To Sir, with Love is a very cute, sweet romance that I really enjoyed reading.
Yes it has a lot of the You Got Mail aspect going on. With that said, I found this story just as intriguing as You Got Mail though in a different, endearing way. Totally a refreshing book to read for the summer.
I loved the slow burn romance and chemistry between Gracie and Sabastian. The humorous banter between the two of them will make you laugh out loud.
All the characters are well defined and likeable.
Definitely recommend this book to anyone that loves a great rom-com.
Thank you to NetGallery, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed are my own.

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.

A very sweet story that makes the perfect palate cleanser, especially if you've had a few bad ones in a row. There's a fun cast of characters but I hate that it's being sold as another You’ve Got Mail. That's a death trap for marketing. A champagne store is a fun niche to focus on instead of a children's bookstore while the dating app is a more current and relatable entanglement than an email chain. I could've done without the Disney references, but it fit the simplistic characters and I assumed geared them towards a fairy tale more than real life. My only wish would've been more flaws and less cartoonish in nature. The one thing that kills using such an iconic movie reference is that Tom Hank had a lot of flaws, one of which was the choice of his girlfriend who was so unlikeable yet he stuck with her until Meg Ryan came along. That in itself is a flaw that we overcome as we get to know that character... that did not happen for me in this book. To Sir, With Love is a quick read that was nice but won't stick with me forever the way Nora Ephron does.

To Sir, With Love is a new installment in the familiar tradition made popular by You've Got Mail. Our two protagonists meet on a virtual dating site, developing a friendship while keeping secret their identities. Gracie manages her father's champagne shop in NYC and Sebastian is the businessman attempting to buy her store.

Questions of what it means to be successful, to follow one's passion versus to continue the passion of another, are examined. It's a lighthearted, predictable comfort read.

(I received a digital ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.)

Gracie Cooper is too busy running her late parents' Manhattan champagne shop to meet a man the normal way, so she resorts to an app. There she encounters the intriguing "Sir," who confides that he's there by mistake and is in a relationship. At the same time, she finds herself increasingly drawn to Sebastian, the real estate scion who is trying to buy out the failing shop. As much as she wants to hate him, she can't help noticing his unexpected kindness. How can she be falling in love with the man she should hate, while at the same time falling for a man she's never met?

Heavily informed by both YOU'VE GOT MAIL and THE SHOP AROUND THE CORNER, this novel updates, once again, that trope. But it works. The only thing I didn't like about this book was the title, which I find offputting and not a good indicator of the content of the book. This is a fun, unique romance that will make you long to be in Manhattan. #ToSirWithLove #NetGalley

Gracie gave up on her own dreams when her dad passes away to run his champagne shop, which she finds is not doing as well as she thought, and when a giant conglomerate run by Sebastian offers a buyout she refuses. Gracie has signed up to a blind date app which matches people together, and the man she interacts with she calls “Sir”, and she asks his advice not having any where else to turn, and there is sizzling online chemistry between them. No spoilers: - this is a definite must read you will not be disappointed. This is a well written story which is sweet, fun, entertaining, humorous, and with romance, family, friendship, witty and flirty banter, and love, which all leads to an addictive and enjoyable story. I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I recommend.

I really enjoyed this fun, light romance. I got some pretty strong You've Got Mail/The Shop Around the Corner vibes.

The enemies-to-lovers trope works really well in this story about a woman who's trying her best to keep her late father's store alive amid some challenges, all the while falling for a mystery man online and fighting/falling for an arrogant, Darcy-esque rich guy.

Four stars for this fun beach read.

*I received a review copy from the publisher/author via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.*

I’ve been wanting to read one of Lauren Layne’s contemporary romances for a while now, and when I saw her latest book, To Sir, With Love, being compared to You’ve Got Mail, one of my favorite films, I knew this was the book for me.

The premise of the story is a fun one. Main characters, Gracie Cooper and Sebastian Andrews, meet on a dating app and really hit it off. They haven’t exchanged real names, only referring to themselves as Sir and Lady, and have not met in person, but they regularly correspond through the app and it’s clear they have great chemistry. There’s just one catch. Gracie and Sebastian do know each other in real life, and Gracie can’t stand Sebastian. She thinks he’s nothing more than a greedy corporate big shot who is trying to force her to sell her family’s struggling champagne business.

