen to explore what life has to offer, though he is initially quiet in this book, a bit of a loner after all of his friends graduated the year before, and seemingly struggling with being at school. Isla is quiet and mostly withdrawn. She has one true friend (the fabulous, scene-stealing Curt who is fantastically written!), and it’s with him that we see the true Isla, who is intelligent and little bit quirky, and when Josh comes into the picture, she truly starts to blossom.

The beginning of Isla-and-Josh is so gorgeous! It’s a little bit tentative and a little bit awkward, their interactions slowly revealing that they like each other with all of the quick glances, secret smiles and heart-pounding that goes along with that. And it’s so exciting! Each moment between them is dripping with anticipation, and watching them learn each other, admit to their feelings and become comfortable with each other was absolutely gorgeous.

Josh grins. “Just give me your hand.”
“W-what?”
“Your hand,” he repeats. “Give it to me.”
I extend my shaking right hand. And-in a moment that is a hundred dreams come true-Joshua Wasserstein laces his fingers through mine. A staggering shock of energy shoots straight into my veins. Straight into my heart.
“There,” he says. “I’ve been waiting a long time to do that.”

And that’s just the start of an absolutely beautiful love story that completely captured my heart. I was swept up with Isla and Josh as they fell in love. Their conversations were sweet, witty and meaningful, they both wore their hearts on their sleeves, and there’s even a bit of steamy time which is emotionally and tastefully written, and ties in beautifully to their deepening feelings for each other.

But all too soon, real life interferes with their bliss and their relationship is put to the test in ways neither of them could ever have imagined. Family drama, distance and uncertainty about themselves and the future all play a part in the unfolding drama, until the big moment that changes everything.

When it happened I sat there is disbelief wondering what had just happened… what did I miss? I honestly didn’t think it was necessary. It was stupid and it added unnecessary angst and heartache to a story that already had enough drama to keep it interesting. Admittedly, this sort of storyline is a pet peeve of mine so I probably reacted badly to it, but it did work in terms of character development, giving both Isla and Josh the opportunity to examine their lives and come to some much-needed realisations. It makes the book a real ‘coming of age’ story, and that part of it is really well done.

“Take a risk. Take a fucking risk. If you keep playing it safe, you’ll never know who you are.”

And it builds to an absolutely beautiful happy ever after (of course) that had me clutching my kindle with glee.

Anna and Etienne, and Lola and Cricket all make an appearance, and I will admit to a flutter or two at seeing Etienne in all of his cocky, romantic glory again. I love that boy – though Josh equals him on the book-boyfriend scale. They’re both amazing.

I absolutely loved this book! It’s a great mix of fantastic characters and gorgeous romance, all with that touch of wonder that Stephanie Perkins creates in setting the environments for her stories. From New York to Paris to Barcelona and back, she does a wonderful job of sucking you right into the story so that you feel like you’re living it right alongside the characters, and I love that.

It’s a beautiful ending to a much-loved series.

4.5 stars.

 

The Anna and the French Kiss series