Tessa Bailey is always a bit of a mixed bag for me. Character and story wise, this was probably one of my favorites. What doesn't work for me are her sexy times scenes. I read a lot of romance, so my objection isn't with the scenes themselves, it's how they're written. For reasons I can't explain, they came across super cringy to me. If I could just skip over those parts, this was probably a 4.5 star.

This book wasn't as good as the first in the series, but it was really enjoyable. I love that Hannah is a music lover and Fox is a recovering playboy.

Thank you to @netgalley and @avonbooks for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!
📖 Synopsis: Hook, Line & Sinker is the 2nd book in the Bellinger Sisters (It Happened One Summer) series. Although the 2nd book in the series, it could be read as a stand alone in my opinion!
Hannah Bellinger is back in small town Westport, where she’s working on a movie set. While she’s in town, Hannah finds herself staying in Fox’s spare bedroom. Fox is a friend and fishing mate of Brendan’s (Piper’s Brendan from It Happened One Summer) who happens to also have a strong reputation for being a ladies man who doesn’t want any strings attached! But that’s okay, Hannah isn’t interested because she has a thing for the director and is hoping Fox can help her get him to notice her!
Hannah and Fox both fully acknowledge that they are only friends, but will they stay that way?? 😁
📖 Thoughts: It Happened One Summer wasn't my favorite, but I wanted to give Tessa Bailey another shot! Unfortunately though, I just don’t think her writing style is for me :(. I did like HLS more than IHOS, but not much more. I didn’t like how Fox had that stereotypical playboy you know you want me attitude. To me, not attractive 👎🏻. I also didn’t love all the dirty talk… and I’m not one to shy away from steam! It just seemed very shallow to me and I would have liked it more if things were a little less trashy and more polished and sweet. It had potential! 🤷‍♀️ I’m giving it ⭐️⭐️⭐️, just okay.

It Happened One Summer was my first book by Tessa Bailey and I fell so in love with Brendan and Piper and could NOT WAIT to read Fox and Hannah's story. I love a good friends to lovers story!!

I love it even more when their is secret pining from the hero who seems to be unable to escape his nefarious reputation, even from his closest friends. I adored Fox and was so upset on his behalf that people couldn't seem to let go of his playboy reputation, despite the fact that he didn't seem to be trying too hard, or at all, to change their opinions because he himself wasn't sure he was worth the benefit of the doubt.

Hannah's connection to music and how it played into everything in her life was a special aspect of the story and loved seeing how she basically laid the soundtrack to her life and the people in it. I adored her for Fox and vice versa.

If I had once complaint about the story it would be some of the ways Fox talked to Hannah during the steamy scenes. It briefly came across like he was still stuck in playboy mode and kind of made Hannah seem a little less "special". I NEED the heroine to be special!!

This was a great slow-burn but once that flame catches...it really catches. Tessa knows how to do steamy!! This is definitly a must read!

*I received an early copy from NetGalley for voluntary/honest review

** spoiler alert ** Tessa Bailey has done it again... The Ballinger sister duology is SO GOOD.

Hook, Line and Sinker follows Piper's sister, Hannah who is a music obsessed production assistant, who just so happens to be in a love triangle. She has a thing for the director of the movie she's currently working on, while a guy she met over the summer, in the small seaside town her sister ended up in, Fox is still pinning after her. The only problem is the Fisherman is known as the local play boy who won't commit and gets around. He also happens to work for her sisters fiancé, Brendan, who seems to have a bit of a vendetta about Fox and Hannah getting together.

The complexity of Hannah and Fox's friendship to not so friendship, their jobs, and the way them spend half the book keeping each other in the friend zone. Makes this book god tier.

The back stories not only give you a better understanding of the characters, but make you fall in love and relate to them too.

Highly recommend for your summer binge read or if you're looking for a cute rom com type of romance.

“𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘢𝘯’𝘵 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬. 𝘠𝘰𝘶’𝘭𝘭 𝘸𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘶𝘱 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘺, 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘢𝘵 𝘢 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘳, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘺.”

𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐕𝐈𝐄𝐖: fox & hannah have been texting everyday since she last was in town. hannah comes to westport for work and she ends up staying at fox’s place while she’s there.

𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒: what an amazing follow up to piper and brendan. hannah and fox have such a special connection. the thing that i truly loved the most about the book though was fox & his growth. everyone thinks he is this huge player because he’s made some questionable decisions in the past. it’s all he’s ever know from his fathers behavior growing up and it’s what people have just come to expect from him. hannah does an incredible job of helping him see his self worth & help him realize that he’s capable of being loved. it truly made their story so special. the epilogue was also everything - getting that glimpse into their lives 10 years later - i loved it. i’m honestly so sad that our time with the bellinger sisters is over but i can’t wait to see what tessa bailey puts out next.

thank you so much to avon, netgalley & tessa bailey for a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

“I could tell by the way you looked at her, she was something real special.” “How did I look at her?” He was afraid to find out. “Ah, son. Like a summer day showing up after a hundred years of winter.”

