Hannah Bellinger has a case of the chronic supporting role and Fox Thorton is infamous for his one night stand reputation. With Hannah back at Westport for her job, she finds herself staying with Fox since they’re friends. Right? Debatable. They both allow each other the freedom to be their ideal selves. They find such companionship and joy with each other that it’s hard not to ship them together from the prologue!

Overall, it was such an amazing friends to lovers romance and I am so glad to be immersed back into Westport. Hannah and Fox are both so passionate and truly belong together. Not shocked this book was amazing, Tessa Bailey truly knows how to write the perfect spicy novel with complex characters. Also the ending... was *chefs kiss* PERFECT!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Avon Books for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for sharing my honest review!

Hook, Line, & Sinker

Thank you to @avonbooks and @Netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is my official petition for an entire Westport series - two books are just not enough for this cozy, seaside town full of fun characters! I read It Happened One Summer and, no joke, immediately picked up this book because I needed more of Piper, Hannah, and the gang.

This book follows Hannah's story, who we met in IHOS. It was clear in the first book that Hannah and Fox would make a great match, and this friends to lovers romance played out perfectly and so sweetly. Hook, Line, & Sinker definitely works as a standalone novel, and is full of a slow burn "will they won't they" attraction. I'd rate this moderate on the steam scale, and it worked well with the story so it didn't come across as forced.

Full review to come on Bookstagram.

I could tell there was something there between Hannah and Fox while reading IHOS. I was so excited to dive into this book and find out what it was! Even though they're just friends, they could not stay away from each other and always got pulled back to one another. I'm not usually a friends to lovers girl (give me enemies to lovers!!!) but omg this book was so cute!! I loved watching them realize their feelings for each other while independently growing as people. I loved this book so much but I will say, IHOS is still my favorite! And now I want a Fox!

If you enjoyed It Happened One Summer, you will undoubtedly adore Fox and Hannah’s story! I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley, and I am so happy I did!

This friends-to-lovers story was raw and vulnerable. I loved the feministic themes about breaking down toxic masculinity and fostering empowerment. Fox and Hannah’s relationship was developed so beautifully! And, of course, Tessa Bailey’s spice scenes were definitely worth the build-up!

I also loved getting to see Brendan and Piper’s relationship progress throughout the book since I fell in love with their story in It Happened One Summer!

Be sure to pick up this book when it comes out in March! You won’t be disappointed! :)

A review was also posted on my Goodreads account (@megbooks02) and on my Tiktok page (@megbooks01)!

Bellinger Sister #2, Hannah, is back in Westport with her film crew co-workers. She's there, trying to be "leading lady" stuff and move up the ranks in regards to music. Bonus: she is staying in Fox's guest room since Piper's in-laws are in her guest room. The time with Fox really allows Hannah to get to know him-- and his hang-ups-- better. They get along so well, that they should probably try the whole relationship thing, right? :)

I don't know how Bailey does it: fresh takes on emotional growth, fresh conflicts, fresh sexy times, and fresh keep-the-pages turning magic, but she does. I loved this one!

I really liked It Happened One Summer, and was excited to read about Fox and Hannah, so I was therefore psyched to get an arc of this one...but I just did not feel it. I loved the whole "supporting role" thing (felt on a deeply emotional level) but I found myself skimming most of this book. I just was not invested at all. The characters felt different to me than the characters we met in In Happened One Summer. Still an enjoyable read, but not what I was hoping for.

I am obsessed with this series. I loved the first book and I think I loved Hook, Line and Sinker even more! I need more of this charming town!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Avon and HarperVoyager for this ARC!!

Immediately right off the bat I HAVE to praise this book. This has to be the first romance book that I have read where it is the male love interest instead of the woman dealing with some internal struggle.

I often read about the male love interest helping our female protagonist grow, so to read a story in which those roles are reversed was very refreshing.

In this story we have one of our main characters, in this case Fox, struggling with this internal sense of self identity and worth due to the toxic role that society and those closest to him have expected him to play. I feel that when you are writing a story with a conflict such as this that is important that you do not make this something Hannah tries to “fix” about him.

Throughout the story, Hannah does not give off any “I can fix him” which I believe is incredibly important. Instead, her character merely shows Fox that she is there and will remain there which is her way of showing support while he battles with his own issues.

That being said I do think that there were times — granted very few — where Hannah comes across as trying to therapize Fox. I didn’t really love that part, but I will say that Fox does bring it up one and then she never does so again.

Overall, the story had me hooked instantly. I completed devoured the story in a few short days. The characters were entertaining with chemistry and sexual tension that took over the entire page so much it was palpable.

Thank you again for honoring with an Arc to this book. It was amazing!

Earlier this year I read and loved Tessa Bailey's 'It Happened One Summer' and I was excited to read Fox and Hannah's story.

Fox and Hannah met a summer ago and have developed a genuine friendship over months' worth of texting and sharing music recommendations. When Hannah's job takes her back to Washington, they suddenly are forced to deal with their growing attraction and feelings for one another.

Hannah has never seen herself as what she calls a "leading lady" and has always been afraid to go after what she wants and Fox has allowed other people's opinions about his character to not only affect the way he views himself, but also dictate the way he behaves. Fox's insecurities lead to a few bumps in the road, but Hannah was steadfast once she realized her feelings for Fox were more than just friendship. It was nice to see these two get their happy ending and the epilogue was especially sweet. As an added plus we catch small, but cute, glimpses of Brendan and Piper.

