Fangirl Collab: Isla and the Happily Ever After Playlist

If you've read my review of Isla and the Happily Ever After, then you know how CRAZY I am about that book. It's insane how much I love it. It's the I-want-to-hold-you-in-my-arms kind of love. Alas, I only have the ebook copy.

If you still haven't read the book (WHY?! There is no valid excuse!) and you're unconvinced by my review and Michelle's review and Larissa's review, let me try again.

This time, I invited (or she invited me first, I'm not sure) my fellow Perkins fangirl, Laila, to make an Isla playlist with me. The book was just begging it. It's so beautiful that you can't help thinking of tunes while reading it. And we are pretty sure that when you listen to this playlist, you'll be itching to read or re-read Isla.

First, meet Laila.

Hi! I'm Laila from Cebu, Philippines. I'm a nocturnal bookworm who loves strong heroines in YAs, a hopeless romantic, and I often secretly fangirls (with screaming and jumping) in my room. I am part of a Cebu-based book club community called OTSP - On The Same Page and I also volunteer as a moderator over at Read Philippines, an online Filipino book lovers forum (where Joy and I met). I am into a lot of fandoms like Divergent, The Maze Runner, Stephanie Perkins PH group, Cebu Institute for Shadowhunters in Cebu, Rainbowsessed - A Rainbow Rowell PH group, and many more. Seriously, I love connecting with other fangirls/boys online who share the same passion as I have for books. When I'm not reading, I go online (or outside to see the sun shining) or tend to our family properties.

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Now, sing along!

Isla and the Happily Ever After from purplejoys on 8tracks Radio.

1. Jump Then Fall - Taylor Swift
"I like the way I can't keep my focus
I watch you talk, you didn't notice
I hear the words but all I can think is
We should be together..."
I chose this song as it reminded me of how Isla secretly longed for Josh from afar. After one wonderful moment with her "happy pill," she wondered if their encounter at Kismet actually happened. - Laila

2. Kiss Me - Sixpence None the Richer
"Kiss me beneath the milky twilight
Lead me out on the moonlit floor
Lift your open hand
Strike up the band and make the fireflies dance
Silver moon's sparkling
So kiss me..."
I think this was a perfect companion to Josh and Isla's first date. And let’s face we were all waiting for that perfect first kiss -- except it wasn’t exactly perfect! - Laila

3. Kiss Me Slowly - Parachute
"Well, I'm not sure what this is gonna be,
But with my eyes closed all I see
Is the skyline, through the window,
The moon above you and the streets below.
Hold my breath as you're moving in,
Taste your lips and feel your skin.
When the time comes, baby don't run, just kiss me slowly..."
One of my go-to songs whether I'm feeling down or happy. It's just so sweet and from the first time Laila and I decided to make a playlist, I knew that this song had to be in it. Kiss Me (above) is more for Isla but Kiss Me Slowly is for Josh, but I think it's more fitting for the time Josh was painting a mural. - Joy

4. On Top of the World - Imagine Dragons
"I’ve had the highest mountains
I’ve had the deepest rivers
You can have it all but life keeps moving
I take it in but don’t look down..."
If you've read Anna and Lola, you know that Perkins has the talent for making you feel like you're in the same place as the characters, whether it's in Paris, or in San Francisco. With Isla, we get to be not only in Paris and Manhattan, but also in Barcelona! This song is a great background song for Josh & Isla's Barcelona adventure. - Joy

5. Treacherous - Taylor Swift
"I can’t decide if it’s a choice
Getting swept away
I hear the sound of my own voice
Asking you to stay
All we are is skin and bone
Trained to get along
Forever going with the flow
But you’re friction..."
Another one from Taylor Swift. She has knack for capturing feelings of young love with her music. The lyrics reminded me of how Isla adored Josh so much. Even when other people around her kept warning her that Josh will not be good for her because they perceived him to be just another slacker student and will only be bringing her down, she refused to give in to it and have faith that there is more to Josh than meets the eye. I won't spoil you with the details but I can tell you that Isla's involvement with Josh drives her to do some reckless things. I think Isla has waited all her life for someone like Josh to light her up inside, that very friction to spark her up! - Laila

6. Wait For You - Elliott Yamin
"Girl you could have stayed but you wouldn't give me a chance
With you not around it's a little bit more than I can stand..."
Although this book is from Isla’s POV, I need to give a voice for Josh, too. Again, because I don't want to spoil you, I won't tell what happened but yes, Josh also went through a painful time (a lot of times, actually). - Laila

7. Mirror, Mirror - M2M
"Why don’t I like the girl I see?
The one that’s standing right in front of me
Why don’t I think before I speak?
I should have listen to that voice inside me..."
This song definitely reminded me of how Isla was after she made a big decision which made her miserable. - Laila

8. Brave - Sara Bareilles
"You can be amazing
You can turn a phrase into a weapon or a drug
You can be the outcast
Or be the backlash of somebody’s lack of love
Or you can start speaking up..."
Isla was a shy, quiet, insecure girl who likes to play it safe. But she had a turning point, and finally took a risk. This song is a great reminder of that moment. - Joy

9. I'll Be There For You - The Rembrandts
"Someone to face the day with, make it through all the rest with
Someone I'll always laugh with
Even at my worst, I'm best with you..."
This book reunites Anna, Etienne and their friends. That part of the book was one of my favorites because it shows that Perkins not only creates romance, she also creates friendships that are meant to last for a very, very long time. And sorry, but there is no better song about friendship than this one. There's a reason why it's the theme song of F.R.I.E.N.D.S., you know. - Joy

10. Ever, Ever After - Carrie Underwood
"Storybook endings, fairy tales coming true
Deep down inside we want to believe they still do
In our secret heart, it's our favourite part of the story..."
I was totally blasting this song when I finished reading Isla! I think this is totally fitting for Isla and Josh's love story. - Laila

And there you have it. Feel free to listen to these songs while you read and fall in love with Isla and the Happily Ever After. Happy listening/reading! :)