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Book Review of Frogs and French Kisses (Magic in Manhattan, Bk 2)

Frogs and French Kisses (Magic in Manhattan, Bk 2)
GeniusJen avatar reviewed on + 5322 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1


Reviewed by Me for TeensReadToo.com

After I had finished reading the first book in this series, BRAS & BROOMSTICKS, I was sure that it couldn't get much better. Fortunately for me and everyone else reading the books, it does indeed get even better! FROGS & FRENCH KISSES is the continuation of the story of two sisters, Miri and Rachel, one who is a witch and one who isn't. Since the one with the powers is the younger sister, it makes for a fine story of sibling love, rivalry, and flying tricycles.

When BRAS & BROOMSTICKS ended, Rachel was upset over blowing her chance with the love of her life, Raf. After standing him up to instead attend her father's wedding, she's ready for Miri to try another love spell. The spell works, but as is the case with most of Miri's spells, has a few unexpected side-effects. It turns out that the glove that was used to make Raf fall in love with Rachel didn't actually belong to Raf, but his older rother, Will. Rachel now has the adoring, lovable, great-kissing boyfriend she's always wanted--except he just happens to be the wrong brother. Rachel vows to turn Will free from the spell as soon as Prom is over. After all, she deserves to attend one school dance with a guy who professes his undying love towards her.

Before she can get to Prom, though, Rachel has other things to worry about. Like that fact that Miri is trying to save everyone and everything on Earth, including whales, the homeless, orphans in Africa, and cows intended for the slaughterhouse. It wouldn't have been so bad, except that the cows she tries to rescue end up in the high-school gymnasium--the same place where the Prom was to be held. If you add in their mother's sudden addiction to magic, they've got quite a problem on their hands. Their mother, formally a non-practicing witch, has decided to jump back into the dating pool. Unfortunately, she's went a little overboard on how to do that, magically gaining a new wardrobe, highlighted roots, glamorous nails, and too many suitors to count.

As Rachel tries to think up a way to save the Prom (which somehow turns out to involve a flat-screen television that will only play The Sound of Music and a Corvette that switches colors with a tricycle), Miri and Rachel both realize that messing with magic is serious business. Can the Prom be saved? More importantly, can their mother be saved before she totally goes off the magical deep end? Can Miri learn that using magic for good is one thing, but that trying to save the world single-handedly is another? Will Rachel figure out what she needs to do about Will, and about Raf?

FROGS & FRENCH KISSES is the perfect follow-up to BRAS & BROOMSTICKS, and I can't wait for the next book in the series. It's great to watch Rachel and Miri interact and learn that using magic has serious consequences. The dialogue is funny, the characters all well-rounded and true-to-life, and the situations these sisters find themselves in are hilarious. A great read!