*4.5 stars*

This was the highly anticipated follow up to It Happened One Summer, following Piper's sister Hannah and Brendan's playboy best friend Fox. In the first book, the two strike up a friendship. Things come to a boil when Hannah finds herself in Westport to film a movie with her production company and she stays with Fox.

I loved the friends to lovers evolution of Fox and Hannah's relationship. Fox has always been supportive of Hannah and her career aspirations. Hannah is struggling with trying to be more assertive and go after what she wants. Fox has a bit of a reputation as a playboy and as he opens up to Hannah, we see how that reputation has affected him on a deeper level. I really enjoyed that conversation because it shows how societal toxic masculinity can have detrimental effects on men. Overall, I really loved the development of their relationship! This was a cute, steamy rom com with some heart, which is the balance that Tessa Bailey always delivers.

Tessa Bailey’s Hook, Line, and Sinker is a sexy friends-to-lovers romance about a friendship cemented over text messaging between production assistant Hannah Bellinger and king crab fisherman Fox Thornton, which is tested when they share close quarters while Hannah’s working in town. With colorful description, lively dialogue, and excellent character exploration, development and evolution, Bailey’s writing brings the emotions simmering deep inside and between Fox and Hannah and their love story brilliantly to life. Their text exchange holds seeds for the relationship that neither realizes they have been slowly growing into for months. I love Hannah and Fox’s interactions. They’re electric and filled with chemistry, emotion, and intimacy, both in and out of bed. I’ve heard Bailey’s love scenes are hot with crazy dirty talk. Yes! Bailey’s love scenes are seriously steamy and sexy. They’re also intimate and emotional and contribute to developing her story and characters. Her descriptions imbue them with intimacy and all the emotion that Hannah and Fox feel for one another but are afraid to express. Especially Fox, who in those moments loses control, allowing them to slip through. I love Hannah’s connection/relationship with music. It becomes another character and foundational for Hannah’s and Fox’s bond.

Hannah wants to get create soundtracks for films. She suggests her sister’s new hometown would be a great location to film in. In Westport for filming, Hannah stays in Fox’s spare bedroom since he’s mostly at sea. No problem, after all, they’re just friends. Maybe Fox can help her grab Sergei’s interest. To no one’s surprise, but Hannah’s and Fox’s, of course, the more time they spend together the more she wants Fox instead of Sergei. Once she gets past her denial about her feelings, Hannah accepts she wants Fox, but not for a fling. Fox, a sexy, carefree flirt with a reputation as a notorious ladies' man, was instantly attracted to Hannah when he met her months ago, but he has reasons for keeping things platonic between them.
1. She’s his best friend’s future sister-in-law. (He’s been warned off multiple times.)
2. She’s his best friend.
Being her roommate makes it hard for him to remember those reasons. Feelings of attraction deepen into complicated emotions that make him think about a permanent relationship with Hannah. He wants to escape the expectations and assumptions people make about him based on his handsome appearance—he’s only entertainment, using him for sex. Even though he eventually gave in and started living down to their expectations. Hannah’s the first woman to see him for more than that, to like him for who he is, his personality, his heart. Before he can be the man for Hannah, he needs to deal with his issues/inner demons. If he proves he wants to be with Hannah for the long run, will she choose him instead of the other guy?

I feel for Fox. He’s so sad, lonely, isolated, and nobody knows him. No one even cares to, except for Hannah, and he’s determined to push her away. Saddest of all, I’m not sure he knows himself and what he wants and who he wants to be. It’s a self-fulfilling prophecy he does his best to bring to fruition. He’s lived his life letting other people decide who he is and how to live his life by living down to their stereotypes, jokes, and narrow-minded perceptions of who he is because of his father. And the one thing that he’s honest with himself about wanting he can’t have because of his choices. Wow! And when I thought it couldn’t get any more tragic, we get to the source of the true root of how he started on this path. I can’t even…It’s effing awful!

So, despite the brief moments of humor and silliness of the novel, all I feel is ANGST!!! And chemistry and hotness because the attraction between Fox and Hannah is fire. But because of Fox’s issues, even that’s tinged with angst too. Of course, Hannah’s got her own issues, which she tackles and overcomes. And she’s strong and up to the task of loving Fox.

