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jc_wb's review against another edition
The plot was vaguely interesting, I was hoping for a spicy Hallmark-esque story. The FMC is a grieving mess who makes bad decision after bad decision, usually involving too much wine. The MMC is an upright writer, completely undone by seeing a bra through a t-shirt (and needs help for his face down masturbation and the amount of times he masturbated thinking about the bra . The spicy scenes mainly made me cringe - the kitchen scene?! But I was willing to finish the story until he'd realised she's a virgin due to how "tight" she was - with his finger and shortly after that nightmare said "I love you like this. Drowsy and pinned to the ground where you can't make trouble." .
I finished the chapter but couldn't pick it up again after the creepy misogyny.
Sadly I've already bought another one of the author's books (different series). I'll give it a try but not hoping out much hope.
I finished the chapter but couldn't pick it up again after the creepy misogyny.
Sadly I've already bought another one of the author's books (different series). I'll give it a try but not hoping out much hope.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Misogyny
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
nightsparks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Def a Bella x Edward fanfic. The whole losing her virginity part was so rushed, very fanfic
Rosalie sister, and she gets her Emmett in the background.
It was very frustrating how poor their communication was. Like I get the "why", but I could not stand it. Likeguess you broke up?! And just mourn that. I wanted to dnf round then. But didn't have lots left on audio
The spice is okay, some good scenes, but some cringe ones that made me laugh. Not 100% positive it was supposed to be funny, but it was to me.
I love books where everything works out, but this one didn't quite hit that spot. It didn't feel like Mr. Darcy levels of 'I will go and fix this on my own. With or without me I will improve your life.' And instead opportunities to do the right thing fell into Edwards, ahem I mean Julian's lap.
Not terrible, but definitely not Tessa's best. Could have used some more beta reader feed back, ahem I mean editor work.
Rosalie sister, and she gets her Emmett in the background.
It was very frustrating how poor their communication was. Like I get the "why", but I could not stand it. Like
The spice is okay, some good scenes, but some cringe ones that made me laugh. Not 100% positive it was supposed to be funny, but it was to me.
I love books where everything works out, but this one didn't quite hit that spot. It didn't feel like Mr. Darcy levels of 'I will go and fix this on my own. With or without me I will improve your life.' And instead opportunities to do the right thing fell into Edwards, ahem I mean Julian's lap.
Not terrible, but definitely not Tessa's best. Could have used some more beta reader feed back, ahem I mean editor work.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury and Panic attacks/disorders
Cute but feeling incomplete, and rushed finish. The drama at the end felt so unbelievably unnecessary.kaileylebrun's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Alcohol
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Pandemic/Epidemic
savvyrosereads's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Hallie drunkenly decides to write a secret admirer letter to her former high school crush Julian when he comes back to town…but their real life attraction may be complicated by their pen and paper romance.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again—I love a Tessa Bailey audiobook. They’re fun, they’re silly, they’re cute, they’re spicy, and overall I am generally entertained. This book was no different! I’d go so far as to say it had some truly stellar moments—and I’ll never be over “he’d choose her smile over oxygen.”
That said, I struggle with romances where the primary conflict/obstacle to the relationship is just “they won’t talk about their feelings” and this one is definitely that. The third act breakup was also absolutely ridiculous to me, and frankly unnecessary.
I loved the set up for the next book that we got here, though, and am really looking forward to reading that one soon! Overall, would still recommend this, but there are definitely better TB’s out there as well.
CW: Grief; panic attacks/mental health; fire/wildfire
Hallie drunkenly decides to write a secret admirer letter to her former high school crush Julian when he comes back to town…but their real life attraction may be complicated by their pen and paper romance.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again—I love a Tessa Bailey audiobook. They’re fun, they’re silly, they’re cute, they’re spicy, and overall I am generally entertained. This book was no different! I’d go so far as to say it had some truly stellar moments—and I’ll never be over “he’d choose her smile over oxygen.”
That said, I struggle with romances where the primary conflict/obstacle to the relationship is just “they won’t talk about their feelings” and this one is definitely that. The third act breakup was also absolutely ridiculous to me, and frankly unnecessary.
I loved the set up for the next book that we got here, though, and am really looking forward to reading that one soon! Overall, would still recommend this, but there are definitely better TB’s out there as well.
CW: Grief; panic attacks/mental health; fire/wildfire
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, and Panic attacks/disorders
notsailingalone's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I thought the characters were interesting but I disliked the virgin aspect to the story . I don't enjoy women who are infantalised and men who are written like they're constantly teaching a 30 year old grown woman. Those aspects would be okay if they are eventually turned on their head in some way but they aren't here and it just fell flat for me because of that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Panic attacks/disorders, and Death of parent
katierosecrane's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This book has a good message in it but it reminded me too much of a hallmark movie. It was a little too cheesy for my taste and I think the conflict through Hallie’s eyes are dumb.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Alcohol, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
yarisbooksandbevs's review against another edition
This book is not for me. I felt like the FMC was very immature for someone pushing 30 and she was super inexperienced and continued pining over her 14 year old crush. She compared everyone to this man and held him and everyone else up to this high school idea of him. Julian’s severe anxiety would not be so easily thwarted meeting someone for the first time. The entire passage about her breasts at the beginning was cringey and felt like it was written for the male gaze. Julian being threatening also was cringey. They had nice banter but no chemistry outside of that and Hallie’s obsession of him.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Death and Fire/Fire injury
abicaro17's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Julian and Hallie were so sweet! I really enjoyed how their dynamic worked within the semi slow burn. I think the plot was cute and i'm glad they worked out their issues. My problem with the book was first off was the lack of details on important plot stuff (post fire Dad plot, what happened to Hallie grandma, what happened to uncorked?) and the immediate apology acceptance after all the lying Hallie did. Like I get that he thought it was her anyways but she still lied?? It was a good book but not the best Tessa Bailey i've read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Classism, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, Cursing, and Death
megbetweenthepages's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Fire/Fire injury, and Sexual content
suzelarson's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Fire/Fire injury and Panic attacks/disorders