Review: Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
Anna and the French Kiss (Anna and the French Kiss #1)
by: Stephanie Perkins
Publication Date: Dec. 2, 2010
Publisher: Dutton
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: Young Adult
Source: Borrowed from Library
Page Count: 372 pages
Order Links: Amazon | B&N
My Rating: 4.5/5 stars
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 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?
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?
-goodreads.com description
What can I say about this book? I thought it was a fun, light, entertaining read. And I devoured it in NO time at all! And it was realistic! Finally, a book that accurately portrays teenage voice! Perkins writes exactly as a teenager would think and say. And I loved that. Finally, we don't have people swearing their undying love for each other because they make each other whole and they were destined to be together blah, blah. (Not that I don't love those romances, because let's face it: I totally do!) But it was refreshing to read a simple girl meets boy, become great friends, but then realize their feelings are a bit stronger than friendship.
Anna is our main character, and our first impression of her is not very good, in my opinion. She rants on and on about being sent away to Paris and how life is going to suck and just has a negative attitude. But then I stopped and thought: If I were being shipped off to Paris to spend my senior year of high school, I'd probably be throwing a hissy too, regardless of the fact that it's Paris!) I ended up warming up to Anna because she was just fun. She has her quirks, but I like that she doesn't go out of her way to be someone she's not. She's a little awkward at first, but with the help of her friends, she eventually gets over it and comes into her own.
Which brings us to our secondary character, Étienne (St. Clair). Oh, what to say about St. Clair? I now see why he made so many Top Ten fictional crushes lists. He is fun, polite, kind, and just an all-around sweetheart. He instantly forms a friendship with Anna and takes her under his wing to help her get used to Paris and the school. The only problem? He has a girlfriend. Anna knows she has to keep it casual, but the more and more the two spend time together, the harder it is to deny that they are attracted to each other. They just work together. They can talk to each other about anything, they find common ground over issues they have with their overbearing dads and they both use each other to lean on during rough times. Not to mention, I loved his and Anna's back and forth banter. Their scenes were so cute together you couldn't help but smile.
St. Clair definitely drove me a little nuts. But I respected that he was actually a decent guy who didn't want anyone to get hurt (even though it was unavoidable). He finally sees the big picture and goes after what he wants for once.
Anna quickly becomes a part of St. Clair's friends group, through association with Meredith, her next door neighbor. I liked Meredith alot because she was nice to Anna during her first night in Paris, and instantly welcomed her into their friends group. Josh and Rashmi were also side characters- Josh being a close friend of St. Clair's and Rashmi being best friends with Ellie (St. Clair's girlfriend). However, with Ellie already graduated, her and Rashmi's friendship had really dissolved and Anna ended up becoming pretty good friends with her. I am interested in seeing Josh's story in Perkins' upcoming book Isla and the Happily Ever After.
This is a great story about friendship, love, and stepping out of your comfort zone and taking chances.
12 comments
I loved this book. Lola and the Boy Next Door was also really adorable read. Very realistic as well. Great review.
ReplyDeleteLike you, I am also looking forward to her upcoming book, Isla.
Jennifer @ Dream Reads
This was definitely a cute, easy read. I needed it after all the emotionally draining books I've read lately! I can't wait to read Lola!
DeleteI haven't read this book yet! I've heard nothing but good things about it and your review makes it sound extremely interesting. I'm going to have to pick it up sometime soon. Great review :)
ReplyDeleteKim- it was fun and cute and definitely an easy read. Perfect spring/summer reading!
DeleteI loved this book too. I've been meaning to read Lola but just haven't got round to it. thanks for the reminder.
ReplyDeleteGwynn
http://gwynnethwhite.blogspot.com/
Thanks Gwynn! I also am excited to read Lola now.
DeleteI loved this book, but I think I loved Lola even more! Cricket...sigh. :) I can't wait for Isla! Great review!
ReplyDeleteOooh! Ok, I'm going to have to scour the libraries this weekend and see if they have it! Thanks Jen!
DeleteI adoreee that book!(: Glad you liked it too:D
ReplyDeleteSO cute! I can't wait to read more by Stephanie!
DeleteGreat review! This is my all-time favorite book, so I'm glad you liked it too! I can't wait to read Isla's story either - I have a hard time waiting for September!
ReplyDeleteSuch a great book! I can't believe I didn't read it sooner!!
DeleteLeave me some comment love! And I will get around to commenting back!
My blog is an award-free blog, however, as I just do not have the time to follow-up.