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Rated 4.5

The first time I saw this book, I was sure I did not want to read it. Then came the avalanche of 5 star reviews for the book, but I was still against it. Why? The title and the cover made it seem like a YA version of a mushy romance novel. I really can't say what made me read this book when I was so vehemently against it; whatever it was, I'm so glad that I did because I think I fell in love with Anna and the French Kiss within the first 10 pages of the book.

It is not a romance novel after all. Yes, there is romance , the kind that makes you go all dreamy.... But Anna and the French Kiss is about so much more. That's the best thing about it - it has so much more depth than what you might believe. Don't let the title deceive you! It took me back to my teenage days and through Anna's eyes, I visited Paris, which has been a lifelong dream of mine.

Anna is probably my favorite YA heroine. You need to read this book to find out how full of awesome she is. She reminds me a little bit of Mia from Princess Diaries. I can't say why exactly. Maybe because after a long long time, a YA protagonist actually seems so relatable, which I previously felt with Mia. Anna talks and behaves like a teenager, she feels things the way you would expect a teenager to feel - I could back to my teenage days and remember feeling things exactly the way she does. The author has perfectly captured what it is to be a teenage girl; none of the teenage characters act like they are 30 years old or worse, 10 years old! The characterization is perfect!

Anna is my favorite, but Etienne St.Clair comes very very close. Yes, THE Etienne St. Clair on whom many bloggers have been drooling all over. I have joined that gang of drooling, love-sick girls. I think I can come up with hundred reasons for why I love Etienne, but in order not to bore you to death, I will list only the major ones:
- He's not one of those generic dark, dangerous, bad boys, of whom I am SICK of.
- He's sooo sweet and friendly; yet, he is not without flaws.
- He has a BRITISH ACCENT !
In short Etienne St.Clair = Epitome of hotness
In fact, he is now on my top ten list of most swoon-worthy fictional guys. (I am sorry, Etienne - you are amazing but Mr.Darcy and John Thornton are still my top two.)

There are so many moments in Anna and the French Kiss that made me giggle like crazy, moments that made me go "awww", moments that touched me and moments that almost made me cry. I could go on and on!

I love Anna and Etienne's relationship. It doesn't straightaway plunge into "I'm passionately in love with you. I would DIE for you, kill for you etc." It moves at a slow pace. They start off as friends; the slow development makes the wait more delicious. The beauty of the romance is in the tension that the author slowly builds up. I could almost see sparks flying between Anna and Etienne in every scene they are together. So when those two actually fall in love, I could understand why. No insta-love here!

Read Anna and the French Kiss! Believe me , you will be surprised, just like I was. I read this book in one sitting when I had an important exam the next day. I did not even regret it! There's friendship, loneliness, love, heartbreak and so much more in this gem of a novel.

Overall:
Paris + hot guy with a British accent = Perfection