This book has no right being this amazing. Like seriously. I felt every emotion under the sun.

Honestly I’ve never fallen more in love with two characters separately + together. Their individual character development led to such an authenticity together.

The very best friends to lovers trope. And also one of my very favorite redemption arcs. Fox is the ultimate book boyfriend. Death by Fox honestly. While I wanted to spend a majority of the book shaking the living daylights out of them, it just made it more clear how much I was rooting for them.

Hannah was the ultimate main character with flaws + self doubt that made you connect with her. The real look into crippling imposter syndrome made you forget you were reading a romance.

Tessa Bailey killed it again. And the epilogue was one of the most satisfying I’ve had the pleasure of reading. Obsessed with Hannah + Fox!

I don’t have a lot to say other than this story was perfect. I was so excited for Fox and Hannah and somehow they were better than I could have ever imagined.
Their chemistry was amazing, they understood each other perfectly, and their love was so real.
Fox was everything and more. He helped Hannah to believe in herself and stayed by her side.
Hannah fit Fox perfectly. She reminded Fox of his worth and knew when to push him.
I loved them together and loved this book.

Tessa Bailey does it AGAIN.

Fox and Hannah’s story was BEAUTIFUL. this friends to lovers, small town romance was AMAZING. i finished it in a day because i seriously could not put it down. the spice was immaculate. i loved fox and hannah’s friendship, i loved reading both of their povs where they hid their feelings for each other for so long.

i was hooked as soon as i started reading the prologue and there wasn’t a second i wasn’t absolutely engulfed in this book.

i loved getting to see Piper and Brendan again and i adored how this book played out.

the epilogue.. I WAS SOBBING TEARS OF JOY! i LOOVEDD it.

92828282818/5 stars i cannot wait to reread this beautiful book!!

#bookreview Hook, Line, and Sinker (Bellinger Sisters #2) by Tessa Bailey

RELEASED TODAY (March 1, 2022)!! Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC 🥰

☺️ the good ☺️
- Communication. Fox and Hannah’s talking things out was such a good example of making things work in a relationship. Or making things work towards being in a relationship in their case.
- Friends to lovers trope. Fox definitely needed her as a friend first.


🤨 the bad 😒
- I was hoping for a little more Piper/Brendan interaction, but then the epilogue kinda made up for it.


😍 the beautiful 😍
- Hannah feeling like the supporting actress instead of the leading lady in life and making boss moves to become the leading lady.
- Fox always thinking Hannah was leading lady material 🥰
- Fox dealing with his past demons and everyone else’s expectations. Brendan especially 😍 It was needed.
- Fox’s mom ☺️ She just seems like a fun lady and I love that she’s realized her errors in life.
- Brendan’s parents. 😂 It’s not a huge part of the book, but I did love seeing Piper stress about her in-laws.
- THAT EPILOGUE 🥰😂😍😍😍😍


rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
steam: 🔥🔥🔥
my face while reading: 🙂☺️🤭😯🙂☺️🤯🥵🤯😩🥺😖🥺☺️🤔🥵☺️🤩😍🥰🥺🥺☺️☺️😍🤩🥰

#bookstagram

5 No One Does It Better Stars
* * * * * Spoiler Free-A Quick Review
I LOVE Tessa Bailey. I have been reading her since I first discovered the romance genre. As my title says, when you pick up a Tessa Bailey book, you know you are in sure hands.

This author takes you on a journey every time, yet never repeats a past tale so that you aren't interested in where things are going. Bailey will take the usual and make it specific to the characters she has created and this book is no different.

If you want to have a moment, a feeling of two people discovering the feelings they have for each other, risking how it would feel to really let go and see where things take them...and then get an amazing payoff, then do yourself a favor and read this book.

I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH!! I didn't think it was possible to better than It Happened One Summer but this most definitely did. Fox has my heart and soul. Tessa Bailey is a genius and I will forever be reading her books. There is not bad thing I have to say about this book. It is perfect. I'm sad this series is over already, I wanted to hear about the sisters lives forever! You must read this!!

I don’t remember feeling any type of way about Hannah in It Happened One Summer, which I guess was the point. The friend (or sister) of the leading lady finally gets her time to shine. Hannah thinks she’s a sideline character and maybe she’s been living her life that way but inside her head she was so level headed and willing to take risks. I love a self-aware queen and Hannah knew exactly what she’d been doing to hold herself back and set about making a change. She had this strong empathy towards everyone else and I loved the communication between the leads. Something that often gets used as a plot line is the miscommunication between the lead characters that all could have been solved by a conversation. Any time I thought that was the direction it was going, Bailey surprised me by having them speak up and hash it out. It was so refreshing.

