Hannah and Fox’s story was a great utilization of the friends-to-lovers trope and I really loved how Tessa differentiated their journey to love from Brendan and pipers. They were both so lovable and different in their own way! One of my favorite things about Hannah and Fox is their respect for each other and the fact that they believed in each other is much, even more than they believed in their own selves. Both Hannah and Fox suffered from serious cases of imposter syndrome (something I totally understand and sucks so bad) but the beautiful thing about their relationship is they saw each other's potential. They gave each other the confidence and reassurance to strive to be better, take on more responsibility, and rise to every occasion.

I think the most important thing is to go into the story knowing it is very much a Hannah/Fox story and definitely not a Piper/Brendan sequel. Tessa let Hannah and Fox shine and I loved it, finished it in two days! This story will speak to anyone who has experienced any sliver of imposter syndrome or questioned their potential. And how beautiful it is when the exact right person sees through it and chooses to believe in you even when you fail to do it yourself. On top of ALL that, it's a Tessa Bailey book. C’mon- the spice is top tier and she does not let us down! Make sure this book is on your TBR list for 2022 and be on the lookout for its release: 3/1/22

Sequels are notoriously controversial. Will they live up to its predecessor while also stand on its own without belittling it? Well, Tessa Bailey does not disappoint with this installment. She does not leave out Piper and Brendan by seeing the progression of their relationship meanwhile also developing Hannah and Fox to be more well-rounded characters. I absolutely loved ‘It Happened One Summer” but when I tell you that Hannah and Fox tugged at my heart I am not exaggerating. I think what I loved most about this book is how flawed and genuine the characters were.

Hannah struggles with viewing herself as a leading lady and diminishes her spot light to become a supporting actress. Which, as a reader, I felt more of a connection to Hannah than to Piper. I loved reading how both Hannah and Fox encouraged each other to grow, to take risks, and allow each other to be the best version of themselves rather than create a new persona.

I cannot recommend this book enough!

4.5/5⭐️

Maybe it was the jet lag or the emotional damage of the past few weeks… but this book had no business making me cry as much as it did.

I loved Fox and Hannah’s story. I knew I would from the glimpses of it in It Happened One Summer. Tessa Bailey really took the time to craft them—their motivations, their goals, their deepest insecurities. I felt so drawn to the relationship as it progressed, as they learned to unlearn their previous way of living so they could love each other properly. Hannah is a sweetheart and Fox is a softy, end of story. Would 10/10 recommend this one!! Thank you Netgalley for the arc!!

I 100% loved this book! Don’t go into it expecting a fast paced romance like It Happened One Summer. This is more of a slow simmer romance that eventually erupts.

My love for Hannah and Fox is unreal. The way their friendship started and evolved was so beautiful. Hannah nurtured Fox and helped him see he was deserving of love and it broke my heart several times over to see him think he was undeserving.

I think I highlighted three pages worth of steam. It was superb and up to the standard we have all come to expect from Tessa Bailey and her steam novels.

I absolutely loved this book and can’t wait to reread it!

Thank you to Netgalley for this arc. Hook, Line, and Sinker is our March 1, 2022.

What a great read! I read Bailey's previous novel last year and instantly fell in love with the Bellinger sisters and their life and misadventures in LA and Westport. I was so excited to discover that she was bringing Hannah's story to life, and she did not disappoint. This was delightful; a fun and quick read that still had substance and heart. I can't wait to read more from this author!

Book two didn’t disappoint. Their story is slightly more intense, sentimental and heartwarming than I expected. We love the friends to lovers trope.

Absolutely adored It Happened One Summer so I was so excited to get to read this book early- thank you for the ARC!

This book follows the relationship of Hannah and Fox, Piper's sister and Brendan's skipper. It wasn't as fun and light as It Happened One Summer, but I really appreciated the character development and the explanation of both character's qualms about being in a relationship.

Tessa Bailey did not disappoint- once again she delivered a sweet, heartfelt, sexy story set in the beautiful town of Westport.

I just reviewed Hook, Line, and Sinker by Tessa Bailey. #HookLineandSinker #NetGalley

I really enjoyed this book! This is the second (?) book in this series, but you can follow it even if you haven't read the first.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyage for providing this ARC.

Listen, after Fix Her Up and It Happened One Summer, I was convinced I wouldn't ever like Tessa Bailey as an author. There was a way she wrote that I just didn't jive with, and her characterizations were always just a bit off to me. When I submitted my review for It Happened One Summer, I even made a comment about how I gave her two tries and didn't foresee giving her a third. But I am glad I did.

I loved this story. I love Fox and I love Hannah and I love the magic they create together. I felt Fox's very real pain from being mislabeled his whole life and the struggle with shaking that off even when he was desperate to do so. I love Hannah's realness and honesty that finally allowed her to live for herself and her wants, as opposed to being everyone's support. And I loved how these two people came together to help each other move past their doubts and hesitations and really and truly understand their worth as people.

This was a gem of a story. I'm so glad I gave it a chance, even after being let down by this author in the past. If Tessa Bailey keeps publishing more books like this, she'll have a lifelong fan.

