Secretly Yours

Secretly Yours

  • Downloads:7021
  • Type:Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date:2022-11-17 09:53:42
  • Update Date:2025-09-06
  • Status:finish
  • Author:Tessa Bailey
  • ISBN:0063238985
  • Environment:PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle

Summary

A steamy new rom-com about a starchy professor and the bubbly neighbor he clashes with at every turn。。。

Hallie Welch fell hard for Julian Vos at fourteen, after they almost kissed in the dark vineyards of his family's winery。 Now the prodigal hottie has returned to their small town。 When Hallie is hired to revamp the gardens on the Vos estate, she wonders if she'll finally get that smooch。 But the grumpy professor isn't the teenager she remembers and their polar opposite personalities clash spectacularly。 One wine-fueled girls' night later, Hallie can't shake the sense that she did something reckless--and then she remembers the drunken secret admirer letter she left for Julian。 Oh shit

On sabbatical from his ivy league job, Julian plans to write a novel。 But having Hallie gardening right outside his window is the ultimate distraction。 She's eccentric, chronically late, often literally covered in dirt--and so unbelievably beautiful, he can't focus on anything else。 Until he finds an anonymous letter sent by a woman from his past。 Even as Julian wonders about this admirer, he's sucked further into Hallie's orbit。 Like the flowers she plants all over town, Hallie is a burst of color in Julian's gray-scale life。 For a man who irons his socks and runs on tight schedules, her sunny chaotic energy makes zero sense。 But there's something so familiar about her。。。 and her very presence is turning his world upside down。

Download

Reviews

alluringB

it’s official guys, It Happened One Summer is Bailey’s one hit wonderi won’t be quoting much from this book bc duh 1) it’s an ARC and 2) i don’t want the publisher to come for my ass so here’s a brief one -i adored IHOS and so naturally my expectations were sky high for this one bc people were comparing and saying that they’re quite similar…- chemistry and tension were nowhere to be found - the plot was so boring i literally skipped pages - characters were lowkey bland and dry i needed a glass o it’s official guys, It Happened One Summer is Bailey’s one hit wonderi won’t be quoting much from this book bc duh 1) it’s an ARC and 2) i don’t want the publisher to come for my ass so here’s a brief one -i adored IHOS and so naturally my expectations were sky high for this one bc people were comparing and saying that they’re quite similar…- chemistry and tension were nowhere to be found - the plot was so boring i literally skipped pages - characters were lowkey bland and dry i needed a glass of water - the dirty talking felt weird and out-of-nowhere and this is coming from some who liked her heroes’ dirty talking game btw- the conflict by the end was the most unnecessary shit i’ve ever readconclusioni didn’t like Hook Line and Sinker so now that i didn’t enjoy this too, i guess it’s obvious that i won’t be bothered to read the companion novel coming June 2023 but who knows 🤷🏻‍♀️ 。。。more

Lauren Kincaid

Such a cute rom-com。 It pulled me in pretty easily, I finished it in only 2 days! It’s a cute sweet story of opposites attract with wine, flowers, and the right amount of something dirty。

Andrew

3。5 stars。 Free spirited gardener Hallie Welch still fondly remembers the night she kissed Julian Vos fifteen years ago。 Now a professor and author, Julian's back in town at his family's vineyard, and despite his rigid orderliness, he can't recall where he's seen Hallie before when she's hired to redesign the flora on his mother's property。 Polar opposites attract in Secretly Yours, a sweet and salacious romance embedded in small town wine country。 3。5 stars。 Free spirited gardener Hallie Welch still fondly remembers the night she kissed Julian Vos fifteen years ago。 Now a professor and author, Julian's back in town at his family's vineyard, and despite his rigid orderliness, he can't recall where he's seen Hallie before when she's hired to redesign the flora on his mother's property。 Polar opposites attract in Secretly Yours, a sweet and salacious romance embedded in small town wine country。 。。。more

Kelsey

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book! Listen I love Tessa Bailey books, she is def a comfort read。 But she had me worried for a bit in the beginning of this one! I thought we might have a love triangle, and I was not having it。 But have no fear, no triangle here! I loved Hallie and Julian’s relationship was so sweet。 And the 🌶️🌶️🌶️ was on point! The third act “disagreement” was kind stupid but I still like it!

