I loved this even more than the first in the series. The characters were wonderfully developed and I loved the relationship that they built throughout the book. The build was slower, more authentic and raw. It was just so good!

I absolutely loved “It Happened One Summer” and was so excited to read fox and Hannah’s story — and it definitely did not disappoint! I loved their banter, their friendship, the forced proximity. It was steamy, sweet, and even tackled serious topics like imposter syndrome and toxic masculinity. Thanks NetGalley for the ARC and thank you Tessa Bailey for giving us Fox, Hannah, Brendon and Piper!

Hook, Line, and Sinker by Tessa Bailey is the second book in her Bellinger Sisters series and can be read as a stand-alone, however, it’s best to read these in order. I knew from the first pages, where the two main characters are texting each other that I would love this book. And I will say I just loved this delightful, sexy, romance.

Hannah is a lowly production assistant in Los Angeles with aspirations to work on movie musical scores. She has a crush on her director Sergei, but he hasn’t noticed her in the two years they’ve been working together. When he doesn’t like the location of the current movie he’s woking on, Hannah suggests they move the location to Westport, WA, which coincidentally is where her sister now lives with her fiance Brendan.

King crab fisherman Fox Thornton has quite a reputation for always having a good time. Growing up in Westport, he always had a way with women, and his reputation was justly earned. But when he met Hannah, last summer, he wanted more with her, even if he knew he could never have it. Nobody wants to risk a relationship with a ladies man. But, when she returns to work on the movie and she happens to move into his spare room, will their decision to stay friends work in such close quarters?

I recently saw a meme that said “The problem with a good book is you want to finish the book, but you don’t want the book to end.” And that’s exactly what I thought of this book. This slow burn, friends to lovers romance was a joy to read.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a fun, sexy romance. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

And just like that, there’s a new favorite couple in Westport, sorry Piper and Brendan. This friends to lovers story is going to warm your heart. Fox and Hannah are such a special pair. I loved how hard Hannah fought to show Fox he was worth more than his demons. And sweet, sweet Fox. I have a feeling everyone who meets him is going to fall head over heels in love with him. I am obsessed with the perfection that is this story. I absolutely adored how music brought them together too. I loved how fiercely Hannah stood up for what she believed in, and I loved the moments of realization from secondary characters as well.

10/10. Be sure to read the Bellinger sisters series!

I loved this book! It was more of a slow burn then “It Happened One Summer” which was perfect for the characters of Fox and Hannah. The beginning of the book was absolutely perfect with the text conversations between Hannah and Fox. It felt more realistic to read those conversations rather than having a chapter trying to explain their friendship over the last seven months since the ending of “It Happened One Summer”. The palpable chemistry in this book is phenomenal and it made the story fly by. Hannah and Fox both have so much depth to them. The entire book is focused on pushing yourself to take risks, even when it's scary. Whether that's job related, relationship related, it was a wonderful lesson to impart. This story is so well done. Absolutely loved everything about it. I loved how Hannah really did her best to try and make Fox feel like he could be safe with her and never have to feel like his feelings were invalid and that he was worthy of love and a relationship. I loved how she stood up to anyone who made him feel less than. I also loved how Fox just understood exactly how Hannah was and liked her just the way she is and all the sweet ways Fox showed Hannah his feelings for her without actually confessing them to himself. Tessa Bailey really nails the friends to lovers vibe. Fox and Hannah are such fantastic supporters of each other. Their foundation as friends really shined through when they'd easily recognize that the other still had a lot on their mind. They were open enough with each other to talk things out constantly, no matter how difficult the subject. This relationship built slowly and felt realistic, from progressing from everyday text messages to being thrown into being roommates while her sister's future in-laws are in town, to developing and recognizing the feelings that had been there since the moment they met, but were ignored. My favorite thing is that there was no stupid, dramatic fight that makes the couple break up for the sake of a climatic point in the plot. Any arguments that are had are reasonable and real. The emotional journey throughout this book was so well done. The dual POV was so wonderful and necessary to see the internal struggles and self-doubt Fox dealt with and it’s always so nice to get both POVs of the MC’s.

