arc kindly provided by netgalley and gallery books.

to sir, with love was a perfectly fine book for me.

everything about the beginning of this book was charming. the set up for the romance (pen pals to lovers AND enemies to lovers? yup.), the settings of new york and gracie’s champagne shop, the almost fairytale-esque vibe of the book—i was ready to completely fall in love with the story. but then, my initial enjoyment started fading away because everything got old pretty quickly.

i don’t think any particular aspect of it was bad, but i also don’t think it was anything groundbreaking. i liked the story enough because gracie is a likable main character and sebastian is a likable love interest, but that’s pretty much it. this is mostly a personal preference because i do expect at least a sprinkle of angst in every single love story i consume. and this one was pretty low stakes in my opinion.

that being said, i think this book is one that so many people will adore—especially those who are looking for a story reminiscent of late 90s/early 2000s romcoms that they can inhale in a matter of hours.

Ugh this book was amazing. I loved it so much. It was one of the easiest books I’ve read! I flew through it.

So You’ve Got Mail is one of my favorites. This was literally a modern version. (No AOL 😂)

But I loved how happy this story was. I mean obviously there were conflicts, but it was just a nice warm hearted book 💜

It might seem like a story you’ve heard before and is kind of predictable, but that didn’t make me like it less. There were enough plot points that I didn’t get bored or tired.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

I really enjoyed this book and will make sure that my library has it.
This was a clean read with a sweet growing romance. I noticed no cussing and only minimal insinuation of desire and touch as opposed to others often placed in this same sub-genre - Romantic Comedy. I loved the main character and found that she was relatable. This goes out to anyone else that has ended up doing what they were expected and not necessarily what they wanted or the desire to please others more than yourself.

Oh man. This book! 😍
I am a sucker for anything with a Shop Around the Corner theme.
I loved Gracie’s story. A hopeless romantic who is running her fathers champagne store, long after he’s gone discovering her own dreams. I think a lot of people can relate to struggling to know the difference between our dreams, and what we THINK they are. She was an extremely likable character. Her supporting cast of family and coworkers were pleasant and I loved the different side stories.
The romance in this book was exactly what you want in a “ I love you online but struggle hating you in person book”. Sebastian was a character that held his cards close to his chest and I thought was well written.
I read this book in just a few sittings because I couldn’t get enough. If you need a rom com, pick this one!’

Thank you for the advanced copy of this book. It was a sweet read in a time of anger and hate. Not all books have to be something that you remember forever or something that moves your soul. It was a pleasant way to enjoy a few hours just relaxing and enjoying a silly, romantic story. Gracie is a sweet, charming woman who holds out for the romance of her dreams. I would not read this book again but would try another book by this author.

Gracie Cooper is on a mission. Her father passed away from lung cancer, leaving the family champagne shop, Bubbles & More, in dire straits. As Gracie works hard to save the store, the mysterious Sebastian keeps popping up, offering to buy her out. If that's not enough - Gracie may or may not be falling in love with the mysterious "Sir" on her anonymous dating app. Will this be a "You've Got Mail" match made in heaven or more of a "You've Got Fail"?

I am not ashamed to admit that You've Got Mail was my favorite movie for the longest time, so I was pretty excited to pick this one up! I love stories about plucky female business owners, and Gracie is a great addition to the genre! The champagne store setting was very fun, and I also loved how Layne included Gracie's painting as a subplot in the story. Sebastian was a fun take on the Tom Hanks big businessman, and I liked his chemistry with Gracie.

Most of all - this is a sweet rather than a steamy romance, so I did not have to skim through any sex scenes! Hooray! 3.75 instead of 4 stars because the ending was just a tiny bit slow for my liking, but this was a really fun read, and I definitely recommend it as a sweet treat!

Thank you to Gallery Books for providing an ARC on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Review to be posted to Instagram prior to pub date.

