Anna and the French Kiss

i love this book sm even though i started it 3 weeks ago i lost motivation to read it but then i finally decided to continue reading it and i finished it in 2 days buy this book its amazinggggg

Review originally posted on A Frolic Through Fiction (book blog): [...][Originally read in June 2014]Oh, I forgot how much I loved this book.I’ve must have said this a thousand times in my reading life (that being all my life), but I am not a fan of cheesy love stories. At all. So you can only imagine how much I originally held off from reading this book because UGH, the title is so cringey.So you can also imagine my surprise when I fell in love with this story.And for the second time, it happened again.Right from the start you can tell this is a quick read. I mean, it’s a contemporary, with a typical light and fluffy love story, so it’s bound to be a quick read anyway. But the story is told through Anna’s voice, with the chatty storytelling really shining through. There’s also a lot of dialogue, most being witty or full of humour, so it’s very easy to get caught up in the pages. Even though I’d read it before and knew just how quick I could read this book (I read it in one sitting the first time round), I thought having college work would slow me down. And it did…but it still only took me a couple of days to read. Despite me being a slow reader, and the book being 400 pages.Now, I can’t really say I relate to Anna’s situation. Moving to a boarding school in Paris? Can’t say I’ve done that, personally. But I somehow feel like it’s done realistically, even though I don’t have any personal experiences to compare with. She seemed as nervous and frightened as I can imagine myself being in the same situation, when being left alone in an entirely new country. She was frustrated, hopeless, resentful…and yet dealt with it in the exact same way I believe I would. There was just enough curiosity mixed with nerves. It didn’t become dull to read about at all, because it’s really easy to imagine yourself in her situation.It actually really bothers me how the synopsis makes it sound like just another love story and “oh he’s already taken whatever shall I do how can our love blossom?!?” because to me it felt like so much more than that. Of course, it IS a love story. It’s not advertised as anything other because that’s simply what it is. But like I said before, I don’t usually like love stories unless they’re mixed with an epic fantasy story or something similar, so for me to adore this one? Well, there must be something about it.I laughed so many times during this book. And I don’t mean the slight breathing-extra-air-through-your-nose type laugh. I mean full on tried-to-hold-it-in-but-failed chuckling that would have me trying to conceal my smile in public so I didn’t look odd type laugh. I don’t even know what it was. The characters just seemed to have the exact same sense of humour as me, and witty conversations always win me over.“Girl scouts didn’t teach me what to do with emotionally unstable drunk boys.”Oh, and I suppose it helps that I absolutely adored all of the characters.Important factor right there.Another important factor for me…NO CRINGE WORTHY LINES THAT MADE ME WANT TO SHRIVEL UP AND THROW THE BOOK ACROSS THE ROOM!!! A blessing in disguise.At times this book was adorable, funny, awkward, adventurous, infuriating in the best way possible, and honestly – to use one of those very well used phrases – a real rollercoaster of emotions. There were many times I wanted to slam the book shut and sulk about the situations like a child who didn’t get their way…but then I knew I wouldn’t be able to just leave it there, so I’d just mutter “noooo” under my breath painfully and carry on. There were times I wanted to squeal like a very stereotypical fangirl, and I’d have to clench my teeth together to avoid it. Times when I’d want to facepalm on behalf of the characters, feeling embarrassed for their awkwardness or missed opportunities.And to put it simply?I just loved this book. Even more so the second time round.

This book surprised me with how fast a read it ended up being. I thought it was an excellently Light romance read after some gloomier ones that I have read lately. This was all about the young people falling for each other without added grimmer stuff added to it. I enjoyed it. I read a review that was criticising the girl protagonist for not knowing of things she was really into. But I wouldn't myself expect an american girl to know much about Paris. So this did not bother me. So I give an unashamed five stars for this perfectly lightmooded story for this moment. I got excited to find out if the main characters would end up together or not and how it would happen. And I really hoped they would from the very beginning. 🙂 Don't get me wrong there is still drama and difficulties in their story.

Read the full review at: http://polkadotbookblog.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/anna-and-french-kiss.htmlTo sum it up Anna and the French Kiss is a totally cute and adorable read about a girl falling in love in the city of romance, Paris. To be honest I was really dubious going into to this story because it had so many good reviews and it was slightly over hyped and I was scared that it was going to be one of those books that every one else seems to love but I don't. But that was definitely not the case.This book just ticked all the right boxes and I am literally head over heels in love with it. It was perfect on so many levels. The characters were gorgeous and not always perfect so they felt more real. I love that it was set in Paris because it just automatically created a romantic atmosphere throughout the entire story. It was a chick-lit story that there were so many 'aww' moments and moments when you were just rooting for all the characters to have their own little happy endings and things to be resolved. You get so caught up in the story that it makes you itch for more.

Who would I recommend this book to? Those who enjoy chick-lit and young adult contemporary romance.Review; When I saw the name and cover of this book I was like; "Ugh, chick-lit to the max!" When I started reading this book I was still not sure about it, but when I finished this book several hours later I was like; "Wow, when can I get the next one?" Whilst this book is still chick-lit it is not boring, dull, or completely cliché! At least in my opinion it's not.I did have a bit of a problem with the beginning. Anna seemed like one of those, "I have everything, but I hate everything and complain about everything" characters. Thank goodness she wasn't! She wasn't too whiny, but she did complain a bit too much in places, but she understood that in the end. Which eventually led me to like those flaws.The people had flaws! Nobody was perfect which I loved! I fell in love with all the main characters, but I liked Etienne, Anna and Rashimi best!Looking at this book you'd probably think "what a load of fluff" but I'm happy to tell you you'd be wrong! There's some fluff, that's to be expected, but it is also a great book that doesn't just focus on a relationship. This is a great book, I'd totally recommend it!

Originally posted on Dreaming Of Happy Endings: [...]Stephanie Perkins is a literary genius. There are so many things that I love about this book and one of those is the way it is written. I love her writing style. She has managed to write the most adorable, yet slightly frustrating, book that will make you laugh and cry, possibly at the same time. She has become an auto-buy author for me after just one book.I love all of the characters. Somehow all of the main and secondary characters in the book were relatable and likeable. From the feisty main character, to the confused love interest, to the jealous best friend, there is something in all of the characters you can relate to. Anna was a great main character and I loved that she was not afraid to stand up for herself or her friends.The Paris setting was perfect. I have never been to Paris but having read this book, I feel like I have. It was full of descriptions of the city that were so beautifully written you felt like you were there yourself.There was more to the story than just Anna and St Clair’s relationship. I really enjoyed the background stories to this book. Not only was there a focus on romantic relationships but relationships with friends and family were also an important aspect. These background stories added a more serious note in some cases and reminded readers that life can be tough.I loved the slow-building relationship instead on insta-love. Yes, this did mean angst and I definitely wanted them to just hurry up and be together but I did enjoy that they didn’t rush into anything. The fact that they grew to be best friends before there was any romantic involvement was refreshing to read about.I am not entirely sure whether I approve of the “cheating” aspect. This is the only thing I didn’t really like with this book. St Clair has a girlfriend throughout the majority of the book while clearly developing feelings for Anna. I found this a bit unpleasant to read about as I felt for Ellie, St Clair’s girlfriend, and found myself wishing they would just break up, as that would have been more comfortable to read.Overall, I love this book. Stephanie Perkins has done an incredible job of writing a cute and funny story, which will forever be one of my favourites. The characters were very fun to read about and they will always have a place in my heart.