Review: Anna and the French Kiss by: Stephanie Perkins

Anna and the French Kiss by: Stephanie Perkins
Publisher: Dutton
Publication Date: December 2, 2010
Format: Paperback (with flaps)
Page Count: 372
Genre: Contemporary
Buy the Book: Amazon

Summary from Goodreads:

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 Etienne St. Clair: 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?

My Review:

This year I have set a goal to read more contemporary novels and this one was at the top of my list. I’ve heard that Stephanie Perkins is like the Queen of Contemporary, so I just had to read one of her books. Anna and the French Kiss did not disappoint! From the gorgeous and romantic Paris nightlife to the even more gorgeous Etienne St.Clair, this book was fabulous all around!

I was shocked at the beginning when Anna was being sent to a boarding school in Paris and she wasn’t happy about it. I mean, who wouldn’t want to live in Paris for a year? But then, as I got to know her life and character more, I understood that it was taking her away from her friends and her potential boyfriend, and that it was her parent’s wish, not hers.

Anna Oliphant is seemingly the only new student in the senior class of the School of America in Paris. She doesn’t know much in French besides the basics that everyone knows like merci, and au revoir. So, naturally, she stands out.

A group of artsy students take her under their wings and they become best friends fast. Among this group is the history buff and swoonworthy Etienne St. Clair (St. Clair for short). From first glance, he has Anna’s heart. She can play the whole best friends game, but for how long? The tension builds throughout the whole book and it was so frustrating (in the best way)!

While Anna is falling more and more in love with St. Clair in Paris, she has a life in Atlanta that’s nagging at her. Her co-worker at a movie theater there, Toph, and her were about to become serious just before she left. Her previous life across the pond is becoming less of a priority than her new Paris life, especially after she visits home on her break.

St. Clair shows her Paris and all of the places that inspire him. While they watch movies and explore the city, he lets her into his life in a way he doesn’t to most people. About his lame excuse for a father and how he’s American, British, and a little French. There’s a catch to him that Anna can’t stop herself from thinking about. St. Clair has a girlfriend, Ellie. Anna knows that he must feel something for her and wonders why he stays with Ellie.

The complexity of the characters in Anna and the French Kiss is outstanding to say the least. With Anna dealing with her feelings for St.Clair and him trying to figure out his personal life in general, I found that I had a profound connection with the main characters, as well as some of the minor ones.

As Anna lives and loves in the City of Light, she discovers a new part of herself as well. St. Clair and Anna make for a pair that will make you laugh hysterically and bring goosebumps to your skin.

Official Rating:

Five Un-Birthday Cakes!