My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genres:
YA Fiction, YA Romance,
YA Contemporary, Sweet Romance, NA Romance
Contemporary Romance, NA Fiction Clean Romance
Blurb:
Lydia
I don’t have a diary; I have a pen pal—a Parisian girl named Noel who knows my deepest, darkest secrets. And now that I've finally graduated, it’s time to go meet her. Paris, here I come!
Except…something isn’t quite right in the City of Love. Because my first thought when I see Noel?
That’s not a girl.
Nope, apparently Noel is a guy.
That’s right: a guy. An attractive guy, with tattoos and green eyes that seem to see right through me.
Who is this, and what on earth is going on?
Noel
I know how it sounds, but I’m not a creep. I just thought Lydia knew I was a guy. By the time I realized she didn’t, she’d already started opening up about school and bullies and whatnot. She needed a friend. So, yes—I let her think I was a girl. And frankly, I would do it again. I can’t make myself regret being there for her.
But now Lydia is here in Paris, and I’m realizing that my feelings for her might be more than just friendly. I’ll have to do everything in my power not to fall for her completely, because she deserves way better than me.
Too bad that’s easier said than done...
PLEASE NOTE: This book deals with themes like bullying and (non-graphic) harassment--NOT between the love interests.
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“I love love,” she says with a sigh, resting her head on my shoulder.
I laugh softly, rubbing her back as we sway with the music. “I know you do,” I say.
Can I just say that I love Gracie's writing style? It's so fun, natural, and relatable as HECK! I fangirled so hard over Eye of the Beholder (book one of the Stone Springs Series), and I just KNEW that I'd adore this book as well! I remember loving Lydia in Mina and Cohen's book, and I really wanted her to get her own book–AND I'M SO GLAD IT HAPPENED!
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| 👏 👏 👏 |
I love penpal romances, especiallyyyyy when they have mistaken identity elements thrown in there too! Oh, and a broody but sensitive guy...WHO'S FRENCH?! Um, yes PUH-LEASE! I want a Noel, y'all!! Also, their meet-cute (even though they technically knew each other already)? Adorableeee!!
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| i've been told that mabel is me...? |
I think I've mentioned this in another review, but I think it's so fun/interesting when a book takes place in a different country...plus, I loveeeeee Paris lol. I'm that hopeless romantic who's never been but has wanted to go since I was like, eight! This book made me love Paris even more lolll. 👀😍
Are we doing that thing where I share my highlights? Obviously.
Luc takes a deep breath and then says, “I think you need to prepare yourself for the realization that you have feelings for Lydia.”
It takes me a second to register what he’s saying. Then I snort. “I don’t have feelings for her,” I say.
I can almost picture Luc shrugging as he says, “Maybe not romantic, or maybe not yet. But you’re extremely protective of this girl. I think you should prepare yourself emotionally for meeting her. Understand that you might be more attached to her than you realize.”
“I don’t have feelings for her,” I say again, my voice flat now. “And I’m not attached to her.”
But even as I say the words, they don’t quite ring true.
📖
I’m immediately greeted by the sight of Mr. Grump leaning against the wall next to the bathroom door, muscular arms folded over his chest, frown firmly in place. His somewhat rough exterior doesn’t detract from his handsomeness. He has thick, dark hair with just a bit of wave, or maybe curl, and I can see a bit of scruff starting to appear. I strangely even appreciate the tattoos I see—one of which crawls up the side of his neck from beneath his neckline, the others forming a barely visible sleeve above his left elbow. Normally tattoos aren’t my thing, but somehow on him they just seem extra masculine.
“Were you talking to yourself?” he says, and I pull my eyes away from his tattoos. He asks without any hint of emotion, leaving me guessing about whether he thinks I’m weird or just insane.
I swallow. “Yes. I was giving myself a pep talk.”
“Of course,” he says sardonically, nodding. His eyes leave mine and travel the length of my body before coming back to my gaze. “Did it work?”
📖
Lydia is sweet and fiery. She’s passionate and just. She’ll make some guy very happy someday.
📖
“Relax, Lydia.” Noel’s wry voice pulls me out of my thoughts. “You’ve got my arm in a death grip.”
He’s right. Awkward.
“Sorry,” I say, loosening my grip a little. “I was just stressing out.”
“About the jewelry store?” he says, frowning over at me.
“About holding your arm,” I confess. “Is that okay?”
His frown is replaced by a new smile—how does he have so many? It’s not quite a smirk, but there’s sort of a Mona Lisa effect going on, like he’s smiling at a private joke. I could almost call it smug.
I would stress about this too lollll.
