What can I possibly say about Tessa Bailey and her gifted pen that hasnt been said or even I havent said before?

If I stop for a minute and think about all the happy feelings her books bring me, I could consider myself a lucky winner of the romance book lotery.

Hook Line and Sinker is possibly one of the best books I've read from Tessa. Not only did she male the couple of Hannah and Fox a one to be remembered, you can tell this was an emotional writing process for her. I think this only adds to her charm.

And so we did meet Hannah Bellinger back in 'It happened one Summer', and I have to say I loved her character righ off the bat. Tessa could've built this character more bratty and airheaded, (just like Piper is in the beginning) but she chose to bring Hannah to life with a focus, a wit and a lot of humanity in her, and I just love that about the character. Her friendship with Fox is also something worthy of mentioning cause from the moment they go to that vynil expo in Seattle in book one, we see there are sparks flying, and when she returns to Westport for a movie filming, we will see a Hanna who only wants to impress and prove herself, making Fox question many lf his own insecurities. The buildup to their HEA is a road full of trials and funny moments like only Tessa can bring us.

The beautiful sea port background is a huge plus that I at least enjoyed tremendously. It literally makes you daydream. Tessa Bailey delivered another heart warming and wonderful love story, that I honestly will not forget any time soon❤️

Thank you Harper Voyayer and Avon Books for the provilege and honor of this ARC. Trust that I never take them for granted ☺️

I loved this book. The characters, the plot, the locale - I could read more books set in Westport and its townspeople, whose lives revolve around dangerous crab fishing expeditions. It’s a must read for romance lovers.

This is the follow up to It Happened One Summer, where Piper and Hannah go to Westport. They’re originally from there, but their father died on a fishing expedition and their mother moved away.
They end up refurbishing their father’s pub, and where Piper meets and falls in love with Brendan, the captain of a crab fishing boat.

In this book, Hannah manages to convince the director of the movie she’s working on to shoot in Westport, and she stays with her friend Fox. Hannah’s got a crush on the director and thinks of the hunky Fox as her friend only. He’s got quite the reputation as as ladies man, but Hannah likes him for his personality. Fox works for Brendan, and he knows he can’t mess around with Piper’s sister. As the two spend time together, their real feelings surface and things get quite steamy.

I enjoyed every bit of this book! I hope Tessa Bailey has more Bellinger sister tales to tell us! 5 enthusiastic stars.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Tessa Bailey’s new novel Hook, Line and Sinker is the follow-up to last year’s popular romance, It Happened One Summer. The main characters of this installment are Hannah Bellinger and Fox Thornton, who we met in the first book. It was pretty clear in that first book that the two of them were attracted to one another, and I loved both characters so I was very excited to head back to the small coastal town of Westport, Washington to see what, if anything, might develop between them. I was also hoping for a few glimpses of Hannah’s sister, Piper, and her significant other, Brendan, our sunshine/grumpy duo from the first book and was not disappointed.

What I found most intriguing about Hannah and Fox is how truly vulnerable they both are. On the surface, Fox seemingly prides himself on being a ladies’ man and his reputation precedes him everywhere he goes. The more we get to know Fox though, the more we see that Fox is actually quite uncomfortable with his reputation. It has almost beaten him down to the point that he feels like he has nothing to offer any woman he actually cares about. He’s also attracted to Hannah but has been warned by pretty much everyone in Westport to stay away from her, that’s she’s too sweet for a player like him. He therefore settles for a friendship with her.

Hannah also has some insecurities. She is passionate about music and would love to pursue a career putting together soundtracks for films, but she just doesn’t feel she has what it takes. As she tells Fox, she’s just not “leading lady” material and will always be in the background. Fox knows about her passion for music because it was at a vinyl album convention that the two of them first bonded and he makes it his mission to get her to see that she can do anything she puts her mind to. Hannah treasures his friendship and support, and they grow even closer when Hannah, who is planning to stay with her sister when she comes to Westport, ends up staying with Fox instead due to some logistical issues. Temporarily living together is all it takes for their friendship to grow into something more and I enjoyed watching them navigate the waters between friendship and more than friendship.