I had so much fun reading this story. I loved the contrast between the friendly and flirty messages Sir and Lady send to one another versus the outright sparks that fly between Gracie and Sebastian every time they interact. I also loved watching Gracie’s feelings toward Sebastian evolve as she gradually starts to realize he isn’t the monster she had made him out to be in her head. I love a good enemies to lovers story so I was completely invested in the changing status of their very entertaining relationship.

In addition to the relationship between Gracie and Sebastian and their alter egos, Sir and Lady, there’s also a big focus on family that I loved. Gracie’s two siblings feature prominently as they are also part owners of the family business, even though they’ve pretty much abandoned Gracie to run it alone while they live their own lives. There’s a bit of family drama around that, but I did love the bond between these siblings and how they’re able to come together and have an honest and supportive discussion about what to do when it becomes clear the store may not make it. There’s also a wonderful cast of secondary characters who work in the shop with them, as well as Gracie’s neighbor Keva, a quirky chef who pops in at all hours. They all add an extra layer of fun and humor to the story.

There’s also a very important message about the importance of living your own life and following your dreams and passions. Gracie didn’t want to let her father down since it was his dying wish that they keep the business in the family, but it was his passion, not hers. Gracie’s struggle with that is a struggle I think many readers will relate to.

I truly loved everything about To Sir, With Love, from its Manhattan setting to waiting with anticipation to see what would happen once Gracie and Sebastian realized their connection through the dating app. The reading experience was everything I hoped it would be and more and I look forward to reading more from Lauren Layne.

Y’all. This one is definitely in my top 5 favorite romance reads so far this year!

🍨 What I loved:
- The witty banter between Sebastian and Gracie 😍 it was just the right amount.
- The family/friend relationships.
- I loved every single one of the side characters. This normally doesn’t happen with any book, but for some reason I was begging for more side stories bc I loved all of the side characters.
- Super quick read. I started this book before bed and finished it in under 4 hours 😅 I have no regrets.

Overall, it left me happy with butterflies and wanting to find a love like Sebastian and Gracie.

This is the first Lauren Layne book that I have read, and I absolutely loved it. I’m so thankful that I received it as an e-Arc. I’ve already made a list of her other books to buy from Amazon 😂 when ya know.. ya know, right?

Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars

I absolutely adored Sebastian and Gracie. Lauren Layne’s writing style made this so enjoyable. It was sassy and secretive. It was heart-wrenching and hilarious. I couldn’t put it down! I must have more of Lauren Layne! 5 stars!!

This is a perfect rom-com. Full of humor and heart, Sophie's journey to her happily ever after is such a joy to read. I really enjoyed this book. As I read this book, I could so clearly see it all playing out in my head. It was so well written. Sebastian is such a great hero. It left me feeling happy and is likely to be a book that I read more than once. I will definitely look for more books by Lauren Layne. I received an advance copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Love is Blind meets You’ve Got Mail is the perfect description for this book. When Gracie’s father died, she put her dreams on hold to take over the family business: a specialty champagne shop. But business is not doing well and a giant corporation is trying to buy her out, with Sebastian coming by the store constantly to try to make it happen. She doesn’t want to sell and will do anything to keep her father’s dream alive. Meanwhile, she’s sending messages to “Sir”, the man of her dreams she met on a dating app. This app matches people based on personalities and allows them to talk a build a connection before seeing any pictures or learning each other’s names.

This was such a sweet romcom. I loved the build up and the banter of this slow-burn romance. I adored the side characters and really enjoyed all of the parts featuring Gracie’s siblings and coworkers. I also appreciated Gracie’s personal story and her growth throughout the book. Really, I loved everything about this book and I had a big cheesy grin on my face when reading this book and it truly left me feeling so happy. All romcom lovers need to read this one, it was such a treat.

