Thursday, December 27, 2012

Review & Giveaway: Anna and the French Kiss & Lola and the Boy Next by Stephanie Perkins

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
Published: December 2, 2010
Publisher: Dutton Books

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??
My Thoughts
Anna and the French Kiss was an absolute hit. It immediately took top rank in my fave YA romance, chicky-type lit reads and there was absolutely no doubt I’ll be reading this book every year over and over again. The blokes and blokettes were loveable, the storyline was perfect, and the light romance was a thing of shear beauty. I could go on an on about how much this book made me feel light hearted and happy… just plain ole happy, but you’re just going to have to experience it for yourself.

In this book, Anna is shipped off to SOAP, School of America in Paris by her Nicholas Sparky-type author dad; and she’s absoltuely homesick, lost and insecure as she doesn’t speak a lick of French. Along comes the best crew of characters and not only befriend Anna, but drag her out of her dorm to experience the city of Paris and all of its wonders. As the book progresses, Anna and St. Clair develop a lovey type friendship that they eventually must acknowledge, but not without some messy sitches along the way.

My favorite scenes in the book: Anna and St. Clair’s tour of the city, their Turkey dinner in Paris, yelling down the halls and stairwell during the holiday, sleepovers, multiple trips to the cinema, the flight home, the emails back and forth, the New Year’s telephone call, Whyareyougivingawaythecookies?, the banana bead, Pablo Neruda poetry book... I love Neruda! Gah! I could go on and on, so let’s just say I loved it all.

St. Clair was absolute perfection, yummier than a fluffy croissant. Anna was adorably awesome and flawed, the type of girl that you’d love to pinch her cheeks and run like hell. Together, their story was full of enjoyable moments that reminded me how sporadically awesome it was to be a teenager. Loved it!!! ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ Do I recommend it?? Ummm bloody hell yeah!

5 Snowflakes



Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins
Published: September 29, 2011
Publisher: Dutton Books
Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn’t believe in fashion...she believes in costume. The more expressive the outfit--more sparkly, more fun, more wild--the better. But even though Lola’s style is outrageous, she’s a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighborhood.
When Cricket--a gifted inventor--steps out from his twin sister’s shadow and back into Lola’s life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door.

My Thoughts
♥ ♥ ♥ ABSOLUTELY CRUSH-WORTHY♥ ♥ ♥

HOLY CRICKET!! I absolutely fell in love with Lola and the Boy Next Door! I’m not denying it, I have a HUGE crush on this book. Stephanie Perkins, without a doubt did it again.

In this story, Lola, a budding designer with a quirky sense of style, has her world turned upside down when her old neighbors, the Bells, move back into their San Francisco Victorian home. It's been two years since she's seen the Bell twins; and her last encounter with Cricket was a hard lesson that crushes hurt like hell. Well this time around Lola is determined not to fall for him again. Why should she? She's older, more confident, has a sexy rocker boyfriend, it's all good... right? WRONG!

Lola and Cricket had me smiling like an absolute dork the entire time. There was no way I could have read this book in public because I swear I was making some laugh-at-me faces. I just adore Perkins' style of delivering a slow building romance that blends perfectly with the flow of the entire story. As a reader, you can't help but fall into the storyline and ultimately resist the coming of the final chapters. It's the type of book you want to continue for endless chapters.

There were parts of the story that reminded me of Pretty in Pink with Lola's quirky style and hand-made costumes. Cricket was pretty amazing too in the fashion department. These two made a perfect pair. Also, it was such a pleasure to have Anna and Etienne be a part of this novel. If you fell for Etienne in Anna and the French Kiss...watch out! You’ll swoon for him even harder in this book.

As always, the writing was sharp, the characters were flawed to perfection, and the storyline was one that will have you smiling and sighing with love.
5 Snowflakes


And now for a giveaway!! WinterHaven Books is offering one lucky follower a chance to win a SIGNED copy of Anna and the French Kiss! Simply fill out the rafflecopter and share a thoughtful comment about the books, author or reviews. Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

76 comments:

  1. This sounds interesting! I will put on my to-read list!

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  2. Every blogger I know has raved about these books for so long that I must bow to the pressure and get them! They sound like my cup of tea but you know how it is when you go on a book buying spree, always a couple you forget :P

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  3. I can't find these in our local bookstores. -.-
    I really hope I win! >.<
    :)
    Thanks for the giveaway! :)

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  4. I've heard a lot about this book and read many reviews about it but yours convince me so this book is on my (really long) to-read list :)
    Thanks for the giveaway !

