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To Sir, with Love
Romantic comedy following two thirty-somethings who meet on a blind dating app—only to realize that their online chemistry is nothing compared to their offline rivalry.
Perpetually cheerful and eager to please, Gracie Cooper strives to make the best out of every situation. So when her father dies just five months after a lung cancer diagnosis, she sets aside her dreams of pursuing her passion for art to take over his Midtown Manhattan champagne shop. She soon finds out that the store’s profit margins are being squeezed perilously tight, and complicating matters further, a giant corporation headed by the impossibly handsome, but irritatingly arrogant Sebastian Andrews is proposing a buyout to turn the store into a parking garage. But Gracie can’t bear the thought of throwing away her father’s dream like she did her own.
Overwhelmed and not wanting to admit to her friends or family that she’s having second thoughts about the shop, Gracie seeks advice and solace from someone she’s never met—the faceless “Sir”, with whom she connected on a blind dating app where matches get to know each other through messages and common interests before exchanging real names or photos.
But although Gracie finds herself slowly falling for Sir online, she has no idea she’s already met him in real life…and they can’t stand each other.
Perpetually cheerful and eager to please, Gracie Cooper strives to make the best out of every situation. So when her father dies just five months after a lung cancer diagnosis, she sets aside her dreams of pursuing her passion for art to take over his Midtown Manhattan champagne shop. She soon finds out that the store’s profit margins are being squeezed perilously tight, and complicating matters further, a giant corporation headed by the impossibly handsome, but irritatingly arrogant Sebastian Andrews is proposing a buyout to turn the store into a parking garage. But Gracie can’t bear the thought of throwing away her father’s dream like she did her own.
Overwhelmed and not wanting to admit to her friends or family that she’s having second thoughts about the shop, Gracie seeks advice and solace from someone she’s never met—the faceless “Sir”, with whom she connected on a blind dating app where matches get to know each other through messages and common interests before exchanging real names or photos.
But although Gracie finds herself slowly falling for Sir online, she has no idea she’s already met him in real life…and they can’t stand each other.
288 pages, Paperback
First published June 29, 2021
About the author
Lauren Layne
62 books9,761 followersLauren Layne is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than two dozen novels, including Hot Asset, Hard Sell, and Huge Deal in her 21 Wall Street series, as well as her Central Park Pact series. Her books have sold more than a million copies in nine languages. Lauren’s work has been featured in Publishers Weekly, Glamour, the Wall Street Journal, and Inside Edition. She is based in New York City.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,614 reviews
March 17, 2022
Awwww this book is incredibly cuteeee! Soft, sweet, fairy tail-ish, enjoyable read with its lovely enemies to lovers theme !
Love is Blind blended with You’ve got mail theme with bottles of delicious champagne bubbles, artsy heroine Gracie reminds you of Amy Adams’ character from Enchanted who is meeting his charming prince in suits a.k.a. dreamy Patrick Dempsey ( Sebastian gives us his McDreamy vibes from Grey’s Anatomy)
Gracie is in her 33, true romantic, flirting with her sir, a man she never sees his face but after several daily banters later with a dating application only connect people with words: she starts thinking she is about to fall for him!
But can you fall for a man you never see his face and without knowing anything his entire life style! Gracie believes her intuition will help her find the one! And deep in her guts she felt she found him at first sight when the first time she met Sebastian Andrews. But as she meets him again at her champagne store she’s inherited from her family, she realizes he was the man who wants to buy her business! The man who made her heart tingle for long time can be the same man she detested with her every fiber!
But Sebastian is stubborn enough to show her the store loses blood and she may go to bankruptcy in near future as she resumes losing business! And he also shows her there are other paths she can follow instead of her parents drew for her!
Gracie realizes there’s a sweet, sensitive part of Sebastian hid behind his robotic, business oriented, cool manners. As she spends more time with him, she feels like her heart will be torn in two pieces: one of them belongs to his secret sir and the other belongs to Sebastian!
Could she like both men at the same time? What if her feelings are unrequited! Because one of them is adamant to steal her business as the other one is determined to steal her heart!
It’s predictable, easy to read and enjoy with a huge pop corn bucket and nice bottle of Champagne! ( I know I’m not good enough pairing snacks with drinks! But I’m dedicated pop corn lover when I read good romcoms)
I adore Ms. Layne’s sweet Manhattan love stories which reminds me of how I missed NY and taking a long walk at Central Park, enjoying great food truck eats.
Overall: it’s another one seat, sweet, swoon, heartwarming romcom with lovely MCs deserved my four bubbling, artsy, dreamy, fairytale style !
I’m singing “If you wanted the sky I'd write across the sky in letters that would soar a thousand feet high, To Sir, With Love.” ( listening Lulu’s memorable song for the incredible movie with the same name of the book)
Special thanks to Netgalley and Gallery Books For Sharing this reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
Love is Blind blended with You’ve got mail theme with bottles of delicious champagne bubbles, artsy heroine Gracie reminds you of Amy Adams’ character from Enchanted who is meeting his charming prince in suits a.k.a. dreamy Patrick Dempsey ( Sebastian gives us his McDreamy vibes from Grey’s Anatomy)
Gracie is in her 33, true romantic, flirting with her sir, a man she never sees his face but after several daily banters later with a dating application only connect people with words: she starts thinking she is about to fall for him!
But can you fall for a man you never see his face and without knowing anything his entire life style! Gracie believes her intuition will help her find the one! And deep in her guts she felt she found him at first sight when the first time she met Sebastian Andrews. But as she meets him again at her champagne store she’s inherited from her family, she realizes he was the man who wants to buy her business! The man who made her heart tingle for long time can be the same man she detested with her every fiber!
But Sebastian is stubborn enough to show her the store loses blood and she may go to bankruptcy in near future as she resumes losing business! And he also shows her there are other paths she can follow instead of her parents drew for her!
Gracie realizes there’s a sweet, sensitive part of Sebastian hid behind his robotic, business oriented, cool manners. As she spends more time with him, she feels like her heart will be torn in two pieces: one of them belongs to his secret sir and the other belongs to Sebastian!
Could she like both men at the same time? What if her feelings are unrequited! Because one of them is adamant to steal her business as the other one is determined to steal her heart!
It’s predictable, easy to read and enjoy with a huge pop corn bucket and nice bottle of Champagne! ( I know I’m not good enough pairing snacks with drinks! But I’m dedicated pop corn lover when I read good romcoms)
I adore Ms. Layne’s sweet Manhattan love stories which reminds me of how I missed NY and taking a long walk at Central Park, enjoying great food truck eats.
Overall: it’s another one seat, sweet, swoon, heartwarming romcom with lovely MCs deserved my four bubbling, artsy, dreamy, fairytale style !
I’m singing “If you wanted the sky I'd write across the sky in letters that would soar a thousand feet high, To Sir, With Love.” ( listening Lulu’s memorable song for the incredible movie with the same name of the book)
Special thanks to Netgalley and Gallery Books For Sharing this reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
June 29, 2021
Happy publishing day! (29th June 2021)
A super cute, fun and charming, feel-good romance about following your dreams, which made me smile so hard!
Gracie Cooper has had to put aside her dreams of being an artist to run her late father's champagne shop in NYC, when she finds out that it's not making much profit. Then a big corporation has started offering to buy it out, ran by the gorgeous but arrogant Sebastian Andrews. Not wanting to admit her troubles to her family and friends, Gracie turn to Sir, a man she has been texting from an anonymous internet blind dating site. They have never met in person, or even seen a photo of each other, but Gracie is falling hard for Sir, whilst also being drawn to Sebastian.. Is it possible to fall for two men? Can you love someone you've never met? Did she misjudge Sebastian?!
I hadn't read a Lauren Layne book in ages! I forgot how much I enjoy her writing! I've seen other reviewers mention that this reminded them of 'You've got Mail.' I haven't seen that, but thought I would mention it because that fact might make this book appealing to a lot of people!
This adorable rom-com features:
🍾Enemies to lovers,
🍾Art,
🍾Great food,
🍾Off the charts chemistry, sexual tension and banter,
🍾A swoony, old timey feel in the text messages,
🍾A cat called cannoli,
🍾Fab side characters.
Seriously, To Sir, with Love put me in a good mood! Yes it was quite predictable and cheesy in places, and it was quite obvious who Sir was, but I felt like I was in on the secret, and felt so invested! The characters all felt real to me, they weren't perfect, but had flaws and worries. Some parts really touched my heart, and a tear or two might have leaked out..
