The French Kiss
by Lauren Landish
Release Date: Available Now
My review:
“The French Kiss” is a captivating contemporary romance by Lauren Landish that deftly combines humor, friendship, passion, and a whole other range of emotions in a story that met and surpassed all my high expectations. I’ve never read a book by this author that I didn’t enjoy, and every new one is a reminder of the depth of her talent.
Autumn is a young and ambitious fashion designer determined to make her mark in that world. She has tremendous creative vision, a degree from FIT, a willingness to work hard, and a job she enjoys in the industry she loves. When she’s chosen as a finalist in a competition being run by a well-known design house in Paris, France, it’s an incredible opportunity; she can have her competition creations be seen on an international stage, and potentially win a position working directly for Jacqueline Corbin, the woman who created French fashion brand House Corbin.
Simon Corbin is an executive at House Corbin, his aunt’s fashion brand. He’s an extraordinarily handsome male model and recognized as ‘the face’ of the brand. The moment when he and Autumn first meet is memorable and hilarious. There is some instalove and moments you could anticipate in this story – but there are also some beautifully surprising moments. Simon, in particular, was so much more than I ever expected him to be! Some of the surprises he shared with Autumn were incredibly sweet, steamy, or both.
Autumn and Simon were delicious together, like a fresh croissant and cafe au lait. They truly brought out the best in one another. I thought the secondary characters were wonderfully varied. All of them were described so well that I could see them vividly in my mind’s eye. I wasn’t expecting the heartbreaking moments, which made them even more powerful. This book left me with a happy heart and a smile on my face.