Gracie Cooper has spent her entire life holding out hope for that fairy tale ending. After her father passes away, Gracie puts all her dreams on hold to take over the family business. Unfortunately, a small champagne shop in Manhattan isn’t all that profitable and Gracie finds herself struggling to make ends meet. When a giant corporation proposes a buyout, Gracie knows she should take it, but she can’t bring herself to throw away her father’s dream to the frustratingly handsome Sebastian Andrews. Not wanting to admit to her family how overwhelmed she truly is, Gracie turns to “Sir”-- the faceless mystery man she met on a blind dating app. Despite never meeting or even seeing one another, Grace and Sir connect on so many levels and the flirty messages they’re constantly trading have Gracie falling hard and fast. But what happens when they finally meet and it turns out Sir has been closer to Gracie than she thought?

The moment I saw this was compared to You’ve Got Mail, I was sold. It had all the charm I was hoping for and then some. Gracie had such a vivacious whimsy to her that I thought was so infectious and I admired her positive outlook on life. Sebastian came across as this gruff broody guy, but you could tell he had a soft squishy side underneath. I think they complemented each other really well, and their chemistry felt very natural. I loved seeing their relationship blossom both through anonymous messages and in real life. The side characters also brought such a nice dynamic to the story. They were all so quirky and supportive of Gracie. If you’re looking for an unbelievable sweet less steamy romance to binge in one sitting, pick this us.

I've never seen any of the adaptations of To Sir, with Love's source material (most recently You've Got Mail) but now I'm pretty sure I don't want to. This book is a quick read that attempts sustenance but feels more like champagne drunk on an empty stomach. Readers know going in that Gracie's MysteryMate match is the same man as her buff, discerning landlord, but I still held out hope that Sir stayed in her app notifications. I'm very fond of online dating but thought Gracie's rose-colored "but we're just friends!" view of her "non-romantic wink-wink" correspondence with Sir while she knows he's in a relationship unappealing. (If she really thinks she could fall in love with him over text, that's pretty much emotional cheating!!) I really wanted Gracie and Sebastian to get together because they liked each other IRL and not because they realized they'd found an emotional connection online. Most of all, though, I wanted Gracie to actually learn that "those sort of long-distance flirtations are well and good... but they aren't the real deal" (yes, this was the only quote I highlighted because it seemed to be the only good advice).

To Sir, with Love feels perfect for readers who enjoy breezy romances where everything seems to work out and there's a textbook HEA at the end—and maybe as a movie, this story is more appealing—but this Grinch prefers her romances with a bit more bite.

**Review will be published on my sites June 24th**

HOW ADORABLE.

Ahhhhh so happy I got an ARC of this one because Y’ALL.

CUTENESS OVERLOAD.

Okay, first I need to preface this by saying, I have NOT seen You’ve Got Mail. I will in no way be able to convey if it’s like it or not (the summary says it is). So with that skeleton thrown out of my closet, lets get into the review!

I couldn’t get enough of this couple. Gracie and Sebastian play a perfectly sweet sunshine/grump + hidden identities (a FAV) scenario that had me grinning from ear to ear. All of their interactions were spot on and they were easy to fall in love with. The whole cast was easy to fall in love with for that matter.

This seemed to play on a little bit of an insta-love, but in a realistic style. I had no issues with the progression and timeline. Everything felt so natural that Sebastian and Gracie would fall in love. If anything I would have loved even more page time with them. I love how sweet they were on each other without even trying. Gosh the chemistry was fantastic.

Aaaand the family dynamics!! This had some of the best sibling relationships I’ve read about in a long time. They were all so kind!! And supportive!! And there for each other!! Ahhhh, I loved it. It was so meaningful to see these connections along side the romantic one. Graice had a lot of solid friendships as well. I really think all of these other people in Gracie’s life made this book sing. Nothing felt lacking even with the romance at the forefront.

There was so much to this story (and for under 300 pages I am wowza impressed). I found myself absolutely invested in that final movie ending moment and how CUTE. Just gave me all of the giddy, sunshiney feelings.

Overall audience notes:

Contemporary Romance
Language: very little
Romance: kisses
Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of parents (happened prior to timeline in book), a side couple struggles with infertility

What a cute, little romcom. Lauren Layne created very likable characters between Gracie, her siblings & friends, and her employers at the Bubbles champagne shop. The Disney princess references were a little childish and frequent for me, so I much preferred the 90s movies, dating app, and New York City references. The whole big businessman overtaking the local shop gave me You’ve Got Mail vibes- one of my favorite movies. Overall, it’s a sweet, well-written book. I’d definitely recommend it to fans of romcoms, NYC, and blind-date-style books.

I love a good You've Got Mail story! The characters were so cute and even though I knew what was coming because I have indeed seen You've Got Mail, I still was caught up in the magic. Loved it!

