Hi. I'm Millie and I'm obsessed with Tessa Bailey's romances. Getting to read this early felt like Christmas in October.

Unless you're a Leo, you have probably had times where you felt like the supporting actor or actress in your own story. A big part of my enjoyment of this book was seeing a female character who is trying to find her way in her career and take charge in her own life, instead of just being the best friend and the one in the background, and at the same time, she is supporting and helping someone else see their worth. But the best part is that Hannah doesn't read insecure, clueless, and passionless. (Which is how this could have played out in a more Chick Lit format) She knows she loves music, is good at selecting songs for every mood, wants more for herself in her career, and she pushes herself to get it.

Unless you are Beyonce, you've probably felt a bit of imposter syndrome at some point too. We also get to see the growth that Fox experiences as someone who does not believe he has what it takes to be a leader, have responsibility, and to be a partner, which is not something I think we typically get for male leads. Especially with Tessa Bailey's typically alpha males, they always seem to be sure of themselves and confident, but Fox shows that a lot of times there are feelings under that facade.

Hannah reads very grounded and mature and it was refreshing the way that she considered Fox's insecurities without judgement and allowed the relationship to progress naturally and authentically without a physical aspect. BUT that does not mean it was boring or slow. The tension is constantly building, and there are tons of little moments that will make you swoon. And in true Tessa Bailey fashion, the steam delivers.

If you are a fan of friends to lovers, you will die for this one. I highly recommend starting with Piper and Brendan's story because this book picks up after Hannah and Fox have already established a friendship in the first book that you don't want to miss.

Now I'm just sad there isn't a third Bellinger sister. Westport will hold a place in my heart.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an Advanced Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Hook, Line, and Sinker delivers! Hannah and Fox continue their story after meeting in It Happened One Summer. This story is arguably more about Fox’s character development than Hannah’s, and I was here for it. I enjoyed watching him try to navigate living beyond self-imposed and societal pressures, as Hannah found her footing personally and professionally. I would have enjoyed seeing more of Hannah and Piper together, but overall I really enjoyed this story.

Oh boy did I love so much about this book. It's the perfect friends-to-lovers book. I read it in one sitting - completely devoured the characters, their little town, and the love story between Hannah and Fox. I've already pre-ordered a paperback copy of this because I can't wait to read it again when it's published!

I loved this book! Fox was my favorite he has the purest heart and him and Hannah both learn to overcome their personal hangups! I would definitely recommend this book it is a quick and fun read! I am so jealous of the bellinger sisters that got a sexy fisherman!

Thank you SO SO much to NetGalley for the copy of this eARC in exchange for an honest review. I now forgive the mediocrity of It Happened One Summer because it means that we got to start Hook, Line, and Sinker with phenomenal sexual tension from the very beginning. Having the background story of Hannah and Fox's budding friendship meant we get to jump right into the good stuff. Not only do I enjoy a friends to lovers much more than an enemies to lovers story, but Hook, Line, and Sinker was such a fantastic slow burn that kept me turning the pages until the very end. I am absolutely in love with Hannah and Fox's dynamic. Hannah exhibits absolute queen behavior by refusing to reduce Fox to his sexual value like everyone else in his life has. Fox does the hard work of discovering himself and the value of this relationship by dismantling his previously internalized beliefs. The dual POV gives the reader insight into how hard that struggle is for both of these characters, and I am so thankful for it. This is a beautiful love story, yes, but it is also a hard hitting commentary on toxic masculinity and the sexualization of young boys. Fox comes to value himself and recognize his own worth outside of what he can offer another person sexually, and it is such a beautiful metamorphosis to watch! Hannah is so patient and persistent in pursuing Fox for his personhood, and it is so precious. I smiled the entire time I was reading this book. So heartwarming, SO spicy, such an amazing story of the meaning of love. Highly recommend.

Hannah and Fox? So cute. Loved this book and their story. So much chemistry and Tessa Bailey can write a romance!

I was really excited about this book as a sequel but I was left disappointed. It didn't have as much of the same vibe as the previous book about her sister. The love scenes were not as good and sort of awkward. For most of the book the characters are apart. The ending is also very similar in the crisis element to the first one. I didn't care for it.

