This is easily one of my favorite books by Tessa Bailey. Oh my god.

In her acknowledgements, Tessa writes that August and Natalie are some of her favorite characters she’s ever written. And you can genuinely feel that. The heart in this book, the emotions, the banter, the love… all of it came together just so perfectly and beautifully. Tessa poured her heart and soul into this story and into these characters. And I just felt it on a new level.

I really underestimated this book. I knew I’d enjoy it because I always enjoy Tessa’s books. But this one… there was just something so special about it. I cried multiple times (definitely at least 5 separate times), I laughed SO much, I swooned like crazy constantly… this was just such an incredibly written story.

I connected on such a deep level to Natalie and I really didn’t expect it. My heart ached for her and found a kindred spirit. August was the absolute perfect match for her. He loved her so desperately and easily. Being inside of his head was the best because you felt his love and care for her leap off the page that I had no choice but to feel the depth of it. It was absolutely beautiful and I only hope that one day someone loves me even a fraction of how much August loves Natalie.

I don’t think I’ll be able to look at this book and not feel all of the intense emotions I felt while reading this book come rushing back. This book made me feel so deeply and just solidified my knowledge of the kind of love I want to experience one day. Tessa Bailey writes these incredibly beautiful love stories, but this one really hit different. My favorite book of hers is It Happened One Summer and this book is a very close second. August Cates and Natalie Vos seriously own my heart.


Don’t even get me started on that epilogue. Jesus. That was one of the crying incidents. In a good way. An emotional way. It’s actually making me cry again right now from even typing about it.

I will be rereading this again closer to release date so I may be able to add more coherent thoughts to this review. However right now, I’m just overwhelmed by my love for these characters. Their story and love for each other are absolutely perfect and stunning and all I’ll be thinking about for a long time.

*This was an ARC in exchange for an honest review.*

Some of my favorite tropes are enemies to lovers, fake dating and marriage of convenience!❣️✨ And my last read Unfortunately Yours by Tessa Bailey had a mix of all of these and omg it was so much fun! I enjoyed this more than Secretly Yours and I felt like it had most of the vibes that I'd loved in her previous books! I was looking forward to Natalie and August's story after seeing glimpses of them in SY and it definitely did not disappoint!⁣
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Natalie Vos has returned to her hometown after losing her job in NYC and being dumped by her fiance at the same time. Though her family owns a famous winery, she's somewhat of a black sheep and she wants to go back to the city and open up her own hedgefund company. But she needs her trust fund money for that and the catch is - she needs to be married to access it.⁣
August is a retired Navy Seal who has started a winery even though he knows nothing about wine or vineyards. Natalie and August had locked horns from the moment she insulted his wine, so despite the intense attraction between them they've always been at odds with each other. After a series of events they end up in a marriage of convenience so that she'll get her trust fund and he can get his loan, but they need to put some amount of effort into making it believable 😂 ⁣
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I kinda loved this pairing from the start itself! The antagonistic banter between them was hilarious and they don't deny the fact that they're attracted to each other but they just like riling up the other person too much🤣 Having to fake a marriage added a lot of fun as the tension heats up quickly! I loved how determined Natalie was despite her insecurities and August is still grieving the loss of his best friend. But these two fit so well together! August is kind of a himbo(I love them😆) and is always there for Natalie when she needs him 😍 I loved everything about their relationship and how their characters grow both individually and together! And let's not forget the trademark TB dirty talk! ⁣
This one ticked all the right boxes for me and had me laughing and swooning at the same time!❣️✨

Couldn’t wait to read Natalie and August’s story. They were opposites in so many ways but the chemistry and attraction between them was like a magnetic pull toward each other. It definitely read as an enemies to lovers story. The book kept me interested and made me want to keep reading to see what happens. The only thing that turned me off was some of the dialogue. August was sweet and the way he wanted to take care of Natalie was heartwarming. Unfortunately at times he sounded like a college guy who only thought with his nether regions. They both had a good past storyline that helped us understand them better. I enjoyed this book and received it for my honest opinion.

Giant Navy Seal who happens to be a total cinnamon roll who falls first? I could eat this with a spoon.

Tessa Bailey does it again with two incredible characters who have sparks that fly off the page. Perfect amount of teasing banter (and dirty talk that isn’t cringe, hooray!)

From first page to last, this was a winner.

Natalie lost her job and her fiance after one risky business move. She's returned to her family home in Napa to lick her wounds and hopefully access her trust fund to start her next business venture. August Cates keeps crossing paths with Natalie, and not in a good way. They loathe each other. It suddenly becomes apparent that they need each other to get what they want. Can they get along long enough to reach their goals?

