Reviewed by Jaglvr for TeensReadToo.com

Originally released in Great Britain under the title OOH LA LA, CONNIE PICKLES, here across the ocean we finally get to read more about the adventures of Connie Pickles.

Written in a diary format, Connie shares with the readers her adventures in Paris as a French Exchange Student. Signing up at the last minute, Connie is bound for Paris for a two-week adventure with a real French family. From the information she received, the Blanc family sounds interesting and far more normal than her own.

Upon arrival in Paris, after a circuitous route through Belgium, Connie and her friend Julie are greeted by two very diverse families. With a sinking heart, Connie learns that she's going to be spending the time with the totally Goth girl, Pascale. But she vows to make the best of it, and the two friends separate, with plans to see each other soon.

Connie is introduced to the far from normal family she's to stay with. Madame Blanc is obsessed with cleaning and is quite mousy in looks. Monsieur Blanc is definitely the patriarch of the household with a harsh tongue. Didier is the older brother and always has a sardonic look on his face. And Philippe is the golden child that lights up the house upon his arrival a few days after Connie.

As Connie tries to adjust, time flies by and it seems that all her plans to see the fabulous sites keep getting sidetracked. She's still consumed with thoughts of her friend William back home. Though they kissed once, he is now involved with her next -door-neighbor, Delilah. And now, much to Connie's annoyance, he has just showed up in Paris for a holiday.

On top of everything else that is going on around her, Connie is determined to meet her maternal grandparents who her mother has refused contact with Connie's entire life.

Two weeks can go by extremely quickly when life gets in the way! That's what Connie Pickles' discovers during her time in Paris. But sometimes, the most spontaneous plans turn out to be the best!

Ms. Durrant writes a witty, fun story with an endearing main character. You will be pulled into Connie's world and want everything to work out perfectly. Connie may hit some snafus along the way, but she always comes out on top. ( )