Review: Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
If you’re looking for a cozy, teen romance with international vibes and a love triangle that keeps you hooked, Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins might be for you. Set in a Paris boarding school, this story blends awkward crushes, slow-burn tension, and a heroine learning to find her footing far from home.
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Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
Anna and the French Kiss #1
December 2, 2010
Read this if you want:
- YA romance with a Parisian setting
- Boarding school drama and slow-burn tension
- First love, complicated crushes, and emotional growing pains
What is Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins all about?
Anna Oliphant is perfectly happy with her life in Atlanta, until her father enrolls her in a boarding school in Paris for her senior year. Feeling out of place and homesick, she slowly finds her rhythm, and her heart may be pulling toward the charming and very taken Étienne St. Clair. But timing, feelings, and friendships get in the way.
Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins Book Review
When I finished Jenny Han’s TO ALL THE BOYS I’VE LOVED BEFORE, I wanted to find something that would be similar in style and when I checked people’s recommendations, a lot of them said this was pretty close.
The premise is similar. However, instead of the heroine’s sister leaving for abroad, the heroine in this one is going to school in Paris. Now for most teens, this would be a lovely adventure, but Anna isn’t that into it. She doesn’t want to go to Paris. So as you can expect, there is some complaining. I wasn’t a big fan of this. Having a book start off with the heroine complaining never goes well. Makes me think she’s a whiner so I did have to try and get past that to continue reading. In the end, I did end up liking Anna but probably not as much as I thought I would.
The writing style of this book is very simple and I would say that it’s definitely geared more to teens. I would’ve liked a little more finesse or something like that to really spruce it up, but I get that I’m not the target audience. I guess I prefer YA books that are a little more eloquent.
I will still continue on with reading this series, but I’m not sure if I’ll be running out to get the next one that quickly. I’m still interested by what’s to come from these characters, but I’ll wait for when I need a pick-me-up.
About the Anna and the French Kiss Series by Stephanie Perkins
This book is the first in Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins trilogy, a loosely connected series of YA romances that explore young love, personal growth, and big emotional moments. Each book features new leads while continuing to build on familiar character dynamics and romantic charm.
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Sorry you didn’t enjoy this one as much as you’d hoped, but I’m glad you found some things to like about it. You must have been on a YA kick for a while! 🙂
Nice review.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Annie, hope the next one works for you
Thanks for the review.
I read this years ago and loved it, but I wonder how I would feel about it now. I did understand why Anna was annoyed about being sent ti Paris, though. It can be really scary being sent off somewhere where you don’t know anyone or the language.
Yes, it’s a totally understandable reaction. I just wasn’t a fan of the fact that our first impression of her is a whiny teen. She’s so much more than that but if that turns you off from the beginning, readers may not feel inclined to continue.
Hmmmm, not sure if this is for me then. Thanks.