Anna and the French Kiss

The romance between Anna and Étienne had me captivated.

It spoke to the part of me that believes in the unpredictability of love. I found myself rooting for them like they were my real-life friends. The Parisian backdrop only intensified my love for this book, tapping into my own memories of youthful, globe-trotting romances.

Anna, a teenager from Atlanta, finds herself thrown into a new life at a Parisian boarding school where she meets Étienne St. Clair - charming, witty, and utterly swoon-worthy!!

Despite his complicated romantic status, their connection grows undeniable. While Étienne has a really sweet nature, he transforms into a smitten hero during the story. Whenever he was on the page, I had this really warm and fuzzy feeling in my stomach. :) And then there’s that first kiss... Oh so unforgettable! 

This is another of my favorite reads. I read it twice and found it totally irresistible, due to the fact that I am drawn to all things French, having spent a considerable amount of time in Paris to do research for some of my novels. I found this book to have engaging characters, stunning scenery (The School of America in Paris), a terrific story, and a beautiful romance. The main character Anna is forced to go to SOAP by her parents, though she would rather stay in Atlanta and spend her senior year with her friends and possible boyfriend. We’re… show more.

This book is a classic. I fell in love with it when it first came out and recently bought the special edition because it’s so beautiful. This is one of those rare books I’ll reread. This book transports me and brings a smile to my face. It’s full of so much warmth and swoon and wonderful characters and a gorgeous setting. The food descriptions alone (drool) induce happiness.

I’d be remiss not to include Anna and the French Kiss on a list of YA books set abroad. This one includes a boarding school, Paris, and a cute international love interest. Oui, oui, oui. 

Although I would have reacted the complete opposite to the way Anna did when she was forced to live in Paris (my dream scenario, even as a teenager), I could understand her predicament and thoroughly enjoyed her story. A charming read for teens (or YA loving people of any age) with wanderlust.

Stephanie Perkins is one of my favorite YA authors. With the perfect touch of first love romance and friendship in magical Paris, Anna and the French Kiss never fails to bring a smile to my face no matter how often I reread it. Which is pretty often. Sometimes I pick up this book when I’m feeling stuck on my writing to get inspired again. 

On a side note, I met Stephanie Perkins at a convention years ago and she was an absolute sweetheart despite the fact that I pretty much fangirled all over her.