I've read a few YA romancey books in the last year, but haven't ever been excited enough to talk about them. But Anna and the French Kiss is not your average YA romance. In the absolute best way possible.
Yes, there is romance. And yes there is kissing (after all it IS called Anna and the French KISS) but it's so much more than that.
Her characters are so complex and rich and ALIVE. I seriously feel like if I went to Paris I might run into Anna and Etienne at the movie theatre. <3
Not really spoilery summary:
Anna is sent off to the School of America in Paris against her will. She doesn't speak French and just wanted to finish out her senior year of high school in peace, but her Dad has other ideas and doesn't seem to care what she thinks.
Fortunately she meets Meredith on her first day and then Meredith introduces her to her group of friends and suddenly it doesn't seem like such a lonely place after all. Especially when she meets Etienne St. Clair. Who unfortunately already has a girlfriend. But in some ways that takes the pressure off. They can just be friends and talk and get to know each other without the pressure of wondering where the relationship is going. Until Anna starts to realize that she might want more than friendship. And it seems like he might too. And things get complicated.
As much fun as the romance part of it was, the stuff I loved was the background of the characters and how absolutely real they felt in their reactions and interactions. Sure there are the typical misunderstandings and such, but they don't feel cliched or overdone. I really feel like I got to know these people.
It's not often that I cry over this kind of book, but I found myself tearing up several times (yes, I am a big crybaby) and I laughed quite a bit too.
And did I mention that I totally need to meet an Etienne that's my age. He has a BRITISH ACCENT and he likes history and random facts <3
Ahem.
In short - if you like a good story with romance, humor and rich characters, you should love this book.
Warning - there is some brief language including the F-word, but it is basically in one scene and isn't gratuitous. I am pretty sensitive to profanity, so I like to warn people about it.
6 comments:
I have not read this one but I've heard only good things. I'll have to checks it out from the library! Woot!
This book is on my list... I'll get to it eventually.
@Hannah I think you would like it! I'd love to hear what you think!
@Melissa oh, I hear you on that. My to read list is longer than my life could ever be. This is a quick read and very fun. I hope you enjoy it when you do get to it :)
yeah i agree. I mean, it reminded me of why i don't really like to read romance, BUT it was also very good and i, too, laughed out loud at spots
I have this one in my TBR pile. Thanks for reminding me why it's in my pile. :)
Ah, I finally found this!
I couldn't remember who blogged about this book, inspiring me to Nook it that day.
I read it this week, and I love it. I haven't read a lot of contemporary YA lately, either, but this is perfect. I studied abroad as a young college student, I fell in love with my best friend, and walked along the Seine together past Notre Dame, ate in the Latin Quarter. So, you know, I could identify with *some* of it. ;) Unfortunately, my Etienne was into other Etiennes, but it was still one of the best times of my life.
Anyway, just wanted to thank you for the referral. In flipping back to my favorite parts to see if I could see the roots of later developments, I think I've read it three times. My WIP is getting jealous.
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