What a touching follow-up to It Happened One Summer.

In this installment, readers are tuned into the going's on between Fox and Hannah, who have been nursing a long distance friendship until the film she was working on changes locations and brings her back to Westport to stay for a few weeks. With him. In his apartment. In a spare bedroom across the hall, where they live like a pair of platonic roommates whose feelings for each other might not be platonic at all...

This book was such an emotional, comforting delight! I loved how it radiated warmth and understanding. The way it emphasized the harm that oversexualization at a young age can cause into adulthood, not only poisoning someone's belief in being able to form lasting relationships but also distorting their own perception of self. I also enjoyed how it encouraged going after one's dreams and allowing oneself to become the main character of one's own life.

Fox and Hannah's romance was more of a patient friends-to-lovers crawl than I was expecting, but I enjoyed it because it was mindful. It was thoughtful. He helps her connect to her dad, to music, in a fresh yet meaningful way; and she has faith in him even when he doesn't have faith in himself. Romantic things between them may be slow to actualize but romance still breathes through everything they do or feel. I don't know what else to say except it's soft and charming and sweet.

In short, theirs' is the kind of love story that hooks you 'round the heart from the first page.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC in exchange for my review.

4.5 stars

After loving It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on Hook, Line, and Sinker. This is one of my most anticipated 2022 releases and I forced myself to read it slowly so that I could stay in Westport a little longer.

I love how music plays an important role in the story and how it gave Fox and Hannah a way to communicate their feelings. The slow burn, friends to lovers romance between them built up so tenderly and steadily. Tessa Bailey really made us work for this one, but goodness the result was so delicious. I didn't realize that the angst would be quite so high in Hook, Line, and Sinker. Hannah and Fox are two people struggling to shed previous images/personas and be their truest selves. Sometimes the attempts were downright heartbreaking and other times they were so beautiful and raw. I loved how these two saw past all the masks and walls and truly understood the other. Always knowing just when to push and when to just be. Fox's history and character arc reminded me a lot of Lance from Pucked Off by Helena Hunting. You really can't help yourself from rooting for these characters to find their happily ever after.

I also loved the appearances of Piper and "the mean one". It was wonderful to see those two settled and right where they belong. I would have loved for there to be more sisterly interaction though, since Hannah and Piper's relationship is one of my favorite aspects of the series. I also felt the pacing around the middle was on the slower side and then things sped up at the end, which made the last minute drama and resolution wrap up a little too quickly. The epilogue warmed my heart so much though and was the perfect way to say goodbye to these characters and Westport.

CW: mentions of parental death, parental infidelity, oversexualization of minor/teen/young adult, toxic masculinity

*I voluntarily read an advance review copy of this book*

Hook, Line, and Sinker begins with production assistant Hannah Bellinger and fisherman Fox Thornton nursing a long-distance friendship. When Hannah pulls her first leading-lady move by convincing her director to move the film set to Fox’s hometown, it seems like just a bonus that Hannah will get to spend time with her new friend. However, it’s not long before their close proximity reveals an undeniable chemistry. Can these friends make a real relationship work, or will they lose it all trying?
Hook, Line, and Sinker uses an odd combination of tropes that move the plot along. Without giving away too much, I’ll say that some of the tropes fall flat as the characters push past them in a direction that I certainly didn’t see coming. By the time I finished the book, I felt like a large part of the beginning could’ve just not been on paper at all. Another large chunk of the narrative was inner dialogue, consisting of each character asking the same questions over and over about what they want, what they think the other wants, and what they’re even capable of.
I don’t want to dissuade anyone from reading this book, because it truly is a great combination of steamy and sweet, and the characters are interesting people with a lot of redeeming qualities. The backdrop of their little town is lovely, and I want nothing more than for people to enjoy Fox and Hannah’s love story. All in all, it was a bit too introspective for my tastes and it took longer than I thought it should for the heart of the plot to reveal itself, but I’m glad that I got to enjoy the love story unfold.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Omg I loved every second of this book it was so cute. Their relationship was amazing and I feel like we really got to understand the characters through out the book. I enjoyed this even more then It happened one summer.

With book 1 in this series (It Happened One Summer) being one of my favorite reads this year, I had very high expectations going into this book! Hook, Line, and Sinker delivered in a big way! It started a bit slow, but once it got going, wowza! Fox and Hannah are just perfect for each other.

We got the world development primarily in book 1. The character development for both books was spot on, but particularly shined in this second installment. Really made me think about the sexualization of men and how much of an impact it can have on them. Watching Hannah transform from supporting actress to leading lady in the story of her life was inspiring.

I will note that this book has less steam compared to book one. However, although less frequent and further into the book, the steam that Tessa Bailey does serve is perfectly mind blowing!

I know this series is about the Bellinger sisters, but I am really not ready to tell Tessa Bailey’s world of Westport goodbye yet! Can a secret sister to show up for a surprise third book? A spin off about more of the fisherman? I will take whatever I can get, haha!

Thank you Avon Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC and provide my honest review.

Thanks to Avon and Harper and Netgalley for providing me an eARC in exchange for honest feedback.

