Bethany has had it with her brother and the rest of her family ignoring her abilities so she starts her own business. She needs a foreman and Wes, a young man who has just moved to town, is perfect,. Almost too perfect because Bethany feels a stirring of, well, slightly inappropriate (she thinks at first) feelings for him; he's seven years younger than she is. Wes is, however, a very responsible man- he's taking care of his niece and navigating a new lifestyle. Then there's the reality tv competition between Bethany and her brother. It's a rom com so you know you're going to smile. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. It's a fun light read.

Tessa Bailey's latest, Tools of Engagement, follows the anticipated couple of Bethany Castle, and Wes Daniels. Wes stormed onto the scene in the previous book, throwing jabs at Bethany, our perfect put together staging princess. But Wes gets to see behind the curtain of Bethany's facade, and she's not so sure she likes that... until she loves it. Tessa is the reigning queen of dirty talk/alpha heroes... you won't find this one lacking either of those things!
Now - the premise of this book, enemies to lovers, reverse age gap, all these things should work for me. But this one fell a little flat for me. I found Bethany super difficult to empathize with, purely because, most of the work that was done to unwind her, she attributed to Wes. She definitely had her own list of issues that she needed to learn and grow from, but the big realization is that, she didn't do it herself. She couldn't have done it herself. And Wes bearing the burdens of the both of them (including him adjusting to finally wanting to stay put and be the guardian for his niece full time).
This got genuinely intriguing when the walls of Wes' facade started to crack, while Bethany was finally coming into her own and seeing that she, nor everything she touched, had to be completely perfect. I appreciate the work done on these two, but it just seemed more co-dependent than I'd hoped for.

Solid 3.75 Stars for me on this one though. Many thanks to the author, Avon, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book!

The Queen of dirty talk brings us a fantastic hate-to-love relationship. Bethany and Wes have such funny banter and their sexual tension was through the roof. I felt really attatched to both characters back stories. And all this takes place during the filming of an HGTV-style show. I’m sad that this series is over. I look forward to what Tessa Bailey writes next. *ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for honest review.

Bethany wants to strike out on her own when it comes to renovating and staging houses. When she announces so to her brother, his top worker, Wes, jumps ship to help her out. He hasn’t spent the past few months watching her from afar for nothing. But when things take a turn and they find themselves put on a very short deadline, can they take this total gut job and prove Bethany has what it takes in the remodeling world?

I’m always amazed when I check on other reviews before I write my own and people aren’t swooning over the book the way I have. True, Bethany’s character facilitated between sassy and insecure, but the standards we set for ourselves become deeply rooted in us, and in the competitive environment she grew up in with her brother didn’t help. In her way of thinking, if she doesn’t let Wes get close, he won’t want more, which is good because then he would see her flaws. Wes is amazing. He’s had such a rough childhood, and he’s constantly running away. But he’s a good man because of how rough things were in the past.

Bailey writes fantastic characters and anyone who has read her books knows she’s the queen of *hot and steamy*. She had me laughing and swooning within the span of a few chapters. I love this couple and Tools of Engagement is a perfect addition to the series. 5-fiery hot stars. Thank you, HarperCollins Publishers, for sending this along!

I rather enjoyed this story of Wes, a dreamy Texas rodeo rider who travels to New York to take care of his five-year old niece while his half-sister disappears to go off who knows where. He’s great. The one I have problems with is the heroine, Bethany. She’s an ultra perfectionist who decides that she wants to take charge of flipping a disaster of a house instead of doing the decorating to set up her family’s house-flips. The idea is that Bethany outwardly has it all together, but inwardly is torn up with her insecurities.

Wes has been attracted to Bethany since he first saw her. They have been hate-teasing each other ever since. She’s seven years older and is fighting her attraction to a younger guy. However, I kept wondering why a woman who is such an insecure perfectionist would seek to take on a flip when it turns out that she doesn’t know much at all about the nitty gritty of flipping a house. That just doesn’t make sense. Wes is lovely and his relationship with his niece is sweet. I just didn’t buy Bethany’s character.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

Tessa Baily writes steamy. Hot characters. Hot repartee. Hot situations. A bookend to the Hot and Hammered Series, "Tools of Engagement" tells the story of rivals Bethany and Wes working together to flip a house, but they end up flipping for each other. With cameos from the couples in the other two books, we find out if Bethany and Wes will be able to make it work or will they end up flipping each other off?

