Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Review: French Kiss by Sarra Manning

Title: French Kiss (Diary of a Kiss #1)
Author: Sarra Manning
Published: June 8th 2006
Add It: Goodreads
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository

New town, new college, new people, Edie's feeling overwhelmed. What if nobody wants to be her friend? But then something happens that turns her life upside down: Edie spots Dylan. Messy-haired, pouty, frustratingly elusive Dylan. . .
Fast forward to the college trip to Paris and things are really heating up. In between the shopping, the clubbing, the kissing and the making up, something happens between Edie and Dylan that changes both their lives for ever. But do boys like Dylan ever play for keeps?

I had heard amazing things about Sarra Manning’s books. They’re supposedly light, funny, romantic and adorable. I know that French Kiss isn’t her best work, but that’s why I decided to read it with Jasprit [The Reader's Den]. What better way to start than not with the best work and move forward from there? Ok, it sounds a bit weird, but that’s what I thought. While French Kiss was quite light and definitely funny, it didn’t exactly sit right with me either.

“It wasn't like I'd woken up and decided to be a bitch, it was more like I'd woken up to find bitchiness thrust upon me.”

Let me tell you what I did like. I really enjoyed that t was written in a diary form which let us into Edie’s mind in a very intimate way. Yes, she came off as a little (ok, a lot) stalkerish at first, but she grew on me by the end and I really liked seeing her grow into a girl who spoke her mind and get a backbone that she was in desperate need of. The writing was humorous and kept me turning the pages. I also loved the scenery: England, France and a small part of the road trip to Paris and back. I have been to England, but haven’t been to France and all these books with French settings really make me want to go there someday. Another thing I enjoyed was the ending—all that followed the birthday kiss was just adorable and somewhat made up for the previous happenings. While I do appreciate a good amount of drama, I felt like I was watching an episode of Made in Chelsea on crack lol. Sometimes ‘the bigger the better’ just doesn’t quite hit the mark.

All the what-the-fuckery with Dylan. Does he have a personality disorder? Because that’s my best guess. I don’t really feel like I know Dylan at all and that may be the reason why I don’t understand his actions. He was a real douche to Edie most of the time, but I don’t know anything about his home situation, his past, his family—that’s the reason I’m judging him based on solely his actions and his actions are just beyond.. Idk. He made me so furious. He kissed Edie like no other (their kisses were hot and adorable, not gonna lie), but then in the next scene he acted like a real d-bag. I don’t get his deal and I certainly don’t approve his behavior. Perhaps he can grow, but I’ll believe it when see it. Also, he has mood swings worse than Adrian Ivashkov on his worst days and we all know that the handsome moroi has some grave issues. What’s Dylan’s problem? I have no clue. For now my opinion stays that Edie deserves better than a 19 year old guy who acts like a 5 year old spoiled girl.

All in all, I think it’s more suitable for 13 year olds than people who are over 20, because Jasprit and I definitely didn’t get the magic out of this one. While there were lots of things that I liked, I couldn’t look away from all the things that frustrated me, that being mainly Dylan, and I think my rating clearly shows that. I won’t give up on Manning. This was originally published in 2004 and things have changed a lot since then, plus Adorkable, which sits on my shelf as we speak, seems like a really good read so hopefully I’ll have better luck with that. Plus, there is Jasprit loving Manning's adult lit so... bring it on!

Overall rating: 2.1 out of 5.0
Stars: ★★

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21 comments:

  1. I didn't know the author nor the book and I'm sorry it wasn't what you exepcted. It's a little difficult when the characters are like that I confess. I hope your next one will be better.

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  2. I have also heard great things about this author but haven't read any of her books. This one sounds cute but yeah I might be slightly too old for all this. I mean that guy Dylan I don't even want to met. I really hope you'll enjoy her other books so you can make me read them :D Great review, girl :)

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  3. I like books that are written in diary format but Dylan really sounds like a big douche. Lovely review Siiri, thanks for your honesty as always.

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  4. Adorkable's on my to-read list but I haven't heard of this one yet. I am in no way a fan of asshole-y guys, so Dylan definitely won't sit well with me. I'm glad the heroine developed somehow, at least. Awesome review, Siiri, and I hope your next Manning book isn't as frustrating as this one.

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  5. I've heard so much about Manning too, but this sounds like a disaster. I can tell that I'm going to be really uncomfortable with the stalkerish tendencies of the main character and I absolutely hate book boys like Dylan. Just make up your freaking mind and stop acting so hot and cold. I'm sorry your first Manning book wasn't that great, Siiri. Hopefully, the next book will be much better.
    Great review!

