I enjoyed Secretly Yours a lot so when I saw I was approved for an arc of this I was super excited. One of my favourite tropes is marriage of convenience and lets just say this book did the trope justice for me.
I loved Natalie and August’s characters although at some points they can be very stubborn and annoying. They both seemed to be extremely headstrong characters which caused most of their conflicts but even with that they always solved. ( I will say some of the conflict was stupid ). For romance, well, there's spice. And lots of it. The scenes were amazing, and unlike the first book didn’t feel awkward at all for me. The scenes actually fit both of these characters.
The only issue I have with this book is that their relationship for most of it felt very just, towards the sexual aspect. And it moved very fast and i wish it felt like the characters connected more!
Thank you Netgalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

WOOO, this was such a step up from Secretly Yours. I was so pleasantly surprised with how much i did like it.

Marriage of convenience is one of my favorite tropes and this book was textbook MOC. Both making the decision to marry for personal gain, but both decide before they even truly marry that’s not really the reason they’re marrying.

AUGUST - lord have mercy. August is something else. Supportive, caregiver, protective. I adored him.

Natalie was strong, confident and such a beautifully misunderstood human. She had a lot of inner battles going on and i loved watching her character develop.

While i did enjoy this book alot, it was cringey to me that the MCs said “marriage of convenience” so much. like we get if, why are we being so repetitive with the trope term. It was too much for me.

Banter was spot on. Tessa writes in a way where you have every emotion by the end of the book and i love that.

It’s giving: marriage of convenience, forced proximity, and enemies to lovers

I was really underwhelmed with Secretly Yours, so I was a little hesitant going into this book, but was pleasantly surprised at how good it was. There’s a lot to love about this book, including its immaculate marriage of convenience trope, the incredible spice, the witty dialogue, and the love interest falling hard for his girl.

One of my biggest dislikes is that Natalie and August’s relationship comes out of nowhere. The set up for this book happens in Secretly Yours and is barely mentioned in this one so it’s a little confusing if you haven’t read that book. I also think the ending of this book was kind of rushed as it tried to wrap up loose ends that definitely would have led to more conflict if it was properly fleshed out.

Overall, this book is incredibly funny and super sexy. Also, Tessa Bailey really knows how to write an epilogue that punches me in the feels every time.

This book was very cute! Such an Easy read. I loved the characters and their fun banter! I would definitely recommend this cozy rom- com!

Tessa Bailey my queen 👑
I don’t usually go for the marriage of convenience trope but this book has me second guessing myself.

The banter and chemistry between Natalie and august was SO good! I couldn’t bring myself to put it down. Natalie being such a black cat and August the golden retriever being completely obsessed with her; was the best vibe I could have asked for.

I loved Julian and Hallie’s story but this book may be my favorite of the series 🙈

Thank you Avon Books/Harper Collins Publishing and Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Man, I enjoyed this book. Tessa knows how to write them.

August was such an enjoyable character. He always said and did goofy things which made him that much more likable. A lot of my laugh-out-loud moments came from lines he said or thought. He had problems he was working through just like Natalie, but he presented himself in a loveable way. The way he loved Natalie was so beautiful.

I loved getting to know Natalie more in this book. We got a little glimpse of her problems in book one that she was forced to encounter in this book. But getting inside of her head and seeing how things felt to her was different. She was also pretty cool. I kinda wish we could have seen her with a friend in this book. But that was also kinda the point, that she didn't have anyone she felt she could trust or lean on.

There were some emotional parts in this novel that made me tear up. I love that Bailey can go from emotional to sexy in point five seconds. And there were so many good, romantic lines in this book that I wish I could bottle them up.

Overall, a great follow-up and end to the A Vine Mess series. Bailey's books will always be enjoyable to me.

Just as spicy as Secretly Yours, but even better!

Read this if you like: A doofus of a MMC, a witty FMC, flirty hate-banter that builds into TENSION, marriage of convenience, a Navy SEAL+a Wall Street investor walk into a wine bar in Napa vibes, JOKES+PRANKS+LAUGHTER, and the spice we've all come to love from Tessa.

I found myself really drawn in by Julian and Hallie in Secretly Yours, but I found myself even more excited to read August and Natalie's story, and it did not disappoint.

Natalie is a pretty bad ass character with a soft spot in her heart where the rejection of her family, the disloyalty of her employer, and the sad high school girl who never felt seen still live. Unseen, until August shows up in her life and he CAN'T HELP BUT SEE HER.