Fox is so frustrating. I think he needs therapy so that he can learn coping mechanisms to deal with the years of bullshit that he has internalized so he can L.I.G! Also, so he can start telling people to STFU and Kiss his A&&! While Hannah can be encouraging and pour her love, faith, and belief into him, at the end of the day, Fox has to learn to step into that all on his own. I’m not sure he can do this without therapy because it’s so ingrained and reinforced by the people in town.

Steamy, sweet, angsty, and poignant, Hook, Line, and Sinker is an intensely emotional, sexy, compelling, and entertaining friends-to-lovers romance. But it doesn’t read as a rom-com to me. Bailey takes readers, Fox, and Hannah on a perilous, exhilarating, and passionate journey of self-discovery, following your dreams and falling in scary, heart-wrenching, once-in-a-lifetime, ever after love.

As someone who’s not usually a fan of epilogues, I can confidently say that this book had one of the best I’ve ever read 🥺❤️

Tessa Bailey has quickly become one of my favorites to read! I loved going back into the Bellinger sisters life’s. This was a quick read and made me smile throughout the whole thing.

This was fantastic. I loved Fox’s vulnerability and Hannah’s passion. Together their chemistry is so well written and lovely. It’s fun, sweet and sexy, a must read.

Thank you Netgalley and Avon Publishers for an advanced copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately, this novel did not work for me. Truthfully, I've read a ton of four and five stars lately and this book does not compare.

Mainly, I was bored?!
Our protagonist keeps saying she wants to be a leading lady and not a supporting character (like how she was a supporting character in the first book) but I don't see it. Where is your "Main Character" personality? Show it to me. Instead, both our main character and love interest are rather reclusive and self-conscious about every little thing. I wanted more "Rom-Com" vibes but was left rather bored, not connected to the characters at all, and personally wasn't invested enough for their happily ever after.

Breaks my heart to say it but I think this is the book that's made me give up on Tessa's writing. Something between me and the author just doesn't click. The smut is next level but the constant miscommunication between characters is infuriating and it often feels like the relationships just go in circles making the pacing of the story feel very off.

I'm still giving it a 3 star rating (just as I did for It Happened One Summer) because I do think it's a case of my reading preference and not the book itself. I adore Hannah as a character, but yeah, this just didn't satisfy me.

Received an advanced copy from the publisher.

After feeling underwhelmed by the first Bellinger sisters book, I found myself utterly adoring Hook, Line, and Sinker. Bailey crafted a unique story with a clear-eyed but shy heroine and a self-loathing hero who perfectly complemented each other. I loved watching this story unfold (no one writes a man having a "wait what is this feeling I DON'T LIKE IT" crisis like Tessa Bailey) and found so much joy as the characters stuck by each other through the hard times rather than forcing a fight for a third act conflict. Absolutely refreshing.

“There was never going to be a life away from you, because, Jesus, that’s no life at all. You, Hannah. Are my life.” 🌊🦀❤️

Fox has lived up to his image as a “playboy” for years, which has left him with feelings of low self esteem and a poor self worth. When Hannah enters his life, it makes him question everything he has ever assumed about himself. 🙍🏼‍♂️❓

Hannah has always been a side character and never a leading lady in her life. Always there for others, but never really there for herself. 🙇🏼‍♀️

Hannah’s movie production has just been approved to move to Westport and she has to room with Fox since Piper’s in-laws are in town…🌲🌊🏠

I was very excited for this book after reading IHOS and I enjoyed it. It has humor, lots of tension, swoon-worthy moments, and everything I usually enjoy from Tessa Bailey’s writing. 💕

The only thing that truly bugged me through this book was the overwhelming feelings of unworthiness from Hannah, but especially Fox. 🥺 It took up a lot of the story and I just wanted a little more of Fox & Hannah’s moments together. I wanted more text messages!! 📱

I would still very much recommend this book! I think it wraps up the Bellinger sisters’ story quite well 🥰🥰🥰

Read this if you like ⤵️

👫 Friends To Lovers
👥 Forced Proximity
🏠 Roommates
👱🏻‍♂️ Reformed Playboy
🔥 Slow Burn
🏘 Small Town
🌲 PNW
📚 Stand-alone Duet

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶🌶/5 — Sporty Spice

Hook, Line, And Sinker by Tessa Bailey
Bellinger Sisters Book 2

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review 💖

It got a tad annoying and repetitive hearing how insecure both characters were whether it being that Hannah wasn't the leading lady, or how Fox was nothing but a good fuck. Like come on you guyssss. Something about this one felt a tiny bit forced. I didn't realllllly like Hannah's character and Fox was just okay?

