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Stone Springs #2
City of Love
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.
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.
317 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 2, 2021
38 people are currently reading
449 people want to read
About the author
Gracie Ruth Mitchell
19 books830 followersGracie 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, romantic comedy, and mystery rom coms are her passion.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
April 12, 2021
A little unrealistic but great nonetheless!😩🤍
February 28, 2022
Can I just say how refreshing it is to read a YA book with Imperfect characters but isn’t driven by drama, pettiness, or lust? Much like the first book, Eye of the Beholder, I can recommend this book to my daughters, nieces, and sisters without hesitation. Gracie delivers on the YA stories that make you feel and fall in love, but don’t make you cringe or cover your eyes.
I loved the humor mingled with some seriousness, the friendship and dialogue. I like Gracie’s writing style. This is a fun, unique story, that will make you wish for a Parisian pen pal who always has your back and takes you on tours of Paris that include all the best local haunts.
I already liked Lydia from the first book so it was great for her to have a book of her own. She is so kind and thoughtful, loyal and just good hearted, with a dash of fire that keeps people in line. I think she was a little too forgiving with Noel (I’m totally on team Lydia with this one; it wasn’t his call to make and the duplicity was not my favorite), but it also shows her character. She showed she could still be friends with someone who tried to make choices for her. More than once, actually. Her development throughout was so good. I was so glad to see how things finally came about with Marcus (what a creep!) and only wish she hadn’t dealt with him through high school.
(To any girls who read this: do not tolerate sexual harassment or bullying from any boy, ever. Talk to someone! Turn him in! I know it’s scary. It’s hard. But don’t let him victimize you or get away with trying. You deserve better.)
I do like Noel. He means well. He has a big heart and wants to help people, wants to do the right thing. He was definitely misguided sometimes, though. Did I want to Gibbs-slap him a few times? Yeah, yeah I did. But he goes through a loooot of growth and figures some things out. He’s a good guy, just needs to let other people make their own choices and not try to cut corners.
What else do I love about this book?
-The epilogue is adorable and I love it!
-Protective older brothers were cute. I mean, maybe I wanted to Gibbs-slap her brother too, but he means well. I guess I’ll forgive him.
-Supportive best friend! Jade is pretty great.
-The Bloody Mary scene was pretty funny!
-Luc! He is so fun! That scene with him in the jewelry store was hilarious!
-The picnic!
-The Eiffel Tower!
-The respect between the characters and that their relationship was built on friendship.
There are a lot of things to love about this one! I highly recommend to anyone who loves YA romance with a dash of humor and Paris thrown in.
*Note/CW/TW: sexual harassment and bullying (not between main characters); gangs, pickpocketing, knives and guns mentioned; drinking
Quotes I loved:
If they don’t end up married with three kids, I will take it personally.
I realize, as we stand there at the top of the Eiffel Tower, that Noel Marchand might be a threat to my heart.
Paid as Lydia sees it is a beautiful, magical place. Because Lydia is just a beautiful, magical woman.
Other than the occasional instance of speeding, this is the first time I’ve ever broken the law, and I don’t like it.
How much a man must love his family to be buried with them—to toe his name to theirs even in death. Do I love anyone that much?
Her opinion of me has never been lower than it is right now, and it makes me feel sick, my stomach rolling. Until this exact moment, I did not realize how highly I value her opinion.
Noel is not a picnic man. I know this in my bones. But he brought me on a picnic anyway because he knew I would love it.
I’m not averse to responsible social drinking every now and then, but being with Lydia makes me want to have all my facilities about me. She makes me feel half-drunk as it is.
“Do you think that’s silly?”
He smiles. “No, I don’t think it’s silly. But it shouldn’t matter what I think, chérie. Don’t ever apologize for your dreams.”
“Relationships aren’t about what anyone deserves. How can they be? Humans aren’t static beings; we’re constantly changing. It’s about what you’re willing to work for.” -Lydia
If his gaze summers with heat, his kids blazes unrestrainedly. Because it isn’t just a kiss; it’s a claiming. My heartbeat, my breath—they belong to him now.
And he belongs to me.
My heart, apparently, is a drama Queen. Because it feels like something has died, killed by my foolish hopes and naive expectations.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I loved the humor mingled with some seriousness, the friendship and dialogue. I like Gracie’s writing style. This is a fun, unique story, that will make you wish for a Parisian pen pal who always has your back and takes you on tours of Paris that include all the best local haunts.
I already liked Lydia from the first book so it was great for her to have a book of her own. She is so kind and thoughtful, loyal and just good hearted, with a dash of fire that keeps people in line. I think she was a little too forgiving with Noel (I’m totally on team Lydia with this one; it wasn’t his call to make and the duplicity was not my favorite), but it also shows her character. She showed she could still be friends with someone who tried to make choices for her. More than once, actually. Her development throughout was so good. I was so glad to see how things finally came about with Marcus (what a creep!) and only wish she hadn’t dealt with him through high school.
(To any girls who read this: do not tolerate sexual harassment or bullying from any boy, ever. Talk to someone! Turn him in! I know it’s scary. It’s hard. But don’t let him victimize you or get away with trying. You deserve better.)
I do like Noel. He means well. He has a big heart and wants to help people, wants to do the right thing. He was definitely misguided sometimes, though. Did I want to Gibbs-slap him a few times? Yeah, yeah I did. But he goes through a loooot of growth and figures some things out. He’s a good guy, just needs to let other people make their own choices and not try to cut corners.
What else do I love about this book?
-The epilogue is adorable and I love it!
-Protective older brothers were cute. I mean, maybe I wanted to Gibbs-slap her brother too, but he means well. I guess I’ll forgive him.
-Supportive best friend! Jade is pretty great.
-The Bloody Mary scene was pretty funny!
-Luc! He is so fun! That scene with him in the jewelry store was hilarious!
-The picnic!
-The Eiffel Tower!
-The respect between the characters and that their relationship was built on friendship.
There are a lot of things to love about this one! I highly recommend to anyone who loves YA romance with a dash of humor and Paris thrown in.
*Note/CW/TW: sexual harassment and bullying (not between main characters); gangs, pickpocketing, knives and guns mentioned; drinking
Quotes I loved:
If they don’t end up married with three kids, I will take it personally.
I realize, as we stand there at the top of the Eiffel Tower, that Noel Marchand might be a threat to my heart.
Paid as Lydia sees it is a beautiful, magical place. Because Lydia is just a beautiful, magical woman.
Other than the occasional instance of speeding, this is the first time I’ve ever broken the law, and I don’t like it.
How much a man must love his family to be buried with them—to toe his name to theirs even in death. Do I love anyone that much?
Her opinion of me has never been lower than it is right now, and it makes me feel sick, my stomach rolling. Until this exact moment, I did not realize how highly I value her opinion.
Noel is not a picnic man. I know this in my bones. But he brought me on a picnic anyway because he knew I would love it.
I’m not averse to responsible social drinking every now and then, but being with Lydia makes me want to have all my facilities about me. She makes me feel half-drunk as it is.
“Do you think that’s silly?”
He smiles. “No, I don’t think it’s silly. But it shouldn’t matter what I think, chérie. Don’t ever apologize for your dreams.”