Gracie was such a likeable main character! Smart, strong and funny, she was a dreamer looking for a fairy-tale ending, whilst struggling after the death of a parent. Desperate to follow her own dreams, but weighed down by the pressure and duty of following her parent's dreams, by keeping the champagne shop running and in the family, Gracie was in a tough spot! I really felt for her!
Sebastian.. swoon! Although at first he comes across as the bad guy, from Gracie's POV, I soon fell in love with this clever, hot and funny guy! Head of a family run huge corporation, he had his own pressures and stress to deal with.
Sir, well I loved the little messages between Lady and Sir! Anonymous, so they could be themselves, and unburden their souls 😍
I loved some of the side characters! Keva was an awesome friend, and I really hope her and Grady get their own book!! I also loved May, Gracie's late father's girlfriend, the unofficial maternal figure in their lives! Gracie and her siblings Lily and Caleb had a complicated relationship, filled with love, and it felt realistic. I got super invested in Lily and her husband Alec's relationship too!
The reason that this didn't score top marks from me, is personal preference; this was a clean romance. Some of you will like that fact, but for me, it was a little too PG! The sexual tension was built up so well, but then there were no steamy scenes, not even a closed door, fade to black scene! From what I remember of this author's previous books that I've read, they did have some 🔥, but I haven't read any of her more recent books. Maybe she has purposely changed this, in order to find a larger audience?
I definitely recommend this charming rom-com, if you're looking for a feel-good read!
🥂🥂🥂🥂
Many thanks to NetGalley UK and Headline Eternal for the ARC, in exchange for an honest review!
A super cute, fun and charming, feel-good romance about following your dreams, which made me smile so hard!
Gracie Cooper has had to put aside her dreams of being an artist to run her late father's champagne shop in NYC, when she finds out that it's not making much profit. Then a big corporation has started offering to buy it out, ran by the gorgeous but arrogant Sebastian Andrews. Not wanting to admit her troubles to her family and friends, Gracie turn to Sir, a man she has been texting from an anonymous internet blind dating site. They have never met in person, or even seen a photo of each other, but Gracie is falling hard for Sir, whilst also being drawn to Sebastian.. Is it possible to fall for two men? Can you love someone you've never met? Did she misjudge Sebastian?!
I hadn't read a Lauren Layne book in ages! I forgot how much I enjoy her writing! I've seen other reviewers mention that this reminded them of 'You've got Mail.' I haven't seen that, but thought I would mention it because that fact might make this book appealing to a lot of people!
This adorable rom-com features:
🍾Enemies to lovers,
🍾Art,
🍾Great food,
🍾Off the charts chemistry, sexual tension and banter,
🍾A swoony, old timey feel in the text messages,
🍾A cat called cannoli,
🍾Fab side characters.
Seriously, To Sir, with Love put me in a good mood! Yes it was quite predictable and cheesy in places, and it was quite obvious who Sir was, but I felt like I was in on the secret, and felt so invested! The characters all felt real to me, they weren't perfect, but had flaws and worries. Some parts really touched my heart, and a tear or two might have leaked out..
Gracie was such a likeable main character! Smart, strong and funny, she was a dreamer looking for a fairy-tale ending, whilst struggling after the death of a parent. Desperate to follow her own dreams, but weighed down by the pressure and duty of following her parent's dreams, by keeping the champagne shop running and in the family, Gracie was in a tough spot! I really felt for her!
Sebastian.. swoon! Although at first he comes across as the bad guy, from Gracie's POV, I soon fell in love with this clever, hot and funny guy! Head of a family run huge corporation, he had his own pressures and stress to deal with.
Sir, well I loved the little messages between Lady and Sir! Anonymous, so they could be themselves, and unburden their souls 😍
I loved some of the side characters! Keva was an awesome friend, and I really hope her and Grady get their own book!! I also loved May, Gracie's late father's girlfriend, the unofficial maternal figure in their lives! Gracie and her siblings Lily and Caleb had a complicated relationship, filled with love, and it felt realistic. I got super invested in Lily and her husband Alec's relationship too!
The reason that this didn't score top marks from me, is personal preference; this was a clean romance. Some of you will like that fact, but for me, it was a little too PG! The sexual tension was built up so well, but then there were no steamy scenes, not even a closed door, fade to black scene! From what I remember of this author's previous books that I've read, they did have some 🔥, but I haven't read any of her more recent books. Maybe she has purposely changed this, in order to find a larger audience?
I definitely recommend this charming rom-com, if you're looking for a feel-good read!
🥂🥂🥂🥂
Many thanks to NetGalley UK and Headline Eternal for the ARC, in exchange for an honest review!
October 2, 2022
I find it a bit atrocious that this adult romance book offers me zero smut scenes with little to no kissing scenes. Like, how is that possible? This book almost hit all the right notes; with the enemies to lovers, meet-cute and sort of secret identity tropes. However, I have to shamelessly admit that the lack of stars in the rating might have to do with the fact that the romance between the two characters are too innocent than I anticipated.
To Sir, With Love follows a wine shop owner, Gracie Cooper and the guy who wants to buy her wine store, Sebastian Andrews. At the same time, Gracie also has a secret friend she met on a dating app named Sir, whom she finds herself catching feelings with.
This book is distinctive and an endearing read. The slow burn pulls me, and I enjoyed the instant connection between Sir and Ladies as they being honest and upfront with one another in their messages. The blossoming bond between Gracie and Sebastian however, did not tug at my heartstrings because their romance feels superficial. There were more to the storyline that the author could offer but unfortunately, ended too soon for my liking. Both the characters are one-dimensional, I couldn't help to wish for more of everything; their character development, chemistry as well as traverse backstory.
Even so, I still fancy that this book is a laidback read with no dreadful dramas. We have a flawed protagonist on a bittersweet path of self-discovery, relatable familial issues, and a brilliantly depicted enemies-to-lovers narrative making this book surprisingly an easier read. The supporting characters also appealed to the story's charm, I particularly favoured Grace's relationships with her siblings — though her sister's side story felt impetuous.
For the most part, this book isn't the best read but isn't my worst yet. If you're looking for a quick light-hearted happy ever after with cheesy romantic heroines, this book might be the one you're looking for!
[2.75/5]
To Sir, With Love follows a wine shop owner, Gracie Cooper and the guy who wants to buy her wine store, Sebastian Andrews. At the same time, Gracie also has a secret friend she met on a dating app named Sir, whom she finds herself catching feelings with.
This book is distinctive and an endearing read. The slow burn pulls me, and I enjoyed the instant connection between Sir and Ladies as they being honest and upfront with one another in their messages. The blossoming bond between Gracie and Sebastian however, did not tug at my heartstrings because their romance feels superficial. There were more to the storyline that the author could offer but unfortunately, ended too soon for my liking. Both the characters are one-dimensional, I couldn't help to wish for more of everything; their character development, chemistry as well as traverse backstory.
Even so, I still fancy that this book is a laidback read with no dreadful dramas. We have a flawed protagonist on a bittersweet path of self-discovery, relatable familial issues, and a brilliantly depicted enemies-to-lovers narrative making this book surprisingly an easier read. The supporting characters also appealed to the story's charm, I particularly favoured Grace's relationships with her siblings — though her sister's side story felt impetuous.
For the most part, this book isn't the best read but isn't my worst yet. If you're looking for a quick light-hearted happy ever after with cheesy romantic heroines, this book might be the one you're looking for!
[2.75/5]
June 28, 2021
4.5 stars rounded up!
I adored this book from the very first page. I am in complete agreement with other reviewers who have said that this book; is charming and cute. It is also endearing, romantic and witty.
Dating in the modern age is interesting, more and more people are connecting and socializing online. Gracie Cooper decides to give it a go when she joins a blind dating app. Gracie is a busy woman. She had hopes of being an artist and turned down art school in Italy to take over her father's champagne shop when he was diagnosed with cancer. She pours herself into running the store and is thrown for a HUGE loop when Sebastian Andrews pays her a visit. He is head of the corporation which is trying to buy her out. Messy!
Having someone to turn to helps. She connects with a man who goes by Sir (she goes by Lady*) on the blind dating site. They hit it off and their banter is fun, witty, playful, and sweet, they are supportive and flirty with each other. Neither knows the other's real name or what he/she looks like.