This was a low angst, entertaining story. Bethany and Wes have 7 years age difference (she's older) but it's really not a big deal. He's mature for his age, and has been through a lot, and is taking care of his niece. And Bethany seems to have her life together, but she agonizes over every detail. They both have struggles in their personal lives that endear you to them.

The banter was good. And there were some really funny, highlightable moments. Wes's niece was sure adorable. There were other couples, who had books previous to this, but I was able to read it as a stand alone. It was a light and enjoyable love story that unfolded pretty naturally with likeable characters.

Bethany Castle is a perfectionist with something to prove. Wes Daniels also has something to prove, more than one thing actually, and proving to Bethany that they can work together is his main goal. Bethany and Wes end up working together to flip a house, and although she's on a dating hiatus, Wes manages to get under her skin.

I always enjoy Tessa Bailey's books! Bethany seemed to suffer from anxiety and possibly OCD, although the latter wasn't said explicitly. She was a relatable character for me personally. I also loved the progression of her relationship with Wes. It wasn't instalove and they both went through some serious issues. Highly recommended!

If you’re like me, you’ve been dying for this book since the beginning of the series. Wes and Bethany are so adorable in hate with each other, it’s comical. So of course you can expect laughs and sexy time because it’s Tessa Bailey. But Tools of Engagement is going to give you all the feels too.

Bethany has a soft, insecure side and suffers from anxiety. Wes is trying to take care of his niece and unsure how to navigate being responsible for a child. I pinkie promise you’re going to love watching these two figure each other out and fall in love. Bethany’s family is all over the book, of course, bring a great element of drama and laughs. I’m hoping we get another book in this series with Wes’s sister but we shall see!

Buy it and you won’t regret it. I do recommend reading the series in order.

Another extraordinary story by Tessa Bailey. Her stories are always so good. Never able to put them down. She gives readers exactly what they want and keeps them coming back for more. Tools of Engagement is a story like no other. Each book in the series is amazing but she saved the best for last. Bethany and Wes are perfect. Bethany on the outside seems perfect. Always put together but in reality just like everyone else. Not perfect. She tries to appear perfect so no one can see that she is indeed human. Wes doesn’t even know what it is to grow up in one home. He has been in numerous foster homes and has never felt part of a family. He is the only man who sees beneath Bethany’s layers. Yet he doesn’t judge her nor run. Rather he stays and helps her to accept that no one is perfect but she is the entire package if only she would let go and see the good she has to offer.
Caring for his 5 year old niece gives Wes that feeling of family and what it is to be loved. Instead of looking to run back to where he came from he is ready to stay and set down roots. As long as Bethany and Laura are there to share it with him.
There isn’t a story written by Tessa Bailey that I have not loved and Tools of Engagement is no different. A true 5 star read.

Tools of Engagement is the third book in the Hot & Hammered Series. Before you ask, yes you can read as a standalone. I did not read the first book in the series, but did read Love Her or Lose Her, and that books is by far my favorite book.

I had a feeling from reading LHoLH that Bethany and Wes would be getting a story. Their "hatred" for each other was a lot like foreplay for sure. Bethany is the stager for her family's renovation business, but this time she wants recognition for not only making a house look fabulous, but to actually put in the sweat equity into fixing up a home from start to finish. Bethany is a perfectionist, which could be her downfall. Enter Wes, when Bethany tells her oldest brother that she will be doing her own flip and Wes pulls a Renee Zellweger ala Jerry McGuire, and decided to help her on her flip.

Now the banter and sexual chemistry was high on my reading. Did I mention Wes is a Texas cowboy in Port Jefferson, helping raise his adorable niece Laura? Yeah that's hot right there. Now if only Bethany can get out of her head and a stop over analyzing everything to enjoy the hot Texan.

As much as I enjoy banter, some times the insecurities that are mentioned over and over gets a little redundant. Also, while I don't mind third person POV and I know this was an ARC from the publisher, I wish it was polished a little better. Again, I know it's an ARC, so don't come at me, but it throws me off third person is not written to reflect the storyline. That's my own pet peeve I guess.