Usually enemies-to-lovers is my absolute favorite romance trope, but 'Hook, Line and Sinker' was a friends-to-lovers story that really delivered all the goodness and it's a story that all romance readers will enjoy.

I want to thank NetGalley and Harper Collins for the advanced copy of “Hook, Line, and Sinker”!
I loved “It Happened One Summer” and I was so excited to get Hannah and Fox’s story. When we met Fox last, he was Brendan’s swoon-worthy friend with a lady’s man reputation he seemed to own. However, in this book, we learn that Fox’s character runs a lot deeper. His back story is original and it shows that even men can be put into a specific box that focused mainly on his promiscuity even though he wanted so much more.
Hannah was a great character who desired to have that main character, leading lady vibes. Fox brings that out of her in her career and her love life. I appreciated the dynamic between the two and how they both helped each other to step out and towards greater things.
This book was so fun! Tessa Bailey never disappoints!

dnf at 55%

After many attempts I finally have come to accept the fact that Tessa Bailey is simply not the author for me and I cannot bring myself to finish this.

*Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.*

Hannah Bellinger has always seen herself as the supporting character. Whether she is helping her sister renovate their father’s old bar or content to work as an invisible PA for the director she is helplessly crushing on, Hannah is content with living life in the shadows of others.

Fox Thornton has lived in the shadow of his father’s philandering ways. Nobody expects him to be any different and, rather than prove them wrong, Fox has given into the expectations of his family and friends.

But after a summer of developing a steady friendship with each other, Fox and Hannah both find themselves struggling to overcome the roles they have played in their own lives.

Set seven months after It Happened One Summer, Fox and Hannah find themselves thrust together once more when Hannah returns to Westport to shoot a movie. Slowly, the friendship that the two have established over seven months of daily texting builds into something much more.

This is my third book by Tessa Bailey and holy cow does this woman know how to write a romance! I fell in love with Fox and Hannah’s characters in It Happened One Summer and couldn’t wait to read their story. Hook, Line, and Sinker did not disappoint. The simmering flirtation that developed in IHOS gets turned up to a boil in HLS. The intense chemistry between Fox and Hannah is simply stunning.The complexity of each character pairs well with the other.

And the slow burn! Oh boy the slow burn that teases the reader up until the very end and then BAM! Inferno! Tessa Bailey can write the hell out of a sex scene and I am HERE FOR IT!

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.

This was very good, though not quite as good as the first. I did really enjoy Fox and Hannah's relationship development, and Tessa Bailey always strikes the right notes of funny and silly paired with romance for me.

I was "hooked" immediately with this follow up and was so excited to get my hands on a copy. Tessa Bailey did not disappoint. This book follows Hannah Bellinger and Fox Thornton where we left off with Hannah going back to LA, while her sister, Piper stayed in Westport. Hannah and Fox have become fast friends via texting, but is there more to them than friends. Hannah still has feeling for her director and Fox seems to have turned a corner on his player days. Hannah has the idea to film the movie she is working on in Westport, where she will room with Fox. Can they remain friends, or is there much more to their relationship.

I loved this book. I couldn't put it down. The chemistry between them is off the charts and reader will definitely want to know where they end up.

Like with most of Tessa Bailey's books the book is so much more than the cover implies that it will be. Hence the old saying don't judge a book by its cover. With the covers you expect chick lit but the story is so much deeper than that. Her characters have depth and tackle tough issues. I like that in her writing. And I look forward to more books by her.

Tessa Bailey is back and better than ever. I count down the days to each of her new books and this series has been a home run. Fans from way back when and those here for Bailey's new cover treatments will all love HOOK, LINE, AND SINKER.

I read It Happened One Summer back in September and when I heard Hannah and Fox were getting a book I got so excited. I don't normally like slow burn books but this book made it worth it. I loved how Fox and Hannah connected throughout music. Fox helped Hannah put herself out there while producing a movie. Thanks to him she was able to help with the soundtrack of the movie. I also loved how Hannah was able to finally feel close to her father throughout the songs he wrote. I honestly didn't like how at a young age people including his mother made him out to be like his father. It was so sad to see what he went through during high school and college. I'm so glad Hannah and Fox found each other. They're perfect for each other.

This was not my first Tessa Bailey book so I had an idea of what to expect- but this one seemed different to me than her others. It was still spicy but instead of the spice starting early in the book, it came later. This book did a great job of truly developing the relationship between the Hannah and Fox, and I really enjoyed it!

I hope more are to come in this series!

I read this book in 24 hours. I absolutely loved this book. I loved Piper’s story, and now to get Hannah’s was just as good. This was the perfect read right after It Happened One Summer. Hannah and Fox’s story is very unique and their banter had me laughing out loud. Their romance was intense, like whoa. My favorite part was not only watching them grow together, but more watching them grow separately. Tessa Bailey did a great job of giving Hannah and Fox their own story and mending it together in the end. Im so excited to recommend this to my friends when it comes out in March. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for accepting the eArc request for an honest review!

I am now hooked on Tessa Bailey books!! This was everything I wanted it to be and more! I loved the chemistry between Hannah and Fox, and I loved the push and pull of the relationship. This would not have been the same if this were told solely from Hannah's perspective, so thank you Tessa for giving us Fox's voice! I thought this was perfectly paced, the build up to the steamy scenes did not let me down!

Thank you for that epilogue! I now want a book out of that last chapter! It was the perfect wrap-up to the Bellinger sisters stories!

Thank you Avon and Netgalley for letting me read this book early!! Can't wait to tell everyone to read this book this Spring!