Anna and the French Kiss

Title: Anna and the French Kiss

Authors: Stephanie Perkins

Release Date: 2 December 2010

Genre: YA

Series: 2 more companion novels

Pages: 372

Author's Description:

Anna was looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. So she's less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris—until she meets Étienne St. Clair. Smart, charming, beautiful, Étienne has it all . . . including a serious girlfriend.

But in the City of Light, wishes have a way of coming true. Will a year of romantic near-misses end with their long-awaited French kiss? Stephanie Perkins keeps the romantic tension crackling and the attraction high in a debut guaranteed to make toes tingle and hearts melt.

I actually really liked this book!

Apart from the uh interesting title, this book far surpassed my expectations. I don't like books centered around romance. Yes. But oh boy does this book makes me think twice.
I loved the development of the plot, and the author had me going all No you foolish girl! to Oh. My. Gosh.

I don't like reading chick-lit as they usually seem very shallow and vapid, and I cannot connect with them.
Anna Oliphant, the protagonist, is very intriguing. She aspires to be a movie critic. Very unique, and this is what made me like her as she doesn't want to be an actress or whatever, but wants to review and recommend movies to people. To me, she comes across as witty and likeable. When she couldn't speak French to the chef and stutters through her attempt to say words like broccoli or anything, it's actually rather endearing. We mostly have our embarrassing moments, and our faults, and these on Anna just seem to enhance her personality.

The parts I enjoyed the most was when Anna decides to reconcile with a certain friend after understanding her side of the story. It's great to see reconciliation, and understanding between friends, instead of the cat fight that usually ensues. And on the plus side, the ending made my cheekbones hurt from smiling too much. Oh how I love happy endings!

The character I liked the best was Sean! He reminds me of the days when having a relationship was an embarrassing subject and perfect fodder for teasing your sibling. Especially during Etienne's phone call. He makes me want a little brother! But no. My friends complain too much about brothers anyways.

This book is perfect for a standalone novel, no sequels or whatever. I would recomend reading this title when your looking for a great read that will make you smile for the day. Can't wait to read the other titles by Stephanie Perkins!

6/5