As Gracie tries to save the family Champagne shop in Midtown Manhattan she begins to see that Sebastian is not as bad as she thought he was. He is a decent guy who is kind and fun to be around. She cannot help but notice that he is not bad on the eyes either.
So, what is Grace to do when she realizes that she has feeling s for both Sir and Sebastian?
Charming with a capital "C"! This really was a sweet story which warmed my heart, had me smiling and wishing the book; would never end. To Sir, with love is like a breath of fresh air!
Who doesn’t want to read a book that leaves you smiling from ear to ear? Predictable? Yes! Did I care? No! Because this book; was so well done! I loved the witty banter between Sir and Lady. I also loved the interactions between Gracie and Sebastian. I always say it is about the journey with romance books and this was an extremely rewarding, endearing and sweet journey.
This was my first book; by Lauren Layne and I look; forward to reading more of her books!
A Pleasure from beginning to end!
Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
I adored this book from the very first page. I am in complete agreement with other reviewers who have said that this book; is charming and cute. It is also endearing, romantic and witty.
Dating in the modern age is interesting, more and more people are connecting and socializing online. Gracie Cooper decides to give it a go when she joins a blind dating app. Gracie is a busy woman. She had hopes of being an artist and turned down art school in Italy to take over her father's champagne shop when he was diagnosed with cancer. She pours herself into running the store and is thrown for a HUGE loop when Sebastian Andrews pays her a visit. He is head of the corporation which is trying to buy her out. Messy!
Having someone to turn to helps. She connects with a man who goes by Sir (she goes by Lady*) on the blind dating site. They hit it off and their banter is fun, witty, playful, and sweet, they are supportive and flirty with each other. Neither knows the other's real name or what he/she looks like.
As Gracie tries to save the family Champagne shop in Midtown Manhattan she begins to see that Sebastian is not as bad as she thought he was. He is a decent guy who is kind and fun to be around. She cannot help but notice that he is not bad on the eyes either.
So, what is Grace to do when she realizes that she has feeling s for both Sir and Sebastian?
Charming with a capital "C"! This really was a sweet story which warmed my heart, had me smiling and wishing the book; would never end. To Sir, with love is like a breath of fresh air!
Who doesn’t want to read a book that leaves you smiling from ear to ear? Predictable? Yes! Did I care? No! Because this book; was so well done! I loved the witty banter between Sir and Lady. I also loved the interactions between Gracie and Sebastian. I always say it is about the journey with romance books and this was an extremely rewarding, endearing and sweet journey.
This was my first book; by Lauren Layne and I look; forward to reading more of her books!
A Pleasure from beginning to end!
Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
November 23, 2021
Pure charm! This was a cute story. It was just what I needed at the moment. A very sweet and entertaining fairy tale ROM-COM and Lauren Layne delivered! I enjoyed listening to the audiobook.
November 11, 2021
Ok, I have to come clean….
One of my guilty pleasures is watching Married at First Sight.🙋🏻♀️
(And I don’t think I’m alone, here!)
What if there were a dating app along that same theme… dating at first sight. You’re matched according to your similarities and interests. BUT, you never actually get to see a picture of that person until you meet on your first date.
Would you honestly have the courage to do it?
Well, Gracie was someone who took the leap. And developed a most wonderful friendship with her match, known as “Sir.” But will that magic last? Will there still be the same burning fire when they finally set eyes on each other?
And let’s not forget Sebastian. Her landlord of sorts who she feels is trying to destroy her family business. Yet she can’t fight being drawn to him. Darn those dreamy aqua blue eyes!
Can Gracie be in love with two men? Who will win her heart in the end?
This was a super-sweet fairytale love story. And while extremely predictable, I thoroughly enjoyed its simplicity, and message of believing in your true love.💖
Posted to: https://books-are-a-girls-best-friend...
One of my guilty pleasures is watching Married at First Sight.🙋🏻♀️
(And I don’t think I’m alone, here!)
What if there were a dating app along that same theme… dating at first sight. You’re matched according to your similarities and interests. BUT, you never actually get to see a picture of that person until you meet on your first date.
Would you honestly have the courage to do it?
Well, Gracie was someone who took the leap. And developed a most wonderful friendship with her match, known as “Sir.” But will that magic last? Will there still be the same burning fire when they finally set eyes on each other?
And let’s not forget Sebastian. Her landlord of sorts who she feels is trying to destroy her family business. Yet she can’t fight being drawn to him. Darn those dreamy aqua blue eyes!
Can Gracie be in love with two men? Who will win her heart in the end?
This was a super-sweet fairytale love story. And while extremely predictable, I thoroughly enjoyed its simplicity, and message of believing in your true love.💖
Posted to: https://books-are-a-girls-best-friend...
July 27, 2021
maybe I hate romance..
July 4, 2021
You've Got Mail is my favorite movie of all time. Obviously I am going to read this the day it is published, based on the blurb alone.
Update 7/4/2021
Well this definitely lived up to the You’ve Got Mail comparison because this was definitely a remake of that. Unfortunately, it missed the cuteness of the emails and the love/hate of the in person interactions which is what makes the movie so special. Instead the Sir/Lady app messages felt weird (I wish they called each other screen names instead) and they did not appear often enough to make ‘Sir’ feel like a real potential love interest. Meanwhile Sebastian was just all-in from the beginning. Other than one slightly cutting remark he was nothing but considerate to Gracie.
I think I’ll go re-watch the movie now.
Update 7/4/2021
Well this definitely lived up to the You’ve Got Mail comparison because this was definitely a remake of that. Unfortunately, it missed the cuteness of the emails and the love/hate of the in person interactions which is what makes the movie so special. Instead the Sir/Lady app messages felt weird (I wish they called each other screen names instead) and they did not appear often enough to make ‘Sir’ feel like a real potential love interest. Meanwhile Sebastian was just all-in from the beginning. Other than one slightly cutting remark he was nothing but considerate to Gracie.
I think I’ll go re-watch the movie now.
May 31, 2021
4.25 stars
It's been a while since I've read a Lauren Layne book and I'm wondering why... I had so much fun reading this book. This was truly adorable and left a huge smile on my face. If you're looking for a feel good romance, look no farther.
Gracie is on a dating app, but it's not the swipe right kind of app. It's an app where you get to know someone by their words, not their photo. This is where she meets 'Sir'. Sir and Gracie haven't met or exchanged photos, but she has it bad for him. Sir consumes a lot of her thoughts, but so does Sebastian Andrews.
Sebastian and Gracie's storyline is going in that enemies to lovers direction, it's easy to see that. Sebastian wants to buy out her families business that she runs and she is not happy about it. The problem is, the more she gets to know Sebastian the more she realizes he's much more than she first thought. And she finds not only does she have the feelings for Sir, but also Sebastian. She's in trouble.
To Sir, with Love is fun, flirty, and will leave you happy and wanting to read more fairy-tale romances. The chemistry, the banter, I loved it all! I enjoyed this one loads and I'm looking forward to reading more by this author! Highly recommend this one for all romance readers.
It's been a while since I've read a Lauren Layne book and I'm wondering why... I had so much fun reading this book. This was truly adorable and left a huge smile on my face. If you're looking for a feel good romance, look no farther.
Gracie is on a dating app, but it's not the swipe right kind of app. It's an app where you get to know someone by their words, not their photo. This is where she meets 'Sir'. Sir and Gracie haven't met or exchanged photos, but she has it bad for him. Sir consumes a lot of her thoughts, but so does Sebastian Andrews.
Sebastian and Gracie's storyline is going in that enemies to lovers direction, it's easy to see that. Sebastian wants to buy out her families business that she runs and she is not happy about it. The problem is, the more she gets to know Sebastian the more she realizes he's much more than she first thought. And she finds not only does she have the feelings for Sir, but also Sebastian. She's in trouble.
To Sir, with Love is fun, flirty, and will leave you happy and wanting to read more fairy-tale romances. The chemistry, the banter, I loved it all! I enjoyed this one loads and I'm looking forward to reading more by this author! Highly recommend this one for all romance readers.
December 21, 2021
To Sir, With Love by Lauren Layne is a 2021 Gallery Books publication.
Gracie Cooper gave up her dream of being a professional artist to run the family owned champagne shop, per her father’s wishes. Gracie’s siblings have left her holding the bag, so Gracie is determined to make the best of the situation by adopting a ‘Pollyanna’ approach, working hard to convince herself she is happy. Sadly, though, the champagne shop is going through a rough patch.
