Tessa Bailey is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors! I loved the first book in the series so much and I am so glad to get Fox’s story in this one! The way this book starts off of the texting banter is priceless! There’s way more to Fox’s character than meets the eye and it is so fun to see that play out in this adorable laugh out loud, witty, joyful romance. And of course I love any talk about captains and beaches and sailing!!!!

Great book. I really enjoyed the storyline and the cover! I can’t wait to read more from this author.

This is my new favorite steamy series! Tessa Bailey brings it again in the followup to the fantastically hot "It Happened One Summer." In this 2nd installment, we find Piper's sister Hannah breaking down the assumed-perpetual-bachelor Fox's walls and resolve. It is SO freaking hot and steamy and filled with pining and yearning and frustration...and respectable boundaries with fantastic consent discussions. I love their bond through music and shared loss and disappointment. Their journey is so sticky-sweet! The epilogue is EVERYTHING, and I'm only sad that there aren't more Bellinger sisters to continue this series.

Thanks to Avon for the advanced read in exchange for my honest review!

Ahhhhh I love this series, and this one did NOT disappoint. I LOVE how Fox and Hannah compliment and read the other so well. They know when it's time for honesty, and time to lay off and give the other time to think. Their chemistry is off-the-charts, and I was HERE for it. I read this within a 24 hour period, and I'd do it again. Amazing 2nd book from this series from Tessa Bailey!

I normally prefer enemies to lovers but this friends to lovers romance had some of my favorite EtL hallmarks. There was one sided pinning, thoughtful gifts, and woven throughout was thoughtful commentary on societal views of male sexuality. It was thought provoking, steamy, and downright fun! My only disappointment was that there are only 2 Bellinger sisters!

✨Hook, Line and Sinker by Tessa Bailey(Bellinger Sisters #2)✨

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 400
Pub Date: March 1, 2022

📚 King crab fisherman Fox Thornton has a reputation as a sexy, carefree flirt. Thats’s how he prefers it until he meets Hannah Bellinger. She’s immune to his charm and looks, but she seems to enjoy his personality and wants to be friends. But he likes her too much to risk a fling, so platonic pals it is.

Now, Hannah's in town for work, crashing in Fox’s spare bedroom. She knows he’s a notorious ladies’ man, but they’re definitely just friends. In fact, she's nursing a hopeless crush on a colleague and Fox is just the person to help with her lackluster love life. Armed with a few tips from Westport’s resident Casanova, Hannah sets out to catch her coworker’s eye… yet the more time she spends with Fox, the more she wants him instead. As the line between friendship and flirtation begins to blur, Hannah can't deny she loves everything about Fox, but she refuses to be another notch on his bedpost.

📝Fox and Hannah were fun to read about. This book focuses on what it means to be the support instead of the main character. Both Hannah and Fox seem to feel that way about themselves in comparison to Piper (Hannah’s sister) and Brendan (Fox’s captain).

The troupe is friends to lovers. The interactions were very angsty which, in my opinion, makes romance books so much better.

I started this without having read the first part of the duology “It Happened One Summer” but it didn’t impact my understanding of this storyline. However, it also means that I can’t really compare both books, but reading this made me interested in Piper and Brendan’s story.

For more reviews, follow me @literaturewithalatte
💫Thanks to @netgalley and @avonbooks for my ARC💫

Y’all. THIS BOOK. THIS is the reason that romance novels are beloved by so many people. Bailey’s ability to craft an excellent romance is truly one-of-a-kind. I’ve honestly never seen her equal. The boys of Westport are giant cinnamon rolls, so not falling in love with them wasn’t an option. Especially when Fox finally admits to others—although it’s been pretty clear to him for a while—that he’s been sitting in his apartment for over 6 months, celibate, and hopelessly pining for Hannah. GAAAAHHHH. My heart can’t take it. Insta-love is my fave romance trope, and this book didn’t disappoint. AND THE EPILOGUE?!?!?!? Holy crap. The epilogue made my chest feel like it was swelling until it just wanted to burst. Just thinking about it now has me in tears. Another perfect novel from Tessa Bailey. I can’t ask for anything more in a romance—it’s perfection. *chef’s kiss*

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for an arc.

I enjoyed this book a lot more than It Happened One Summer. I only gave that a 3, and this was no doubt a 5. And, as someone who doesn't love friends to lovers (most of the time), I adored Hannah and Fox's romance. Although I wasn't expecting it to be as slow of a burn as it was, that made it even better.

I loved how there wasn't any miscommunication. That is one of my least favorite tropes along with Instalove, and I'm beyond happy it wasn't in here,

Another thing I love in books is when the couple has a "you're the only one who truly understands me" relationship, and that's exactly what Hannah and Fox have. It warmed my heart every time they opened up to one another, and I adored how music connected them.