“Relationships aren’t about what anyone deserves. How can they be? Humans aren’t static beings; we’re constantly changing. It’s about what you’re willing to work for.” -Lydia
If his gaze summers with heat, his kids blazes unrestrainedly. Because it isn’t just a kiss; it’s a claiming. My heartbeat, my breath—they belong to him now.
And he belongs to me.
My heart, apparently, is a drama Queen. Because it feels like something has died, killed by my foolish hopes and naive expectations.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
July 28, 2023
Now the rating is 3 stars but I enjoyed this a lot more than many of my standard 3 star reads. However it did cover less ground than the first book, which I rated 4 stars, hence I can't justify giving a higher rating.
So what do I mean (and yes there will be SPOILERS probably).
This book kicks off with Lydia (Cohen's sister from the first book) heading to Paris on a month's trip to visit her 3-year long pen pal Noel. Lydia has been under the assumption that Noel was a girl, which allowed a very deep friendship to be forged between them. Colour her surprised when she turns up in Paris to discover that Noel was a guy after all. Romance ensues.
I thought that the author did a great job of establishing the friendship between Noel and Lydia. It really came across that they had developed a great foundation before, their increased time together allowed them to explore the possibility of more. I also thought it kinda made sense why Noel kept his true identity a secret for so long.
I also think that Mitchell writes romance and sparks well since I didn't feel underwhelmed or bored by Noel's and Lydia's relationship.
Alright so what do I mean that this didn't cover a lot of ground? I thought the first story in the series was a lot more balanced. In that book (spoilers), Mina really goes on a true journey of self discovery and so does Cohen as he deals with his future plans while letting go of some earned resentment towards his dad.
In this book, Lydia has an awful stalker and harasser of a former classmate which has destroyed a significant bit of her self worth and self esteem. And I felt like this was never fully given enough book real estate. It felt more like a prop for the relationship between her and Noel, rather than a true emphasis being placed on this very important plot point. It wasn't handled badly necessarily but it also wasn't satisfying to me.
Noel on the other hand (and let me pause for an eye roll), is a thief. He's a self-appointed Robin Hood who steals from the rich to keep homeless shelters and food banks going. It's so stupid. And if it wasn't explicitly called out in the book, I would have given this two stars. I couldn't have said it better than Lydia.
Poetry.
But seriously, Noel had no development and zero growth (and I say this having fully enjoyed this book). At the onset he talks about needing his own space away from his parents, and his anxiety about needing anyone or other people needing him, and not being interested in any relationship because he didn't want to beholden to a woman and rah rah rah. And we never ever get to know why he has these views. His parents are together and seem nice (what we see of them) so it makes no sense why Noel is so jaded, and it's never explained to the reader. It also isn't really explained why he feels such a connection to non profit work - like I said zero development.
Which brings me to the downsides of the romance. It was all physical attraction. Yes, they have a pre-established friendship. But it still gave a little of insta-love vibes (but not enough to get my hackles up). It's all Noel fighting his attraction for Lydia and vice verse until they give in. Having come from the first book, where I felt there was a little more nuance to the burgeoning romance, I found this disappointing.
Finally, I thought the whole Noel is a thief plot soooooo dumb. It did not feel grounded at. all. Not one bit. And every time it came up it sort of took me out of the story.
Anyway, I really enjoyed this but it was definitely a fluffier read than the first, and I found the story to be far less balanced, but you can bet that I will be back for Ian and Jade's story (which comes out when????)
So what do I mean (and yes there will be SPOILERS probably).
This book kicks off with Lydia (Cohen's sister from the first book) heading to Paris on a month's trip to visit her 3-year long pen pal Noel. Lydia has been under the assumption that Noel was a girl, which allowed a very deep friendship to be forged between them. Colour her surprised when she turns up in Paris to discover that Noel was a guy after all. Romance ensues.
I thought that the author did a great job of establishing the friendship between Noel and Lydia. It really came across that they had developed a great foundation before, their increased time together allowed them to explore the possibility of more. I also thought it kinda made sense why Noel kept his true identity a secret for so long.
I also think that Mitchell writes romance and sparks well since I didn't feel underwhelmed or bored by Noel's and Lydia's relationship.
Alright so what do I mean that this didn't cover a lot of ground? I thought the first story in the series was a lot more balanced. In that book (spoilers), Mina really goes on a true journey of self discovery and so does Cohen as he deals with his future plans while letting go of some earned resentment towards his dad.
In this book, Lydia has an awful stalker and harasser of a former classmate which has destroyed a significant bit of her self worth and self esteem. And I felt like this was never fully given enough book real estate. It felt more like a prop for the relationship between her and Noel, rather than a true emphasis being placed on this very important plot point. It wasn't handled badly necessarily but it also wasn't satisfying to me.
Noel on the other hand (and let me pause for an eye roll), is a thief. He's a self-appointed Robin Hood who steals from the rich to keep homeless shelters and food banks going. It's so stupid. And if it wasn't explicitly called out in the book, I would have given this two stars. I couldn't have said it better than Lydia.
“You can’t just steal from people, Noel!” she says, throwing her hands up in exasperation. “It’s wrong! It’s great that you want to help these places, but there are other ways! And how do you know your targets are rich? Do you have their bank statements?”
“That’s noble and all, but you can’t wrong one person to do good for another."
Poetry.
But seriously, Noel had no development and zero growth (and I say this having fully enjoyed this book). At the onset he talks about needing his own space away from his parents, and his anxiety about needing anyone or other people needing him, and not being interested in any relationship because he didn't want to beholden to a woman and rah rah rah. And we never ever get to know why he has these views. His parents are together and seem nice (what we see of them) so it makes no sense why Noel is so jaded, and it's never explained to the reader. It also isn't really explained why he feels such a connection to non profit work - like I said zero development.
Which brings me to the downsides of the romance. It was all physical attraction. Yes, they have a pre-established friendship. But it still gave a little of insta-love vibes (but not enough to get my hackles up). It's all Noel fighting his attraction for Lydia and vice verse until they give in. Having come from the first book, where I felt there was a little more nuance to the burgeoning romance, I found this disappointing.
Finally, I thought the whole Noel is a thief plot soooooo dumb. It did not feel grounded at. all. Not one bit. And every time it came up it sort of took me out of the story.
Anyway, I really enjoyed this but it was definitely a fluffier read than the first, and I found the story to be far less balanced, but you can bet that I will be back for Ian and Jade's story (which comes out when????)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 31, 2021
My full review can be read here: bit.ly/3dprafy
“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!
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!!
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. 👀😍
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.~
“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!
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!!
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. 👀😍
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.~
July 24, 2023
5⭐
I ATE THIS UPPPP! This was a 5 star from the get go for me. The plot in itself is A*. Lydia is penpals with Noel who she believes is a girl, so when she flies to France she's shocked to find out the person she's been writing to for two years and sharing her deepest thoughts with is actually a man.
Noel hit the bar in every way possible. It's very much grumpy x sunshine, I don't care for anyone but you, overprotective vibes. Absolute perfection. The way he treated Lydia was so sweet. I liked Lydia's vibes, there's three years between them but I don't think she ever came across as "immature." She was a genuine girl who just wanted to suppress her feelings whilst dealing with her own problems.
One of the best romances I've read this year so far.
Content: kissing only. mild language in French I believe.
I ATE THIS UPPPP! This was a 5 star from the get go for me. The plot in itself is A*. Lydia is penpals with Noel who she believes is a girl, so when she flies to France she's shocked to find out the person she's been writing to for two years and sharing her deepest thoughts with is actually a man.