To Sir, with Love is a wonderful book, I really loved it, and will read it again soon. I’ve you’re a fan of the movie, You’ve Got Mail, then you’ll enjoy this book too.

Gracie Cooper runs the family Champagne store in Manhattan, a legacy left to her and her siblings after her father passed away a few years back. Her brother and sister are not interested in the store, so all the management and day to day of running the store is up to Gracie.

Gracie has a secret, faceless, nameless “friend” that she met on a dating app named Sir. The app allows matches people up without using names or photos, so potential mates can get to know each other through words and conversations before they see each other in real life. Sir, is the one person who seems to understand Gracie, and she finds herself looking forward to their messages, instead of concentrating on her real life.

Sebastian Anderson needs Gracie to break her lease so he can use her store to build another office building, but she’s not going to budge on leaving her family’s legacy to some corporate takeover.

This is such a fun, romantic book, similar to the movie, You’ve Got Mail, but updated and modern. I naturally had a young Meg Ryan in my head as Gracie, and a young Tom hanks as Sebastian! It is such a sweet, lovable story, and I couldn’t put this book down. I just loved it.

I liked the little shout-out to the old 1940 movie, Shop Around the Corner, with Jimmy Stewart and Margaret Sullavan, which is the precursor to You’ve Got Mail, and a movie I watch almost every holiday season.

Falling in love with someone, though words, and faceless communications is so romantic, either through letters, email, or a dating app, being able to fall for someone’s thoughts and ideas before you even see what they look like is the ultimate in romance, in my opinion.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read more from this author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own

This book is a 5 star book. The story, the characters and the writing are all so very good. I strongly recommend this book!

Being such a huge fan of You've Got Mail, I couldn't resist diving into a novel with a premise that had so many similarities - and I was not disappointed! It was such a sweet story! I caught myself smiling so often I lost count thanks to the charm of the lovable characters, comical conversations, and overall storyline. I'm a ridiculous romantic at heart, and this story was exactly what I needed after my last heart-wrenching read. I haven't read many novels by Lauren Layne, but I think I've become a quick fan after this lovely tale!

I received this advanced copy from Gallery Books in exchange for an honest review.

In 2013, I saw the play "Parfumerie" at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts and "You've Got Mail" is a movie that I watch anytime it airs, so I am more than familiar with the story that Lauren Layne beautifully modernized in To Sir, With Love. She balances the anonymous pen pals with the feisty love-hate relationship between the Gracie Cooper and Sebastian Andrews (a.k.a. Lady and Sir via the dating app that they both use) - a testament to old school love letters and letting down one's boundaries to foster a powerful connection . While the plot is unsurprising, I was still affected by these characters and their path to a fairy tale ending. Swoony and sweet, To Sir, With Love delivers!

The second I was approved for To Sir, With Love, I dropped everything I was doing and all other books I was reading to immediately start this. I devoured Lauren Layne's Central Park Pact series once I'd learned of them, and when I found out she was doing a re-telling of my favourite movie (You've Got Mail)??? I knew it was going to be a match made in rom-com heaven.

And boy, was it! I loved this book so much. It was the perfect character development of Gracie and her beloved family business, as well as evil, might-not-be-so-coldhearted businessman Sebastian. Gracie's zany friends, neighbours, and employees were also such a great mix of personalities and perspectives, and I really felt like they were full-bodied, unique characters who each get their moments to shine in this story.

The story stays true to the narrative we know and love -- online meeting, and unknowingly meeting IRL, and while both reactions are pretty equal in how visceral they are, it has two very different results: one with immediate desire, the other with immediate hatred. And even though it's a story I know and love, I loved Lauren Layne's take on it. I loved how she modernized how they met and how it was integrated into small, blink-and-you-may-miss-it details throughout the story, I also really loved watching Gracie and Sebastian's world's eventually intertwining, and all the ways he was slowly let into her life. More than once I found myself smiling down at my Kindle as I read, so taken by their emotions and feelings and budding...tolerance of each other.

I have to say, all the details and the storytelling are what make this book so good. It is a story we know, and love, and can probably predict in our own ways--but it was just so captivating still! The cooking nights, Gracie's sister's sub-story, even Cannoli the Cat, all make up such a fun, charming book. I think a testament to how much I enjoyed it is that even days after I finished it, I was still thinking about Gracie and Sebastian, as if they were real people to me (because in a way, they are!). I wanted to go see her paintings, I wanted to meet his parents, I just wanted to be a part in their friendship since I loved it so much.

Even if you're weary of a story you already know, I encourage everyone to pick this one up - it will feel new and fresh while still having the comfort of a beloved tale.