Fox has a lot of baggage and insecurities that he’s been living with for so long that he doesn’t even know what’s real about himself anymore. He can’t tell what’s actually his personality and what he’s become based on others’ opinions of him. It’s almost like a toxic cycle of him manifesting what he thinks everyone assumes about him, in turn making them actually believe it. If that makes any sense.

I actually liked this better than the first installment, I’m not sure if that’s an unpopular opinion but I think for me I just related so much more to Hannah than Piper. And the epilogue was such a cherry on top of the Bellinger sisters’ stories.

This is the second book in the “It Happened One Summer” series and a sexy friends to lovers roommate romance that had me flipping the pages at warp speed. It has small town vibes with big city excursions and is about a playboy fisherman falling for the off limits younger sister. Filled with great banter and the best dirty talk, this is a swoony and tender romance with lots of heart! Fox is my new favorite book boyfriend!

Hannah is back in Westport on location for a movie her boss is filming. While visiting, Hannah decides to room with Fox, who she’s become close friends with through text. The two end up spending quite a bit of time with each other, but when Fox catches feelings he convinces himself that Hannah should never be with a notorious rake.

These two are just too cute together, and they bring out the best in each other. This book is filled with so many hopelessly romantic moments and even though Hannah and Fox have some major insecurities to overcome, there is a lot of self-awareness happening in the plot. All around this is just a fun, feel-good romance that got me all hot and bothered. Fox makes me want to fan myself! A truly endearing read!

Thank you to NetGalley, Avon Books, and Ms. Bailey for the opportunity to read an ARC of the title. An honest review was requested but not required.

Full disclosure, I have not (yet) read the first book in this duology, featuring Hannah’s older sister. I really didn’t think it was necessary to read the first book to enjoy this one, though.

Another disclosure: I am not particularly a music person. I find it irritating when people have what I call “personal soundtracks”: they find a song (or lyrics) to match every moment and are listening to music at all times. I can’t relate to people who describe their days in song titles. I don’t like musicals. I am annoyed when people break into song to communicate instead of speaking. Yes. I AM the Grinch. My point is, I didn’t think I would like Hannah. She is EXACTLY the sort of person I find irritating in the extreme. But she won me over in the end by being logical, supportive, and insightful about Fox, and by (eventually) sticking up for herself professionally.

This book was Hannah’s romance, but more so, it was Fox’s therapy session. Without having read the first book, and missing whatever context there was in it, Fox seems like the sort of person who WANTS to change but feels he can’t overcome everyone else’s internalized judgements and expectations of him. Ultimately, he seems like he has very low self-esteem. He’s extremely fortunate to have Hannah, who seems to have had quite a bit of experience with therapy as well as a large reservoir of natural patience, calm, and even-temperedness, to help him work through his issues.

Despite a slightly rocky start (I absolutely cringed at Hannah’s foot-in-mouth moment and subsequent fall on the bus, at the beginning) Hannah and Fox grew on me and I was rooting for them by the end. A really cute story with a surprising amount of personal growth for a romance. I would definitely look into reading Piper (the older sister)’s story, despite knowing how it ends.

Hook, Line, and Sinker is out today, and it's the perfect spring romance to add to your TBR!

The story brings us back to Westport, but the focus shifts from Piper and Brendan to Hannah and Fox. Music plays a large role in their relationship, and I loved the way it was incorporated into the story.

Both characters are struggling to change the ways others perceive them, and those parallel storylines were heartbreaking (Fox) and inspiring (Hannah). Their thoughts felt a bit repetitive at times, but you can't help rooting for them.

This book also features an amazing epilogue that completely warmed my heart. ❤️

This story was so fun and engaging! Friends to lovers rom- com. Great characters, steam, and build up. Classic Tessa Bailey.

Officially a favorite of 2022! Hook, Line, and Sinker filled me up in so many ways, I cannot say enough good things. It was an absolutely exceptional story. I laughed, I cried, and I was filled with so much anticipation for Fox and Hannah to come together and to also succeed with their own personal triumphs. My emotions were on a roller coaster and I never wanted to get off. I was immediately in love with them and loved watching them grow over the course of the story.

