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The Art of French Kissing
How do you say, 'So many men, so little time,' in French? Well, Emma Sullivan can always figure that out later. The point is -- she's in Paris! Which would be great, except that she's stuck doing public relations for one of the hottest -- and craziest -- rock stars on the planet. Making things worse is Gabriel Francoeur, the sexy and stubborn reporter who refuses to believe her when she tells him that her client was just playing Go Fish in that hotel room with all those scantily-clad girls . . . But Emma will always have Paris. The City of Light, of romance, of high fashion and of unfathomable varieties of cheese. If a girl can't reinvent herself here, there's no hope! It's time to leave the old Emma Sullivan behind and become someone courageous, exciting, successful. The type of girl who, when faced with a reporter who won't stop asking questions, knows just what to do. After all, they don't call it French kissing for nothing!
311 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 15, 2007
140 people are currently reading
4264 people want to read
About the author
Kristin Harmel
29 books16.7k followersKristin Harmel is the New York Times bestselling, USA Today bestselling, and #1 international bestselling author of The Paris Daughter, The Forest of Vanishing Stars, The Book of Lost Names, The Winemaker’s Wife, and a dozen other novels that have been translated into more than 30 languages and are sold all over the world.
Kristin has been writing professionally since the age of 16, when she began her career as a sportswriter, covering Major League Baseball and NHL hockey for a local magazine in Tampa Bay, Florida in the late 1990s. In addition to a long magazine writing career, primarily writing and reporting for PEOPLE magazine (as well as articles published in numerous other magazines, including American Baby, Men’s Health, Woman’s Day, and more), Kristin was also a frequent contributor to the national television morning show The Daily Buzz. She sold her first novel in 2004, and it debuted in February 2006.
Kristin was born just outside Boston, Massachusetts and spent her childhood there, as well as in Worthington, Ohio, and St. Petersburg, Florida. After graduating with a degree in journalism (with a minor in Spanish) from the University of Florida, she spent time living in Paris and Los Angeles and now lives in Orlando, with her husband and young son. She is also the co-founder and co-host of the popular weekly web show and podcast Friends & Fiction.
Kristin has been writing professionally since the age of 16, when she began her career as a sportswriter, covering Major League Baseball and NHL hockey for a local magazine in Tampa Bay, Florida in the late 1990s. In addition to a long magazine writing career, primarily writing and reporting for PEOPLE magazine (as well as articles published in numerous other magazines, including American Baby, Men’s Health, Woman’s Day, and more), Kristin was also a frequent contributor to the national television morning show The Daily Buzz. She sold her first novel in 2004, and it debuted in February 2006.
Kristin was born just outside Boston, Massachusetts and spent her childhood there, as well as in Worthington, Ohio, and St. Petersburg, Florida. After graduating with a degree in journalism (with a minor in Spanish) from the University of Florida, she spent time living in Paris and Los Angeles and now lives in Orlando, with her husband and young son. She is also the co-founder and co-host of the popular weekly web show and podcast Friends & Fiction.
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October 2, 2021
אחד הספרים הכי חמודים וכיפיים שקראתי.
הארוס של אמה זורק אותה כמה חודשים לפני החתונה שלהם, ואחר כך גם שוכב עם חברתה הטובה. היא מפוטרת מעבודתה כיחצ"נית בחברת מוזיקה בגלל קיצוצים, ואחותה ושאר חברותיה מתנכרות לה. פופי, חברתה ללימודים, מציעה לה לבוא לפריז ולעבוד איתה בעסק היח"צ שלה, ולעזור להשיק את אלבומו החדש של גיום ריש, כוכב רוק צרפתי עולה וחתיך. לפופי אין מה להפסיד והיא נוסעת לפריז, שם היא נאלצת להתמודד עם גיום המופרע, עם התקשורת, עם הבוסית הקשוחה של חברת המוסיקה של גיום ועם הגברים הצרפתים שמחזרים אחריה...
הייתי בפריז פעמיים ואני לא חובבת גדולה של העיר הזו, אבל הספר הזה לחלוטין עושה חשק לנסוע לשם. הכתיבה טובה, העלילה משעשעת והדמויות מקסימות. נהניתי ממש לקרוא! מומלץ.
הארוס של אמה זורק אותה כמה חודשים לפני החתונה שלהם, ואחר כך גם שוכב עם חברתה הטובה. היא מפוטרת מעבודתה כיחצ"נית בחברת מוזיקה בגלל קיצוצים, ואחותה ושאר חברותיה מתנכרות לה. פופי, חברתה ללימודים, מציעה לה לבוא לפריז ולעבוד איתה בעסק היח"צ שלה, ולעזור להשיק את אלבומו החדש של גיום ריש, כוכב רוק צרפתי עולה וחתיך. לפופי אין מה להפסיד והיא נוסעת לפריז, שם היא נאלצת להתמודד עם גיום המופרע, עם התקשורת, עם הבוסית הקשוחה של חברת המוסיקה של גיום ועם הגברים הצרפתים שמחזרים אחריה...