It takes a while for Fox and Hannah to get to where I wanted them to be, but I found their friendship to be very endearing so the slow burn didn’t bother me at all. They always have a great time together, but they are also there for each other when it counts, offering emotional and moral support as they each set out to figure themselves out and what they’re actually capable of. Just as Fox makes it his mission to give Hannah the boost she needs, she does the same for him, making it her mission to prove to him that he is so much more than just a ladies’ man with a handsome face.

Bottom line, Hook, Line, and Sinker is a slow burn romance that is worth the wait.

I LOVED this book. I couldn’t put it down. Hannah and Fox formed such a genuine friendship that led to a really beautiful love story. I really appreciate that Fox was imperfect, insecure and just so real. Hannah had her own insecurities but it’s so rare to really see vulnerable male characters. It allowed us to really know Fox and get to know him as Hannah did, not through his own POV. I think that added a lot to the progression of the relationship and feeling the shift.

Overall, I cant wait to recommend this to everyone I know. Thank you NetGalley, HarperCollins, and Tessa Bailey for access to the arc!

I read It Happened One Summer this past summer and I really enjoyed it. So when I saw a sequel to the book was being released, I just had to read it. I will admit I had hard time connecting to the characters in the beginning. I really liked them both in the first book but I had a hard time seeing Hannah and Fox as the protagonists of the story. Sometimes the emphasis on Fox’s “history” felt redundant. HOWEVER, as the story picked up I found myself rooting for them. I love the friends to lovers aspect and I almost felt like by the time the story ended they kind of matured, and I liked the way the characters developed. I also really enjoyed how the epilogue wrapped everything up in a nice little bow because that’s exactly how I like my romances to end!

3.5⭐️ - Thank you to Tessa Bailey, the publisher, Avon & Harper Voyager, & Netgalley for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

It Happened One Summer has easily become one of my all time favorite romance books, and I was really excited for this one. I think this was more of a it’s not the book it’s me case, as I found myself wanting more out of it because of how much I loved Piper & Brendan’s story.

This was a classic friends to lover slow burn, and I adored the cute moments between Hannah & Fox. But the main conflict in the story was very repetitive and drawn out. This made it hard for me to be engaged with the story.

I loved that we got to see more of Piper and Brendan from a different perspective even if it was just for a few scenes! And Brendan acting like Hannah’s protective older brother was precious.

Also, the epilogue provided perfect closure for both sisters.

Overall I recommend any lovers of It Happened One Summer to pick this up and give it a chance!

I absolutely love Tessa Bailey so much so I am excited to continue reading her other work in the future!

Thank you to NetGalley and the author, for this free review copy.

I absolutely love Tessa Bailey! Last year I read the first book in this series, It Happened One Summer, and devoured it. I was so excited there was going to be a second book, that focused on Fox and Hannah.

Fox and Hannah are both very stubborn people, and good friends. The attraction is there, but they both aren’t sure they want to ruin their friendship. I read a lot of romances and I feel like most times, men aren’t vulnerable, but Fox was, and I really enjoyed that. I loved these two characters. They had so much chemistry and a huge connection. I enjoyed it from start to finish, and always look forward to Tessa Bailey’s next book.

Hook, Line and Sinker is available March 1st, 2022.

I loved Hook, Line, and Sinker in a different way than It Happened One Summer, and yet, I loved it just as much.

Hannah and Fox become friends after that one summer in the first book. They keep in touch after Hannah moves back to LA and before you know it, they are texting each other daily. When Hannah convinces her boss/crush to move his filming project to Westport, she ends up staying in Fox’s guest room. It’s cool, they’re just friends, right?

I loved how in-depth we got to know these characters. Hannah has always felt like a side character in her life’s story, wanting to be a leading lady. And Fox is living up to his reputation that was forced upon him as a young boy. Together the two were so honest and vulnerable, their romance a slow burn.

Hook, Line, and Sinker was a sweet and easy. While it definitely didn’t shy away from deep, emotional subjects, it was mostly a fun read. I couldn’t put it down and I’ll be sad to leave these characters.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books for the review copy!