Again, as stated above, LHoLH will be my favorite, but if you love banter and the push/pull of characters, this is your book. I love me an alpha male in books and Wes does not disappoint.

*An ARC was provided via Net Galley for an honest review.

Wes and Bethany have chemistry but are in denial. Bethany is ready to show everyone what she can do. So she decides to renovate a house on her own. Wes walks away from Bethany's brother construction job to help Bethany. While trying not to fall in love with Wes, Bethany decides to participate in a flip off TV show against her brother. There is laughter and steam between these two and they both grow emotionally. The ending is sweet on what happens with the end of filming of the flip off show. This was a fun read.

When I requested Tools of Engagement on NetGalley I didn’t realize it was a third book in a series. I received the arc early enough that I felt like I could read the first two books and get this one read and reviewed before publication. The problem was, I hated the first book so much I dnf’d it at 40%. That made me reluctant to read the next book and eventually, I just had to skip it and read this one. I liked it much more than Travis and Georgia’s book, but I found it frustrating. Great banter and some wonderful character moments, but it’s unsupported by the weak character building. This is very much a your mileage may vary kind of book.

Bethany Castle is an anxious perfectionist who hates letting people see below the shiny facade. She has been staging the homes her father and brother remodel and she’s good at it. She wants to be in charge of her own flip, but the men in her family don’t take her seriously. When her soon-to-be brother-in-law gives her the deed to his childhood home, it’s an opportunity for her to take charge. Wes Daniels appeared in town to look after his niece (this all happened in a book I didn’t read) and works for Bethany’s brother. The two verbally spar. Wes thinks it’s foreplay, Bethany thinks he’s making fun of her. When she announces she is flipping her own house, Wes leaves her brother’s crew to come work for her. An entirely unnecessary house flipping tv competition gets involved.

Here’s what I liked, Bethany and Wes do have good banter. When Wes notices Bethany’s reaction to his teasing, he changes the way he teases her. There are some sweet moments between to the main characters.

The biggest problem with this book is that it doesn’t feel like Bailey really thought through her characters. Bethany is a perfectionist who doesn’t like to get dirty, but she wants to lead her own flip from start to finish. I can guarantee that if Bethany thought she was ready to lead her own flip, she would know what she was doing. It’s one thing for her to lack self-confidence on her first project, but Bethany has too many moments where she doesn’t know basic stuff, the kind of stuff she would make sure she knew if she really were the person Bailey says she is. I loathe when we are told a woman is a competent person in their field, but then in the romance they are bad at their job and need the male love interest to save them. Woman can be good at their jobs, need assistance on the areas outside their expertise, and be interesting characters.

We is also perplexing character. He felt like a jumble of characteristics than never quite jelled. He’s thoughtful and steadfast, but also a former foster kid who can’t settle down. He seems to be a cowboy just because he’s from Texas. Maybe that was explained more in the book I didn’t read. It felt like a quirk that was added because Bailey didn’t know what else to do with him. He was on the verge of being a really good character, but he didn’t quite add up.

Speaking of quirks, I hated that Wes and Bethany both referred to be people by characteristics instead of their names. Early on, Bethany challenges Wes on labeling the women he uses as babysitters this way, and he has a reasonable response – but he keeps doing it well past when it’s cute. Bethany does it too to her crew, and it isn’t cute then either. Bailey wants to tell a story about building community, but she undercuts it by making people caricatures and labels.

The conflict near the end and it’s resolution felt unrealistic and unbelievable, in part because Bailey has relied too much of caricatures instead of characters. If it didn’t go into spoilers, I would have a multi paragraph rant about how dumb the third act crisis was. Bailey wants this to be a story about the okayness of imperfection, the fixibility of problems, and the importance of community. I wanted to read that story too.

I received this as an arc from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve enjoyed Tessa Bailey’s ‘Hot and Hammered’ series so much! I’m sad this is the last book of the series, but I really enjoyed it. A bit of enemies to lovers as well as the age gap… what’s not to love!

Bethany Castle is doing her own flip and she’s doing it without the help or support of her family’s business. She is sick of not being taken seriously and being made to feel like she’s only good for decorating. When she makes her stand, Wes follows along to help her. You can tell Wes has it bad for Bethany and she’s attracted to him too, but she’s older and doesn’t want to be interested in him. 