הייתי בפריז פעמיים ואני לא חובבת גדולה של העיר הזו, אבל הספר הזה לחלוטין עושה חשק לנסוע לשם. הכתיבה טובה, העלילה משעשעת והדמויות מקסימות. נהניתי ממש לקרוא! מומלץ.
February 28, 2017
This was the perfect February read. Champagne, Paris, and romance. It was a quick and fun read. Emma is planning her wedding when she discovers her fiance, Brett, has cheated on her and wants to call everything off. While talking to her friend in Paris about her situation, she decides to visit. Exploring Paris and landing a new job as a publicist for an up and coming rock star is just what Emma needs to reinvent herself. Chaos and romance ensue. Chick lit at its best.
October 3, 2021
ספר חמוד מאוד.
בתוך יומיים אמה נזרקת ע"י הארוס שלה ומאבדת את העבודה שלה. החברות שלה ואחותה לא תומכות בה, וכל מה שנשאר לה זה לאכול גלידה. אבל אז היא מתקשרת לפופי, חברה ותיקה מהלימודים, וזו מציעה לה להגיע לפריז ולעבוד איתה ביח"צנות של זמר רוק עולה בשם גיום ריש. מבחינת אמה זו משרת החלומות, בעיר הכי מושלמת, אבל אז היא מגלה שגיום ריש אוהב לעשות שטויות ובלגן, והיא זו שצריכה לתת הסברים מניחים את הדעת לתקשורת, ובמיוחד לעיתונאי גייב שנראה שיודע הכל על גיום ריש.
הספר זורם ונעים לקריאה. התיאורים של פריז עושים חשק לטוס לשם. הדמיות של אמה, פופי, גיום וגייב מעוררות חיבה. הבעיה היא הרומן, שמתפתח בצורה מוזרה, מסתבך בצורה מוזרה ומקבל תיקון מוזר. הספר מתמקד בעיקר בחיים של אמה בפריז ובשינוי שהיא עוברת, ונותן פחות תשומת לב לרומן שמתפתח במהירות ומסתבך באותה מהירות, מבלי שבכלל נשים לב שנוצר איזה קשר עמוק בין השניים.
בקיצור, 3.5 כוכבים. ספר נהדר לטיסה או לשבת שאין בה כח לקרוא משהו עמוק מדי.
בתוך יומיים אמה נזרקת ע"י הארוס שלה ומאבדת את העבודה שלה. החברות שלה ואחותה לא תומכות בה, וכל מה שנשאר לה זה לאכול גלידה. אבל אז היא מתקשרת לפופי, חברה ותיקה מהלימודים, וזו מציעה לה להגיע לפריז ולעבוד איתה ביח"צנות של זמר רוק עולה בשם גיום ריש. מבחינת אמה זו משרת החלומות, בעיר הכי מושלמת, אבל אז היא מגלה שגיום ריש אוהב לעשות שטויות ובלגן, והיא זו שצריכה לתת הסברים מניחים את הדעת לתקשורת, ובמיוחד לעיתונאי גייב שנראה שיודע הכל על גיום ריש.
הספר זורם ונעים לקריאה. התיאורים של פריז עושים חשק לטוס לשם. הדמיות של אמה, פופי, גיום וגייב מעוררות חיבה. הבעיה היא הרומן, שמתפתח בצורה מוזרה, מסתבך בצורה מוזרה ומקבל תיקון מוזר. הספר מתמקד בעיקר בחיים של אמה בפריז ובשינוי שהיא עוברת, ונותן פחות תשומת לב לרומן שמתפתח במהירות ומסתבך באותה מהירות, מבלי שבכלל נשים לב שנוצר איזה קשר עמוק בין השניים.
בקיצור, 3.5 כוכבים. ספר נהדר לטיסה או לשבת שאין בה כח לקרוא משהו עמוק מדי.
August 14, 2011
okay, up front, i realized that it couldn't have been fine literature by a) it's ridiculous title and b) it was in the bargain bin at B&N. But, did it have to have ever chick "lit" cliche in it? (WARNING -- MAJOR SPOILER ALERT)Girl is needy, girl gets dumped by fiance, girl gets fired for no fault of her own, family not supportive, friends are worthless. Girl goes to Paris. Girl meets handsome man but is afraid to show her feelings. Girl gets fired for no fault of her own (again), girl goes back to unsupportive family, Girl considers going back with worthless, condescending sack of shit ex-fiance, girl gets "rescued" by friend and TRUE LOVE and she lives happily ever after.
Despite all that, i had a hard time putting the book down and read it in a day. I found the character endearing (she's a PR chick and thinks well on her feet -- being a PR chick, I can appreciate that).
Not sure if I'd read any more by author, definitely not at full price, but it was a good diversion between the real stuff i've been reading....
Despite all that, i had a hard time putting the book down and read it in a day. I found the character endearing (she's a PR chick and thinks well on her feet -- being a PR chick, I can appreciate that).
Not sure if I'd read any more by author, definitely not at full price, but it was a good diversion between the real stuff i've been reading....
January 19, 2016
I read this in practically one sitting. It was pure fluff but it was enjoyable. I knew what was going to happen pretty early on in the book but I loved the descriptions of life in Paris and a really liked the protagonist so it was all good.