This was a delightful and charming romance. This is book 2 in the Bellinger sisters series. Full disclosure, I did not read book 1 first (mostly b/c the library queue is a couple weeks). I was still able to enjoy book 2 but I'm sure there were references that I would have enjoyed more if I had read book 1 first.

This book alternates between Hannah and Fox's POVs. Fox and Hannah met during book 1 and Fox is a king crab fisherman while Hannah is pursuing her Hollywood dreams of becoming a soundmixer but in the meantime schlepping it as a lowly PA grabbing coffee. Her next movie ends up being in Westport, through her own design, and by forced proximity, Fox and Hannah have to confront what they actually mean to each other - friends or something else? This was surprisingly sweet, a nice slow burn romance; I'm all about a friends-to-lovers and forced proximity trope.

After book one the sequel had big shoes to fill. It did not disappoint. I wanted to scream at Fox for being so stubborn. I loved Hannah’s strength and protective-ness over Fox. I want more, these two books are going to be comfort reads forever.

Hook, Line, and Sinker is the second book in the Bellinger Sisters standalone series by Tessa Bailey. When Hannah met the womanizing Fox in the mall fishing town of Westport in the first book, she didn't fall for his flirting. After she leaves town to return to Los Angeles, they begin texting one another. Their friendship develops over several months via text and they become close friends. When Hannah returns to Westport for a film project she is working on, she stays at Fox's place. He knows she is off limits for many reasons, but the close proximity and slowly intensifying flirting between the two may be what breaks Fox's willpower.

I love Tessa Bailey's writing so much! She writes stories with the perfect mix of fun, flirty, and steam. It Happened One Summer was my first book that I read of hers and there was no doubt I was going to like this one!

Fox is a thoughtful and supportive friend to Hannah. I love how he pushes her to pursue her dreams and is willing to do anything to help her. It's sweet that he feels like he has to hide how much she means to him. I really felt for the guy because although he is very popular with the ladies, he did not have confidence in himself in the other areas of his life. Hannah was the perfect strong and persistent woman who he needed to help him see his worth.

The friends-to-lovers trope is such a fun one, and this one didn't disappoint. The under current of chemistry and fire between the two was very fun and exciting! And when they finally kissed! GAH! Those kissing scenes were HOT!

Steam level: 🔥🔥🔥

I was so excited to read Hannah and Fox’s story after we got a taste of their chemistry in It Happened One Summer.

Hannah Bellinger is a lover of music and a supportive loyal younger sister. The problem with Hannah is she has always been a supporter and never a leader. She even considers herself the supporting character not the leading lady in her own life story. She’s been a PA for far too long and she’s ready to move up career wise. She’s also gearing up to finally make a move on the director she’s been pining for for way too long.

Fox Thornton has settled with his life and others expectations of him. He is known as the perpetual playboy and certainly not boyfriend material. The guy there for a good time but not to be taken seriously. He hasn’t let it bother him anymore until he met Hannah. Now he wants things he hasn’t let himself want in a long time.

At the end of the last book Hannah moved back to LA but they stayed in touch via text and have become something Fox has never had before…a girl friend. When Hannah’s film relocates to Westport she finds herself in need of a place to stay. Despite her sister warning her against the idea, Hannah asks Fox for a place to stay and he says yes. The more time they spend together the harder it becomes to deny their attraction especially when Fox does the unthinkable and offers Hannah help with her futile crush. Will Hannah find herself falling into something deeper than a crush? Can Fox have the courage to leave his bad reputation behind? Or will these two decide to stay just friends?

This one is much sweeter than I was expecting. The slow burn is real and the angst is next level compared to the first book. Overall I found I really enjoyed this story and I only wanted to throw my kindle at the wall a couple times with these two stubborn souls. Fox is so much more than anyone (even himself) gives him credit for and it was so satisfying and heart melting as both our main characters come into themselves and together. If you’re a fan of friends to lovers you’ll adore this one. I know I did.

Thanks to Tessa Bailey, Net Galley and Avon Books for letting me read this early for review!

Five freaking stars!!!! I loved It Happened One Summer so I knew I had to get my hands on Hannah's story immediately! I was a little nervous because the only thing I didn't love about Piper's story was Brenden was a little too aggressive for my tastes. I was so worried Fox would be the same-- but thankfully no! He was what book boyfriend dreams are made of! This was more than just a story about 2 people falling in love, this was Fox's journey of self discovery and growth. His growth in this book was amazing and it is something that I'm sure a lot of people can relate to in real life. It is so easy to get discouraged and shut down when you have your heart broken, but having someone like Hannah -- someone strong, encouraging, and a constant believer in you -- can make all the difference, and it certainly did for Fox! I would read 10 more books about them alone! Thank you so much Netgalley, Avon, and, of course, Tessa, for gifting me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! Needless to say, I loved it!

Tessa Bailey is a genius

I didn't think anything could top It Happened One Summer but somehow Hook, Line, and Sinker was even better. I read so much romance and rarely if ever, have I read characters like these. Hannah was soft yet strong whose strength was communication, showcasing tension can be found not just in miscommunication but in being as open and honest as possible. Fox was so loveably sweet and tough like a mixture of Roy Kent from Ted Lasso and a Chris Evans character. I loved the way they respected and built each other up. And I loved seeing their journey's progress in this cozy small-town lush with life. Every corner of this world felt real and nuanced yet still magical.