I had very high expectations of this book because I loved Secretly Yours and I couldn't wait to hear Natalie's story. Tessa Bailey did not disappoint. The characters are so real and you just fall in love with them. I loved/hated the ending because it wrapped everything up, but in a way that there won't be any more VIne Mess stories, which is a shame because they are so good.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for this book.

𝚄𝚗𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚝𝚞𝚗𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚕𝚢 𝚈𝚘𝚞𝚛𝚜 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
𝙎𝙥𝙞𝙘𝙚: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

🍷the one who got away
🍷marriage of convenience
🍷enemies to lovers
🍷he falls first

🚨𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘣𝘰𝘺𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘳𝘵🚨

Hellloooo August- an ex navy seal who is trying to fulfill his late best friends dream of opening a winery - holy hot. I loved everything about this book. The banter, the tension, the dialogue- it was fantastic. Who knew I loved marriage of convenience ?? This book was surprisingly deep for a romcom and I was pleased.

I emotionally connected with both main characters and I enjoyed this book much more than the first in the series (each can be read as a stand-alone).

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘰 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘺 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸. 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘸𝘯.

Can someone open the window in here or turn on the fan? It got a bit steamy - and I'm here for it! I expect nothing less from Tessa Bailey and I love every single book she puts out. Reading about Natalie and August in June was the perfect start to my summer reading list! Sure, this plot has been done a time or two, but who cares? We still watch the Hallmark movies every winter, don't we? Put Unfortunately Yours on your list!

Highly entertaining, emotionally thrilling, sweetly sexy and action-packed romantic adventure filled with desire, the struggle for true love and passion. An edge of your seat exciting journey from beginning to end and so hard to put down.

Thank you Miss Bailey for the gift of the couple that is August and Natalie. They just might be one of my favorite character couples that you've written lately. Natalie is a woman who is not just misunderstood, by others but is also confused herself about what she really wants. And August....well he's so guilt-ridden that he is almost self-destructive in a way. But there is one thing that is undeniably perfect between the two of them....their phenomenal chemistry! Wowza!

This book almost felt like a little "spin off" of the Gift of the Magii where the couple gives their loved one a gift that relates to their favorite thing without knowing that their partner sold it to be able to give them a gift. With this book, August and Natalie continue doing things with the other person's welfare in mind but without wanting the other person to know they're doing it. Because I believe that neither of them wanted to lose the upper hand and let on that they might have actual feelings. It was just really sweet. I alway enjoy a book when there's a nice balance of chemistry with sweetness - - it's the perfect blend. Of course, throw in some snark as well and it's a real winner.

This truly was one of my favorite reads by Ms. Bailey as of late. I enjoy all her works but this one just really grabbed me. This was a couple I couldn't stop cheering for and kept wanting them to get out of their own way.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to read and review it and the opinions contained within are my own.

"If I had one wish, it would be to slow down my time with you, Natalie. A hundred years won't be enough."

Read if you enjoy:
- Marriage of Convenience
- Enemies to Lovers
- Opposites Attract
- Forced Proximity
- He falls first 🥹 (August 🫶🏻)
- Banter!!
- Open Door Romane (Spiceeeey)
- Napa Wine Country
- Dual POV
- Ex Navy SEAL

Rating: 4.5⭐️

I was hesitant to start this one as my overall experience with Secretly Yours was not the best. But let me tell you… this book was awesome!!

August and Natalie were amazing characters. The banter and angst in this book is palpable. The character development was great and we get to see how things affect each individually thanks to the dual POV. I absolutely loved how they had each other's backs despite the pain, trauma, and insecurities they both carry due to their life experiences. My only slight letdown was the communication. I would have wished that it extended to the most crucial parts. But overall, these two lovable characters grew exponentially, together and apart, allowing each to commit and explore their feelings with newfound trust.

I had so much fun reading this one. The laugh-out-loud moments were so good. Seriously, the banter alone had me loving this whole book. If you are looking for a swoon-worthy and entertaining romcom with lots of banter and spice, this is the one for you!

Ps. The last scene of the book had me swooning for August! He and his little girl had me in all my feels. So adorable!

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books / Harper Collins for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Classic Tessa Bailey— heart, humor, and heat! We have this one in our physical and digital collection, and it’s already been a huge hit with our patrons. Tessa continues to reign supreme as the queen of the spicy rom-com.

Really enjoyed this!!! Loved the characters and how witty it was. Not me smiling from ear to ear while reading this. Definitely loved it better than book 1bb

This is quintisential Tessa Bailey. If you know what that means, go ahead and read this one, it's delightful. If you don't, here's what you can expect, swoon worthy man, cool woman with aspirations and spiky exterior happily ever after spicy romance.