Thank you to Tessa Bailey and Avon and Harper Voyager for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book captured me from the first page. Seriously, I read it in two days because as soon as I started I couldn’t stop.

The sequel to It Happened One Summer, this sequel is even better than the first! Although not necessary to read the first, I would definitely recommend as to get the most out of this one.

We follow the sister of the main character from the first book, and the best friend of the male protagonist of the first book in this friends to lovers romance. (This book single handedly made me realize I LOVE friends to lovers.) Hannah returns to Westport for her job which is filming a movie, and decides to stay with Fox, a friend she met last time she was in Westport and has been texting since. Although both want to preserve their friendship, the chemistry between these two is undeniable, and both struggle to not act upon it.

Just everything about this romance was amazing, the friendship, the whit, the banter, the steam, the plot. I honestly didn’t know where this romance was going and was as excited to find out as I was for these two to inevitably get together! I can’t recommend this book enough.

This book would have been five stars if it wasn’t for the aggressive inner monologue of the characters. A lot of time is spent going through the thoughts of the characters, which I appreciate because we got to see both sides of their struggle, but at some point it just became too much. We were just going back to the exact same thing over and over and spending so much time in our characters thoughts. I wish more time had been spent between the two characters talking rather than them arguing with themselves within their head.

This didn’t take too much away from the story though, and I look forward to rereading this one in the future. Absolutely a new favorite!

Thank you NetGalley for providing a copy for me!

Tessa Bailey is officially one of my favorite romcom writers and this did not disappoint! Fox and Hannah are such a perfect couple and after seeing their chemistry in the first book I knew this ship was going to sail. The character development, especially for Fox, was great, and it made him such an endearing character.

The first book was a bit more gripping for me and kept me up past my bedtime, while this one I was content to read through more slowly. But once it go to the really good parts it was hard to put down.

I would definitely recommend this book to any romcom lover, and if you like the first book then you're sure to love this one!

This one was so CUTE! I’m not sure which one I like more!! The music part was such an unique way to connect them. I just wish Hannah would’ve just dropped Sergei sooner. Also I just love how Hannah and fox are together, like she pushes him to be his best self and it was nice to see that growth! Definitely love this duology! Thank you NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

This started out with everything I love and want in a romance!
•Friends to lovers
•forced proximity/roommates
•reformed player

I loved everything about the story and adored Hannah and Fox's relationship!

Unfortunately, the sex scenes were so cringey and felt forced. I felt the same way reading It Happened One Summer. I think this author's smut just isn't for me.....I read A LOT of romance and smut, but the descriptions during these scenes just don't do it for me.

If you loved It Happened One Summer, then I definitely recommend this one!! I'm sure for most people it will be a huge hit, it just didn't work for me. It was a 5 star read until I hit the sex scenes 🤷‍♀️ maybe I can just pretend they didn't exist..

This book was amazing!
I have a special place in my heart for Tessa Bailey and will read any book she writes.
When I read It Happened One Summer, I fell in love with Hannah. When I found out that Hannah would get her own book, I knew I had to read this.
If you loved It Happened One Summer, you'll love Hook, Line, and Sinker!

I enjoyed how emotional this book was compared to the first one.
Loved the character development.

Thank you NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

If you loved 'It Happened One Summer,' you're sure to love Tessa Bailey's addition to the Bellinger Sisters' story and the world of Westport.

I liked this one even more than the last and a lot of that had to do with Hannah, our main character. I found Piper to be frustrating and annoying at times and generally wasn't very sympathetic to her conflicts, but Hannah is smart, passionate, and loving, always ready to lend a hand when someone needs it.

Fox has a bigger personality than Brendan's reliable gruffness and that often made for a more entertaining read.

This is a great friends-to-lovers story about two people who don't really know what they want and a great read for any fans of the rom-com genre who don't mind the formulaic simplicity of a happy ending.

Huge thanks to Avon Books & HarperCollins for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was so happy to be back in this world. Westport, the Bellinger sisters, and the handsome fishermen did not disappoint. "Hook, Line, and Sinker" is just as fun, funny, and sexy as "It Happened One Summer." I read it in less than a day!
I would say, this story also gets much more deep and emotional that the first one. I am not often surprised by romance novels, but this one definitely did, in the best way! I actually teared up reading about Fox struggle with his demons. Thank you to NetGalley for an early copy of this great novel!