Brendan and Piper were a Happily Ever After, but Fox and Hannah are End Game.

That epilogue???? Be still my beating heart. I would love to have this series/setting be twenty books deep. I would never get tired of Westport. I want to be Hannah’s best friend, make fun of the Captain with Fox, and be part of this little town. I never want it to end.

I thought I loved Piper and Brendan from It Happened One Summer. And then I read this book.
I saw myself in Hannah---the supportive one who put everyone else first.

Friends to lovers is my favorite trope, when it's done well. And this book is a masterpiece. The reasons for friendship-only status have merit and meddling to them. For that reason alone I was sold.

Watching these two people fall in love, in ways similar AND different from Piper and Brendan was interesting. The physical chemistry is perfection, for sure. But what struck me from the beginning was the deep emotional connection. They have faith in one another, talk about some really hard things, and they don't give up when things get tough.

It's a strong character driven romance that I'll most definitely read again!

This book,,, dang do I have a lot to say. Overall I would give it a 4/5 stars and here’s why. I loved the way Tessa wrote Hannah and Fox, the way she took their relationship and built on it. I love how she didn’t strey their personality’s from the first book and it all still seemed like the same characters. The build up was amazing and I loved how she built on Hannah’s relationship with Opal. However with all the good comes a few things I didn’t like, I do wish that she had touched more on Hannah’s relationship with her own parents. We definitely saw some character development on Hannah’s side but not as much as I would prefer. (I do love the way she became a leading-lady.) I do wish she touched more on fox and brendens friendship and foundation. Other than a few minor things I absolutely loved the book! Cant wait till it’s out and I can buy the hard copy!!

OMG. Where do I even start???

It Happened One Summer quickly became an all time favorite book and so I, naturally, had very high expectations for this stunner of a book. And it absolutely followed through!!! Just for some insight into my excitement for this book, when I got the notification that I received an arc, I seriously started crying. I kid you not. I was so damn excited!

I guess the easiest way for me to express my deep love for this book and these characters is to break it up by characters. So here we go.

Hannah. Hannah Hannah Hannah!!! My girl. She's absolutely amazing. I have been cheering for this couple to happen ever since Hannah and Fox first interacted in It Happened One Summer because Hannah was a total boss. I've had so much respect for Hannah since the first book with how much she cared for her sister and dealt with situations as they came at her. With her career being in film making, my respect only grew for her with her not wanting to use her step-dad's name to get a high up job. She wanted to earn her way in. Hannah is absolutely phenomenal and deserved everything she wanted. Hannah's passion for music was so beautiful. We get to witness being in her brain and how her entire world is wrapped up in song and lyrics and it was so stunning since I have such an intense connection with music as well. She is loyal, strong, and so kind. She's always been seen as the "side character" in her life and has kind of been used by people and I related to that so much it honestly hurt. But it was so amazing, because there's so many characters in books where they're always so bold and flirty and sassy and always easily able to grab people's attention. I don't relate to that whatsoever. Hannah, the girl who is more of a wallflower and finds it hard to put herself out there in order to be seen? THAT'S who I relate to. And it was so beautiful witnessing her character development as she grows bolder in herself and her identity and finding who she truly is unapologetically.

Fox. My sweet baby Fox. Let me just say, he is such a damn sweetheart. His reputation definitely proceeds him from the first book, but that doesn't even begin to describe anything of real substance with Fox. He sells himself so short and thinks the worst of himself. And it's just so heartbreaking. He's so stubborn and set in the ways of how he views himself and is just so accepting of all the critical words from people that are supposed to care about him and for him. He plays it off like it doesn't reach him, and yet each little jab slices away at him until he feels like nothing. And all I wanted to do the entire book was hug him and protect him at all cost. Fox is so much more than he gives himself credit for. And thank God Hannah sees it and acts as his protector when no on else does. We get to witness Hannah breaking down his walls centimeter by centimeter to give him the confidence he needs and deserves. He is not a damn hall pass. He is worth the time, the energy, the care, and the love. He's worth is all and deserves it all.

