Secretly Yours by Tessa Bailey was a mixed experience for me. The romance is undeniably the highlight—Julian and Hallie’s chemistry is instant and sizzling. Julian completely steals the show: he’s funny, layered, swoony, and obsessed with Hallie’s chaotic energy in the most charming way. Honestly, his character alone could carry the book. The steamy moments are hot, and the first-time experiences with Hallie are written really well, which made the romance feel authentic and engaging.
Hallie is sweet and quirky, and the bookish, wine-country, gardening vibes are cute, but she can be frustratingly inconsistent. She wants Julian, then doesn’t, then wants him again—it got tiring after a while. The side characters, aside from maybe Julian’s sister, don’t add much, and the small-town winery plotline and Corked vs UNCORKED rivalry weren’t explored enough to be compelling. The pacing is slow, and at times the story dragged, especially in the middle, which made it hard to stay fully invested. Miscommunications and predictable moments at the end also made it feel a little flat.
That said, there’s a lot to enjoy. The romance works, the chemistry is palpable, and Julian is exactly the kind of swoony, charming hero you want in a contemporary romance. If you’re here for a sexy, fun, steamy romance with some humor and heart, it delivers—but if you’re looking for depth, strong side characters, or a fast-moving plot, this one may leave you wanting more.
★★★☆☆
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