I’m a major fan of Tessa Bailey’s writing style and how she develops her characters. She also does an incredible job of making a book feel wholesome and adorable while also creating chemistry that is off the charts. This was the perfect ending to this duology that I’m completely in love with. I think “Hook, Line and Sinker” is my favorite of the tw0. As much as I adored Brendan and Piper’s story, I LOVED Hannah and Fox’s, and THAT epilogue!!! I had tears in my eyes from happiness and laughter while reading it. I loved that it tied both Piper and Hannah’s stories together. I’m so sad that the Bellinger sisters duology is over, but I love how it ended! This book has further cemented the fact that Tessa Bailey is now one of my favorite romance authors and I cannot wait to see what she comes out with next. Thank you NetGalley, Harper Collins and Avon Books for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Hook, Line, and Sinker might just be one of the best romances I have ever read. This friends to lovers love story is so romantic and emotional and honest and funny. Following Piper’s sister Hannah from It Happened One Summer (one of my top 2021 reads too) and fisherman Fox, the story picks up some time after Piper’s story. Hoping to find a way to make herself a leading lady of her own life, Hannah gets her production crew to film their next movie in Westport, bringing her closer to not only her sister but charming, playboy Fox, who she’s started a budding friendship with, and to make it better, with Piper’s guest room unavailable, Hannah becomes Fox’s roommate. Their friendship is so wonderful. I loved the playfulness and flirting of their texts and I loved their growth together. Fox is amazing. His vulnerability is so sexy, and I just want to hug him after all the toxic masculinity he faces he faces. What I loved too beyond the romance too is Fox and Hannah are genuinely good friends. They work hard to be there for each other, fighting their desires to help the other. But wow their chemistry is just perfection. And Hannah—I mean she’s just incredible. She puts so much work into herself and into the relationships she has. She’s smart and bold, but also has a lot of her own insecurities she struggles with. But she goes for what she wants and she’s so admirable as a character. I devoured this book. I was tearing up, I was laughing, and I was smiling so hard. It’s steamy and thoughtful and just everything a romance should be! I’d give it more than 5 stars if I could. Such a pleasure to read this book!

This book was fun and light. It was a good escape. Friends to lovers, mutual pining, yelling at the book to get together already - in a good way.

But mainly I like that this book can focus on serious topics while also being fun. Fox’s story broke my heart. Children should not have to be born with expectations, constantly having these expectations being pushed on them, and then having people claim they were “right” when they start to meet these expectations. If you sexualize an elementary school age child, they’ll take that information and feel like that’s who they should be. And that’s what happened with Fox. Before he was even a teenager he was expected to be this playboy heartbreaker. So, because that’s what was expected of him that’s who he became. I loved how he overcame that. He deserved to grow up in an environment where he could’ve been whoever he wanted.

And Hannah dealt with imposter syndrome during this book, also an important topic. She had to prove to herself and everyone else that she deserved to move up the ranks and that she had what it takes to do her dream job.

I do wish the epilogue took place a little earlier, rather than a decade later, but it didn’t diminish the impact at all. I’d recommend this for my romance girlies when it comes out.

5/5 Yes! Best follow up possible to Tessa Baileys “It Happened One Summer”. I just finished this book a few minutes ago and already, ready to reread it. I just when I think Captain Brendan is my type of man, Fox comes in and steals my heart.

Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager and Netgalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Lemme just start this review off by saying I LOVED THIS BOOK!! I loved Fox and Hannah in It Happened One Summer so I was happy when I heard they were getting their own book in order for their relationship to blossom. Hannah and Fox's story was more emotionally gripping to me compared to Piper and Brendan's relationship in IHOS. At first, I was a little thrown off by the slow-burn pace of their relationship. Usually, in Tessa Bailey's books she gets straight to the action. But then I realized what emotions were at stake. It made me appreciate the slow-burn tension between Hannah and Fox even more. And lemme tell ya, it was worth the wait!

