★ 3.25 / 5

Thank god this book was much better than Secretly Yours!

I was feeling a bit worried after finishing the first book in this duology, so it was a welcomed relief to end this fun "enemies" to lovers/marriage of convenience romance.

Natalie and August are probably the most distinct in my mind of Tessa Bailey characters—maybe that's recency bias speaking—but seriously their story felt like THEIRS. Their personalities as well as their relationship to one another does not feel anywhere close to another romance I've ever read. August also was a perfect blend of sweetness and aloof-maleness. His comments about Natalie's boobs were probably one of the most realistic things I've seen a man say in romance. It made me cackle, and it was nice to see Natalie crack a smile here and there in those moments too.

Also, I gotta say it—the sex scenes were WILDLY hot in this book. The best Tessa has ever written (or that I've read so far). Sorry Bellinger sisters! The sex scene outside during the storm sent me to the stratosphere. I was AGHAST but in the best way possible. There's nothing like good old fashion angsty tension between leads who likes each other wholeheartedly but refuse to admit it!

Controversial opinion, even though the epilogue reveals that Natalie and August are together with a family, I could make the argument that these two would not ultimately end up. I know we aren't supposed to see beyond them getting together in the end before the epilogue, but I needed more time with them to see their relationship grow. It did not feel as realistic as other couples from Tessa, so I had a hard time enjoying that epilogue because it felt like a giant gap of "what if."

The good news is this book showed me that Secretly Yours was just a misstep. I'm very excited to see more of Tessa's work in the future, and thank you to Avon and NetGalley for allowing me to review this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I was fortunate enough to get an advance reader copy of this book. I've read two books by Tessa Bailey so far, Fix Her Up and Unfortunately Yours. While Fix her up is my favorite of the two. I like the male lead more in this newer book. We are introduced to August Cates right away in the book where we find him at a wine-tasting competition. August Cates is a former Navy SEAL who is on his last chance with his vineyard. If he does not win this competition with his wine he will have to sell his winery and give up his best friend's dream.

Natalie Vos is currently down on her luck. After getting fired from her job in New York and her fiance breaking up with her, she has to move back home to her family Vineyard. Natalie hasn't given up on her dreams just yet. She has a plan to get back to New York and back on top. But she needs help.

I was instantly interested in this book while reading August's POV. Natalie's POV on the other hand wasn't as interesting to me in the first part of the book. As the story progressed I started to get more interested in her chapters as well. I loved watching their relationships shift from failing alone at the beginning of the book to succeeding together by the end. Tessa Bailey shows the changes each character had to make for their relationship to work.

If you enjoy a fast past book along with the marriage of convince, enemies to lovers, and he falls first tropes as I do. I would recommend you try out this book.

Review posted to Goodreads and Storygraph on August 6. 2023

3⭐️

This book is a captivating and emotionally charged romance that skillfully weaves humor and heartache into a compelling narrative. Bailey's engaging writing style draws readers into the lives of its endearing characters, whose witty banter and undeniable chemistry make for an enthralling read. The story's unique premise, featuring a reluctant couple bound by an unusual circumstance, adds a refreshing twist to the genre, while the author's adept exploration of vulnerability and personal growth adds depth to the characters' journey. With its blend of sizzling romance, charming protagonists, and a touch of poignant introspection, "Unfortunately Yours" is a delightful page-turner that leaves readers eagerly anticipating each turn of the page.

Favorite Quote:
"I've been through Hell Week, injuries, training that nearly killed me, giving myself stitches without so much as an Advil. And none of it, Natalie is worse physical torture than being away from you."

Special thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Tessa Bailey is easily my fav contemporary romance writer. The way she so magically brings these everyday people characters to life is nothing short of masterful.

I cannot begin to say how relieved I am that I loved this book. Like, thank god. I was so worried because of how much I disliked the first book in this series that this one would be another flop for me. I didn't want to get my hopes up, but an ex-navy SEAL and a badass Wallstreet woman? Sign me up.

Listen. I don't actually know any SEALs, current or former, but I feel like TB actually nailed their personality type with August? He's the perfect balance of almost golden retriever/himbo-like energy, mixed with some boyo charm, and all the protectiveness and fierceness you would expect from a military man. And I ate it up. I loved how much he pushed Natalie and how much they were able to make each other laugh? Even though they didn't realize it, they were both what the other needed. I was so worried there would be a third-act breakup, but I'm so proud of these two for all of their emotional work and communication.

And please don't even get me started on their wedding. I cried in my car in the parking lot listening to those scenes.

I feel like the past few TB books I've read have fell short or been disappointing, but this one really feels like she was getting back to doing what she does best with her writing. Lots of banter, sweet moments, humor, and of course spice! The vibes really reminded me of the Hot & Hammered series, so that was fun to get back to as a reader!