Ana Santos

Great book, omg what an amazing slow burn。 Love the story, the plot , the FMC is so all over the place but at the same time feel so genuine, and the MMC uff, like this book got me hooked and man I couldn’t put it down for 2 days 。 Definitely will recommend to all my friend , Hot Fun and Spicy my kind of book

Jennifer

Another amazing Tessa book I loved it so much oh my gosh 🥺🫶🏻💗

Haleyyy

Tessa did a great job with the characters in this book。 I was rooting for them and thought it was a sweet read with real issues。

Lys

Absolutely adorable。 She did it again this is right up there with it happened one summer and hook, line, and sinker。 You can never go wrong with grumpy x sunshine。 Hallie is so relatable and refreshing, while Julian's povs are everything you could possibly want。 Loved every second。 Absolutely adorable。 She did it again this is right up there with it happened one summer and hook, line, and sinker。 You can never go wrong with grumpy x sunshine。 Hallie is so relatable and refreshing, while Julian's povs are everything you could possibly want。 Loved every second。 。。。more

Kellie

I don't like to give grumpy reviews unless a book is truly, offensively horrible and "Secretly Yours" is neither of those things。 It's also not particularly entertaining。 The plot is flimsy, characters stale, and the story is kind of all over the place and if there's one romance trope there are at least a half dozen。 Mommy issues? Yup。 Daddy issues? Yup。 Small town business triumphing over an out of town interloper? Yes。 Sunshine vs。 curmudgeon? Yup。 Elder virgin? Yup。 Smart ass sister? Yes。 Ric I don't like to give grumpy reviews unless a book is truly, offensively horrible and "Secretly Yours" is neither of those things。 It's also not particularly entertaining。 The plot is flimsy, characters stale, and the story is kind of all over the place and if there's one romance trope there are at least a half dozen。 Mommy issues? Yup。 Daddy issues? Yup。 Small town business triumphing over an out of town interloper? Yes。 Sunshine vs。 curmudgeon? Yup。 Elder virgin? Yup。 Smart ass sister? Yes。 Rich guy swooping in to make the woman he "loves" happy? Yes, yes, yes。 It's all there, erratically on the page, but nothing is fleshed out completely。 I found stodgy, uptight, in control Julian to be just shy of disturbingly controlling and domineering。 Hallie is likeable enough but it seems like Bailey is trying to embrace body positivity where the protagonist is concerned and it just doesn't work。 Mid-seduction Julian actually uses the word "jiggly" and it feels demeaning。 In fact most of the words Julian offers by way of wooing Hallie are less than sexy。 Some people may enjoy this, unfortunately I was not one of them。 Thanks to NetGalley for the review copy。 。。。more

Merry

Hallie Welch had a huge crush on Julian Vos her freshman year of high school。 He was a senior and someone many crushed on as well。 She attended a party at his family's vineyard and was almost kissed by him。 She never got over her feelings for him and had since measured all men by her memories of Julian。 Julian decided to take the summer off from teaching history at Stanford to write a historical novel。 He had not taken a sabbatical from teaching in years and planned to write at his childhood hom Hallie Welch had a huge crush on Julian Vos her freshman year of high school。 He was a senior and someone many crushed on as well。 She attended a party at his family's vineyard and was almost kissed by him。 She never got over her feelings for him and had since measured all men by her memories of Julian。 Julian decided to take the summer off from teaching history at Stanford to write a historical novel。 He had not taken a sabbatical from teaching in years and planned to write at his childhood home。 Hallie was contracted by Julian's mother to spruce up the plantings surrounding the guesthouse where Julian was staying。 Hallie was free spirited, spontaneous, and marched to the beat of her own drum。 Julian was regimented, scheduled, and over thought everything he did。 Being around each other while Hallie updated the outside of the guesthouse, intensified Hallie's feelings and gave Julian a potential new way of thinking about life。I loved Hallie and Julian。 The gumpy/sunshine opposites were adorable together。 They made each other reflect on how they approached life and opened up new pathways of being。 The book was very spicy and had plenty of amusing banter。 The side characters were fantastic。 Who wouldn't want to go to a bakery named, Fudge Judy? Tessa Bailey has written another great book。 I will definitely read the next in the duology。I received an e-ARC for Secretly Yours and want to thank Tessa Bailey, Avon and Harper Voyager, and NetGalley for the opportunity to voluntarily read and give an honest review of this book。 。。。more