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  5. I liked this book, too. A good one to recommend to Sarah Dessen fans

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  6. It's been on my tbr list for a bit now. :)

    Thanks for the giveaway!

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  7. I have heard great things about this book and have been wanting to read it! Thanks for the giveaway!

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  8. I love her stuff! She's just great!

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  9. Amazing reviews! I loved Anna and the French Kiss SO MUCH and I just recently read Lola and the Boy Next Door and adored it as well. I love the way Perkins writes and cannot WAIT for Isla and the Happily Ever After now! :D

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  10. I had mixed feelings about the first one. it was cute and all but it didn't do much else for me so don't know if I'll be reading this one but glad to see that you guys had such fun with it :)

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  11. I borrowed this book from the library & loved it! I'd love to add it to my collection :)

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  12. I have heard such wonderful things about these books! They are on my TBR list already!

    Thanks so much!

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  13. I've been dying to read these for ages, thanks so much for the giveaway!

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  14. I've heard such great things about these books and have been wanting to read them for a long time--thanks so much for the awesome giveaway!! :)

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  15. I just ADORE this series so far. I cannot bloody wait for Isla....in fact the wait is just KILLING ME!!! :D

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  16. I absolutely loved Anna and the French Kiss, such an interesting read! Can't wait to get my hands on Lola and the Boy Next Door, I know it will be just as good! :)

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  17. This has been on my TBR for so long. I have read many 5 star reviews and definitely have heard how great it it. I would love to win this!!!

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  18. I loooved Anna!! it was so fabulous that I think I'd read it a lot of times. Lola was also amazing!! this author is fantantic!!

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  19. Anna and Lola were such fun reads, can't wait for Isla and the Happily Ever After!

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  20. I loved Anna - the entire books is amazing, especially St Claire and the beautiful Paris. :D

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  21. I prefer Anna over Lola, I just understand her better, And St Claire is totally my fictional boyfriend. Can't wait for the next book to come out!

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  22. After hearing so many great things about this book, I'm excited to read it! Thanks for the great giveaway!

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  23. I LOVE AATFK!! I would love to read it in paperback because I only read it in ebook format. Thanks for this awesome giveaway!

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  24. I've been hearing so many great things about Stephanie Perkins! I'm so excited for her books!:D Thanks for the great giveaway!

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  25. I love Stephanie Perkins' books! I also love how she dyes her hair all kinds of colors! :D

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  26. I love her books but got them from the library. I would love to have a copy if this to read again. It's one if my all time favorites.:) Thanks for having the giveaway.

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  27. this sounds like a terrific book...I haven't read her works yet!
    ivegotmail8889(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  28. I got her books from the library. Love at first read! ♥

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  29. Thanks for the opportunity to win a signed copy! :) I picked it up for my Kobo last year after hearing SO much raving about it and was definitely not disappointed - especially given my obsession with Paris! Great review!

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  30. I've never read Stephanie Perkins's books but both Anna and the French Kiss & Lola and the Boy Next Door have been on my TBR list for a really long list.
    Thanks for sharing this review and giveaway! :)

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  31. Thank you so much for the giveaway. These books look great, I am definitely adding these to my to read list.

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  32. i hope i win this book...
    thx u for the chance :)

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  33. Awesome, thanks for the giveaway :)

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  34. Awesome, thanks for the giveaway :)

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  35. I love Stephanie Perkins. Anyone who can create St. Clair AND Cricket is a god.
    GFC name Mima Ivkovic.

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  36. This is one of my favorite contemp books ever! I'm so glad you loved it as much as I did. Thanks so much for the giveaway!

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  37. My friend borrowed me both Anna and The French Kiss and Lola and The Boy Next Door and both books were amazing! I adore the story and the characters! Thank you for the chance to win a copy!