I will always be a fan of friends to lovers. There was so much tension and angst from page one! Hannah and Fox both had beautiful character arcs. I was so invested in both of their storylines. Overall, Hook, Line and Sinker was a book filled with love, bravery, and what it means to be vulnerable with those who mean the most to you.

I was so excited to read this book. I absolutely loved It Happened One Summer, and the sequel did NOT disappoint! I went into this book knowing it would be sweet and romantic and 🌶spicy 🌶. Not only was it all of those things, but it also had an emotional depth that I was not expecting. I used to think of Fox as a playboy side character, but by the end of his incredible arc, I love him even more than Brenden (blasphemy, I know!) There was such a deep message about toxic masculinity, all the ways that women and men internalize it, and how deeply it shapes men's sense of self and their worth.

I loved Hannah's character so much–she is so different from Piper and is every bit as smart, funny, kind, and interesting. The slow burn romance and personal growth before her and Fox is perfect.
I'll definitely be rereading this when it's released this spring. ❤️ My only wish is that there was more one on one time with Piper and Hannah!

I think readers of It Happened One Summer will love this story as it explores people they already know, but it can definitely be read as a standalone as well! I loved Fox and Hannah's growth throughout this and the banter was a 10/10! I love that they didn't let miscommunication be an obstacle and that things were pretty much on the table for the most part. Definitely had great spicy scenes with enough heart that I genuinely cared about the characters.

Would recommend to any romance readers out there!

This sequel does not disappoint. I love the first book in this series, but Hannah is even more approachable and relatable. I want to be her friend. Fox and Hannah’s banter is delightful. I appreciate the importance shown towards self reflection and believing in one’s self-worth in this book.

You don’t absolutely need to read “It Happened One Summer” first, but I’d highly recommend it.

Essentially, if Tessa Bailey writes a book, I’ll be read it and probably love it.

After reading It Happened One Summer, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this book. The beginning starts off with text messages between our main characters Hannah and Fox and I mean come on, it was just soooo cute I was instantly sold on the book.
I was super excited about this book because Hannah was my favorite character in the first one. I loved that she was always there to offer some advice or a song recommendation if Piper needed but I always wanted to know more about her. I loved that we got to get inside her head and understand her more. And I mean come on who didn’t wanna know more about Fox too! Turns out the hot playboy has major issues none of us could’ve seen coming, I really felt for the man. Whereas Brendan was Pipers steady rock in the first book, Hannah was Fox’s steady rock in the second book and honestly it was a nice change. I enjoyed being able to watch these characters grow and find healing, acceptance and ultimately love.
Now while I love almost everything about this book I will say that the pacing felt a little slow. I feel like whereas the first book was fast paced this one seemed to drag a bit at times.
Nonetheless, I loved this book and I will be singing its praises for months to come.

I absolutely adored this book! After devouring It Happened One Summer last year, I was thrilled to get a chance to read Hook, Line, and Sinker early. It lived up to my expectations and then some! Bailey is an auto-buy author for me and this absolutely solidified that. Hannah and Fox’s relationship was so layered and real, and I love both of these characters so much.

Hook, Line and Sinker by Tessa Bailey was a steamy friends to lovers romantic comedy. Hannah and Fox met in a previous book, It Happened One Summer. I had not read that book and didn’t feel like I missed anything from Hannah and Fox’s perspective. Even though from the reviews highly recommend It Happened One Summer also.

Hannah and Fox met and became friends and communicated through text for the last six months. Hannah is back in town and is staying with Fox while her company is filming. There were some fun scenes with them both being in the same apartment.

I liked the fact that they had become friends remotely and were not just a hook up. I wasn’t expecting the serious nature of Fox’s childhood issues.

Sexual content - 4
Drinking 2
Language 4

I wanted so much to love this book--I had a lot of fun reading IT HAPPENED ONE SUMMER (the first in this series), and I liked two of its side characters even more than the mains: Piper's music-obsessed sister, Hannah, and fisherman Fox Thornton. Unfortunately, Fox and Hannah in HOOK, LINE, AND SINKER didn't *quite* live up to their promise in book one for me.

