I don't know how I've ended up with the luck I've had lately, but landing not one, but two Tessa Bailey ARCs via NetGalley feels like winning some sort of bookish gold medal.
My latest Tessa ARC was Unfortunately Yours, the highly anticipated sequel to Secretly Yours which I read earlier this year.
Unfortunately Yours follows Natalie Vos and August Cates, who readers will remember from their appearances in Secretly Yours. Natalie is the sister of Julian, Secretly Yours' Adam Driver-esque male lead, and August is a bad-date-turned-enemy we meet but haven't learned too much about yet. Until now.
August, a former Navy SEAL, is in the Napa area to fulfill a fallen comrade (and his best friend's) lifelong dream to own and operate a successful vineyard. Natalie is home with her tail between her legs after a majorly failed business deal ends her life, and relationships, in New York. Natalie is determined not to be down for too long, and comes home to regroup for her inevitable return and takeover of the NYC finance world. Until she gets news that tosses all her plans into the ether...could August be the key to everything she needs to fix her life? And could Natalie Vos, of Vos Vineyards, one of the most notable vineyards in the area, help August fix the stomach burning liquid he calls his wine?
This was a quick read that I enjoyed! I will say, it's rare for me to not love a book boyfriend and I just couldn't get behind August. He seemed so oblivious to me, so concerned with his own thoughts to consider anyone else's even for a second. I didn't dislike August, at all, I just felt more "meh" about him than I usually do. On the other hand, I love Natalie! She gave me April Ludgate vibes a la Parks and Rec, and that is a hiiiiigh honor coming from me. She was funny and sassy, smart, but vulnerable. I loved watching her grow throughout the book, and hope to get more Natalie (and, begrudgingly, August) cameos in future books.
I didn't know how much I loved a "marriage of convenience" trope until I read this book.
I did also feel like the pace was a bit all over the place...some storylines dragged, while others were there and over quickly. Overall, I'd give it a 3.5/5, rounded up to a 4 stars!
Preorder your copy here, after you grab and read Secretly Yours here, of course!
Love and wine that'll make you regret having a mouth,
Mandy
Disclaimer: I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher for free and have voluntarily written this review with my honest feedback. If you purchase a copy using my Amazon affiliate link above, I will receive a small commission which I will use to justify my literary addictions and to spoil my dogs (probably).