Enter Sebastian Andrews…
Sebastian wants to by the champagne shop and is pressuring Gracie non-stop, merely because he needs the space the shop in sitting on. His approach could use some work, as he is oh so arrogant. Gracie is determined to fight for her store, despite her doubts and the odds against her.
The one bright spot in all this an accidental messaging relationship Gracie has developed with ‘Sir’ via a ‘faceless’ dating app. She’s loving the light and easy banter she has stuck up with ‘Sir’, and soon finds he is an excellent confidant, and despite her protest, she might be falling in love with him…
What a cute, sweet story with a nice updated – ‘enemies-lovers’ vibes, Ala “You’ve Got Mail”. The dialogue is snappy, flirty and fun, with just the right amount of tension and emotion, to compliment the plot and the characters.
Layne has become a ‘go-to’ author for me when I want a light contemporary or romantic comedy. Her stories are light, but have depth and feeling, and always, always leave a big smile on my face!
4 stars
Gracie Cooper gave up her dream of being a professional artist to run the family owned champagne shop, per her father’s wishes. Gracie’s siblings have left her holding the bag, so Gracie is determined to make the best of the situation by adopting a ‘Pollyanna’ approach, working hard to convince herself she is happy. Sadly, though, the champagne shop is going through a rough patch.
Enter Sebastian Andrews…
Sebastian wants to by the champagne shop and is pressuring Gracie non-stop, merely because he needs the space the shop in sitting on. His approach could use some work, as he is oh so arrogant. Gracie is determined to fight for her store, despite her doubts and the odds against her.
The one bright spot in all this an accidental messaging relationship Gracie has developed with ‘Sir’ via a ‘faceless’ dating app. She’s loving the light and easy banter she has stuck up with ‘Sir’, and soon finds he is an excellent confidant, and despite her protest, she might be falling in love with him…
What a cute, sweet story with a nice updated – ‘enemies-lovers’ vibes, Ala “You’ve Got Mail”. The dialogue is snappy, flirty and fun, with just the right amount of tension and emotion, to compliment the plot and the characters.
Layne has become a ‘go-to’ author for me when I want a light contemporary or romantic comedy. Her stories are light, but have depth and feeling, and always, always leave a big smile on my face!
4 stars
April 18, 2021
Review posted on blog: https://books-are-a-girls-best-friend...
Romance Galore: If Only Fairy Tales Like this Existed!
Gracie Cooper runs her family's Champagne store in Midtown Manhattan. After losing her father, Gracie took over the store, even though she originally had bigger dreams. Now, her days are spent constantly trying to drum up more business and conversing with a guy on a dating app, who she only knows through the words they’ve exchanged. The app is known for its anonymity. People don’t exchange their real names or photos of themselves unless the two decide to meet.
Once Gracie starts exchanging messages with “Sir” feelings develop.
Cue the sparks and the possibilities!
Then Gracie meets her archenemy: Sebastian Andrews, the man who is trying to buy her business out from under her. Gracie despises everything he stands for and yet, she can’t help but be drawn to him. First, it’s those blue eyes, then as time goes on, it’s his kind caring personality. Is it possible that she misjudged him?
The next thing Gracie knows, she’s torn between two men (one of whom she’s never met!).
Sweet, smart, and full of chemistry, “To Sir, With Love” had me smiling from ear to ear. A light-hearted rom-com complete with lots of witty banter that stole this girl’s heart, I can’t recommend this book highly enough!
Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for the arc.
Published on Goodreads, Twitter, and Instagram.
Romance Galore: If Only Fairy Tales Like this Existed!
Gracie Cooper runs her family's Champagne store in Midtown Manhattan. After losing her father, Gracie took over the store, even though she originally had bigger dreams. Now, her days are spent constantly trying to drum up more business and conversing with a guy on a dating app, who she only knows through the words they’ve exchanged. The app is known for its anonymity. People don’t exchange their real names or photos of themselves unless the two decide to meet.
Once Gracie starts exchanging messages with “Sir” feelings develop.
Cue the sparks and the possibilities!
Then Gracie meets her archenemy: Sebastian Andrews, the man who is trying to buy her business out from under her. Gracie despises everything he stands for and yet, she can’t help but be drawn to him. First, it’s those blue eyes, then as time goes on, it’s his kind caring personality. Is it possible that she misjudged him?
The next thing Gracie knows, she’s torn between two men (one of whom she’s never met!).
Sweet, smart, and full of chemistry, “To Sir, With Love” had me smiling from ear to ear. A light-hearted rom-com complete with lots of witty banter that stole this girl’s heart, I can’t recommend this book highly enough!
Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for the arc.
Published on Goodreads, Twitter, and Instagram.
February 12, 2022
OMG! My heart! ❤️ This book was incredible! Why did it take me so long to read this book? I was all in from page one and I did not want it to end! 🥰
You've Got Mail is my all time favorite movie 🍿 and this loosely reminds me of that. If you love that movie...are a fan of books set in NYC...🙋♀️and adore enemies to lovers...🙋♀️🙋♀️🙋♀️THIS is your book! ❤️
When Gracie Cooper takes over the family business...Bubbles and More🥂…in the heart of NYC...I was so excited for her....then enters Sebastin...gorgeous, wealthy and powerful...he tries to force the little bookseller...oops 🤭wrong story... he tries to force the little shop owner to sell her business so he can build a parking garage! 😳What ensues is so much fun!❤️
I can't recommend this book enough! If you are having a bad day...in a slump...just need a pick me up..I guarantee that this is the book to pick up! 😍 I seriously don't know why I have not read this author before but I am already running to get her back list! 📚 🛒
You've Got Mail is my all time favorite movie 🍿 and this loosely reminds me of that. If you love that movie...are a fan of books set in NYC...🙋♀️and adore enemies to lovers...🙋♀️🙋♀️🙋♀️THIS is your book! ❤️
When Gracie Cooper takes over the family business...Bubbles and More🥂…in the heart of NYC...I was so excited for her....then enters Sebastin...gorgeous, wealthy and powerful...he tries to force the little bookseller...oops 🤭wrong story... he tries to force the little shop owner to sell her business so he can build a parking garage! 😳What ensues is so much fun!❤️
I can't recommend this book enough! If you are having a bad day...in a slump...just need a pick me up..I guarantee that this is the book to pick up! 😍 I seriously don't know why I have not read this author before but I am already running to get her back list! 📚 🛒
August 5, 2021
(2.75 - 3)
it has been a while since i last read a LL book, and i didn’t realized how much ive missed her atmospheric NYC setting (most of them) easy & light romcoms. they be full of cliche stuff but we don’t mind that in this house. sadly this didn’t deliver that atmospheric feels i wanted like in her other books (i’m looking at u Sex & Stiletto) but still enjoyable
premise : very You've Got Mail (with the whole taking her outta her business trope), Hold Me and Alex, Approximately (couldnt think of anything else at the moment but will add more if i do) where they practically fell in love through their anonymous penpal relationship but hated each other when they met in real life (not knowing it was their penpal buddy)
okay this felt different than her other books i’ve read so far, and i'm conflicted on how to feel bout it. the thing is, we didn’t get that much of the couple’s interaction in this almost 300pgs book.
the main relationship were not insta per se, they didn’t get together till the very end. yet it still felt too quick. somehow. and no, it ain’t just my slow burn lover ass talking, i’m saying from an objective point of view as well, just that they didn’t spend enough time together in almost 300pgs to be a legit couple for me (who am i to judge? reader that’s who). and though they had chemistry & the potential was there, their interactions felt too prim & formal for my liking
then what's included in the book if not the couple’s scenes u ask? this brings me to another complain, the book felt really info dumpy. there were lots of Gracie character’s background (coz it was only told from her pov) and the people in her life that are not the main H i couldn’t care less about’s backgrounds. i dont even know who robyn / josh / keva / rachel / grady / may / whoever the fuck she was talking about at the moment most of the time, so i did what i do best, i skimmed
i'm kinda sleep deprived y'all, so yea i do sound kinda- i couldnt even think of the word. overall i enjoyed this stuff, coz the couple was sweet, as we see in little time we did got w/ them. but maybe i'm biased and this turns out to has more flaws than i pointed out. it's LL after all, so we’ll never know. essentially all i wanted was to spend more time w/ Sebastian and get to know his character more yada yada yada yada
"I’m not the easiest guy to love. Not by a long shot, and I wanted—” He takes a deep breath. “I wanted you to love both Sebastian and Sir. Because I’m a selfish ass, and I wanted you to love both sides of me, as much as I love both sides of you. And because of what I said before—you deserve the fairy-tale ending, and I can only hope you’ll give me a chance to be yours, Gracie.”
