The Art of French Kissing

Emma is happily engaged, to Brett, and working as a publicist for a record label in Orlando called Boy Bandz. When one day, after making a romantic dinner, her fiance announces to her that he's not interested in marring her anymore, Emma is devastated. She realizes that she has no one, when she finds out that her best friend and bridesmaid is sleeping with Brett. When Emma decides to call her friend, Poppy to talk things over with her, Poppy has an idea. The next day, she calls Emma to tell her that she has a job offer for her in France. Poppy is over PR for a famous rock star in France, Guillaume Riche, who is trying to break the US and England market wide open with his new English album. As Emma arrives and starts life in France, living in an apartment with Poppy, she starts to learn that working with a crazy rock star isn't all it's cracked up to be. With Guillaume doing everything from getting locked in the Eiffel Tower, to swinging upside down in between buildings, Emma and Poppy have to come up with witty answers to why their rock star is acting crazy, so he doens't look bad before the album comes out. Their jobs are constantly on the line, because of his antics. Then, there's the matter of the reporter, Gabe Francoeur, who is always questioning their answers on what Guillaume is up to. Emma has to think of crafty was to get Gabe off of their case. But, Gabe hits too close to home with his questions. This book is hilarious. Once I started it, I was sucked in. I loved reading everything from Emma's perspective, especially with having to babysit a rock star. The book starts off as a typical chick lit book, with guy dumps girl, girl's heart is broken, what will girl do? But, then it takes a change and is different from other books that I have read. I love Kristin Harmel's writing. She knows how to engross the reader and keep them interested. I also recommend her other books How To Sleep With A Movie Star and When You Wish. You won't be disappointed. [...]

I absolutely loved this book! It was one of those books that you never want to end :)

Reviewed by Leslie Granier for Reader Views (1/08) Emma's life seems perfect. She lives in sunny Florida, is getting married in a few months and has a job she really loves. When her life begins to unexpectedly fall apart, she makes the decision to reconnect with an old friend in Paris to get away from her problems. After she arrives, her friend Poppy offers her a job as a publicist for an up-and-coming rock star who has a penchant for getting himself into compromising situations. As Emma begins to date again, she has difficulty letting go of the past until she meets Gabe, a journalist covering the release of the rock star's first album. After a huge misunderstanding, Emma wonders if she will ever find happiness again. The author's descriptive style paints a vivid picture of the city of Paris. She effectively describes the scenery of everything from quaint neighborhood streets to famous landmarks. She also does an excellent job of sharing Emma's thoughts and feelings as she struggles to begin her new life in an unfamiliar city. I particularly enjoyed watching Emma's growth as she moved from familiar surroundings to start over in a place in which she could not even speak the language. It was fun to see her finally let go of the past and be able to form new relationships. Her transformation from a jilted woman to one who can open her heart to love again was incredibly portrayed. All of the main characters are well-developed with interesting background stories that help explain their behaviors. The antics of Guillaume (the rock star) inject humor into the book. The early part of the book moved a little slowly, but the action picked up quickly thereafter. There are a few surprises in store for the reader as secrets about some of the characters begin to be revealed. "The Art of French Kissing" is the epitome of chick lit. The emphasis on women's roles in dating and relationships is at the forefront of the story. The novel is very timely, with the names of several current celebrities mentioned. The amusing situations in which Emma finds herself will provide the reader with a pleasant escape from reality. I highly recommend this book to anyone seeking an entertaining story or a trip to Paris.

I read this book on a very long flight from Orlando to LA and got so lost in it that I didn't realize that the flight had lasted about two hours too long due to weather issues! I am a big lover of chick lit, and this is up there with the best! I loved the characters, the story, and the fact that the places and events that are mentioned in Paris are real places (I went to many of them on a trip to France 3 years ago)! I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to read something fun and get lost in another world!

Emma is dumped by her live-in boyfriend of three years. Then he kicks her out of their house. Then he sleeps with her friend. What a jerk Who can blame her for picking up and moving to Paris? Paris is filled with romance, and she has an exciting job offer there. There are several questions: will she go back to the jerk? Will she find love? Will her overbearing sister get a life? I loved Emma and Poppy. What a life! The ending of The Art of French Kissing was perfect. This is the perfect chick flick. Read this and live vicariously through Emma and Poppy.