This one was a struggle for me. The MC’s swung wildly from hating each other to being obsessed with each other for no apparent reason. The pacing gave me whiplash. It had some bright spots, like the parts about winemaking and the Napa setting, but the rest was not for me.

Thanks to Avon and Harper Voyager for my ARC.

I didn’t love the first book in this series but book two was a lot better. The characters were more interesting and I enjoyed them a bit more. It was entertaining and a perfect summer read. I would recommend this to readers who have enjoyed Tessa Bailey books in the past. Thank you netgalley for my free review copy.

The "giant ogre of a man" and "little ole me who will break if touched by his giant oaf hands" is just played out for me. It was mentioned approximately every other page and I was over it quickly. Not my favorite, sadly.

Natalie has moved back home to Napa after losing her Wallstreet job in New York and is ready to get back on her feet. The problem is she needs capital to do it and her trust fund is under lock and key until she is married. August is trying to make his vinyard a success, but it's not working. His wine is terrible, he has not idea what he is doing and he's out of funds. The two form a plan, that even though they can't seem to have a conversation without exchanging barbed words just might help them out financially. They decide to get married for the sake of convenience and once it will no longer be a scandal will go their separate ways. The problem with that plan, is that neither of them seem prepared to deal with the attraction they feel towards each other.

I adored this story! Natalie and August gave me Rhys and Bridget vibes, but in the best possible way. I really appreciated the lack of a miscommunication break up scene, because August was just that determined to fix whatever he messed up and he fixed it as quickly as he could. This was exactly the kind of book I have come to love and honestly expect from Tessa Bailey! This wonderfully done Rom-Com was exactly what I needed!

Thank you to Netgalley and publisher for an ARC of this book.

I started reading Tessa Bailey books about a year ago when I knew I was going to meet her at a book signing. There has been no Tessa Bailey book I have read that I did not like.

Unfortunately Yours was such a fun and light read for me.. I enjoyed the two main characters Natalie and August. I enjoyed seeing their story unfold . Their fighting had me laughing at times witch made the story enjoyable. There was also character development for both of them and it was nice to see them learn how to open their hearts and trust each other.

3.5 Stars
This is the second entry of this series by Tessa Bailey.
I am a massive Bailey fan and have read many of her books, recommending them to others. This was good yet didn't feel like a usual Bailey book.

Hilarious, smart, and sassy. Spicy! Fans of Tessa Bailey will love enemies-to-lovers Natalie and August and get to see a glimpse of Julian and Hallie from Secretly Yours.

In this book, we see Natalie home at her parents' vineyard licking her wounds after she loses both her job and her fiancé. Determined to get back on her feet, Natalie needs funds to start her own investment firm, but she can't access her trust fund until she's both employed AND married. Enter August, the former Navy SEAL and terrible winemaker from book one in this duology who just seems to push all her buttons--even though she'd rather he be unbuttoning them. He's desperate for a small business loan (and to get in Natalie's pants). The two form a tenuous truce and agree to a marriage of convenience that ends up fruitful for both of them.

While I enjoyed the first book in this pair, I LOVED this one. A marriage of convenience trope is difficult to pull off, but Bailey does it well--I'm not sure why I'm surprised. August is also hot as sin, and a rough n' tumble lead every polished girl like Natalie needs. This book brought the steam, and it was wonderful to watch the two come to their senses and fall for each other.

Thanks to Avon for my eARC and finished copy! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

5 stars - 9/10

Unfortunately Yours is the second novel in the A Vine Mess series that takes connected characters and tell their own stories. The first novel, Secretly Yours, followed Julian and Hallie, who both make cameos in this story. Since the novels follow a different couple, each could be read as a standalone or together as a series. The main character in this story, Natalie Vos, is the sister of Julian and needs her trust fund to finance her new business venture. The other main character is August Cates is an ex-Navy SEAL who owns a vineyard but is struggling with the wine making business. The two meet and have the same general goal, which is to obtain funds, so they eventually land on a plan to have a marriage of convenience. They will get married, obtain Natalie’s funds, and then shortly part ways.