I did not enjoy this book. I went into it with no expectations, if anything I sat down assuming I would enjoy this book. But I found so much of the author's tastes and opinions bleeding into the story. It became over specific, and ostracized me as a reader. How can a book in which the main character refers to a male lead as Sir be so lacking in sexiness? I know I’m not on-board with a book when I start rolling my eyes at the romantic scenes.
The end drags and, as goes for the rest of the story, I just couldn’t get into it. My final thoughts get more specific below...

I have many strong opinions and tastes and have no problem sharing. But I am of the opinion, that ambiguity has a place in literature. I think giving a name to TV/Movies/Musicians/Celebrities has the possibility of removing a from the story. It’s easier to generally relate with “we both live for the same show and make it our goal to give it a place in our day to day life” vs. "we both love the Big Bang Theory." Also, I spy an unmentioned gag from the Office. Are you really going to do the special inbox joke without alluding to Michael Scott(!?), after talking about the Big Bang Theory multiple times? No one is saying you can't name the genre, or, even better, explain the sounds (as the Frank Sinatra and Michael Buble references go). But there's something nice about a bit of mystery and allowing the reader to fit a piece of their own puzzle into the story.

Furthermore, why does being in a relationship have to be about, or result in, babies? This book takes it to another level, I've never seen so much motherhood propaganda in a book before; and every female character has baby fever. That’s just unrealistic, and I felt even further removed from the story as a married woman without children, or the desire for them. Gracie just closed down a business she wasn’t into and got offered an art showing... and we’re still pushing the “find a man” agenda? Let the girl live her life, my god.

It annoyed me that our love interest would leave his crush after 10:30pm to walk home in New York. I don’t care if it’s Manhattan, night walks in public should be a buddy activity if your companion is a woman. I struggled to see if, and how, he really cared for Gracie. Based on the conversations we’ve seen I don’t really think it’s enough to decide it’s true love... but sure. Let’s welcome another Insta-Love addition to the world of chick-lit.

To Sir, with Love by Lauren Layne was a really adorable read! I really enjoyed Layne's previous books like her Oxford and Stiletto series, so I was excited to read this book. This one was a really unique take on the trope that was made famous by the Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan starrer You've Got Mail! I'm a sucker for this trope and this book did not disappoint.

It follows Gracie Cooper, owner of a Manhattan champagne shop. For al her life, Gracie has wanted the fairytale life. When she goes into "Cinderella mode," she goes all the way from singing with the birds to constantly looking for that love-at-first-sight moment wherever she goes. When she comes across this guy with piercing aqua eyes, and feels a connection deep in her soul, she believes she's found something special. But things don't go the way she planned. First she finds out he's in a relationship and soon after that he's revealed to be the very man who's been trying to buyout her shop. Gone is her fairytale moment an in it's place stands Sebastian Andrews, her new nemesis.

She spends all her time trying to thwart Sebastian's attempts to procure the shop, and when she's not doing that, she's talking to her anonymous friend "Sir" online. But when Gracie starts to look past her judgements and really gets to know Sebastian things start to change. Their connection is undeniable but Gracie can't let go of her connection to Sir either.

This book is a really sweet and magical enemies to lovers romance that will make you want to believe in true love, just like Gracie. Her belief in all things fairytale, her cheery personality and her fierce spirit make her a fantastic protagonist. Her chemistry with Sebastian, and their sweet and snarky conversations, make this a completely entertaining read.

I love the contrast between Lady and Sir, and Gracie and Sebastian. And it all comes together in the end in a really wonderful way. I would definitely recommend this if you're looking for a sweet and fun rom-com, that's sure to make you laugh and swoon the whole way through!

4.25 STARS

A fresh new take on a tried-and-true theme, “To Sir, with Love” is a delightfully charming story guaranteed to tug at the heartstrings of true romantics everywhere. We watch from the sidelines, as champagne shop owner, Gracie Cooper, strives to keep her family’s struggling business afloat, all while her heart searches to discover her one true love. Absent is any gratuitous angst and drama, focusing instead on Gracie’s personal and professional conflicts, all while studiously propelling the story forward towards the requisite HEA. As with all of Lauren Layne's books, I found "To Sir, with Love" to be a quick and easy read that made me smile and made me swoon. If you are looking for a light, enchanting read, then look no further... this is the book for you!