Noel hit the bar in every way possible. It's very much grumpy x sunshine, I don't care for anyone but you, overprotective vibes. Absolute perfection. The way he treated Lydia was so sweet. I liked Lydia's vibes, there's three years between them but I don't think she ever came across as "immature." She was a genuine girl who just wanted to suppress her feelings whilst dealing with her own problems.
One of the best romances I've read this year so far.
Content: kissing only. mild language in French I believe.
August 3, 2022
I already loved Lydia from the previous book, so it was so fun to read her story. This was a very unique storyline—pen pals who meet, except Lydia has always thought Noel was also a girl. Navigating that surprise along with some other things she learns about Noel and deciding where to go from there provided tons of great chemistry, and it’s all set in France. 😍
Things I Loved:
-Pep talks
-Cinnamon
-“He could be a serial killer. Or, more disturbing, one of those people who doesn’t like chocolate.”
-Luc
-The picnic
-One spontaneous thing a day
-“The back of your dress fell off.”
-“If your best friend wouldn’t forcibly remove your brother from the room so that you can have some privacy with your man, is she even really your best friend?”
-An awesome grand gesture & sweet HEA ♥️
I loved the epilogue and that it included more of Mina & Cohen’s story from the previous book too. I also really adore Jade and Ian—I want their story ASAP! 😍
TW: One of the main themes of the story is dealing with a stalkerish/sexual harassment situation (continued and more developed from the first book in the series). It does not get graphic or go too far before being resolved.
Things I Loved:
-Pep talks
-Cinnamon
-“He could be a serial killer. Or, more disturbing, one of those people who doesn’t like chocolate.”
-Luc
-The picnic
-One spontaneous thing a day
-“The back of your dress fell off.”
-“If your best friend wouldn’t forcibly remove your brother from the room so that you can have some privacy with your man, is she even really your best friend?”
-An awesome grand gesture & sweet HEA ♥️
I loved the epilogue and that it included more of Mina & Cohen’s story from the previous book too. I also really adore Jade and Ian—I want their story ASAP! 😍
TW: One of the main themes of the story is dealing with a stalkerish/sexual harassment situation (continued and more developed from the first book in the series). It does not get graphic or go too far before being resolved.
Read
October 19, 2024This book did not draw me in like the first one. The dynamic in this one was so different. I failed to connect.
January 14, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.5, rounded up!)
GENRE
YA romance
CONTENT
-🤬: none
-❤️: makeouts
-⚠️: accidental drunkenness, sexual harassment
Lydia has been writing to a French penpal, Noel, for the past couple of years. Noel knows all of her thoughts and feelings that she hasn't wanted to share with the people local to her, including the details of the harassment she's been receiving from a fellow French student, Marcus. After reporting him to the principal, Marcus stops.
After HS graduation, Lydia is taking a trip with her French class to France to meet their penpals and see Paris. Lydia has always assumed Noel is female...but when she arrives in France after a long, awful day of travel (in which Marcus begins harassing her again), she discovers that Noel is decidedly male. After that shocking revelation, Lydia enjoys getting to know Noel in person and they realize they have an undeniable attraction.
I loved the way Noel helped encouraged Lydia and build up her confidence to stand up to Marcus and report his harassment. Also, the grand gesture at the end of the book was super sweet!
My only complaint was that I want to know more about Ian and Jade's story! You left us hanging, Gracie!!!
Favorite Quotes:
-He could be a serial killer-- or worse, one of those people who doesn't like chocolate!
-I don't feel fearless. But that's what courage is, isn't it? Doing the right thing even when you're scared.
GENRE
YA romance
CONTENT
-🤬: none
-❤️: makeouts
-⚠️: accidental drunkenness, sexual harassment
Lydia has been writing to a French penpal, Noel, for the past couple of years. Noel knows all of her thoughts and feelings that she hasn't wanted to share with the people local to her, including the details of the harassment she's been receiving from a fellow French student, Marcus. After reporting him to the principal, Marcus stops.
After HS graduation, Lydia is taking a trip with her French class to France to meet their penpals and see Paris. Lydia has always assumed Noel is female...but when she arrives in France after a long, awful day of travel (in which Marcus begins harassing her again), she discovers that Noel is decidedly male. After that shocking revelation, Lydia enjoys getting to know Noel in person and they realize they have an undeniable attraction.
I loved the way Noel helped encouraged Lydia and build up her confidence to stand up to Marcus and report his harassment. Also, the grand gesture at the end of the book was super sweet!
My only complaint was that I want to know more about Ian and Jade's story! You left us hanging, Gracie!!!
Favorite Quotes:
-He could be a serial killer-- or worse, one of those people who doesn't like chocolate!
-I don't feel fearless. But that's what courage is, isn't it? Doing the right thing even when you're scared.
April 23, 2023
Penpals & Paris!
I picked this story up because I loved Lydia in the first book. (But I have to admit, she felt a little different here.)
Like the first book, I enjoyed the author’s writing style & most of the characters (expect Marcus who is sickening). Again, the premise was what didn’t work for me personally.
Noel has been hiding the fact from Lydia that he’s a guy — for 3 years. Yes, it explains why. And yes, Lydia is mad… for a couple hours. Before she forgives him & they move on like best friends. Maybe it’s a personality thing, but I feel like this would be waaaay more serious in real life. At least, for me it would have been.
There’s Robin Hood/Aladdin vibes & I liked the grumpy-sunshine aspect. Bullying & harassment is covered, but I thought handled it well.
Also, Jade & Ian are everything… seriously my favourite part! I so hope we get their story. 😍
Content: falling asleep in bed together (nothing happens); Lydia accidents gets drunk; kissing
I picked this story up because I loved Lydia in the first book. (But I have to admit, she felt a little different here.)
Like the first book, I enjoyed the author’s writing style & most of the characters (expect Marcus who is sickening). Again, the premise was what didn’t work for me personally.
Noel has been hiding the fact from Lydia that he’s a guy — for 3 years. Yes, it explains why. And yes, Lydia is mad… for a couple hours. Before she forgives him & they move on like best friends. Maybe it’s a personality thing, but I feel like this would be waaaay more serious in real life. At least, for me it would have been.
There’s Robin Hood/Aladdin vibes & I liked the grumpy-sunshine aspect. Bullying & harassment is covered, but I thought handled it well.
Also, Jade & Ian are everything… seriously my favourite part! I so hope we get their story. 😍
Content: falling asleep in bed together (nothing happens); Lydia accidents gets drunk; kissing
May 14, 2023
Ahhh I think I love Lydia and Noel more than I love Mina and Cohen! Travel to France with Lydia as she meets her pen pal — who happens to not be at all what she expected!
I loved Lydia coming to terms that she is enough, she is worthy of love, and that it’s okay to not be okay.
I loved Noel learning that wrong for the sake of good is still wrong, that it’s okay to not control everything, and that love is worthy the risk.
I just freaking LOVE THIS BOOK!
Five out of five!
Content: this book deals with sexual harassment. Although handled tactfully, it may be triggering to some readers.
I loved Lydia coming to terms that she is enough, she is worthy of love, and that it’s okay to not be okay.
I loved Noel learning that wrong for the sake of good is still wrong, that it’s okay to not control everything, and that love is worthy the risk.