The two characters share great banter and have clear sparks that fly between them. There is some insta-lust, but I do appreciate that the love part took a little longer to develop. Their romance does develop and is the focus of the story, but I liked that each has their own journey, too. As characters, both were well-described, so it was easy to connect to them. Natalie has been underestimated and is recovering from her past while August has his own past. August is described as an oaf in this story, which works to kind of give him a descriptor that’s easy to picture; however, I think the repetitive emphasis on this point pushed the narrative to make it seem he was an idiot. There are other repetitive elements in the novel, from the use of certain words, like “babe,” and traits, like the fact August is an ex-SEAL. The writing itself has Bailey’s signature style where there is spice and wit. For me, this novel doesn’t quite live up to the Bellinger Sister series, but it was still enjoyable. Overall, this story was a lot of fun and a great romance and I look forward to reading the next Bailey novel.

**I give a special thank you to Netgalley and the publisher, Avon, for the opportunity to read this entertaining novel. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.**

Unfortunately Yours is the second book in the Vine Mess series. This book centers on Julian's sister Natalie. We meet Natalie and her leading man August in the first book. Now they had instant chemistry but it wasn't smooth sailing after they met. So it was a lot of back and forth and pushing and shoving among the two. While they weren't fan of each other due to misconstruction, that chemistry was still there so it was an internal battle for both Natalie and August. When they needed one another they needed to tamper their hatred and learn to work together. There was so much more to Natalie and August than meets the eye so I liked how we got more in depth with them. It had me rooting for them individually along with them as a couple. These two were more alike than they think. When they were on, it was fascinating. They were nice together and truly had the feelings for each other-a pleasant couple. Overall, this was a nice story.

LOVED LOVED LOVED! First off I was lucky enough to recieve an ARC of Tessa Bailey's newest swoon worth steamy romance and I was thrilled. Tessa Bailey is one of my favoriet romance authors. She writes excellent characters.

First off I love how we are thrown directly into the plot. We open with August (MMC) attending a wine tasting/contest where Natalie Vos, long time enemy turned almost one-night stand, is giving a terrible review of his wine. We quickly learn these two characters have a past where they have an attraction but due to differences have never crossed that line to romance. Natalie is down on her luck and needs to be married to get her trust fund so August and her decide to have a fake marriage. This book is steamy, with the guy falling first and harder, and the writer was great! I would highly recommend this book to any romance readers!

After finishing Secretly Yours, I was fortunate to receive Unfortunately Yours. It was wonderful. Natalie and August compliment one another without being overly volatile or saccharine. Natalie could have easily been a spoiled, snotty rich girl who needed taking down a peg, but was in fact a young woman who tried to make up for her family's indifference by being seen, first as a wild child party girl in her youth, then as an Ivy educated take-no-prisoners financier as an adult. Her upbringing aside, Natalie is relatable and inspiring of empathy. August could just as easily be a Alph-hole meathead, but he's big, gruff, and full of empathy for others.

The Vos duology has exactly what I've been looking for in a romance. There's angst and spice, but it's not overly dark. The conflict is real and sweet and the resolutions of arguments are loving and hot.

It only loses the one star because of the compressed timeline. It takes place over the span of a few weeks on the page while Natalie and August have been playing the slow simmer game for over a month. Without the benefit of having read Secretly Yours to see Natalie and August meet, it looks like insta-lust pants feelings.

Great book. I will definitely revisit.

This was definitely better than the first book and I’m a sucker for marriage of convenience. Unfortunately, I still don’t think Tessa Bailey’s books are for me. It was still hard for me to stay engaged, it was just better than the first book

Oh, where do I begin... August is practically a perfect book boyfriend... I mean, husband.

Natalie Vos is home while trying to recover from the lowest of lows: a big mistake at work and her fiancé dumping her so she doesn't drag him down professionally. She needs access to her trust fund to revive her career, but her father's antiquated rule dictates that she must be married to access the funds. So Natalie concocts a plan with August to get 'fake' married.

This was a fun, fast read and I would definitely stay married to August *swoon*

Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

ARC Copy kindly provided by NetGalley but all thoughts are my own.

I was so excited to read a new Tessa Bailey and I absolutely love the marriage of convenience trope and the fact that this is set in the Napa valley (I'm a Californian), but this story just didn't hook me at all. It was okay but nothing really stood out for me unfortunately. It makes me a little sad as I love Tessa Bailey's books! I will definitely read more from her as I love her humor this just didn't hit for me.

