Eleanor & Park
Rainbow Rowell
Like Isla and Josh, Eleanor and Park build their romance slowly through shared music and small gestures. Rowell captures the awkward, intense feeling of first love that gives the Isla series its heart.
12 books to read next
Books Like Isla and the Happily Ever After
If you loved Isla and the Happily Ever After by Stephanie Perkins
Readers who love Isla and the Happily Ever After usually come for the slow-building romance between two people who have been circling each other for years. The book is warm and bittersweet, with cosy scenes in Paris and New York and a sincere take on first love. It leans on emotional honesty more than plot twists, and its pace is gentle, with the ache of an uncertain future running underneath. Its pleasures are the familiar feeling of a crush finally coming true and a story that takes teenage feelings seriously.
Swoony first love
To All the Boys I've Loved Before
Jenny Han
Lara Jean's letters to her crushes give this book the same sweet, wistful tone as Isla's story. Readers who enjoyed Isla's hopeless-romantic streak will recognise her nervous, hopeful voice.
Along for the ride
Sarah Dessen
Auden's summer of self-discovery and quiet romance has the same reflective, gentle pacing as Isla. Dessen writes about first love and uncertain futures with the honesty that fans of this series appreciate.
Warm, funny voices
Dumplin'
Julie Murphy
Willowdean's sharp humour and self-assured narration bring the same lively charm Isla fans enjoy. The story also balances romance with a strong sense of self-acceptance.
Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda
Becky Albertalli
Simon's witty, anxious voice and his secret romance through emails echo the playful, nervous energy of Isla and Josh's story. It is a lighthearted, affectionate teen romance.
Am I Normal Yet?
Holly Bourne
Evie's honest, funny narration about friendship, love and figuring herself out will appeal to readers who loved Isla's candid inner monologue. It has the same mix of humour and heartfelt emotion.
Big-city romance and futures
The Sun Is Also a Star
Nicola Yoon
Set over a single day in New York, this story of two teenagers who meet by chance mirrors Isla's romantic city backdrop. It also explores how young people's choices shape their futures.
Frankly in love
David Yoon
Frank's romance is tangled up with family expectations and his plans for the future, much like Isla and Josh's uncertainty about what comes next. The tone is witty and tender.
Love, hate & other filters
Samira Ahmed
Maya's story balances a budding romance with pressure from her family and her own ambitions. Readers who valued the series' emotional stakes around futures and choices will find much to connect with.
Travel and second chances
Just One Day
Gayle Forman
A romance that unfolds during a trip through Europe, with a sense of wonder and a bittersweet undercurrent. It suits readers who loved the Paris settings and the feeling of a love story in motion.
Words on Bathroom Walls
Julia Walton
Adam's romance with a classmate is handled with tenderness and a hopeful outlook, much like Isla's. It is a heartfelt story about falling for someone while facing life-changing uncertainty.
Second Chance Summer
Morgan Matson
A summer of reconnecting, regret and quiet romance gives this book the same nostalgic, reflective feel as Isla. Readers who enjoyed the series' emotional, slow-burn sweetness will find it satisfying.
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