Kisses and Croissants by Anne-Sophia Jouhanneau (320 Pages)
In Kisses and Croissants, A Determined Ballerina is Put to the Test As a Summer of Love Could Stand in the Way of Her Dreams
Seventeen-year-old Mia Jennrow lands a spot in an elite ballet program in the beautiful city of Paris, France and she is one step closer to achieving her dreams of dancing for the American Ballet Theatre. Since she was a little girl, Mia has always loved dancing, and she’s not about to let anything stand in her way of becoming a fantastic ballerina. Only, Mia quickly learns that her passions are about to be put to the test this summer. Not only is she competing against her rival, Audrey, for a part in Swan Lake, she also has to deal with her mother’s disapproval of her dancing dreams. With all of these obstacles standing in her way, Mia has to stay focused. But when devilishly handsome and charming Louis waltzes into her life, everything she’s worked for could be destroyed.
A Soft Romance That Will Have You Booking a Flight to Paris to Find Your Perfect French Boy
Fans of Emily in Paris, rejoice! Kisses and Croissants by Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau is the perfect Parisian fix while you wait for season two. The beautiful Paris landscape’s vivid imagery had me wishing I was sitting in a little French cafe with a warm baguette. I loved how Mia took the time to explore and genuinely experience the city as she followed her dream of becoming a fantastic ballerina. Mia’s desire to explore and have fun balanced with her determination and drive made her a more relatable character, helping me to empathize with her as she overcame hurdles. Her passion for ballet was quickly put to the test with the program’s exhaustive auditions for Swan Lake as she competed against her ultimate rival, Audrey.
Not only did Kisses and Croissants leave me wanting to learn even more about the art of ballet, but it also had me looking up flights so I could find a perfect French boy like Louis. Their subtle romance had a wholesome feel to it throughout the novel. Louis’s spontaneous personality helped Mia break out of her comfort zone a bit, even if it did slightly distract from her dancing. But don’t we all love a good story that tells us there’s so much more to life than being perfect?
The Bottom Line: 4/5 Brookie Stars
Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau delivers an adorable summer romance that floods the streets of Paris with passion, dreams, and yummy croissants. I was absorbed into the wondrous world of ballet while meeting cute French boys who could steal my heart in a second. Kisses and Croissants sent a message that stepping out of your comfort zone while following your dreams will help you become who you’re meant to be.
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Brittany Amalfi is a 20- something- year- old developmental specialist living in Massachusetts where she loves all things New England. Brittany is currently pursuing her MFA in Creative Writing, and working on her young adult fantasy novel. When she isn’t writing, you can find her reading, working with awesome kiddos, and spending time with friends and family.
