Very entertaining but not as good as It Happened One Summer. Fox is such a cocky, but also vulnerable, asshole but I loved his voice in this. Hannah was kind of boring. All the music stuff just wasn't my thing and really took away from my enjoyment of their romance.

Hook, Line, and Sinker is the companion novel to It Happened One Summer,and follows Hannah and Fox, as they navigate their complicated feelings while sharing an apartment.

I honestly was hooked (get it?) from the beginning, because I love a good friends to lovers romance. The story begins with a series of cute text exchanges between the two over a few months, and we see how their friendship began and how they became so close. It was so nice to see their established friendship and also realize the undercurrents of their not-so-friendly feelings between each other.

This is very much a slow burn; most of the novel they aren’t actually a couple.The story is much more about them both taking strength from each other to grow as people. The entire novel has them both pining for each other while also completely ignoring the feelings they had because of *issues*. But then, that’s the beauty of these types of stories isn’t it? I love good pining in a friends to lovers romance.

There was actually such a nuanced story from Fox’s side that I was honestly floored. He has a lot of insecurities because of being objectified and treated as a playboy his entire life, even by his own family. This leads to him not thinking highly of himself and believing he doesn’t deserve Hannah. It was the main reason he and Hannah don’t get together during most of the story, and him having to grow and realize he actually was good enough was lovely. It's something we don't see a lot from these types of characters.

Hannah herself is so multilayered. Being used to staying on the sidelines, she’s not assertive enough to actually go for things she wants, such as working on the music in the movie she’s an assistant for. As she realized her feelings for Fox and gained more courage throughout the book, we saw someone completely different but still the same. She was so sweet, I loved her a lot.

Like I said before, most of the book is a delicious yet torturous slowburn, but I think that made it entirely better once they actually get together and finally unleash all the feelings they’ve been keeping in for months and months. The sex scenes while they aren’t the smuttiest I’ve read from Tessa Bailey, since they were paired with the intense emotions these characters were feeling, I think they felt all the more raw.

The one thing that brought my enjoyment down just a smudge was the final act. The big conflict should have happened sooner, or not at all. I understand Fox and his insecurities, but him self-sabotaging at that point in the book felt repetitive when these same issues were supposedly discussed before. I loved how Hannah handled it however, and there was some good angst to be had, but I do wish it had been different. (Sidenote: Please just get therapy? Please??)

Overall, if you like a slow-burning friends to lovers romance with all the emotions, great smutty times, and even humor, this is the book. I recommend reading book one before this one, as there are things you wouldn’t understand if you don’t read it.

Rating: 4.5/5 stars.

THIS. BOOK. This book was so freakin good. I love how sweet it was! The mutual interest and pining that went on throughout this story was just so perfect. I loved that this was shared from both perspectives of the characters and seeing their inner struggles. There is just something I love about friends to lovers and this story did it so well.

Fox and Hannah are just so adorable and I loved how they had similar interests but were so different. Seeing this made their relationship feel so real and relatable. Going through the struggles that Fox faced in this relationship and how Hannah navigated around it was so personal and made the ending so much more special! And the spice!!! There was a perfect amount of everything in this book and it left me feeling all the feels! I absolutely freaking loved this book and it checked every box for the perfect romance :)

Thank you @avonbooks and @harpervoyagerus via @netgalley for the gifted copy!

In her continuation in the lives of the Bellinger sisters author Tessa Bailey gives us Hook Line and Sinker giving the leading lady in a rom-com role to Hannah Bellinger, Piper’s younger sister introduced in the first novel “ It Happened One Summer.” As the novel begins do we follow Hannah and her flirtation with King crab fisherman Fox Thornton. In It Happened One Summer does their flirtation begin and zeroes in on a thoughtful gift( hint* Fleetwood Mac’s 1977 album “Rumors”). The novels writing flowed well and depicted the characters yearning in a satisfying delightful way. The novel touches on themes of loss, self-esteem, toxic masculinity, and healthy relationships. These themes all came together nicely done and was highlighted by the authors cinematic flair to “create a scene” using popular music artists and vivid imagery. Overall I gave this novel four out of five stars on goodreads. I recommend the first novel as well especially if you like leading ladies with sass and charm and their love interests with heart. I’d like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this novel..

Hannah Bellinger is back in Westport, Washington, thanks to her brilliant idea to have her boss, Sergei, film his latest project there. She's had a crush on the director for ages and a desire to move up the ranks from assistant to music producer as well. Giving her romantic advice is Fox Thornton, Hannah's friend and Westport King crab fisherman. Fox is well-known in Westport for being a ladies man, but secretly he's been in love with Hannah since they met. As for Hannah, even though she's been pining after Sergei, the more time she spends with Fox, the more she falls for him. They both care about each other, but each has their own hang ups. Can Hannah and Fox get past them to find long-lasting love?

"What was that like? To be the star in the movie of your life?"

"He had never been jealous over a girl in his life. Except for this one."

