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bananathebookbestie's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
TL;DR: A cute romance featuring (sort of) second-chance, Grumpy X Sunshine, small wine town and (sort of) forced proximity. Spice was excellent. But the main characters really need therapy.
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Death
hellowildflower's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- 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
Thank you to NetGalley, Avon and HarperCollins Australia for allowing me to read and review this book before release.
Tessa Bailey quickly became one of my favourite authors. Last year I read 14 of her books and Secretly Yours is definitely top 5 for me.
It was the kind of fun and romantic book I was expecting with that grumpy/sunshine trope that Tessa Bailey writes so well.
I love Hallie and Julian together and in the end it really does feel like the complete each other.
I could relate to both main characters in many ways. Julian is the calm and Hallie is the storm and I love it.
A few key elements I loved:
•Anxiety rep
•Hallie is plus-size
•The love letters
•Hallie’s fierce love for her family and friends
•Julian trying to repair the relationship with his mother and sister
•The sexual tension
Secretly Yours was a very fun way for Tessa to kick off a new series of books and I can’t wait to read Natalie’s story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
Moderate: Death and Abandonment
purplepenning's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
2.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
Minor: Death, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, and Sexism
So, I had a few issues, and they're all spoilery content warnings, so:kearstenkeepsreading's review against another edition
challenging
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
5.0
Thank you Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley for providing an arc for an honest review.
I adore this book! Hallie is such a whirlwind of a person and crashes into Julian’s life throwing off his schedules and perfectly laid out plans. Of course what he doesn’t know is that she has had a serious crush on him since high school and in a drunken moment Hallie decides to confess these feelings in a secret admirer letter. Like Clockwork Julian finds the letter and thus begins his journey to letting go. Through her letters and her presence Hallie challenges Julian to break free of the constraints of his schedules and learn to live life again.
There was wonderful dialogue around anxiety and grief and how both can affect an individual in a myriad of ways. As usual the spice was amazing and I was happy that it was later in the book when they both have a better understanding of each other outside of high school crushes and first impressions. Also the side characters are amazing and I absolutely cannot wait for Natalie and August’s book!
Content Warnings
Minor: Death
cover2covertx's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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
3.0
This was such a fun, sweet read! The style was very much in keeping with Tessa Bailey’s sweet but spicy trademark.
I really enjoyed the professor angle and the secret admirer letters. She also had a lot more character development in this one and I appreciated the male love interest having panic attacks and struggle with anxiety. Not only is this subject not represented nearly enough but I think it was refreshing to see the male lead struggle with it rather than a female character. It made his character very vulnerable and even more realistic and likable.
I know a lot of Tessa Bailey fans like myself were really excited to see her write a plus size character, but I will say that was one of the only things lacking for me. I feel like this could’ve been touched on a little more and at times it felt like she was being fetishized rather than celebrated, which can be a fine line to walk w/ a spicy plus size rom com. However, it was great to see that the MC was still comfortable in her own skin and didn’t equate her beauty with her size or talk about diets or any of the other stereotypes authors get into when they decide to write a plus size MC.
Overall, a really fun cute read!
Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books for the ARC to review! :)
I really enjoyed the professor angle and the secret admirer letters. She also had a lot more character development in this one and I appreciated the male love interest having panic attacks and struggle with anxiety. Not only is this subject not represented nearly enough but I think it was refreshing to see the male lead struggle with it rather than a female character. It made his character very vulnerable and even more realistic and likable.
I know a lot of Tessa Bailey fans like myself were really excited to see her write a plus size character, but I will say that was one of the only things lacking for me. I feel like this could’ve been touched on a little more and at times it felt like she was being fetishized rather than celebrated, which can be a fine line to walk w/ a spicy plus size rom com. However, it was great to see that the MC was still comfortable in her own skin and didn’t equate her beauty with her size or talk about diets or any of the other stereotypes authors get into when they decide to write a plus size MC.
Overall, a really fun cute read!
Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books for the ARC to review! :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Death, Toxic relationship, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Fatphobia
kristynpittman's review
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
If you’re a Tessa Bailey gal, like myself, you’re gonna love this! It’s got her classic hijinks, and trademark steam. The tropes are grumpy/sunshine and opposites attract. Where I think this really shines is the mental health rep! The MMC goes though quite the journey processing his trauma and anxiety.
(⚠️CW: On page panic attacks)
(⚠️CW: On page panic attacks)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Alcohol
Minor: Death