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It Also Rains in Paris
A new romance in Paris.
An unexpected letter from home.
What could've been. What could still be.
Ben was supposed to be moving on. After a senior year of "almosts" with Leah—and a freshman year in college trying to forget her through mix CDs and late-night AIM conversations—a summer in Paris felt like the perfect reset.
Enter Talia—quick with a joke, steady in a crisis, and completely present.
But then Leah writes.
Now Ben is caught between a new relationship in the world's most romantic city—and the girl who still haunts his what-ifs.
To figure out who he's becoming, he'll have to make sense of what was.
You'll love this novel if you
• YA contemporary romance with heart, humor, and emotionally honest characters
• Study-abroad adventures and messy feelings in beautiful places
• Love triangles where you honestly might root for everyone
• Stories about self-discovery, timing, and second chances
• The magic of Paris and travel
• Late '90s/early 2000s nostalgia
• Golden Girls references and quirky banter
Fall in love. Mess it up. Figure it out.
It Also Rains in Paris is waiting for you.
An unexpected letter from home.
What could've been. What could still be.
Ben was supposed to be moving on. After a senior year of "almosts" with Leah—and a freshman year in college trying to forget her through mix CDs and late-night AIM conversations—a summer in Paris felt like the perfect reset.
Enter Talia—quick with a joke, steady in a crisis, and completely present.
But then Leah writes.
Now Ben is caught between a new relationship in the world's most romantic city—and the girl who still haunts his what-ifs.
To figure out who he's becoming, he'll have to make sense of what was.
You'll love this novel if you
• YA contemporary romance with heart, humor, and emotionally honest characters
• Study-abroad adventures and messy feelings in beautiful places
• Love triangles where you honestly might root for everyone
• Stories about self-discovery, timing, and second chances
• The magic of Paris and travel
• Late '90s/early 2000s nostalgia
• Golden Girls references and quirky banter
Fall in love. Mess it up. Figure it out.
It Also Rains in Paris is waiting for you.
271 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 23, 2025
2 people are currently reading
2 people want to read
About the author
JJ Lissaris
10 books2 followersJohn J. Lissaris (JJ) has been writing since childhood. His poem “A Book Is a Best Friend,” written in Mrs. Farran’s second-grade class, was his first critical success—and he hasn’t looked back since.
As an adult, he has written and directed two musicals for middle schoolers: Different Lives (2006) and Star Harbor (2008). He has also penned a young-adult novella, The Perfect Moment (2007), and a musical, Finally Time (2012), based on the novella.
More recently, he has written a middle-grade play, Notes (2018), and three middle-grade books (2021–2022) in a series by the same title. He also assembled a group of twenty-one 11- to 18-year-olds to create a studio recording of Back to Star Harbor (2023), based on the original 2008 musical.
Born and mostly raised in Brooklyn, New York, JJ taught middle school and high school for eleven years and is now a senior assessment specialist at a state university. He currently resides in New Jersey with his wife, two children, and adorably judgmental Boston terrier.
As an adult, he has written and directed two musicals for middle schoolers: Different Lives (2006) and Star Harbor (2008). He has also penned a young-adult novella, The Perfect Moment (2007), and a musical, Finally Time (2012), based on the novella.
More recently, he has written a middle-grade play, Notes (2018), and three middle-grade books (2021–2022) in a series by the same title. He also assembled a group of twenty-one 11- to 18-year-olds to create a studio recording of Back to Star Harbor (2023), based on the original 2008 musical.
Born and mostly raised in Brooklyn, New York, JJ taught middle school and high school for eleven years and is now a senior assessment specialist at a state university. He currently resides in New Jersey with his wife, two children, and adorably judgmental Boston terrier.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 22, 2025
Situationship and Golden Girls references, both coming to Paris. Sidenote this review will have spoilers.
Plotwise we follow Benjamin and his slew of slowburn situationships left and right. The contenders will be Olivia his current girlfriend at the start from his band camp, Leah, the new girl whom he spends quite a bit of time with and Talia, the fellow French major whom he meets in college.
The dialogue really does feel realistic albeit a bit mundane and captures the 90/early 2000s atmosphere well. The supporting cast goes to Anthony the gay best friend but not flamboyant or stereotypical. He’s regulated to being Ben’s unpaid therapist and advises him occasionally to not let his emotions overweigh his action.
