Fun romp in this wine country world. I liked this one better than the previous. Both have pretty contrived and silly situations but I could handle this one a bit more. The characters had a good dynamic and felt true to themselves.

Tessa Bailey writes in such a way that we feel like part of the story, and she evokes real life emotions from her readers to correspond with her story. Her dialogue is phenomenal, her character building is awesome, and her settings are always perfect.

Her newest release, Unfortunately Yours, will surely make readers laugh and tear up all summer long.

Romance fans, this one is a MUST.

I swear Tessa Bailey is a writing machine! This is the latest in her “A Vine Mess” series.
Picking up from Secretly Yours, this follows Natalie Vos’ return to her family winemaking roots in the Napa Valley and her desire to return to the world of finance in NYC.
It also introduces Austin Cates, a retired Navy SEAL-turned-vineyard owner who is a bit clueless (but well-intentioned) when it comes to winemaking. Both need money to make those dreams realities and a sham marriage of convenience might solve both of their problems. But the real question: will feelings become blurred in the process? For that answer, you’ll have to read for yourself! This was a fun two-novel series from Tessa Bailey, sure to be a favorite among wine and romance fans, alike.

Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC. Happy release week!

Happy Wednesday y'all! I meant to write this post yesterday on the actual release day of Unfortunately Yours, but life got in the way, so here it is today! I was not a huge fan of book one is this series, not because of the writing, world building etc, but because I really did not like the characters in the first book. This book, however, was amazing!
Unfortunately Yours 5/5 Stars
Summary from Goodreads:
A down-on-her-luck Napa heiress suggests a mutually beneficial marriage of convenience to a man she can't stand... only to discover there's a fine line between love and hate.
After losing her job and her fiancé in one fell swoop, Natalie Vos returned home to lick her wounds. A few months later, she's sufficiently drowned her sorrows in cabernet and she's ready to get back on her feet. She just needs her trust fund to finance her new business venture. Unfortunately, the terms require she marry before she can have the money. And well, dumped, remember? But Natalie is desperate enough to propose to a man who makes her want to kill him--and kiss him, in equal measure.
August Cates may own a vineyard, but he doesn't know jack about making wine. He's determined to do his late best friend proud, no matter what it takes. Except his tasting room is empty, his wine is disgusting (seriously, he once saw someone gag), and his buddy's legacy is circling the drain. No bank will give him the loan he needs to turn the business around... and then the gorgeous, feisty heiress knocks on his door. Natalie has haunted his dreams since the moment they met, but their sizzling chemistry immediately morphed into simmering insults.
Now, a quickie marriage could help them both. A sham wedding, a few weeks living under the same roof, and then they can go their separate ways--assuming they make it out alive. How hard could it be? There's just one thing they didn't account for: their unfortunate, unbearable, undeniable attraction.
After book one, I knew I was going to really enjoy Natalie and August's book, but man, I did not realize just how much I was going to like it! August and Natalie had the perfect level of chemistry, banter, and spiciness to make them an amazing couple- plus I do love how they made this plan to have a fake marriage to get themselves what they wanted/needed money wise, yet come wedding day, neither of them actually had to go through with the wedding, because they had secured ways around it, yet they both got married and loved it. Nicole working through her trauma and then August working through his and them helping each other with that and growing closer as a fact was so cute to watch (well, read really). I even liked Hallie and Jonathan, who I was not fans of in book one, in Unfortunately Yours, which I was so excited about! Overall, I really enjoyed Unfortunately Yours and I cannot wait for y'all to read it! Be sure to pick it up today!

Another good Tessa Bailey book! I didn’t love this one as much as the first in this series just because I didn’t see myself as much in the MCs of this one. I still loved the two main characters and I loved their drive and determination. Plus I love a good military leading man in a romance! And the spice oh does Tessa Bailey know how to do great spice!! Definitely one to pick up if you’re a Tessa Bailey fan!