August 25, 2025
0 Star
Ms. Harmel please keep writing WWII historical novels!
“The Art of French Kissing” was first written in 2007 and has moved to my DNF pile of books. Unfortunately, this story is not my style, nor my genre.
Great writer, and decided to give it a try. Deals with immature, young people. I have no interest.
Ms. Harmel please keep writing WWII historical novels!
“The Art of French Kissing” was first written in 2007 and has moved to my DNF pile of books. Unfortunately, this story is not my style, nor my genre.
Great writer, and decided to give it a try. Deals with immature, young people. I have no interest.
December 23, 2014
Emma is a determined girl who knows what she wants out of life. She has to constantly start over but she never lets that get her down. She is a strong female character and no matter what she goes through she always finds a way to make it work!
Emma had her life all planned out. She had a great job, the man of her dreams, and a wedding to plan! That all came to a halt when her fiancé Brett not only broke off their engagement but forced her to move out of their house and on top of that she was fired from her job. Wow talk about bad things come in threes! She was jobless, husbandless, and now homeless. Emma decided to move to Paris and start over. She really came into her own while there. She got a great job, lived with her friend, and even met a couple of French men. This book isn't just about French kissing (although that isn’t such a bad thing), it's about finding the person who you are meant to be. It’s about self-discovery and letting go without being afraid. And yes it is also a lot about falling in love! Emma is the perfect female character. She keeps getting knocked down but doesn’t allow herself to stay down and wallow. She gets back up and starts over. This was a really inspiring book!
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars!
Emma had her life all planned out. She had a great job, the man of her dreams, and a wedding to plan! That all came to a halt when her fiancé Brett not only broke off their engagement but forced her to move out of their house and on top of that she was fired from her job. Wow talk about bad things come in threes! She was jobless, husbandless, and now homeless. Emma decided to move to Paris and start over. She really came into her own while there. She got a great job, lived with her friend, and even met a couple of French men. This book isn't just about French kissing (although that isn’t such a bad thing), it's about finding the person who you are meant to be. It’s about self-discovery and letting go without being afraid. And yes it is also a lot about falling in love! Emma is the perfect female character. She keeps getting knocked down but doesn’t allow herself to stay down and wallow. She gets back up and starts over. This was a really inspiring book!
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars!
August 2, 2008
The beautiful part of being a librarian is that I walk by the shelves full of new books every morning! However I must admit that I picked up this book several times before finally checking it out. The blurb on the back did not appeal to me. Fortunately I did finally take it home and greatly enjoyed reading it.
Emma's wedding has just fallen apart, she has lost her job and now the only place she has to live is with a very judgemental sister. Fortunately, just as she is ready for a means to escape, a job offer comes from a friend living in Paris. Unfortunately, the job is handling PR for an eccentric rock star, Guillaume. This turns out to be the perfect distraction for Emma as she now must deal with challenges such as explaining how Guillaume got locked in a room in the Eiffel Tower in briefs and a top hat. Add to that a particulary stubborn reporter and a room mate that regularly quotes books like Take Control of Your Lover's Soul and, of course, Paris for a fun ride of acceptance, love and croissants.
Emma's wedding has just fallen apart, she has lost her job and now the only place she has to live is with a very judgemental sister. Fortunately, just as she is ready for a means to escape, a job offer comes from a friend living in Paris. Unfortunately, the job is handling PR for an eccentric rock star, Guillaume. This turns out to be the perfect distraction for Emma as she now must deal with challenges such as explaining how Guillaume got locked in a room in the Eiffel Tower in briefs and a top hat. Add to that a particulary stubborn reporter and a room mate that regularly quotes books like Take Control of Your Lover's Soul and, of course, Paris for a fun ride of acceptance, love and croissants.
April 14, 2015
Cleaner than the title implies. Also, lamer. Unrealistic characters in unrealistic situations with unremarkable results. I did enjoy Gabe. But I picked up this book for its promise of Paris and found it only in indigestible binges here and there - for example, after five chapters of dialogue, a sudden collection of five thick paragraphs of the random sights and sounds of Paris. This would have been much better spread evenly through the book. But hey, I didn't hate it.
April 16, 2023
Favorite quote:
Nothing is impossible for a willing heart.
Kristin did an impeccable job sharing her love and perception of Paris throughout her writing. Her descriptions and additional info at the end of the book make this book a guidebook if you plan to visit Paris. A lovely light read!
Nothing is impossible for a willing heart.
Kristin did an impeccable job sharing her love and perception of Paris throughout her writing. Her descriptions and additional info at the end of the book make this book a guidebook if you plan to visit Paris. A lovely light read!
January 1, 2019
A really quick and fun romp through Paris. The book became a little predicable but that didn't take away from the story of the characters
June 5, 2022
ספר מתוק וקליל שניתן לקרוא אותו במהירות ואפילו לחייך בסופו.
מצד אחד הספר החזיר אותי למראות המקסימים של פריז וגרם לי לחזור ולטייל בה שנית, מצד שני הספר נראה לי מאוד לא הגיוני ואסביר.
