(Review) The Art of French Kissing

The Art of French Kissing by Brianna R. Shrum

Publication Date: June 5, 2018

Pages: 256 (paperback)

Genre: Young Adult/Romance

My Goodreads Rating: 4 stars

Goodreads Synopsis: Seventeen-year-old Carter Lane has wanted to be a chef since she was old enough to ignore her mom's warnings to stay away from the hot stove. And now she has the chance of a lifetime: a prestigious scholarship competition in Savannah, where students compete all summer in Chopped style challenges for a full-ride to one of the best culinary schools in the country. The only impossible challenge ingredient in her basket: Reid Yamada.

After Reid, her cute but unbearably cocky opponent, goes out of his way to screw her over on day one, Carter vows revenge, and soon they're involved in a full-fledged culinary war. Just as the tension between them reaches its boiling point, Carter and Reid are forced to work together if they want to win, and Carter begins to wonder if Reid's constant presence in her brain is about more than rivalry. And if maybe her desire to smack his mouth doesn't necessarily cancel out her desire to kiss it.

My Review: 

Oh, this was cuuuuute. I love a good, fluffy and fun romance and this one hit the spot. 

Carter is a fun character, right from the start. I fell in love with her reading about how she would make a grilled cheese sandwich. Yeah, it was that good. You feel for Carter immediately because you know how much she wants to win the competition. She's also kind of weird and awkward...very relatable. 

Reid is obviously smart and adorable, and clearly matched as Carter's worst enemy. I love that their relationship is automatically mortal enemies. There is no chill between the two of them and it's so fun. 

The rivalry is definitely a huge part of the story, but so are their little late night rendezvous. Those are the times, when they aren't in the kitchen, where the real magic happens. Each little conversation or smile is just a little step in the right direction for them. 

I love how these two change and begin to work together instead of apart. The way they share responsibilities in the kitchen and how they complement each other is very well written. 

There's always the drama, but it didn't feel cheap. It worked and so did that happy ending. 

Thanks to Edelweiss for the ARC.