What do readers think of The Secret of Everything by Barbara O'Neal? Write your own review.

For the most part, I really enjoyed this debut novel. Tessa Harlow was a pretty good protagonist. The point of view shifts occasionally from Tessa to other townspeople, a gimmick I found a little difficult to get into in the beginning, but eventually, the story flowed very well. Because of the multiple views, I found myself even more interested in the lives of little girl Natalie and Vita, owner of the wonderful sounding 100 Breakfasts restaurant. Perhaps more than Tessa at times. Although the plot’s resolution was a bit transparent, I really enjoyed this story of Tessa’s self-discovery.

The book starts well and captured my interest. Didn't even realize the book was a romance at the beginning. The love story was not believable. Wish it could have been a bit more subtle.

Although I felt myself growing fond of the protagonist of this story, I didn't care for the way the story was told.

The source of Tessa's recent trauma was referred to vaguely and teasingly for too long before the details were told. Also, there were far too many coincidences all tied up neatly in the end; it really strained believability.

The recipe-at-the-end-of-chapter device is getting cliched.

The ending was just too cute and cloying for me, and maybe that's just a sign that this is not a genre I will pursue.

This book wasn't a satisfying read. There is a good story here but too many bells and whistles.The main characters, Tessa and Vince, are well developed but many of the minor characters are one dimensional. There are mysteries, dog stories, hippies, communes, accidental deaths, murders, spousal abuse, hot sex and suicide. Add to the list recipes. There are "secrets" but mostly "everything". The conclusion was trite and tried too hard to tie up all the loose ends.

I didn't like this book--only because I think this type of romance is fluffy and too graphic to put any substance to a story. I felt the plot and the many characters were so labored and so outlandish and so unrealistic, I wondered if I could even finish! But yet, because I had free time I figured I would like to know what else the author could come up with before it finally ended! She didn't fail me.

I do realize there are many, many books written in this fashion and just as many readers who enjoy. I just don't happen to be one. This book was a poor choice on my part.

Romance fans (and fans of Barbara O'Neal in particular), may be accustomed to the writing style of this book, the pacing of its plot, and its simplistic character development. To me, a first time reader of Ms. O'Neal, the characters seemed shallow, and the plot predictable and belabored.

The story, which could have been more fully told in half the space, rambled on and on, filled with prose which at times seemed irrelevant and impassionate. Recipes scattered throughout the book with little or no rhyme or reason proved to be a further distraction. I won't read Ms. O'Neal again.