Read if you like:
💍 Marriage of Convenience
😡 Enemies to Lovers
↔️ Opposites Attract
🥵 Spiceeeeeee

This one was sooooo good! If you love spice, enemies to lovers, opposites attract and marriage of convenience plots I definitely feel like this one is for you and you should check it out asap!

I truly loved this book and how spicy and fun it was. The tension was so well done and enemies to lovers is always one I will love and marriage of convenience is definitely one trope that this book is making me appreciate more!

Thanks so much to Avon for my ARC in exchange for my review!

This is the 2nd book in a series and my first by this author. I didn’t feel like I missed anything just jumping into this one and I enjoyed it so I may go back and read book 1 which is about Natalie’s brother. This story is told in third person from both August and Natalie’s viewpoint.

Since Natalie was a hedge fund manager and determined to get back to the NYC financial scene, I was worried that I wouldn’t find her relatable, but between her family issues and her banter with August, I quickly came to view her as an intriguing character that I could root for. I found August to be kind-hearted and well-intentioned but extremely stubborn which made a perfect foil for Natalie. I also enjoyed the wine country setting and all the information about making wine and running a vineyard. Recommended.

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon Books for a copy provided for an honest review.

4.5 ⭐️
I liked this so much more than the first book in this duet.
This book was funny and cheesy with a little bit of eye rolls, aww moments and a few sad moments and I ate it up!
I really liked August character. He’s a brut that just says whatever is on his mind and doesn’t care. Him and Natalie are opposite in alot of ways and just alike in other ways. Their arguments were funny too. I was entertained reading this.
-Marriage of Convenience
-Spicy (but not as spicy as some of her other books)
-Stubborn Main Characters
-Ex-Navy Seal Hero
-Protective Hero
-Heroine trying to prove herself
-Banter
-Tension
-Family Drama


Thank you Netgalley and Avon/Harper books for the Arc.

Title: A Gripping Four-Star Review for "Yours Unfortunately" by Tessa Bailey

As someone who delved into "Yours Unfortunately" without having read its predecessor, "Secretly Yours," I must say that Tessa Bailey's second installment stands strong on its own. While there were some references to events from the first book that I couldn't fully grasp, the story's core was captivating enough to keep me engaged throughout.

Bailey's writing style shines in this contemporary romance, weaving together a tale of unexpected connections and heartfelt emotions. The characters were well-developed, each with their own unique flaws and strengths that made them relatable and endearing. The chemistry between the main protagonists was palpable, igniting sparks that made their interactions a joy to witness.

One aspect that stood out in "Yours Unfortunately" was the author's ability to explore deeper themes while maintaining a lighthearted tone. The story touched on personal growth, overcoming past traumas, and the power of forgiveness. Bailey skillfully balanced these weightier elements with moments of humor and sizzling romance, creating a well-rounded narrative.

The pacing of the book was generally good, with a mix of tender and intense moments that kept the pages turning. However, there were a few instances where the plot seemed to meander, slightly affecting the overall momentum. Additionally, as a standalone reader, I wished for a bit more context regarding certain subplots that seemed tied to the events of the previous book.

Nevertheless, "Yours Unfortunately" remains a highly enjoyable read. Tessa Bailey's storytelling prowess and her ability to evoke genuine emotions in her characters make this book a worthwhile addition to any romance reader's shelf. I may have missed out on the full depth of the story by skipping the first book, but I can confidently say that this second installment still managed to captivate my heart.

This one immediately caught my eye with a love interest that’s an ex-Navy Seal, and enemies to lovers. While I didn’t love the first book, this was really stepped up the game and overall I really enjoyed this one.

We follow Natalie, whose returned home after losing her job and fiancé in NY and August, an ex-Navy Seal whose trying to do the memory of his friend Justice by starting a winery. The only problem is Natalie has no money to start a new business with and August’s making horrible wine. This could all be fixed a marriage of convenience between the two, except after meeting, these two hit it off on the wrong foot and never want to see each other again.

When desperate times call for desperate measures, a marriage of convenience between these two might be what it takes to get them both back on their feet.

Filled with lots of swoon-worthy moments, laugh out loud moments dialogue, and a heartfelt story, this is definitely one I enjoyed reading! Tessa Bailey can write two unlikely characters falling in love and that’s exactly what she accomplishes in this book.