Fox and Hannah were amazing. I loved Hannah and her determination to break out of her shell and put herself out there. She was such a relatable character. I loved how kind, encouraging, and supportive she was too. And Fox… a dashingly handsome man with swagger yet my heart hurt for him and all of his internal struggles. He had the biggest heart and I was rooting for him. When things start to click for Fox and he really opens up, I swear I was holding my breath. I loved those moments of vulnerability, they felt raw and real. I loved the development and growth Fox and Hannah both experienced over the course of the story and the faith they had in one another.

The saying “all the feels” comes to mind when thinking about this story. It was incredibly entertaining with fun, sweet, and playful moments but oh man with all the emotion it held. I had butterflies as Fox and Hannah got closer and their friendship grew. And the sexual tension? Off the charts! The more their true feelings surfaced, the more their chemistry together sizzled. There was a fantastic slow burn between them that consumed me, I could not wait! When that want and heat finally explode… Wow. I mean, WOW! The build was excellent.

I loved Hook, Line, and Sinker so much. I loved the first book, It Happened One Summer as well, it was one of my favorites of 2021 and I was a little scared to start this one because I wasn’t sure if it would live up to my expectations. To say it exceeded them is an understatement. It's one of those stories that broke me a little and then built me back up. Phenomenal story!!!!

Boy, I loved Brendan and Piper's story so much I wasn't sure how this one would compare, but let's just say it blew it out of the water!

Hannah Bellinger is Piper's younger sister. While she was in Wesport, WA before, she spent time with Fox Thornton, Brendan's best friend and the town's ladies man. Then during the next seven months Hannah and Fox kept in contact by texting and really getting to know each other. When the opportunity arises, Hannah pushes for her company to film a movie in Wesport. Yeah she can see Piper but it's really Fox she wants to see.

Upon arrival Hannah realizes that she cannot stay with Piper and Fox quickly offers up his second bedroom. As these two spend more time together as "just friends" the chemistry really starts to heat up. Hannah is really attracted to Fox but she doesn't want to just be another female in his long line of conquests. Plus there is the little problem that Hannah has a crush on her boss, Sergei. Fox agrees to help Hannah catch Sergei's attention but he quickly realizes that he wants Hannah for himself. When Hannah and Fox finally cross over that line into something more than friendship, it looks like these two will get their happy ever after. But of course things from the past must come crashing back to cause unstable waters. After a lot of soul searching the future becomes clear as day and these two finally get their happy ending.

I loved this steamy friends to lovers story with their awesome conversations. Fox and Hannah had such great chemistry together. Fox had so many demons in his past it caused him to do stupid things. Sweet, fun Hannah was just the person for Fox to see that he was better than his demons. I just adored the epilogue too! Overall I loved this book and can't recommend it enough.

I loved Hannah and Fox together — both their friendship and as it grew to more. But I especially loved Hannah and seeing her grow professionally and personally. There was so much about her character that was super relatable from her workplace crush to wanting so much more for her career and her strengthening ties to her Westport family.

Getting to know Fox better was also great. I admit that I was completely unsure about how I felt about him at first. But watching him tackle some big challenges in his life and take charge of his future was pretty inspiring. It showed that we’re not just the stories other people tell about us.

And there was the music. That might have been my favorite part — the running soundtrack in my head while reading this. The way Hannah talks about music and creates soundtracks to specific moments inspired was amazing. It inspired me to branch out and start listening to new to me songs and artists.

Tessa Bailey truly knocked it out of the park with Hook, Line, and Sinker! I wasn't sure what to expect with this book, other than I really liked both Fox and Hannah in It Happened One Summer. Friends to lovers was a given, but what Tessa Bailey delivered was so much more than that! We got a beautifully broken, nuanced, and loving hero in Fox. He is more than the carefree flirt he likes to wear as armor. In this story, Hannah really came into her own, truly embracing her "leading lady" status.

Seeing Fox's vulnerability was some of the book's best moments and truly moved me. He comes off as confident and suave, but he suffers from imposter syndrome behind the scenes and is convinced he's not good enough. Watching Hannah and Fox dance around each other and slowly come together was beautiful to see. This book was a little slower and more nuanced than the first book, but I loved it just as much. This one stole my heart, and I think everyone should read it!

4.5 stars rounded up

It Happened One Summer was one of my favorite books of 2021 so I was so excited to get an ARC of book two in the series, Hook, Line, and Sinker. I loved Hannah and Fox’s friendship in book one so was happy they were getting their own story.