it has been a while since i last read a LL book, and i didn’t realized how much ive missed her atmospheric NYC setting (most of them) easy & light romcoms. they be full of cliche stuff but we don’t mind that in this house. sadly this didn’t deliver that atmospheric feels i wanted like in her other books (i’m looking at u Sex & Stiletto) but still enjoyable
premise : very You've Got Mail (with the whole taking her outta her business trope), Hold Me and Alex, Approximately (couldnt think of anything else at the moment but will add more if i do) where they practically fell in love through their anonymous penpal relationship but hated each other when they met in real life (not knowing it was their penpal buddy)
okay this felt different than her other books i’ve read so far, and i'm conflicted on how to feel bout it. the thing is, we didn’t get that much of the couple’s interaction in this almost 300pgs book.
the main relationship were not insta per se, they didn’t get together till the very end. yet it still felt too quick. somehow. and no, it ain’t just my slow burn lover ass talking, i’m saying from an objective point of view as well, just that they didn’t spend enough time together in almost 300pgs to be a legit couple for me (who am i to judge? reader that’s who). and though they had chemistry & the potential was there, their interactions felt too prim & formal for my liking
then what's included in the book if not the couple’s scenes u ask? this brings me to another complain, the book felt really info dumpy. there were lots of Gracie character’s background (coz it was only told from her pov) and the people in her life that are not the main H i couldn’t care less about’s backgrounds. i dont even know who robyn / josh / keva / rachel / grady / may / whoever the fuck she was talking about at the moment most of the time, so i did what i do best, i skimmed
i'm kinda sleep deprived y'all, so yea i do sound kinda- i couldnt even think of the word. overall i enjoyed this stuff, coz the couple was sweet, as we see in little time we did got w/ them. but maybe i'm biased and this turns out to has more flaws than i pointed out. it's LL after all, so we’ll never know. essentially all i wanted was to spend more time w/ Sebastian and get to know his character more yada yada yada yada
December 16, 2022
Dearest Author,
Thank you for bestowing upon me the lovely gift of this book whereupon I was able to utilize as ✦a much needed, potent and effective disinfectant✦ against all the tedious display of fae sex scenes in ACOSAF that I had the displeasure of reading the previous night. I cannot remember the last time I voluntarily finished a romance novel that did not contain some type of smut, and ‘To Sir, With Love’ proved to be a refreshing palate cleanser.
Sincerely,
Your unimpressed yet appreciative Reader.
It was interesting to see the duality in Gracie & Sebastian’s relationship—where they had a friends to lovers dynamic online but enemies to lovers one in real life. I must admit, however, that I found their digital exchanges to be more compelling than their face to face encounters. Mostly because I adored the old-timey feel of the writing in the former, and I didn’t feel their chemistry when it was the latter. It was also disappointing that we didn’t get to know Sebastian as much as we did Gracie.
Nevertheless, all of the Gracie components (her artsy side, her feeling pressured to preserve her family’s legacy, her friendship with Keva, her relationship with her siblings, and even the side ‘marriage in crisis’ story of her sister Lily with her husband Alec) were enjoyable to read. Not to mention, I personally felt I had things in common with Gracie. Oh, if only that had also extended to me finding my own Sir on a dating app (or any other place). Alas. Not all of us are as lucky—yet 😆—in that department.
(Read as an Audiobook)
July 10, 2021
I usually love Lauren's books, she is my go to rom-com author but damn this book was not good. Its my least fav from her. Its not even a rom-com, it's more like a chick lit or women fiction.🙄
There was no romance in it and there were like 5 or 6 scenes between the MC. When i saw that i'm almost at the end and there was not even a kissing scene or a sex scene.🤦♀️
It felt more like a Hallmark movie.
The whole storyline was kinda ridiculous and it definitely lacked chemistry and the usual spark in her books.
There was no romance in it and there were like 5 or 6 scenes between the MC. When i saw that i'm almost at the end and there was not even a kissing scene or a sex scene.🤦♀️
It felt more like a Hallmark movie.
The whole storyline was kinda ridiculous and it definitely lacked chemistry and the usual spark in her books.
May 5, 2022
✩ 4 stars.
the way this quote hit right home. reading this book felt like watching one of those feel good classic movies, which is what the author intended it to be like considering it’s inspired by the movie you’ve got mail. knowing this is basically why i picked this up; that and the fact it’s a lauren layne book. the whole time reading i couldn’t wipe the smile off my face, especially during the last three chapters. it was very lighthearted and adorable! i just wish that it were longer because i didn’t get enough of them together. + sebastian andrews has my heart. <3
“I think the best parts of my life so far have been in my daydreams.”
the way this quote hit right home. reading this book felt like watching one of those feel good classic movies, which is what the author intended it to be like considering it’s inspired by the movie you’ve got mail. knowing this is basically why i picked this up; that and the fact it’s a lauren layne book. the whole time reading i couldn’t wipe the smile off my face, especially during the last three chapters. it was very lighthearted and adorable! i just wish that it were longer because i didn’t get enough of them together. + sebastian andrews has my heart. <3
August 31, 2021
4.5 stars, rounded up!
No, it's not an adaptation of the classic late 1960s movie with Sidney Poitier. But Lauren Layne's new novel is an adorable, emotional rom-com that’s almost a modern-day take on You’ve Got Mail .
Gracie Cooper has always been a dreamer. But when her father dies, she puts aside her dreams of becoming an artist and begins running the family’s champagne shop. She isn’t prepared for how precarious the store’s financial position is, or just how time-consuming running a business can be, but she’s fulfilling her father’s wishes. Shouldn't that count for something?
She’s also a romantic—she’s always known exactly what her dream man will be like. But since he hasn’t materialized, she’s been finding herself increasingly drawn to a man she’s been corresponding with on a blind dating app, a man she only knows as “Sir.” She's never met him or exchanged photos or descriptions, so she doesn’t know what he looks like but she feels a connection through their banter.
One day she has a meet-cute with a handsome man—and soon after she realizes that he’s Sebastian Andrews, the arrogant businessman whose family’s company owns the building her shop is in. He wants to buy Gracie out so they can tear down the building and replace it with something more expensive. But Gracie is determined not to close the shop—even if it might ultimately be the best thing for her.
As her encounters with Sebastian make her vacillate between hatred and attraction, she realizes at the same time she’s falling head over heels for Sir, yet what if he’s not the person she thinks he is? Of course, she finds herself torn between a man she knows and one she doesn’t, but she has no idea just how much Sebastian and Sir have in common.
I’m a total sap; we’ve established this before, but I just loved To Sir, With Love . It’s sweet and funny and thought-provoking and emotional, even though I knew everything that was coming. I’d love to see Lauren Layne turn this into a series using some of the supporting characters, as she's done with other books!
Check out my list of the best books I read in 2020 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2021/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2020.html.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
No, it's not an adaptation of the classic late 1960s movie with Sidney Poitier. But Lauren Layne's new novel is an adorable, emotional rom-com that’s almost a modern-day take on You’ve Got Mail .
Gracie Cooper has always been a dreamer. But when her father dies, she puts aside her dreams of becoming an artist and begins running the family’s champagne shop. She isn’t prepared for how precarious the store’s financial position is, or just how time-consuming running a business can be, but she’s fulfilling her father’s wishes. Shouldn't that count for something?
She’s also a romantic—she’s always known exactly what her dream man will be like. But since he hasn’t materialized, she’s been finding herself increasingly drawn to a man she’s been corresponding with on a blind dating app, a man she only knows as “Sir.” She's never met him or exchanged photos or descriptions, so she doesn’t know what he looks like but she feels a connection through their banter.
One day she has a meet-cute with a handsome man—and soon after she realizes that he’s Sebastian Andrews, the arrogant businessman whose family’s company owns the building her shop is in. He wants to buy Gracie out so they can tear down the building and replace it with something more expensive. But Gracie is determined not to close the shop—even if it might ultimately be the best thing for her.
As her encounters with Sebastian make her vacillate between hatred and attraction, she realizes at the same time she’s falling head over heels for Sir, yet what if he’s not the person she thinks he is? Of course, she finds herself torn between a man she knows and one she doesn’t, but she has no idea just how much Sebastian and Sir have in common.
