Anna and the French Kiss

Take a look at the Teen / Young Adult section at your local library. You know what kinds of books you'll find? Honestly, a lot of depressing stuff. You'll find no shortage of heartwrenching, issues-driven dramas, bleak dystopias, and angsty supernatural stories. But what if you're in the mood for something on the light side? Stephanie Perkins has recently become one of my new favorite YA authors by virtue of her refreshingly light romances. Because sometimes you just need something happy.

Anna and the French Kiss is exactly my kind of escapist fiction. Anna has been sent to a boarding school for American teens in Paris, France. Despite the glamorous European setting, she isn't exactly thrilled to be leaving her home, friends, and almost-boyfriend behind. But things start to look up when Anna starts making friends in the dorms, including the charismatic Etienne St. Clair. The two instantly hit it off, but he is in a relationship and Anna still holds out hope that something will happen with the boy from home. As the year progresses Anna and St. Clair become friends but the timing for anything more is never right. Can a series of near-misses finally lead to romance?

Okay, Anna and the French Kiss isn't brilliant literature. But it's a light, pleasant read. Perkins does a good job of creating interesting characters and using the setting to her advantage. Reading Anna and the French Kiss is kind of like watching a romantic comedy - the story is somewhat unlikely, but it's probably going to make you smile.

Overall Grade: A-

Perkins' follow-up, Lola and the Boy Next Door shares many of the features that made Anna so much fun to read. Lola has only three wishes: To go to Winter Formal in an elaborate Marie Antoinette-style ball gown, for her parents to like her 22-year-old rocker boyfriend, and to never see Cricket Bell again. Unfortunately it doesn't seem that she is likely to get her last two wishes. Cricket grew up next door and broke Lola's heart before moving away two years ago. But when the Bell family returns Cricket is quickly thrust back in Lola's life. Now everything - Lola's relationship with her boyfriend, her home life, and even the Winter Formal - are all much more complicated than they used to be.

Just as with Anna, Lola and the Boy Next Door is guaranteed to give you the same fluttery, swoony feeling as a good romantic comedy. Lola gets bonus points, however, for a few interesting details. Most significant is the role that Lola's parents play in the story - not only are they a pair of gay men free from bad stereotypes, but they're also actively involved in Lola's life. The norm is generally to minimize or eliminate the role of parents in books for teens, it's refreshing to see some parental influence.

Overall Grade: A-

Desperate for more Stephanie Perkins? A third companion novel, Isla and the Happily Ever After is set to be published Fall 2012.