Unfortunately Yours
by Tessa Bailey
Pub Date: 06 Jun 2023
Avon and Harper Voyager, Avon
General Fiction (Adult) | Romance | Women's Fiction
Rating 4.25/5

Unfortunately Yours is hilarious, romantic, and filled with all the right elements for a delightful reading experience. Chandler Cates and Natalie Vos are polar opposites who love to butt their heads. This fun-to-read book features laugh-out-loud banter and strong attraction between the two leads.

Synopsis:
A sham marriage agreement will help Chandler and Natalie survive financially in the future. As long as they can live together for a few weeks after the wedding before divorcing, this goal is possible. Their master plan has only one flaw: their infuriating sexual attraction. It's an interesting problem they didn't anticipate.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager, Avon for the wonderful opportunity to review this book. I highly recommend Unfortunately Yours to romance readers.

Thanks to @avonbooks for sending me an advance copy of Unfortunately Yours by Tessa Bailey, out June 6th!

This is the second duology of Bailey’s that I’ve read, (shoutout to the Bellinger sisters) and both times I’ve loved the second book more than the first.

Natalie and August’s story picks up right where Hallie and Julian’s left off, but can be read as a stand-alone. Natalie and August have an undeniable attraction, but can’t stop taking shots at each other — until a bonkers proposal (literally) results in them joining forces.

The tropes:
✨he falls first
✨hate to love
✨marriage of convenience

In her author’s note at the beginning of the book, Bailey writes that she wanted to make enemies to lovers work by having incontrovertible proof that the hero has always loved the heroine, and I found that to be one of the best elements of this story! Natalie’s story strikes a less unhinged tone than her brother’s, but still feels true to TB’s silly, swoony, spicy storytelling, and as usual made for a great time.

5 SCORCHING, AMAZING, STARS! I am absolutely in love with this book. Let's start from the cover and move on through... Menace is on the cover and that in itself is just perfect. This type of cover has always been my favorite and I think this one was so well done. I wish August was a bit bigger because he seems larger than life in this book, but it's so cute and really eye catching.

From the introduction of August and Natalie in Julian and Hallie's book, I've been excited to see how their chemistry comes out in their own story. It did not disappoint at all! The way that August treats Natalie is nothing short of perfection. He is completely whipped by her, but he still keeps her on her toes and keeps the spark between them. Natalie is able to give as good as she gets when it comes to verbally sparring with the sexy Adonis she's become tangled with.

The fake marriage trope is one of my favorites and it's made even better when it comes out that the MMC was always crazy about the FMC. The angst level was very low, which I really appreciate, because sometimes I just want a feel good, sizzling love story. If you want spice, then this book is just the right choice. August has a filthy mouth and the chemistry, sexual tension, and interactions between these two will have you fanning yourself. Natalie is one lucky lady.

Epilogue for the win! I haven't swooned this much in a little while and getting a look into their future gave my heart butterflies and I just want to have more! Go read the first book so you can be ready for this one, they've quickly become some of my favorite Tessa Bailey books, neck and neck with The Bellinger Sisters duet!

I have been looking forward to this book since finishing Secretly Yours. While I loved Hallie and Julien, Natalie and August had me hooked from their first interaction in that book. Their volatile enemy-ship becomes a mutually beneficial relationship in this "fake marriage" adventure. Though, not a spoiler since this is a Romance, it doesn't stay fake for long at all. The spice level is incredible, the high intensity arguments of two hot headed folks translates well into the bedroom. I adored every moment of this book and loved seeing these two characters grow together to overcome their issues. Plus, an adorable orange cat named Menace? What's to lose!

Arc provided by NetGalley
4.5
In the first book of this series we are introduced to Natalie and August, whom have a pretty rough start (wine in the face kinda rough). In this story we see both characters trying to deal with each of their own struggles unsuccessfully. However, a marriage of convenience seems to be the best option for these two people who just can't seem to get along (besides their obvious physical attraction to each other). Both characters were very loveable once you see their perspectives. Nat and August probably have some of the best banter I have read. Their story was fun with a lot of different emotions flowing through both of them. This story can be read as a standalone but I would recommend reading the prior book, Secretly Yours.

First of all, I love me some Tessa Bailey. I always try to pick up any book that she has out because she's my comfort read. I absolutely loved the chemistry between Natalie and August. I enjoyed their banter back and forth. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
I loved how as the book continued, the layers to both Natalie and August unfolded and it seemed so natural and not forced. It really showed who they were as people and their motivations for what they've done in their life. It shows why August decided he needed to start the winery, it showed why Natalie was trying to do her own thing in Wall Street instead of just coasting on her family and their winery. I always love seeing a FMC that can hold her own in a conversation and isn't some weak wallflower. Natalie had such a good quick with about her and it really made me like her a lot. August also had a really great sense of humor. I loved reading them interact with each other and not hold back.
I absolutely would recommend this to anyone who enjoys Tessa's books. It's well written and witty.

This was damn good and so so spicy. Like honestly Tessa Bailey writes the best smut that’s not actually smut. I can’t say this is a fav but I really did love it.

Thank you so much for this ARC! I haven't been enjoying romance novels much recently...UNTIL THIS ONE. I just love a good marriage of convenience and this one was lovely. I love how smitten he is and how protective. Definitely lots of "my wife" and "touch her and you die" moments. Loved the banter! The characters also felt fresh and not like every other main characters in romance novels. Definitely recommend!