I’m a total sap; we’ve established this before, but I just loved To Sir, With Love . It’s sweet and funny and thought-provoking and emotional, even though I knew everything that was coming. I’d love to see Lauren Layne turn this into a series using some of the supporting characters, as she's done with other books!
Check out my list of the best books I read in 2020 at https://itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com/2021/01/the-best-books-i-read-in-2020.html.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
July 5, 2021
I'm not the biggest fan of book adaptations but To Sir, With Love NEEDS one. The meet-cute, the tropes, the love confession, the vibes, the whole plot... everything about it is movie material to make you believe in love again!
Gracie Cooper is a romantic at heart who lives two lives; the real one, and the one she lives in her head, along with her prince charming and their fairytale romance that she still can't find. And now she barely has time to live in her head as she is trying to save her family legacy, while shooing away the infamous and handsome Sebastian Andrews, who wants to destroy the one thing that Gracie has taken care of her entire life. This ice man may look like a robot, but the more time they spend together, the more she's attracted to him, feeling like she's betraying her virtual friend that she has never seen and who has a lot of similarities with her enemy.
Just another sweet and cute New York fairy tale by Lauren Layne and that's exactly why she's one of my favorite authors; the location, the main AND the side characters that leave you wanting more, the plot, the swoon-worthy romance, EVERYTHING!! she really knows how to work this genre so I'm glad every time she comes up with new books 💖
ARC provided in exchange of an honest review.
“My dear Lady, you stole my heart twice. If you think I’m letting another second of my life pass without you in it, I’ll have to kiss you again to set you straight.”
Gracie Cooper is a romantic at heart who lives two lives; the real one, and the one she lives in her head, along with her prince charming and their fairytale romance that she still can't find. And now she barely has time to live in her head as she is trying to save her family legacy, while shooing away the infamous and handsome Sebastian Andrews, who wants to destroy the one thing that Gracie has taken care of her entire life. This ice man may look like a robot, but the more time they spend together, the more she's attracted to him, feeling like she's betraying her virtual friend that she has never seen and who has a lot of similarities with her enemy.
Just another sweet and cute New York fairy tale by Lauren Layne and that's exactly why she's one of my favorite authors; the location, the main AND the side characters that leave you wanting more, the plot, the swoon-worthy romance, EVERYTHING!! she really knows how to work this genre so I'm glad every time she comes up with new books 💖
ARC provided in exchange of an honest review.
December 29, 2021
Fun and entertaining! I enjoyed the storyline and exchanges between Gracie and Sir within the dating app. This is a modern day fairytale with a great group of supporting characters. It's a heartwarming story about following your dreams ✨.
June 30, 2021
4 Stars!
(ARC provided by Gallery Books)
Gracie Cooper is a New Yorker living in Manhattan. She's a positive happy person that loves life and can make the best of any situation. When her father passes away she gives up her art dreams to take over the family business. She's now the owner of a champagne shop across from Central Park. It's her legacy and she's determined to give the shop her all. Then she learns it's in financial trouble, and a big corporation is swarming. She will do anything to keep it afloat, including clashing with the ridiculously handsome Sebastian Andrews.
While struggling with the business Gracie finds a safe place to vent. She begins an online friendship on a dating app with a man she's never met. They anonymously connect and she spends way too much time thinking about him. He makes her smile and quickly becomes important to her. She develops a crush on her pen pal, and has no idea she's already met him in real life and can't stand him. Will her mystery man be the hero of her story or the villain? She wants the kind of romance you see in the movies. The whole fairytale and happily-ever-after. Has she finally found her Prince Charming or is he unattainable?
-There's something lovely about two souls connecting over words alone.
-"It's always been you."
To Sir, With Love by Lauren Layne is a sweet, romantic, enemies to lovers, rivals romance full of chemistry, humor, and fabulous banter. It's a wonderful heartwarming story about chasing your dreams and following your heart.
***NOW AVAILABLE***
https://amzn.to/3xat2RV
(ARC provided by Gallery Books)
Gracie Cooper is a New Yorker living in Manhattan. She's a positive happy person that loves life and can make the best of any situation. When her father passes away she gives up her art dreams to take over the family business. She's now the owner of a champagne shop across from Central Park. It's her legacy and she's determined to give the shop her all. Then she learns it's in financial trouble, and a big corporation is swarming. She will do anything to keep it afloat, including clashing with the ridiculously handsome Sebastian Andrews.
While struggling with the business Gracie finds a safe place to vent. She begins an online friendship on a dating app with a man she's never met. They anonymously connect and she spends way too much time thinking about him. He makes her smile and quickly becomes important to her. She develops a crush on her pen pal, and has no idea she's already met him in real life and can't stand him. Will her mystery man be the hero of her story or the villain? She wants the kind of romance you see in the movies. The whole fairytale and happily-ever-after. Has she finally found her Prince Charming or is he unattainable?
-There's something lovely about two souls connecting over words alone.
-"It's always been you."
To Sir, With Love by Lauren Layne is a sweet, romantic, enemies to lovers, rivals romance full of chemistry, humor, and fabulous banter. It's a wonderful heartwarming story about chasing your dreams and following your heart.
***NOW AVAILABLE***
https://amzn.to/3xat2RV
April 8, 2021
Oh my God. This is a story for serious Romantics only. My eyes keep leaking. Big Sigh.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I don’t know what it was about the story but it’s seriously left a huge warm spot in my heart. Her characters are real people with real struggles and deserve the happiness that she beautifully encapsulates.
This is a contemporary fiction love story which features people just a little bit older than the young adult category. They’ve been through a lot in their lives, yet continue to move forward and grow but still desire other things. They are missing that one special person in their life and use an app to try to find it. The conversations are fun and witty but also deep and meaningful.
Layne has a wonderful way of developing her characters that makes them so very likable. You find yourself cheering on this couple as they break down the barriers that go from dislike and discontent to warm and fuzzy, sparkling and bubbly.
To Sir, with Love is a positive and uplifting story and I think that’s what gets me. Layne has a beautiful storytelling ability that just gives you all the feels and makes you wish you were there. Fresh and divine!
This is a clean romance and a heartfelt love affair that slowly builds. I found myself reading with tears rolling several times in the story. She leaves us with an amazing happily ever after and a huge smile that will last for days.
Layne is an amazing talent of contemporary fiction and romance, whose words takes your breath away and envelops the definition of Romance Writer.
* copy received for review consideration
* full review - https://amidlifewife.com/to-sir-with-...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I don’t know what it was about the story but it’s seriously left a huge warm spot in my heart. Her characters are real people with real struggles and deserve the happiness that she beautifully encapsulates.
This is a contemporary fiction love story which features people just a little bit older than the young adult category. They’ve been through a lot in their lives, yet continue to move forward and grow but still desire other things. They are missing that one special person in their life and use an app to try to find it. The conversations are fun and witty but also deep and meaningful.
Layne has a wonderful way of developing her characters that makes them so very likable. You find yourself cheering on this couple as they break down the barriers that go from dislike and discontent to warm and fuzzy, sparkling and bubbly.
To Sir, with Love is a positive and uplifting story and I think that’s what gets me. Layne has a beautiful storytelling ability that just gives you all the feels and makes you wish you were there. Fresh and divine!
This is a clean romance and a heartfelt love affair that slowly builds. I found myself reading with tears rolling several times in the story. She leaves us with an amazing happily ever after and a huge smile that will last for days.
Layne is an amazing talent of contemporary fiction and romance, whose words takes your breath away and envelops the definition of Romance Writer.
* copy received for review consideration
* full review - https://amidlifewife.com/to-sir-with-...
August 24, 2021
I wish I could just say that this is a movement by movement translation of the movie You've Got Mail. The differences are cosmetic, at best. Only . . . if you're going to follow Nora Ephron, you'd probably better pay attention to the finer details because they matter. Like, for example, making Gracie only invested in the shop because it was her father's dying wish that it continue kind of rips the heart out of that whole through-line. And neutering Sebastian's story by making him a spectator to her shop's failure, instead of the cause of it, rips the heart out of that whole through-line. And I haven't even touched on Gracie's romanticism (that ends up reinforced by the story because she really did recognize her heart's desire when their eyes first met).
It's Lauren Layne so this is me mostly talking about how it suffers in comparison to a story by a true romance master, of course. The story is good, the characters engaging, and the plot has just enough differences to feel like it's its own thing (complete, if inferior). And I'll admit that much of my disenchantment is in all the ways this doesn't live up to such high expectations.
