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Anna and the French Kiss (Anna and the French Kiss, #1)

Stephanie Perkins

Start date: July 1, 2012

Finish date: August 1, 2012

Discussion: Book Of The Month

Discussion leader: Zee

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What Members Thought

May 08, 2011 Rose rated it really liked it

Shelves: audiobooks, realistic-fiction, romance, tbr-challenge, young-adult, chick-lit-challenge-2012

"Anna and the French Kiss" took me by complete surprise. It's definitely one of the better YA chick-lit romances I've read, considering its charming, well-rounded cast, intriguing protagonist voice, and vivid cultural setting. It's cute, romantic, and hilarious in spurts, and other times explores the painful sides of love, flaws, and coming of age moments for the respective teen characters. That's not to say that the story doesn't have some caveats, but once I picked up the book, it eagerly kept "Anna and the French Kiss" took me by complete surprise. It's definitely one of the better YA chick-lit romances I've read, considering its charming, well-rounded cast, intriguing protagonist voice, and vivid cultural setting. It's cute, romantic, and hilarious in spurts, and other times explores the painful sides of love, flaws, and coming of age moments for the respective teen characters. That's not to say that the story doesn't have some caveats, but once I picked up the book, it eagerly kept me reading. Even when I had to put it down, I couldn't wait to come back to it.

The premise centers around Anna, a young woman forced to attend school in Paris by her famous father (an acclaimed writer) and mother for an "enlightened" experience. Anna doesn't know much French other than "oui" (much less how to spell it) in the beginning, and considering her life seemed to be developing fine in Atlanta, she's less than thrilled to leave it behind.

Culture shock and new girl syndrome all in one.

She doesn't expect her life to make such a dynamic turn in Paris however, as she gradually forms strong relationships with the people at her school and becomes accustomed to both the language and culture of France. Even further, she falls in love with one of the most popular guys at the school - an English, French and American boy named Etienne St. Clair - which has its fair share of complications considering he already has a girlfriend and Anna's not the only one who has eyes for him.

I would say that the momentum this story had in the beginning was amazing - and I could've easily given it five stars for drawing me in and getting to know the characters. Anna has a compelling voice, and you really feel the range of emotions she goes through in her experiences. I even developed my own little mini-crush on Etienne. His charm and personality leap off the page, and when tragic circumstances happen in his life, it's hard not to feel for him and his respective family conflicts. Even the supporting cast of characters are well developed, and you get a clear picture of Anna's circle of friends, family, and instructors.

I would say in the last quarter of the book, the conflicts were perhaps a little more drawn out than they should've been, but I knew where it was going and why. I understood Anna's frustration with Etienne because of his inability to accept change - that was his fatal flaw. Still, it's a common fatal flaw in this particular genre. I'm frequently frustrated by many chick lit books where one person in the relationship finds it hard to let go and accept change. I felt the same way with Etienne in spurts, but at least it was presented in a clear-cut, plausible way. I'm also glad to see that Anna's assertive and clearly a heroine who articulates what she wants, even in her struggling moments. Thus, it's easier to feel for her in moments of frustration, grief, anger, and - ultimately - finding her way to happiness.

Overall, I enjoyed this very much and can't wait to read Stephanie Perkins next book.

Overall score: 4/5 ...more

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Jun 06, 2011 Annie McElfresh rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 5-star-awesomeness, my-favorites, favorites

One of My Favorites of the year! A must read. Full review to come.

1 like · Like · see review

Jun 24, 2011 Lisa Wadsworth rated it really liked it

This was a really good book!

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Apr 05, 2011 Shubba The Emo Reader rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Original Post: http://thoughtsofamadhatter.blogspot....

May Contain Slight Spoilers - due to random rambling.

I just want to say a big Sorry before I even start this review. I have no idea what I am going to write and I know its probably just going to be some random rambling and gushing because I just looooooooooved this book. It was just simply wonderful.

I'm still quite new to this genre having only really started to genre book outside the fantasy genre at the start of the year. I had seen this a
Original Post: http://thoughtsofamadhatter.blogspot....

May Contain Slight Spoilers - due to random rambling.

I just want to say a big Sorry before I even start this review. I have no idea what I am going to write and I know its probably just going to be some random rambling and gushing because I just looooooooooved this book. It was just simply wonderful.

I'm still quite new to this genre having only really started to genre book outside the fantasy genre at the start of the year. I had seen this around the internet for a while but never bought it. I am mentally kicking myself right now for that. I am in love with this book. I am meant just in love with everything, the setting, the characters and fantastic yet simple plot line that hooks you in from the very start. (I did warn I may just gush over the book didn't I? lol)

Anna and the French Kiss has a very simple plot. Anna is an American girl being forced by her parents to go to Boarding School in Paris. She doesn't want to go, she actually hates the idea of being there. However, soon she makes friends with Meredith, Josh, Rashima and Étienne St. Claire (St. Clair to his friends) Pretty soon Anna starts to fall for St. Clair and they soon become best friends. However, he has a girlfriend and Anna wonders if they will ever be together?

I adored the characters in the story. They are all different and just wonderful and funny. I can understand how Anna at first felt about the idea of moving to Paris, she is leaving the world she knows for a place where she doesnt even understand the language. Anna isn't your typical girl you get is YA books, she is smart, pretty and very funny. She isn't afraid to be goofy around St. Clair. Now on to St, Clair. Oh St. Clair, Oh St. Clair. I melted completely reading him. He was funny, handsome and very sweet. What I really loved about him was that he grow up on London so the author has added a few English words that we use over here and its something that I just loved.

Meredith, Josh and Rashima are St. Clairs friends. Even though they aren't the main characters they still are very strong characters and they all have the moments to shine in the story. I really felt for Meredith at one point I just want to jump in to the pages and hug her. (no spoilers so cant say much)

Anna and the French Kiss flows without any hitches. The plot is very simple. Girl meets boy, boy has girlfriend, boy likes girl even though he shouldn't, will they? won't they? Very simple. However, it just its fantastic. The story always seems to be building up to a certain point and the journey along they way just sucks to in and once we get to that certain point I and I know doubt every who reads screams YES!

Stephanie has really created just a wonderful addictive story. She has manage to capture Paris just beautifully. I have only ever been to Paris once but I still remember everything about it like it was yesterday and Stephanie has skip over any details when it comes to describing the city. I really felt like I was there hanging around Paris with Anna and following her everywhere. I guess that the genius of a fantastic story teller.

Well, as you can tell I loved this novel. Its fast paced, witty, clever and so addictive that once you start reading you will stay up to the wee hours of the morning to finish. Please if you haven't read this book go get reading. Anna and the French Kiss is now on my favourite read list.

...more

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Sep 10, 2011 Bianca rated it really liked it

Shelves: books-i-loved, romance-i-envy-and-love, front-covers-i-love, goodreads-reading-challenge-2011, guys-i-wish-were-real, read-want-to-own-it

Now this was a really great girly read. :D

I spent the day sick on the couch and was glad to have this book to keep me company. I really enjoyed the story and I loved St. Clair and Anna. They grew to know one another so well, with a few bumps along the way I'm glad it all worked out the way it did.

:) Great fun read. ! ...more

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Jul 06, 2011 Kailia rated it liked it

Shelves: 2011, ya-contemporary, young-adult

Update: When I first read this book in 2011, I was 17 years-old and I loved this book to pieces. I didn't really take the time to acknowledge all of the issues with this book but I feel like it's important for me to do so now. I lowered my star rating and removed my original review. ...more

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