Truly cried like twelve times from the joy of seeing these characters succeed together and alone and stayed up till like 2 AM finishing it

Oh my goodness, this book was so dang good! Honestly, I fell in love with Piper's book and while I loved Hannah/Fox there, I didn't expect myself to really love them as much as I did. I just...I cannot describe how much I enjoyed this book. I really loved how the big issue wasn't an outside source or something stupidly innocuous, but something very serious and hardly ever discussed.

I've never personally read a book that touched on the subject of men being oversexualized and the repercussions of that, and I have to say that I really enjoyed seeing that represented here. I think Tessa Bailey did an excellent job of having Fox be the perfect example of how simple comments and seemingly innocent remarks could affect you so deeply and so damagingly later in life to the point that it shapes your whole psyche. Not only did she do an amazing job representing that but I feel like she did a good job of having Hannah not only being a support but not a doormat. Hannah grew into her own while helping and supporting Fox. She didn't become a background character. She truly became a leading lady and I love that she didn't have to be less than for Fox to become more.

One of the bigger perks of the book was also the love of music. You could see how Hannah found so much joy in music, how it was such a huge part of her life, and just how she used it to move through life. The descriptions of how she saw music and how she wanted to share it to the world were just breath taking, to be honest. I've always loved music but my god, you can just feel how much joy Hannah experiences with music. It was such a lovely thing to read.

All in all, A+ book. I loved the new characters added. I loved the humor. The romance was beautiful, the sex scenes were steamy as always, and I'm sad this is only a two part series because I want more Wesport.

Fox is a playboy mess thanks to his parents, he's in love with Hannah but scared to acknowledge it, and Hannah is (fortunately or unfortunately) in love with him. What could possibly go wrong?

The story flew along and I enjoyed it. Would recommend for anyone looking for a steamy and somewhat mindless read.

It's the second book of a series, but it definitely stands alone. I started reading the first book after completing this one, but it's about Piper and Brendan, and Piper starts out extremely dislikeable. I left book one a DNF and have no intention of reading it. I doubt it would add much, if anything, to this story.

One of my favorite reads of the year. Coming off of It Happened One Summer, I wasn't expecting anything to live up to it but wow did this book do it. I think I still prefer IHOS just a little bit more. Fox and Hannah are phenomenal characters that are real and easy to root for. I'll write a longer, fuller review closer to the release date but just know that whatever expectations you have for this book, it will meet them and more.

✨HOOK, LINE, & SINKER by Tessa Bailey✨

★★★★★

Okay I LOVED this book! I was so excited to get approved for the sequel to It Happened One Summer and it did not disappoint. I actually loved it even more than the first book!

Thank you so much to @avonbooks and @netgalley for the advanced copy!

🍊 Drink: Grapefruit Vodka Soda
- 2oz vodka over a glass of ice
- Fill glass with Fevertree Grapefruit

In ~the cast party scene~ one of the characters makes Hannah one too many of grapefruit vodka sodas and let’s just say she gets a little tipsy! It’s one of my favorite scenes in the book … once Fox arrives 🤫

🌟 Review: if you loved It Happened One Summer make sure you grab a copy of this one AS SOON as it hits the stand!

I am so glad I discovered Tessa Bailey! This is book 2 in a series about the Bellinger sisters (book 1 is It Happened One Summer). When I finished the first I had to read this one immediately! And I enjoyed it so much!

While I will admit I enjoyed Brendan and Piper's story more in book 1, I enjoyed Fox and Hannah's story here, too. But it was a slower burn and it got a little frustrating waiting for these two to get on the same page.

But it had the same charm as the other and I am so glad I've discovered Tessa Bailey! She writes male characters that had me questioning if romance books were setting unrealistic expectations because... swoon! These men are so confident, so capable, and so sure of what they want. As a single reader, I just ate that right up.

Both of these books will stay with me. I can't wait for this to come out in early 2022 for readers to discover Hannah and Fox's story, too. There's more depth to their story but it's got all the things we loved about the first: steam factor, love, sweet and funny moments.

Also posted on my Goodreads page. This is the second novel of the Bellinger Sisters. Although I feel like this could be a standalone, I really recommend reading "It Happened One Summer" first. These books are very cute and lighthearted, but do touch on some really deep topics. "Hook Line and Sinker" deals with two characters who made an appearance in the first book, Hannah and Fox. Overall, this is a great romantic read and I highly enjoyed this series.

A cute follow-up to everyone's favorite, IT HAPPENED ONE SUMMER. I liked the pacing of this one much more than the last, and loved Fox and Hannah as a couple.

Looking forward to reading more from this author!

What can I say? Tessa Bailey has grown on me as an author. I read her Hot and Hammered series and thought they were good. But her Bellinger Sisters series is where I got hooked. I enjoyed this series a lot! And that's saying something because I usually don't go for romance heavy books. I wish there were more sisters so that the series could continue.
Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for an honest opinion.
Rated 3.5

Hook, