You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Scan barcode
tabbed_reads2much's review
- 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
3.75
Minor: Death
izziepng's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I enjoyed the book and all the characters however I’m a hater at heart and here’s what I don’t like.
I feel as thought Hallie was only a virgin to satisfy the kink some people have of fucking a virgin. It added nothing to the story or her as a character. Everything would of been the EXACT SAME if she had not been.
I also don’t think this is a second chance romance Hallie never had a chance in the first place Julian forgot about her seconds after their “almost kiss”
Her last name being Welch like after the juice company is for sure something.
Hallie OBSESSION with him after 15 YEARS is excessive to the greatest extent. Name characters more creatively and not just after a random plot point/ characteristic ( cough lily blossom bloom cough cough)
Now this isn’t a complaint it’s more of a hole he woke up from a almost 3 week mental nap and planned a HUGE party in hours?? if I am wrong please correct me. but i do believe that her and Owen were supposed to leave that after noon and julian came out of his room a few HOURS before her point of view of getting kidnapped by Lavinia.
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, and Grief
beckyyreadss's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcoholism, Grief, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Death
sdupont's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Grief and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Alcoholism and Death
kris386's review
2.5
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcoholism and Alcohol
Minor: Death, Grief, and Fire/Fire injury
roget's review
- Strong character development? No
2.0
Eh…
More like twice. Ish?
Look, that’s not where my issues originate here. I don’t mind a short “grumpy” arch in a grumpyXsunshine style ship, though I think this story would’ve benefitted from keeping Julian distant for longer.
This book follows Julian, an exacting Stanford professor home on some sort of sabbatical to write a novel, and Hallie, a landscaper who’s feeling unmoored since the loss of her grandmother. She’s had a crush on Julian since high school, but he doesn’t remember her. They have a spark, though, and the story follows them as they try to see if it can be cultivated into something more.
Both characters had strong and promising backstories, but the plot fell quite flat. With all the room for real conflict and real development, the turns the book took often felt contrived and boring.
I wanted more about Julian’s anxiety. I wanted him to actually come into serious conflict with Hallie’s way of managing her time. In real life, that would’ve happened, and it might’ve been enough to sink them as a couple. But instead, Julian seems to constantly sugar coat even her most destructive or unhealthy behaviors (pointless theft?). He doesn’t need to lecture her or criticize her, but his constant internal insistence that she has no flaws rang more and more false with his every repetition. It made the relationship feel grounded in an unreality that will capsize because Julian does not truly know or accept her. He has not yet been truly inconvenienced by her. Their love wasn’t tested.
And that makes this a sort of flimsy romance story.
This wasn’t helped by the lack of clear reasons for Julian to be interested in Hallie, beyond his physical attraction. Look, spice isn’t my thing, but usually Bailey’s books have an interesting love story between those parts.
Most of Julian’s reflections were just him drooling over Hallie’s body. There was very little development given to his relationship with her internal characteristics.
And his anxiety was left pretty underdeveloped. We were told some things there, near the end, but most of the story sort of sidelined it, and the reader is left with the understanding that for the most part, Julian’s symptoms go away when he’s with Hallie because he’s too distracted by his attraction for her. (I am not a fan of that take.) I was glad to see that it wasn’t magically cured, but I feel the development there was unclear and didn’t quite ring true to me, personally. (Of course, others may disagree!)
I don’t know. :/ I wanted to enjoy this one, but it fell a bit flat for me, unfortunately.
Tldr: Physical attraction doesn’t cure anxiety. Pretending your partner is flawless to avoid conflict is a recipe for burnout, poor conflict management, and eventual hurt feelings.
**Thank you to Netgalley and Avon for an ARC copy in exchange for my honest feedback.**
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Death and Grief
bookswithmybulldog's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Death and Fire/Fire injury
emilyharmonica's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Overall rating: 3.25 stars
Spice level: 3/5
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders and Grief
Moderate: Death and Fire/Fire injury
bananathebookbestie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The plot: I actually didn't like the anonymous letters plot at all. Hallie and Julian already had a connection, and I think could've developed their relationship without that added element. I don't think it worked as well as it could have because Hallie was in regular contact and communication with Julian. If it was all secret letters then meeting I think it would've been different. I also don't think the letters warranted the reaction of the third act conflict. Miscommunication is one of my least favorite tropes, and it's really frustrating to be in each of the characters heads where they just over think everything instead of saying SOMETHING to the other one. I know it's scary, etc. I also don't think it's realistic, though, that there wouldn't have been any of those conversations outside of the letters.
The spice: The dirty talk was sooooo good. One of the things Tessa Bailey excels at and is known for. I was also pleasantly surprised that no on-page sex was done in a bed! That was fun. His masturbation in the shower, the mutual masturbation in the kitchen, the scene in the vineyard, the encounter in her private garden... Ugh. No notes. The MOUTH ON THAT MAN is so filthy and I love it. I will say the virgin thing was a little weird. It surprised me and I'm not sure I liked that being a main focal point.
The anxiety rep: I hated how much judgement and ridicule Julian received from his family and especially his father. Clearly mental health was not something his parents took seriously, and it made me really sad. I do think his coping skills were repeated too frequently and didn't help the plot move forward. Learning about his panic attacks after the fire helped with context, but I think Julian deserved more growth than "I love Hallie so I'll try to be less anxious." I have anxiety, and I don't think this representation was as good as other books I've read with anxious characters.
The town: I loved the town, thought the supporting characters were pretty funny and I can't wait for Natalie's story.
Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Death
hellowildflower's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
Moderate: Death and Abandonment