I did think, for a moment, that Layne was going to avoid the biggest issue I have with the movie, but that turned out to be a bust. For the record, I dislike .
And I think I'll end there. Three stars because it delivers the romance, but without matching the masterpiece it is attempting. Also, having her referring to him as "Sir" like it's a name is just weird.
A note about Audiobook: This has two narrators, but it really shouldn't. The guy's part is only for the anonymous exchanges and it isn't an enhancement to have a different voice there. Shaun Taylor-Corbett may be a fine narrator, I don't know, but I didn't like his voice for Sebastian and it grated every time a new chapter started.
A note about Chaste: Like the movie, this ends with them admitting they like each other. Oh, right, there's an epilogue, but no sex there, either. So not even any kissing. Okay, a lame kiss at the reveal. So pretty chaste.
It's Lauren Layne so this is me mostly talking about how it suffers in comparison to a story by a true romance master, of course. The story is good, the characters engaging, and the plot has just enough differences to feel like it's its own thing (complete, if inferior). And I'll admit that much of my disenchantment is in all the ways this doesn't live up to such high expectations.
I did think, for a moment, that Layne was going to avoid the biggest issue I have with the movie, but that turned out to be a bust. For the record, I dislike .
And I think I'll end there. Three stars because it delivers the romance, but without matching the masterpiece it is attempting. Also, having her referring to him as "Sir" like it's a name is just weird.
A note about Audiobook: This has two narrators, but it really shouldn't. The guy's part is only for the anonymous exchanges and it isn't an enhancement to have a different voice there. Shaun Taylor-Corbett may be a fine narrator, I don't know, but I didn't like his voice for Sebastian and it grated every time a new chapter started.
A note about Chaste: Like the movie, this ends with them admitting they like each other. Oh, right, there's an epilogue, but no sex there, either. So not even any kissing. Okay, a lame kiss at the reveal. So pretty chaste.
June 25, 2021
I have the biggest smile on my face. All I can say is if you love You’ve Got Mail, this book is for you. I nearly started tearing up when I read the Author’s Note at the back talking about the movie’s influence on this novel.
It’s sweet, light, fun, romantic…I adored it!
It’s sweet, light, fun, romantic…I adored it!
June 2, 2021
2.5 stars
I was so excited to receive an ARC of this book because Lauren Layne's Walk of Shame restored my faith in rom-com-esque contemporaries. Walk of Shame is perfect if you like a great rivals to lovers story complete with opposite personalities.
Unfortunately To Sir, with Love was a bit of a let down.
Gracie Cooper is a romantic idealist; she's always had the exact image of who she'd fall in love with in her head and no one's really been able to live up to her long-brown-hair-brown-eyes-musician-with-a-dad-bod-type. So she signs up for a dating app where you don't see any pictures of the person you're communicating with, and ends up building a connection with (and kind of falling in love with) a guy that goes by the pen name "Sir." And she's never met him.
Meanwhile, the boutique champagne store she's running is struggling and Sebastian Andrews enters her life by way of trying to get her to sell her business to his corporation, which causes some animosity on Gracie's part.
This was a fairly quick, light, and a bit clichéd read, and I just don't think the romance was very developed. I wished the "rival" aspect between Gracie and Sebastian was explored more, as it's more of a one-sided thing on Gracie's part than an enemies to lovers situation.
I also found the whole "Sir" storyline to be a bit too cringe for my liking. I'm sorry, but Gracie came off a bit pathetic to me. I felt like I couldn't relate to what she was feeling romantically. I can understand that people can fall for the fantasy of people they've never met before, but when the attractive (and real) Sebastian enters her life and starts to build a relationship with her, she doesn't go for it because she's in love with Sir. I mean, it all becomes a moot point when she finds out that Sebastian is Sir, (ugh there were some cringe scenes in there) but I had a hard time rooting for her when she can't make up her mind between Sir and Sebastian. Although they end up being the same person, she doesn't know that and I mean girl, come on. You have a hot, rich guy who's obviously into you right in front of your face and you're hung up over your pen pal you've never met??? Girl, bye.
I know it's trying to go for the whole "love is blind" thing but I didn't find it compelling, and I think a big reason for that is because "Sir" and "Lady's" (yikes) communications weren't that interesting or great at showing their connection. (I also don't really think love is blind lol)
I didn't dislike it all though. I think there's something to be said for Gracie building up a man in her head and being scared that the fantasy doesn't match the reality. I can also relate to having high and perhaps unrealistic standards. The storyline involving the champagne store, while a bit cliche, did dive into how some people live other people's dreams instead of their own, and I think there was some good nuance there- of wanting to support her father's wishes but struggling with wanting to do something else.
Overall this was a light, powdery-sugar-sweet read that was easy enough but it ended up not really sticking with me. I found it hard to really root for the romance since it wasn't developed well and I questioned how the whole pen pal vs real life thing was handled.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me a copy in exchange for my honest review.
I was so excited to receive an ARC of this book because Lauren Layne's Walk of Shame restored my faith in rom-com-esque contemporaries. Walk of Shame is perfect if you like a great rivals to lovers story complete with opposite personalities.
Unfortunately To Sir, with Love was a bit of a let down.
Gracie Cooper is a romantic idealist; she's always had the exact image of who she'd fall in love with in her head and no one's really been able to live up to her long-brown-hair-brown-eyes-musician-with-a-dad-bod-type. So she signs up for a dating app where you don't see any pictures of the person you're communicating with, and ends up building a connection with (and kind of falling in love with) a guy that goes by the pen name "Sir." And she's never met him.
Meanwhile, the boutique champagne store she's running is struggling and Sebastian Andrews enters her life by way of trying to get her to sell her business to his corporation, which causes some animosity on Gracie's part.
This was a fairly quick, light, and a bit clichéd read, and I just don't think the romance was very developed. I wished the "rival" aspect between Gracie and Sebastian was explored more, as it's more of a one-sided thing on Gracie's part than an enemies to lovers situation.
I also found the whole "Sir" storyline to be a bit too cringe for my liking. I'm sorry, but Gracie came off a bit pathetic to me. I felt like I couldn't relate to what she was feeling romantically. I can understand that people can fall for the fantasy of people they've never met before, but when the attractive (and real) Sebastian enters her life and starts to build a relationship with her, she doesn't go for it because she's in love with Sir. I mean, it all becomes a moot point when she finds out that Sebastian is Sir, (ugh there were some cringe scenes in there) but I had a hard time rooting for her when she can't make up her mind between Sir and Sebastian. Although they end up being the same person, she doesn't know that and I mean girl, come on. You have a hot, rich guy who's obviously into you right in front of your face and you're hung up over your pen pal you've never met??? Girl, bye.
I know it's trying to go for the whole "love is blind" thing but I didn't find it compelling, and I think a big reason for that is because "Sir" and "Lady's" (yikes) communications weren't that interesting or great at showing their connection. (I also don't really think love is blind lol)
I didn't dislike it all though. I think there's something to be said for Gracie building up a man in her head and being scared that the fantasy doesn't match the reality. I can also relate to having high and perhaps unrealistic standards. The storyline involving the champagne store, while a bit cliche, did dive into how some people live other people's dreams instead of their own, and I think there was some good nuance there- of wanting to support her father's wishes but struggling with wanting to do something else.
Overall this was a light, powdery-sugar-sweet read that was easy enough but it ended up not really sticking with me. I found it hard to really root for the romance since it wasn't developed well and I questioned how the whole pen pal vs real life thing was handled.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me a copy in exchange for my honest review.
September 28, 2021
Right time – just what I needed! Sweet, romantic and heartwarming! A sparkling gem that is sure to lift your spirits.
No dreadful drama-rama – just fun-to-read, laugh and cheer! It made my Saturday afternoon and evening. These were such wonderful characters. We’re not traversing uncharted territory here. Similar plotting devices have been used many times over, but this one drew my attention quicker and kept me connected and completely engaged. Could be that credit goes to the well-developed characters who just seem to stick with me.
This book enchants from the very first page. A perfectly imperfect protagonist on a bittersweet journey of self-discovery, relatable family tensions, vividly portrayed enemies-to-lovers plot that made me smile from ear to ear. Thoroughly satisfying read that tugged at my heart and made me happy-sigh when I reached the bubbling happily-ever-after.
