Books › Anna and the French Kiss
Anna and the French Kiss
447 pages
A cinematic, banter-filled love letter to Paris and the dizzying, agonizing thrill of an all-consuming crush.
What it feels like
Reading this book feels like stepping into a classic romantic comedy set against the sun-dappled, rain-slicked streets of Paris. The narrative moves at a brisk, effervescent pace, driven entirely by the crackling, banter-heavy chemistry between its leads. It perfectly captures the agonizing, stomach-flipping tension of a slow-burn crush, balancing the swoony moments with genuine teenage awkwardness and the messy reality of navigating friendships. The conversational prose is deeply observant, grounding the reader in the sensory delights of French pastries, old cinemas, and chilly boarding school dorms. It is a warm, deeply comforting read that delights anyone looking for a transportive, feel-good romance that treats the emotional stakes of first love with absolute sincerity.
- Mood
- cinematic
- romantic
- cozy
- effervescent
- Tone
- earnest
- witty
- swoony
- conversational
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- the agony of a crush · finding home in a new place · messy friendships · coming of age
- The writing
- Bubbly, observant, and highly conversational, capturing the hyper-specific sensory details of Paris and the breathless interiority of teenage infatuation.
- The arc
- Begins with reluctant displacement and homesickness, building through the dizzying, angsty tension of a slow-burn crush before resolving into joyful belonging.
- Who it's for
- Romance lovers seeking a feel-good, banter-heavy story with a vivid, transportive setting and a deeply relatable protagonist.
Content notes
- underage drinking
- emotional infidelity
- parental tension
About the book
Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris--until she meets Étienne St. Clair. Smart, charming, beautiful, Étienne has it all...including a serious girlfriend.
But in the City of Light, wishes have a way of coming true. Will a year of romantic near-misses end with their long-awaited French kiss?
Description from Open Library.
Books like Anna and the French Kiss
See why they match
Isla and the happily ever afterStephanie PerkinsA dreamy, passport-stamping romance that explores what happens after the initial spark fades and the real work of loving someone begins.
Forever PrincessMeg CabotA hilarious, swoon-worthy, and deeply nostalgic victory lap for anyone who has ever felt like a disaster trying to figure out their future.
An Abundance of KatherinesJohn GreenA nerdy, footnote-heavy summer road trip about graphing the trajectory of heartbreak and learning to live outside your own head.
Eleanor & ParkRainbow RowellA tender, mixtape-fueled exploration of first love that feels as visceral and fragile as a bruised heart.
Lola and the boy next doorStephanie PerkinsA vibrant, costume-filled exploration of first love and second chances that feels like a warm hug on a breezy San Francisco day.
Nicola and the ViscountMeg CabotA sparkling, humorous romp through London society where glittering first impressions give way to genuine romance.