This is a fairly cute story, but I never found myself wanting to pick it up, because it's fairly repetitious. We hear over and over about how Fox is a player, but cannot commit and people only think of him one way. He's the only one standing in his own way. Hannah, meanwhile, is stuck on the idea that she's the supporting player in her own life, not the leading lady. As they fight their own issues, they are constantly jumping to conclusions about the other, or immediately misunderstanding an action the other person took. Ugh! The plot, therefore, cannot move forward because we are constantly rehashing emotions or going over the same thing over and over.

It's sad, because when the story moves, it's quite enjoyable. When Fox or Hannah have breakthroughs or act like reasonable people, I like them a lot. They are cute together, amusing, and a powerful force. And there are certainly a lot of sexy times in the book, for sure. There's also a really cute and fun epilogue that offers some great insight into Hannah and her sister, Piper, from the first book.

Overall, this book is romantic and funny, but also slow-moving and often frustrating.

Tessa Bailey has done it again! I loved Hook, Line, and Sinker even more than It Happened One Summer and I didn’t even think that was possible. If you are in the mood for a heartfelt and steamy love story, I HIGHLY recommend this series!

Hook, Line, and Sinker dives right in with glimpses of Hannah and Fox after the end of It Happened One Summer. I was “hooked” from the very beginning! This book can definitely be read as stand-alone, but you will be missing out if you don’t read It Happened One Summer. If you haven’t read the first book, Hannah and Fox’s relationship may seem a little insta-love, but the foundation started before this book! And of course, Tessa came in hot with her signature steam, but it was executed **perfectly**! Hello Fox Thorton, welcome to my book boyfriend club! Basically, I would read Tessa Bailey grocery list which I’m sure is amazing as well!

Read if you like:
-Friends-to-lovers
-Reformed bad boy
-Music
-Movie sets
-The Pacific Northwest
-Small towns
-Steam

Thank you so much @avonbooks and @netgalley for the gifted copy!

Every girl needs a guy who believes she's "leading - lady material"!

💋 Setting: small fishing town of Westport
💋 Friends to lovers
💋 Close Proximity with SO much sexual tension with the best almost sex scenes!
💋 Great banter and humor
💋 Emotional break throughs with each character pushing each other to discover their self worth

After reading It Happened One Summer, I just knew I was going to love Fox and Hannah’s book, which I do. The romance and tension between them because they know they want each other, but they both don’t want to admit their feelings. Friends to lovers is my favorite trope, and this book has really set my standards for books really high. I really enjoyed the reformed playboy characterization. Some things I didn’t enjoy was Hannah’s whole personality being music and that’s it. There was also no major plot twists that really got me. While I did enjoy Brendan and Piper’s book more, this book was still well written and enjoyable.

This book was nothing like "It Happened One Summer" but I loved it so intensely too! Where Piper & Brendan in the first book were full of instant, hot chemistry that was explosive... Fox & Hannah were a slow-burning friendship full of feeling and understanding that blossomed to more so naturally. Their bond and love for each other was so sweet. They really built each other up, pushed/challenged each other to grow, and learned so much from one another. I believed in their relationship and shipped them so intensely! They are changed because of each other; Hannah not making herself be a "supporting actress" and taking the lead in her life, and Fox seeing himself as more than a pretty face, with a lot of love to give.

Both of these characters are precious to me. The smut wasn't as spicey as the previous book, but it was a more romantic book. I highly recommend it!

Rating: 1.5
I know this is only the 2nd book I've read by Tessa Bailey, but I just don't think her books are for me. Maybe I'll try reading Window Shopping, because I've heard it's inspired by Ted Lasso, but honestly that's probably just a set up for disappointment.

With a dangerous job as a king crab fisherman paired with his good looks, Fox Thornton has never had any trouble with women. Everyone knows he’s a good time both in and out of bed, but not for anything permanent, and he’s fine with those low expectations, until he meets Hannah Bellinger. She seems to like him for his personality more than his looks and charm and wants to be his friend. Fox doesn’t know what to make of it, but he likes her too much to risk ruining things by crossing the line.

When work on a new film brings Hannah to Westport, spending the time staying in Fox’s spare bedroom, she’s determined to remember that they’re just friends. She’s maintaining her hopeless crush on her boss, the film’s director and Fox is the perfect person to help her win him. Yet, the more time Hannah spends with Fox, the more she realizes she’d rather be with him. The lines defining their relationship begin to blur, but Hannah refuses to be a temporary fling for Fox.

Meanwhile, Fox is struggling with his fantasies about waking up with Hannah forever. He’s head over heels for her and helping her gain another man’s interest is killing him, but if Fox can work on his own issues and show Hannah he can be in a committed relationship, he’s hoping she’ll choose him over the polished Hollywood director.