The blurb really captured my interest and the description was pretty spot on. I am not going to lie, I was a bit nervous that it would be a lot like the movie "You Got Mail" and it is and it isn't, if that makes sense.

You have Gracie, that is trying to keep her family owned business (champagne shop), a sort of a promise she made to her dad, but her heart really is in her painting, even if she wants to deny that aspect. She's been having meaningful messages and banter with a gentleman she met via a dating app. This is where the "Love is Blind" part comes into play. This app, instead of posting pictures, you post about yourself and see if you "click". Unfortunately, her online suitor is unavailable and the only reason he happened to be on, was a joke from his friends. But the connection between Sir and Lady has been undeniable from the start. That is until Gracie meets a gorgeous looking fellow when her $20 bill goes flying towards him, there's just something about him that she feels a certain connection to, but this hot suitor then becomes somewhat of her nemesis. Sebastian Andrews, wants to buy out her lease at Bubble and more. Oh Gracie is so angry, but she cannot help the pull she has with this hottie in a suit.

The banter between Gracie and her online suitor and with Sebastian, well it was uncanny. Without giving too much of the plot away, the scenes were very reminiscent to YGM for sure, but with some twists.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It's very women's fiction, so if you're looking for some raunchy sexy times, that's not going to happen, but the story and the whole plot worked for me. I read this book in one day, so that tells you how much I really enjoyed it.

*An ARC was provided via NetGalley*

Great story about a girl named Gracie that runs a champagne shop that her parents started before they passed away. Gracie is a artist and put her dreams on hold to run the family business as her dad had asked her to before he died. The shop was not doing well, and the company that owned the building wants to buy out the shops lease. Sebastian is the man trying to buy the lease from her, but when they meet for the first time Gracie feels like it is a fairytale. Then his girlfriend shows up by his side and squashes that thought. Gracie also has been talking with a man named "Sir" on a dating site whom she has not seen or met and told her his friends setup the account and he is actually dating someone, but the keep chatting as friends. Throughout the story Gracie falls for both men and her life continues to change. She wants to tell Sebastian how she feels about him, but he tells her to pursue the other guy. Is this a fairytale or all just a bad dream...
Loved this book!

Loved This Book!

First of all, You’ve Got Mail is one of my favorite rom-com films! So the author already had me at that. Secondly, Ms. Layne’s books always evoke the Manhattan as it exists in the movies and in my imagination: sophisticated, urbane and infinitely so exciting and interesting.

To top it off, an enemies to friends to lovers story, one of my favorite tropes.

So the story of Gracie, who’s put aside her own dreams to live her dad’s dream and Sebastian, the dutiful son groomed his entire life to take over the family business and marry his childhood sweetheart, has to be a wonderful story. And the the skilled hands off the author, it didn’t disappoint!

Once I picked To Sir, With Love up, I couldn't put it down. You've Got Mail is one of my favorite movies, and Lauren Layne puts a wonderful modern spin on it in this book. I loved Gracie, I loved Sebastian, and I loved all of the side characters as well (especially May). Honestly, my only complaint is that I wish there was more! Some things felt like they moved a little too fast or that I was missing out. For example, Gracie refers to when Sebastian walks her to her apartment, but that scene stops before they make it there - I would have loved to see them at her building! Still, this was a delight to read.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I predict To Sir With Love by Lauren Layne is going to be a big hit. If you liked the movie You’ve Got Mail; you’ll like this book because it is a modernized version of that famous movie. I think the banter between Gracie and Sebastian is charming, and their emails back-and-forth are adorable. They meet by accident on a website and begin a flirty and tenacious commentary, all while Gracie's life is changing because her champagne business is not going to succeed no matter how much she tries. It’s a sweet, lovely, and delightful love story, and who doesn’t like that? Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC, but my review and comments are my own and without bias. June publication date. #ToSirWithLove #chaste #timeless #romance #laurenlaynebooks #laurenlayne @netgalley @gallerybooks
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Lauren Layne never fails to amaze me.
She always manages to deliver everything I want in a romance and I love her for that.