📖
I thought she would smell like me, but…it’s so much worse than that. She smells like us—the crisp scent of my shampoo mixed with the spicy sweetness of whatever cinnamon soap she uses. The primal caveman part of me stirs to life, telling me that this girl smells like us and therefore belongs to us. I put that caveman back in his cage and tell him to calm the heck down.
📖
Then I look back to Lydia, my gaze trailing over her flannel pajamas. “I like the llamas,” I say, smiling a little.
“Oh,” she says, a faint blush rising to her cheeks as she looks down. “I know they’re sort of silly.”
I shake my head. “They’re…cute.” The word feels experimental on my tongue; I don’t usually describe things that way, but it fits here.
Lydia scratches her head, further mussing her hair, and in this state she somehow exudes the same sort of sweetness and innocence that I would expect from someone much younger.
Something in me softens as an odd pang of protectiveness tugs at my chest—a desire to see her fed and clothed and safe and happy. I rub the back of my neck, trying to figure out where this instinct is coming from, before I realize that it’s because I worry about having her so close to my less-than-legal endeavors.
ALL. OF. THIS.
📖
“Calming people down helps me calm down. ”
I can see myself saying the same thing, tbh.
📖
He could be a serial killer. Or, more disturbing, one of those people who doesn’t like chocolate. No way am I dating a serial killer who doesn’t like chocolate.
📖
Noel has changed into a sensible t-shirt and flannel pants, and I try not to feel embarrassed by my llama pajamas.
Note: YASSSS FOR LLAMA PJS
📖
My brain chooses this moment to conjure the unhelpful image of the way the neck of Lydia’s shirt tugged down over her shoulder, of the way her dark lashes fanned over her high cheekbones. Why was she so appealing? Why did the sight of her pull at something deep within me?
Oh my goodnesssss
📖
“All right,” she says. “Let’s make a plan. What should we do about Marcus? He wants to talk tomorrow.”
“Yeah, that won’t be happening,” I say before I can stop myself.
Lydia raises one brow at me.
“What?” I say. “Don’t look at me like that. Do you want to talk to him?”
I just...I love the dynamic between them!
📖
“The guard dog stays,” Noel says from behind me. His voice is silky and dangerous, soft but commanding. It sends shivers down my spine.
HECK YES, HE STAYS!
📖
I take one last deep breath, willing myself calm, before glancing back to Lydia. But when I see her, arms wrapped around herself, face flickering with fear and anger, another wave of hot fury rushes over me.
📖
“She smells like cinnamon.” The words fly from my mouth before I can stop them. I give myself an internal kick, because I know how Luc will respond to this.
📖
“Believe me, I don’t trust you either,” I say.
“Well, I don’t know you,” she says defensively.
“Do you want to go back out there?” I say, gesturing to the door. “Be my guest.”
The girl gives a little snort, and for just a second, a spark of amusement flashes in her eyes.
“What?” I say, feeling defensive.
“You said ‘be my guest,’” she says. “Like in Beauty and the Beast.”
I just stare at her
“It takes place in France?” she says, looking expectant. “And we’re in France? And there are some similarities between the plot of that movie and our current—“ But she breaks off, shaking her head. “Oh, never mind. Forget I said anything.”
Note: Why am I her lolllll?? 😂😂
As far as content goes: I honestly don't remember any language whatsoever. The biggest content warning would be Marcus, Lydia's classmate who acts/talks (stalking/bullying) in a totally inappropriate manner (the details aren't very descriptive, but you definitely get the idea). This whole situation wasn't triggering for me, but it could be for other readers...just know that it DOES get resolved. Noel's "charity work" (think Robin Hood/Aladdin 😉) played a big part in the story. Drugs, guns, and knives are mentioned (but none of them are actually used). Lydia did end up getting a little drunk, but since she was in Paris...it wasn't technically illegal. I'm not sure if there was anything else, lol. Overall, I would still call the book a clean read!!
I've decided that Gracie Ruth Mitchell is one of my favorite authors, y'all. This is the third book I've read from her and it will NOT be my last. I know I can always expect quirky characters, great tropes, and SWOONYYYY KISSES!!
I truly didn't want the story to end, BUT...there was an epilogue, and that helped a lottttt. ANDDDDD I think I know who book three will be about, so I am very excited for that!
Closing thought? This book better be on your TBR! 💗🙌
~I received an e-copy of this story from the author, and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.~
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About the Author:
Gracie lives in a tiny town in Idaho, where she subsists on a diet of chocolate, romance novels, and kisses from her cute family. She may or may not have a cheesecake addiction, as well as an addiction to scribbling story ideas on whatever flat surfaces happen to be nearby. Clean romance and romantic comedy are her passion.