Jen

Tessa Bailey has done it again with this opposites attract rom-com。Hallie has been harboring a crush on Julian Vos since she was a teenager so when he returns to their hometown to work on his novel she gets herself a job redoing the gardens on his family’s estate。 After a girls’ night out, Hallie writes a secret admirer letter to Julian - professing how she feels about him。 As the two grow closer it becomes more and more difficult to tell Julian that she has been writing to him。 Will the truth r Tessa Bailey has done it again with this opposites attract rom-com。Hallie has been harboring a crush on Julian Vos since she was a teenager so when he returns to their hometown to work on his novel she gets herself a job redoing the gardens on his family’s estate。 After a girls’ night out, Hallie writes a secret admirer letter to Julian - professing how she feels about him。 As the two grow closer it becomes more and more difficult to tell Julian that she has been writing to him。 Will the truth ruin their budding relationship or bring them closer together?I am particularly impressed with the anxiety representation in this book。 The way that Julian grapples with his anxiety feels genuine and made me love him even more。 He is so protective of Hallie and only wants to see her happy。 Thank you NetGalley and Avon for the arc! 。。。more

Sweet Tea Reviews

Thank you Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley for providing an arc。 I really liked this book。 Hallie and Julian are my new favorite couple。 I feel like it was a bit of a slow start but once kept reading it got better。

Christine Manzari

A cute grumpy sunshine romance。 I’d love to have a friend like Hallie

bookishy

Secretly Yours is a contemporary romance book about a chaotic gardener and an ordered professor。 Hallie, a gardener who never plans anything, is constantly late and never thinks before acting, finally has a chance to see again her crush of fifteen years, Julian。 Julian is a history professor, who schedules every moment of every day and is committed to the routine。 Basically, Hallie and Julian are total opposites and there is no way a relationship between them would work。 However, when they meet, Secretly Yours is a contemporary romance book about a chaotic gardener and an ordered professor。 Hallie, a gardener who never plans anything, is constantly late and never thinks before acting, finally has a chance to see again her crush of fifteen years, Julian。 Julian is a history professor, who schedules every moment of every day and is committed to the routine。 Basically, Hallie and Julian are total opposites and there is no way a relationship between them would work。 However, when they meet, the pull between them is undeniable。 Hallie and Julian are both great characters, both are very complex and have their own issues。 I loved how they both accept each other, but also they are both changing under the influence of one other。 The tensions and desire between them was obvious from their first meeting and, as always, Tessa Bailey did not despite in terms of spice。 Hallie could be frustrating at times, as she is constantly making the worst decision possible, but overall I really enjoyed her character。 I loved her dedication to her grandmother, and her three dogs were such a cute detail。 Julian was a bit annoying at the beginning with his obsession with order and routine, but he grew on me (and his arms might have convinced I loved how Julian did everything he could to make Hallie smile – those scenes had me grinning at my book! I loved the sneak peek we got of Natalie and August’s story! I cannot wait for their book next year!Big thank you to HarperCollins for sending me this e-ARC! 。。。more

alyssa

3。5/5 ⭐️‘sThis wasn’t my favorite Tessa book, but it was still a v cute read with relatable characters! Hallie is a bright and chaotic ray of sunshine, while Julian is a starchy/grumpy professor who likes routines and organization。 Hallie’s harbored this secret crush on Julian since high school (which is a trope I will eat up every!! single!! time!! 😛) and I really loved the way this played into the story with the secret admirer letters。Secretly Yours is sweet and funny and endearingly vulnerabl 3。5/5 ⭐️‘sThis wasn’t my favorite Tessa book, but it was still a v cute read with relatable characters! Hallie is a bright and chaotic ray of sunshine, while Julian is a starchy/grumpy professor who likes routines and organization。 Hallie’s harbored this secret crush on Julian since high school (which is a trope I will eat up every!! single!! time!! 😛) and I really loved the way this played into the story with the secret admirer letters。Secretly Yours is sweet and funny and endearingly vulnerable, and I think my favorite part was how neither Hallie nor Julian ever tried to change one another。 They’re both kind of tough nuts to crack in terms of opening themselves up to love, but they’re also well worth the work! All that being said, I did have a hard time with the pacing。 I felt like from the 50-75ish% mark of the book things were kind of slow and then suddenly at the end everything felt very rushed。 I also didn’t love the way that the anxiety rep played out, especially towards the end。 All in all, the characters are lovable and I would honestly still read this one again if only for natalie’s wine-drunk antics (v excited for her book!!) & the spice (bc Julian’s dirty talk is 😮‍💨🥵)Thank you sm to Avon & Netgalley for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review! 。。。more