I was a little skeptical of Fox as this playboy character established in the first book becoming a hero, I could get behind but, man did he ever. All his life that sort of promiscuous behavior had been expected and all but forced upon him, so he just lived up to the only thing that was ever expected of him and used sex to hide his insecurities. I loved that Hannah was so willing to be patient with him and knew just when to push him for more, without ever letting him off the hook or allowing him to use intimacy to hide his lack of confidence. Those heroes who just need someone to believe in them are like catnip to me and it didn’t take me long to be cheering wholeheartedly for Fox as he struggled to grasp some respect from others and believe in his worthiness of Hannah. I really loved that these two both struggled with asking for what they needed but they worked it out together and the level of communication and openness between them is what I crave in every romance and so rarely get. This one hit me right in the feels in a way I didn’t anticipate, but it was a delight and I loved reading two characters who were so willing to grow together.

This was different than I expected, but in a good way and it definitely goes on the keeper shelf for me.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Stars

Because I loved It Happened One Summer so much, I had high expectations going into Hook, Line, and Sinker. I fell in love with the Bellinger sisters from the very beginning and watching Hannah and Fox’s friendship develop in the first book made my heart soar. I was so excited to get their love story – and Tessa Bailey did not disappoint!

Hannah and Fox have a long distance friendship – and after months of texting every day, their friendship has grown exponentially. When Hannah winds up back in Westport for work, she’s living at Fox’s place during her short stay. While she’s there both her and Fox realize that their chemistry is off the charts and the feelings they have for each other are much more than what they thought!

It was such a joy to see them navigate their romantic relationship! Both of these characters are complex and have insecurities that are very relatable. The story was a little slower that the first book and to be honest I was kind of craving some more spice but overall, this was a GREAT friends to lovers read!

Thank you to Avon, NetGalley, and Tessa Bailey for giving me the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Another delightful book from Tessa Bailey. Definitely different than It Happened One Summer - Fox and Hannah have a lot more depth but it doesn't have as much as the "com" in romcom.

Absolutely loved it!! Incredible characters, heartfelt drama, and the perfect balance of steam and emotion that made me laugh, cry, and blush. While I enjoyed It Happened One Summer, Hannah and Fox merited their own story, and it was so worth the wait. I adore and admire Hannah and just wanted to give Fox a hug for 99% of the book. I would definitely recommend reading the Bellinger Sisters books in order because background knowledge from book #1 definitely added depth to book #2 for me.

In the end, all I can say is this is going on my Favorites shelf, and I wish it didn't have to end!

Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager via Netgalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

After meeting Hannah in book one, I couldn’t wait for her story. And Fox, oh swoony Fox, I was ready for you too.

Fox & Hannah. Both too scared to go for what they want. Both stuck in the shadows of their family. Both with so much love to give.

Hannah; the supporting character in her own life. Fox; the bad boy who wants to change his ways. The way these two understood each other is unparalleled. I loved their chemistry and banter. To me, this is a top-notch friends-to-lovers story.

Recommended if you like:
-friends-to-lovers
-dual POV romance
-slow burn
-reformed rakes
-small towns
-indie music
-Fleetwood Mac

CW: self doubt, mention of infidelity, death of parent

Thanks to Netgalley and Avon for my ARC. Hook, Line, & Sinker is out now!

Hook, Line, and Sinker
by Tessa Bailey
Pub Date: March 1, 2022
Avon
In the follow-up to It Happened One Summer, Tessa Bailey delivers another deliciously fun rom-com about a former player who accidentally falls for his best friend while trying to help her land a different man...
Thanks to the author, Avon Books, and NetGalley for the ARC.
I was not a fan of this book. It was a fun book to read but somehow I wanted more! It’s still a really sweet friend to lovers' romance but it was just missing that charm from book 1 for me.
3 star

When I see a book by Tessa Bailey, I know it will be a must-read. This sequel to It Happened One Summer gives us Hannah's story. Hannah is back in Westport and learning that maybe her feelings for Fox might be more than just friendly. Thankfully, Piper and other Westport characters we met in the first book are a part of the story. It is a slow burn to find out if Hannah and Fox will overcome their issues to find their way to each other. But that slow burn is what makes it so enjoyable. When you need some easy-on-the-brain reading with the perfect amount of naughty, you need to look for books by Tessa Bailey!

Another really charming small town romance from Tessa Bailey! I really enjoyed Hannah as a character as she defines her career and relationship to the town for herself, and Fox is a worthy partner to her as he deals with his own past. The movie-making scenes are enjoyable, and getting to catch up with Piper is fun as well.

Playboy Fox and sweet and supportive Hannah develop an unlikely friendship….and more! This book was so much better than It Happened One Summer! I found Hannah and Fox to be SO lovable and tender and authentic. Their friendship itself was swoony. Hannah’s unwavering faith in Fox was perfect. Fox’s inner dialog as he experienced true intimacy for the first time was *chef’s kiss*. Seeing the damage that a bad reputation causes was realistic. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

This one just didn't do it for me. I tried because I absolutely loved "It Happened One Summer" but Hannah just wasn't as interesting to me. I appreciated the slow-ish burn but it was just "eh" for me.