Hannah returns to Westport for work. She can’t stay with her sister and her fiancé (Piper and Brendan from It Happened One Summer) so she ends up staying with Fox, and they both try to hide their feelings from each other. Friends to lovers is my favorite trope so I was so excited to get that in this book.

The chemistry between Hannah and Fox is undeniable, but I really liked the way they interacted with each other throughout. I feel like they brought the best out in each other and really wanted them to get together.

Tessa Bailey knows how to write a steamy novel, and this one did not disappoint! There is a lot of spice throughout, but it didn’t take away from the storyline.

I was so happy to return to Westport, but would have liked a bit more of Piper and Brendan in this story. I respect the author’s choice to focus more on Hannah and Fox, but it just seemed weird to me that Hannah and Piper wouldn’t spend more time together while Hannah was visiting.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Happy pub day to Hook, Line and Sinker by @tessabaileyisanauthor

Oh this book! I loved it. LOVED! Hannah and Fox are one of my new favorite couples. The support they gave each other as friends was amazing. They both helped the other person see they were so much more than they believed. Especially Hannah with Fox.

Fox’s past shattered my heart for him and any guy who’s ever felt like he had to act differently because of our society and the “masculine” crap it puts on them.

But Hannah showed him that he was worthy of love and his past could be left there. I cried a few times with this book because the love they had for each other just felt so damn pure. It was magic.

If you enjoyed It Happened One Summer, you will love this one as well.

Also, these are my first two books by Tessa Bailey. I cannot explain to you how excited I was to see she has written a lot of books! Off to her backlist I go! 🥳

Thank you so much to @avonbooks @harpervoyagerus and @netgalley for this arc in exchange for my honest review! ❤️

So, I think Piper and Brendan (from It Happened One Summer) walked so Fox and Hannah could run.Part of the reason I waited so long on this ARC is because I loved IHOS so, so much, I couldn't imagine making room in my heart for Fox and Hannah too. But then, they SHOVED their way to the front and center of my heart as a couple and as individuals and I'll never be the same.

I just wanted to hug Fox essentially throughout this entire book. I think that's part of the reason I loved Hannah so much, the way she cared and supported Fox as he worked through his past is exactly what I wanted to jump into the pages and do (but Hannah had it covered, so it was all okay). I absolutely love when author's dive under the hood of a character that was teased in a previous book and completely blow away all preconceived expectations and notions of that character. I think Tessa did this with both Hannah and Fox & I loved the journey.

Tessa is known for her steamy writing & dirty talk, and she has earned that reputation, but in this one, she wielded that sword differently. Yes, there was sexual tension (okay, EXTREME tension) that had some accompanying dirty talk, but the emotional intimacy built between these two was just as strong. And when that steam hit, it was even more powerful for the intimacy built emotionally along the way. If IHOS or another Tessa book was overall too much for you in the steam department, you might find this one a bit more accessible. Steam fans absolutely won't be disappointed, but I don't know, I just felt like it was different.

In the first book you catch a glimpse of Fox's attraction to Hannah, and the sweet gestures he made towards her. In this book you see more of their continued friendship through texts. Their bond grows in these late night texts, some as innocuous as a song that made them think of the other, or a dream about the other, to random thoughts throughout the day.

When Hannah's work is debating a change in scenery she suggests Westport. Does she benefit by seeing her sister who she misses a lot, sure. Does it mean she gets to se Fox too, right again!

Fox knows he can only be friends with Hannah. His father has proven that, his legend that he will be the womanizer his father was lives and breathes in the towns expectation of him. While he has lived up to it, he has changed since being friends with Hannah. Having her so close though will be a test of his strength to resist her.

While Hannah has a crush on her boss, Fox decides to help her win him over. With a steamy kiss in from of him, who says jealousy doesn't make the heart grow fonder? The only problem is that that kiss stokes a fire in Fox he can't contain.

Seeing Fox and Hannah connect in such a way, that they just understood each other so well was liking a warm cup of cocoa. It wrapped me up in all the feelings.

While they both had so many barriers up in the beginning it was so wonderful to see them fall. I loved the background of music playing such a fun role in Hannah's life, and transferring that appreciation to Fox. There was some straight up jams from my past in there. So if you haven't guessed it yet, I am telling you to go read it!

This was funny, sweet, sexy, and had all the feels. I couldn't get enough of Hannah and Fox. I loved that they started out as friends first and quickly the lines get blurred. A great read to sit back and relax with and escape for a little while.