השטויות של גיום ריש, הכוכב העולה- האם הוא לא קולט שהוא עלול לרסק את הקריירה שלו עוד בטרם המריאה? ובכך לפגוע ביחצניות שלו?
אמה- עם חברות כאלו לא צריך אוייבות. האם לא קלטת את ההתנהגות האגואיסטית של ברט בשלוש שנות זוגיות איתו שרק לאחר שנפרדתם קלטת אותה? האם לא קלטת לבד מהיכן הידע המוקדם של גייב על גיום?
בסיום הקריאה קיבלתי תחושה של רומן ראשון למרות שזו סופרת עם רפרטואר נפלא.
לסיכום, לא יכולה שלא להמליץ. אך למי שמחפשת היגיון - זה לא הספר בשבילה.
מצד אחד הספר החזיר אותי למראות המקסימים של פריז וגרם לי לחזור ולטייל בה שנית, מצד שני הספר נראה לי מאוד לא הגיוני ואסביר.
השטויות של גיום ריש, הכוכב העולה- האם הוא לא קולט שהוא עלול לרסק את הקריירה שלו עוד בטרם המריאה? ובכך לפגוע ביחצניות שלו?
אמה- עם חברות כאלו לא צריך אוייבות. האם לא קלטת את ההתנהגות האגואיסטית של ברט בשלוש שנות זוגיות איתו שרק לאחר שנפרדתם קלטת אותה? האם לא קלטת לבד מהיכן הידע המוקדם של גייב על גיום?
בסיום הקריאה קיבלתי תחושה של רומן ראשון למרות שזו סופרת עם רפרטואר נפלא.
לסיכום, לא יכולה שלא להמליץ. אך למי שמחפשת היגיון - זה לא הספר בשבילה.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 2, 2023
This book transported me to Paris. I enjoyed the trip every step of the way… or every page turn of the book. The characters were very likable and it gave me all the warm fuzzies of a new relationship. Even the note from the author in the back made me chuckle - but only because it mentioned visiting her MySpace page for more info. (This book has a copyright date of 2008 - so I get it). I think I was more appreciative for this copyright date because the story didn’t have anything to do with social media and wasn’t internet focused like the story would have been if told in todays world.
I hate to use this comparison because the stories are very different, but if you enjoyed the show Emily In Paris, I think you’ll enjoy this romcom book. In fact, the whole time I pictured Poppy as the Mindy character from that show (played by Ashley Park). Don’t worry… I didn’t picture the whole cast as the characters. Not even close.
I hate to use this comparison because the stories are very different, but if you enjoyed the show Emily In Paris, I think you’ll enjoy this romcom book. In fact, the whole time I pictured Poppy as the Mindy character from that show (played by Ashley Park). Don’t worry… I didn’t picture the whole cast as the characters. Not even close.
August 12, 2024
Good "palate cleanser" - simple straightforward story. I had guessed (guess is probably a strong word, maybe just assumed) the plot twist (if you can call it a twist?) over a hundred pages earlier, so by the big reveal, it was just like "oh finally".
Anyway, good timing for me to be reading it during the Olympics and seeing Paris on TV.
Anyway, good timing for me to be reading it during the Olympics and seeing Paris on TV.
June 22, 2018
This was the perfect beach read! A sweet little romance written 10 years ago by one of my favorite authors! Completely different from her historical fiction, but very enjoyable!
November 13, 2021
4.5 stars!
October 3, 2022
“Â coeur vaillant rien d'impossible.”
Kitap akıcıydı, her şey fazla sıradandı. Kafa dağıtmak için okunabilir. Yüzünüzde şapşal bir gülümseme oluşturan romantik bir film gibiydi.
Kitap akıcıydı, her şey fazla sıradandı. Kafa dağıtmak için okunabilir. Yüzünüzde şapşal bir gülümseme oluşturan romantik bir film gibiydi.
March 17, 2020
This was an okay read. I really think that this was just one of those days. In this Emma is a woman whose life is falling apart. She gets left by her boyfriend and gets fired from her job on the same day. She then ends up in Paris. Where she ends up falling in love and getting a happy ending.
October 4, 2012
Fransız öpücüğünü ciddi anlamda merak ettiren bir kitap ne diyeyim ^^)
Ama şunu öğrendim ki Fransız-Amerikan öpücüğü daha iyiymiş(valla en azından yazarın fikri bu yöndeydi)
neyse..
Emma zavallım, evlilik hazırlıkları,düğün hayalleri derken, aksilikler zinciri midir anlamadım,
önce nişanlısını, ardından işini ve arkadaşlarını kaybetmiştir.Ah buna artı olarak evindende olduğunu eklemeliyim.
Kızımız kaldı mı ortada...
Derken Fransa'dan bir ışık doğar kızımızın yüzüne..Poppy...Emma'nın eski bir arkadaşıdır ve en zor anında
ona bir iş ve yeni bir sayfa imkanı sunmuştur.Tabi bu iş hiçte anlatıldığı gibi kolay değildir..
Guillaume..ya bu adama hayran mı olsam yoksa gördüğüm ilk anda akıl hastanesine mi tıksam bilemedim.