Thank you to Gallery Books and NetGalley for the advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review. To Sir, With Love will be out tomorrow!

This is a cute book. I know that it's basically a retelling of You've Got Mail, but I've never seen the movie so idk. Overall it's a quick read that doesn't take a lot of energy and has a compelling story. I liked it and would definitely recommend picking it up if you need something fluffy.

The Great

I adore Gracie's community in this book. She's accepted her role in up keeping the family business, one of the few things left from their parents as they have both died. I found that Gracie's relationship with both her sister and brother to be one of the strongest parts of this book. They picked on each other, but also helped lift each other and complimented like actual siblings do. I really enjoyed the parts that they were in it. Between her siblings, her coworkers, her neighbors, and even Sebastian, there was a lot of movement. This book is only 288 pages, but it moves quickly because of the characters and they're all well developed. I thought that they added a lot and really allowed Gracie to shine through making her multi-layered.

I do enjoy when there is a variety of mediums in a book so the added element of the messaging on the dating website at the beginning of every chapter was nice. It also helped build the characters more fully and showed more sides to Gracie than what she put on in front of everyone.

The plot was fun. It wasn't very twisty or suspenseful. You know what's going to happen and you know who all of the characters are. It's a guaranteed HEA with a lot of sweetness.

The Meh

One thing that was an issue for me was that there were characters that were brought up once or twice, given an important role, and then never seen again. I don't like when that happens. If you're going to bring a character into the story and give them a background I want them to stick around.

Another issue for me was how small the city felt. Gracie knew everyone she met in the book. I get that Layne was trying to make a point that Gracie was a small business owner and apart of the community, but knowing everyone? It just felt insincere and not like NYC. It was basically like flowers grew out of the concrete and the pigeons sung. Um, NYC in the late summer is sweltering and kinda stinks... I don't know, it just bothered me.

Long Story Short

Do I recommend this book? Yes. I thought that it was a good, quick read. For the month I've been having it felt nice to be able to dive into the book and read it all the way through in one sitting. It would be absolutely perfect to bring poolside or to the beach. I don't think that I'm personally going to buy this book, but I would definitely recommend picking it up from the library or if you like fluffy, sweet reads. I think you'd really enjoy it! Definitely felt like a rom-com movie!

Made my heart happy. This is a wonderful romance using that great spin of a couple meeting in two ways but they don’t know it. Lady and Sir meet on a dating app that uses conversation to get to know each other without images. Lady is looking for a relationship but Sir was signed up by a friend yet they find a wonderful connection and enjoy chatting with each other. Gracie is working very hard to keep her parent’s dream alive for their champagne shop. She bumps into Sebastian one day only to learn that he is from the company that wants to buy and close her shop. Even though she feels an amazing connection to him on that first meeting, she works hard to hate him as she fights to make the store profitable. I had fun with all the coincidences and unexpected moments as we as the reader know what is going on while the characters don’t. For Gracie, she has put her dreams on hold so this journey allows her to reevaluate what she wants as she reconnects with her siblings to save the store. Sebastian becomes a great confidant and listener, someone outside her normal circle that is able to be objective and supportive in a way she never expected. Truly, it just made me smile. I voluntarily read an ARC of this book and this is my honest review.

To Sir, with Love is as bubbly as a glass of good champagne. It’s a sprightly romance inspired by Parfumerie, The Shop Around the Corner, and You’ve Got Mail and I adored it so much that I read the book in one sitting.

Gracie is a New York Cinderella who put aside her dreams of becoming an artist to run her family’s Manhattan champagne shop after the death of her father. I adored Gracie’s sunny nature and found her tendency to use her dreams as a shield for rejection relatable. Gracie believes in true love and Prince Charming but she just hasn’t found it yet. The closest thing she has to that is the mysterious “Sir” who she met on a blind dating app. They’ve never met, don’t know each other’s names or what they look like, but there’s a connection there that makes her smile and dream. The exact opposite reaction she has to Sebastian Andrews, the man who is trying to buy out her business and turn it into some high rise. Sebastian is gorgeous but he’s also the enemy. And what Gracie doesn’t know is that he’s also Sir.