Wes may be in his early twenties, but he grew up a lot over the last year. He has temporary custody of his niece who’s in kindergarten and his pace of life has changed. He and Bethany have such a connection and so much chemistry but there is something holding her back. He just has to break through that barrier.

I loved the reality tv part of this book and the end left me with a giant smile. Bethany is a relatable character and I loved when she finally gave into Wes. He brought her out of her perfect facade and helped her to be her real and authentic self. That person is pretty great. Wes was fantastic and I adored him and the way he was with his niece. Also, with this being written by Tessa Bailey you know it was smoking hot!

If you’re looking for an enemies to lovers/rom-com that is funny, sexy, and has just enough feels, pick up Tools of Engagement.

It took a while for me to get into this read, likely due to the 3rd person POV and the fact that the first few chapters heavily focused on house flipping details. Once I hit the 30% mark, the book started to flow better and was easier to become engaged with. I almost called it quits early on and I’m so glad I stuck with this read!

I adored Wes in the previous books in this series and was not disappointed in his turn in the spotlight! He was witty, endearing, confident and kind. I loved the way he stepped up for his niece in a time of need. The way he viewed Bethany and was drawn to her was so sweet. The character development for him over the course of the read was intriguing and satisfying. I loved the realizations that he came to and the past he was finally able to leave behind.

Bethany was an anxious mess. I never cared for her character before this book, but as her layers were peeled back and her vulnerability really shined through, I grew to appreciate her personality and struggles more and more as the story progressed. She has an incredible support system around her and it was wonderful to see her lean on them in times of need, when she previously wouldn’t have allowed her neediness to show.

The steamy scenes between this couple were absolutely scorching! Every single romantic encounter was so HOT!!! I loved how Wes took control and how Bethany finally stopped thinking so darn hard!

The entire storyline around Laura really sold me on this book, both from Wes and Bethany’s POV. I loved the individual relationships they developed with her and how much they truly cared about her well being and happiness!

This was a solid 4 star read for me. I really enjoyed the unfolding of the love story and the personal drama and growth from both main characters.

"She'd truly started trusting herself. And now she never questioned her ability to love or be loved. Love wasn't perfect. Well, some days it was. Other time, it was just muddling through . . . they did what worked ─ and the result was wild, chaotic, beautiful happiness."

I loved the banter that started Bethany and Wes off in Lose Her or Loose Her (Rosie and Dominic's story) and could not wait for these two to get their own story! Tools of Engagement is a heartfelt, witty, laugh-out-loud, delightful enemies-to-lovers, super steamy romantic comedy you won't want to set down.

I cannot believe this is the Hot & Hammered series finale! I adored all the characters ─ some were so relatable, like Bethany ─ and their stories filled with love, friends, humor, empowerment. I truly hope we'll get to see them all again in the future ─ that's what great reads do: have you wishing for more.

4 stars

The last of a trilogy, and it feels like it—this was a nostalgic run through of this series' highlights and a long-awaited romance from two opposing characters. Bring on the tension, the drama, and the steam! (And a house-flip reality TV show?? I should probably mention that first.)

Plot/Pacing: ★★★★
Standalone factor: ★
Romance: ★★★
Overall Enjoyment: ★★★★ 1/2

Tools of Engagement comes out on September 22!

So, real quick - NO, this is not a standalone despite what the marketing says. This is the third book in a trilogy of related characters in a small town and it feels like it. This was SO not a bad thing for me, a devoted reader to the series, but might be for you so please keep that in mind.

Bethany Castle lives a flawless life. No really, she totally does. Ignore the fact that she's hyperventilating in the corner and has a stress rash on her neck and is incapable of letting anyone know the crushing level of perfectionism that keeps her awake at night. Everything is fine, life is perfect, and she is a flawless 30 year old.

The only in Bethany's "perfect" life that upends her image is Wes Daniels.

A cowboy hat wearing, 23-year-old freewheeling guy who lived a spontaneous life until his half sister dumped her 5 year old niece in his lap, Wes Daniels works for Stephen Castle (Bethany's older brother) and flips houses. Wes has been circling Bethany for months and he thinks he's got her number: one day the tension will snap, and they're going to settle things in the sheets.

But then Wes sees the Perfect Life™ of Bethany's dreams is actually just a flimsy sheet in the wind and he realizes that this isn't a game—it's something bigger.