August. I truly love him but he's such a doofus. I say that with the mostly love from my heart. This guy picks up his life, moves to St. Helena to make wine with no experience, all to honor his best friend. It's sweet. Really sweet. He puts his foot in his mouth more often than you want (secondhand embarrassment is real), but his relationship with Natalie cracks open that vulnerable place he protects, and these two go from storming away to charging towards each other in the pages of this book.

I like Tessa's writing - it's silly and a little crazy, but also deep and emotional and transformative.

Definitely check this one out next week when it releases, especially if steamy Tessa Baily scenes are your jam. She does not disappoint.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for early access to this one, and to Avon/Harper Collins for the completed copy of the book! These are my honest thoughts.

August for the win! Who doesn't want a former SEAL willing to do just about anything for them!?! Dedicated, loving, and dorky but 110% committed to your every need and whim...

Yeah, August says he won but Natalie definitely won this forever after lottery. Their story is sweet and feisty just like they are!

The second book in the Vine Mess/Vos universe does not disappoint! Natalie Vos lost her job and needs to access her trust fund- just one catch, the recently dumped Natalie must be married to get the funds. Enter August, vineyard owner and bane of her existence. First comes a sham wedding, then comes....?

Great companion to Secretly Yours. I actually thought Unfortunately Yours was much, much stronger than Secretly Yours. I really enjoyed the love story between Natalie and August, and appreciated the tension provided by both August's background and Natalie's family.

I loved the first book in this series but wow I loved this one even more. Tessa absolutely NAILED the marriage of convenience trope. August and Natalie's banter was just the right balance of funny and snarky, the romance was swoony, and the dirty talk was dirty.

Natalie is so headstrong and capable. She knows exactly what she wants and goes out there and grabs it. No matter who stands in her way or tries to make her feel small, she perseveres. One of my favorite things about her and August's relationship is that he doesn't "save her". He does what any good husband should do, supports her and stands by her to help her realize her dreams. It's very clear that Natalie doesn't "need" him but its just as clear that she is happier with him by her side. With that said, boy do I love August. Ngl the whole calling her princess every 5 seconds thing got old fast but I genuinely loved his character. He was surly but not quite grumpy? He was obviously guarded but he knew that he was all in with Natalie from day 1 and he made sure she knew that. There were no mind games. He just fell for her and made his feelings and intentions abundantly clear. It may have started as a marriage of convenience but from the second they made their agreement, August did not come to play (the vows he wrote and surprised her with!!)

Thank you so much to Netgalley, Avon, and of course the brilliant Tessa Bailey for this arc!

The cover of this is the CUTEST. August is perfect, Natalie is fancy, and Menace is lounging.
NEVER do I enjoy a novel with military personnel- except for this one. Tessa really understood the assignment of having a hero who was soft and squishy while being a retired Navy SEAL.

August is trying to run a successful winery to honor his best friend’s dream. The problem is that he makes BAD wine. This happens to draw the attention of Natalie Vos, the Napa Valley wine princess. She’s the daughter of one of the most prestigious vineyards, but her passion is in investment. Unfortunately she made a bad trade, lost her job and fiance, and left New York in disgrace. With both of their livelihoods on the line, August and Natalie decide to engage in a mutually beneficial marriage of convenience. This will get her access to her trust fund and will get him the leverage to get a small business loan.

I love a marriage of convenience and forced proximity, especially when there’s obvious previous chemistry. These two were so lost for each other, worrying about each other while the other is gone and also dealing with the difficulty of shutting each other out of their most private concerns.

I flew through this, just like I tend to do with Tessa Bailey novels. She knows how to write spice, love, grief, friendship, I could just go on and on. It was a pleasure to read Unfortunately Yours.

I did get teary on the treadmill finishing the epilogue, especially as I listened to True Friend from Hannah Montana. Then I posted about it and Tessa laughed at me. So she knows what she’s doing!

This is the first Tessa Bailey book that I’ve given 5 stars to. I finally feel like I understand the hype around her books after reading this one. I loved both Natalie and August. I especially love when the man falls first and falls harder. The genuine love August had for Natalie before she had for him just reeled me in. Not to mention this book had just the right amount of spice and banter. I love that this book showcased Natalie as strong and independent with a drive to prove people wrong. I love a strong female lead with a supportive male lead to add to it. This book is the second in the series A Vine Mess and in my opinion was much better than Secretly yours the first in the A Vine Mess Series. This book is our June 6th! Be sure to get it! Thank you again to Avon Books and Tessa Bailey for an early finished copy!

