ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS by Stephanie Perkins
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- Reading level: Young Adult
- Hardcover: 384 pages
- Publisher: Dutton Juvenile (December 2, 2010)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0525423273
- ISBN-13: 978-0525423270
- Scource: Publisher
- Rating: YYYYY
Anna is looking forward to her senior yearin 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. Claire: 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?
I look down, and I’m surprised to find myself standing in the middle of a small stone circle. In the centre, directly between my feet, is a coppery-bronze octagon with a star. Words are engraved in the stone around it: POINT ZÉRO DES ROUTES DE FRANCE.“Mademoiselle Oliphant. It translates to ‘Point zero of the roads of France.’ In other words, it’s the point from which all other distances in France are measured.” St. Clair clears his throat. “It’s the beginning of everything.”I look back up. He’s smiling.
“Welcome to Paris, Anna. I’m glad you’ve come.”
“Sigh….” with a passage like that how could you not fall in love with this book. I dare you not to
REVIEW
ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS by Stephanie Perkins is one of the most wonderfully charming novels that I have had the pleasure of reading in a long long while. because it hosts an amazing romance that is honest, endearing and totally swoon worthy. C’est Magnifique!!!
Just like drinking hot cocoa on a chilly day, once I began ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS I was filled with a warmth and satisfaction that soothed my romance hungry soul. The relationship between Anna and St. Clair was slow building, fun and tenuous and although a tiny part of me wanted instant gratification and have them make out from the beginning (because they are so perfect for one another) I was surprised at how much I truly enjoyed the romance that slowly built between them. I am know that my glutinous romantic soul is used to the over the top, “BAM!” wenevermetbutoncewelockeyesoneachotherwearesoulmates type of relationship that I forgot how amazing a true romance can be. Thank you, Stephanie Perkins.
One of the factors that I found surprising was the many facets of relationships that were explored within this book. Friendships, Marriage, boy-girlfriends and how each are handled through different characters give this story substance and and edge that keep it from being sugary sweet. I will admit to hating St. Claire’s father with a passion intensity of a thousand suns, but we always need a villain in a story to throw our hatred at.
What is also amazing about ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS, besides Anna and St. Clair and it’s memorable cast of characters is the descriptive quality of Paris, the city of lights. After reading about Notre Dame, Point Zero and the many theatre’s that were at the heart of this story I wanted to feel the cobblestones underneath my feet, breath in the fresh air and see the lights dance on the river seine. And if that wasn’t enough Stephanie also made me want to indulge in french bread, fruit, panini’s and crepes like nobodies business. I was left practically salivating when I read about how Anna was enjoying her nutella-banana crepe masterpiece and knew I had to have the same. I have marked it down on my “To Do” list for when I visit Paris later this year.
So, as you can witness I adored this book for many reasons. I could go into greater detail but that would only rob you of the experience that you must take. What I know is that I finished reading ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS and was left with warmth in my heart and a lightness in my soul that I will not easily forget. A story that is a feast for all the senses and for all ages, you must read this book. NOW!!
Long Live Romance!!