I really liked the grumpy/sunshine trope in this book. I also really enjoyed the alternating POV between characters - it felt very natural and instinctive (not choppy at all). The characters were all very endearing and you want to root for them all throughout the book. The relationship between Hallie & Julian was great - really enjoyed that they learned to grow together instead of trying to change for each other. This was a great rom-com with a very satisfying happily-ever-after.

A sweet chance at romance. Love that they’re in completely different fields of work to be able to cross paths. Very cute.

I unfortunately got approved for the arc right around the same time it was released and forgot I even requested! Im thankful for the chance to read but I ended up deciding to wait to read it, Tessa bailey is a really good writer & her books are so good, Im glad I got the opportunity to even have the arc I just wish I would’ve got around to reading it!

I love Tessa Bailey’s writing style, she just has a way of making me want to finish all of her books in one sitting. This book was no different. I love a good romance.i saw some mixed reviews but honestly this book was an easy read and I was satisfied with the ending. I really enjoyed it!

I've come to count on Tessa for two things: Heat and Humor. This one was no different. Just a fun read with her signature sizzling, knock-the-door-wide open spice and expert, laugh-out-loud banter!

A sort of grumpy meets with sunshine romance, and it was absolutely delightful. A perfect Tessa Bailey romance that has everything we expect from her: great chemistry between our MCs, a romance that just leaves you smiling by the end, and great development from our MCs as well as a humanity that just leaks from the pages and you cannot help but empathize with them. Our two main characters, Hallie and Julian, met when they were younger and had an almost kiss moment that was absolutely world changing for Hallie. Since then, she has carried a torch for Julian Vos, and when their path’s meet again fifteen years later, she feels this could be the chance to finally kiss the person she has fantasized about for years. She decides to offer her gardening services to Julian’s mother at their vineyard, and she starts spending her days outside Julian’s rooms. Their personalities crash: she has no structure and no rules, while he always lives a life of structure, maintaining a strict timetable and a plan for his sabbatical year from his teaching position. However, after a drunken night with her best friend, she remembers the next day that she left an admirer letter in his morning running path to find. And she starts developing a sort of friendship with him, while still sending one or two more letters as the admirer, all the while keeping him in the dark that it’s her. I really enjoyed getting to know them, and the world that they live in. The fact that they knew each other from the past but now life has thrown them again together is also perfect, since it also adds tension to their dynamic. As always, Tessa Bailey’s romance is incredible, and it was GREAT smut. I was so ready to see them together and the heat between them almost jumped out of the pages. Another part that I loved was the character development.

It’s a romantic comedy with perfect moments, but there is also something so human about each of them and how the relationship develops. It just feels relatable, and I happily read the pages of their story. Of course, the tension at the end was expected, but it still left me smiling and wanting to clutch the book to my chest. And as a nice addition to the story, we get to meet and know a little bit about Natalie Vos’s story, the sister of Julian and the protagonist of the next story in this world, and I cannot wait to read this one too. Like always, Tessa Bailey’s stories are a fun time and you can always expect great romance, smut, and characters.

I thought this was a really fun book! Tessa Bailey always has great relationships & steam in her books, so that’s always a delight.

I wasn’t overly impressed but it was a solid and good book. Expected for the author and nice to spend time reading

This isn't my first Tessa Bailey book and honestly, didn't live up to what I expected from her. I enjoyed her Bellinger sisters series immensely but Hallie and Julian left me wanting more. It was perfectly fine but I think I went in with high expectations. It was perfectly enjoyable but not on my re-read list. n

I love Tessa Bailey books. They always put a smile on my face. This book was a fun, easy read. It lagged a little but not enough for to put it down.

Thank you, NetGalley for this ARC. Secretly Yours by Tessa Bailey features a clash of personalities. Both characters are so completely different but complement each other. I did find this title to be less exciting than her previous Bellinger Sisters series. It felt that while I found it "ok," I could have put it down and not finished it and lived happily ever after. I would rate this title 2.5 stars- while not bad, it just wasn't something I would recommend.

