The Art of French Kissing

Kristin Harmel
5 Spot (2008)
ISBN 9780446581431
Reviewed by Leslie Granier for Reader Views (1/08)


Emma’s life seems perfect.  She lives in sunny Florida, is getting married in a few months and has a job she really loves.  When her life begins to unexpectedly fall apart, she makes the decision to reconnect with an old friend in Paris to get away from her problems.  After she arrives, her friend Poppy offers her a job as a publicist for an up-and-coming rock star who has a penchant for getting himself into compromising situations.  As Emma begins to date again, she has difficulty letting go of the past until she meets Gabe, a journalist covering the release of the rock star's first album.  After a huge misunderstanding, Emma wonders if she will ever find happiness again.

The author's descriptive style paints a vivid picture of the city of Paris.  She effectively describes the scenery of everything from quaint neighborhood streets to famous landmarks.  She also does an excellent job of sharing Emma's thoughts and feelings as she struggles to begin her new life in an unfamiliar city.  I particularly enjoyed watching Emma's growth as she moved from familiar surroundings to start over in a place in which she could not even speak the language.  It was fun to see her finally let go of the past and be able to form new relationships.  Her transformation from a jilted woman to one who can open her heart to love again was incredibly portrayed.

All of the main characters are well-developed with interesting background stories that help explain their behaviors.  The antics of Guillaume (the rock star) inject humor into the book.  The early part of the book moved a little slowly, but the action picked up quickly thereafter.  There are a few surprises in store for the reader as secrets about some of the characters begin to be revealed.

“The Art of French Kissing” is the epitome of chick lit.  The emphasis on women’s roles in dating and relationships is at the forefront of the story. The novel is very timely, with the names of several current celebrities mentioned.  The amusing situations in which Emma finds herself will provide the reader with a pleasant escape from reality.  I highly recommend this book to anyone seeking an entertaining story or a trip to Paris.

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