Book Review: Kisses & Croissants by Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau
Kisses & Croissants
by Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau
Published by: Delacorte Press on April 6th, 2021
Rating: ★★★★★
Genre: Young Adult // Romance, Contemporary
**This book was not gifted to me by the publisher – it was a birthday gift. This in no way alters my review.**
Seventeen-year-old Mia, an American girl at an elite summer ballet program, has six weeks to achieve her dreams: to snag an audition with one of the world’s best ballet companies. But there’s more to Paris than ballet—especially when a charming French boy, Louis, wants to be her tour guide—and the pair discover the city has a few mysteries up its sleeve.
In the vein of romances like Love and Gelato, this is the perfect summer adventure for anyone looking to get swept away in the City of Love.
This gorgeous book was on my “Must Read” list in 2021 when I made a post at the beginning of the year. Fast forward to April, and I put it on my birthday wishlist. Luckily for me, my wish was granted! (by my Parents) and I started reading ASAP.
When Mia (our main character) gets accepted into a prestigious ballet program in Paris for six weeks, she’s thrilled, but scared at the same time. This program means the world to her because it’s her stepping stone to getting into her dream position at ABT. Coupled with the fact that her somewhat rival Audrey is alongside her in the program, it only adds to Mia’s stress that she might not be able to live up to the high expectations of the program’s leaders. But when she gets cast in an important role and bumped up a level, Mia starts to think everything is falling into place. That’s until she meets Louis.
Charming, suave and utterly irresistible, Louis is the Parisian dream that Mia never knew could become true. After their chance meeting, a flirty friendship turns to exploring France together, uncovering her family mystery that means so much to Mia. They begin a secret relationship away from the other ballet dancers, out of fear for not taking the program seriously. But as much as her heart starts to fall hopelessly for Louis, Mia knows that her one true love is ballet. And when the choices are put ahead of her, she can’t help but realise that one cannot succeed without the other fading.
Overall, Kisses & Croissants whisked me away to Paris, wrapping me in a blanket of picturesque architecture, the scent of buttery croissants and ballet music all around. My heart clung to Mia’s story, rooting for her (and the precious romance between her and Louis) and the dreams she desperately wanted, feeling every emotion that she did. I was happy, then sorrowful (after that major plot twist!) and mended again. Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau is the master of stunning Parisian aesthetics, beautifully built characters that were flawed but had incredible character development, and heart-warming idioms. I cannot tell you just how much I loved this book. I’d give it a thousand stars if I could. By far one of the best YA books I’ve ever read – and the highlight of my year. A flawless work of fiction that I wish were real.
About The Author:
Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau is a bilingual French author of young adult fiction and nonfiction. Her books have been translated into seven languages. Kisses and Croissants (Delacorte Press, 2021) is her U.S. debut. After graduating university in France, she moved to Amsterdam to begin a career in advertising. She then spent a few years in Melbourne before settling in New York City, where she lives with her Australian husband and their American cat.
Have you read Kisses & Croissants?
If you haven’t, don’t forget to add this beautiful novel to your TBR! Get utterly swept away this springtime.
Let me know in the comments or on twitter @LittleMemoirs!
happy reading!