February 25, 2021
3.75/5
✨mood: feeling so warm and light.✨
any book, just a book— specifically a romantic comedy written by Lauren Layne will rarely ever disappoint me.
one of my favorite things about Lauren Layne’s books besides the obvious is the fact how she manages to write the simplest plots and yet, make them so full of emotions that one would feel while watching a disney movie.
i absolutely love the way she uses New York city as her setting in most of her books and how she also incorporates girls + guys friendships. that— just gives me pure and utter joy.
the essence of To Sir, with Love was no different from the essence present in most of her works, this book gave me the same soft and happy vibes i always get whenever i read a book by Lauren Layne. even though most of the time, her books always revolve around the cliché, and sometimes her stories are cheesy, but that’s what i really like and enjoy about this side of romance that she shows, something that’s not so subtle, but at the same it kind of is.
i loved almost everything about this book, from the main characters, Gracie Cooper and Sebastian Andrews to the side characters and the entire little universe that this book and story contained. it had the perfect elements of a romantic comedy and there was never really a time where the story fell through or when the plot weakened. Gracie and Sebastian had a lot of swooning moments along with great and active banter. another thing i really liked about this book was how it was not (as much i wanted it to be) completely dedicated to romance—actually that is one thing i liked but also disliked at the same time because as much i loved how the story focused on Gracie’s platonic relationships because the side characters were all written great, however, this is a romantic comedy so i wanted for it to be at least 90% of just soft, soft, beautiful romance and development between Gracie and Sebastian's relationship.
the only reason why i didn’t rate it as high as i could have is because the genre of this book is new adult romance, though the romance was more like pg and i didn’t mind that, but all i wanted was more moments between Gracie and Sebastian as a couple. for me, the book ended way too quickly when there could have been further development shown between Gracie and Sebastian as a couple and more.
but all in all, Lauren Layne’s stories are always a treat to read, and her characters always manage to win my heart and make me think about finally getting into a relationship.. kinda and living in New York city.
ARC provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
✨mood: feeling so warm and light.✨
any book, just a book— specifically a romantic comedy written by Lauren Layne will rarely ever disappoint me.
one of my favorite things about Lauren Layne’s books besides the obvious is the fact how she manages to write the simplest plots and yet, make them so full of emotions that one would feel while watching a disney movie.
i absolutely love the way she uses New York city as her setting in most of her books and how she also incorporates girls + guys friendships. that— just gives me pure and utter joy.
the essence of To Sir, with Love was no different from the essence present in most of her works, this book gave me the same soft and happy vibes i always get whenever i read a book by Lauren Layne. even though most of the time, her books always revolve around the cliché, and sometimes her stories are cheesy, but that’s what i really like and enjoy about this side of romance that she shows, something that’s not so subtle, but at the same it kind of is.
i loved almost everything about this book, from the main characters, Gracie Cooper and Sebastian Andrews to the side characters and the entire little universe that this book and story contained. it had the perfect elements of a romantic comedy and there was never really a time where the story fell through or when the plot weakened. Gracie and Sebastian had a lot of swooning moments along with great and active banter. another thing i really liked about this book was how it was not (as much i wanted it to be) completely dedicated to romance—actually that is one thing i liked but also disliked at the same time because as much i loved how the story focused on Gracie’s platonic relationships because the side characters were all written great, however, this is a romantic comedy so i wanted for it to be at least 90% of just soft, soft, beautiful romance and development between Gracie and Sebastian's relationship.
the only reason why i didn’t rate it as high as i could have is because the genre of this book is new adult romance, though the romance was more like pg and i didn’t mind that, but all i wanted was more moments between Gracie and Sebastian as a couple. for me, the book ended way too quickly when there could have been further development shown between Gracie and Sebastian as a couple and more.
but all in all, Lauren Layne’s stories are always a treat to read, and her characters always manage to win my heart and make me think about finally getting into a relationship.. kinda and living in New York city.
ARC provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 25, 2021
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I really like this author and I always have a smile at the end of the story. This did not disappoint.
Grace is the business owner of Bubbles and More, a Champagne business that belonged to her late father. She wants to honor his memory by continuing his legacy but wonders if her own dreams were sacrificed in the process. Her life is upended when she discovers a big real estate developer wants to buy out her interest. She is not receptive to the offer and feels that the man, Sebastian, who has executed the offer, is her enemy. An enemy that she finds herself becoming attracted to. She is also attracted to a mystery man who she met on a dating app that promotes conversation first. Grace and the mystery man share their life with one another and real feelings begin to develop. You can probably see how this is going to develop and while predictable this may seem, the author did a great job with developing the characters and supporting characters as you are engaged with the family dynamics with both characters.
I enjoyed this story and it was an easy, breezy read that put a big smile on my face.
I really like this author and I always have a smile at the end of the story. This did not disappoint.
Grace is the business owner of Bubbles and More, a Champagne business that belonged to her late father. She wants to honor his memory by continuing his legacy but wonders if her own dreams were sacrificed in the process. Her life is upended when she discovers a big real estate developer wants to buy out her interest. She is not receptive to the offer and feels that the man, Sebastian, who has executed the offer, is her enemy. An enemy that she finds herself becoming attracted to. She is also attracted to a mystery man who she met on a dating app that promotes conversation first. Grace and the mystery man share their life with one another and real feelings begin to develop. You can probably see how this is going to develop and while predictable this may seem, the author did a great job with developing the characters and supporting characters as you are engaged with the family dynamics with both characters.
I enjoyed this story and it was an easy, breezy read that put a big smile on my face.
June 20, 2021
Five bubbly stars for this new twist on the "You've Got Mail" plot. Gracie Cooper and Sebastian Andrews have connected via a sight unseen dating app. Their texts to each other using the app have bonded them in more ways than they realize. Meanwhile Gracie's family is struggling to keep their brick-and-mortar champagne shop afloat while Sebastian's family firm owns the space and is trying to buy them out. The banter between the two, in text and in person, is top notch. Both characters are endearing just as Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks are in the movie. There is lots of champagne, good food, beautiful art, and a cat named Cannoli. If you love the movie, you will love this book. Also try Very Sincerely Yours by Kerry Winfrey, a well-executed mashup of "You've Got Mail" and "Mr. Rogers Neighborhood."
Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
January 21, 2021
Simply spectacular!
Everything I’ve come to expect from a Lauren Layne book and more.
Gracie, our heroine, is incredibly likable. She's smart, strong and sweet.
Sebastian was oh so swoon worthy! Definitely one of my favorite Layne book boyfriends. The writing here was tight, sharp and fun.
They were awesome together. I loved their verbal sparring and chemistry, seriously, so entertaining!
The supporting characters in this book were great, I would love Keva and Grady book.
Another well-written and clean-plotted book from Ms. Layne with characters you cannot help but fall in love with and root for.
Special thanks to Edelweiss and Simon & Schuster and Gallery Books for sharing this ARC with me in exchange for an honest review.
Everything I’ve come to expect from a Lauren Layne book and more.
Gracie, our heroine, is incredibly likable. She's smart, strong and sweet.
Sebastian was oh so swoon worthy! Definitely one of my favorite Layne book boyfriends. The writing here was tight, sharp and fun.
They were awesome together. I loved their verbal sparring and chemistry, seriously, so entertaining!
The supporting characters in this book were great, I would love Keva and Grady book.
Another well-written and clean-plotted book from Ms. Layne with characters you cannot help but fall in love with and root for.
Special thanks to Edelweiss and Simon & Schuster and Gallery Books for sharing this ARC with me in exchange for an honest review.
July 9, 2021
tropes: friends to lovers / enemies to lovers, epistolary
since I started reading Lauren's book a few months ago I've been craving for this book, because I love the thought of two ppl falling in love before meeting each other.
if you want a romance, this might not be the book for you, but if you like books slow like Mariana Zapata, but you don't want to read a 500 pg book, this is a book for you!
if you like epistolary romances like me, you might be disappointed that there weren't a lot of texts, but I was ok because I love Lauren Layne's books.
since I started reading Lauren's book a few months ago I've been craving for this book, because I love the thought of two ppl falling in love before meeting each other.
if you want a romance, this might not be the book for you, but if you like books slow like Mariana Zapata, but you don't want to read a 500 pg book, this is a book for you!
if you like epistolary romances like me, you might be disappointed that there weren't a lot of texts, but I was ok because I love Lauren Layne's books.
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