Tessa Bailey has been, and always will be, one of my favorite authors. Not only does she write swoon-worthy romances that leave me gasping for air, she also writes incredibly real stories with raw emotions and conflict. I was so ready for her to do a marriage of convenience (one of my favorite tropes), and she knocked it out of the park. August and Natalie were EVERYTHING. Their story was so cute and amazing and I will think about them forever. I can't wait for Tessa's next installment!

Admittedly, I was a bit wary of beginning this book. Secretly Yours (the first book in the series) didn't work for me. I had a hard time connecting with the main characters but enjoyed snippets of Natalie and August's interactions. I was willing to give the second book in the series a chance with the hope that Tessa Bailey's signature dirty talking hero worked this time around... I am happy to report it worked splendidly.

We meet Natalie in book one. She's the sister of the hero in that book. All we know is that she escaped the city from her high profile job and is no longer engaged. After spending some time drowning her sorrows in wine she decided to start her life over but needs her inheritance money to do it. Unfortunately, her estranged father has the stipulation that Natalie must be married and holding a job to access it. Enter August, a former SEAL trying to open his own winery in honor of a fellow SEAL. August knows nothing about wine and is having a hard time keeping the business afloat. He needs to secure a bank loan or close down the vineyard. Natalie and August decide to join together into a fake relationship until they can both become financially viable. They have to put aside their bickering and differences to make this sham marriage believable. For August, it's hard not to let your wife know you've been in love with her since the moment you met.

A lot of books purport to be enemies to lovers but I could actually feel the tension in the beginning of this one. August is gone for her from the moment that Natalie walked into his vineyard in book 1. Natalie has an enormous amount of growing she needs to do to be a partner and wife. August gave her that room to realize her feelings and make her own decisions regarding her life plan. August has plenty of "my wife" moments and I was happy to find he's one of Bailey's dirty talkers. He was so protective of Natalie and stuck up for her when her mother would belittle her. Their chemistry was off the charts. We do get some check in's with book one's couple, Julian and Hallie. I'm not sure how it's possible but I liked them even less in this book.

My vote is to skip book one and jump right into Unfortunately Yours because it may end up being one of my favorite books of the year. Is it cheesy? Sure, but I lapped up every word of it.

Pick this one up if you want: my wife vibes, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, marriage of convenience, small town, complicated family dynamics, search and rescue, ex military hero, starting over, prank wars, hero falls first, strong heroine, hero with a cat.

Thank you to NetGalley, Tessa Bailey, and Avon Harper Voyager for this eARC. All opinions expressed are my own. #netgalley #tessaBailey #avonharpervoyager #avinemess #UnfortunatelyYours

OH swoon! August is pure perfection as his imperfect, golden retriever ways! Natalie, after near disaster of hooking up with August, is determined to hate him. And he plays along even though he wouldn’t mind making her his forever. But he can’t outright say that. But when Natalie needs to be married to get her trust money and August needs money in order to keep it going, Natalie suggests something she never dreamed of. Fake marrying August. And he is ALL IN!

I just loved it. Both had an opportunity to back out. A way to fulfill their dreams without having to marry. But unbeknownst to each other, they decline that opportunity and marry anyway. It is so sweet and watching them warm up to each other and seeing the back and forth turn into a heartwarming relationship is perfection. August is the very best. He a former Navy Seal and is opening a vineyard for his fallen best friend. Outward, a happy go lucky guy, he has something’s haunting him. And Natalie inadvertently helps him to come out of a dark haze that he sometimes go in. The swoon is off the charts. The content is a wide open door. There are swears. But August and Natalie FOREVER!

Book is second in the series but can be read as a standalone. Writing is solid as always, keeping the reader engaged. Fun marriage of convenience trope.

August is a retired Navy SEAL who is trying to keep his friend's dream alive by starting a winery, Natalie is back in Napa, staying at her family's winery after a huge setback in her career and personal relationships. They both need to find a way to make things work for them, August's wine is awful and he needs more money to keep the whole operating going, and Natalie wants to try and jumpstart her career and they both need money. If Natalie gets married, her trust fund will kick in, and she'll be able to help August get a loan, it's a win-win. What follows is a hilarious story of love and compromise.

