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mstkmhctrgdodt's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
whatsymsreading's review against another edition
funny
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
kaitlynrose3636's review against another edition
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
4.25
happyjackiep's review
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
3.5
alyssum's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
frafrin's review against another edition
3.0
This was cute but not my favorite from TB. The backstory of the winery and the family was more interesting than the love story but I think the next book will be more my speed.
my_aa222's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
lindsaymck's review
emotional
lighthearted
medium-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
3.5
This book was sweet, but I’m looking forward to the sequel a bit more after listening to the first chapter! August (and his banter with Natalie) seems *hilarious* and I admit that I’m more excited for their enemies-to-lovers story than I was for this secret admirer story.
Honestly, the anonymous love letters come into the story late enough that the title had me confused; it seems like a minor part of the story considering it’s the title. I think Hallie only sends 3 letters and receives 1? In the end, Hallie’s guilt about writing the letters frustrated me. She was being romantic and putting herself out there in a way she felt comfortable with, especially considering she hasn’t ever been emotionally or physically intimate with anyone before. But, she doubted herself the moment Julian found out she wrote them and retreated into himself, even though she knew he has done that before AND incorrectly assumed the letter was the cause. Julian falling off the grid for two and a half weeks after she was her most vulnerable also made the ending fall flat for me. Even though I could’ve done without this miscommunication trope, his anxiety and rigidness with time and scheduling was well established to justify it and her 15 years pining for him made it clear why she wouldn’t write him off.
Hallie’s bubbly, spontaneous, and colorful personality clashing with and shaping Julian’s rigidity and need for structure was enjoyable to read. The opposites really do attract with these two! Chaos and control <3 Tessa Bailey successfully wrote two characters with very different personalities deciding to put their relationship first and learn to compromise in a way that didn’t feel like either was changing, but instead evolving.
In my opinion, I think Hallie carried the first half of the book and Julian carried the second half. She was strong, interesting, and independent in the beginning, but then turned into an “oh my god” “yes” girl and doubted herself with the love letters. Her sparkle seemed to dim for me as Julian’s POV really took over the spotlight and his backstory and anxieties were explored. He definitely had more growing to do in letting go of his routines to accept and embrace the wildness that is Hallie, and Tessa developed him really well (perhaps at the expense of Hallie).
A final note: Julian’s dirty talk was surprisingly great for an uptight professor, but sometimes went overboard. Dirty talk is a delicate line to walk and sometimes he nailed it, sometimes it missed the mark.
Honestly, the anonymous love letters come into the story late enough that the title had me confused; it seems like a minor part of the story considering it’s the title. I think Hallie only sends 3 letters and receives 1? In the end, Hallie’s guilt about writing the letters frustrated me. She was being romantic and putting herself out there in a way she felt comfortable with, especially considering she hasn’t ever been emotionally or physically intimate with anyone before. But, she doubted herself the moment Julian found out she wrote them and retreated into himself, even though she knew he has done that before AND incorrectly assumed the letter was the cause. Julian falling off the grid for two and a half weeks after she was her most vulnerable also made the ending fall flat for me. Even though I could’ve done without this miscommunication trope, his anxiety and rigidness with time and scheduling was well established to justify it and her 15 years pining for him made it clear why she wouldn’t write him off.
Hallie’s bubbly, spontaneous, and colorful personality clashing with and shaping Julian’s rigidity and need for structure was enjoyable to read. The opposites really do attract with these two! Chaos and control <3 Tessa Bailey successfully wrote two characters with very different personalities deciding to put their relationship first and learn to compromise in a way that didn’t feel like either was changing, but instead evolving.
In my opinion, I think Hallie carried the first half of the book and Julian carried the second half. She was strong, interesting, and independent in the beginning, but then turned into an “oh my god” “yes” girl and doubted herself with the love letters. Her sparkle seemed to dim for me as Julian’s POV really took over the spotlight and his backstory and anxieties were explored. He definitely had more growing to do in letting go of his routines to accept and embrace the wildness that is Hallie, and Tessa developed him really well (perhaps at the expense of Hallie).
A final note: Julian’s dirty talk was surprisingly great for an uptight professor, but sometimes went overboard. Dirty talk is a delicate line to walk and sometimes he nailed it, sometimes it missed the mark.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders