I'll admit, I'm not really a huge fan of teen romances. They usually feel so formulaic and fake that it's hard to relate and stay interested, but I don't think I've ever seen as many positive, glowing reviews as I've seen lately for ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS by Stephanie Perkins. My own sister, who is most definitely not a reader, demanded that I MUST read and review this one, guaranteeing me that I wouldn't hate it. So, of course, I had to give it a try. THIS many people can't be wrong -- right? 
 So, starting with plot. When Anna's father, a well-known published author of sappy Nick-Sparks-like novels, decides to send her away for Paris for her senior year of high school, Anna is devastated. Sure, Paris is known for it's beauty and romance, but Anna already has a best friend and an almost-boyfriend at home, and she's not ready to give those up to fly halfway around the world to live with a bunch of strangers in a boarding school. But, like with many things, Anna has no choice in the matter so she reluctantly packs her bags and heads to Paris. 
 Immediately, Anna meets a handsome, charming young man with a fabulous English accent, but of course he has a girlfriend. St. Clair has been with Elle for a while now, and he's not ready to make any changes yet. His home life is a mess, his plans for the future are completely dictated by his father, and he's just ready to stick with what's tried and true without making any waves. So, when Anna and St. Clair form a close friendship, they both know things can't go anywhere. Paris may be the city of romance, but Anna tries to convince herself that she's okay with nothing more than friendship -- even when her heart screams something different. 
 I think one of the most noticeable things about ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS is that the characters feel pretty real and relatable, for the most part. Nobody is too perfect or too stereotypical. As in many teen romances, Anna is neither written to be a helpless damsel or an unlikely "too tough" girl -- instead she's your pretty average girl with average flaws and average dreams. Sure, not everyone gets sent to school in Paris, which makes things a tad bit less relatable I know, but for the most part Anna could be any girl-next-door. The same pretty much goes for St. Clair too -- he's gorgeous and has a great accent, but he has real, noticeable flaws and weaknesses and he definitely has a tendency to make bad choices, unlike many male leads in teen romances. 
 For the most part, the plot was interesting, keeping me turning pages to see what would happen next with Anna and St. Clair. They faced their fair share of realistic obstacles, even if things did seem to get a little too convenient in places near the end of the novel. 
 Overall, though, ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS is one of those books that really just makes you smile and feel good. It's nothing complicated, dark, or revolutionary, but it IS a sweet, fun, cute story with a happy ending that gives you the warm fuzzies without being over-the-top saccharine. 
 Does this one deserve the hype? Probably so, depending on what you like to read. Give it a try on a cold winter day, and I dare you not to smile :)