Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

reviewer: Alison     June 18th, 2012     Chick Lit, Contemporary, Review, Romance, Young Adult

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Author: Stephanie Perkins
Publisher: Penguin Group
Published: December 2010
372 pages

Anna is 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. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris – until she meets Etienne St. Clair: perfect, Parisian (and English and American, which makes for a swoon-worthy accent), and utterly irresistible. The only problem is that he’s taken, and Anna might be, too, if anything comes of her almost-relationship back home. As winter melts into spring, will a year of romantic near – misses end with the French kiss Anna – and readers – have long awaited?

So I have been in a bit of a reading ‘lull’ lately. I’ve been sick for a few weeks and just havent felt like reading. But yesterday I decided to pick up Anna and the French Kiss and see if it could get me back on track. And boy oh boy did it ever! This was the PERFECT choice to cheer me up and get me reading again. I absolutely adored every minute of it and read it in less than a day.

Contemporary cute chick lit romance set in Paris. What more could a girl ask for. I was enthralled, mesmerized and completely sucked into this wonderful story.

There are so many amazing aspects to this book but one that stands out the most for me is the setting. Paris. Anna doesn’t want to spend her senior year in a Paris borading school but it doesn’t take her long to start falling in love with the city… and me along with her. Although I have been to Paris, it has been many years since then but I now feel a deep need to go back there. The way that the culture, people and places in Paris is woven into the storyline is pure genius, it really works and I felt like ‘Paris’ was just another character in the book!

The characters are superb! Each and every one of them. And more importantly, believable. There was no love at first sight here. Anna and Etienne’s relationship built up beautifully as the book went on and was not without its ups and downs and I just loved this. Anna is relatable and extremely likeable and Etienne (insert dreamy sigh here) is just.. wow. It was also interesting (for me) to realise how Americans view us Brits and this is highlighted a lot in this book. I was facinated. Whenever Anna pointed out one of Etienne’s ‘Briticisms’ I had a little chuckle to myself because I didn’t realise he said something different until she pointed it out.

Anna also provides for a LOT of funny internal dialogue. I found myself laughing out loud several times over her internal witty and sarcastic musings.

So with its wonderful characters, engaging storyline, beautiful setting and general ‘cuteness’ I think this is WELL deserved of five stars. I really can’t find fault, at all, with this book and recommend everyone to read it.

5 wings



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10 Comments

  • leela says:
    18 June 2012 at 11:01 pm

    Have you read Lola and the next boy? It's very similar to this one. I think if you enjoy with this one I'm sure you'll enjoy with Lola and the boy next door :)

    Reply
    • Alison1805 says:
      19 June 2012 at 5:49 pm

      No I havent read that one. But I REALLY want to now! If its anywhere near as good as French Kiss then I'm totally looking forward to reading it :)

      Reply
  • Asher Knight says:
    18 June 2012 at 11:41 pm

    EEEEP! So happy to hear that you appreciated this amazing book. I fell in love with Stephanie almost instantly after I finished her books. I got to meet her and everything and it was a dream COME TRUE because she wrote something so wonderful. Anna and Etienne's love built so beautifully, as you said, and GOSH, it makes you yearn for happy endings everywhere. It's so real and heartfelt, this book. SOSOSOSO HAPPY to hear that you loved this one! :D
    My recent post Something Lovely Under the Stamps (45)

    Reply
    • Alison1805 says:
      19 June 2012 at 5:49 pm

      hahaha I can totally tell that you love this book too. And how amazing that you got to meet the author, that is so cool!!

      Reply
  • emaginette says:
    19 June 2012 at 12:31 am

    tweet, tweet. :-)
    My recent post Double the Awards–Double the fun.

    Reply
  • Zooey says:
    19 June 2012 at 4:14 am

    I've heard so many amazing things about this book!! I'm adding it to my TBR pile RIGHT NOW!!! Thanks for sharing.
    My recent post It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #1

    Reply
  • Daphne says:
    19 June 2012 at 2:11 pm

    Glad you're feeling better dear! I loved this book too, it's great how we've now both reviewed it :)

    Reply
    • Alison1805 says:
      19 June 2012 at 5:51 pm

      Thanks, I am a little better. This book made me feel happy yesterday and I literally wrote my review straight after finishing I was so excited lol

      Reply
  • Steph says:
    20 June 2012 at 2:44 am

    This book is such a perfect little package! So much charm and delight and I could gush about it for HOURS. Stephanie Perkins is such a quality writer and I can't wait until Isla and the Happily Ever After is released. I hope you enjoy Lola just as much!
    My recent post Top Ten Tuesday: Books On My Summer TBR List

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