Top Ten of 2013: Best Couples

From December 23rd through 27th, we celebrate our favourite books of 2013 and look ahead to those of 2014.  Be sure to check back each day, and check out our gracious hosts (Rachel from [Fikt]shun, Mindy from Magical Urban Fantasy Reads & Jamie from Two Chicks on Books)!

Rules: Must be from a book read in 2013

Blay & Qhuinn

Lover At Last by J.R. Ward

because it's about freakin' time!

Hector & Elisa

The Bitter Kingdom by Rae Carson

because they would stand by each other through anything!

Cam & Avery

Wait For You by J. Lynn

because these two stood out as a pair I was actually rooting for, among the NA club!

Cath & Levi

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

because they're cute, okay?

Addie & Trevor

Pivot Point by Kasie West

because the ending of Pivot Point broke my heart!

Sybella & Beast

Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers

because they battled their demons together!

Aiden & Alex

Sentinel by Jennifer L. Armentrout

because they broke a few rules for love (yes, this was corny but I don't care)!

Anna & St. Clair

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

because love at a french boarding school!

Tod & Kaylee

With All My Soul by Rachel Vincent

because they got their happy ending!

Cate & Finn

Star Cursed by Jessica Spotswood

because I'm still rooting for them!

Let's share!  Who was your favourite bookish couple this year?  Leave me comment and tell me what your list was about today!

And to those that are celebrating, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, from my family to yours!

If you're not celebrating, have a Happy Wednesday!

Top Ten of 2013: Best Books

From December 23rd through 27th, we celebrate our favourite books of 2013 and look ahead to those of 2014.  Be sure to check back each day, and check out our gracious hosts (Rachel from [Fikt]shun, Mindy from Magical Urban Fantasy Reads & Jamie from Two Chicks on Books)!

Rules: has to be read in 2013, does not have to be published in 2013

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins (review)

Why it is the best: Etienne St.Clair.  Enough said.  This book transports the reader to a beautiful Paris and a lovely romance.  I had a serious case of wanderlust after this read.

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell (review)

Why it is the best: It's original and honest and awesome.  I may not write fanfic, but I truly connected with Cate and her transition to college life.

Wait for You by J. Lynn

Why it is the best: OMG J. Lynn writes sexual tension like no other.  Cam and Avery had me from the first page, and the companion novel Trust In Me could just as easily made this list!

The Bitter Kingdom by Rae Carson (review)

Why it is the best: The world needs a few more Hector-types.  On top of that, the evolution of Elisa is beyond amazing and I just love the whole world and story!

Sentinel by Jennifer L. Armentrout (review)

Why it is the best: I dub thee the most painful and heart-wrenching conclusion of the year.  I cannot wait for Seth's turn in the spotlight in 2015 (which, btw, is too far away...).

Dark Triumph by Robin LaFevers (review)

Why it is the best: I cried, like, six times.  My copy is seriously tear-stained.  Beast and Sybella get a slow clap from me.  Historical isn't my thing, but this book had me from start to finish.

Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi (review)

Why it is the best: Tahereh is a downright amazing author.  This story is spectacular.  The conclusion will likely destroy me (haha) in 2014, but I remain 100% Team Adam!

Star Cursed by Jessica Spotswood (review)

Why it is the best: It's original and engaging and heartbreaking.  Best worst ending ever.

Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi (review)

Why it is the best: You can't not love these characters.  When the secondary characters steal your heart as much as these ones do, you have a winner.  TTEN also stands out in a genre where everything is starting to feel the same.

Unbreakable by Kami Garcia (review)

Why it is the best: The world building.  The praise from Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson (you've never watched Ghost Hunters?!?!) backs this up.  I'm not an expert by any means, but I know a fair bit about the paranormal and much of this book is solid.  Unbreakable also had one of my favourite beginnings to a book this year!

And I leave you with a question: What was your favourite read of 2013?  If I had to choose one of these, I don't think I could!  I just can't commit.

Review: Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Published December 2nd, 2010
Speak
372 pages (Paperback)

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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? (From Goodreads)

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OH MY GOD WHAT TOOK ME SO LONG THIS IS PERFECT!!!

How do I even review this?

First off, this book is set at a boarding school in Paris!  Let's discuss that for a moment.  Paris itself is magical, and Stephanie Perkins' writing made me wish I was there so badly.  Add my random childhood desire to go to a boarding school, and we're golden!

The characters are dynamic and fantastic.  Each and every one has a little something that draws you in and makes you love them.  I think a lot of us would love to be in Anna's place too.  St. Clair is snarky and swoon-worthy!  Their romance is engaging and and draws you in.  I could not put this down!

This is such an easy read to.  It feels like you're just going along with Anna and living with her.  It never tries to get too heavy.  It's just an easy contemporary read that would be perfect for the beach or a lazy day in.  I think that this is one that I will be going back to in the future and rereading, possibly multiple times.

Anna and the French Kiss just has that magical quality about it that makes it an amazing read.  All the little pieces add up to an amazing story that I could not put down.  Now I'm forcing it upon everyone.  Go figure.