Kitabı bitirdim ama adamın derdi neydi bi türlü çözemedim.Guillaume Fransız bir sanatçı ve Poppy ile Emma'da bu yaramaz çocuğun
Halkla İlişkiler Bölümünde sorumlu..Ama beyfendi hiç rahat durmuyor, her ne kadar nasıl yaptığını kendiside çözemese başına
gelmeyen kalmıyor.Eifel kulesinde,dondurmacıda kilitli kalmalar yok efendim 13. kattan baş aşağı sarkmalar..Daha neler neler.
Ve tabi Emma'cık hem Fransız Öpücüğünü keşfederken hemde Gabe'e (gazetecimiz) karşı hislerini tartıyor.Tabi geçte olsa
aklı başına gelen eski nişanlı Bret'te var.Guillaume'yi saymıyorum bile....
Ahh zavallı Emma acaba kime aşık olduğunu, yada sevgiyi, sevilmeyi bulabilecek mi?
Peki tam bulduğunda ellerinden kayan aşkı için savaşacak mı yoksa...
Ehh genel olarak ben sevdim kitabı..akıcıydı, sıkılmadım.Asıl adamımız Gabe olsada özellikle Guillaume ile olan sahneler
gülümsetti beni..Adam çok başka birşeydi..Eğer keyifli vakit geçirmek isterseniz öneririm ^^)
Ama şunu öğrendim ki Fransız-Amerikan öpücüğü daha iyiymiş(valla en azından yazarın fikri bu yöndeydi)
neyse..
Emma zavallım, evlilik hazırlıkları,düğün hayalleri derken, aksilikler zinciri midir anlamadım,
önce nişanlısını, ardından işini ve arkadaşlarını kaybetmiştir.Ah buna artı olarak evindende olduğunu eklemeliyim.
Kızımız kaldı mı ortada...
Derken Fransa'dan bir ışık doğar kızımızın yüzüne..Poppy...Emma'nın eski bir arkadaşıdır ve en zor anında
ona bir iş ve yeni bir sayfa imkanı sunmuştur.Tabi bu iş hiçte anlatıldığı gibi kolay değildir..
Guillaume..ya bu adama hayran mı olsam yoksa gördüğüm ilk anda akıl hastanesine mi tıksam bilemedim.
Kitabı bitirdim ama adamın derdi neydi bi türlü çözemedim.Guillaume Fransız bir sanatçı ve Poppy ile Emma'da bu yaramaz çocuğun
Halkla İlişkiler Bölümünde sorumlu..Ama beyfendi hiç rahat durmuyor, her ne kadar nasıl yaptığını kendiside çözemese başına
gelmeyen kalmıyor.Eifel kulesinde,dondurmacıda kilitli kalmalar yok efendim 13. kattan baş aşağı sarkmalar..Daha neler neler.
Ve tabi Emma'cık hem Fransız Öpücüğünü keşfederken hemde Gabe'e (gazetecimiz) karşı hislerini tartıyor.Tabi geçte olsa
aklı başına gelen eski nişanlı Bret'te var.Guillaume'yi saymıyorum bile....
Ahh zavallı Emma acaba kime aşık olduğunu, yada sevgiyi, sevilmeyi bulabilecek mi?
Peki tam bulduğunda ellerinden kayan aşkı için savaşacak mı yoksa...
Ehh genel olarak ben sevdim kitabı..akıcıydı, sıkılmadım.Asıl adamımız Gabe olsada özellikle Guillaume ile olan sahneler
gülümsetti beni..Adam çok başka birşeydi..Eğer keyifli vakit geçirmek isterseniz öneririm ^^)
June 20, 2013
Now, this book I liked. I can't help but compare it to my most recent other read, 'From Notting Hill, with Love Actually' since both books involve a heroine leaving their home and fiance behind and moving somewhere to start anew, where of course they find a really great, handsome, local guy they at first clash with and then fall in love with. But in this book, our heroine's relationship with the loser fiance is broken and she moves to Paris with a clean slate - which is SUCH a better premise than the other book where our heroine is simply on a break from her fiance. A few of the circumstances were a bit contrived in this novel, but I enjoyed reading it, and it provided a welcome escape from life and a chance to visit Paris, the city of love. The author does a great job making la belle Paris come to life and made me long to hop on a plane.
May 9, 2012
This book was amazing!!! Kristin Harmel is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. Her writing is just so exciting and real. Although I found myself guessing exactly what was to come it was still completely enjoyable for me to read. After reading this book I SO want to visit Paris!
And if you have already read 'How to Sleep with a Movie Star' then you'll really enjoy this book as well. She even briefly mentions a few of the characters from that novel in this one, which I found completely hilarious. I love when authors have their different characters from entirely different stories interact with each other, makes me feel as though they're real. Silly i know haha but its a great read!
And if you have already read 'How to Sleep with a Movie Star' then you'll really enjoy this book as well. She even briefly mentions a few of the characters from that novel in this one, which I found completely hilarious. I love when authors have their different characters from entirely different stories interact with each other, makes me feel as though they're real. Silly i know haha but its a great read!