Look. You know what you're going to get with a Tessa Bailey novel - pretty instant chemistry, lots of steam, some cringey dirty talk and pet names, but overall a fun time, and "Secretly Yours" was just that. Overall, it was a fun time, but this one in particular had some extra uncomfortable moments, namely, Hallie pretty much stalking Julian. The best way I can sum up my experience reading Bailey's books is that I enjoy it a lot in the moment and then it dims significantly over time post-reading, but I'll still almost always pick up her next book because you know it's going to be a quick fun (ridiculous) book.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Some people weren’t a fan of this book but I think they’re crazy. It was adorable and I loved that it was set in a vineyard, and I related so much to the main character so it was such a fun read for me

Tessa Bailey can do no wrong! I love everything she writes and so does my book club. She puts just the right amount of spice and fun in her books. The chemistry between Julian and Hallie had intimacy and connection. I loved the game of the notes left by the tree trunk each day. Julian has come home to write a novel and Hallie just happens to be his sexy gardener doing work right outside his window. I loved his vulnerability with his panic attacks which I think people can relate to. Such a great book and love that it is #1 in a new series.

I’m a massive Tessa Bailey fan, so getting this arc was really exciting, and it did not disappoint! She really is the queen of dirty talk, I found the characters so easy to love and relatable. Honestly, I was surprised by how much I loved this book bc the premise is not something I’d normally be into.. I went in worrying it would be a long term exchange of letters, which I feel often borders on emotional manipulation, but I didn’t get that here. I appreciated the anxiety rep and showing the depths it can reach - the dark hole Julian goes into is something I think a lot of people can relate to and I loved seeing it in a romance hero. These two were so cute and it was such a fun read!! Definitely recommend, but check TW’s

This book was hilarious. I do think the secret admirer letters subplot wasn't necessarily needed, but it was fun to read. Grumpy + Sunshine is such a fun plot and as always, I'm here for small town romances. Looking forward to reading Natalie's story in Unfortunately Yours.

I've really struggled to get into Tessa Bailey recently, as I've found that her books are really not what I'm into with a lot of her storylines and plots having holes and being pieced together. I really enjoyed Julian as a character in this one and I adore any character that is a budding novelist (swoon!), but I can't say I connected well with this one - awkward sex scenes, lacked emotions and overall just okay.

"Secretly Yours" by Tessa Bailey presents a storyline that, unfortunately, falls into the realm of mediocrity. The character dialogues, for the most part, come off as cheesy, contributing to an overall lack of depth. The situations and dialogue within the narrative often lean towards the unrealistic, making it challenging for readers to fully immerse themselves in the story.

One notable aspect is Julian's peculiar obsession with Hallie's smile, a theme that persists throughout the book. What starts as an attempt to bring a romantic element becomes a bit awkward and repetitive as the story progresses. Julian's bossy demeanor, intended to add a certain charm, ends up feeling overbearing and not as endearing as intended.

Despite these drawbacks, the story maintains a fast-paced tempo, peppered with moments of unnecessary spice. However, it's not all gloom, as some parts manage to deliver a touch of humor, offering brief respites from the otherwise lackluster narrative. In summary, "Secretly Yours" is a mix of elements, with its fair share of shortcomings, yet still managing to inject moments of humor, earning it two stars.

This unfortunately was not for me and I sadly didn’t enjoy it. I couldn’t connect with the characters and had a hard time with the 3rd person. I am an avid lover of Tessa Bailey but think this just wasn’t for me personally. I adored that Tessa’s witty charm with her characters still showed through.

I had so much fun with this! It was a very fun read. My only issue was the miscommunication trope and the pacing. I'm not a fan of miscommunication. I'm sad to have seen it in this one!!

This is such a great book when you want something cozy on the beach or cuddled in a blanket on a winter day!