Anna and the French Kiss (Anna and the French Kiss, #1) in We Stand-Alone Reading Challenge

Sep 29, 2010 Nicole rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, signed-by-the-author

You can check out this review and many others on my blog, The Reader's Antidote

Holy cramolies batman!! I've only heard amazing things about this book and let me say it doesn't disappoint.

Anna and the French Kiss is one of those books that you can read over and over again and it'll never get old. There are just those moments, those moments of perfection, where you know you want to be living them. You think, 'Forget Anna, what about me!' And then you realize it's just a book. That's how I felt abo You can check out this review and many others on my blog, The Reader's Antidote

Holy cramolies batman!! I've only heard amazing things about this book and let me say it doesn't disappoint.

Anna and the French Kiss is one of those books that you can read over and over again and it'll never get old. There are just those moments, those moments of perfection, where you know you want to be living them. You think, 'Forget Anna, what about me!' And then you realize it's just a book. That's how I felt about this one.

Why didn't I read this sooner? That's a really good question. I didn't realize what the big deal was and honestly I've been more into the paranormal romance rather than real-life romance. But this book is definitely worth reading, and I loved it because it wasn't paranormal. We all need a break from the paranormal sometimes to feel normal, because this could happen and honestly I don't think real vampires are ever going to happen no matter how many time you watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer! Okay, that was more convincing myself than you guys.

Learning about the places in Paris was refreshing. I'm glad the author took the time to research it all, because what is Paris without all it's noteworthy sites and Anna-theaters? It was interesting watching a person so interested in movies. She loved movies like I love books. Each one is cherished, especially the olden goodies.

Oy am I sucker for British boys. Why Stephanie Perkins? Now I want my boyfriend to have an accent and he does a horrible impersonation of a Brit! But in all seriousness, Etienne St. Clair is my perfect guy. I may be ensnared by his beautiful accent, but his words at the end were just... sigh... Ahem, anyway, all the characters were very well-developed, which is something I always hope for in YA lit. Often, authors somehow forget that, even though it's the most important.

Needless to say, I wish this had a sequel with more St. Clair, but since that's not possible, I'll settle for Lola and the Boy Next Door, which comes out too long from now (September 29th). I get the feeling she won't disappoint.

**SPOILERS**
The name Toph reminded me of that actor Topher Grace, whose real first name is Christopher. Both are stupid in my opinion, and Toph's name really showed what kind of person he was. A horrible, annoying, self-righteous person. I just can't believe Anna's ex, Mike, was right about him. But Bridgette? Why Bridge, why? You should have told your best friend. I literally cried at 1:30 in the morning at that part where she finds out Toph and Bridgette have been seeing each other without telling Anna. That's just low. I almost want to say that they deserve each other, but I know Bridgette just didn't want to hurt Anna. I'm glad they made up. Toph can go %#@*$&%^%*. Yeah I said it.

Oh Etienne. Marry me... Okay not really, but if you were real, you'd be breaking hearts around the globe like nothing. If only any guy was that true with his feelings about a girl like Etienne was at the end with Anna. *Tear* why can't these boys be real?! I can't wait to see what swoon-worthy she makes us wish we had in the next one. ...more

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Sep 16, 2011 Andrea at Reading Lark rated it it was amazing

Shelves: contemporary, favorites, 5-stars, young-adult, southern-fiction, chick-lit, read-in-2013

Review Posted on Reading Lark 1/11/13: http://readinglark.blogspot.com/2013/...

Yes, I know I'm a little late to this party. I have had this book for ages and everyone I know whose read it raves about it. I cannot believe it took me so long to finally read it. Sadly, I kept pushing this in side in favor of reading books that authors and publishers sent me. Once I knocked out some of those requests, I felt like it was time I read something I wanted to read and this was the treat I selected. It was Review Posted on Reading Lark 1/11/13: http://readinglark.blogspot.com/2013/...

Yes, I know I'm a little late to this party. I have had this book for ages and everyone I know whose read it raves about it. I cannot believe it took me so long to finally read it. Sadly, I kept pushing this in side in favor of reading books that authors and publishers sent me. Once I knocked out some of those requests, I felt like it was time I read something I wanted to read and this was the treat I selected. It was just what I needed - such a perfect contemporary romance - to combat the stress of work and real life. This is one of those novels I wish that I could live in; I certainly will be rereading it in the future when I start to miss Anna and St. Clair.

Anna is a girl after my own heart. She's southern (she's even a Georgia girl like me), she's quirky, and she's hilarious. By page 5, I already adored Anna and couldn't wait to spend more time with her. She has a wit that kept me in stitches and the girl is not afraid to tell it like it is. I appreciated her candor. Underneath her slight OCD and self doubt, she has a heart of gold. Her tone and musings are eerily similar to my own. I felt like she was my long lost personality twin. Also, I felt more connected to Anna during her argument with Bridge. I suppose most of us girls have stories where a friend wronged us and a boy was to blame. However, in spite of her flaws, Anna does grow and mature throughout the novel. It was intriguing to watch as her definition of friendship, home, and love evolved.