STATS:
OVERALL RATING - 5 / 5
CHARACTERS - 5 / 5
WRITING - 5 / 5
PLOT - 5 / 5
SPICE - 🌶️🌶️🌶️

GENRE - Contemporary Romance
PAGE COUNT - 368
RELEASE DATE - 1st March, 2022
PUBLISHER - Avon
FORMAT - Kindle Edition
SERIES - Bellinger Sisters (#2)

"I'm yours and you're mine. So it's always going to be right. I didn't know what right felt like until you. I'm holding on to the good you gave me. I'm holding on to you. I'm in for the good, bad and everything in between, Hannah. Decades. A lifetime. I'm in."
- Fox Thornton, Hook, Line and Sinker by Tessa Bailey

Short back story, I created my whole Netgally account just for this book and when I got approved for it, I've never been happier. So, a friends-to-lovers with music being the driving force of this story, really, what's not to love. This book follows the story of Piper's sister, Hannah, as she tries to make a climb in her career and it just so happens she needs a place to stay but with Brendan's parents in town, she's got no choice but to live in with Fox. Right from the prologue, I immediately knew this book would be it for me. We've got banter, music and tension all wrapped up within our two lovable leads.

What I loved most about this was the character depth. We have Hannah who's known for her notorious and fierce loyalty to anyone she cares about and that remained constant throughout the whole book. I love how loving she was towards Fox, how she welcomed everything about him both the good and the 'bad' and made it her goal to build Fox's self-confidence even if it meant sacrificing her own feelings. She's just that type of person. This book touches upon toxic masculinity and how it ruins ones self-esteem. Aside from the music, this was my favourite aspect. It's a rare topic, usually, we see leads that are confident players but those books never really touch upon how it mentally affects the hero. I love the character development between the two but most especially Fox. He fought his past, fought his beliefs, all of it if it meant that he could have Hannah. It's just touching really, how he's more worried about how Hannah's name would be tarnished if she were to be associated with him.

However, I do wish that we got closure from the other fishermen and Brendan. My poor Fox deserves compensation!!

If I were to explain this story, it would be along the lines of watching two people desperately in love fighting their own inner conflicts. It would be about the hero learning that if he isn't enough for her, he will be.

PROS: Tropes such as Forced Proximity and Friends-to-Lovers; plus it touches upon toxic masculinity (and of course, good spice)
CONS: It's written in the third POV. This doesn't really bother me but I feel that it does for some people
FINAL THOUGHTS: If you've read, It Happened One Summer and is wondering if it's even worth reading the second book, don't question yourself. Just read it. It'll change your perception of people and hopefully realize that words cut deeper than one would assume.
P.S. I hope the epilogue makes you cry just as much as it made me

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martins Press for providing me with this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I’ve read quite a few of Tessa Bailey’s books, and although I’ve enjoyed every one I’ve read, none of them have had that five star favorite quality for me… until now. Hook, Line, and Sinker was the perfect romance for me. I loved everything about Hannah and Fox’s story!

Hannah is Piper’s sister and doesn’t feel like the leading lady in her own life. She’s back in Westport helping with a film and it feels right to be there. Back with her sister, back with Fox. Fox and Hannah became fast friends while she was in town before and have stayed in touch. Fox has a bit of a reputation, but he’s so much more than what he seems.

While in town, Hannah stays in Fox’s spare room. It’s fine… they’re just friends. While Hannah has a little crush on a coworker, Fox decides to help her out by being flirty with her to give a little more attention to her. When that flintiness turns real and real feelings get involved, they both have some big choices to make.

Though I had so much fun reading this one, one of my favorite things about it was seeing the characters so exposed, vulnerable, and unguarded. They really got to know the raw and real heart of each other and though they had mad chemistry, it was that honest heart connection that really did it for me. They both saw a side of each other that others don’t see and the way Hannah stood up for/protected Fox was absolutely everything!

If you enjoy friends to lovers, want a good rom-com with the perfect amount of emotion, and are looking for a sweet and steamy read that’s a lot of fun, pick up Hook, Line, and Sinker. This one completely stole my heart and I can’t recommend it enough!

after reading it happened one summer I was expecting a spicy romance and a few laughs. I can safely say this was not that this overall to me it was more story about personal development between two characters and then finding their way together as friends and as a couple. Unlike in it happen what one summer that story focused more than anything on Pipers growth and her preparation to be in a relationship with Brendan and Brendan's accommodation to his routine in order to be with piper. But but Hannah and foxes story not only touched me in a deeper way but it enthralled me in a way that I could not have anticipated and even deeper than it happened one summer. I think the spice was better I think the plot was better I think the characters of it was what was better both books are fantastic but this one just takes the cake and it definitely has a very special place in my heart and I wasn't expecting the grip that this would have on my heart and my mind definitely cried about six times throughout the book just because of the topics that it touched on. It was a lot deeper than I thought it would be. I think Tessa Bailey didn't incredible job of touching on subjects that aren't really talked about in mainstream media I'm not really even in books which is toxic masculinity generational trauma and just the overall feeling of not feeling like the main character which is a very new and current feeling it is only just now being talked about but it has been around for a while I believe. Feeling like you are the second choice feeling like you are do you know a supporting character to someone else's life and you are not taking control of your own life and your own actions is a very real sentiment as well as imposter syndrome I think it touched very heavily on that which is also important to discuss. overall I really wish I had a copy in my hands because the way that that book we have so many annotations and so many tabs I was highlighting every single line in that book on my phone it's it's incredible it's an amazing story and I cannot wait for readers to have it.

