Popular high school senior Jessica Stone has a secret: she used to be a nerd -- a goody two-shoes, grade-skipping, all-state spelling bee champ kind of nerd. But she gave herself the ultimate makeover and applied all her academic genius to study and imitate the social elite and now she rules the school. With her cool new friends and hottest-guy-in-school boyfriend, life's a beach -- and that's where she's headed for spring break. That is, until her biology teacher breaks the bad news that she's failing and her only chance to make up the grade is to join the conservation club in Panama to save the golden frog.Jess finds herself in a foreign country with a new social crew, including a ghost from her past that could threaten her queen bee reputation. Travis Henley may have grown up, but he still likes to play childish games and as payment for retrieving her lost ring from the bottom of a jungle pool, he wants three non-dates. The last thing Jess wants to do is be around him any more than she has to, but she's desperate to keep him quiet and agrees. Soon she begins to realize the worth of her inner nerd, and that one frog in particular could be her prince in disguise.
Set in the lush and tropical El Valle de Anton, Kissing Frogs is a smart and funny re-imagining of "The Frog Prince" with an environmental heartbeat.Critical Acclaim"The environmentalist storyline runs throughout the novel, and the beautiful location is described in such vivid detail that it feels like another character in the story. But what's most entertaining is how Sevigny balances an eco-conscious story about saving amphibians with a reminder that, sometimes, you have to kiss a lot of "frogs" before finding your prince.These are the kind of teen characters you want to root for and can identify with; they're not heroes like The Hunger Games' Katniss or wise beyond their years like Hazel Grace in The Fault in Our Stars. Their ordinariness is refreshing in a genre that is often fighting to make characters unnecessarily extraordinary." - Quill and Quire"Kissing Frogs by Alisha Sevigny is an incredibly fun and adorable debut novel that is perfect for fans of Stephanie Perkins, Kelly Oram and Morgan Matson! Fresh, flirty and addictive from the beginning, Kissing Frogs is a great contemporary twist on the frog prince that will have you jumping for joy." - The Rest Is Still UnwrittenThis novel is a perfect reminder to take care of our planet and everything that lives on it . Kissing Frogs is a fun, entertaining read.
" - Feisty Little Women"The conservation theme really differentiates Kissing Frogs from all the other cute, bubbly romances out there. I have to give Alisha Sevigny credit for raising awareness about the plight of endangered species in general and Panama's Golden Frog in particular. She made me care about the animals and want to make a difference without ever making me feel pressured or guilty. If you're already planning your summer vacation and are looking for a book to take along to the beach, you can't go wrong with Kissing Frogs. You'll smile, you'll laugh, and you'll certainly want to save some endangered species." - Angela's Library"Sevigny's description of the setting and landscape was beautiful, leaving me wanting to learn more about Panama and the animals that live there . As a mom, this is one I'll keep for my daughters' bookshelves, so they can hear Jessica's experience. I'd recommend this book to anyone who needs a breath of fresh air and a happy, feel good book.
" - Writing on WritingSevigny speaks with the voices of the teenagers without making this a morality story or an after school special. The kids are the kids we all grew up with, and the mistakes they make are the ones we all made . If you like coming-of-age stories or have a kid in your life who is trying to find their place in the shark tank - I suggest you grab a copy of Kissing Frogs - you will not be disappointed." - A Portia Adams Adventure.