©picture by scribbles (Marye McKenney)

Thursday, February 11, 2021

To Sir, With Love

 


When I looked at the title of this book, I got a totally different picture in my mind of the music that would go with this story.  I wasn't expecting Frank Sinatra, instead, I was reminded of Sidney Poitier. 


When I got into the book, I found that Frank Sinatra was the author's chosen soundtrack.  Gracie Cooper is running the family's champagne store after her father passed away and left the store to Gracie, her sister and her brother.  Gracie even gave up her dreams of studying art to run the store.  The owner of the property where the store sits wants to release Gracie's family from their lease and develop the property. Sebastian Andrews comes to the store to submit his latest offer and to be told to his face that his offer was unwelcome. In fact, she shredded it while he was still in the store.  

Her business life isn't going all that well, but she is willing to pull out all of the stops to keep the store afloat.  She schedules a video conference with her brother and sister to brainstorm some ideas to generate income. 

Her personal life is circling the drain and going down fast, with the exception of a mystery man she met on a dating app.  The premise of the app is that no names or pictures are exchanged until the mutual decision to meet.  Gracie's man of her dreams is dark haired, dark eyed, with a dad-bod, but she has no idea what her mystery man looks like.  The one thing about this mystery man is that she can bare her soul to him without judgment. 


Lauren Layne has populated this book with characters who are real characters.  Keva, the caterer/neighbor/friend; May, her father's extraordinarily flamboyant friend and employee of the store; Robyn, the dour sommelier for the store; Lily, Gracie's sister; Caleb, Gracie's brother; and, of course, Sebastian.  The book is loaded with a lot of lighthearted laughs, but there are poignant moments that will bring tears to the reader's eyes.  Four Strong Stars.

Gallery Books and NetGalley.com provided the copy I read for this review.  All opinions expressed are my own. 



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