I just freaking LOVE THIS BOOK!
Five out of five!
Content: this book deals with sexual harassment. Although handled tactfully, it may be triggering to some readers.
August 5, 2025
If you can suspend reality a bit, then you'll enjoy this book. So much of the plot is not believable. I enjoyed the story, but I really wish the author would've aged up the characters so that Lydia was in college rather than having just graduated HS. It would've come across as a better story for me and given off less ick.
December 17, 2024
obsessed! love love love noel. literally him and lydia are so cute together! just too cute
April 30, 2025
Adorable and sweet, with a good plot! Loved this book.
April 4, 2021
4.5 ⭐️
Lydia has had a blast writing to her French pen pal, Noel, and is so excited to visit France for a month and meet her! Except Noel is a boy, not a girl. When they meet, Lydia and Noel’s lives are forever changed as they navigate their growing feelings as well as the charming streets of Paris.
Lydia and Noel made this story shine! Lydia’s warmth and humor matches wonderfully with Noel’s broody yet caring nature. The atmosphere of France is cozy throughout the twists and turns of the journey. Familiar characters from the first novel, Eye of the Beholder, added a sweet touch to the already adorable novel!
My one critique is that Noel’s job provided some suspension of belief. However, it provided an interesting trail for the story to follow!
City of Love is even better than its predecessor, spinning a lovely tale set on the streets of Paris! I look forward to reading more from Gracie Ruth Mitchell!
Lydia has had a blast writing to her French pen pal, Noel, and is so excited to visit France for a month and meet her! Except Noel is a boy, not a girl. When they meet, Lydia and Noel’s lives are forever changed as they navigate their growing feelings as well as the charming streets of Paris.
Lydia and Noel made this story shine! Lydia’s warmth and humor matches wonderfully with Noel’s broody yet caring nature. The atmosphere of France is cozy throughout the twists and turns of the journey. Familiar characters from the first novel, Eye of the Beholder, added a sweet touch to the already adorable novel!
My one critique is that Noel’s job provided some suspension of belief. However, it provided an interesting trail for the story to follow!
City of Love is even better than its predecessor, spinning a lovely tale set on the streets of Paris! I look forward to reading more from Gracie Ruth Mitchell!
February 10, 2022
I knew it would be sappy and a bit over the top, but it surprised me with how entertaining it was. It was exactly the fun read I needed during a challenging time.
May 17, 2021
The City of Love is about two Pen Pals, Lydia & Noel, connecting in Paris, but one of them has lied for two years. Noel is actually a boy.
So while parts of this story I found very unrealistic, I decided to just go for it and enjoy the story. Which I did!
Exciting plot, amazing characters, and a swoony romance (still not as swoony as Eye of the Beholder however 😍) The chemistry between Lydia & Noel kept me reading through my reservations. And that slap! Lydia had some fire to her, which I absolutely loved!
⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
🔥🔥/5
CW: harassment
So while parts of this story I found very unrealistic, I decided to just go for it and enjoy the story. Which I did!
Exciting plot, amazing characters, and a swoony romance (still not as swoony as Eye of the Beholder however 😍) The chemistry between Lydia & Noel kept me reading through my reservations. And that slap! Lydia had some fire to her, which I absolutely loved!
⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
🔥🔥/5
CW: harassment
August 6, 2021
I LOVED this book. Eye of the Beholder was great, five out of five stars and probably my favorite YA contemporary romance, but this sequel was somehow even greater than the first! I loved that the setting was in Paris and that the plot revolved around meeting a pen pal, who Lydia accidentally thought was a girl but is actually a hot guy lol. And how about that unconventional first meeting? Because I loved their first meeting, which might seem weird considering the circumstances that led to it, but I still loved it. And I loved every moment after. Noel and Lydia just clicked. Right away you knew they were going to be perfect for each other. And thank goodness that Lydia's anger at Noel's deception was short-lived because I just adored all their sweet talk and interactions and the fact that their friendship was so solid before being romantic (although the romantic hints were there and I was eating it up like chocolate!--all those innocent physical touches and casual mentions of finding the other attractive? HERE FOR IT!) And I love how much time they spent together too! I admit that when romance novels have chapters where the characters barely interact or don't talk, I get anxious for more. But not here! This was perfectly paced and a joy from beginning to end.
Now I just need to buy my physical copy because the cover is beautiful and I need it on my shelf next to my copy of the first book.
Now I just need to buy my physical copy because the cover is beautiful and I need it on my shelf next to my copy of the first book.
October 18, 2021
Very cute and surprisingly thoughtful, especially with the emphasis on how a person can change. I loved the characters, although I did find it was a bit too heated for me. The constant longing looks filled with fire are a bit over the top. And there were just a tad too many innuendos, although it was far tamer than what high schoolers actually discuss, so I'll give it that.
Anyway, a very cute read about how those who know us best can love us through change.
Anyway, a very cute read about how those who know us best can love us through change.
January 28, 2022
I really wanted to like this book but I just couldn't. The characters' personalities kept changing based upon how the author wanted the situation to go. One was bold and headstrong one minute and then weak and emotional the next. Another was tough and closed off and yet sensitive and caring. The whole story was just back and forth with almost everything and I could never get into it.
February 8, 2026
If anyone is surprised I’m giving this book 3.8 stars after all my ranting? Very understandable! But it had most of the elements I needed to get through a book! AND it makes me know I’ll enjoy my next read from the author.
The Issues
• My issues are the huge suspension of disbelief I had to hold while reading. Firstly Noel was supposed to be dabbling in crime *because* he cared so much about the less privileged, especially ‘his guys’.
But his characterization was also someone who didn’t care about anyone or let people in, and his interactions with the guys didn’t show any care for them at all. So his motive for crime didn’t feel solid; his characterization was actually shaky. Also, he always said he didn’t care about ANYONE, which made no sense since he has a best friend—and his mom and dad were very sweet people so… the emphasis on his not caring came out of nowhere.
• He also had been pen pals with Lydia for 3 years, and yet at the beginning he was saying he couldn’t care less about her, essentially. I felt like the author was trying too hard to make him a tough guy, and she was going about it from the wrong directions. He could genuinely care about these people while still being tough.
• Some of the gang activities also showed no experience, because why are you doing a shady exchange in a TOMB where it’s going to be super hard to escape in a shootout? Why did Noel also not just tell the rival gang he was out when they wanted to lure him back in? He should’ve known that they’d just keep yanking his chain if he gave in. They also gave him a choice: say yes, or we’ll get your guys to do it. He could’ve said no and then let the guys make their own decision to also say no. If they said yes, it wasn’t on him. As I said, there was no actual proof of his fondness for these guys so it made no sense he’d supposedly take their place in the assignment.
• Lydia also was too extra sometimes. I liked that she was bubbly as it made the story interesting and she could be really cute at time. But sometimes she felt too extra. Like when she upped and followed after Noel to a gang exchange with no clue what was going on and no call to give him a heads up she was coming. She also has no idea how to defend herself. She could’ve thrown everything in jeopardy. I hated hearing her call him “Mr Grump” too.
• It was also unrealistic that Lydia forgave him so easily after finding out he was a thief, and that he needed just ONE conversation where she told him his logic of robbing others to feed others (without any research to see if those he robbed were truly rich tourists) was super faulty, to say the least, for him to see the errors of his ways. He should’ve known this from the jump, and Lydia should’ve been spooked for longer. It felt like it wanted to be a mafia romance sometimes.