Alyssa

Every Tessa Bailey book I’ve read has been 5 stars, and this one wasn’t any different!I fell in love with the characters instantly。 This book really is the true definition of opposites attract because Hallie and Julian are COMPLETE opposites! She’s a go with the flow type of girl who doesn’t ever go by a plan and likes to break the rules。 On the other hand, he must follow a strict schedule everyday in order to stay unstressed and organized。 With that being said, they’re perfect for each other!Th Every Tessa Bailey book I’ve read has been 5 stars, and this one wasn’t any different!I fell in love with the characters instantly。 This book really is the true definition of opposites attract because Hallie and Julian are COMPLETE opposites! She’s a go with the flow type of girl who doesn’t ever go by a plan and likes to break the rules。 On the other hand, he must follow a strict schedule everyday in order to stay unstressed and organized。 With that being said, they’re perfect for each other!This book was so cute! There was a bit of the miscommunication trope which I’m not a fan of, but I didn’t mind it too much。 。。。more

Allison

Hello。 What is happening in romance books at the moment? This is the third book I have read where the male character has anxiety。 I am here for it。 Tessa Bailey’s characters are flawed but not emotionally constipated。 And the sexy time is hot hot hot! It is also the second book that featured letter writing。 It is so intimate and romantic。 Read if you still have a thing for your high school crush or if you like wine and are slightly adhd。 Your chaos is beautiful。 I was given an advanced reader's Hello。 What is happening in romance books at the moment? This is the third book I have read where the male character has anxiety。 I am here for it。 Tessa Bailey’s characters are flawed but not emotionally constipated。 And the sexy time is hot hot hot! It is also the second book that featured letter writing。 It is so intimate and romantic。 Read if you still have a thing for your high school crush or if you like wine and are slightly adhd。 Your chaos is beautiful。 I was given an advanced reader's copy via NetGalley, thank you to them。 All thoughts and opinions are my own。 。。。more

Allie Sarah

If you’re a rom com fan who enjoys the grumpy/sunshine trope, flowers, wine, small towns, I’m-trying-to-write-but-am-being-distracted-by-the-beautiful-woman-outside, READ THIS BOOK。I loved the banter in this book between Hallie & Julian, and how their relationship developed。 The secret admirer part was also very cute。 The characters are great and I loved how Julian’s family worked everything out and other things I can’t say because *spoilers*。

Merry

Hallie Welch had a huge crush on Julian Vos her freshman year of high school。 He was a senior and someone many crushed on as well。 She attended a party at his family's vineyard and was almost kissed by him。 She never got over her feelings for him and had since measured all men by her memories of Julian。 Julian decided to take the summer off from teaching history at Stanford to write a historical novel。 He had not taken a sabbatical from teaching in years and planned to write at his childhood hom Hallie Welch had a huge crush on Julian Vos her freshman year of high school。 He was a senior and someone many crushed on as well。 She attended a party at his family's vineyard and was almost kissed by him。 She never got over her feelings for him and had since measured all men by her memories of Julian。 Julian decided to take the summer off from teaching history at Stanford to write a historical novel。 He had not taken a sabbatical from teaching in years and planned to write at his childhood home。 Hallie was contracted by Julian's mother to spruce up the plantings surrounding the guesthouse where Julian was staying。 Hallie was free spirited, spontaneous, and marched to the beat of her own drum。 Julian was regimented, scheduled, and over thought everything he did。 Being around each other while Hallie updated the outside of the guesthouse, intensified Hallie's feelings and gave Julian a potential new way of thinking about life。I loved Hallie and Julian。 The gumpy/sunshine opposites were adorable together。 They made each other reflect on how they approached life and opened up new pathways of being。 The book was very spicy and had plenty of amusing banter。 The side characters were fantastic。 Who wouldn't want to go to a bakery named, Fudge Judy? Tessa Bailey has written another great book。 I will definitely read the next in the duology。I received an e-ARC for Secretly Yours and want to thank Tessa Bailey, Avon and Harper Voyager, and NetGalley for the opportunity to voluntarily read and give an honest review of this book。 。。。more

