Reviews tagging 'Alcohol'

Secretly Yours by Tessa Bailey

54 reviews

hapalyn's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-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

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Alcohol, Fire/Fire injury, and Cursing

Moderate: Grief and Death

bzliz's review against another edition

lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

Hallie has had a thing for Julian since they almost kissed in high school. Now she’s a chaotic gardener turning his life upside down as she transforms the grounds around his quarters at his family’s vineyard. Julian can’t stand disorder and always keeps to a rigorous schedule, even now that he’s taking a break from teaching history at Stanford to write a book. But something about Hallie makes him forget his strict schedule and make room for a little chaos. One night after too much wine, Hallie writes an anonymous secret admirer letter to Julian, which can only go really right or really, really wrong. 

Fans of “opposites attract” tropes will love this. For me, the pacing was a little weird and I kept backtracking to see if I’d missed a point where the characters had real chemistry. The first spicy scene made me laugh but it did feel fun. I can’t get over the second spicy scene where they

have sex in the middle of a vineyard and also this is Hallie’s first time. I can’t stop thinking about bugs and being poked by vines and it just seems unpleasant to me.

This one was just okay for me; I think Tessa Bailey has better books. 

Trigger warnings: 
Alcohol- lots of wine drinking throughout, some general drunkenness 
Alcoholism- side character regularly drinks to a blackout state, is not a main focus
Fire- past event, led to family fallout
Panic attacks/disorders- main character suffers from panic attacks and occasionally shuts down and loses time as a result
Sexual content- it’s a Tessa Bailey book

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content

Moderate: Alcoholism and Fire/Fire injury

coco78337's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing 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

5.0

The best Tessa Bailey book I’ve read so far! I love the angst and the character growth in this one. She really sets a beautiful tone and scene for the whole book. Highly recommend if you’re into grumpy sunshine and slow burn in the best way.

---

Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcohol, Fire/Fire injury, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Cursing

nickoliver's review against another edition

lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

Are all of Tessa Bailey's books like this? Because if so, I'm judging all of you right now. This was fucking horrible.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Death, Grief, Sexual content, and Panic attacks/disorders

Moderate: Alcoholism

beckyremillard's review against another edition

emotional hopeful lighthearted 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

4.5

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Alcohol, and Sexual content

poati's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders

Moderate: Grief, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol

shaemaguffee's review against another edition

lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Sexual content, and Panic attacks/disorders

Moderate: Mental illness, Cursing, Death, and Fire/Fire injury

danajoy's review against another edition

3.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content

Minor: Death

iamsammie27's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Alcohol, and Sexual content

Moderate: Alcoholism

Minor: Grief, Abandonment, and Death of parent

samarakroeger's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

another solid small town Tessa Bailey book. if you like her writing style, there’s no reason not to pick this up.

I did think the secret love letter plot line was kinda dumb, but something’s gotta cause some conflict, right?

anyways, these two really like to get down and dirty in the literal dirt (why so much outdoor smut, Tessa?), but seems about right for a gardener, at least.  I really could have skipped chapter 21. 

I will for sure pick up the other book in the duology when it comes out!

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Alcohol, and Mental illness

Moderate: Fire/Fire injury and Abandonment