Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins

Synopsis:

Hopeless romantic Isla has had a crush on introspective cartoonist Josh since their first year at the School of America in Paris. And after a chance encounter in Manhattan over the summer, romance might be closer than Isla imagined. But as they begin their senior year back in France, Isla and Josh are forced to confront the challenges every young couple must face, including family drama, uncertainty about their college futures, and the very real possibility of being apart.

Featuring cameos from fan-favorites Anna, Étienne, Lola, and Cricket, this sweet and sexy story of true love—set against the stunning backdrops of New York City, Paris, and Barcelona—is a swoonworthy conclusion to Stephanie Perkins’s beloved series.

I am so happy that this book captivated me from start to finish. I so badly wanted it to be better than Lola and the Boy Next door, and IT WAS! So, I was thrilled.

We are back in Paris for this novel like the first one. I think that may have been part of what made a big difference. The second book was just so unlike these two that it didn’t feel like the same series at all.

In this one, we meet Isla who has been in love with Josh for years. Once they begin talking, she becomes aware that he has feelings for her as well, and it goes from there.

These books seem so much more romantic and sweet since they take place in Paris, a city that is known for romance.

I enjoyed Isla and Josh more than Lola and Cricket which made it even easier to read this one too. They had great chemistry right from the beginning, and it was hard to not get completely lost in their story.

This was a great 3^rd book. I think it is only supposed to be a trilogy, but I find myself hoping for more books in this series.

5/5 stars

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Two for the Dough by Janet Evanovich

Synopsis:

Bounty hunter Stephanie Plum is still learning the ropes at her cousin Vinnie's bail bond office, so when she sets out on the trail of Kenny Mancuso--a suspiciously wealthy, working class Trenton boy who has just shot his best friend--the stakes are higher than ever. That Mancuso is distantly related to vice cop Joe Morelli--who is trying to beat Stephanie to the punch--only makes the hunt more thrilling….

Taking pointers from her bounty hunter pal, Ranger, and using her pistol-packing Grandma Mazur as a decoy, Stephanie is soon closing in on her mark. But Morelli and his libido are worthy foes. And a more sinister kind of enemy has made his first move…and his next move might be Stephanie's last.

Book #2 in the Stephanie Plum series, and I think I can say that I enjoyed it even more than the first novel. Many times the first book is all about introducing the main characters in the series, and it is all so new.

Well, with the second book, I had a better understanding of who the characters are and how they contribute to the series. That makes it easier to read and it makes it more enjoyable.

Stephanie is a great protagonist. She is witty, smart, and just helpless enough to get herself into hilarious situations. I was a little annoyed with this in the first book. But there was an improvement in that area in this book, and I think she is starting to understand her job better and become more independent. I think that will only continue as the series goes on.

Also, Grandma Mazur is hilarious. She was the character that initially drew me to the series when I read the first book years ago.

The storyline in this one was interesting as Morelli and Stephanie were trying to find and catch Morelli’s cousin. It added a bit of complexity to it as nothing is ever cut and dry with family.

It surprised me how dangerous he actually was.

One thing I didn’t understand was how Sandeman just about disappeared after initially threatening Stephanie. I thought he would stick around longer and be a menace.

Regardless, It was a fun and fast-paced story.

The only thing I have to get used to is the chapters in these books are a lot longer than the ones in the Kinsey Millhone series and in Patterson books. So, sometimes, it seems to drag on longer than those. I don’t see that as being as much of an issue as I get more used to it.

I am also interested in seeing how the relationship between Stephanie and Morelli grows.

4/5 stars

Memorable Quotes: “I religiously went to the range to practice, but truth is I’m hopelessly unmechanical. I harbor an irrational fear of guns, and most of the time keep my little S&W empty of bullets so I won’t accidentally blast the toes off my foot.”

“I dressed in shorts and a sweatshirt and laced up my running shoes. I did this with the same amount of enthusiasm I could muster for self-immolation. I tried to run at least three times a week. It never occurred to me I might enjoy it. I ran to burn off the occasional bottle of beer, and because it was good to be able to outrun the bad guys.”

“I rumbled off to Vic’s Video and rented Ghostbusters, my all-time favorite inspirational movie. I picked up some microwave popcorn, a KitKat, and a bag of bite-sized Reese’s peanut butter cups, and a box of instant hot chocolate with marshmallows. Do I know how to have a good time, or what?”

“When in dread, my rule was always to procrastinate.”

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Rumble by Ellen Hopkins

Synopsis: 

Matthew Turner doesn’t have faith in anything.

Not in family—his is a shambles after his younger brother was bullied into suicide. Not in so-called friends who turn their backs when things get tough. Not in some all-powerful creator who lets too much bad stuff happen. And certainly not in some “It Gets Better” psychobabble.

No matter what his girlfriend Hayden says about faith and forgiveness, there’s no way Matt’s letting go of blame. He’s decided to “live large and go out with a huge bang,” and whatever happens happens. But when a horrific event plunges Matt into a dark, silent place, he hears a rumble…a rumble that wakes him up, calling everything he’s ever disbelieved into question.

Another great novel by Ellen Hopkins. As always, she doesn’t shy away from tackling tough, controversial topics. In Rumble, we find storylines about religion and suicide. Both of which are difficult topics to look at objectively by some.

I thought she did a good job. This book was full of heart-wrenching moments along with some humor from the protagonist.

Rumble also dealt with loss and underage drinking in a very real manner. It almost felt like this book could be someone memoir when made it even more interesting to read and it was easy to get sucked into it.

I found myself staying up way too late reading this book because I just could not put it down.

5/5 stars

Memorable Quotes: “See, the thing about the barreling-into-you kind of love is, it leaves deep, wide scars. I tried, but never stopped loving her.”

“’Too many parents don’t have time or inclination to observe what their children are reading, and far too many parents don’t raise their children to respect their decisions. That is why we, as a community, must assure that every book our children can access meets high moral standards. That is what God would have us do.’

Apparently, God is into banning books.”

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