Jae Jae

Paper Love

Renee

Of the stories I read by Jae, the settings have mostly been in my neck of the woods (Mid-western states in America). It was a nice change of pace to read about Jae‘s home country and culture with Paper Love. I also appreciate that Jae’s stories always seem to have a certain level of diversity compared to the predictability of the characters and settings other authors generally stick with. As a vegetarian, I‘m sure I would have enjoyed reading this story so much more while eating my favorite falafel with tzatziki wrap, even if it was just for the sake of connecting with Anja. Like most of Jae‘s stories, this one is a sweet, slow-burn romance. This is a decent love story by Jae but not one that created that certain romantic spark I get when reading her books. I’m usually patient with the characters who take a while to accept and act on their feelings for each other. However, with this story, I wasn’t as patient with Susanne and Anja. For most of the story I inwardly screamed at them to get together already. Likewise, I never felt that Susanne was an ice-queen. Perhaps my perception was based on the fact that there was more telling than showing of her cold personality. Overall, this was an enjoyable read, and I was able to walk away with learning something new about the popularity/obsession with stationary and some parts of the German culture.

Lucia Correa

3.5 Stars.

As I've come to expect, Jae has put out another well written book. I loved the setting, because I love Paper & Pens. At the iconic Pasadena, CA bookstore Vroman's, they had a separate Stationary and Pen store next door to the main bookstore (largest in So. Cal). I pictured Paper Love to look like Vroman's store - in the center were dark wood and glass cases filled with pens and fountain pens - sorta like jewelry cases. Around the rest of the store was various stationary and other gift items. (I still use my favorite coffee cup from them that has a beautiful calligraphic initial L on it). At one time I did a lot of calligraphy, however I'm out of practice. But I still love a nice pen. I read that Vroman's closed the Pen store and incorporated within the bookstore. I looked at their online store and they are selling a Mont Blanc pen for the bargain price of $3,900! After reading this book, I went to amazon and bought a top rated fountain pen for under $50.

As to the romance, Samantha Wolff is sent to Freiburg by her mother, to help save her Uncle Nobby's store, Paper Love. Samantha just quit her job as a business consultant who would revamp businesses. (or something like that). Anja Lamm, was Nobby's only full time employee who worked there for many years. Anja loved the store and was an expert on all things pens and stationary. They of course didn't hit it off right away as Anja was old school pens and paper and Samantha was all digital.

The good - all things pens and paper talk, Muesli the cat, the relationship between Samantha and her twin sister Franzi, both MCs were likable, learning about Freiburg, Germany and just having it centered outside of an English speaking country (ie. US, Britain etc.) was a plus. 

The Bad - nothing really. Just that it was a predictable, enemies to lovers romance. I didn't dislike it, but I thought it dragged a bit in some parts. So I ended up stopping and starting. I did find it unbelievable that they didn't at least have a single page website with the address and phone number for people to find the store. A minor quibble.

Paper Love

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