Holy shit the pining in this book is so good. I love friends to lovers romances they are my favorite because there's a rapport that is built and they're usually filled with the most epic of pining moments. This book has all of that along with Tessa Bailey's quintessential spiciness. I've loved most of Tessa's books but this one hits all the right spots for me. Fox's and Hannah's chemistry is unbelievable. The story is fun but also heart melting. I got an arc for this back in August and I was so upset that I didn't have anyone to talk about it with but now I get to read it with my lovely SBU friends. You will enjoy this book if you like friends to lovers lots of mutual pining (sort of) fake dating and a lot of hot sex. It also features a lot of music which is really fun. My favorite moment is when Fox talks about his record buying habit with Brendan. Like, Jesus, stabbed me in the heart, why don't you Tessa? I realize that I have not told you a lot about what this book is about. You can read the blurb for that. What I can tell you is that this book made me feel all of the feelings and I definitely cried at the end. This book will hit you right in your feeling heart, which let's be honest is all us romance readers really want.

4.5 Stars

After her short but memorable interlude in the quaint fishing town of Westport, Washington, Hannah Bellinger has been dearly missing just about everything that she left behind there. And although Hannah's dream career resides in LA, she can't help but picture what life would be like living closer to her sister... and the man that she has no business being romantically interested in...

Fox Thornton is a sexy and charismatic, king crab fisherman who never seems to take anything too seriously... except for his adamant refusal to commit... to anything. But when he and Hannah form an unlikely friendship, it may take all of his willpower to keep his hands... and his feelings, to himself...

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Hook, Line, and Sinker was a sweet and heartwarming, opposites attract romance! Hannah and Fox's relationship was adorable, dripping with sexual tension, and very, very complicated...

Hannah is a production assistant for an indie filmmaker, but she has big dreams of finding a way to channel her love of music into the next step in her career. And while Hannah is a pro at getting stuff done and helping people figure out just what they need, she struggles with what she calls being the "leading lady" in her own life...

Fox has a reputation for being a good time, but not someone that will stick around for more than a night. But behind Fox's carefree attitude, lurks a man whose self loathing has been amplified by years of people judging him, and finding him wanting. But when Fox gets a glimpse of himself through Hannah's eyes, he can only dream of being good enough for someone as sweet and as lovely as her...

This book was such a fantastic and wonderful, read! Hannah and Fox will not only break your heart a little, but in the end they will put it all back together again, better than ever! I loved Hannah so much, she was such a light in so many peoples lives, but she never realized how much so, until Fox helped her to see just how fantastic she really is. And Fox, he broke my heart at times, but I absolutely loved him and the growth he undergoes throughout this story!

I first fell in love with both Hannah and Fox when we met them in It Happened One Summer, and I was so incredibly excited to hear that they would be getting their own HEA! This book delivered a fantastic, sexy and entertaining story, and in the end, it left my heart full and probably a little too close to bursting!!

I received a complimentary copy of this book for my honest and unbiased review.

I was lucky enough to be gifted an early copy of the follow up to It Happened One Summer and was thrilled to keep dancing about in the literary universe of the delightful Bellinger sisters. This hints of a romantic sizzle from the first book are now on full display as Hannah and Fox are thrown in close proximity in this book and it delivers on all of the goodness. Basically, I know I can count on Tessa Bailey to deliver a solid romcom that hits me in the feels.

I truly do not think I have the words to express how good this book was but I’m going to try.

This was a friends to lovers slow burn and it was a lot different than the first book in the series so I was afraid it wouldn’t live up to It Happened One Summer but luckily that was not the case at all.

Hannah and Fox are just so precious and this was sweet and steamy and emotional and I was so excited that got some glimpses of Brendan and Piper.

I am mildly worried that it has ruined me for all other books.

Hook, Line, and Sinker releases on March 1st and you should run not walk to the bookstore to go grab a copy because it is a MUST READ.

I received an eARC from Avon Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Bellinger Sisters Books are both winners!!

In this friends-to-lovers story, we deal with Fox, a man with a lot of emotional baggage that impacts every single aspect of his life, and, Hannah, who is learning to become an adult.

You're probably thinking, I have read this a thousand times?! WRONG.
Because Tessa Bailey has added a kilo of angst that makes the story SING.
Set in a picturesque fishing town, which on its own is a side character, add the townsfolk, and the lost family story and we have the perfect conclusion to these two stories.

