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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
amyteurhour's review
1.25
Content warning: death of a (grand)parent, parent abandoning family, fire
This was not good, I did not have a good time. So much cringe. I'm starting to realize that Tessa Bailey's style of dirty talk and smut is NOT for me lol. I read It Happened One Summer last month because a friend recommended it. I didn't love it, but the hinted-at pairing got me interested enough in the sequel, which I actually did enjoy (I think mostly because there wasn't as much smut in it lol).
I found Julian to be super creepy; his inner monologues where he totally objectifies Hallie (from basically the moment he lays eyes on her) and how he hypersexualizes the concept of Hallie's virginity was super gross. I also just had a hard time rooting for Hallie, especially during the third act conflict.
I debated back and forth on whether I should DNF or not at multiple points throughout, but ended up finishing it because I've gotten into the mindset of really wanting to finish the last few books I started in 2023 and have had "open" for weeks (which I know is nonsensical and stubborn-minded). I didn't love the audiobook, but ended up powering through that because I've lately been so tired to the point where it's painful/hard for my eyes to focus when I read with my eyes and not my ears so I couldn't even skim this easily :(
Note to future me - after one meh book, one good (by comparison) book, and two total duds, take this as a sign that Tessa Bailey is not for me.
This was not good, I did not have a good time. So much cringe. I'm starting to realize that Tessa Bailey's style of dirty talk and smut is NOT for me lol. I read It Happened One Summer last month because a friend recommended it. I didn't love it, but the hinted-at pairing got me interested enough in the sequel, which I actually did enjoy (I think mostly because there wasn't as much smut in it lol).
I found Julian to be super creepy; his inner monologues where he totally objectifies Hallie (from basically the moment he lays eyes on her) and how he hypersexualizes the concept of Hallie's virginity was super gross. I also just had a hard time rooting for Hallie, especially during the third act conflict.
I debated back and forth on whether I should DNF or not at multiple points throughout, but ended up finishing it because I've gotten into the mindset of really wanting to finish the last few books I started in 2023 and have had "open" for weeks (which I know is nonsensical and stubborn-minded). I didn't love the audiobook, but ended up powering through that because I've lately been so tired to the point where it's painful/hard for my eyes to focus when I read with my eyes and not my ears so I couldn't even skim this easily :(
Note to future me - after one meh book, one good (by comparison) book, and two total duds, take this as a sign that Tessa Bailey is not for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, and Abandonment
annabananadel's review against another edition
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
“You’re still not going to yell at her anymore. If she’s upset, I’m upset. I don’t think you want that.”
First book of the year was a big disappointment. It is first time where I actually stopped highlighting/underlining/writing anything and just completely scrapped annotating aside from tabbing. The quote was the last straw for me - it was so freaking cringey I wanted to DNF so badly. If only I actually DNF, I would have already but then I bought the second book of this series so I had no choice but to actually try finishing it. I wasn't invested anymore, I wanted to throw both main characters to the trash so badly.
I hated both characters but mostly Hallie just because she's thirty years old but acts like a child. Yes, you're mourning the loss of your grandmother but it does not give you the right to act like a child just to save Corked. You even know it yourself how irresponsible you are. Ugh, just thinking about this character boils my blood so much.
I can't believe how an author who wrote It Happened One Summer can write this trash. From 5 stars to 1 star real quick. To say I wouldn't recommend this book is an understatement. I wanted to just throw this away if not for that it would look good in my bookshelf as soon as I get the second book...
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Medical trauma
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Gaslighting
carefulfearanddeaddevotion's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
didnt realize this book was X rated when I picked it up, and it's the first of its kind ive read so maybe im just not familiar with the genre, but the writing and characters (especially Julian) were really...weird? idk how to describe it, very stilted, immature, and oftentimes difficult to like. the best character was by far Natalie, so even though im not sure i liked this book or Tessa's writing, i might read hers just to spend more time with her (plus it has my favorite trope: fake relationship). maybe the author was just unsuccessful at portraying someone with anxiety/panic attacks/ptsd? idk.