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 NetGalley and Gallery Books for sharing this ARC with me in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 Stars Rounded Up

I am an absolute sucker for stories where people communicate online/through letters/texts without quite realizing who they are talking to. When I saw that this involved two people falling in love with one another, twice, I had to request it on Netgalley!

This is a story of Gracie, a woman who has been running her family's champagne shop basically by herself, with little help from her brother or sister (with all of the pressure of keeping it going and few perks). She quit persuing her dream of being an artist to take it over, making the stress that much harder. The only thing that she really gets to do for herself is create alcohol-inspired art to sell in a section of the shop, hoping to turn more of a profit. A joy in her days is also sending messages with the man she met on a dating app, known only as Sir, who is only a friend since he is in a relationship.

Enter Sebastian. Big Box competition looking to buy her family shop out. But she doesn't know that when she meets him on the street... feels a connection... and then meets his gorgeous and friendly girlfriend. It's only later, when he comes into the shop that she realizes who he is.

From then, these two butt heads several times, and the banter is a lot of fun. They have fantastic chemistry and you just want them together. Sebastian keeps popping up places, and into the shop, and Gracie can't help but start to actually like the guy.

I loved them together, as friends, and the "Sir" part was also a delight. The moment that Sebastian realizes what's happening is pretty cute, as are all of his actions from then on. He's definitely not the alpha male type (anyone who has read my reviews knows the Nice Guy is my favorite!), and you seriously can't help but swoon a bit. He gives advice to Gracie about what to do with her feelings for Sir, and then is just really a sweetheart.

This has a very "You've Got Mail" vibe, but I'd say it works well standing on its own.

Wow, I loved this book! I can’t remember the last time I finished a book in a day. You’ve got Mail is a beloved favorite, and I loved this story just as much! The characters are all relatable and likable and the story just moved so quickly!

Absolutely adored this fairy tale-esque story. The only thing that could have made it even better was if the two main characters had more time together after figuring out who they were!

To Sir, with Love is an old fashioned feel good romance that left me with a smile on my face. To be honest, I have felt the need to read a book that was pure fun - and this definitely fit the bill! This book is a modern day retelling of "You've Got Mail", brought to the present via cell phones and dating apps. The main character Gracie runs a niche store in Manhatten caled Bubbles and More. She has given up her own dreams of pursing a career as an artist in order to fulfill her late father's wish to keep his store running. As the story progresses, Gracie realizes that she has fallen in love with 2 unattainable men; Sebastian Andrews who wants to buy up her lease as well as "Sir"- a man she has never met but corresponds with on her dating app. Simply put, this novel is a retelling of a classic story but with a modern twist.

I just finished this book today. If you love You’ve Got Mail or The little Shop Around The Corner then you will love this book..I love that the setting is in New York and one of the main character’s works in a Champagne/wine shop. It made me crave wine while I was reading. The character’s are fun and the story is set in an app where Gracie and Andrew “meet”. The back and forth is fun and playful as they discuss and give each other advice about life. Not knowing Sir is the one behind trying to get Gracie to sell her shop Bubble s.

Cute take on You've Got Mail. It was a little too close to the original story points for me, but still a fun read.

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.

This book is just so perfect! I finished it hours ago and I still have a huge smile on my face! I’m just so sad it’s over, I need more!! That’s the only complaint I have with the book. Quite possibly one of my most favorite reads of 2021!!

When the blurb says a book is 𝒀𝒐𝒖’𝒗𝒆 𝑮𝒐𝒕 𝑴𝒂𝒊𝒍 meets 𝑳𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝑩𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒅, I say YES, PLEASE! I binged Love is Blind last year and You’ve Got Mail is such a cute, classic romcom.

To Sir, With Love is very similar to You’ve Got Mail in terms of it being exchanged electronic communication between two individuals that do not know the identity of the other. Gracie matches with “Sir” through a dating app that strictly is falling in love via written communication and does not contain pictures in the profiles of the users. “Sir” had his profile set up as a joke - but quickly finds solace in his communication with “Lady” aka Gracie.

Their exchanges become a comfort as Gracie battles to keep the luxury champagne shop in NYC that has been in her family for generations a float. It’s never been her dream to operate the shop but being the only one in her family to take the reins after her father dies, it’s her responsibility. Wealthy NYC developer, Sebastian, keeps trying to persuade Gracie to call it quits and terminate her lease in exchange for a nice payout. Gracie despises Sebastian and thinks he’s greedy and cold. Little do they both know that they both are coping through their daily stressors via each other has their respective Sir and Lady.

This was super cute - a really quick read and enjoyable! It was a very well developed plot that had me hooked. I was surprised by the lack of spice in the book - I’ve read some of Lauren’s other work and there’s been a little more R-rated content. This one was definitely PG - with one kiss. It’s been a while since I’ve read a “clean romance” and I really liked it! The tension between Sebastian and Gracie’s in person interactions kept me laughing and fully engaged.