It took me weeks to even come back to this. I only finished it so I can review it. I wanted to like this. Wanted to like Tessa Bailey books, but her books just aren't for me.

The steamy bits had me cringing so bad. Wasn't super drawn to either Hannah or Fox. The conflict felt so forced and drawn out. The only things I really enjoyed was that there was buildup to them getting together, the epilogue up until the stupid moose bit, and even though I wasn't drawn to either character I did like them better than Piper and Brendan.

2 stars rounded up to a 2.5 simply because I liked it better than that stinker IHOS.

This was a sweet and super sexy story.

I loved how the relationship between Hannah and Fox bloomed from friends to more. I especially loved how Hannah believed in Fox and supported him despite his not believing in himself.

This was a solid follow up to the first in the series. Having the focus on different characters but still including the town and original characters.

Ended up listening to it via ALC from @harperaudio. Would definitely recommend for someone wanting a fun romance.

I don’t tend to gravitate towards friends-to-lovers tropes, but this one felt executed well. I really felt the chemistry between the characters and the push-and-pull of will-they-wont-they was always fresh and non-tiring. Hannah is a lovely mc - I had been more drawn to her in the first installment, It Happened One Summer, and was excited to get to her own book.

Hannah’s attire of sweatshirt, ball caps, and her obsession with defining her moods or days with songs was endearing and relatable. As a love interest, I found Fox enjoyable and charismatic.

Tessa Bailey definitely knows how to write romance, however I’m always a little jarred out of my enjoyment at the peppering in of hard and fast gender conformity and gendered essentialism, and the use of describing the love interest exclusively with the term ‘male’. It just didn’t work for me any single time it was used, only made me uncomfortable. I’m lost when she describes something like Fox’s lips as looking ‘fresh and male’. I don’t even know what that’s supposed to mean in that context.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for an e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

If you loved It Happened One Summer, you’ll love Hook, Line, and Sinker even more. Once again, we’re in the world of the Bellinger sisters. Where IHOS was flirty and down and dirty, HLAS is a deep, slow burn, and pulls us into their world even further.

I’ll admit that I loved the first book because I’m obsessed with Schitt’s Creek, and how do you not love Piper when she’s based on Alexis Rose? But this book really grabbed at my heart, and I was SO invested in Hannah’s journey, and found myself wishing hard for her HEA.

Any contemporary romance fan *needs* to read this, as well as scoop up the first book, which isn’t necessary to read this, but it does set up some plot lines that get touched on and makes the journey more complete.

This is a wholehearted FIVE STAR read ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️, and it was exactly what my heart needed. The Bellinger sisters will always have a spot on my shelf.

**Many thanks to #NetGalley and Avon for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own.**

i absolutely adored hannah and fox’s relationship and how you can tell they trust and respect each other with everything in their hearts! you could definitely read this novel as a stand-alone but i recommend reading “it happened one summer” first because piper and brendan play important roles in this story. it’s also easier to connect with westport and hannah and fox’s relationship because it picks off where the first novel ended. i loved being transported back to westport and being reunited with all the locals. i enjoyed reading "it happend one summer" but i was much more invested in hannah and fox's romance! they are definitely the stars of this novel and i am so excited they were able to shine in this sequel!

fox is such a dreamy guy and his protectiveness and kindness are definitely top qualities in my book-boyfriend list! i give him and hannah lots of credit for being mindful of each other’s personal lives but right when one of them was ready to make a “big move” life seemed to get in the way at the worst time! yes, this is a slow-burn type of romance novel but i felt like there was a lot of the same "one step forward, two steps back." there were some chapters i found myself screaming in my head, begging hannah and fox to openly communicate lol! it’s clear they both want to make the other happy but something keeps holding back. despite this, i think hannah and fox are an amazing couple! and the epilogue had my heart soaring and whenever i think back about it, i can’t stop smiling. it really brought this series full-circle!

thank you avon books and harper voyager for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review!