French Kissing in New York is a sweet YA romance novel that touches on a handful of tropes. Second chance romance, friends to lovers, there's a little bit of everything in this book. Margot was a good lead and definitely lovestruck; the way that she held on to the idea of Zach worked for her age.....and probably for any age really. I liked reading how her relationship with Ben grew throughout the book and how it worked out in the end. And the food aspect of the book, that really tied it all together. French Kissing in New York is a fun pick for YA romance readers.

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House Children's for this ARC; this is my honest and voluntary review.

This book was everything I needed at the moment. I have to admit I was not expecting to like it as much as I did. Such a light and easy read and I absolutely loved the MC's. Definitely recommend this one.

4⭐️ Oh my gosh this book was so cute! I loved all the New York references and the vines were so good. Also this book made me so hungry with all the talk about food and cooking. I literally can’t explain how happy this book made me, but there we a few I was mad at. Overall, this was a fun, cute, and fast paced YA book that I would definitely recommend! I was so happy and giggling at the end of this book!

Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Category: YA, teenage romance
Pub date: Jan. 3, 2023

French Kissing in New York is definitely a story that would have made me dream in my 18-19’s. I remember how in love I was with the idea of a future in New York, just like Margot. This story is for dreamers and for lovers of food and the city that never sleeps. If you love NY, the chef scene and a girl who is a hopeless romantic this book is perfect for you. So happy to have received this as my first ARC!

Also, don’t read this book hungry!

I read it while I was taking a trip to NY and I didn’t wanted to leave! So many new places to visit next time!

Thank you to NetGalley, Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau, and Random House Children’s for providing this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoyed this book, but I really thought the characters lacked depth. I really would have liked to get to know the characters more. This book also made me hungry haha I don’t think I have ever said that about a book, but the food descriptions were on point and made me wish I was there to eat with them. I enjoyed this book a lot because I feel like New York is where my heart is. I also adore books, movies, and television shows that take place in my favorite city. I felt like the book was a love letter to New York City, almost written by my own heart.

This review will be posted to my Goodreads and Amazon accounts immediately and to my instagram account (@ginganinja333), and to my newly created bookstagram (@paulas.book.nook) closer to the publication date on January 3, 2023.

When Parisian Margot and American Zach and meet at a high school culinary program in France, they fall fast, enjoy exploring Paris together, agree long distance relationships are recipes for disaster and pledge to meet again in a year in New York a very specific location in Times Square. Fast forward a year; Margot has gone to NY to stay with her dad for a bit, and anticipates a restaurant job that doesn’t involve using her chef mother’s clout, but lands at Nutrio. They call her desparate for help while she is still jet-lags, she accomodates and shows up in time for family meal… only to get trained on the commercial dishwasher in spite of her culinary chops. To add insult to injury, she gets out of work late, and gets turned around on the subway. Zach either misses the connection–or just didn’t care enough to show up.

When Margot shares the details of the relationship and failed meeting with line cook Ben, he offers to help her track down the guy. He is also a wonderful support when Margot is bullied at work. Every time she is on the verge of giving up on Zach, and beginning to consider that maybe Ben might be more than just a friend, the trail heats up with some new sighting or detail, and she’s back to Zach.

This a unique coming of age tale about identity, geography, and connections, with a strong setting and predictable ending. The food details are great–there’s a funny moment where Luz tells Margot that cinnamon is the national spice and we put it on everything, and much to Margot’s horror, goes on to explain the pumpkin spice phenomenon and the concept of seasonal coffee. The touristy descriptions of the people along the Highline and the shops in the West Village, even the rats, are fresh through Margot’s eyes.

I received a free advance reader’s review copy of #FrenchKissingInNewYork from #NetGalley.

This was a cute read. It wasn’t spectacular but it will definitely make readers smile! I thought the food descriptions were the best part of the whole book. I couldn’t connect with any of the characters; I felt like they lacked depth.