He is a Navy seal turned ameture wine maker. We don't really get into either of those things though. Most of this book is the two of them arguing....and doing other things. The banter is SOOO good and I found myself giggling a few times throughout! I really hated her family and loved watching him put himself on her side. This book is cliche in all the ways to start out--but I pretty much just liked it anyways.

I loved the wine maker idea, but didn't LOVE the execution--I really would have liked to see more of what it's like to run a winery mixed in with the banter and romance I will also add that it was tricky getting in to this book, but it was worth it to watch that Navy seal turn into a pile of mush madly in love.

3.75 stars. Unfortunately Yours is the second book in the A Vine Mess series and is Natalie (the sister of Julian from book one) and August's story. Natalie loses her NYC finance job and her fiancé in one fell swoop, leaving her running back to her Napa hometown and family winery to hide out. August is new to wine-making there, and failing spectacularly, as he is trying to fulfill his late best friend's dream. The two met and got off on the wrong foot, but desperate times calls for desperate measures. In order to receive her trust fund, Natalie has to be married. She needs her trust fund money to return to NYC and start her own company. August needs money and Natalie's help in the wine business. So a marriage of convenience is proposed and accepted. But convenience becomes all too real as they fall for each other and both find themselves willing to do anything to make each others' dreams come true.

The story was pretty good. August and Natalie were a good couple. I'm not a huge fan of enemies to lovers tropes. This one was a little too much for me on the meanness factor, but as the book went along they got nicer to each other and I liked them more. Once they let their guards down with each other and were honest, I really enjoyed the book and I liked them together. This turned out to be sweet, sexy and romantic with a cute ending. August and Natalie ending up adoring each other and there were some swoon-worthy moments. I originally rated this 4 stars after reading it. I liked it but now a month later, I am finding it a little forgettable. I can remember my favorite TB book still from several years ago, but since then, I haven't loved any of her books the way I loved her older ones. But I still enjoyed this book in general while I was reading it, even if it doesn't quite stand the test of time.

Overall, this was an entertaining read, August and Natalie were a cute couple by the end. I was happy they got their happy ever after. I am still holding out hope that Ms. Bailey will return to her roots one day and I will keep on reading.

Spicy marriage of convince romance? Yes please! I absolutely adore Tessa’s writing so I had been looking forward to this book since it was announced. I had such a fun time reading it. Such an easy quick read and honestly a great choice if you’re looking for a solid pick me up. The chemistry between the hero and heroine was done so well! I really loved them together and their spice…🔥 Ate this one up so fast, super good!

This was a fun, lighthearted enemies-to-lovers romance with a marriage of convenience thrown in. August is a retired Navy Seal trying to make his way in the wine industry for his deceased friend. The problem is that he's terrible at it. Natalie is not. She comes from the family who runs the premiere vineyard in the area. August thinks she's beautiful and falls fast but there's a problem: she cannot stand him. The fight constantly and the final straw finally comes forcing August to make plans to leave town. Before he can, these two find that they can help one another out via a marriage of convenience.

Unfortunately Yours is full of spice, wit, and fun adventures that are found in any Tessa Bailey novel. While the first in this series fell a bit flat for me, this book brought back all the Bailey charm that we have come to expect in one of her novels. Both of these characters are so super strong on their own and yet have some seriously deep vulnerabilities that they need to work through. I particularly loved the way that August discovered the power of open and honest communication throughout the story. I felt for Natalie as it is never easy returning home and she has a particularly tough battle to fit. These two were a great match. They were easy to like so you wanted them to win.

If you are a fan of serious heat in your romance but also want some depth to the story, Tessa Bailey is a great go-to author. Her books always feel slightly different in the best way. I was happy to see that this book delivered in all expectations and look forward to what comes next from this author.

This is a personal preference, but I cant stand military romance. The MMC is ex-Navy SEAL and that was enough for me to be turned off by the book, even with the marriage of convenience trope.

When I tell you that this book was AmazING!! The sparks, the bickering, the marriage of convenience trope… just ah yes. So good! Probably one of my favorite books I’ve read this year. Would definitely recommend, of course.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. This is book 2 in the series but can be read as a standalone. The only way to describe this couple - August and Natalie - is (self-proclaimed) doofus and (Beth from Yellowstone confident) heiress. If you're into the love-to-hate, opposite attracts love story, this is your summer read! August and Natalie can't stand each other and are adamant about succeeding on their own, when they know deep down inside they're attracted and each brings something to the table that will allow the other to flourish in their goals. What starts as a slight flicker of a flame soon turns to boiling point, you'll need a fan while reading.

This book was SO FUN!! The enemies to lovers was real for me and I just didn't see how August could have a redemption arc. He followed through in classic Tessa Bailey fashion and I'm in love with him. Definitely recommend, I couldn't put it down! 4/5 stars for me!