February 23, 2013
I was first introduced to this book by the last pages of another book. I first thought the title was "inappropriate" then I read the description and it wasn't so bad. So, I downloaded the free sample on my ibookstore -like i always do with almost every book- and i read the first chapter which was not so bad. It was interesting.
The book is totally a chic flick. I enjoyed reading it, since I do enjoy watching chick flick movies, most of the times.
I found Poppy's theories kinda ironic since she dumbs her "beliefs" in the end. I loved the ending and what Guillaume did with the hot air ballon. I thought it was very sweet of him since he turned out to be a good-hearted decent man.
The book is totally a chic flick. I enjoyed reading it, since I do enjoy watching chick flick movies, most of the times.
I found Poppy's theories kinda ironic since she dumbs her "beliefs" in the end. I loved the ending and what Guillaume did with the hot air ballon. I thought it was very sweet of him since he turned out to be a good-hearted decent man.
April 15, 2009
What a stinker--how does one say formulaic and pointless in French? I picked this up for 50 cents at the library book sale and am actually wondering if they'd give me a refund...I bought this because I am going to Paris in July so I thought it would be interesting and in that regard it gave some mildly helpful tdbits about life in Paris but otherwise it was a complete waste of time. I'd rather be watching ROCK OF LOVE (and I HATE reality TV)!!!
January 8, 2011
Good for an hour and a half of mindless reading, but overall a very forgettable book. Anyone with brains (though apparently not the heroine or any other reporters, publicists etc did even though it'd have been the biggest scoop of the year) could see it coming from a mile away. Nothing unique about the characters, though the situation had so much more potential. Was hoping for something better...
April 11, 2013
Drivel! I'm at the beach and needed some drivel. This fully fit the bill. I read it in one day.
March 29, 2021
Now I really liked this book. The story is fun and quirky, following a publicist who is trying constantly to keep her new rock star client out of trouble.
And by trouble do I mean trouble...the guy just seems to believe he can do whatever he wants and someone will come and wipe his shitty ass for him. The situations he gets himself into are funny and yes, you feel the frustration from the side of our MC, Emma. Quite frankly, he is the WORST, but Emma has bigger fish to fry.
Because after being dumped from a 3 year relationship, told to leave a home she paid for but had no legal right over (anyone else here the screaming of red flags?), she decides to take up her best friends offer of a job opportunity in Paris.
So far, simple enough. Until her best friend insists, CONSTANTLY, that the only means of getting over someone, is to get under someone else.
Over, and over, again. And despite our MC, very clearly, being uncomfortable about this, her best friend just pushes and pushes her until Emma finally gives in.
Now looking back on this book I've realised, this is all the characters in this novel have done to Emma. Her ex pushed her in believing she was constantly in the wrong, her sister quite literally ignores her requests to get back together with her ex and decides to take it upon herself to play matchmaker, contacting the ex and tries to get them back together.
Because, quote, 'you won't find anyone rich in your 30s'. And she is forced left and centre to do things she really doesn't want to do, but then her brain decides to do it anyway to only regret it later.
At no point, NONE, does the girl grow a backbone and tell them all to fucking, LEAVE HER ASS ALONE! She is a grown ass woman for Christ's sake, let her make her own decisions and if she says no, she means nooooooo!
And on the topic of me screaming no into the abyss, let us also get into the topic of my favourite - ever- troooope!
Yes it's that time again kids for lessons in misunderstandings! Because you bet your sweet buns that this book had it!
Emma, our MC who people love to take advantage of and boss around, falls for a journalist named Gabe who, I will admit, I liked. He was a good character and one of the very, very few who didn't tell Emma how to be.
He was a good all round character, paaaaaaar one minor thing.
He is the half brother of her client, which he fails to mention, and is a big player in said 'misunderstandings'. Because brothers being brothers, the client just wants to fuck with Gabe, and because Emma has no idea how they seem to know each other and why Gabe is upset at her client getting her drunk on purpose and kissing her (don't ask, I'm still mad about it now and how it is so easily brushed under the rug) does it all come out in the last 20 pages of the book.....on live television.
For the whole of America to see.
Because, readers, that is life. And instead of simply saying oh yeah no, he is my brother and he likes to do things like this to piss me off, INCLUDING FORCING HIMSELF ONTO WOMEN WHO HE HAS PURPOSELY GOTTEN DRUNK, yeah no, I'm gonna get mad at you, ignore you, and let yourself feel like you are to blame.
But whatever, hair flick.
Onto the next book I guess?
And by trouble do I mean trouble...the guy just seems to believe he can do whatever he wants and someone will come and wipe his shitty ass for him. The situations he gets himself into are funny and yes, you feel the frustration from the side of our MC, Emma. Quite frankly, he is the WORST, but Emma has bigger fish to fry.
Because after being dumped from a 3 year relationship, told to leave a home she paid for but had no legal right over (anyone else here the screaming of red flags?), she decides to take up her best friends offer of a job opportunity in Paris.
So far, simple enough. Until her best friend insists, CONSTANTLY, that the only means of getting over someone, is to get under someone else.