I had a whole soundtrack playing in my head while reading this book and that's when I know a story is superb!

When the pages sing to me, we know there's magic.

Here's a lyric verse that came to my ears while reading this book...

**And it takes no time to fall in love
But it takes you years to know what love is
It takes some fears to make you trust
It takes those tears to make it rust
It takes the dust to have it polished** Jason Mraz-Life Is Wonderful

Angst, Swoon, trademark Tessa Bailey's scorching chemistry, Hook, Line, And Sinker caught me from the first page.

I absolutely loved It Happened One Summer, Piper & Brendan’s story and the first book in the Bellinger Sisters series. So when I had the opportunity to read the eARC of Hook, Line & Sinker to find out how Piper & Fox’s story turned out, I jumped at the chance - and I did not regret it at all! This book was SO fun, and is the best of a Tessa Bailey - amazing dialogue, great characters, and lots of steam.

You will love this book too if…
…you enjoy the friends to lovers trope. Hannah and Fox had such a cute friendship established at the end of book 1, and I loved how their relationship developed in this book!
…you enjoy character development & growth. I really loved how Piper developed in this book, and how Fox grew and learned as the plot unfolded. It’s not often to see such vulnerability and emotion depicted in a romcom, and I really enjoyed it.
…you are looking to escape into a book. There is a lot going on in the world right now, and this book provided a fun and engrossing disconnect from real life.

Pick up Hook, Line & Sinker this week! Thanks to Avon Books and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion!

Hannah and Fox are adorable. I loved their story and their friendship. These two will have you cheering and rooting for their happily ever after.

Tessa Bailey is amazing at creating emotional ties with characters. You can smell the salt in the air, feel the tension and wanting. Like IHOS, this is a fun spicy read! I definitely recommend it if you miss Piper and Brendan!

I don’t even know where to start, I absolutely loved this book with all of my heart! Tessa Bailey was able to craft the perfect Romcom, while also promoting what a positive relationship looks like. The main characters Hannah and Fox’s dynamic showed the power of a healthy relationship, one where they were able to grow and support each other without being reliant on one another. I also really enjoyed the pacing of the novel, the friendship was established early on which lead to amazing payoff in the end when they got together. I highly recommend this book to any romance lover, and cannot wait to share my love of this book with literally everyone I know.

#HookLineAndSinker:

I’m crying? What is this? I’m crying tears of happiness and joy? Think Jack “What’s this? What. Is. This!” I’m here for a romcom and am crying.

One word. Foxxxxxxxxxxxxx. Listen. I know this is a Bellinger Sister series, but we all know I was over here 👀 waiting patiently for my fave Fox. Tessa Bailey delivered EVERYTHING and more for Fox Thornton.. and Hannah. Her too. 😂

I’ve never wanted a character to win so hard and a love to swoon for until Fox + Hannah. Maybe it’s the bonding of music because I have a playlist for EVERYTHING, or maybe it’s because we finally got to see Fox grow and shed insecurities because Hannah was patient and helped guide that. I just - this is peak love for me.

I felt like during the steamy scenes, Fox did go back to his “old” self, which kind of made me feel almost like 2 steps back for him? I mean, bravo for Hannah and Fox, but felt like that new/exposed self could have made it a bit more steamier.

From the Al Green scene to the epilogue, I was sobbing just clutching my heart with happiness. It was so perfect and i could just imagine the joy on their faces. Lauren Sweet will forever be Hannah. I could hear her laugh, her sighs, her sadness! Ugh so good. From the indecision to the confidence shift in Hannah, you could hear her getting confidence, stronger, and it was so good on audio.

Lastly, hell yes Tessa Bailey for telling people to stop sexualizing these damn kids. I cannot tell you how many times I cringe when people try to tell me my kids are “heartbreakers” I hope they treat all hearts with kindness, which has nothing to do with looks, ya fools.

Thank you so much @hadper audio for the gifted copy. Throw it up there to favorite romcom of the year, it’s impossible to beat these two. ❤️

This book was a nice one. It was cute (spicy)🤭 😅 I loved the characters especially of course our Fox. He just got me hooked right from the beginning. I loved how the author started the book suck a unique way.

Hannah and Fox became really close friends over the course of 7months through texts. But what happens when Hannah gets back into town for work end ends up crashing at Fox’s place, a mess is what happens. Hannah’s is walking in a towel, Fox starts dreaming about being with her….and falls HARD.

