Anna and the French Kiss
Stephanie Perkins
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When Anna Oliphant’s dad tells her he’s enrolled her in a new school for her senior year, she is rightfully angry. When she learns the new school is in Paris? She’s not thrilled. Leaving behind a best friend, a crush, her little brother and a decent job, Anna is not ready to move halfway across the world where she knows no one.

Until she arrives in at her new school in Paris and meets Etienne St. Clair. Etienne is beautiful, but very very taken. But even still, life isn’t so bad in Paris. Anna quickly finds a small group of friends, learns where the nearest movie theater is and begins to explore the city of lights alongside Mer, Josh, Rashmi and of course, Etienne.

Even though Anna tries to ignore it, an inexplicable force between Anna and Etienne is ever present. But Anna has some issues to work through at home, and Etienne is struggling to deal with his mom’s recent cancer diagnosis. And in the meantime, both Anna and Etienne are trying to get through their senior year of high school.

I was a little nervous to read this book because it got so much hype (I literally haven’t seen a negative review yet!) but ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS definitely lived up to my expectations. I was originally attracted to this book because of the beautiful cover and the adorable title. The cover is just so romantic! (And for all the describing of Etienne’s manly hands throughout the book, I admit, the model on the cover does have very nice hands).

Perkins describes Paris flawlessly. So flawlessly in fact, this book made me want to travel back and give it another chance (terrible food poisoning ruined my weekend in Paris a few summers ago). The setting was pure perfection; readers will feel like they’ve been transported to France. I laughed out loud towards the end of the book when Anna climbed the stairs of Notre Dame and lamented about the number of steps. When I was abroad, I often complained about the amount of stairs basically everywhere!

I adored Anna as a main character. I love that she wasn’t anything special. She wasn’t the most popular girl at school. She wasn’t the prettiest.  She was you and she was me. She was unique and she wasn’t afraid to be herself, and that’s what I loved most about her. Even around Etienne, Anna never tried to play it cool; she stayed true to her personality, quirks and all. It was an added bonus that Anna was a movie buff and made references to lots of awesome movies, both new and old.

And then there’s Etienne. Oh, Etienne. Just like Anna and many other readers, I quickly fell for him. I only wish he and Anna had been able to get it together and admit they loved each other sooner (because that one kissing scene just wasn’t enough!) The sexual tension between the two throughout the book was very apparent, and as a reader, I wanted to scream, “GET IT TOGETHER, GUYS! COME ON!” but obviously, I understand both Etienne and Anna had their own issues to work through before they could admit to themselves the truth. Even though I wanted these characters to find each other sooner, I appreciated the subtle moments of tension where both characters were clearly wondering what the other was thinking. I’m sure we all remember these types of moments.

For some reason, it took me a few days to fully get  into this book, but once I surpassed about 100 pages, I was sucked in, and I wasn’t going anywhere. After a bit of a slow start, I found myself completely in love with Anna and this story.

The ending of this book is extremely satisfying. Even though I saw it coming, I devoured each page swooning in delight for Anna and Etienne. I admit, I didn’t want the book to end. I wouldn’t have complained if we followed Anna and Etienne to college in California.

I am so looking forward to Perkins’ next novel LOLA AND THE BOY NEXT DOOR. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next!

4.5/5