This might be one of the cases where this book didn't have to be written. I think IHOS would have been fine on its own and Hannah didn't need her separate story. However, I do think people will like this one still. I just think I'm in the minority here.

Thank you so much Netgalley for this ARC!

Spoiler free review

I absolutely love Tessa Bailey writing style. At “It Happened One Summer” this first book of this duology, we get to know Piper and Brandon's romance and I really liked how the characters and plot were developed. Now in this new book I can say 100% that I was not disappointed at all, "Hook, Line and Sinker" tell us about Hannah and Fox's love story, which it's unique, cute and heartwarming. I love reading stories about previous "support characters" and seeing how they take the spotlight is refreshing and interesting.
I genuinely can't decide which of these two book is my favorite, they are different but both of them are great.
So if you read "It Happened One Summer”, you have to read this one.
and if you haven't read it yet, what are you waiting for?

Really wonderful follow-up to It Happened One Summer! Hannah and Fox were a perfect opposites-attract type of couple and I'd been rooting for them since the first book. I loved each of their individual journeys to believe in themselves and go after their goals while also pursuing love with each other. And of course Tessa Bailey's writing is always funny and sexy and emotional in all the right ways. Loved this latest from her!

Piper and Brendan and Hannah and Fox and Westport never left my mind and upon finishing It Happened One Summer… I needed more immediately.

So, Did I stay up all night reading this book. Yes.
Did I cry at Fox’s big realization and declaration of love? Yes. OF COURSE I DID!

This novel is one about trying new things, putting yourself out there, being in charge of your own destiny and making tough choices while thinking about the long term. It is so steamy but thought provoking, silly but full of kindness. I really can’t recommend it enough.

I think I liked Hook Line and Sinker more than It Happened One Summer! Hook Line and Sinker was a story about growing together and succeeding as a team. Whereas It Happened One Summer was a book about personal journeys and how you have to be good with yourself before becoming good with someone else. Both had great lessons and plots. But as a happily married woman, I definitely identified more with Hannah and Fox’s journey.

Hannah and Fox’s love story was patient and kind, supportive and it was truly rooted in friendship.
It’s the kind of love that everybody wishes for but so rarely often receives. It also helped that they had some seriously undeniable chemistry. This book was hot.

Hannah was an excellent heroine. She was the strong one, she was the one who kept things together and all the emotions in check and I loved that.
It is so common for the male main character to hold all the cards. To know the status of the relationship first. To be the one to nurse the female’s character back to health, emotionally and physically.
The men are the “strong” ones, and the women are the ones with character flaws to over come, insecurities that hold them back. Women are almost always depicted as the weaker sex. Hannah took that line of thinking and said, “NOT TODAY!”.

Tessa Bailey took on the patriarchy and won this round.
She handled a toxic, overly masculine culture with a deft hand. Fox was a vulnerable character. His insecurities and self esteem were the reason for the miscommunications and misfortunes. Fox depended on Hannah for stability, support, love and guidance; and Hannah stepped up to the plate like the boss babe that she really was.
I loved this component of Hook Line and Sinker! The emotions were flying at an all time high because of Fox’s character arc.
I also think that it brought to light some really destructive behaviors that are celebrated in our culture and certainly should not be.
Tessa Bailey did a really great job of highlighting the difference between letting one’s past dictate their future, and learning from past mistakes to move forward.

This book carried some serious emotional weight.
Like… I cried a lot.
Fox broke my heart over and over again. And poor Hannah, she kept having to put both Fox and myself back together every time.
But for tear may or may not have escaped my little eyeballs, I definitely had a good laugh as well.

Worry not, it’s a happy ending.
But, did I cry again at the ultra cheesy epilogue and get all mushy gooshy after I finished? UH… Yes. I absolutely did.

I just can’t believe that I had not read any of Tessa Bailey’s work before this duo. I’m currently downloading her whole back list now.

. This book started out strong with the text exchanges between Hannah and Fox. We have the stereo-typical girl and guy “friends” that know that their relationship will never work. She wants a guy like her director crush and he is the small town playboy with a lot of notches on his bedpost and a bad reputation. This book was a lot of fun and a quick read that was a one sitter for me. There were a lot of moments that had me laughing out loud and in true cartoon cover fashion had me sweating a little around the collar at the chemistry and steam between this two characters. The dirty talk during the spicy scenes was a little bit of a turn off for me as well as how mean everyone is to Fox through out the course Of the book. I love Hannah’s character and how she gets the chance to connect to her father through Fox and her love of music. I also really love how important music is in her life and how it plays a Major role in the book and their story. Overall this was a middle of the road, predictable, contemporary, rom-com.