If you’re going to read one Tessa Bailey book please start with another! This one was an easy read but compared to her other books this one isn’t even in the same wheelhouse! The romance between Julian and Hallie seemed not as organic as it was meant to be.
Loved this opposites attract romance that dealt with the main characters’ challenges and quirks in a way that encourages self-acceptance.
4 Stars! Cute read! This is the first book in the new series ‘A Vine Mess’ by Tessa Bailey and can be read as a standalone. I enjoyed this book, especially the ‘sexy time’ scenes - soooo hot! The main characters are Julian and Hallie and they are total opposites. He’s very structured & regimented while she is haywire & very ‘fly by the seat of your pants’. At first I started to think Julian might be somewhat autistic with how seriously he took his time management, but he seems to get better throughout the book. I smiled throughout a lot of this story, some of the things that go on and what they say just had me wanting to be apart of the friend group. I’d probably become BFF’s with Hallie, her best friend Lavinia & Julian’s sister Natalie, if they were real people! I’d say this is an opposites attract, secret crush, second chance all rolled into one. I do love me a good Tessa Bailey read! I’d definitely recommend this book & I really can’t wait for the next book in the series!
*I received this at no charge & I voluntarily left this review.*
Read in one night I couldn’t put it down
Hallie’s and Julian’s love story is amazing! I loved this book!❤️
-Kierra❤️
Four and a half Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭒
Secretly Yours by Tessa Bailey is her first book in the Vine Mess series about life in a California vineyard. This steamy opposites attract story is the perfect start to a wonderful new series.
Story Recap:
Hallie Welch had a crush on Julian Vos ever since he almost kissed her when she was only fourteen years old. Now, she’s been hired to plant flowers around the guest house he’s staying in at his family's winery. Julian can’t take his eyes off Hallie as she digs around his garden.
Julian is a professor on sabbatical to write a book at his family's winery in Napa, California. He’s guarded and focused on his book. Hallie is the opposite, she’s a bit of a mess but in a good way. She’s fun and outgoing, even if ‘s still grieving her grandmothers’ death deep inside underneath her bright exterior.
Will this grumpy sunshine romance work out? Or will Julian go back to his university position alone?
My Thoughts:
Tessa Baily is such a talented author. I loved these characters, especially Hallie. She’s a bit of a mess, but also a force to be reckoned with! She’s grieving her grandmother’s recent death, but that doesn’t stop her from being her usual outgoing self. And grumpy Julian is still hot, and sexy even if he doesn’t talk much.
As with most of her books, Secretly Yours is a bit steamy which is either good or bad depending if you like that or not. But, it’s also a slow burn, so it takes a while to get to the steamy bits. Secretly Yours is a fun, light book, and the start of a promising new series set in wine country. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.
Recommendation:
I highly recommend Secretly Yours to anyone who enjoys romance. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Bummed I paid $10 for this one. It was slow and I just couldn’t relate to any of it.
You lost me at 29 year old virgin with perfect curves and gorgeous blonde hair. It’s not like I’m looking for a lot of reality in my romcom fiction but come on. 29-year-old Virgin isn’t sexy anyway. Not to any women I know. The plot had potential, and I really enjoyed the flawed hero, although his dirty talk could use a lot of work. As a character I like him. I like her too. So, good concept, needed a much better editor and a better idea of who the audience is. Sometimes it’s just way too obvious when an author is writing out their own personal fantasy without talk to you more universal appeal.
I love TB, she is my favorite author but this just didnt do it for me. I was expecting something greater and with more pizzaz than Julian and Hallie. It was almost methodical the way Julian though which was a bit annoying, like text book reading but wanting to shake said book into making some sense. Looking forward to Unfortunately Yours, i think that book will be better.