Over, and over, again. And despite our MC, very clearly, being uncomfortable about this, her best friend just pushes and pushes her until Emma finally gives in.
Now looking back on this book I've realised, this is all the characters in this novel have done to Emma. Her ex pushed her in believing she was constantly in the wrong, her sister quite literally ignores her requests to get back together with her ex and decides to take it upon herself to play matchmaker, contacting the ex and tries to get them back together.
Because, quote, 'you won't find anyone rich in your 30s'. And she is forced left and centre to do things she really doesn't want to do, but then her brain decides to do it anyway to only regret it later.
At no point, NONE, does the girl grow a backbone and tell them all to fucking, LEAVE HER ASS ALONE! She is a grown ass woman for Christ's sake, let her make her own decisions and if she says no, she means nooooooo!
And on the topic of me screaming no into the abyss, let us also get into the topic of my favourite - ever- troooope!
Yes it's that time again kids for lessons in misunderstandings! Because you bet your sweet buns that this book had it!
Emma, our MC who people love to take advantage of and boss around, falls for a journalist named Gabe who, I will admit, I liked. He was a good character and one of the very, very few who didn't tell Emma how to be.
He was a good all round character, paaaaaaar one minor thing.
He is the half brother of her client, which he fails to mention, and is a big player in said 'misunderstandings'. Because brothers being brothers, the client just wants to fuck with Gabe, and because Emma has no idea how they seem to know each other and why Gabe is upset at her client getting her drunk on purpose and kissing her (don't ask, I'm still mad about it now and how it is so easily brushed under the rug) does it all come out in the last 20 pages of the book.....on live television.
For the whole of America to see.
Because, readers, that is life. And instead of simply saying oh yeah no, he is my brother and he likes to do things like this to piss me off, INCLUDING FORCING HIMSELF ONTO WOMEN WHO HE HAS PURPOSELY GOTTEN DRUNK, yeah no, I'm gonna get mad at you, ignore you, and let yourself feel like you are to blame.
But whatever, hair flick.
Onto the next book I guess?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 4, 2022
"The Art of French Kissing" is one of Kristin Harmel's earlier works, which had been sitting on my bookshelf for years, untouched because, well--you know---so many books, so little time! I pulled it from a shelf a few days ago, and read it quickly. It's a rom-com, an often times ridiculous (yet fun) one. At times, it bordered on downright stupid (though fun), and was totally predictable (though fun).
I am not sure if the good outweighed the bad, but I didn't hate it. In fact, I enjoyed most of the hours I spent reading it, but I felt it could have been much better had it not defied credulity.
I almost never enjoy novels where one of the characters is a "rock star" as the glitz, glamour, rumors and risky behaviors annoy me, but in this story, the rocker was French, and needed to be well managed by two young women, one of whom was nursing a broken heart and had come to Paris to do just that. Emma had been dumped by her fiancé, Brett, after three years together. She had also been let go from her PR job, and to make things worse, she learned that Brett was sleeping with her best friend, Amanda. What's a girl to do? Of course, just like that, she will head to Paris to stay with an old friend, Poppy, who just happens to have a PR firm and an extra bedroom in her lovely flat from which Emma can see the Eiffel Tower. Of course, right?
Emma, who speaks not a word of French, falls in love with the the city and her new life in romantic Paris, though she has no intention of falling for anyone. She and Poppy, time and again, have to rescue Guillaume, the rock star, from his ridiculous and dangerous antics, and to keep the press from knowing the truth. Guillaume has a new album about to be debuted, so it is most important that he not receive bad press. Of course, Guillaume is drop dead gorgeous and quite charming. It's difficult to stay angry with him when he causes so much turmoil in the life of those who manage him.
There is a handsome and determined reporter, Gabe, with only the slightest French accent, who is always underfoot, and is determined to see through the excuses Emma makes for Guillaume, but he is, at times, hard to resist, despite his being maddeningly pushy about getting an interview. Meanwhile, Poppy teaches Emma about dating just for the fun of it, and to always leave men wanting more, and to leave them before they could leave her. Emma finds there is something to be said for that, especially after a painful broken engagement.
Much of what happens is exasperating for a reader for it's huge implausibility, and yet, the story moved at a good pace and gave the happy ending that is apparent from the start, knowing the genre. Cute book, but nothing special, and I do believe chick lit has gotten better since this one appeared in 2008.
I am not sure if the good outweighed the bad, but I didn't hate it. In fact, I enjoyed most of the hours I spent reading it, but I felt it could have been much better had it not defied credulity.
I almost never enjoy novels where one of the characters is a "rock star" as the glitz, glamour, rumors and risky behaviors annoy me, but in this story, the rocker was French, and needed to be well managed by two young women, one of whom was nursing a broken heart and had come to Paris to do just that. Emma had been dumped by her fiancé, Brett, after three years together. She had also been let go from her PR job, and to make things worse, she learned that Brett was sleeping with her best friend, Amanda. What's a girl to do? Of course, just like that, she will head to Paris to stay with an old friend, Poppy, who just happens to have a PR firm and an extra bedroom in her lovely flat from which Emma can see the Eiffel Tower. Of course, right?