Jamie

Oh, Tessa。 Oh man oh man Tessa Bailey。 You did it again。 You just had to do it again。My love/hate relationship with Tessa Bailey is well documented, and it's becoming more difficult to give her leeway。 I read this one because she's getting all BookTok famous and we might have people asking for it in my store, BUT。。。 GOD WHY DOES SHE DO THIS?Here's my progression with this one in messages to friends and coworkers: -I'm finding the Tessa Bailey book to be adorable。 Truly。 And then I got to a fanta Oh, Tessa。 Oh man oh man Tessa Bailey。 You did it again。 You just had to do it again。My love/hate relationship with Tessa Bailey is well documented, and it's becoming more difficult to give her leeway。 I read this one because she's getting all BookTok famous and we might have people asking for it in my store, BUT。。。 GOD WHY DOES SHE DO THIS?Here's my progression with this one in messages to friends and coworkers: -I'm finding the Tessa Bailey book to be adorable。 Truly。 And then I got to a fantasy scene from the male protagonist's POV and it isn't AWFUL but the line "I give you what you need" shows up。 Again, fantasy scene。 I imagine it'll be another 100+ pages before there's real sex because this is a slow burn and Tessa Bailey doesn't DO slow burn。 I am truly enjoying the characters。-I’ve almost finished the book。 I say almost because I’m having trouble getting through these sex scenes。 Not because they’re problematic (though they still are so WEIRD) but because they once again go from uptight, particular men turning into filthy talking horn dogs。 It’s not a PROBLEM per se but it’s uncomfortable and unbelievable。 I really hate that Tessa Bailey only knows one way to write sex。 But at least this time I’m not grossed out by the dynamic; I’m just frustrated with it。 -WHAT。 IS。 THIS??? God this man is a history professor with extreme anxiety who doesn't use contractions and now asks this woman how long she's been waiting to fuck him with her mouth? I swear, WHY CAN'T SHE WRITE A DIFFERENT SEX SCENE??? Also, the conflict is thinner than thin can be。-They've yet to do it on a piece of furniture。 And it is SO FUCKING FILTHY。 WHY IS HE SO FILTHY? I miss sweet bumbling staid Julian who is suddenly a garbage human who can't stop saying cock and pussy and asking her to get her knees dirty。 And he thinks repeatedly how she's his。 "Mine," in this caveman way。 I'm so fucking disappointed。-It took me hours to get through the last fifty pages。I'm begging you, Tessa。 Begging you。 Figure out how to write a different sexual dynamic。 You have these lovely men who populate your books。 Why do they all, without fail, turn into weirdly possessive, aggressively caveman-like horndogs? 。。。more

Kate

Maybe it's because I love Tessa Bailey and was expecting this to be a 5-star book, which was why this fell a little flat for me, I don't know。 I felt like something was off a little with this one, and I can't place it, and it's bothering me。I do like how both MCs were opposites and balanced each other out, and I liked how they needed to realize their strengths and weaknesses together。 I liked it, but I just felt like the pacing was off or something, and I was getting impatient as well。 Also, I f Maybe it's because I love Tessa Bailey and was expecting this to be a 5-star book, which was why this fell a little flat for me, I don't know。 I felt like something was off a little with this one, and I can't place it, and it's bothering me。I do like how both MCs were opposites and balanced each other out, and I liked how they needed to realize their strengths and weaknesses together。 I liked it, but I just felt like the pacing was off or something, and I was getting impatient as well。 Also, I felt like it just ended and I wanted more, but I am excited for book #2 and hopefully I'll see Hallie and Julian again。I don't know this was a little messy, but it's also part of the Vine Mess series so maybe that was the point。 *I was given a eARC from NetGalley and the publishers for an honest review, thank you! 。。。more

Cody

TESSA BAILEY IS JUST THE QUEEN OF ROMANCE 💚Devoured this within a couple hours and will go feral for Natasha’s book 💥

