Unfortunately Yours by Tessa Bailey
A Vine Mess #2
Contemporary Romance
June 6, 2023- Avon
ARC

Review by Angela

I didn’t love the first book in the series, Secretly Yours, neither the pacing nor the romance really worked for me and it took forever to finish. I kind of debated on whether I should continue with this duology, but ultimately decided I needed to know how the hate/lust relationship between the other Vos sibling and her retired Navy Seal panned out. I’m glad I did because this book ABSOLUTELY worked for me.

Natalie Vos is back at her family’s winery after her life in New York crashed and burned. She’s kind of living in pause mode, drinking and sleeping and reluctantly representing Vos Winery when she must. But she has big plans to get back to New York and securing funding for her start-up is first up on the list.

August Cates is a retired Navy Seal trying to make a go of his own vineyard in remembrance of his best friend, but his wine-making skills leave a lot to be desired. He’s on the cusp of throwing in the towel, selling his land, and heading back home when Natalie Vos, aka the woman who drives him bananas in all kinds of ways, makes him an offer that will help them both out. A fake marriage that will help her gain her trust fund and secure him a bank loan. But they can’t stand each other… right?

Is fake enemies to lovers a thing? Because this kind of felt like that. While reading Secretly Yours, I was intrigued by this couple and their instant attraction that quickly turned to biting sarcasm and insults hurled at each other whenever they were in the same room. Despite the downturn of their relationship, I could sense the intense chemistry between them that Tessa Bailey is known for. When this book opens they have this antagonism that manifests in a lot of back-and-forth sniping at each other. Only now readers get both protagonists’ POVs and can tell that while they are irritated with each other, the lust is still there and they don’t really hate each other.

Their relationship quickly turns from that to kind of a mutual dependence and desire to help each other achieve their goals. August is especially sweet in his dedication to helping Natalie. He’s this giant, protective goofball who wants good things for her and is quick to change how he interacts with her whenever he realizes that what he thinks are friendly insults are really hurting her feelings. And I adored him for that. He realizes early on that he wants a real marriage and sets out to do whatever he must to make that happen. Natalie is a strong woman, but has been marginalized and overlooked for years and doesn’t trust easily. But despite all that their relationship turns pretty sexy rather quickly. Which I also loved. August’s brand of dirty talk was hot, hot, hot.

Let me just say, that after zipping through this book in a day, I casually went back and read my favorite parts over again. This couple is fun, and funny, and had intense chemistry. I enjoyed their interactions so much. Turns out their fake marriage isn’t really so fake. The epilogue is especially sweet, showcasing a loving couple who still have the hots for each other and a partnership that is sure to last through the years.

Unfortunately Yours is a wonderfully sexy, romantic read that I think fans of contemporary romance will love.

Grade- B+

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