Reviewed by Jess
TITLE: Paper Love
AUTHOR: Jae
PUBLISHER: Ylva Publishing
LENGTH: 224 pages
RELEASE DATE: August 15, 2018
BLURB:
Susanne Wolff isn’t thrilled when her mother sends her all the way across the country to Freiburg to save her uncle’s stationery store from bankruptcy. Freiburg is too provincial for her taste, and besides, pen and paper are outdated anyway.
Anja Lamm, Paper Love’s only full-time employee, takes an instant dislike to the arrogant, digital-loving snob who’s supposed to be her temporary boss.
But thanks to a meddling cat, a business trip to a stationery fair, and an armada of origami boats, Anja soon starts to see beneath Susanne’s aloof exterior, and Susanne discovers how sexy pens and notebooks can be—at least when Anja handles them.
As the end of Susanne’s three-month stay approaches, will she stick to her plan to leave, or will she open her heart to more than just paper love?
REVIEW:
This review is going to reveal an alarming secret about me. Here we go. Takes a deep breath.
This is my very first book by acclaimed lesfic author Jae.
If you’re an avid lesfic fan like me, you’re probably gasping, and rightfully so! Jae is one of today’s most-loved authors of lesbian romances. Her works have spanned genres and settings, and it seems like every lesfic fan has a personal favorite. Though I am incredibly late to the party, I can say with confidence that I am totally hooked! This is an excellent romance with well-crafted characters, amazing scenery, and a realistic story that pulls you right in.
First of all, if you’re growing tired of romances set in the same places (California, New York, London), this one will be a real treat. According to the author’s note, Jae decided to set this book in her hometown of Freiburg, Germany—the sunniest city in the country. And if you have never been or have even seen photos, you need to look it up, because it is breathtaking. The architecture, the monuments, the local shops…it all exists in reality, but you can tell Jae loves it so much that she gives it a special magic in this book. From the iconic bächles to the cozy beer gardens, every bit of Freiburg wraps you up in a warm hug as you read.
But the book has so much more to offer. I’ve always been a fan of the “defrosting the ice queen” trope, but something about it has always bugged me. To be honest, I tend to love the ice queen characters. I love their ambition, their drive, and their tenacity. I sympathize with the way they protect themselves and their hearts. So even when the “defrosting” is swoon-worthy, I’m always a little sad when the ice queen lets go of all her ambitions and integrity to go footloose and fancy-free with a new lover.
That’s why I love Susanne so much. She’s a woman who knows that needs to be done, and if that means hurting a few feelings along the way, she still does it. When she puts her heart on the line for her uncle’s whimsical paper shop employee, Anja, she has to find that perfect balance between business and pleasure, and it isn’t always easy. The shop, Paper Love, needs some serious saving, and the women find out that it needs both soft and tough love to make it work. They compliment each other rather than seek to change each other, which is a hard balance to strike.
Another thing I like about this story is how slowly it moves. From the second they meet, Susanne and Anja have an instant physical attraction, but they both know it would only complicate things for Paper Love. So they come together slowly, peeling back layers and getting to know each other, knowing that they have to really mean it for it to happen. And when it does? Well, I guess you’ll just have to read it to find out.
This one is a definite winner for me. It’s cozy and warm, but it has a good plot that keeps you invested. It’s a successful romance on all fronts.
RATING: 
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