Reviews with content warning for Abandonment - Secretly Yours

Reviews tagging 'Abandonment'

Secretly Yours by Tessa Bailey

15 reviews

onefineelephant's review against another edition

challenging funny hopeful reflective medium-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

4.5

9/10. I really enjoyed this book. I liked the character growth that both mcs go through during the span of their relationship. Love the dual POV. The only reason that I am not giving 10/10 is because while I love this book, I'm not obsessed with it.

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amyteurhour's review

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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.

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carefulfearanddeaddevotion's review against another edition

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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 the

mutual 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 but

Hallie barelyyyy knows Natalie, she had no right to offhandedly tell her to get her drinking and sleeping in under control?? especially in context.

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sydney_marie13's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

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uranaishi's review against another edition

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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

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clareasday's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No

3.0

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dogoodwithbooks's review

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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

4.0

This is the first time I read a Tessa Bailey novel and I thought it was an enjoyable read.

Secretly Yours is the first of a two-part A Vine Mess series about Hallie navigating her secret crush on Julian when he returns to town for the first time in four years. The romance was solid and at times swoonworthy (though I thought the spice in the book was a bit much). I enjoyed Hallie and Julian as MCs and I liked their character development throughout the book, especially with addressing Julian's anxiety in the book. Plus, you get a sneak peak into the MCs for Bailey's next book in the series, Natalie and August, and I am looking forward to the sequel.

I listened to the audiobook version on Audible and I thought that the audiobook version was good. Callie Dalton does provide a nice narration to the story and her pacing was solid. Though, I think she could improve on creating distinct voices for each of the characters (specifically for the male characters).

Nevertheless, I think Secretly Yours is a cute rom-com worth reading. If you want to read a rom-com set in beautiful vineyards or a romance full of pining and a relationship years in the making, I definitely would recommend this book.

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