Unfortunately Yours: A Novel (Vine Mess Book 2)

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When I buddy read Secretly Yours, I was instantly attracted to Natalie and her dry sense of humor. Seeing her and August interact in the first book was hilarious and once I knew she had her own book coming I was practically salivating waiting for it!

August is such a fantastic MMC! He's a burly ex-Navy SEAL - loyal, honest, caring, kind, and protective. He sunk all his money into making wine to honor his late best friend and fellow soldier since it was his dream *cue to waterworks*. He's just a huge teddy bear that could snap you in half. Oh he's also a cat dad *swoon*. But best of all, he's a BIG, FREAKING SIMP for the heroine, Natalie. He falls fast, hard, and is so far gone, she can do absolutely no wrong. All August wants is for Natalie to be happy and safe, and he will do everything in his power to make it so. All of the sexy moments were HOT AF, and I ate that sh*t up! I now need my own husband to start calling me 'my wife.' Like Julian, August also knows exactly how to turn things up and you won't be disappointed. Mans is head over heels for her. Tho I still prefer Julian. I liked Natalie far better than Hallie. While Hallie was a bit annoying at times, Natalie is someone easy to like and understand. Tho she has a tendency to jump to conclusions without thinking. Look, I’ve got about three point eight seconds before I’m unconscious, thanks to you. So I’m going to use it to tell you to stay. Sleep right here. On me.” He leaned over and kissed her forehead hard, his lips remaining there for a few seconds. “It’s the safest place you’ll ever be.” I couldn't get enough of the chemistry these two had. August is absolutely obsessed with his fake wife and I loved his adorable caveman ways. This man is the ultimate cinnamon role with a possessive and obsessive streak a mile long and I loved every part of him.i love how they initially get married because they have something to gain from one another, but they stay married (even when they dont have to anymore) because they grow feelings for each other. their banter was 🤌 and i always appreciate the humor in Tessa Baileys writing. what frustrated me was how the MCs could communicate well on some things but not on others. i didnt like how the H withheld a certain information from the h until the last minute. overall, this didnt FULLY hit, but im rounding up for the tropes and the author. 🙌

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. This quote just about sums up his feelings: "As long as you need me, Natalie, I'm with you. Whatever you decide, whatever happens, I'm your goddamn man." The plot was great and interesting, the animosities between Natalie and August refreshingly relatable and honest and I at least was not able to not fall in love with them. ♡ But Natalie is desperate enough to propose to a man who makes her want to kill him—and kiss him, in equal measure.

There were soft/sad undertones in this book which was added and I loved the depth it gave to both the characters 🤧❤️‍🩹 I love vulnerability in my main characters and while August was a rough around the edges and tough ex-Navy SEAL, and Natalie clearly projected sharp edges and no nonsense, they both had such deep emotions and hopes and sadness they were carrying with them. Once they allowed themselves to show that to each other it was beautiful. Particularly August just seemed to KNOW what Natalie needed out of him as a partner. It was so sweet. But Natalie is desperate enough to propose to a man who makes her want to kill him-and kiss him, in equal measure. If I had one wish, it would be to slow down my time with you, Natalie. A hundred years won't be enough." August is a retired SEAL who is trying to fulfill the wish of his best friend who he lost during his last deployment. The problem is that he knows nothing about wine or wine making.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the eARC and Avon for a finished copy in exchange for an honest review. As always, all opinions are my own. The whole night was a blur of anything but...her. The way she'd smiled. Her smoke-and-flowers scent. How he'd lost his balance the moment he saw her”August needs money so he doesn't lose his winery that he's created in memory of his best friend that died while they were Seals together. The intimate scenes when August and Natalie were together were insane! No matter how Natalie felt about August, she was putty in his hands behind closed doors. Tessa knows how to set the bar and rise above it in her books and the spice in this book did not disappoint. There were parts that were so intense, you kinda worried about Natalie a little bit (while envying her at the same time!) Full disclosure, I was not a fan of book one Secretly Yours. It was cute, but not my cuppa. It was missing a little something to fully enrapture me. But this book? This book grabbed me by the heart and my ovaries and owned me from cover to cover. Also, I still don't like Haille from Secretly Yours. She doesn’t play a big role, but she makes an appearance, but I found her character to still be annoying. At least it was consistent with Book 1. I have to admit, in the first book of the series, I didn't quite connect with Julien and Hallie's story. However, from the moment Natalie, Julian's hotshot Wall Street aspiring businesswoman sister, entered the scene, my interest was piqued. And when I stumbled upon the blurb that promised a delicious combination of enemies to lovers and fake marriage, I couldn't resist diving headfirst into the world of ex-Navy SEAL August and the betrayed, privileged, smart, and tough cookie Natalie. The prospect of their intense chemistry, the kind that can make your pants melt and leave you hyperventilating, was too enticing to pass up. So, blindfolded and ready for the wild ride, I embarked on their journey of financial benefits, where they were equally likely to rip each other's clothes off or each other's throats. Yes, hate-like sex was always on the table! And let me tell you, I became fully engaged with their characters and their story.