Olivia (ebooklivv)

(copied from my booksta post)Secretly Yours by Tessa Bailey Review!⁠⁠Star rating: 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⁠Spice level: 4 ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥⁠Tropes: opposites attract, possessive/jealous mmc, anxiety rep, 15-year crush/missed connection, virgin fmc⁠⁠Tessa Bailey is the queen of dirty talk y'all。 Her books are always fun and exciting but they are also full of the best sexy scenes out there。 I would literally die to have a man like Julian be protective over me the way he is over Hallie。 ⁠⁠Julian's family owns a (copied from my booksta post)Secretly Yours by Tessa Bailey Review!⁠⁠Star rating: 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⁠Spice level: 4 ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥⁠Tropes: opposites attract, possessive/jealous mmc, anxiety rep, 15-year crush/missed connection, virgin fmc⁠⁠Tessa Bailey is the queen of dirty talk y'all。 Her books are always fun and exciting but they are also full of the best sexy scenes out there。 I would literally die to have a man like Julian be protective over me the way he is over Hallie。 ⁠⁠Julian's family owns a winery, Hallie is a gardener who is trying to save her Grandmother's favorite wine shop from going bankrupt。 There are also some secret love letters going on, this book really has it all! I also thought it was hilarious that the fmc's last name is Welch which reminded me of Welch's grape juice and wine is a huge part of the story。 ⁠⁠This is also the first book in a new series/duology called A Vine Mess! The next story features Julian's sister and I honestly can't wait to read it too! The plot is a marriage of convenience and that plotline is my literal favorite!! ⁠⁠Thank you so much to @Avonbooks for the eARC and the author for the chance to read an early copy! The book comes out on February 7th, 2023! 。。。more

Lauren

I’ve recently discovered Tessa’s books and have become a rapid fan。 I laugh out loud several times in each book, and am struck by how different each of the characters are in the books in this series。 Westport holds a place in my imagination similar to Stars Hollow in Gilmore Girls。 I enjoy the opposites attract dynamic here and the sensuality between Julian and Hallie。 It’s great to see a sassy plus sized protagonist that Julian is busy listing after。 I remain a big fan and recent convert。 I’m b I’ve recently discovered Tessa’s books and have become a rapid fan。 I laugh out loud several times in each book, and am struck by how different each of the characters are in the books in this series。 Westport holds a place in my imagination similar to Stars Hollow in Gilmore Girls。 I enjoy the opposites attract dynamic here and the sensuality between Julian and Hallie。 It’s great to see a sassy plus sized protagonist that Julian is busy listing after。 I remain a big fan and recent convert。 I’m busy spreading the word on TikTok about how great the book is and people are excited! That’s no surprise though。 。。。more