• Also, did the school really just dump their students with their pen pal’s families for a month, including letting a girl stay with a guy with his parents hardly around? I know they’re basically grown ups but still, for a high school activity, I feel there’d have been more precautions taken for the students.
I also wish Lydia was less ‘boy crazy’, and explored Paris by herself a little or with another girl. She had stars in her eyes for Noel from start to finish, and revolved around him. And for a book with so much emphasis/mentions of periods—like the author was fighting to prove her book had periods mentioned!—you’d think Lydia would be a bit more girl-empowered.
The slow burn was also struggling; the author didn’t get the balance of slow burn to 50%, then developing feelings after. Things often felt too rushed.
It got a bit too cheesy at times so this was a fast reading process where I sometimes skimmed over the cliche-type stuff, sorry…
The Good
• For what I liked, I liked that the author added the tension of Noel being in a gang, and even the conflict of that disgusting Marcus. While I like romance, I still like for them to have a bit of an edge and these delivered that. It added tension. It’s why I kept reading to the end!
I also thought Noel and Lydia had cute moments, and I liked them more by the end. I still cringed a bit over Lydia, and didn’t really buy into her strong belief of Marcus’s words that no one would want her. But I did feel some of Noel’s vulnerability.
I also initially feared we wouldn’t get a real exploration of Paris, but past the 50% mark we got to see more of the city, and I did feel like they were in Paris!
The Issues
• My issues are the huge suspension of disbelief I had to hold while reading. Firstly Noel was supposed to be dabbling in crime *because* he cared so much about the less privileged, especially ‘his guys’.
But his characterization was also someone who didn’t care about anyone or let people in, and his interactions with the guys didn’t show any care for them at all. So his motive for crime didn’t feel solid; his characterization was actually shaky. Also, he always said he didn’t care about ANYONE, which made no sense since he has a best friend—and his mom and dad were very sweet people so… the emphasis on his not caring came out of nowhere.
• He also had been pen pals with Lydia for 3 years, and yet at the beginning he was saying he couldn’t care less about her, essentially. I felt like the author was trying too hard to make him a tough guy, and she was going about it from the wrong directions. He could genuinely care about these people while still being tough.
• Some of the gang activities also showed no experience, because why are you doing a shady exchange in a TOMB where it’s going to be super hard to escape in a shootout? Why did Noel also not just tell the rival gang he was out when they wanted to lure him back in? He should’ve known that they’d just keep yanking his chain if he gave in. They also gave him a choice: say yes, or we’ll get your guys to do it. He could’ve said no and then let the guys make their own decision to also say no. If they said yes, it wasn’t on him. As I said, there was no actual proof of his fondness for these guys so it made no sense he’d supposedly take their place in the assignment.
• Lydia also was too extra sometimes. I liked that she was bubbly as it made the story interesting and she could be really cute at time. But sometimes she felt too extra. Like when she upped and followed after Noel to a gang exchange with no clue what was going on and no call to give him a heads up she was coming. She also has no idea how to defend herself. She could’ve thrown everything in jeopardy. I hated hearing her call him “Mr Grump” too.
• It was also unrealistic that Lydia forgave him so easily after finding out he was a thief, and that he needed just ONE conversation where she told him his logic of robbing others to feed others (without any research to see if those he robbed were truly rich tourists) was super faulty, to say the least, for him to see the errors of his ways. He should’ve known this from the jump, and Lydia should’ve been spooked for longer. It felt like it wanted to be a mafia romance sometimes.
• Also, did the school really just dump their students with their pen pal’s families for a month, including letting a girl stay with a guy with his parents hardly around? I know they’re basically grown ups but still, for a high school activity, I feel there’d have been more precautions taken for the students.
I also wish Lydia was less ‘boy crazy’, and explored Paris by herself a little or with another girl. She had stars in her eyes for Noel from start to finish, and revolved around him. And for a book with so much emphasis/mentions of periods—like the author was fighting to prove her book had periods mentioned!—you’d think Lydia would be a bit more girl-empowered.
The slow burn was also struggling; the author didn’t get the balance of slow burn to 50%, then developing feelings after. Things often felt too rushed.
It got a bit too cheesy at times so this was a fast reading process where I sometimes skimmed over the cliche-type stuff, sorry…
The Good
• For what I liked, I liked that the author added the tension of Noel being in a gang, and even the conflict of that disgusting Marcus. While I like romance, I still like for them to have a bit of an edge and these delivered that. It added tension. It’s why I kept reading to the end!
I also thought Noel and Lydia had cute moments, and I liked them more by the end. I still cringed a bit over Lydia, and didn’t really buy into her strong belief of Marcus’s words that no one would want her. But I did feel some of Noel’s vulnerability.
I also initially feared we wouldn’t get a real exploration of Paris, but past the 50% mark we got to see more of the city, and I did feel like they were in Paris!
April 2, 2021
City of Love by Gracie Ruth Mitchell
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
_____________________________________________________________
Story Notes
Gracie Ruth Mitchell brings another delightful addition to the Stone Springs series with a focus on Lydia and her pen pal of three years, Noel – who is not a girl like Lydia thought.
This read was a really good one with plenty of exciting plot, excellent characters and a swoony romance in the “City of Love”. We begin with a fantastic first line that sets the tone for the book: “Repeat after me: I will not fall in love with a French boy.” “No, repeat after me: I WILL fall in love, and he will be a man, not a boy. He will have a sexy accent and feed me baguettes and write me bad poetry.” With an opening like that you can’t help but smile and be drawn in to whatever is going to happen next. What that is turns out to be slightly different from what Lydia planned. She’s headed off on her Senior trip to Paris after completing her high school graduation. It will be her chance to finally meet her pen pal of three years in person and thank her for all her advice over the years. Noel had encouraged her to stand up for herself and report a guy determined to bully her into being his girlfriend. Thankfully, Lydia won’t have to put up with Marcus very often if at all, and as she’ll be with Noel, there will be plenty of ways to avoid him. Her flight goes well but her arrival is less than ideal. She manages to find her way to Noel’s apartment but she’s not sure it’s right when she comes face-to-face with a very attractive young MAN. He’s grumpy and suspicious of her but helps her find her way to Noel’s parents house, for which she is grateful. Still reeling from her exhaustion, Lydia is thankful for the warm welcome she receives from the Marchand family but is confused when Marie refers to her son coming soon and being excited to meet her. Surely, she means her daughter Noel, will be more excited to meet Lydia, right? Nope! Turns out that Marie’s son and Lydia’s friend Noel are one and the same – and not at all the girl Lydia has been sharing all her secrets with for three years. Quite upset that he had deceived her, Lydia is reluctant to hear the explanation he offers but as she’s not one to hold a grudge very long, she gives him a chance. Noel explains that while he figured out that Lydia thought that he was a girl, he enjoyed her friendship and honesty too much to clear up the mistake and hurt Lydia’s feelings. Then Noel tells her of his plans to show her around the city and take her to his favorite places and her hurt gradually vanishes. He’s still the friend he has always been, even if he’s of the male persuasion. As Lydia and Noel spend more time together, they come to find that their connection goes deeper than friendship, possibly to something deeper than either of them have ever felt. This connection will challenge each of them to be better and braver people than they have been before. And each of them will have to decide what matters most in the world to them – comfort or love. Their decision will mean a future together or apart. I have really been enjoying diving back into the world of rom-coms lately and I love that I have so many options of good books to choose from. My preference is clean with some mild spicy additions and no language and this book certainly delivers. The sweet relationship between Noel and Lydia had a little fire but had more about building a proper relationship based on doing what was best for the other. This story also gave a “non-tourist” look at life in Paris and that was a nice change from other books of this genre. I loved the secondary characters of Luc and Jade, who offered Noel and Lydia the best friend advice they needed along the way. I’m very much looking forward to finding out what happens between Jade and Ian in the nest book. I will certainly be recommending this book to others in the hope they will enjoy the swoon as I did. I also plan to add a copy of this story to my shelves soon so I can reread it often. Well done, Ms. Mitchell!!