Made me hungry!
I loved this book and it was so fun to read. I definitely recommend reading on a full stomach!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

The mouth watering food portrayals, astounding eatery setting, gradual process sentiment at work place, a wonderful story sets place at the most cosmopolitan, complicated, striking, invigorating, moving city of the world: New York.
What are you sitting tight for?

Ok so, I really wanted to like this one, but I did not. I just skipped to the end to find out what happened and honestly, not a lot of YA contemporary novels catch my attention these days.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was very cute. It’s almost like a love letter to New York and its diverse, vibrant cuisine.

Margot lives in France with her mom; she has always wanted to live in New York and she is determined to get there. One night, in Paris, she meets this guy, Zach and they spend the most romantic night together. However, they must part ways in the morning but with the promise of reuniting in a year in New York if fate so chooses.

I really liked the meet cute between Margot and Zach but I was disappointed that it really didn’t lead to much. Don’t get me wrong, Margot gets her love story, it’s just a little over the place for me.

Did I like the book? Yes, most definitely. But at times it also felt rushed and I guess that’s why I’m giving it a 3.8 rounded up to 4 stars.

Margot and Zach met on a magical night in Paris. Their attraction was immediate and they left vowing to meet up in New York one year later. One year later, Margot moves to New York to live with her father and start her career in a New York restaurant to fulfill her dream of eventually being a chef. She is also awaiting the night that she will be reunited with Zach in Times Square. With the help of her new friend Ben, Margot is able to see New York as it really is. Can she also see her life in New York in a new light as well? A great story of coming of age and figuring out what really matters. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed for NetGalley:

Margot falls head over heels in love with an American boy, Zach. Their brief time comes to an end, but they make plans to meet up in a year in New York City to rekindle their relationship.

However, once Margot crosses the Atlantic, finds a job in Manhattan in a local restaurant, low and behold, things do not go as planned.

I couldn’t connect with Margot, but admired her bravery for starting fresh in a new country. Also enjoyed the story did not turn out as expected.

After a magical night in Paris together, Margot and Zach agree to meet again a year later in New York at midnight. Margot, who lives in France with her mother, moves to New York to live with her father and pursue her dream as a cook. In addition to getting a job at a top restaurant in New York, she is on a mission to find Zach. One of her new coworkers, Ben, makes sure Margot experiences New York while helping her search for Zach.

OMG! I’m starving! Please don’t read this book with empty stomach! The mouth watering food descriptions, amazing restaurant setting, slow burn romance at work place, a beautiful story sets place at the most cosmopolitan, complex, vivid, energizing, inspirational city of the world: New York.
What are you waiting for? This is dreamy combination for any reader who needs a quick escape from reality?

Here’s quick recap of the story:
Margot had a dreamy night sealed with passionate kiss at the most romantic city of the world: PARIS: unfortunately the boy named Zach, an American, she shared intimate moments is planning to travel around the world for one year. They plan to meet again one year later: on August 1st, at Times Square bleachers in NYC at midnight. One year may quickly pass! They didn’t share their numbers not to ruin the magic they shared!

And one year later, Margot flies to the Big Apple, finding a job at one of the most popular Manhattan restaurants! But only thing is missing in her life is Zach! She never forgets that romantic night so she teams up with sweet line cook Ben to find the love of her life. But what if she doesn’t need to look for her soulmate when he’s already standing next to her! Aww I loved this sizzling romance between Ben and Margot!

Overall: Sweetbitter meats Emily in Paris : heartfelt, sweet, swoon, captivating read!
Absolutely recommended!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children’s / Delacorte Press for sharing this amazing digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.

Okay, I thought this was so cute and such a great break from reality. I’m a sucker for any restaurant books and thought it was really well done. It read like a sweet love letter to New York food and really made me want to go back for some Levain cookies!

cute book about a girl who comes to new york to work in the kitchen and looking for zach. she falls in love with Ben who she works in the kitchen with. She also travels around new york and see's and tries new food and being there for her dad.