In addition to Anna, I also adored St. Clair. *swoon* Seriously, how could you not love this fictional boy? Anna had it right when she stated, "Seriously, I don't know any American girl who can resist an English accent" (pg. 15). That right there was the moment I found him immensely appealing and his attractiveness continued to grow as I got to know him better. In the author's note, Stephanie Perkins commented on asking her husband countless time if the boy was hot enough and I can reply to her inquiry with a resounding YES. St. Clair is a book boy you must get to know. He is a complex and wonderful package. I loved that there was more substance to him than just a pretty face. It also didn't hurt that he is a history nerd - we gravitate toward our own kind.

The romance in this one is sweet and made me anxious. Perkins certainly makes you wait to learn if things are going to work out between these two. I loved the delicious tension that swirls between Anna and St. Clair.

Lastly, I loved the setting of this one. I have always been attracted to books featuring a boarding school. I have no idea why - perhaps because I always thought it would be fun to attend one. Not only does this one have the boarding school, but it is in Paris. Who wouldn't want to spend a year of high school in a magical European city? I was jealous of Anna's experiences and enjoyed living vicariously through her. In all honesty, Paris has never been one of those "Must See" cities for me, but after reading this book I think I need to add it to my list. I want to walk the same streets as Anna and St. Clair and see the sites they saw. I already know what I would wish for on the star!

I'm not usually a connoisseur of YA contemporary romance, but novels like this one make me think I should give more of them a try. This novel left me perplexed: I wasn't sure if I should devour it quickly because I was enjoying it so much or if I needed to slow down and savor it. In the end, I read it fairly quickly, but as I mentioned before, it is one I would reread without hesitation. I'm sure I can savor it the second time - especially now that I know what will happen.

One Last Gripe: I really really wanted Amanda's nose to be broken.

My Favorite Thing About This Book: I enjoyed Stephanie Perkins' writing style and adored her characters.

First Sentence: Here is everything I know about France: Madeline and Amelie and Moulin Rouge.

Favorite Character: Anna, no St. Clair, no Anna... Can I pick them both?

Least Favorite Character: Dave ...more

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Jun 26, 2012 Autumn rated it it was amazing

I read this book on the urging of a friend of mine. Shes also caused me to read a few other books. I totally give into her peer pressure all the damn time. Lucky for me she has yet to steer me wrong. Thanks Amber! So I picked this book up and within the first chapter I got that feeling. One day ill have a proper term for the feeling for now I just call it The Knowing. So bam I was zapped with the knowing right away. Was I surprised no not really like I said Amber recommended it to me and ive hea I read this book on the urging of a friend of mine. Shes also caused me to read a few other books. I totally give into her peer pressure all the damn time. Lucky for me she has yet to steer me wrong. Thanks Amber! So I picked this book up and within the first chapter I got that feeling. One day ill have a proper term for the feeling for now I just call it The Knowing. So bam I was zapped with the knowing right away. Was I surprised no not really like I said Amber recommended it to me and ive heard really good things about it.

Anna’s orange tan (he really is overly tanned and well overly tanned just equals orange) father decides his daughter could use more culture as a result of that he sends her to Paris to finish off her senior year. How miserable is that. Its one thing to be sent to a different country but add the fact that its your senior year holy smokes its torture. And thats kinda how Anna feels. She attends SOAP School of America in Paris and it takes her a bit to really settle in. She does make friends with a good group of kids. Meredith her neighbor, Etienne who quickly becomes her best friend and the object of her conflicted affections. You see she left a guy back home and though they werent a couple Anna had hopes. And theres Josh and Rashmi the couple of the group. Meredith has a bit of a crush on Etienne who is actually seeing someone other girl. His love life is actually kinda messy really.

So Anna is a film lover when she finds out about Paris and the abundance of theaters she begins to think well hey this isnt so bad. Etienne usually joins her, its rather sweet and real watching those two. Sure they both have someone else and they both feel the chemistry but they dont act on it. Anna is also there for him when he receives heart breaking news and hes there for her when her best friend betrays her. What I think I love the best about the novel was it felt real. There was no insta love but when Anna finally realizes she loves him its in real time with an actual thought process its not just wham bam its well thought out and heart warming.

Im told Lola and the boy next year is even better but well these are big shoes to feel. Perkins is herself an adorably sweet woman ive had the pleasure of meeting. I had no idea at the time how truly amazing she was. Her writing is flawless and left me wanting more. I had the most difficult time putting this book down. ...more

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Jun 27, 2012 Nel rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: owned, 2012, oh-my, book-bf, series

a very light love story wherein everything could happen to you and to anyone, it inspires every reader to conquer their own fear like the protagonists did.

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