Emma, who speaks not a word of French, falls in love with the the city and her new life in romantic Paris, though she has no intention of falling for anyone. She and Poppy, time and again, have to rescue Guillaume, the rock star, from his ridiculous and dangerous antics, and to keep the press from knowing the truth. Guillaume has a new album about to be debuted, so it is most important that he not receive bad press. Of course, Guillaume is drop dead gorgeous and quite charming. It's difficult to stay angry with him when he causes so much turmoil in the life of those who manage him.
There is a handsome and determined reporter, Gabe, with only the slightest French accent, who is always underfoot, and is determined to see through the excuses Emma makes for Guillaume, but he is, at times, hard to resist, despite his being maddeningly pushy about getting an interview. Meanwhile, Poppy teaches Emma about dating just for the fun of it, and to always leave men wanting more, and to leave them before they could leave her. Emma finds there is something to be said for that, especially after a painful broken engagement.
Much of what happens is exasperating for a reader for it's huge implausibility, and yet, the story moved at a good pace and gave the happy ending that is apparent from the start, knowing the genre. Cute book, but nothing special, and I do believe chick lit has gotten better since this one appeared in 2008.
May 14, 2019
I had to round up to three stars because this book made me smile despite the following...
First, there was a lot that was predictable about the plot.
Secondly, there were a lot of holes in the character development... I found it highly unbelievable that Guillaume responded so easily and readily to Emma upon just meeting her. Then, of course, how did Gabe fall in love with Emma when most of their interactions were short and work related. They had only one date!!
Also, there was an over abundance of self-help dating/loving yourself rhetoric that made the book read like a mother approved young adult book. There was kissing but zero steamy scenes.
One final thing that bugged me is that the whole dramatic scene at the end where Emma gets tricked, drunk and kissed by Guillaume in front of Gabe...is all Poppy’s fault! They both were “on call” - they should have been together but Poppy was a hypocrite and lied about her date with her ex. Had she been more responsible, she would have been there with Emma and that whole fiasco could easily have been avoided.
And yet, despite all this, I couldn’t put it down. It was sweet and I enjoyed seeing Paris through Emma’s eyes. Guillaume grew on me (he really needed more development) and the epilogue is cute.
Definitely a quick beach read or perhaps read on the plane to Paris!
First, there was a lot that was predictable about the plot.
Secondly, there were a lot of holes in the character development... I found it highly unbelievable that Guillaume responded so easily and readily to Emma upon just meeting her. Then, of course, how did Gabe fall in love with Emma when most of their interactions were short and work related. They had only one date!!
Also, there was an over abundance of self-help dating/loving yourself rhetoric that made the book read like a mother approved young adult book. There was kissing but zero steamy scenes.
One final thing that bugged me is that the whole dramatic scene at the end where Emma gets tricked, drunk and kissed by Guillaume in front of Gabe...is all Poppy’s fault! They both were “on call” - they should have been together but Poppy was a hypocrite and lied about her date with her ex. Had she been more responsible, she would have been there with Emma and that whole fiasco could easily have been avoided.
And yet, despite all this, I couldn’t put it down. It was sweet and I enjoyed seeing Paris through Emma’s eyes. Guillaume grew on me (he really needed more development) and the epilogue is cute.
Definitely a quick beach read or perhaps read on the plane to Paris!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 1, 2022
This book had a lot of potential—interesting characters, decent plot, and a bit of adventure. Unfortunately, there was too much time spent on side characters and the ex, and not enough time with the two mains on the page together. Oh! And way too much description of moving about Paris. Like, we get it, you really love Paris and need to let us know how well you remember it. Sheesh. Move along.
Also, the final conflict? With the heroine apologizing so profusely? And the hero not willing to have a single conversation with her after walking away? And pretty much ruining her career? And not reaching out ONCE after she moved back to the US? And ONLY accepting an apology because of SOMEONE ELSE’S machinations? Just no. As in HELL NO. His apology needed to bring serious grovel and it just didn’t. Their apologies to resolve it basically held the same weight and that ticked me off.
Further notes: Guillaume’s actions toward Emma were mostly all awful, most especially what he said when she appeared for the high wire rescue and his actions on the junket. Even the epilogue stuff made me so mad.
The ex never really coming clean about his so called “cold feet” and sleeping with her BFF.
Gabe saying he only went to the junket because of her but then avoided her the whole time.
So... yeah, two stars.
Also, the final conflict? With the heroine apologizing so profusely? And the hero not willing to have a single conversation with her after walking away? And pretty much ruining her career? And not reaching out ONCE after she moved back to the US? And ONLY accepting an apology because of SOMEONE ELSE’S machinations? Just no. As in HELL NO. His apology needed to bring serious grovel and it just didn’t. Their apologies to resolve it basically held the same weight and that ticked me off.
Further notes: Guillaume’s actions toward Emma were mostly all awful, most especially what he said when she appeared for the high wire rescue and his actions on the junket. Even the epilogue stuff made me so mad.
The ex never really coming clean about his so called “cold feet” and sleeping with her BFF.
Gabe saying he only went to the junket because of her but then avoided her the whole time.
So... yeah, two stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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