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  38. I borrowed the audio book version of Anna and the French Kiss and fell in love with Anna and Etienne! Such a great story. :) Great reviews. I think I need to read Lola next!

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  39. I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE Stephanie Perkins books!! Etienne, Cricket! ~swooon~ and I just can't wait it for Isla and the Happily Ever After! GFC: Gisele Alvarado (there's no extra box on the rafflecopter)

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  40. What can I say? I love Stephanie Perkins! She has a wonderful gift to create unforgettable characters. I can't wait for Isla to come out next year :)

    Thanks for the giveaway!

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  41. Thank you for the awesome giveaway! I adored Anna And The French Kiss. It's so amazing and damn St Claire is hot. I didn't think Lola was quite as good, but I loved the small bits of Anna & St Clair sprinkled in the mix.

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  42. Look forward to reading these. They soynd amazing

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  43. This is the first book I recommended to my roommate which by the way is a newbie to bookworld :D And now she's flippin' about this cause we can't find this book in any bookstore here.. So I hope I win! We're crazy about St. Clair <3

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  44. I've heard so many good things about these books, and I just have never put it as my top priority! Thanks for hosting the giveaway. I love this blog :)

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  45. I've heard so many good things about Ms. Perkins' books. I'm dying to read them.

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  46. I loved Anna and the French Kiss & Lola and the Boy Next Door. Etienne was so sweet! <3

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  47. I want to read this one! Megan (^^) has recommended it! What she says goes :)

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  48. I've been seeing this on my friend's to-read shelves on Goodreads :) Must be really good...

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  49. Anna & the French Kiss is one of the best books I read last 2012!

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  50. Sounds like a really nice book!

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  51. Ohmygod, Anna and the French Kiss is so fun to read. I can't help but get swooned by Etienne.

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  52. Loved the book. Thanks for the giveaway!

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  53. I have heard so many good things about this book! I would love to read it!

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  54. Anna and the French Kiss sounds like such a cute story, well actually both do, but I've been dying to read Anna and the French Kiss lol
    oddball2003 at hotmail dot com

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  55. Stephanie is really an amazing author, Anna is an incredible book, the story just sucks you in and it's impossible not to like it.

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  56. I LOVE these books so much, thanks for the awesome giveaway!

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  57. Anna and the French Kiss is one of my favorite contemporary novels of all time! Anna and Etienne are too cute!!

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  58. A few of the bloggers I follow have all liked it A LOT so I'm really intrigued by it.
    Also I have never read a book dedicated entirely to romance so it would be a nice experence

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  59. Kudos to Stephanie Perkins. I really can't wait for her another works!

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  60. I have heard a lot about this book, and it sounds really good! Thanks for the giveaway! :)

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  61. I heard so many great things about these books.I can;t wait to read them.Thanks for this giveaway

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  62. I actually read Lola and the boy next door but I haven't read this one yet. BUT omg, Stephanie Perkins wrote Lola and the boy next door so so perfect it gave me so much feels .___. I want me a boy like cricket.

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  63. I just noticed the girl's hair, but I've been seeing this book for months... I actually first met this book on a blog and was interested because of that review... I just can't remember what blog was that...

    Thank you for this chance!!!

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  64. i wish i could read this anna and the french kiss soon..lol.:)
    thanx u for the giveaway, i wish i can win..sounds interesting,n i'll wait for this book..

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  65. I love to curl up with a good read

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  66. Have had Anna and the French Kiss on my tbr list for soo long. I have heard nothing but good things about them. I really need to get around to reading them.
    Awesome Giveaway (:

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  67. I have wanted to read Anna and the French Kiss for quite some time now! It sounds like it'll be a fantastic love story and I'm hoping it is!
    Thank you for this awesome chance & good luck everyone!! ^_^

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  68. I absolutely adore these novels. Stephanie Perkins has so much talent. I'm a little bit in love with her. (Or maybe a lot.) Same thing. :)

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  69. This sounds interesting! Def want to read

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  70. I want this boooookkkk

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  71. Been wanting to read these books for awhile. But, the library is closed for repairs till February.

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  72. I read the book because I had been seeing it everywhere and I fell in love with the characters :)

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