This is the second story in the Vine Mess series, and I enjoyed this one much more than the first. I felt like the story really took off once the wedding took place. The marriage of conveneince trope really worked for me in this, and I absolutely loved how much of a sucker August was for Natalie. Some of their banter had me actually laughing out loud, and I was happy with how the characters dealt with August's funding for his winery.

Thank you Avon books and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.

Oh wow, I really enjoyed this!! Tessa always does banter and steam SO well! I def enjoyed this one better than Secretly Yours!

* marriage of convenience
* forced proximity
* small town
* great banter and steam
* a cinnamon roll and domineering hero - YES PLEASE

I gotta say.. August stole the show for me! He is such a GEM!! He is an ex-marine trying to make his vineyard a success and Natalie is trying to find her place after her life falls apart in NYC. I think these two complimented each other well and it was clear from the beginning they had great chemistry and a connection.

Overall, if you're looking for a spicy romcom - def pick this up!

Rating: 4 stars!

I loved this follow-up to Secretly Yours. Excellent writing and plotting, and the characters are amazing, especially August Cates, the Navy Seal exterior with a marshmallow interior.

August knows very little about making wine, but runs a winery in honor of his best friend who died, and he’s determined to make him proud. He needs the back to give him a loan.
Natalie Vos knows a lot about making wine, because she’s the daughter of Napa’s most well respected vineyard owner. However, she’s uninterested in winemaking and wants her get trust fund to launch a new business venture.

Unfortunately, the trust states that Natalie must be married in order to receive her funds. August and Natalie get married, but only temporarily as far as they’re concerned. As soon as the bank and the trustees come through, it’s over. They didn’t imagine they’d fall for each other.

Another great summer read, 5 stars.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed as in this review are completely my own.

4.25 stars - Holy friggin swoon alert!

I kept going back and forth between the audiobook and the paperback versions because I couldn't get enough of Natalie and August.

Their genuine hearts emerge strong in this story and captivate you from the start. I didn't read the first book, but I might go back now and read it just to see her brothers journey.

There was a little miscommunication, which if you know me, is usually a mood killer, but Tessa wrote it perfectly so that I was never frustrated and always had a glimmer of hope to hang on to.

**Forced proximity
**Marriage of convenience
**Small town romance

This was the perfect comedy relief I needed this week, and I might have even teared up a time or two. Definitely add this one to your TBR and tell me your thoughts after you read it!

Natalie and August’s story in Unfortunately Yours by Tessa Bailey, book two in the Vine Mess series is a wonderful, heartwarming, heartbreaking, funny and steamy, enemies-to-lovers, marriage of convenience, and unexpected love story.

Ex-Navy Seal, August Cates started a winery in honor of his fallen best friend, as he struggles with guilt, feelings of failure, and frustration on many levels. Natalie Vos has her share of struggles, as her teenage reputation follows her, her fiancée dumped her, and her career is in shambles. Meeting over August’s horrible wine and not seeing eye to eye, Natalie and August decide that a marriage of convenience would benefit them both financially; August can get the bank loan he needs, and Natalie can receive her inheritance and start her own company. However, their marriage of convenience is anything but convenient, especially as their attraction, confusing feelings, and forced proximity become more difficult to resist and deny. There’s a lot of bickering, practical jokes, and pranks thinking it would distance them; instead, they find they are learning to understand each other. They were sensitive to each other’s pain and trauma and insecurities. With magnetic attraction and sparking chemistry, there is a tender understanding and profound respect as August and Natalie unexpectedly find that they have been hit by cupid’s arrow and not only love each other but that they are each other’s perfect match. While this book goes into the idea of grief and life post-serving for August, we see him learn to forgive himself and love again. Natalie learns that she is important and loveable without having to earn that love.
I highly recommend Unfortunately Yours to other readers.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

August is an Ex Navy Seal himbo who's unsuccessfully trying to make a go of a winery in his friends memory and Natalie who is trying to put her life back together after a colossal career meltdown. Turns out if she wants to access her trust fund she has to get married. I adore a marriage of convenience but in contemporaries, it's kind of ridiculous. Anyway, I suspended disbelief and trudged on. They get married, put an expiration date on it, banter a lot and say lots of quippy things. Then they have sex and there's a lot of cringe-dirty talk. Why are these heroes referring to the vag as a thing now? Ew, no. There are also a zillion side plots and family things and characters and other stuff that added nothing to the relationship development. Speaking of relationship development, there was none. They pretty much go from rivals to lovers to I Love You more than Chocolate in a blink. The relationship was most definitely only sexual and it's insta love all the way. I eat it up with a spoon but only when I am super invested in the characters and in this case, I wasn't.