These characters absolutely bring out the best in each other. And Hannah FIGHTS FOR HIM. Normally we see the hero fighting hard for the girl, but it was amazing to see the roles reversed. Hannah is one of the most resilient girls and she does it in a way that comes alongside strength, grace, and love. She chooses him and knows he's worth the time and patience it takes for him to realize he is worthy enough of having her in his life.

If you can't tell by the intense amount of ranting I've done about these characters, I absolutely loved this book. I still think It Happened One Summer is my favorite of the two, but it's by the smallest margin because this book blew me away with how incredible it was.

The scenery, just like in the first book, was breathtaking and beautiful and just makes me so happy that I live in Washington so close to this small beach town. The atmosphere was perfectly developed and this story and these characters couldn't have been more perfectly written.


This book also had the most PERFECT ending. That epilogue legit had me crying. Both of those couples deserve the absolute world and it was so amazing to see them together and deliriously happy. I'm never gonna get over these books.

While you can read this book on its own, I highly recommend reading It Happened One Summer first. Not only because of its sheer brilliance, but because you get to see these characters and get a feel for them and it makes the best opening for their story.

*Thank you so much Tessa Bailey and NetGalley for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.*

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC.
-----
Tessa Bailey is one of those authors who could write a shopping list, and I'd read it and give it five stars. I loved It Happened One Summer, and adored Hook, Line and Sinker. I'm beyond thrilled to have been able to read it early.

I'm a sucker for a good friends to lovers story, and this did not disappoint. Fox and Hannah are so fun, and after the tease in the first book, I'm so glad we got this one. As a music person, and someone who loves making playlists, Hannah was quick to become close to my heart. Her love for music, and her ability to weave it into everyday life just made me love her more.

Fox and Hannah's relationship may be cliche, but their story is so good. Their insecurities affect not only themselves, but their relationship, and it's up to them to overcome that to make it out on the other side.

I absolutely devoured this book, I had already fallen in love with Fox and Hannah in "It Happened One Summer' but this book made me fall even deeper. Fox is vulnerable and shy in his growing feelings for Hannah and I loved watching them bring out the best in each other. A truly heartwarming and beautiful love story with just the perfect about of spice and tension between the two.

And that epilogue at the end, oh what joy!

Heartwarming, steamy, and absolutely adorable.

I really enjoyed Hannah as a main character. I think a lot of people will be able to relate to her always feeling like the sidekick and never as the leading lady. I loved seeing her grow and step up to the role of leading lady of her own life, taking on love and new career paths because she knows what she wants and deserves and isn't afraid to go after it anymore.

I also appreciated Fox's storyline, which only proves that toxic/traditional forms of masculinity fails everyone, including the men it's supposed to bolster. It's certainly failed Fox, as everyone in his life put him in the "player/heartbreaker" box very early on in his childhood.

I loved watching their love story unfold and how they would face down their own internal conflict together and come out stronger. The epilogue ten years later was also incredibly cute, and it was great to see Piper and Hannah's new families and where everyone ended up. Overall, I'm so glad I gave this companion series a chance as I highly enjoyed both It Happened One Summer and Hook Line and Sinker. I may have to dive into Tessa Bailey's extensive backlist one of these days!

{Thank you to Avon Books for my gifted review copy.}

I am so sad this book is over! This two book series pretty much sums up what I love about reading- it’s playful, fun, character-driven, and leaves me feeling happier than when I started it.

After reading the prequel, It Happened One Summer, I was excited to see how the stories of Hannah and Fox (best friend and sister to book #1s main characters) unfolded. It certainly didn’t disappoint.

When Hannah returns to Fox’s small fishing town to help with the filming of a movie, she’s reunited with Fox, the town’s notorious ladies man, who adores Hannah, despite his commitment to being non-commital. As their friendship grows and Hannah shows Fox she likes him for reasons that go beyond physical, the story he’s been telling himself for years starts to dissolve.

While this book was entirely predictable, it was also completely perfect. I loved it and look forward to more from this author!

