Anna and the French Kiss

I'd been hearing buzz about Anna forever and a day--not just good buzz, but tantalizing, effusive, giddy buzz. And for good reason! Anna and the French Kiss is a delicious, smart, romantic romp through Paris and features one of the most charming and swoonworthy boys I've read in a long time: Etienne St. Clair. Anna Oliphant is a realistic and relatable protag, and the rest of the cast is diverse, fun, and interesting.

I'm not a huge Francophile (Spanish major, here) but while reading Anna, I felt compelled to research fares to Paris. And maybe I sought out some macarons to nibble on. And started saying bonjour. The setting of Anna is a Paris wonderland and could sell anyone on a visit to the city of light. A lovely book.

The Booklist review:

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Anna is not happy about spending senior year at a Paris boarding school, away from her Atlanta home, best friend Bridgette, and crush Toph. Adapting isn’t easy, but she soon finds friends and starts enjoying French life, especially its many cinemas; she is an aspiring film critic. Complications arise, though, when she develops feelings for cute—and taken—classmate Etienne, even though she remains interested in Toph. Her return home for the holidays brings both surprises, betrayals, unexpected support, and a new perspective on what matters in life—and love. Featuring vivid descriptions of Parisian culture and places, and a cast of diverse, multifaceted characters, including adults, this lively title incorporates plenty of issues that will resonate with teens, from mean girls to the quest for confidence and the complexities of relationships in all their forms. Despite its length and predictable crossed-signal plot twists, Perkins’ debut, narrated in Anna’s likable, introspective voice, is an absorbing and enjoyable read that highlights how home can refer to someone, not just somewhere. --Shelle Rosenfeld

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