Miss Tessa Bailey has been auto buy author for me since I read It Happened One Summer two years ago. I had never read a book by her that didn’t hit the mark for me until I read the previous book in the “A Vine Mess” duology, Secretly Yours. But with that said, everything I had a problem with in that book has been fixed in this one.

Unfortunately Yours has all of “Tessa Bailey Charm” I’ve come to expect in her books. Including big burly men, humor, great smut scenes and men with filthy mouths that are complete simps for their girls. I really love how Tessa handled the enemies to lovers progression with Natalie and August. It felt very natural and showed that it wasn’t really that they didn’t like each other. Neither of them was just not very good at communicating with the other.

*Slight Spoilers*

The only thing that left me wanting more was getting a real conversation with Natalie and her mom towards the end. They had a very complex relationship and I would have liked to see some kind of resolution than just one sentence towards the end of the book.


Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books for sending me a copy for review!

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

I had absolutely fallen in love with the first book in this series, which was also my introduction to Tessa Bailey. When I found out there would be another book, I couldn't wait. Unfortunately, this book didn't draw me in nearly as much as the first. August and Natalie don't have a compelling narrative, the book seems like a constant back and forth of insignificant drama drawn out too long, and some of the dialogue is cringey and awkward. Also, I agree with the reviews stating that August gives some possessive/red flag vibes (and, minor annoyance, but it is constantly mentioned how tall and muscled he is. Like, three men huge. Okay, girl. We get it). I really wanted a more fulfilling story for Natalie, but this wasn't it for me. It did have its cute moments, and your mileage of course may vary for the book in general.

I relished being drawn back into California wine country with Natalie and August. Despite their mutual attraction, those two got on like fire and gasoline in Secretly Yours so I was curious to see how they'd navigate the "I'd drown you in a barrel of wine" enemies to lovers terrain in this book, and I must say, I was not disappointed. I had a good time.

Natalie and August were cute as hell. And communicative to boot! Their banter was not only amusing but infectious. It was like watching two people sword fight with words - disarming each other one-liner after one-liner - which is always fun. In addition to that, a bevy of my favorite tropes enveloped them from marriage of convenience to forced proximity to guy falls first and (also) falls hardest, so this was the kind of story that was bound to fill my romance preference bag to the till, anyway. And it did.

Essentially this was the type of romance I wanted, with a couple nice surprises along the way (like how supportive and protective they could be of each other), so I was happy. Satisfied. And even though the pacing could have been better, especially toward the end, I left with my heart feeling gooier than when I started and that's what matters most to me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved this book and read it very quickly. The banter between the main characters was hilarious and I love their relationship. This book has a lot of tropes: forced proximity, fake marriage, and enemies to lovers, August is one of my favorite love interests because of his golden retriever but badass energy. Natalie faces serious emotional rejection from her family and August is dealing with PTSD and grief from the loss of his best friend. All issues are communicated well throughout the book from the characters and significant scenes are dedicated to processing their emotions with each other. I think this is very important when covering such heavy topics. The amount of spice was perfect for the story and moved it forward. The epilogue is PRECIOUS. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and appreciate the chance to review it!

WELL, what a turnaround. The first book in this series I rated two stars, and I remember feeling like I'd definitely pick up the next one but I was pretty meh about it. This one was ~SO MUCH BETTER~. I liked both August and Natalie, and their story felt really fun while also classic romance novel. I just love picking something up that's immediately giving read in one sitting vibes, and this was it.

Would like more books with navy seals (ex) as the MMC. Almost comparable to the single dad cowboy that I love.

Really enjoyed this book and liked the growth we saw from Natalie. Enemies to lovers. MC falls first. So fun.

The only hold up I had was the quick timeline for Natalie.

I was wary of this one because Secretly Yours just didn't do it for me, but this one was so much better. I fell in love with Natalie and August and absolutely loved their fiery attitudes towards each other. It was an enemies to lovers but neither of them really hated each other. It was very fast paced and didn't feel overly drawn out (looking at you Secretly Yours). The book was full of humor, is it love or is it hate, and obviously some good old spice. If you have liked Tessa Bailey's previous books, you'll like this one too. If you didn't enjoy Secretly Yours, you may still enjoy this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Look, this one has all my favorite tropes, wrapped up in steam and spice and everything nice.

3.75 Stars!

✔️ Enemies to lovers
✔️ Forced proximity
✔️ Marriage of convenience
✔️ Likeable main characters with realistic goals and ambitions

Tessa Bailey is becoming one of my "old reliable" authors for when I need a fun romance with a great setting and funny banter. Transported me straight to my trip to Napa from last spring.

Ok I freaking LOVED THIS! Enemies to lovers mixed with marriage of convenience… SIGN ME UP. Not only is the romance and spice top notch, but I also just really loved the characters! I related to Natalie a lot and August is just a classic but perfect book boyfriend! He literally had me kicking my feet in the air! All in all, this is a very fun and very cute (&spicy) read!

Tessa Bailey has created yet another wonderful read. As the queen of steamy romances she did not disappoint. I have a feeling it will be a popular summer read by many Rom Com Readers!

Since I found her books I've always liked Tessa Bailey's stories. They are always so fun and her characters and plots are well written and engaging. The plot of this one was another hit from her with a fake marriage with some real feelings. Overall, this was a fun quick read that would be perfect for a beach read or a book club.

Synopsis: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.

Tessa Bailey is the queen of sexy romantic comedies and Unfortunately Yours is no exception. As usual, her characters were so well written and the story was fun and original. Highly recommend!