A review by bribreez
Unfortunately Yours by Tessa Bailey

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

4.75⭐️/ 4🌶️

We’re back in St. Helena with the picturesque setting of the Napa Valley, the center for all things vineyards, and wines, as well as where the once notable Vos Vineyard was still there. The first book focused on, Hallie and Julian, but this time it was all about Julian’s sister, Natalie and former Navy SEAL turned new wine owner, August. When Natalie was in need of accessing her trust fund through means of employment and…marriage, it turned out the last man she ever expected to help her, August was the perfect man for the job. This story had an enemies to lovers marriage of convenience! OMG! YES! 

At one point, Natalie and August were so close to having a passionate and steamy night together, BUT…it never happened since Natalie and August always butted heads, and therefore they didn’t get along. From the moment I started reading, I was given plenty of that enemies dynamic between August and Natalie. Despite that one steamy meeting in the first book that held promise of August and Natalie potentially ending their night together, it resulted in the start of the two of them always getting on each other’s nerves. I could easily tell that Natalie and August weren’t on the best of terms especially with the way they would trade insults and comments to each other whenever they were around one other. Although, even with the snarky remarks, there was also that level of tension that crept up occasionally between August and Natalie. One of my favorite things about this story was seeing how August in particular still had strong feelings for Natalie, always wanting more of her, but hiding behind his rude remarks to her in order to protect himself, kind of. I love seeing a man fall first and hard, and that was the kind of energy August had when it came to Natalie. 

As entertaining was the enemies to lovers, I also loved seeing August and Natalie slowly let down their guards with each other. Natalie and August were so use to their dislike dynamic with each other that when it finally came to them getting “engaged” and on their way down the aisle, something changed between them. Seeing August and Natalie actually talk as opposed to arguing (which they still occasionally did) was a nice change up, and allowed for them to really know one another. I also loved seeing more of August’s protective instincts kick in whenever it came to Natalie’s wellbeing. Natalie sure did a great job when picking out a husband because, with August, a former navy SEAL as her hubby, she had not only a very muscular, deadly, handsome man, but also one who put her needs first which was something Natalie never had before. 

Tessa Bailey is not just amazing with writing lighthearted, funny, and lovable characters she also knows how to write intriguing romances. Natalie and August’s marriage was one meant for convenience, but those two literally were secretly pining for each other the whole time. The marriage provided the chance for August and Natalie to help each other, but also show just how much they truly cared for one another. Natalie saw how much work and effort August put into trying to make his wine the best it could be, despite the initial set backs. August saw that Natalie was often times put in the corner (so to speak) and wasn’t acknowledged for all her smart wit, and work ethic that he initially didn’t realize at first. Over the course of the story, seeing August and Natalie go from enemies to lovers truly did change their dynamic, but obviously still kept some of their original banter but with the added charm of romance blooming between them. Also, let’s not forget the STEAMY, HOT SPICE SCENES! OOOOO GIRL! Tessa knows how to write those spicy scenes! August was a man who wholeheartedly loved Natalie, but when you saw him lose his mind over wanting Natalie in that uninhibited carnal, animalistic way….WOW! It was SPICY! Natalie and August went from trying to keep things business to falling head over heels for each other as truly husband and wife. 

Overall, this was a GREAT enemies to lovers story! With the added touch of the marriage of convenience, August and Natalie were married in matrimony, but also grew a stronger bond while husband and wife! I loved the dynamic between August and Natalie, and seeing them go from annoying/disliking each other, to being all cute and playful was a wonderful thing to watch unfold. August was the epitome of a man who fell first and hard! I love the way Tessa writes her fictional men as being these strong men, but also being wholeheartedly obsessed, possessive, protective, and loving when it came to their women, which was exactly how August was with Natalie. The romance was perfect! I loved seeing Natalie open herself up to August and gradually seeing both of them lower their guards. This was a satisfying, enjoyable experience to read! Plenty of tension, swooning, laughable pranks between Natalie and August as well as lots of endearing moments sprinkled with that iconic spice that Tessa knows how to write perfectly. I throughly enjoyed this book from beginning to end, as well as ABSOLUTELY ADORED the epilogue that gave me even more happiness in seeing August and Natalie enjoying their lives together! Highly recommend this book!