I can’t be the only person who is constantly entering Goodreads giveaways, right? I never expect to win, but it’s nice to dream. Well, that dream came true for once…and for a Tessa Bailey ARC at that! 😱
Secretly Yours follows Hallie Welch, a flower shop owner and landscaper, and Julian Vos, college professor and aspiring novelist. Hallie and Julian had an encounter years ago where they almost kissed. Now, Julian has returned to their small Napa town and the crush that Hallie has nursed for years comes rushing back to the surface. In a wine-fueled haze, Hallie leaves a secret admirer letter for Julian and he finds himself struggling between falling for the secret admirer and the chaotic landscaper who has turned his life upside down.
This was the low stakes, high energy, chaotic grumpy sunshine, miscommunication, spicy romance that I needed to just put a smile on my face. Tessa Bailey is a name that I have heard over and over again and this was the first of her novels I’ve had the chance to read. Needless to say, I am on board the Tessa train now.
The whole concept of the secret admirer letter but make it actually the person you are crushing on was just chef’s kiss. I found myself on the edge of my seat waiting to see when Julian would find out it was Hallie and the climatic (giggity, see what I did there?) results. The chemistry was bouncing off the walls and it created a tension that is oh so satisfyingly relieved by the end of it.
How Tessa manages to make a contemporary romance feel like an action-packed movie is beyond me. Maybe it’s just me (and that's totally possible, my brain works in weird ways), but the vibes of this book gave me the same feeling as when I watch an action movie and don’t know if my favorite characters are going to survive. The stakes aren't even close to the same, but that’s how I felt and it is truly a marvel to me.
Secretly Yours by Tessa Bailey is available now. Stayed tuned for the follow-up Unfortunately Yours (starring Julian's sister Natalie) coming June 6, 2023.
Disclaimer: I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher for free and have voluntarily written this review. If you purchase a copy using my Bookshop affiliate link above, not only will I receive a small commission (which will fuel my coffee and tea addiction and help to keep me up all night reading more books to recommend to you), but you will be supporting indie bookstores as well!