Thank you Netgalley for an e-arc of this book!!!

One of my most anticipated romance books of 2022. This is a continuation of the Bellinger Sisters, who we met in It Happened One Summer but it follows Hannah.

Hannah has an opportunity to revisit Westport (and Fox) again after suggesting the town as an ideal location for the movie she’s assisting with. The change in setting though means she’ll be crashing with Fox for a few weeks until filming wraps, and though they’ve become more like friends over the past few months, their forced close proximity starts to change some things.

This book is sweet, funny, heartbreaking at times, and absolutely sexy. Tessa Bailey is a must-read author for fans of rom-coms.

Oh. My. God. This was everything I hoped it'd be!

I read It Happened One Summer a few months ago and really enjoyed it. However, I fell in love with the idea of Hannah and Fox. So when I found out about Hook, Line, and Sinker -- I had very high hopes. I was not disappointed.

First, I love that Hannah and Fox formed a friendship first. There wasn't any of that insta-love nonsense. It was a realistic, slow burn type of budding romance. Obviously, they were both on the same wavelength but neither wanted to ruin their friendship.

The steamy teasing on Fox's part was . . . well, steamy. I actually enjoy teasing in steamy scenes more than the actual act itself. You could tell that Fox was doing what he was doing because he was trying to put up a safe wall.

That's a major topic point in this book, too. Toxic masculinity. It's covered a lot with how Fox views himself, his relationship with woman, and how everyone perceives him. It got really sad at some point because you could feel the hurt that Fox felt.

I loved everything about this book. Please read it. I promise you'll love it.

If you enjoyed Tessa Bailey's other Bellinger sisters novel, It Happened One Summer, no doubt you will devour this one focused on Piper's younger sister, Hannah, who is MORE than leading lady material. She is fierce, kind, and has impeccable taste in music. And the focus on Fox and his character development throughout this novel not only breaks your heart in half, but also gives pause for how we speak to other and how much weight our words have to the people in our lives.

This beautifully written book will captivate you from beginning to end. After finishing It Happened One Summer a few weeks ago, I was so excited to get to read this one early! The Bellinger sisters have my heart forever. A huge thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

I was super excited for ARC! It was a very feel good story that I needed to read. I loved getting to read Hannah's story. However, I feel like the story had an incredible slow build for a very rushed ending. I would have liked to see it spaced out a little better, but still a great read!

This book had EVERYTHING I wanted and more!! The humor, amazing. The spice, perfection. This book had the perfect friends to lovers story line. I am obsessed!

Fox is Brendan’s friend and shipmate who is known being a ladies man who doesn’t commit. Hannah, Pipers sister, is known for her love of music and lives in LA. When the film she’s working on needs a location, Hannah suggests Westport. Since she left Piper there, her and Fox have been texting. When Piper doesn’t have room for her to stay while filming, they suggest she stay with Fox.

I enjoyed Fox and Hannah’s story more as it was less of the enemies turned lovers and more about internal struggles. Sometimes Fox made me roll my eyes but I kept rooting for him.

Overall this was a fun, sightly less steamy than I remember It Happened One Summer being, but still had some steamy scenes.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins for the eArc.

Hook, Line, and Sinker comes out 3/1!

Fox has a reputation that he’s tried to outrun; it hasn’t worked, so he’s pretty much given up trying to rid himself of his bad boy, only good for sex persona.

The way this plot line came across when I read it was that Fox is a sex addict in serious need of therapy, which comes in the form of Hannah. He doesn’t think he’s worthy of any sort of bond with someone.

I did love Hannah’s character, though. Throughout the novel, she went on her own journey to find herself and stand up for what she wants out of life.

There wasn’t much mention of Piper and Brendan, which was nice because this wasn’t their story, but there was enough of them to bring back the fun of the sisterly bond between Piper and Hannah and the friendship of Brendan and Fox.

While I enjoyed aspects of it, I sadly didn’t enjoy it as much as ɪᴛ ʜᴀᴘᴘᴇɴᴇᴅ ᴏɴᴇ ꜱᴜᴍᴍᴇʀ.

I read It Happened One Summer a few weeks ago and absolutely adored it! I was so excited to get my hands on Hook, Line, and Sinker because I just loved Hannah so much in the first book. Hannah and Fox's friends-to-lovers relationship was so well executed. They truly bring out the best in each other and I love their dynamic so much. I also was so happy to have appearances from Piper and Brendan. Overall this was such an enjoyable read and it left me feeling happy and satisfied. I'm so sad this series is over because I just love these sisters so much but it was wrapped up perfectly.