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.

LOVED THIS BOOk .. even more than I loved it happened one summer

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4337373450

Wow, just wow.

I loved It Happened One Summer, and what do you know, I loved this one too. Tessa Bailey has a way with characters, romance, and plot. She just knows how to marry them all into one entertaining mass that you just can’t put down.

This book is following Fox and Hannah’s love story. We met them both as supporting characters in IHOS, and while I loved them there, here is where they really shined, where they really became the main characters Hannah kept wanting to become.

Speaking of Hannah, I love her. She really blossoms in this book. I thought she was a well rounded human in the first book, but in this one we learn that she has her own learning/growing to do, just as Piper had before, and I really loved that. Hannah had to learn to be more assertive, to stand up for herself. I think I needed that lesson today. Complacency rarely leads to dreams coming true.

Fox also had a lot of growing to do. He needed to learn to trust himself, and to allow himself to be who he wants to be, not play to others perception of him. He has a lot he has to overcome (including toxic masculinity- like, how did you manage to fit in real life lessons as well as great plot, character development, AND delicious spicy scenes, Miss Bailey? Insane, but sooooo good) but Hannah is there to support him. Not to be a fix for him, as he obviously has to do the work, but to be a loyal friend, confidant, and so much more.

Do you know the miscommunication trope? This book has like the opposite of that. Sure, it might take some time depending on the subject, but our leads communicate and it’s so refreshing. Feelings are shared, assumptions are rarely/briefly made, and ground is covered when they talk. It’s beautiful.

The spice is also beautiful. “Waiting for you is the best I’ve ever had.” AHHHHHH IT’S NOT JUST STEAMY ITS HEART ACHINGLY ROMANTIC. They’re such a comparable pair. It’s definitely a friends to lover book (with a slightly slow burn approach?), which can sometimes be a bit boring, but not here. Here, it’s wonderful. Their love blossoms appropriately and all you can do is feel, laugh, cry and root for them. This is a definite must read, and I’m so glad I got to read it.

Hook, Line, and Sinker follow Hannah who is back in the town of Westport for her job, Where she is a production assistant on a movie. Fox lives in the town and is a fisherman. Hannah and Fox know each other because the summer before Hannah lived in Westport. After Hannah left town she kept in contact with Fox. Fox has no idea that Hannah is going to be coming into town for work. And when he sees her he realizes just how much he missed her. Hannah realizes that she has always had feelings for Fox. But she doesn't want to ruin her friendship with Fox so she keeps her feelings to herself. Soon Fox and Hannah realize that they have feelings for each other. But they don't know if it is the right thing to act upon those feelings. And soon they have to choose between being together or not.

I read this one because I love It Happened One Summer ( that was my favorite summer read of 2021). So when I heard there was a sequel I had to read it. Now if you have not read It Happened One Summer you can still read this book. However, there is so back story to these characters that you would be missing, if you did not read that one first. But if you have read It Happened One Summer you will get more of these characters' stories which I loved. This was such a cute rom-com and such a perfect follow-up book. I loved the characters I loved the chemistry. Also, it talked a lot about music and I loved that since I am also a huge fan of music, I highly suggest reading this one.

Thank you NetGally, Tessa Bailey, and HarperCollins Publishers for the ARC of this one.

This was one of my most anticipated reads of 2022 but unfortunately it was just fine. There wasn't anything wrong with this per se, but it definitely isn't my favorite Tessa Bailey. I didn't feel very invested in Hannah and Fox's relationship and it lacked a lot of the substance and humor from It Happened One Summer. Tbh I also actively hated the epilogue

Eh, I think Tessa Bailey and I just don't see eye to eye on what's sexy or romantic. In both books I've read so far, the dynamic between the love interests is more creepy. So I didn't like this book much, but I think it's more about personal preferences than anything else.

Well, this is Tessa Bailey in her true form! We've got an alpha hero who's damaged and a little broken but absolutely head over heels for the woman he loves. We've got a spunky heroine who is figuring herself out. We've got super steamy love scenes and lots of dirty talk and the kind of feels that just punch you in the heart. I raced through this book because I could not stop reading. I already loved Fox and Hannah, but watching them together really pushed them into favorite couple territory. A delight from beginning to end!

Another fun, sexy book from Tessa Bailey. The follow-up to It Happened One Summer, Hook, Line, and Sinker features the younger Bellinger sister and another drool-worthy king crab fisherman. This was a slow burn (sometimes a bit too slow for my taste), but delivered in the end. I can't wait to read whatever Bailey publishes next!