Overall, I gave this book a 5/5. Their relationship was everything I wanted and more, and I can't wait to get a physical copy in March.

I absolutely loved Piper and Brendan's story in It Happened One Summer, and I am so glad that Hannah and Fox got their own story in Hook, Line, and Sinker. I will come right out and say that I enjoyed It Happened One Summer a little more than Hook, Line, and Sinker, but I still enjoyed it a lot. I liked that we kind of got to see what Piper and Brendan were up to, and see what was going on with the mysterious Fox, and why he has a reputation for a playboy and why he really doesn't want to captain his own ship. I liked that we got to go back to Westport, and check in with some of the locals, like Opal, and see how the girls' bar was doing. One of the things that I didn't like so much about Hook, Line, and Sinker was how much of a slow burn it was. I wanted to yell, "OMG JUST KISS ALREADY!!" It seemed like every time Hannah and Fox got close to revealing their feelings for each other or showing each other any kind of intimacy, something happened where they broke apart and then stopped. A little tension and build up is nice, but after awhile, I need some payoff. I thought that Fox was very romantic, and loved the whole falling in love with the younger sister trope. I also liked that we got quite a bit of backstory on Fox, and can we talk about how he had a record player with records he was accumulating in secret for Hannah? That was totally swoon-worthy. I am already looking forward to the next book by Tessa Bailey, and this is a series I will recommend to anyone who loves a good romance!

Tessa Bailey has just written a beautifully insecure, vulnerable, strapping, seductive hero I’ve ever read. On top of that, she’s written a heroine I just related too better than any other heroine I’ve ever read. TEN OUT OF TEN. Give this woman any award she applies for.

Seriously. Fox and Hannah. Deserve. Everything.

THE EPILOGUE WAS EVERYTHING. EVERYTHING. 😭

I wish I had a more eloquent way to describe how good this book is ❤️.

You knows it’s a good book when you finish it in under 20hrs! What a fabulous follow up to the first in this series (which I did not care for). This story follows Hannah & Fox as they embark on a long-distance friendship which evolves into one of the greatest slow burn romances I’ve read in a while. Whew! I was rooting for them the whole way!

These two characters had more depth and dimension than Piper/Brendan. I greatly enjoyed how they pushed each other to overcome their struggles/limitations and I just loved the incorporation of music into this story.

Sincere thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH WITH MY WHOLE HEART! Posted a few videos of it on my tiktok already! Fox Thornton climbed his way up to the number one spot in my heart I love him so much and I love the way fox and hannah’s relationship developed gradually throughout the book

Tessa Bailey knows how to write a steamy romance! I loved the small coastal town setting, and the main characters' professions felt unique for this genre as well.

What a great follow up to It Happened One Summer!! After getting a sneak peak of Hannah and Fox, I already knew that Hook, Line, and Sinker would be the friends to lovers book I needed!
Hannah and Fox have amazing chemistry as friends from the beginning, but when they’re forced into close proximity, the slow burn between the two of them is *chefs kiss*.
Hannah and Fox each have a tendency to underestimate themselves, which is why it’s so satisfying to see them grow as individuals and as a couple. Their relationship has great spice and tension, but they also connect on an emotional level that will make your heart feel all warm and fuzzy.
“There was no helping it. She felt like the sunrise coming up over the water after a bad storm.”
Ugh, I wish I could forget this entire book and experience it all over again! Overall, I absolutely loved seeing Hannah and Fox’s story unfold. The epilogue was EVERYTHING I wanted to wrap up the story of the Bellinger sisters. I can’t recommend this book enough, I promise you won’t regret picking it up!

Thank you to Avon Books and Netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for an unbiased review.

This book totally lived up to my expectations. After meeting Hannah and Fox in the last book, I was already more than halfway in love with them - but this book took me all the way there. Hannah is the other Cross sister - she helped Piper get settled in to Westport and refurbish the pub last summer - but had her own career in the film industry to get back to. Before she left Westport, Hannah and Fox connected with trips to the record store and a final walk around the record convention in Seattle. Since then they've been texting (their text conversations were just everything) and becoming close friends.

Hannah is a very well adjusted person - but she definitely has a strong case of imposter syndrome and has always felt like the sidekick, not the main character in her own story.

Fox has a lot of baggage to unpack. He's a gorgeous guy and has a broad sexual history - this is very much ties to low self esteem and that his only worth is in his physical appearance. As much as his friends glorify his extensive sexual experience and sex appeal, they also show a pretty strong level of disrespect for him as an individual apart from that. Hannah is really the only one who seems to see him as he is.