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  6. OMG! I just died a little bit inside. You have to understand that when I was a teenager (I'm talking 16 y.o. and working in the mall), I used to buy an import teen mag just to get the monthly Diary of a Crush serial. Seriously. I ADORED it. Of course, I was 16 at the time, LOL. I'm pretty sure I bought the paperbacks for nostalgia sake when they came out, so maybe I should dig them out to see if I still think they're great, or if 10+ years aged them poorly. Sorry you didn't like this, Siiri. If only you could have found them 4 or 5 years ago!

    Jessica @ Rabid Reads

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  7. Ugh. I hate when a guy blows hot and cold and is all emotionally engaged with the girl one minute only to completely reject her the next. Drives me crazy unless the narrative is split into a dual point of view and I get to see why he's behaving the way he is. If I knew that, I could be way more forgiving, but it doesn't sound like we get a dual POV here so I think I'd just be frustrated as you were. Maybe since you'll find one of her other books works better for you Siiri!

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  8. I didn't even end up writing a review for this book :( I have the rest of the books in this series, but I don't think that I will be reading them, as the characters in this one didn't really leave the best impression with me. But thank you so much for reading this with me, otherwise I don't think I would have got through it. And yes you should definitely give Manning's adult novels a go, you should have one coming your way soon!! :D

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  9. Oh wow, 2006! No wonder I haven't heard of this book. I was reading adult at the time. Bummer this one was a bust for you.

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  10. I stopped reading your review when you said Adrian's name. I realized that I HAVE NOT READ the Fiery Heart! WTF?? Where have I been. I need to get on that immediately! lol

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  11. eh well that's a shame, could have been cute. but um... yeah sound like he has a personality disorder.

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  12. I've never heard of it, but with a 2006 release date I guess that makes sense. At first glance it looks cute, but I can understand why it was somewhat annoying. Sorry you didn't love it. Great review!

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  13. See, this is why I don't read a lot of YA anymore. ( I know I'm a lot older than you!) Something that worked for me when I was fifteen, or even five years ago, doesn't work now bc I can look at it from angles I didn't even know existed back then. That's not to say that whatever issues you had with the story are excused, it's just that I don't always have the right perspective.
    Having said that, I don't like when book guys, or girls, run hot and cold.
    Thanks for the review!

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  14. It is a shame you really didn't feel the characters were fleshed out and that they ran hot and cold.I don't read a lot of YA contemporaries just because I cannot deal with all the high school drama..lol. So sorry this disappointed you Siiri :)

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  15. Huh, when I first saw the cover it reminded me of Anna and the French Kiss. Well hey, this book might be perfect for me then since you think it's more suitable for younger teens. But honestly, doesn't seem to be all the appealing after reading your review.

    Lovely review, girl! <33

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  16. Ehh, Dylan sounds like a trainwreck. This is why I'm oftentimes wary of reading from this genre as it's because of hideous and ridiculous people like that that make me wanna go into the book and strangle the lights out of them. Hahaha. Okay, I'll stop before I become too violent and you guys get prompted to report me to the authorities (you won't, will you??). I'm just really, really, too old for this kind of drama anymore.

    Great review all the same!

    Faye at The Social Potato Reviews

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  17. I would've been ticked at Dylan for Edie. He sounds like a jerk. Sorry this didn't work for you, Siiri. It does sounds like younger YA behavior rather than a NA read. Great honest review! :)

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  18. I think it's definitely smart of you guys to start from her worst book and make your way to the better ones. It'll show you the growth of Manning's writing as the years progress. French Kiss personally sounds quite boring to me. I remember reading dozens of books like these back in high school, so I agree, it's more suited to 13-15 year olds. Dylan does not sound like a good love interest to be selling romance to this target market either. I dont think I'll ever pick up this book, but good luck on your Manning reading Siiri!

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  19. This isn't something I would have picked up anyway, but I'm sorry this one fell flat! Saying that, I think it was a good idea to start from something less great and work your way up. Dylan sounds like a bit too much for, and I can see how irritating he must have been. Good luck with other books by this author, hopefully they'll be more impressive! Lovely review, Siiri. :)

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  20. That is why I skipped it - premise is cute, but it really is a novel for younger readers. I'm sorry you didn't enjoy it more.

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  21. YIKES! I really liked Adorkable and Unsticky by this author, but this book sounds like one that I should skip. I do love a good road trip, but I don't think I could handle this love interest at all. Sorry this didn't work for you! I hope you try something else by this author.

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