Gracie is instantly charming and endearing. She’s got a kind heart but she does mess up with Sebastian because she’s not perfect (and what kind of story would it be if she were?). Sebastian is a Mr. Darcy type. He seems aloof and it’s easy for people to have misconceptions about him but underneath the suit is a loving, funny man with a good heart that can be bruised. I loved watching Gracie fall for him and it’s clear he’s equally taken with her. The elephant in the room is, of course, him wanting to buy out the lease for Bubbles & More while she is trying to keep her father’s dream alive even as the market changes and makes that dream unsustainable. Gracie doesn’t need to give up her fairytales but she does need to live in reality a bit more and to also take a chance and go for what she wants instead of wondering what might have been. Her personal journey was every bit as satisfying as the romance.

In To Sir, with Love Lauren Layne delivers sparkling banter and fun characters who grab your heart and don’t let go. The romance between Gracie and Sebastian made me smile and sigh the way a top-tier romantic comedy would. Their chemistry is excellent both when they meet in person and when they write to each other as Sir and Lady. There is such warmth and kindness to this book that it’s like a big hug. The supporting cast is well-defined and I want books for them all because they’re every bit as likeable as Gracie and Sebastian. All in all I absolutely adored To Sir, with Love; it’s the perfect pick-me-up book.

Gracie Cooper grew up helping her dad work at his champagne shop called Bubbles & More in New York City. When her dad quickly passed away from cancer, Gracie steps up to run the store and gave up all of her own dreams that she had of being an artist. It's been a year and the store just isn't doing well. It doesn't help that she keeps getting offers from a Sebastian Andrews to buy her property so he can turn it into a parking garage!

In the meantime, Gracie decides to join the dating app MysteryMate in hopes of finding her Prince Charming that she has always dreamed of. She has been conversing back and forth with SirNYC and enjoying it. Too bad she finds out that his friends jokingly signed him up and that he has a girlfriend.

One day while she is buying flowers for her store, she runs into a man and has a fun meet-cute. Too bad he has a girlfriend too because she really thought he was her Prince Charming.

As Gracie is trying to figure out what to do about her store and her love life, she keeps conversing with SirNYC and enjoying it. At the same time, the meet-cute man comes into her life in a dramatic way! Now Gracie is at a crossroad as what to do with her life. Just when it looks like nothing in her life is going to work out the way she hopes, it all comes together in a perfect way and Gracie gets her happy ever after.

I just adored this sweet story. Gracie was the daughter who always did the right thing that she thought everyone would want her to do. Sebastian is the type of man who is used to getting what he wants in business and was enjoying his game he was playing with Gracie. It was fun watching Gracie who was in love with two men, navigate her love life. In the end it was a perfect resolution.

What a lovely modern fairy tale with a Cinderella, a Prince Charming, a villain, and a fairy godmother. I couldn’t put it down because of the enchanting characters and the beautiful plot set in New York City.

Gracie Cooper has a secret. A pen pal named Sir. A man she has never met. A man she fantasizes about as her Prince Charming. At the same time, she is trying to keep her father’s dream champagne shop in the black, but with the handsome and formidable Sebastian Andrews breathing down her neck to sell it, her life is about to change. In other words, her personal and professional life is not ideal. She has to make some serious decisions. Will she ever have her happily-ever-after ending?

I love the idea of a dating app name MysteryMate where there are only screen names and avatars and the app matches you with a potential mate. Gracie meets SirNYC on the app and they become friends who have a lot in common and who feel comfortable revealing their dreams and fears, but not their faces. It sounds like an interesting way to get to know someone’s inner self without the physical attraction first. As for Gracie and Sebastian’s relationship, it starts with an immediate physical attraction, then enemies when Gracie finds out he wants her shop, then unlikely friends with secrets. Needless to say, Gracie is torn between two men she has feelings for and she is forced to make a choice. As the secrets are revealed, the fairy tale builds to a beautiful grand gesture, a HEA ending, and a rewarding epilogue.

In addition, I would so love to visit Gracie’s champagne shop and I would be delighted to see Gracie’s paintings. They sound fantastic. Kudos to Sebastian for hooking her up with an art gallery. One of many charming acts he does for the adorable and selfless Gracie.

The supporting characters are great additions including Gracie’s disheartened sister Lily and her kind brother-in-law Alec who have a backstory of their own as they unsuccessfully try to have a family while it negatively affects their own relationship. Gracie’s brother, Caleb, lives in New Hampshire, but they stay in contact. May, Gracie’s flamboyant employee, and stepmother who gives wonderful advice and support. Keva, Gracie’s neighbor and feisty friend who is an assistant chef for a catering company, and who made me laugh many times.

Overall, I recommend this enjoyable romantic fairytale comedy with complex and relatable characters, a realistic plot with depth, and a well-developed world.

Thank you to Ms. Layne and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to review this book with no expectation of a positive review.

Je remercie Lauren et Netgalley.com pour ce service presse.

To sir, with Love c'est frais, pétillant, drôle, un peu émouvant. C'est une très bonne comédie romantique et si vous les aimez alors ce livre est fait pour vous. Bon ok, il n'est qu'en anglais mais pour celles et ceux qui lisent en vo, qui veulent se détendre, sans réfléchir c'est le bon livre.

Nous avons Gracie qui aime les contes de fée, qui a repris la boutique de son père, délaissant son rêve de peintre derrière elle. Elle veut ce que ses parents ont eu, même si ces derniers sont morts, ils se sont tant aimés. Elle veut cela et pour trouver le grand amour elle s'est inscrite sur un site via une application et elle entretient une relation virtuelle avec Sir. Ils discutent beaucoup et il lui fait oublier un peu ses soucis.

Mais son monde est bouleversé lorsqu'un jour dans sa boutique entre Sebastien. Cet homme a un charme fou mais il a bien sur une petite amie. Quelle désillusion pour elle. Elle aurait bien aimé qu'il soit son Prince Charmant. Tout cela serait suffisant si ce dernier ne voulait pas acheter son commerce pour en faire autre chose.

Quel malheur pour elle. Il n'en est pas question. C'est l'héritage familial après tout. Oui il ne fait pas beaucoup de bénéfices mais elle va se battre, avec le soutien de sa soeur et de son frère.

Grâce et à cause de Sebastien elle voit plus grand, mais est-ce suffisant pour que la boutique survive?

Gracie va devoir prendre conscience que la boutique n'est pas son rêve, qu'elle n'est pas seule, qu'elle doit poursuivre ses rêves, que même si elle croit au Prince charmant et contes de fée, elle ne doit pas perdre espoir. Elle va passer beaucoup de temps avec Sebastien. Elle le déteste et l'apprécie et elle ne mâchera pas toujours ses mots. Avec Sir, c'est compliqué, ils ne se connaissent que virtuellement et elle l'aime. Mais si elle faisait fausse route. Elle aimerait le rencontrer, mais lui, le veut-il vraiment?
Sebastien a vraiment du soucis à se faire. C'est dommage qu'on n'a pas son point de vue. Parfois il est distant, parfois il aime être avec elle. Il ne sait pas non plus ce qu'il veut. Il veut acheter mais il veut l'aider à trouver ce qu'elle veut vraiment.

Tous les deux ne voient pas que l'amour est sous leur nez et qui fera le premier pas? Qui choisira-t-elle?

What a gorgeous book. Filled to the brim with bubbly warmth, To Sir, with Love is a delight from start to finish. I loved the idea of the champagne shop, Gracie's loyalty to her father's wishes and the wonderful ensemble cast around her and the enigmatic Sebastian. The conceit of the modern equivalent of letters is completely charming matched with the 'old fashioned' feel to the language used in the messages.
I heartily recommend this book to put a smile on your face and a warm glow in your heart. Lovely 💖💖💖💖💖

I absolutely loved the movie You’ve Got Mail and I thought the book description sounded good so I requested the ARC and I am thrilled that I did because I absolutely adored this book. This is my first book by this author but it certainly won’t be my last. I loved everything about it, the story, the characters, the writing