I adored that this book confronted living up or down to expectations - particularly when it comes to boys. Kids are so often labeled and put in a box of expectations at an early age, and when those kids are particularly physically attractive, those labels are often sexualized. In Fox's case - he was labeled a "heartbreaker" long before a kid should ever even be thinking about that. And since then,

I also adored that Fox and Hannah actual talk to each other. Granted - Hannah would never let it be any other way - but still - they have the tough conversations. The meet each other straight on - and acknowledge the baggage each of them brings to the table. This also gave both of them the courage and strength to lay things out on the table with other people in their lives. It was just awesome.

The best thing about this book is that the characters really do bring out the best in each other and support each other in the truest sense of the word. I will also say that Fox is a classic Tessa Bailey Dirty Talker - be warned he really is that sexy.

I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, but these opinion are all my own. You're going to love this one.

I really enjoyed this delightful friends-to-lovers story. And get ready for some serious steamy sex scenes!

The book, Hook, Line, and Sinker by Tessa Bailey, centers around Hannah and Fox who are convinced they should only be friends even though their chemistry is off the charts! Each character has their reasons why they feel that friendship is for the best.

Hannah is a film production assistant who dreams of creating music scores for movies. In fact, music plays a big role in the book. Hannah who can find a song for every important moment shares her passion for music with Fox. Music helps them express themselves to each other when words won’t come. Fox is a King Crab fisherman who dreams of being captain of his own boat but doesn’t feel he can measure up. His past continues to haunt him but he is determined to become a better man for himself and maybe a special someone.

Hannah and Fox’s relationship slowly builds as they help each other overcome their insecurities and go for their dreams. And their chemistry slowly smolders creating big sexual tension. On the other hand, one of the drawbacks of the book is that I felt the story relied too much on sex. I love to read steamy sex scenes but I felt they got in the way of this story sometimes.

I thought the story was going to be just a fun, light rom-com, but it had some depth to it which I really appreciated. I love rom-coms but won’t rate them highly if they don’t deal with real-life issues in a meaningful way. I truly rooted for Hannah and Fox as they pursued their dreams together. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars.

Big thanks to Avon Books and NetGalley for the ARC!

ARC Review: Hook, Line, and Sinker

This is the sequel to It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey. I loved this book!! I cannot wait for it to come out in March, so I can own a physical copy. Go to Netgalley and request it if you couldn’t wait like me to read Hannah and Fox’s story.

Quick hits:
👩‍❤️‍👨Friends to lovers
💬Cute texts
🏠Close proximity
🥊Battling imposter syndrome
🎧Music references - it really does add something so beautiful to the story! I always put on the song, and felt more immersed in the scene

I really enjoyed It Happened One Summer in which opposites Piper and Brendan find love in an unlikely situation. This is Piper's sister, Hannah, and Brendan's best friend, Foxs story. After meeting each other when Piper and Brendan, got together in Seattle a year ago, Hannah and Fox have developed a long distance texting friendship. When Hannah gets the film crew she works with to shoot in Seattle, she's looking forward to seeing Fox. Fox has been warned repeatedly not to get involved with Hannah so he puts himself firmly in the Friend Zone. Fox's claim to fame, according to others is being a manwhore. Sadly, this stereotype pains him, because he feels he has a lot more to offer but only Hannah sees his real worth. I really enjoyed this friends to lovers romance. Recommended.

One of the best feelings in the world is when you know exactly what kind of book you want to read — and you find it. I wanted a fast-paced, charming story with a comforting HEA, and that's exactly what Hook, Line and Sinker gave me.

I don't want to reveal too much of the plot, but I'll add that it dealt with some complex subject matter in a patient and kind way, which made me like this book even more. Throw in Hannah's career and love of music, and it's one of my fave rom-com reads of the year.

I have read all of the books in the Hot & Hammered series and the first book of the Bellinger Sisters by this author. So of course I wanted to read the next book about Piper Bellinger’s younger sister, Hannah. I love these books so much and the fact that it is a series with recurring characters is like a gift that keeps on giving.

This newest series reminds me a bit of Jasmine Guillory’s books because it stresses the bonds of family and friendship and makes the romances so realistic. I could see people that I know in circumstances that the main characters go through. They are real people dealing with real feelings. While they do fall madly in love, they face challenges and setbacks, but persevere so that love wins.

This book also takes place in the fishing village of Westport. Hannah works for a film company and finagles the current production that she’s working on to film on location in Westport. While there she reconnects with Fox, the best friend of her sister’s fiancée, whom she flirted with last summer and has been building a solid texting friendship with since then. You know where this is going, right? But of course, there are some detours along the way.

Overall it is a feel-good, can’t put down type of story, and the best part of all is the epilogue!!! I am a person who likes to know what happens to characters after the story ends and this book provided all of that. I hope this doesn’t mean that there won’t be any more Bellinger Sisters books though.