We get the whole best friends living together, he falls for her first and all the little details that make a story such a cute one. It’s funny, gracious, and did I say there’s spice in it 😏. Anyways I give it a 3.5/5, just because it took me such a long time to finish. I was hooked in the beginning but then the first chapters where kinda slow and lost interest but THEN it hooked me again. Maybe is because I’m a mood reader but nonetheless I’m happy I finished it.

The follow up to It Happened One Summer is finally here!
🎶
Fox Thornton has a reputation of being the town’s lothario, the player of all players. So when he met his match with Hannah, Piper’s younger sister and his best friend’s future sister-in-law, he didn’t know what to do with himself. After seven months of texting from Washington to LA, Hannah is headed back to Westport to work as a PA on a film her crush wrote and directed. She needs a place to stay, so who better than to crash with her texting buddy, Fox? Close quarters, budding feelings and the romance of the small town might just have this unlikely pair growing closer than they thought possible.
🎶
I just adored this adult romance duology. I want more from Bailey because I find her romance books intriguing and not the usual tropes. I rarely know what the characters are going to do and after reading romance the better part of 20 years, that’s saying something. I also adored Fox’s journey to self-love! Happy release day! Everyone go buy this one (and the first!)

CW: slut shaming, death of a parent

This is the second book in the Bellinger Sister series. The first in this series was an absolute hit for me and the rest of bookstagram. This story follows Fox Thornton and Hannah Bellinger. I absolutely adored Piper and Brandon’s story and even went to Westport, WA for a weekend because of the story.

I loved Hannah and Fox’s story. Hannah sees herself as the support character rather than the main character, in her own story, and for some reason that is so incredibly relatable. I absolutely love how Hannah encourages Fox’s growth throughout the story and his growth is a wonderful “f-you” to toxic masculinity.

I highly suggest the Bellinger Sister duology: It happened one Summer and Hook, Line, and Sinker! These are both wonderful stories!

I thought Hook, Line, and Sinker was a great follow-up to It Happened One Summer. This time, the story is about Hannah and Fox. Initially, I had a hard time rooting for Fox because of his reputation as the guy who sleeps around, having one night stands for years. I understand that the point of the book is his journey to overcome that reputation, but it just honestly made it difficult for me to even want him with Hannah. Eventually, he won me over though. He really is a sweet guy underneath that rough fisherman persona. I enjoyed the behind the scenes of the movie production and a look into Hannah’s career. The way Hannah’s love for music tied in was cute. In this story, both characters really mature and figure things out for themselves. I liked that the plot didn’t just revolve around their attraction to each other but what they were individually dealing with. I guess friends to lovers tends to that more and I really liked seeing them support each other. I’m sure HLS could be read as a standalone, but I recommend reading It Happened One Summer first so that you have a better understanding of the town Westport and also Hannah and Fox’s relationships with Piper and Brendan.
Thank you @avonbooks and @netgalley for a free digital ARC and to @harperaudio for the free audiobook!

FIRST OF ALL!⁣
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How stinkin cute is this cover?! It makes my heart so happy. ⁣
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Second, I loved It Happened One Summer but I absolutely adored Hook Line and Sinker even more and I didn’t think that was possible.⁣
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Hannah and Fox’s love story is an emotional, vulnerable, real, heartwarming and patient journey to true love. There is also amazing chemistry and friendship.⁣
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Hannah is so kind, patient and expresses herself through music in such a beautiful way. She has always been the “supporting actress” in her life, sitting back and helping others and staying out of the spot light, but now she wants to take risks in her career and her love life.⁣
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Fox is known as the hot, player, who gets all the girls and never settles down; but he’s tired of living up to the rumors and stigmas of being that guy, he just isn’t sure how, when it’s all he’s ever known, until Hannah.⁣
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And that Epilogue, I had heart eyes, my heart was so full. This was such a beautiful story. ⁣
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⁣
Thank you for the gifted ARC @avonbooks

5 Stars!
Fox Thornton is a king crab fisherman from a small Washington fishing village called Westport. He thrived under pressure and the sea was in his blood. When he wasn't on the boat he was known as a notorious ladies man. He was always up for a good time, and didn't want the weight of any responsibilities. He was a shameless flirt that couldn't escape his playboy reputation, and he was fine with it, until Hannah Bellinger enters his life. She's gorgeous, kind, smart, fiercely loyal, and he enjoys spending time with her. She also seems to be the only woman who is immune to his charms and unaffected by his pretty boy face. All she wants from him is friendship, and out of nowhere she is suddenly becoming important to him. He just has to remember to keep his hands to himself, but unfortunately his heart didn't get the memo. Soon lines get blurred and he goes from merely existing to believing in the possibility of more.