I really enjoyed this follow up to It Happened One Summer, I thought this was a perfect sequel. I didn’t want the exact same story line, nor did I expect that. Hannah and Fox are not the same as Piper and Brendan. But at the same time, you still got the same vibes as the first book, which I really liked. My only issue was that I found Fox to be way too just over the top ridiculous with what he was saying to Hannah sometimes. He is self-proclaimed bachelor, so it made sense why he talked like that. I think if you enjoyed It Happened One Summer, this is must-read.

I didn’t think it was possible to love two Tessa Bailey characters more than I love Brendan and Piper, but I think Hannah and Fox might be my new favorites! Hook, Line, and Sinker had everything that I love in a novel: friends to lovers, amazing banter, sexual tension, and forced proximity just to name a few.

Fox Thornton is the local playboy and definitely plays into his sexy, bad boy reputation. He’s the first one to say that what he’s only good for one thing with women…sex, but finds himself drawn to Hannah Bellinger. He’s never had a friendship with a women before; in fact, it’s been so long since he’s had anything with a woman past a one night stand, but there’s just something about Hannah. Hannah can change his mood from sour to near the happiest he’s ever been with a single text exchange. Hannah Bellinger sees herself as a stand in and never the leading lady, but Fox helps her reveal her inner badass and take chances to get where she wants to be in her career. She’s always been a long term relationship kind of girl, so she thinks it pretty much impossible that she could be with Fox, but Hannah is the only one Fox lets in to see past the playboy image. The line between friendship and more than friends blurs many times throughout the corse of the book, but can they get past their own fears and start a relationship?

I was extremely invested in Hannah and Fox’s characters and relationship! Their witty banter through texts and conversations had me swooning and yelling at them to just be together already! I love a good romance book where there is so much build up and sexual tension building and let me tell you, this book DELIVERED! Hannah and Fox’s relationship was definitely more of a shallow, lighthearted relationship compared to the one Brendan and Piper share, but I still felt so attached to Fox and Hannah’s characters! The best kind of books are the ones where I can’t help but grin from the conversation the characters are having, laugh out loud, and curse at them for being so stupid; this book definitely brought out all of these emotions. It Happened some Summer really brought me into the world of Westport through Piper and Brendan’s eyes, but I loved also getting the chance to see it from Hannah and Fox’s as well.

Tessa Bailey did not disappoint with this book and I will definitely be buying more of her novels! She just has a way of bringing you into Westport and making you feel like you are a part of this world and now I’m just sad I have to leave it. I just wish there was a playlist with all of the songs Hannah references in the novel so I can further my connection with her character! I will definitely be buying a physical copy so I can reread it!

As usual, Ms Bailey creates realistic characters that I really like and find myself routing for. I really loved the music theme running through the novel, and even began asking myself what today's song would be, which was so fun. I rated it four stars because I started to feel like it was a bit predictable toward the middle and end. Overall, an enjoyable read.

10 Stars!
Hook, Line, and Sink Her by Tessa Bailey is pure gold! In a world where a pandemic still rages on it’s nice to escape and that’s exactly what Bailey’s latest book is! I loved getting to read Hannah and Fox’s story! This is the kind of book that instantly puts me in a good mood. I’d say save it for a rainy day, but why deprive yourself of this amazing story? Pre-order it TODAY and thank me later!

okay, i loved this waaaaay more than it happened one summer. i think the friends to lovers trope is what sold it for me, and the banter between these two was so cute. i also loved how much fox and hannah paid attention to each other and always knew when something was wrong—it definitely added in that extra chemistry that would eventually lead to the switching from friends to lovers.

while i did enjoy it, i’m noticing that there seems to be a trend of me feeling like i’m not completely IN LOVE with tessa’s characters. i love fox and hannah (even loved piper and brendan), but it still feels like something is missing in order for me to fully connect to them and i think it’s possibly because sometimes the conflict that the entire story focuses on seems a bit shallow or overly drawn out. this book brought up a lot of good topics (slut shaming, toxic masculinity, etc) but i think it all boils down to me just not loving the way it’s written or developed if that makes sense. like it starts off great but it doesn’t keep me hooked for long.

still think this is a book you should definitely read, especially if you liked it happened one summer. fox and hannah are amazing!

thank you so much netgally for the ARC!