Eden Church | The Required Reading List

*Thank you to HarperCollins Canada for an advanced copy*

Madi Welty

I received a proof copy in exchange for an honest review, thank you to HarperCollins and Tessa Bailey for the oppourtunity to read this novel。 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Secretly Yours is a new contemporary romantic comedy from Tessa Bailey, telling the love story of Hallie and Julian, and it left much to be desired。 I have always strayed away from the idea of “women written by men” especially within fantasy, I have found those characters to be placid and s I received a proof copy in exchange for an honest review, thank you to HarperCollins and Tessa Bailey for the oppourtunity to read this novel。 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Secretly Yours is a new contemporary romantic comedy from Tessa Bailey, telling the love story of Hallie and Julian, and it left much to be desired。 I have always strayed away from the idea of “women written by men” especially within fantasy, I have found those characters to be placid and stereotypical。 To my surprise and chagrin, Bailey has created a new character I’m not keen on, men written by women。 It is within the character Julian Vos, that I maintained the most of my dislike for this novel。 First, lets set the scene, Hallie falls in love with Julian way back in their high school years, Julian moves away after romantically slighting Hallie at a party。 To Hallie’s surprise and delayed delight, Julian returns to their hometown and thus the “romance” begins。 Before I get into what I didn’t like, I will mention what I did。 Hallie had a few moments of internal monologue that had me chuckling, her realistic sense of ironic humour during certain moments of the novel were fabulous, especially those that appeared early on within the novel。 And there was a moment with a large amount of cheese (literally) that was comedic and well timed, and made for a sweet moment of connection for the romance, which I truly adored。 Hallie’s nearly fifteen year crush has manifested itself in social media stalking, and speaking to Julian’s little pictures online as though he were sitting there in the flesh。 Her everlasting infatuation with him manifested as creepy and clingy and it was very difficult to buy the romance that was being sold。 It only got worse when Hallie began writing Julian “secret admirer” letters, only after determining his daily schedule and planning the right spot on his regular running path to leave the notes。 All I have to say to that is if a man were to do it in real life, someone would be calling the cops and reporting a stalker。 The best part of this, is while Hallie is pining after him and sending him creepy notes, Julian is actively falling in love with her。 Or well I would classify it as lust, given that the first thought Julian has when he sees her is “holy sh!t nice t!ts” in an internal monologue that lasts half a page。 He immediately over sexualises her and instantaneously views her as an object to own。 A less than glowing review, and not the romance I was hoping to dive into。 As the novel progresses, Julian’s character is fleshed out as riddled with trauma induced anxiety。 A plot point, that while valid, was difficult to swallow。 It felt like he was being written by someone who had never experienced anxiety, or had even spoken to a man。 The only thing that rivaled Hallie’s creepy obsession with Julian, was the thousands of repulsive thoughts Julian had about her while he was just living his daily life。 This was only exacerbated with Julian’s final acknowledgment that he had feelings for her to which the conversation went something along the lines of: Julian: “I’ll walk into a burning building for you” Hallie: “omg idk what to say” Julian: “okay we’re fuxxing now”Afterwards, when Hallie expresses insecurity over her body, Julian says he loves her curves, and how they jiggle when we fxck。 This whole bit was just horrific and further represented the over-sexualisation of Hallie’s character, I couldn’t see the happily ever after-one true love-I will burn for you-romance that Bailey was placing in front of me。 I just saw a horny man, and a creepy woman。 Overall I was extremely disappointed with the story, I had hoped for a disgustingly cute romance filled with heart and life and was given my personal nightmare of a relationship outcome。 I think Bailey could’ve created a romance that was more heartfelt, more realistic, and less possessive。 Like Bailey’s Bellinger Sisters Duology, this book will have a sequel following another character’s battle for romance, I hope that Bailey fleshes out more emotional connections, and drops the creepy thoughts of both the male and female characters to create a comedic and yet magical novel, but only time will tell。 。。。more

Jenna Vahue

2 huge plot lines meshed together that would have served better into 2 different novels。 It was messy and it was like looking in a funhouse mirror with a short busty heroine with curly blonde hair like moi, but the book could have been better。 Wasn’t worth waiting 2 months for 🤡 RTC

Michelle

I didn't particularly like either of our main characters, but they grew on me and won me over by the end。 However, I still liked the books with the Bellinger sisters better。 I think Natalie's story will be a fun one。Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review。t I didn't particularly like either of our main characters, but they grew on me and won me over by the end。 However, I still liked the books with the Bellinger sisters better。 I think Natalie's story will be a fun one。Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review。t 。。。more

Jenna Hardy

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for allowing me to read an ARC copy of Secretly Yours by Tessa Bailey。 Hallie is the color yellow。 She is sunshine, happiness, a combination of a few good things in one。 She is go with the flow, figure it out as she goes, and is unbothered with things like rules and regulations。 Julian is the color grey。 He is structure, black and white thinking, and rigid with a purpose。 On paper, they don't work, but it's a little piece of paper with strong th Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for allowing me to read an ARC copy of Secretly Yours by Tessa Bailey。 Hallie is the color yellow。 She is sunshine, happiness, a combination of a few good things in one。 She is go with the flow, figure it out as she goes, and is unbothered with things like rules and regulations。 Julian is the color grey。 He is structure, black and white thinking, and rigid with a purpose。 On paper, they don't work, but it's a little piece of paper with strong thoughts that make them realize they may not be content with who they have become。 Tessa Bailey always makes me fall in love with her characters。 I identified with Julian and the walls he builds to keep him safe and secure。 I will always reach for a grumpy sunshine trope and this one did not disappoint! 。。。more

Jennifer

So excited about winning this cute romcom from Goodreads Giveaway!!! I’ll update my review once I have read it。