Anna and the French Kiss

The City of Lights and Shadows

Dear Reader, I imagine you picking up this letter on a whim, perhaps seeking an escape from the monotony of your daily life or maybe just in search of a friend. Let me introduce myself.

My name is Anna Oliphant, and not too long ago, I found myself uprooted from the familiar streets of Atlanta to the unfamiliar cobblestones of Paris. Yes, Paris—the same city that people write songs about, the city of love, lights, and endless tales.

But what they don't often tell you is that it can also be a city of shadows, where loneliness lurks just around the corner from the warm glow of a boulangerie. My story begins like any other—full of reluctance.

I was a high school senior when my father decided that I should attend the School of America in Paris. A dream for many, but a nightmare for me.

I knew no French, I had no friends there, and the thought of leaving my little brother behind tore at my heart. Like you might feel at times, I was thrust into a situation completely out of my comfort zone, with change being the only constant.

As I navigated the streets of Paris and the hallways of my new school, I felt the pangs of homesickness and isolation. You've felt that too, haven't you? That sense of being utterly alone even when surrounded by a sea of people.

But here's the thing about being out of place—you start to find parts of yourself you never knew existed. You might be feeling lost now, but trust me, there's a whole world inside you waiting to be discovered.

Lessons in Love and Patisserie

Paris, as I soon found out, was not just a city but a living classroom. And my first lesson was in love, taught by none other than Etienne St.

Clair. With his English accent and charming ways, he walked into my life like a character straight out of a romance novel.

He was the boy every girl dreamed about, but he was also just a boy—flawed and confused, like the rest of us. Our friendship grew, and with it, my feelings.

But, dear reader, love is not a straight path. It's a winding road filled with obstacles, and my journey with Etienne was no different.

He had a girlfriend, and I had my own doubts and fears. We've all had that person we can't be with, right? That one person who seems to hold the key to our happiness but is just out of reach.

I learned that love isn't just about the butterflies; it's also about the pain, the waiting, and the growth that comes from it. And then there were the patisseries, those magical little shops that smelled like heaven and promised a sweet escape from reality.

Each bite of a croissant or a macaron taught me that there's comfort in the little things, that sometimes, the simplest pleasures can make the darkest days brighter. You know that feeling, don't you? The warmth of a hot chocolate on a cold day, the smell of rain on the pavement—small comforts that remind us life is still beautiful.

The Art of Letting Go

As the seasons changed in Paris, so did I. The leaves fell, and with them, I learned to let go of the life I had planned.

My father, a man more in love with his novels than his real-life family, had his own idea of what my life should be. But it wasn't mine.

Just like you, I had to face the hard truth that sometimes, those we love don't understand us, and that's okay. It's a painful realization, but it's also the first step toward self-discovery.

Letting go is an art, and Paris taught me to be an artist. I let go of my fears, my preconceived notions about love and life, and the expectations of others.

It's terrifying, isn't it? To release the safety net and trust that you'll find a way to fly. But the moment you do, you'll feel freer than you've ever felt.

It's a leap of faith that we all must take, whether it's in moving to a new city, starting a new job, or simply turning the page to a new chapter in life. I let go, and in doing so, I found my true friends: Meredith, Rashmi, Josh, and yes, even Etienne.

They were my anchors in the storm, reminding me that family isn't just about blood—it's about the people who stand by you when the ground beneath you is shaking. You have those people too, don't you? Those who laugh with you during your brightest days and hold your hand through the darkest nights.

Embracing the Unknown

There's a certain beauty in not knowing what comes next. I used to fear the unknown, clinging to the familiar like a safety blanket.

But life, as you know, doesn't always give us the luxury of certainty. In Paris, with each day that passed, I embraced the unknown a bit more.

The city was a maze of endless possibilities, and I was the explorer with no map, learning to trust my instincts and take joy in the journey. It's the same for you, isn't it? You stand at the crossroads of your life, wondering which path to take, your heart racing with the thrill and fear of what lies ahead.

I've been there, standing on the edge of the future, and I've learned that it's not about finding the right path, but about creating it with each step you take. The unknown is not an abyss but a canvas, and you are the artist.

Remember, embracing the unknown doesn't mean you won't stumble. I stumbled—a lot.

There were language barriers that made me feel foolish, cultural faux pas that left me red-faced, and heartaches that made me question my strength. But with each fall, I got back up, dusted off the Parisian dirt, and found that I was stronger than I had ever known.

You are too, even if you don't realize it yet.

The Dance of Independence

Independence is a dance, and I was learning the steps one by one. From navigating the metro to ordering in French, each small victory was a twirl, each setback a dip.

But the music was mine, and I danced to the rhythm of self-reliance. You know the feeling, don't you? That surge of pride when you accomplish something on your own, that sense of self that grows with every challenge faced head-on.

It's a dance you're familiar with too, even if you're just learning the choreography. Maybe you're moving out for the first time, starting a new job, or learning to live after heartbreak.

Each step feels uncertain, but with time, you find the beat. And soon, you're moving with a confidence you didn't know you had, twirling through life with your head held high.

I danced through Paris, sometimes alone, sometimes with friends, and sometimes with Etienne by my side. And each dance taught me that independence isn't about never needing anyone—it's about knowing that you can stand on your own but choosing to let others in.

It's a delicate balance, a dance that we all must learn, and it's okay to step on a few toes along the way.

Revelations in the Rain

Rain in Paris is like a revelation. It washes away the grime, leaving the city glistening and renewed.

It was on one such rainy day that I had my own revelation. Etienne and I, we had danced around our feelings for so long, but it was the rain that finally brought us together.

It was as if the universe was saying, "Now is the time to be brave, to take the leap." And isn't that what life is all about? Those moments of revelation that hit you like a downpour, leaving you drenched but clearer than ever before.

You've had those moments too, haven't you? When everything suddenly makes sense, and you find the courage to do what you were afraid to do. It's the universe's way of nudging us forward, reminding us that we're alive and that it's time to live fully.

Etienne and I, under the veil of rain, finally let our guards down. It was messy and complicated, but it was real.

And that's the beauty of revelations—they strip away the pretense and reveal the raw truth beneath. You'll find that too, in the least expected moments, when life decides to show you what you need to see.

The Final Chapter and an Invitation

Dear reader, my time in Paris eventually came to an end, as all chapters do. I returned home with more than just souvenirs—I carried with me the lessons of love, friendship, independence, and the courage to face the unknown.

My story may have started with reluctance, but it ended with gratitude—for every crooked cobblestone, every sleepless night, and every heartbeat of that beautiful city. Now, I step out of my role as Anna Oliphant to tell you that there's an entire book waiting for you, filled with the magic of Paris and the tenderness of first love.

"Anna and the French Kiss" by Stephanie Perkins is a masterpiece that will sweep you off your feet. It's a story that will make you laugh, cry, and perhaps even rethink how you're living your own life.

If you've found a piece of yourself in my letter, then I invite you to dive into the pages where you'll find even more. Expect laughter, expect tears, expect your heart to swell with the romance of it all.

But most importantly, expect to find a piece of yourself between the lines, in the city of love, and in the eyes of characters who feel like old friends. So, dear reader, if you're ready to be enchanted, to learn and to feel, I leave you with this invitation: pick up "Anna and the French Kiss" and let Stephanie Perkins guide you through a journey that's as much yours as it is Anna's.

With love from one soul to another, Anna