This was an improvement over the first book but I never connected fully with anyone. The pacing was weird, there was too much going on and by the halfway mark I was ready for it to be over.

Unfortunately Yours by Tessa Bailey might be my favorite by this author yet. First, this author can write no wrong in my book! I love all her books and they only keep getting better. This book brings the fake marriage trope to life as both Natalie and August are looking for things the other can help provide. But in true Tessa Bailey fashion, they realize there is more to this fake marriage. Without giving away spoilers, I will just say they are perfect together! Will HIGHLY and ALWAYS recommend this author and this book!

Ever since they met in book one Secretly Yours, Natalie Vos, daughter of a prominent Napa Valley wine family, and August Cates, former Navy SEAL and failed vintner , have clashed. He's ready to give up on his vineyard and move back home to Kansas when Natalie offers him a deal. A fake marriage to release her trust fund and the tie to the Vos name to get approval on a business loan for his vineyard. But in this small town is hard to hide secrets, so they must make this marriage look real. Soon enough their fake marriage leads to real feelings.
Natalie felt overlooked her while life and I'm glad that she was able to finally stand up to her family and show her worth. She was a perfect match for goofy, fun loving cinnamon roll hero August. I love how real he was written, always putting his foot in his mouth and doing the wrong thing, but so protective and loving. He's true book boyfriend material. I think this is my favorite Tessa Bailey book so far!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I enjoyed this book much more than I did Secretly Yours. I think Natalie and August are the perfect enemies to lovers, marriage of convenience couple. This book had me no joke laughing out loud, my friends thought I was nuts. I love August’s gruff exterior and yet his cinnamon roll insides that really are just soft and gooey. Natalie is the same way, but her soft parts have been hurt and she protects them with layers and layers of armor. I think marriages of convenience are so fun and always end up with crazy drama, but I also loved that this one had pranks! Give me a great prank war any day! Oh and of course, this is Tessa so the spice was on point, so good!

You could definitely read this as a stand alone and skip secretly yours, but you will miss seeing Natalie and August’s first meeting that subsequently sets them up for their enemies situation that starts this book.

After losing her job and her fiancée, Natalie returns to her family vineyard to regroup. She needs the money in her trust fund to start her own business, but can't get access until she marries. In desperation, she makes a deal with struggling winemaker August: if he marries her, she'll help him get a business loan. Despite the animosity between them, he agrees. Will their simmering attraction lead to more?

This book is a joy from start to finish. It's funny (really funny), uplifting, and emotional, with steamy scenes that will set your e-reader on fire. August is a clown but also a Navy SEAL, and the combination works well for creating an utterly believable, adorable, and heroic character. Natalie is very much his equal. She's strong, savvy, and snarky, but squishy underneath. The banter between them is epic. This novel is on par with IT HAPPENED ONE SUMMER. Don't miss it!

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

The follow up to the vine series and this marriage of connivence romance book was so much fun. In true Tess Bailey style, it’s fun, hot, steamy and full of banter.

The tension between Natalie and August was so hot, with chemistry filled moments through their witty banters and the spicy moments that seemed to happen from every page. It was like their chemistry had a life of its own, their bickering and opposites attract and it was so much fun seeing them fall for each other! I loved their witty banter and chemistry. It was so good. It was my favorite part of the book. The dialogue was so entertaining. I am straight up obsessed with these two. It is a fast read and it does have some angsty moments and harder topics touch up on but it makes sense for their character arc. Unfortunately Yours was fun, spicy, endearing, and the epilogue was everything!!! I highly recommend. If you’re looking for a romcom to devour