I received this E-book free of charge from the author in order to provide a fair and honest review. I will receive no fiscal compensation for this review and the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
_____________________________________________________________
Story Notes
Gracie Ruth Mitchell brings another delightful addition to the Stone Springs series with a focus on Lydia and her pen pal of three years, Noel – who is not a girl like Lydia thought.
This read was a really good one with plenty of exciting plot, excellent characters and a swoony romance in the “City of Love”. We begin with a fantastic first line that sets the tone for the book: “Repeat after me: I will not fall in love with a French boy.” “No, repeat after me: I WILL fall in love, and he will be a man, not a boy. He will have a sexy accent and feed me baguettes and write me bad poetry.” With an opening like that you can’t help but smile and be drawn in to whatever is going to happen next. What that is turns out to be slightly different from what Lydia planned. She’s headed off on her Senior trip to Paris after completing her high school graduation. It will be her chance to finally meet her pen pal of three years in person and thank her for all her advice over the years. Noel had encouraged her to stand up for herself and report a guy determined to bully her into being his girlfriend. Thankfully, Lydia won’t have to put up with Marcus very often if at all, and as she’ll be with Noel, there will be plenty of ways to avoid him. Her flight goes well but her arrival is less than ideal. She manages to find her way to Noel’s apartment but she’s not sure it’s right when she comes face-to-face with a very attractive young MAN. He’s grumpy and suspicious of her but helps her find her way to Noel’s parents house, for which she is grateful. Still reeling from her exhaustion, Lydia is thankful for the warm welcome she receives from the Marchand family but is confused when Marie refers to her son coming soon and being excited to meet her. Surely, she means her daughter Noel, will be more excited to meet Lydia, right? Nope! Turns out that Marie’s son and Lydia’s friend Noel are one and the same – and not at all the girl Lydia has been sharing all her secrets with for three years. Quite upset that he had deceived her, Lydia is reluctant to hear the explanation he offers but as she’s not one to hold a grudge very long, she gives him a chance. Noel explains that while he figured out that Lydia thought that he was a girl, he enjoyed her friendship and honesty too much to clear up the mistake and hurt Lydia’s feelings. Then Noel tells her of his plans to show her around the city and take her to his favorite places and her hurt gradually vanishes. He’s still the friend he has always been, even if he’s of the male persuasion. As Lydia and Noel spend more time together, they come to find that their connection goes deeper than friendship, possibly to something deeper than either of them have ever felt. This connection will challenge each of them to be better and braver people than they have been before. And each of them will have to decide what matters most in the world to them – comfort or love. Their decision will mean a future together or apart. I have really been enjoying diving back into the world of rom-coms lately and I love that I have so many options of good books to choose from. My preference is clean with some mild spicy additions and no language and this book certainly delivers. The sweet relationship between Noel and Lydia had a little fire but had more about building a proper relationship based on doing what was best for the other. This story also gave a “non-tourist” look at life in Paris and that was a nice change from other books of this genre. I loved the secondary characters of Luc and Jade, who offered Noel and Lydia the best friend advice they needed along the way. I’m very much looking forward to finding out what happens between Jade and Ian in the nest book. I will certainly be recommending this book to others in the hope they will enjoy the swoon as I did. I also plan to add a copy of this story to my shelves soon so I can reread it often. Well done, Ms. Mitchell!!
I received this E-book free of charge from the author in order to provide a fair and honest review. I will receive no fiscal compensation for this review and the opinions expressed herein are entirely my own.
March 20, 2024
3.75✨
🔒💕🥐
“My heartbeat, my breath—they belong to him now. And he belongs to me.”
“You…want me?” “Yes,” I say fiercely. “I absolutely do.”
“She’s gorgeous. Radiant. Mine.”
📜Overview: Lydia got the heart racing, all consuming, romance she wanted and deserved: in PARIS with a hot guy who’s a little bit dangerous 🤭
🫀Characters: LOVE being in Lydia’s pov, she’s so real and gives off such cool girl vibes.
Noel has TATOOS and a PIERCED EAR (which I’m not usually a fan of but MAN 🤭), DARK CURLY HAIR, and is exactly how Lydia describes him: dark and sexy 😩 like idk WHAT Gracie put into this man, but the way she wrote him?? Every time this man breathed I was highlighting it 💀 (also this man ran a gang??)
I love Noel’s friend group — Luc is so funny 😭
I ADORED SEEING COHEN AND MINA 🥹🫶🏻 they are my sweet babies.
I need an Ian and Jade book, PLEASE IM BEGGING 🙏🏻
🫶🏻Romance: a 3 year age gap, which I looove ✨ (their relationship solidified that I love older boys 🤭) Noel is so whipped and so protective; he calls her “chérie” and it’s literally like she’s the sunshine of his life 🥹he’s always finding a way to touch her; they are literally “girl falls first but guy falls harder”. Also “touch her and I’ll run you over with a car” HAHA
✍🏼Writing: Gracie’s characters are so personally relatable; I love her YA novels 🫶🏻 this one feels wattpad-y in the best way possible 🤭
☀️Atmosphere/Season: summer! it’s literally PARIS, ofc it’s gonna be a vibe.
📚Overview of Series: I honestly adore these characters; it takes a lot for me to continue series, but especially wish for more installments!! These characters are relatable and lovable, the romances are so pure, and the writing is so fun. I’m honestly going to miss being in Stone Springs 🥺
———
CONTENT: language (none so far); sexual (clean, just kissing; Lydia gets verbally harassed and inappropriate pics to her without consent); other (lydia says she thought Noel was maybe into girls cause “she” had never mentioned a bf).
———
💌PS (I LOVE YOU)
— Kirsten <3
🔒💕🥐
“My heartbeat, my breath—they belong to him now. And he belongs to me.”
“You…want me?” “Yes,” I say fiercely. “I absolutely do.”
“She’s gorgeous. Radiant. Mine.”
📜Overview: Lydia got the heart racing, all consuming, romance she wanted and deserved: in PARIS with a hot guy who’s a little bit dangerous 🤭
🫀Characters: LOVE being in Lydia’s pov, she’s so real and gives off such cool girl vibes.
Noel has TATOOS and a PIERCED EAR (which I’m not usually a fan of but MAN 🤭), DARK CURLY HAIR, and is exactly how Lydia describes him: dark and sexy 😩 like idk WHAT Gracie put into this man, but the way she wrote him?? Every time this man breathed I was highlighting it 💀 (also this man ran a gang??)
I love Noel’s friend group — Luc is so funny 😭
I ADORED SEEING COHEN AND MINA 🥹🫶🏻 they are my sweet babies.