Gracie and Sebastian are soulmates, their chemistry was palpable and got me smiling like an idiot while reading. I loved them as individual characters and as a couple.

"To Sir, with Love" turned out to be one of my favorites from the author.

I definitely recommend it if you love a fun, sweet and well-written story that will definitely warm your heart.

Such a good story. Yes it follows those tried and true formulas for your typical rom-com. Nevertheless, I was up hours past my bedtime reading because I couldn’t put it down.

It was like binge watching your favorite show. You want to get through it so you you’re done and can enjoy the HEA but don’t want it to end because it’ll feel like losing a great friendship.

Was happy the end segued nicely into the epilogues without leaving you feeling cutoff or as if there were loose ends.

I usually enjoy Lauren Layne books, and I thought this was one of the better ones I've read from her in a while! As a You've Got Mail super fan, I appreciated the ways she nodded to that story (and all its other versions) while also making it stand on its own. This was a fun, cute read with all kinds of romantic tension that requires you to read all the way to the very end.

SPOILERS:
I liked that Sebastian wasn't behind the end of her business (and the way he stood up for himself when she accused him of that) and how he supported her business while it was still going as well as actually giving her the resources to close it well and support herself and her employees. I also really like the way the issues with the store felt very realistic and that Gracie chose to close it rather than unrealistically having it be successful overnight. The relationships with her family and friends were great and added to the world!

There were some MAJOR leaps taken that didn't feel very realistic to me, but I just went with them to be able to enjoy the rest of the story. As someone in the world of online app dating and knowing the whole range of people who might want to match with you, there's just no way I would join a dating app where you don't know anything about the other person. Beyond things like age and gender that could be very incompatible, there are so many creepers out there I just can't imagine a world where I'd take that kind of chance. And, of course the mystery person turns out to be an incredibly handsome man who is perfect for her. The other thing that felt too idealized to me was that she was able to get an art showing immediately and that a bunch of people wanted to buy her art. To my understanding, the art world is brutal even to the best artists with the most experience, so it's hard to believe she'd be able to stunble into it without any issues.

This is your next beach or "get lost in a book" read! But, be prepared to set aside some time, because you won't want to put this one down!

We know from the description that this is a modern take on "You've Got Mail", so no surprises that the story is going to be predicable. Yes, you know how it will end, but it's all about the journey, right?! And the journey was such a fun ride with humorous dialogue, great writing, lots of "feels" and a steady stream of likable characters.

This is a quick and super enjoyable read that will have you turning the pages and recommending it to all your friends!

I feel like the description of this book is misleading. After only a few pages we find out the male lead has a girlfriend. This is a huge turn off for me and I wouldn’t have requested had I known. Even though it states they’re just friends. But for Gracie it’s clearly emotional from the first page. I won’t be continuing reading

I will admit the author had me at the title. I expected romance. I wanted romance. I got romance, lots and lots of romance. It was not all roses and chocolates. In a world where actions speak louder than words; To Sir, with Love was a concert hall full of beautiful acoustics.

When I started this book, I did something I can't remember doing since I was a teenager. Trust me that was a long, long time ago. I started To Sir, with Love as my bedtime read. I thought the willpower to just read a few chapters was strong. I was wrong. So very wrong.

Just like a silly teen experiencing her first romance novel, I scooted down in the bed. I covered my head and book with my blankets isolating me from the rest the world and read. I read and read. I got lost in the words and read some more. I read until the words were finished. Then I had the best sleep I have had in a very long time.

I am still in a state of bliss. I really like this feeling. I confess I have only read one other book by Lauren Layne. That is going to change. I want the nirvana to stay. The author has a super fan in me.

The epilogue was unique. The epilogue was PERFECTION. The epilogue was glorious. Gracie and Sebastian have the best kind of love. Please grab To Sir, with Love and escape the world around you.