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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Lifeguard by James Patterson

Synopsis:

Working as a lifeguard at a luxurious Florida resort, Ned Kelly meets the woman of his dreams. It feels perfect in every way-except that she's used to caviar and Manolo Blahniks, and he's used to burgers and flip-flops. So when Ned's cousin offers to cut him in on a fast break-and-enter job, Ned can't turn it down. The risk is high, and the reward is even greater-$5 million. But the robbery goes devastatingly wrong. Forced to run away from his town and the woman he's fallen in love with, Ned knows that only distance and secrecy can save his life. But who is pursuing him? The FBI? Whoever sabotaged the heist? Or is it all somehow tied in to his new love-and his oldest enemies?

Lifeguard fits into multiple categories. It is a romance novel, a crime novel, a suspense novel and no much more.

For being a fugitive, Ned was an extremely likable character. I wouldn’t mind a series made about him alone. But, the series would have to be prequels to this book, as I believe this novel had a satisfying ending to his story.

Ellie was also a fun character.

This book was more character driven than story driven, and that is what made it fun to read. All of the character had very different personalities and it was fun getting to know them.

That doesn’t mean that the story was lacking at all, it just wasn’t exceptionally unique. A mediocre story line was made up for by the fun and interesting characters.

Lifeguard reminded me a little of the TV show White Collar which made it even better as I enjoy that show a lot.

4/5 Stars I really enjoyed it, but those who aren’t fans of Patterson may not.

I would call it a nice summer thriller. 

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Never Think About Love at Night by Valerie Nelan

Synopsis:

Cass Ingram throws a dinner party to celebrate buying her first house in midtown Memphis, Tennessee. Rye, Cass's perpetually single best friend, is obsessed with one of the party's married men but is seeing someone else. Another guest is planning an abortion without telling her husband of 15 years, and another is deep in a postpartum depression. Then there's newcomer Ben Lockhart, who has Cass's attention from the moment he appears.

With voyeuristic access into every character's head and heart, you'll soar into the wonder and hope of new love, then plunge into the deepest parts of love's madness. Friendships are cast into doubt, marriage crumbles, love begins. There's a near-murder, extra-marital sex, soul-wrenching confrontations, and brutal honesty that'll leave you cringing.

This book is interesting because for the majority of it, the setting does not change except for excerpts with flashbacks. It is about a bunch of friends at a house warming party. A party for the ages because everything goes wrong. Secrets are exposed and lives will never be the same.

For a book that deals with pretty harsh and saddening topics, it is a fairly light read. It is easy to get through without much effort. Not much happened, but a lot happened at the same time. It was interesting enough to make me keep reading it at least. 

I didn’t really understand the purpose of the “Chorus” parts of the book. They didn’t do anything for me.

I wouldn’t say this book was significant enough to change my life, but it was an interesting read overall.

3/5 stars Romance book with a side of dark topics.

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