i also hated the lack of communication. like i get miscommunication is a big trope in romance, but this was a bit much. like?? you're 30 years old, it's very clear you're into each other (especially after themutual masturbation like hello???) just make an effort to say like one (1) sentence instead of...walking away?? hard to believe they'll last with those kinds of communication skills.
also, and i've tried to think of a better way to word it, but it's just this: Julian gave me the ick SO often. Just when i was like "heheh cute" he'd be like "the world will end if i dont see an Hallie Smile tm" and i'd need to go rushing to the nearest trash can. nasty. like just so weird. the constant simultaneous infantilization and objectification of Hallie was a bit much. but maybe im the weird one idk.
edit: the secret admirer letters are so marginally relevant to the story that i even forgot to include them in this review. Hallie, as the secret admirer, writes a total of 3 letters. Julian responds once. And im supposed to believe that it's a central part of story? it's not. they got to know each other wayyyyyyyy more in person than they did through the letters. the only purpose they served was the, frankly senseless, final conflict.like getting Hallie out of the house to have Julian have a panic attack over it could have been accomplished by any other mean .
ALSO! and this is a small thing butHallie barelyyyy knows Natalie, she had no right to offhandedly tell her to get her drinking and sleeping in under control?? especially in context.
i also hated the lack of communication. like i get miscommunication is a big trope in romance, but this was a bit much. like?? you're 30 years old, it's very clear you're into each other (especially after the
also, and i've tried to think of a better way to word it, but it's just this: Julian gave me the ick SO often. Just when i was like "heheh cute" he'd be like "the world will end if i dont see an Hallie Smile tm" and i'd need to go rushing to the nearest trash can. nasty. like just so weird. the constant simultaneous infantilization and objectification of Hallie was a bit much. but maybe im the weird one idk.
edit: the secret admirer letters are so marginally relevant to the story that i even forgot to include them in this review. Hallie, as the secret admirer, writes a total of 3 letters. Julian responds once. And im supposed to believe that it's a central part of story? it's not. they got to know each other wayyyyyyyy more in person than they did through the letters. the only purpose they served was the, frankly senseless, final conflict.
ALSO! and this is a small thing but
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Fire/Fire injury, Ableism, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Death of parent and Abandonment
Minor: Addiction and Alcoholism
kyrstin_p1989's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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
4.0
Cute and sassy. Loved the characters. I don’t love a miscommunication trope but the second chance romance bit was done well. It’s also a bit of a grumpy sunshine kind of book, which is always heartwarming to me. The amount of spice was limited but what was there was definitely steamy. Looking forward to the second book in this duology.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, Dysphoria, and Sexual content
uranaishi's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Cursing, and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol, Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, and Grief
Minor: Abandonment, Alcoholism, Death, Classism, and Toxic relationship
raeoflight17's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, and Fire/Fire injury
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
thaliareads'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A very cute hometown rom com. I love the idea of the anonymous letters and the characters are very cute together. While it was basically instant love, their past connection did help it feel a little more natural. I really liked the balance of spice to plot in this book. I also appreciated the inclusion of Julian's battle with anxiety.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, and Sexual content
Moderate: Mental illness, Alcohol, Fire/Fire injury, and Grief
This book does take place in wine country, so alcohol is a frequent topic of focus, but more in a business sense and less in a getting drunk way. Julian struggles with his mental health, his anxiety leading to panic attacks and dissociative events. While he does manage it well, a fire prior to the book's events led to heightened issues. Hallie is struggling with the death of her grandmother, happened prior to the book, who raised her. Her grief does permeate the themes of the novel. As with all of Tessa's books this is very spicy.sohma4uesugi's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
There were a couple of minor inconsistencies with Julian’s father, and a couple other small things that took me out of the story for those moments but otherwise I loved this. It needed an epilogue, or a couple more chapters. I didn’t feel like Hallie had fully worked through her grief, and I really wanted to see Julian make some kind of official stance with his career besides “I’m not going anywhere”, but I loved this all the same. The characters were bright and even the supporting characters were interesting and drew me in. Also, signing a petition to give Julian some kind of award for that dirty talk ‘cause damn.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent, Mental illness, and Fire/Fire injury