I need an Ian and Jade book, PLEASE IM BEGGING 🙏🏻
🫶🏻Romance: a 3 year age gap, which I looove ✨ (their relationship solidified that I love older boys 🤭) Noel is so whipped and so protective; he calls her “chérie” and it’s literally like she’s the sunshine of his life 🥹he’s always finding a way to touch her; they are literally “girl falls first but guy falls harder”. Also “touch her and I’ll run you over with a car” HAHA
✍🏼Writing: Gracie’s characters are so personally relatable; I love her YA novels 🫶🏻 this one feels wattpad-y in the best way possible 🤭
☀️Atmosphere/Season: summer! it’s literally PARIS, ofc it’s gonna be a vibe.
📚Overview of Series: I honestly adore these characters; it takes a lot for me to continue series, but especially wish for more installments!! These characters are relatable and lovable, the romances are so pure, and the writing is so fun. I’m honestly going to miss being in Stone Springs 🥺
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CONTENT: language (none so far); sexual (clean, just kissing; Lydia gets verbally harassed and inappropriate pics to her without consent); other (lydia says she thought Noel was maybe into girls cause “she” had never mentioned a bf).
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💌PS (I LOVE YOU)
— Kirsten <3
May 14, 2022
I think im done with this author.
Its just again the most predictable story ever written. Just take all of the YA badboy (but softie in the inside and gangmember but for good purpose) chliché stories (yes wattpad is free game too) and through them into the mixer with:
some absolutely accurate french-american pen pal system,
and a deception (ohh nooo i did not tell you i was a boy because i thought it was better for you)
and a random amount of french street and place names (just so we dont forget were in Paris (which we absolutely would by the way otherwise)
and a harassment from some other guy... which is really bad and gets handled quite well (though i dont have any experience so no idea) but feels like kinda heavy for this book.
a perfect best friend for both of them(though to be fair we could also sort this into categorie bad boy
no charater developement at all of course. (well he is less bossy and saying please now?) but still decides for her whats best for her and that she is not ready to marry so never mind...
ohh and a bilingual character. (accurate to be sure)
and everyone in france speaks english convieniently. (even though thats supposed to be a language trip)
ohh and the girl is convieniently very forgiving so the messups are all on his side and hers to forgive (as it is in real live to be sure) (sarkasm.)
yeaahh and when you finish mixing that overspilling blender and thought about why not make a mango smoothie instead... thenn you get this book.
to be fair. it remains to be said that the writing is quite good and the aforementioned events are at least well written if completely predictable.
Its just again the most predictable story ever written. Just take all of the YA badboy (but softie in the inside and gangmember but for good purpose) chliché stories (yes wattpad is free game too) and through them into the mixer with:
some absolutely accurate french-american pen pal system,
and a deception (ohh nooo i did not tell you i was a boy because i thought it was better for you)
and a random amount of french street and place names (just so we dont forget were in Paris (which we absolutely would by the way otherwise)
and a harassment from some other guy... which is really bad and gets handled quite well (though i dont have any experience so no idea) but feels like kinda heavy for this book.
a perfect best friend for both of them(though to be fair we could also sort this into categorie bad boy
no charater developement at all of course. (well he is less bossy and saying please now?) but still decides for her whats best for her and that she is not ready to marry so never mind...
ohh and a bilingual character. (accurate to be sure)
and everyone in france speaks english convieniently. (even though thats supposed to be a language trip)
ohh and the girl is convieniently very forgiving so the messups are all on his side and hers to forgive (as it is in real live to be sure) (sarkasm.)
yeaahh and when you finish mixing that overspilling blender and thought about why not make a mango smoothie instead... thenn you get this book.
to be fair. it remains to be said that the writing is quite good and the aforementioned events are at least well written if completely predictable.
April 10, 2021
I've been thinking about what to say for this review and I adored this book so I'm all scattered about it. So you get my notes!
.
- Noel and Lydia (does anyone else forget character's names? I read so many books that I have to write them down)
- - I like her relationship with her brothers
- Marcus 😬😬😬
- - I like how protective Noel is of Lydia
- the conversation with Luc about preparing himself for feelings 👌
- - Lydia is so confident and outspoken, all the period talk, I could literally never. But you go, girl.
- he's so jealous- it reminds me of GG, when she's like there's cute jealous and then there's Othello
- - very sweet ending
- I like that they were good for each other. And kind. I like kind.
- - how he was so grumpy and she softened him. Swoon.
- the whole thing. Just so good. Mina and Cohen. 😍
- - do Jade and Ian get a story?? (GUYS. I NEED THIS!)
- had such a good ending! I loved everything about it. (20 minutes 😂)
- - her relationship with her brothers. I know already said that but it's cute.
- the little compliments that were so casual but really not at all
- - this would make an adorable movie. #netflix ???
.
Get it and spend your weekend in a beautifully written love story that will guarantee make you feel at least 7 different emotions. 👌👌
.
- Noel and Lydia (does anyone else forget character's names? I read so many books that I have to write them down)
- - I like her relationship with her brothers
- Marcus 😬😬😬
- - I like how protective Noel is of Lydia
- the conversation with Luc about preparing himself for feelings 👌
- - Lydia is so confident and outspoken, all the period talk, I could literally never. But you go, girl.
- he's so jealous- it reminds me of GG, when she's like there's cute jealous and then there's Othello
- - very sweet ending
- I like that they were good for each other. And kind. I like kind.
- - how he was so grumpy and she softened him. Swoon.
- the whole thing. Just so good. Mina and Cohen. 😍
- - do Jade and Ian get a story?? (GUYS. I NEED THIS!)
- had such a good ending! I loved everything about it. (20 minutes 😂)
- - her relationship with her brothers. I know already said that but it's cute.
- the little compliments that were so casual but really not at all
- - this would make an adorable movie. #netflix ???
.
Get it and spend your weekend in a beautifully written love story that will guarantee make you feel at least 7 different emotions. 👌👌
August 16, 2024
Give me more!
Oh my goodness this was SO good. After reading three books from this author I feel like I’m noticing something and it is a good kind of something. Gracie pulls out such unique situations or parts of a character that make you stop and realize you’ve never read anything quite like it. Something I’ve noticed so far and really hope continues is that Gracie has her characters react what I would say would be appropriately with dilemmas. I’m always so annoyed when you spend a ton of time watching a person fall deeply in love and then something comes up that for most normal people would be cause for a disagreement or a need to talk through something instead the author has the character so over dramatically question their love for the person. It drives me bonkers. I have not seen that with Gracie and I just want to shout “that’s what people how love one another react!” Any way, this was so swoony. I love when the MMC is super gruff but oh so tender with the FMC. This romance was just so so sweet! My only complaint is that I need Jade and Ian’s story and I’m panicking that the author won’t circle back around for them. Gracie if you are reading this please please put me out of my misery! Ok now on to the next book of hers!
Oh my goodness this was SO good. After reading three books from this author I feel like I’m noticing something and it is a good kind of something. Gracie pulls out such unique situations or parts of a character that make you stop and realize you’ve never read anything quite like it. Something I’ve noticed so far and really hope continues is that Gracie has her characters react what I would say would be appropriately with dilemmas. I’m always so annoyed when you spend a ton of time watching a person fall deeply in love and then something comes up that for most normal people would be cause for a disagreement or a need to talk through something instead the author has the character so over dramatically question their love for the person. It drives me bonkers. I have not seen that with Gracie and I just want to shout “that’s what people how love one another react!” Any way, this was so swoony. I love when the MMC is super gruff but oh so tender with the FMC. This romance was just so so sweet! My only complaint is that I need Jade and Ian’s story and I’m panicking that the author won’t circle back around for them. Gracie if you are reading this please please put me out of my misery! Ok now on to the next book of hers!
April 2, 2021
Such a cute story! My intention was to be a good mom and read this after my kids had all gone to bed over a couple of days, but... 🤷🏼♀️ And while this might have been intended for young adults, I regret nothing. Nothing!
.
Let me break it down:
.
Things I loved:
-The chemistry. I may or may not have told the author that I live for her kissing scenes, but that is neither here nor there. They are the best and Lydia and Noel are the cutest 💗
-Luc. I love Luc! Having been a snarky best friend myself for many, many years now, I find myself drawn to this absolutely wonderful sidekick.
-The slap heard round the world. Or...er...heard round the flat. But you get, you get it.
-“But Daddy, I love him!” This line had me legit LOL 😂 (name that movie and we will be friends for life!)
.
Things I appreciated:
-Mitchell does a great job with her female characters wanting love and companionship, but not being motivated by it. She writes women that are focused on their own wants and needs, and I like that.
-There are some tough issues dealt with here, namely sexual harassment and bullying, but they are handled in a way that I wouldn’t think twice about giving this to my daughter to read so we can start a dialogue about ways to protect yourself against people that make you feel unsafe.
.
Things I could do without:
-Marcus. Marcus and everyone like him. He and his kind could be completely eradicated from the earth and I would not bat a single eye. Not even part of an eye. Like, not even a lash.
-Also still not sure how I feel about Noel’s “non-profit” gig 🤔
I was gifted a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review ☺️
.
Let me break it down:
.
Things I loved:
-The chemistry. I may or may not have told the author that I live for her kissing scenes, but that is neither here nor there. They are the best and Lydia and Noel are the cutest 💗
-Luc. I love Luc! Having been a snarky best friend myself for many, many years now, I find myself drawn to this absolutely wonderful sidekick.
-The slap heard round the world. Or...er...heard round the flat. But you get, you get it.
-“But Daddy, I love him!” This line had me legit LOL 😂 (name that movie and we will be friends for life!)
.
Things I appreciated:
-Mitchell does a great job with her female characters wanting love and companionship, but not being motivated by it. She writes women that are focused on their own wants and needs, and I like that.
-There are some tough issues dealt with here, namely sexual harassment and bullying, but they are handled in a way that I wouldn’t think twice about giving this to my daughter to read so we can start a dialogue about ways to protect yourself against people that make you feel unsafe.
.
Things I could do without:
-Marcus. Marcus and everyone like him. He and his kind could be completely eradicated from the earth and I would not bat a single eye. Not even part of an eye. Like, not even a lash.
-Also still not sure how I feel about Noel’s “non-profit” gig 🤔
I was gifted a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review ☺️
April 3, 2021
City of Love is a story about pen pals who finally meet, in Paris. Lydia has been writing to her pen pal Noel for 3 years, and her French class is taking a post graduation trip to visit France and meet their pals. Lydia is not too happy when she realizes Noel is also a guy’s name in French, and just so happens that her pen pal is of the male variety. She is supposed to spend a month with her pen pal’s family...
This book is hilarious! I love Lydia’s strong personality, and her ability to tell people how it is. Noel is the perfect “bad boy with a good heart” complete with tattoos and a strong jaw. The journey these characters take just pulled me right in, I just had to keep reading to find out what was going to happen next! Also, their friends side characters were on point and I was totally on their side!!
This is a friends-to-more clean romance for the YA/NA lovers. There are also things the characters deal with that could possibly be triggers for some people: stalker harassment, and pick pocketing.
This book is hilarious! I love Lydia’s strong personality, and her ability to tell people how it is. Noel is the perfect “bad boy with a good heart” complete with tattoos and a strong jaw. The journey these characters take just pulled me right in, I just had to keep reading to find out what was going to happen next! Also, their friends side characters were on point and I was totally on their side!!
This is a friends-to-more clean romance for the YA/NA lovers. There are also things the characters deal with that could possibly be triggers for some people: stalker harassment, and pick pocketing.
August 17, 2025
Cute but some things missed the mark
This was a cute read, but it was kinda a carbon copy plot of the first book in the series— girl/boy who are friends spend more time together fall for each other, long drawn out angst of miscommunication/misunderstandings until the very end of the story when they figure out and fess up to how they feel.
There were also some plot holes/plausibility issues for me. For example the reasons for the MMC “extracurricular“ activities strained credulity. Along with this, his character (bad boy with a chip on his shoulder, and on the wrong side of law) and his backstory/family (stable and loving) didn’t jive together for me. I didn’t get where his rough, grumpy persona came from. And I wasn’t buying that a senior class trip would not spend any time staying/touring together, but would spend it with their pen pals.
For these reasons it was a 3.5 stars for me.
This was a cute read, but it was kinda a carbon copy plot of the first book in the series— girl/boy who are friends spend more time together fall for each other, long drawn out angst of miscommunication/misunderstandings until the very end of the story when they figure out and fess up to how they feel.
There were also some plot holes/plausibility issues for me. For example the reasons for the MMC “extracurricular“ activities strained credulity. Along with this, his character (bad boy with a chip on his shoulder, and on the wrong side of law) and his backstory/family (stable and loving) didn’t jive together for me. I didn’t get where his rough, grumpy persona came from. And I wasn’t buying that a senior class trip would not spend any time staying/touring together, but would spend it with their pen pals.
For these reasons it was a 3.5 stars for me.
November 29, 2021
O B S E S S E D
I have a rating system and a list for books I’ve read in the past year. Gracie Ruth’s books are the only ones who have gotten 6/5 which I told myself I would never do. 5/5 is the max. Buuuuut, they’re just SOOO PERFECT! I’ve inhaled two of her books in the last 24hrs. I started this one at 10pm last night and didn’t stop reading until 4am haha. It’s perfect. I absolutely loved this book. I can’t quite explain it. It gives me shock waves. I often finish books a little frustrated wishing for just a liiiittle bit more, but this book was all I could’ve wanted. I kept looking at the page number and being sad as I got further because then it would be over 🤣 anyway, I’m GR’s newest, biggest fan. I’m obsessed. Try this book out!! (And maid of dishonor 😜) I promise you won’t regret it.
I have a rating system and a list for books I’ve read in the past year. Gracie Ruth’s books are the only ones who have gotten 6/5 which I told myself I would never do. 5/5 is the max. Buuuuut, they’re just SOOO PERFECT! I’ve inhaled two of her books in the last 24hrs. I started this one at 10pm last night and didn’t stop reading until 4am haha. It’s perfect. I absolutely loved this book. I can’t quite explain it. It gives me shock waves. I often finish books a little frustrated wishing for just a liiiittle bit more, but this book was all I could’ve wanted. I kept looking at the page number and being sad as I got further because then it would be over 🤣 anyway, I’m GR’s newest, biggest fan. I’m obsessed. Try this book out!! (And maid of dishonor 😜) I promise you won’t regret it.
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