Book Reviews: French Twist & French Toast by Glynis Astie

📘 French Twist (Book one) & French Toast (Book two)

by Glynis Astie

Genre Fiction ◦ Romance ◦ Chick lit

Format & Source Print ◦ For review, CLP

Publication Tikinou Publishing ◦ 2013, 2014

Rating ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

📝 My Review

French Twist and French Toast are the first two books in a planned trilogy. The third book, French Fry, is not yet released. I’m doing two reviews in one.

French Twist tells the story of Sydney Bennett, a young woman and perfectionist who had given up on love until meeting a charming French man, Louis, whose Paris company had sent him to work in California. Within days, the new couple have fallen in love, restoring Sydney’s faith in men and romance. People may think they’re crazy, especially when Louis mentions marriage in just a matter of weeks, but their chemistry and connection are both undeniable. Can Sydney stop worrying long enough to enjoy the ride, or will her nervous tendencies ruin everything she’s finally found?

I thought this book was completely charming, fun, and romantic. It’s a love story that most girls dream of, and I was pleasantly surprised to read that Glynis, the author, had based this novel on her own life and romance – what a story! I related to this story from the get go; many of you already know, Jerry and I had our own whirlwind romance that involved him moving to New York from California for me, and an engagement within two months. I totally understood Sydney’s concerns about not wanting to be judged, but also loving him enough to not let those judgements interfere.

Sydney is a great character who pulls you right into her story, which is very conversational and casual. You will definitely feel like you are riding shotgun in this great story, and experiencing everything right alongside Sydney including her exciting romance and crazy but loveable family. I have just one small complaint, which is that sometimes the dialogue was overly stiff and formal (“it is,” “I am,” etc.). Other than that, I had a really fun time reading this and highly recommend it for light, fun, summer reading. You will get wrapped up in the story and swept away by the romance of it all.

French Toast is a direct sequel, which picks up almost exactly where French Twist left off. Sydney

and Louis are now newlyweds whose newly-wedded bliss is slowly wearing off. The couple is enduring massive amounts of stress including Louis being laid off from his job, mounting bills, and the continued pursuit of perfection in the form of their second and third weddings (the first was a town hall quickie, the second will be in Cali and is Sydney’s dream wedding, and the third will be in France for Louis’ family). Sydney is quickly learning that marriage isn’t always easy as the rose-colored glasses come off, and she sometimes questions if she made the right decision in wedding Louis so quickly.

I enjoyed this story just as much as the first, as the first chronicles the whirlwind romance and the accompanying excitement, and this second installment covers real life and learning to become a wife after the wedding. Sydney and Louis face many real life obstacles that many people can relate to, but also many joys such as a new niece being born (being that I’m pregnant, I could totally relate to the hormonal pregnant sister, by the way – haha!), and the continued love and support from family and friends, but most importantly, from each other.

I highly recommend this series, and am anxiously awaiting book three. I feel like I really know these characters and their families, and I am dying to see where life takes them next!