Now let's add in the fact that Bethany and her brother Stephen are asked to compete in a "Flip Off" HGTV reality show of epic sibling rivalry proportions and we've got ourselves some DRAMA.

Will Bethany and Wes get to the good stuff, or will Bethany's need for perfection collapse on top of them under the pressure of the film lights?

Ready, set, ACTION.

My thoughts:
What an ending to this trilogy! This installment takes the characters' careers (house building and flipping) to its most literal interpretation: an HGTV competition show. As someone who normally doesn't like the "movie set" life depicted in books, I could handle this one because it really didn't matter to the plot. This was very much a story about Bethany and Wes, and barely involved the "movie" element at all.

This was also the least steamy of the three books, which was interesting. Given the crackling dialogue between Wes and Bethany in the first books, I was ready for some serious steam. There was steam... but I'd almost call it tame compared to Fix Her Up and Love Her or Lose Her. Something to note for those who really enjoyed that element of Bailey's other books.

Like I said at the beginning, if you're new to this series this is NOT the book to start on. Wes and Bethany's plot line relies heavily on prior knowledge of their interactions in the previous books, and their side plots with the other characters are absolutely meaningless without that added background.

Thank you to the publisher for my copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was another fantastic installment in the Hot and Hammered Series.
Bethany is finally breaking out on her own and is going to do her first house flip. After years of living in her brother Stephen's shadow, she's breaking rank and setting out on her own. When she tells her brother her plans, one of his crew members, Wes, decides to follow Bethany and work on her project instead. Wes moved to Port Jefferson to take care of his niece since his sister needs a break. Wes and Bethany definitely have chemistry but the argue about everything. Do they have what it takes to complete a better flip than Stephen?
I was very excited for this book since we had seen some moments between Wes and Bethany in the previous books. The chemistry between the two of them was fantastic. I love that Tessa Bailey creates fully formed characters with a lot of depth. Each of the characters in these books are so different yet feel so real.

So so so glad to finally have been able to read Bethany’s story! The Hot and Hammered series sucked me in with Georgie and Travis!

Wes is an out of town cowboy who is tasked with watching his niece while his sister gets her life together. My heart melted when he interacted with his niece and I even teared up at parts. The Just-Us League, which is headed by Bethany Castle, set up a schedule to help Wes with dinners and even babysitters while he is at work. And Wes’s favorite part about the arrangement? He gets to needle Bethany whenever he can. Talk about opposites attract! The constant bickering and banter with Bethany was so witty and full of sexual tension!

When Bethany finally decides to head her own house flip, she gets sucked into a Port Jefferson “Flip Off” against her brother, it’s televised and everything. With Wes’s help, she may be able to pull it off! As long as they can keep things professional.. which is harder said than done when Wes seems to know all of Bethany’s nervous ticks and anxieties.

This is a bit of an age gap but honestly, I felt like Wes was sometimes a little more mature than Bethany was at times. He seemed to match her wit at every turn and their chemistry was a straight inferno. I’ve said it before and I will say it again.. Tessa Bailey is the steam QUEEN! There is not a single book by her that I have not loved, and I cannot wait to see what she writes next!

This may be my favorite book in this series!

Wes and Bethany were teased as a couple pretty hard in book 2. This one has enemies to lovers, single parent romance, an age gap with a older female romance, and a reality TV element to it.

Bethany lives her life striving for perfection, while also constantly feeling that she is in the shadows of her family and older brother. When she decides to take on a complicated house flip, there are 2 things she wasn't counting on.

1. She wasn't expecting it to become a reality TV competition with her brother
2. She was not expecting the sexy Wes to volunteer to help her not only on the job, but to loosen up in general.

Wes has always drifted. Being raised in foster care, he was afraid to put down roots anywhere. When is half sister begs him to move into her house and take care of her daughter while she figures out her life, he doesn't expect to fall in love with the small town, his neice, or the sexy sister of his boss, who also happens to be 7 years older than him.

This book gave me everything I wanted and more. Bailey's steam factor is always high, and it did not disappoint. The dynamics and layers of the characters kept me going and guessing throughout the novel, as to how they would tackle their next challenge.

We also get the Georgie and Travis wedding, which was lovely!

Please check this one out! I loved it a lot!