Well. I am really tempted to write a rant of a post about how much I hated Stephanie Perkins' ( the hyperlink is to her blog where she begs you to buy her books) Anna and the French Kiss.
Where, oh where, to start? Firstly, I didn't like Anna. I thought she was unintelligent, ( everyone at least knows a little bit of french/about Paris!) and very ungrateful. I would have LOVED to go to a boarding school in Paris in my senior year! I was just building and building with rage as she rattled on and on ( and like, and like, and like a daft 13 year old like totally) about disliking her life. Her thoughts about His Holiness, St.Clair, made me want to vomit also. I found her very un-relate able, and unbelievable. I just didn't understand her at all. I thought her hair sounded ugly also. It sounds funny, but it's true.
Which brings me to the other half of this book that I hated, St.Clair. What a TOOL. If ANY guy I knew was trying to flirt/hook up/waste my time like that when he had a girlfriend, I wouldn't spend one thought on him, and he sure as hell wouldn't be spending the night in my bed. In my opinion, if I were Anna, I would see his behaviour as a huge character flaw and kick him to the curb. She has very horrible taste in men in my opinion.
I could go on ( and on) about all the reasons I didn't like this one, but I think I'll stop there and move on to the positives. I thought it was awesome when Anna put a Canadian flag on her pack, made me feel pretty patriotic. Best part in the book. Perkins' writing isn't bad either, I'm not hating on that at all, the story actually flowed well for nearly 400 pages of Anna annoying me.
Mostly, I just realized how much I love reading. That even though I was curled up on my couch spending time with a book I hated, I was still enjoying myself. I was relaxed, it was a quick read and it's another book done of my tbr list. I guess that's when you really know you've got a true love for reading, when it almost doesn't matter what you're reading, your just grateful there was time in your day you could. On that note, I have A LOT of books beside me I'm going to pound out before they're due back to the library, so you'll be hearing from me soon. <3
As for this one, it gets a 1/5.
Here is the goodreads synopsis for those ( unlike myself) who may enjoy it.
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 Etienne St. Clair: perfect, Parisian (and English and American, which makes for a swoon-worthy accent), and utterly irresistible. The only problem is that he's taken, and Anna might be, too, if anything comes of her almost-relationship back home. As winter melts into spring, will a year of romantic near - misses end with the French kiss Anna - and readers - have long awaited?
Unknown | December 17, 2011 at 10:42 PM
also I'm really miffed I can never go back and edit my posts. Sorry guys!
Lan | December 19, 2011 at 3:11 AM
LOL. Love the honest review. I've heard so many glowing reviews for this one that it was all starting to be very unbelievable. Everyone has been gushing over Etienne but your review put me right off. Sorry, I don't do guys who practically cheat on their girlfriends. On another note, why is every French guy in a book called Etienne or Pierre?
Unknown | December 19, 2011 at 11:25 AM
Normally I say " oh dont listen to me, go read it for yourself!" but not this time. I would attempt to stop anyone I cared about from reading this it was that bad! The name Etienne reminded me of the girl Etienne from The Beach with Lonardo Dicaprio. I agree it wasnt the most origional name. Good thing I'm reading a GREAT boook now to make up for this one :)
Kate | December 22, 2011 at 7:40 PM
Ugh, I didn't like this one either! I've heard a lot of people rave about it, but I agree with you, Anna was really whiny and St Clair needed to NOT be cheating on his girlfriend. Grrr. I'm getting angry just writing this lol
Unknown | December 22, 2011 at 7:52 PM
FINALLY! someone agrees with me. I cant find anyone else who feels this way haha! YES!
Angela's Anxious Life | January 11, 2012 at 4:00 PM
I love your review! Not sure if you are interested.. but I would love for you to add your comments to my book club. Most people seem to love it and I would love an opposing review on there! Here is the link if you are interested!
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/group_folder/106307?group_id=3551
Angie
Unknown | February 27, 2012 at 11:15 AM
Ill gladly rip on how much a hated this one :)