To Sir With Love
A standalone Contemporary Romance
💕 Non-Explicit Romance
Love Is Blind meets You’ve Got Mail in this laugh-out-loud 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.
To Sir With Love
Gracie & Sebastian
🔥 💕 NON-EXPLICIT ROMANCE
Trope: Secret Identity
As Featured In
Amazon Books, A Best Book of the Month
USA TODAY, A Best Summer Rom-Com
Popsugar, A Best Summer Rom-Com
Library Journal, Starred Review
Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
Bookpage, Starred Review
Harlequin Junkie, Top Pick
Library Reads, Top Pick
Cosmopolitan, Best Summer Reads
Country Living, Best Summer Reads
The Skimm, “Can’t Miss” Beach Read
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.
about the story
if you're wondering...
Is this book for me?
Lots of "NYC lifestyle" scenes in this one. Central Park, fancy restaurant, swanky offices, cute little local shops...
This book is written in first person, heroine-only POV. If you have to have the guy's perspective, this book isn't for you.
This is inspired on La Perfumerie, which was also the inspiration for You've Got Mail and the Shop Around the Corner. I get a lot of feedback that this is like "You've Got Mail." Yes. Yes, that was the point. We had the same source material!
This one is very light-hearted. Think "fluffy." And I don't mean that in a derisive way. I like fluffy so I wrote fluffy.
❗️ There are no sex scenes in this one! I repeat, no sex scenes! If you're accustomed to my spicy books please be aware that this one is different!
This is my favorite of all my books, though The Prenup remains very close on this one's heels.
I TRY TO BE AS UPFRONT AS POSSIBLE ABOUT EACH OF MY BOOKS. EVERYONE HAS UNIQUE PREFERENCES!
reviews & praise
“Layne crafts a gleefully shameless homage to Little Shop Around the Corner and You’ve Got Mail that sparkles like champagne fizz…This is a delight.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review
“Layne’s newest contemporary romance features a classic enemies-to-lovers plot and plenty of banter. The side characters, including Gracie’s siblings and employees, add an extra spark to this already charming tale. A first-tier purchase, especially for libraries where romantic comedies are popular.” —Library Journal, starred review
“Layne updates the Nora Ephron 1998 rom-com, You’ve Got Mail, for digital-age Manhattan**…Sweet and full of humor… readers will be rooting for Gracie to find her Prince Charming.” —Booklist
“Remember the movie You’ve Got Mail? Think of this novel as an updated version, Tinder and all….It’s the perfect read while sipping a Mai Tai on the sand.” —Cosmopolitan
“If you love the 1998 film You’ve Got Mail you’ll love this book…Andif you’re a sucker for a New York City setting, Cooper’s little Manhattan shop and park dates will check that box for you, too.” —USA TODAY
“As light and refreshing as a glass of champagne, To Sir, with Love will have you smiling from the first swoon-worthy page to the last.” —Jill Shalvis, New York Times bestselling author
“Fans of Nora Ephron will adore this… Lauren Layne puts a fresh spin on a favorite classic, creating a charming, witty, heartfelt tale of hope and love and second chances.” -Lori Nelson Spielman, New York Times bestselling author of THE LIFE LIST
“A charming, swoony, funny, must-read delight of a book! Unexpected side-effect: I now crave a champagne tasting in Manhattan with an oh-so-handsome business rival.” —Evie Dunmore, USA Today Bestselling Author of PORTRAIT OF A SCOTSMAN
“To Sir, with Love is a delight—as sweet and bubbly as a glass of champagne. I loved Gracie’s fairytale take on the world, her wonderful friends and family, and her highly unusual romantic situation! Such a warm, lovely read.” —Beth O’Leary, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Flatshare
“Crackling with humor and sizzling with romantic tension, this charming modern fairy tale sparkles like the best champagne. I couldn’t put it down!” —Alexis Daria, National Bestselling author of You Had Me At Hola
“Perfect for: fans of You’ve Got Mail, Meet Cute, and The Wedding Party.” —Country Living
“For when your fave movie of all time is You’ve Got Mail…Don’t miss this modern version.” —The Skimm
This book was absolutely amazing. Layne has a special gift with bringing to life Manhattan based romances… The best romance novel that I have read in months!... A brilliantly beautiful story that hits all the right spots… A definite must read!” —Harlequin Junkie
“Lauren Layne proves once again that she’s the queen of contemporary New York City romance with To Sir, With Love. Her breezy dialogue and delightful characters will fully immerse readers in this dreamy and sophisticated love story… a wonderfully satisfying romance.” —Bookpage, Starred Review
“I’m happy to report that To Sir, with Love was another fun one that took me no time at all to read from beginning to end. Layne writes such witty, fun, and charming romances and this was no exception… I definitely recommend this book if you’re already a fan of Lauren Layne because it’s a great addition to her backlist but if you’re also looking for a sweet romance with humor, this one fits the bill.” -Book Binge
TO SIR WITH LOVE might be the most adorable book I've read this year… This story had me laughing out loud several times. The banter between all the main and secondary characters is excellent. This easy breezy romance did my soul some good, and I already look forward to seeing what else Lauren Layne does for her next novel because now I am a huge fan!" —The Magnolia Mamas
Excerpt
We don’t speak the rest of the evening, and yet every time I search the room for him, which is admittedly often, he’s standing by Genevieve’s side, nodding pleasantly at whomever he’s speaking to.
And every time, he seems to sense my gaze, because his eyes find mine. The moments of eye contact are brief—a few seconds at most.
The butterflies in my stomach last much, much longer.