There’s a sideplot of GSA development, or Gay-Straight-Alliance club which is met with slight resistance at the start, but takes off to successful heights later on. It shows Lover Hopper McGee’s compassion outside his own world which is good.
In terms of conflict, it’s low stakes. Ben’s obstacles involve Gavin the horndog, bigots, and his own ability to define relationships and his real feelings.
Can Ben stay loyal to one and keep himself in check? Cross fingers all I can say.
Overall I’m not the target audience, though I can see the merits for someone who is. JJ Lissaris and love triangle romance enjoyers should give this one a shot.
Plotwise we follow Benjamin and his slew of slowburn situationships left and right. The contenders will be Olivia his current girlfriend at the start from his band camp, Leah, the new girl whom he spends quite a bit of time with and Talia, the fellow French major whom he meets in college.
The dialogue really does feel realistic albeit a bit mundane and captures the 90/early 2000s atmosphere well. The supporting cast goes to Anthony the gay best friend but not flamboyant or stereotypical. He’s regulated to being Ben’s unpaid therapist and advises him occasionally to not let his emotions overweigh his action.
There’s a sideplot of GSA development, or Gay-Straight-Alliance club which is met with slight resistance at the start, but takes off to successful heights later on. It shows Lover Hopper McGee’s compassion outside his own world which is good.
In terms of conflict, it’s low stakes. Ben’s obstacles involve Gavin the horndog, bigots, and his own ability to define relationships and his real feelings.
Can Ben stay loyal to one and keep himself in check? Cross fingers all I can say.
Overall I’m not the target audience, though I can see the merits for someone who is. JJ Lissaris and love triangle romance enjoyers should give this one a shot.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 12, 2025
This YA romance was exactly what I needed—a perfect palette cleanser that swept me up from page one and refused to let go. Sweet, heartfelt, and just the right amount of drama, it had me smiling one minute and clutching the book the next. The characters felt real and lovable, the chemistry was innocent yet magnetic, and the pacing made it impossible to put down.
It’s the kind of story that leaves you feeling light, happy, and maybe just a little nostalgic for those first-love butterflies. If you’re in between heavier reads or just want something that makes your heart happy, this is the book you’ll want to devour in a single sitting.
It’s the kind of story that leaves you feeling light, happy, and maybe just a little nostalgic for those first-love butterflies. If you’re in between heavier reads or just want something that makes your heart happy, this is the book you’ll want to devour in a single sitting.
October 22, 2025
A well-written, enjoyable read that addresses the issues every young person deals with as they navigate the world around them. Love interests, social issues, human rights are just a few. Empathy for other human beings. Tolerance. Acceptance.
The story of Ben will captivate you from the start. You’ll want to keep reading to discover how he handles his next encounter and how a good, trusting friend is so important in making thoughtful choices. You’re rooting for Ben all the way and hope that inevitability only good things happen for this truly charismatic character.
A truly enjoyable read!
The story of Ben will captivate you from the start. You’ll want to keep reading to discover how he handles his next encounter and how a good, trusting friend is so important in making thoughtful choices. You’re rooting for Ben all the way and hope that inevitability only good things happen for this truly charismatic character.
A truly enjoyable read!
July 25, 2025
Funny, lovable, curious, and down to earth Ben reminded me of growing up in the 80s and 90s. He is relatable as he navigates high school loves and new romances. It kept my attention and felt like an easy read to enjoy on my porch. The dynamics between the characters kept me smiling (especially the Golden Girl references), and feeling hopeful. I am waiting for Book 2 to be ready so I can see how this story moves on. Must read!
July 27, 2025
We chose this expecting a light, European coming‑of‑age what we got was a slow‑burn romance layered with self‑discovery and time travel back to early 2000s sensibilities. The dual love triangle between Ben, Leah, and Talia felt fresh and thoughtful. Some members wished for more immediacy in the writing, but most agreed that by the halfway point, the emotional pull was all‑consuming. Thought‑provoking and deeply immersive.
July 27, 2025
As our YA pick, It Also Rains in Paris sparked every type of reaction: awe, tears, retro nostalgia. We couldn’t stop debating: should Ben chase the dreamy Leah or embrace Talia’s real‑world spark? The Paris setting felt cinematic, and the layers of identity and longing gave us so much to unpack. A perfect pick for clubs craving that emotional depth plus coming‑of‑age charm.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews