Anna and the French Kiss

Summary: Anna Oliphant is less than thrilled when her romance-writer father insists that she move to France for her senior year of high school at the School of America in Paris...or SOAP. She doesn't speak the language, and even worse she’s leaving behind her best friend, her almost-boyfriend, and her little brother. Upon arriving, however, Anna quickly makes friends and explores the city, and realizes things might not be so bad. Most exciting of all, she starts getting closer to Étienne St. Clair, a fellow senior...who has a girlfriend. And Anna has an almost-boyfriend. Only time will tell if they’ll stay friends forever, or become something more. 

Critical Evaluation: Despite young adult romance novels often being accused or assumed to be solely fluff material, Anna and the French Kiss absolutely soars, presenting readers with a first class ticket to Paris, realistic teenage characters and romances, and universal themes. Don’t worry, there’s plenty of fluff along the way too. 

First and foremost, Stephanie Perkins’ ability to set the scene and transport readers to Paris is unlike any other. The novel is a love letter to the city, and throughout she discusses the scenery, language, food, art, culture, and people through the eyes of a character who has never been there before. Describing Notre-Dame, she writes, “the building is like a great ship steaming downriver. Massive. Monstrous. Majestic. It’s lit in a way that absurdly reminds me of Disney World, but it’s so much more magical that anything Walt Disney could have dreamed up” (Perkins, 2010, p. 82). 

Perkins also gives her readers extremely realistic teenage characters and relationships in Anna and the French Kiss. They are passionate, caring, confused, selfish, and excitable. They have good and bad moments that any young adult is sure to relate to. She also writes expert character chemistry, and not just between the two romantic leads. The relationships between friends, family, and even failing teenage romances are honest and authentic. 

Finally, Anna and the French Kiss explores universal themes like love, jealousy, friendship, and the complications of teenage relationships. It does so honestly, and without hitting the reader over the head. The plot unfolds naturally and will keep the reader hanging onto Perkins’ every word. 

Reader’s Annotation: Despite initially not wanting to move to Paris for her senior year, Anna has to admit that the gorgeous and friendly Étienne St. Clair certainly makes things easier. He has a girlfriend though, and Anna’s best friend likes him...will they ever find their way together?