Hannah worked in Hollywood as a production assistant, and has had a longstanding unrequited crush on her director boss. Her lackluster life gets some excitement when she returns to Westport and finds herself staying in a sexy bachelor's guest room. Fox was a bad boy and not her type, but there was still a current of physical tension that ran between them. When he looked at her and turned all that potent energy her way it could be a bit overwhelming. He didn't do relationships and she had friend zoned him, but then she starts to realize there is so much more to him than the Casanova he shows on the surface. As he gets under her skin she becomes attached, and begins to want her best friend in a new way. When he starts to be the one place that feels like home will she decide to fight for love?

Hook, Line, and Sinker (Bellinger Sisters #2) by Tessa Bailey is the follow up to It Happened One Summer. This story is about Brendan's best friend Fox and Piper's younger sister Hannah. It's a small town, slow burn, friends to lovers romantic comedy with all the feels. It's about undeniable connections, explosive chemistry and self discovery. There were so many swoony layers to Fox that my heart almost couldn't handle this beautiful man falling in love. I flew through this book and hated to say goodbye to this couple. This is now my new favorite Tessa Bailey book, and will definitely be in my top reads of 2022. I didn't think anything could top the first book in the series since I absolutely adored it, but then there was Fox! <333

✰✰✰✰✰ / 5

*Spoiler-free review*

After reading and enjoying It Happened One Summer, I was already highly anticipating Hannah & Fox’s story. Their interactions from IHOS alone had me so intrigued, and, after reading this book, it’s easy to say I fell even more in love w/ them 💙

Right off the bat in the prologue, you get a glimpse into their fun and incredibly adorable relationship. And as the book progresses, their banter, the pining, the TENSION, and literally everything just builds amazingly – we also love some good jealousy moments 😌 This book also has one of the best love confessions (made me tear up…) + the cutest epilogue that ties IHOS & this book together perfectly 💘

But what really made this book for me is the dynamic between Hannah & Fox. They’re 2 people that you can tell just really ‘click.’ Their relationship had me laughing and swooning in every moment w/ them. I just adore these two and how protective they are of each other. They both are working through their own insecurities, but also complement each other perfectly where it’s needed. The way they both have so much belief in the other & want the best for each other could be felt through the pages. Seeing them both grow through their struggles with the help of one another was so rewarding to see. Also, the many ways they connect through music? THE CHERRY ON TOP! Like, they listen to songs together at the same time even when they’re miles apart PLS 😫

Anyways, this book comes out tomorrow (3/1), and all of you should read this for yourself! One of the best friends-to-lovers stories I’ve read in a while, and it made my heart so freaking happy 😭

Thank you so much to @avonbooks & @harpercollins for a physical ARC of this book! Extra thanks to @netgalley & @harpervoyagerus for the digital ARC I received a few months ago in exchange for an honest review :)

This is a friends-to-lovers slow burn, the story is about Hannah and Fox, is the second of the series but you can totally read it as a standalone. The chemistry between the characters is fantastic, you will fall in love with them and read it all in one sitting, a former playboy afraid that his past ruin it all for him. I expected a bit more steam due to the chemistry and what the author usually delivers but it was well balanced and so I really enjoyed it.

4.5⭐s
It was so great to return to Westport for Fox and Hannah's story! I don't normally chose a friends to lovers book, but this one had just enough angst and tension to keep me hooked. At first, I thought it may be moving too quickly, but in the end I enjoyed the pacing and ended up reading it in two days! One thing I loved about It Happened One Summer was seeing the characters grow as people as they formed a relationship and I was really happy to see some similar themes in this book also. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more Tessa Bailey in the future!

This was delightful. I love a good friends to lovers, and especially one built largely through texting, it was just so sweet and had me all up in my feels.

Something Tessa did here I really enjoyed was show small flashes of vulnerability between the characters that they would each be thinking of for days. It was so well done.

Loved the banter, loved the slow build, loved the setting and unique careers they had (well mostly Hannah)

This was very fun.