I love Tessa Bailey. She knows how to write MMC and FMC. The first book of this series wasn’t a top favorite but I absolutely loved this one. I love a grumpy/sunshine mix.
Natalie is so relatable, I found myself comparing my experiences with hers often.
While the book had serious moments, it was also filled with humor and obviously, romance. Getting the mix of serious, humor and romance right is hard to do but Tessa does it time and time again.

Meet Natalie and August: oh how they can’t STAND each other. Natalie’s family owns a vineyard dynasty and she recently moved home after losing her job and fiancé in NY. Stuck in a rut, she comes up with a plan to start a new finance business but she needs her trust fund to do it. The catch? She has to be married to receive the money. August is a Navy veteran who has a troubled past and an ambition to make his wine vineyard a success, only one problem: NOBODY likes his wine and he can’t figure out how to fix it without spending buckets of money that he doesn’t have. Do they marry each other and put up with each other long enough to receive the trust fund money and make both their dreams come true or do they steer clear of each other with all their snarky, condescending remarks bouncing off each other?

This is the sequel to Secretly Yours but can be read as a stand alone!
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
@tessabaileyisanauthor
@avonbooks

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Sorry but this just wasn’t my favorite of hers. I wasn’t convinced with the chemistry or realness of how quickly they got married. I realize it was a marriage of convenience, but I just couldn’t get in to it. I tried and tried.

Tessa Bailey is one of my favorite authors! This wasn’t my favorite by her but I still really enjoyed it. I loved the banter between the characters and the chemistry was insane!!! I would totally recommend this to romance readers.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this arc in exchange for an honest review.

This wasn’t my favorite Tessa Bailey book; however, I very much enjoyed that the man fell first. The banter between the characters was great, but the jump from enemies to spouses was quick and hard to root for given the rapidity of the marriage (obviously I’m aware it was a marriage of convenience, but it still was missing something at the beginning).

I'm a fan of Tessa's quick, easy reads and this was another one. I didn't think it was very best, but it was enjoyable.

I just did not care. It took me *weeks* to slog through this one because I never found myself wanting to go back to it.

Loved this one THE BEST out of all of them!

Had the best enemies to lovers I’ve read in a long time.

Give this one a go!

OBSESSED. I got a physical copy of this and I tabbed it so much!!! I loved the characters, the romance, and the banter. Grumpy x sunshine is my favorite and this did not disappoint. Plus who doesn’t love a rom-com in wine country. 1000/10

I'm glad i decided to stick to this book after really not liking Secretly Yours, because it was a much better experience. What was better? MY two main reasons to like this one much more was that there was more wine! and also Natalie was actually quite a cool character. I still feel the disjointed voices between in and out of the bedroom here. Also August was a bit of a caricature I felt, not as developed a character as Natalie, but still entertaining.

Okay, I loved this book a lot more than the first one. This book had me laughing, fanning myself, just overall addicted. I really loved the main characters. Watching them fight and bicker, but fight their attraction to one another had me squealing. This book just had so many things I love.

✨ romcom
✨ dislike to love
✨ marriage of convenience
✨ boy obsessed

Natalie is back in her hometown after flaming out in New York but she has a plan for her come back, the only thing in her way is a stipulation to her trust.. she has to be married. And who better than the former Navy Seal she hates but also needs her name to get a loan and save his failing winery.

In true Tessa Bailey fashion this was hot. I loved Natalie and Augusts story. There was so much banter in this enemies to lovers story. The spice was incredible and even the tender moments were some of my favorite.

Both Natalie and August are struggling with what to do next. Natalie lost her job and fiancé and can only think of making a name for herself and getting out of the place that always made her feel less than, while August needs to sage his winery for Sam. I love how much August cared for Natalie even in the moments she thought he hated him and watching them slowly get closer and fall for one another was done so well.

We also get to see Hallie and Julian from the last story and how they interact with this story. Natalie finds herself and what really matters and August always shows up for her and decides he needs to let her fully in.

This book was funny and lighthearted with some sadder moments as we find out what these characters have been through. The spice was spicy and in Tessa Bailey fashion we get a hero obsessed with a filthy mouth.

5/5 ⭐️

Bailey has the ability to write a million mc and couples and always make them unique and this is no exception. Personally this was not my favorite of hers, but I think a lot of people will love it! The two factors I didn't love were that they main couple was so antagonistic, it just isn't my thing. And that the main guy love interest whole personality was that he was former military. It's not something I have only found in this book, and historically it doesn't work for me, so I don't hold that against the author. But as with all this authors work, the spice scenes and pacing were on point. All in all not a bad read. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

DNF'd about 20% of the way through. Not particularly captured by the story, but looking forward to trying more of Tessa's books! Potentially may try again at a later moment. Thank you NetGalley and Avon books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. My 1 star rating is simply because I needed to rate it, but does not accurately reflect how I feel about the novel as I did not finish it.

I was a bit nervous to read this one after not loving Secretly Yours. I will say that I did enjoy this one more.While not my favorite by Tessa Bailey, it was a cute read with a touch of spice.