Reviewing Anna and the French Kiss

Anna and the French Kiss

by Stephanie Perkins

Chances are if you've been on the internet lately, you've at least heard about this book. I'll be the first to admit that if I had just seen this book on the shelf at the bookstore, I probably wouldn't have given it a second glance. Chick lit romances aren't necessarily my favorite genre. But the story kept getting positive feedback, and my interest in the book went and got itself piqued. Even then I still wasn't entirely certain. But it just so happened they had a copy left at Borders and it was seventy percent off, so I caved and bought it.


As stolen from Amazon.com:

"Anna Oliphant has big plans for her senior year in Atlanta: hang out with her best friend, Bridgette, and flirt with her coworker at the Royal Midtown 14 multiplex. So she is none too happy when her father sends her off to boarding school in Paris. However, things begin to look up when she meets Étienne St. Clair, a gorgeous guy–with a girlfriend. As he and Anna become closer friends, things get infinitely more complicated. Will Anna get her French kiss? Or are some things just not meant to be?"

I will admit that when I first read that I thought oh zut! Cliché cliché cliché! (And I felt really smart because "cliché" and "zut" are both french words, and the novel takes place in Paris.) I thought it was going to be the classic—girl who doesn't have very much self-confidence gets thrown into a new school and ends up dating the hottest guy there even though he's been in a relationship with another, prettier girl for the past year and a half. 


And yes, the plot travelled somewhat along those lines, but what set this book apart from other young adult romances were the characters. I cannot rave enough about how amazingly awesome these characters were, especially the two leads Étienne and Anna. From their dreams, to their fears, foibles, and quirks, these characters leap off the page. They're real. They're relatable. They're incredible. They're spunky. By the end you'll be rooting for them all in one way or another, and I can happily say that you won't be disappointed in the least.


This book also has an awesome soundtrack, which can be found here. I wouldn't listen to it until you're well into the book or finished, because it does contain spoilers.


Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ / 5

P.S. Keep in mind my lack of credentials when reading this.