Read this book if you like:
- Marriage of convenience
- Opposites attract
- Subtle spice
- Banter

Thank you Netgalley for the advanced reading copy! This is the second book in Bailey’s A Vine Mess series, and full disclosure, I loved this book WAY better than the first in this series. Natalie and August have to enter into a marriage of convenience for him to get a business loan and for her to get the trust fund, and of course, they fall in love. Many tropes are done well in this book: marriage of convenience, enemies to lovers, and man falls first and hard. I loved August and Natalie’s banter: this is Bailey at her finest with her writing style, really sweet and funny, causing me to laugh out loud many times in the book. I think this book is also a great blend of steamy, well paced, and I loved that August fell first and hard, realizing quickly Natalie was it for him for life. I liked Natalie’s character progression as well, with her career and life goals moving forward in a nice way throughout the book. The steam level is also classic Bailey, meaning it’s high very high steam and open door. I recommend this book for fans of Bailey, contemporary romance, marriage of convenience, and funny banter.

5/5

This book was truly phenomenal and may be her best yet. The passion and desire between Natalie and August is unmatched. Even when they hate each other, they can’t seem to stay away. I love the exploration of overcoming failures and realization that it’s okay to ask for help. Natalie and August are imperfect but they love one another’s faults and continue to communicate and forgive.

I personally think this book is better than the first in the series and encourage everyone to give it a read!

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review

👰🏻‍♀️Unfortunately Yours by Tessa Bailey⚓️ This is book 2 in the “A Vine Mess” series that takes place in Napa Valley. I loved Natalie in book 1, so I was excited for her to get her own story. Although there is reference to book 1, you can definitely skip and read this as a standalone. Off the bat, Natalie and August have amazing banter and chemistry that really set the stage. Tropes include enemies to lovers, marriage of convenience, forced proximity, and small town. August’s golden retriever energy was endearing, as was Natalie’s independence and desire for authenticity. I loved the character arcs and growth, and the spice was peak Tessa Bailey. TB said in the prelude that these were some of her favorite characters and it shows. I really enjoyed this book! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Special thanks to Avon Books for an eARC courtesy of Net Galley.

August needs a business loan and Natalie needs her trust fund which states she needs right be married. So what do they do? A fake marriage of course!

This one was so cute and a little spicy! August is so sweet but also so hilarious. He’s just going to say what he thinks and sometimes it works for him but sometimes it gets him in trouble 🤣 Natalie is trying to come back from her fiancé breaking up with her after losing her job. She never really fit in anywhere and that’s one point in the book that comes up a lot.

Natalie and August seem like they can’t stand each other but some unexpected twists make you think otherwise. Will they be the ultimate dream team or end their marriage before it can even start?

Another good one in this series!

This is a royally hilarious romantic story. Readers will laugh so hard at the witty and delicious conversations between Natalie and August. As Natalie tries to reclaim her place in the Napa Valley, August is busy trying to make a name for himself by creating wine. Natalie is Napa royalty and August is a former Navy SEAL. They team up for a fake marriage that leads to all kinds of hilarious antics. Readers are going to be absolutely enamored and entertained by this page turning story. It is a wonderful love story and a delight to the senses.

i had high hopes for the next installment in this series and i'm so happy it ended up being a win! tessa bailey excels at the "man obsessed" trope and this book lives up to its older siblings in that department.

i will say though, the beginning of this book was a little rough for me. i'm not a big fan of hate-to-love in a contemporary setting because the "banter" always gets a little mean (i am sensitive so it also could just be me hurting my own feelings). some of the comments august (our mmc) would say to natalie (our fmc) were so hurtful and i gasped at his audacity!! however, once we moved past the jabs and moved into the obsessed swoony tessa bailey hero archetype, i was sold. august and natalie have a very whirlwind romance filled with sexual tension and suppressed feelings and i was glad to be part of the ride. and ofc like always this book was very horny in classic TB fashion.

i wish, however, that they would have gotten married sooner in the book because it was towards the 40-50 percent mark that the wedding in this "marriage of convenience" book finally took place. I would have LOVED some more classic forced proximity and "fake dating" vibes. also... some of the "dirty talk" was a little cringey but besides that very solid tessa bailey installment. anyone who loves her books will enjoy this one.

thank you Avon and Netgalley for the ARC (advanced reader's copy) in exchange for an honest review. This book comes out on June 6!!

Tessa Bailey really does escapist spicy rom-coms well, and her latest installment was a fun enemies to lovers, marriage of convenience romp. I really liked these two characters and their growth over the course of the book, and I loved the setting in wine country. Quick and easy fun beach read.