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.

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.

It was refreshing to find a new author in the genre of my favorites, Robyn Carr, Sherryl Woods and Susan Wiggs.This novel, set in New Mexico, combines the author's interest in food with mystery, second chances and of course the requisite love story. I could have done without the author's inclusion of her recipes throughout the book since it has been done so much lately. I enjoyed how the author developed the relationships between the characters linking the past to the present but not in the ways I had expected.

This was an enjoyable read and I look forward to reading her first book.

I loved this book. The characters are interesting and the author does a great job telling you a little about them in the beginning and then eventually tying all the threads together. I like the way the author builds the story chapter by chapter. This left me so very anxious to see what happened that I actually read the entire book in one day. I particularly enjoyed the ending in which Tessa and Natalie engage in a pilgrimage. I also greatly enjoyed the recipes! I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading books about relationships. Thank you VERY much Bantam for allowing me the opportunity to preview this book.