Starting with the good: I loved Hannah's relationship to music, and the journey she goes on not just professionally, but in grappling with her (lack of) connection to the deceased father she never knew. The plot climax around her job (no spoilers, but it's music-related) was SUPER cool, and I wished so much there was audio to go along with it! I also thought Bailey did an exceptional job drawing together the various threads of Hannah's goals and wishes and emotional alienation from her father and his legacy and what he'd meant to the town.

Fox's emotional throughline, on the other hand, felt convoluted and didn't quite track. He's a wildly attractive man in a high-paying and respected "masculine" profession who has always had his pick of women for one night stands or <other>--in a society which rewards men for those things endlessly!!--and we're supposed to believe he . . . isn't respected by his fellow crew members for this? That he, in fact, has an enormous complex around it? UMMMM. Are Tessa Bailey and I living in the same patriarchy??

Also, I could've died happy without ever seeing the phrase "the maestro of feminine wetness" in print.

So, super hard to star-rate this one. It had so much good! But then also some bewildering near-dealbreakers..

If you are like me and haven’t read It Happened One Summer, you should read it before reading this book. No, it is not absolutely necessary but it definitely makes you feel at a loss for not reading it. I jumped right into the game with Hook, Line and Sinker but still really liked it. The Bellinger sister’s are just two LA girls taking over a small town outside of Seattle. Piper met Brendan in the first book and apparently blew his socks off, because they are now engaged as of the second book. Hannah, the younger of the sister’s, meets Fox, Brendan’s lifelong friend and coworker, in the first book and they immediately hit it off. Fox, the constant ladies’ man, quickly falls for Hannah but what follows is 7 months of text messages and platonic fun. Until that is, she comes back to the small town of Westport. Was this my favorite book ever? Definitely not, but it was short and sweet.

ARC provided by the author and Netgalley for an honest review!

Tessa Bailey has done it again! I loved IT HAPPENED ONE SUMMER -- it was one of my favorite releases of 2021, and unsurprisingly, HOOK, LINE, AND SINKER has quickly made my list of favorite books of 2022. I loved the romance between Fox and Hannah -- it was just as steamy and endearing as Piper and Brendan's romance.

Hook, Line, & Sinker! My first book of 2022 and it did not disappoint!

Tessa Bailey, my queeennnnnn, has done it again.

I was a little thrown before starting this book because I had heard that some were saying it wasn’t that good compared to It Happened One Summer. And I’m here to DISAGREE! Like whattttt, did we read the same book!?? I flipping loved it, legit just as much as Piper and Brendan’s story. I honestly can’t pick between them. They are equals!

Soooo anyways…

Hannah & Fox meant the summer before when her sister, Piper, got them whisked off to Westport after partying a little too hard and landing in jail. Fast forward to 7 months later…. The company Hannah works for is going to be filming a movie in Westport. Hannah can’t stay with her sister and ends up crashing with Fox at his apartment. Fox was told to mind his manners with Hannah due to his bad reputation as a player. As their story unfolds, Hannah peels back his layers and the true Fox is revealed and so is his love for Hannah.


The steam, the romance, the lifting each other up….. it’s everything y’all! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!!!

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon for letting me scoop this up for an honest review! This book will be released on March 1st, 2022. Go preorder it now! You won’t regret it!

3.5 stars

I think I went in with my expectations a little too high ... and maybe it's because I've read so many 4 and 5 stars lately, but this one kind of missed the mark for me. The pacing felt off and I wish there was a little more communication between the MC on how they were feeling (they were pining for each other from day 1).

Loved the characters though! I think a lot of readers will relate with Hannah and she may even give you the courage to be the "leading lady" in your life. Plus she seems like such a cool chick with an awesome job and great taste in music. And Fox's character was something different and refreshing that I haven't seen in another romance. Readers that appreciate depth and character development in their romance will really enjoy this one.

If the banter and pacing had been a tad better, I think I would have enjoyed it more! (and maybe part of it is my fault since i went in waiting for the steam and it does hit until 60% or so into the book)

Thank you Avon Books and Netgalley for providing this arc in exchange for an honest review.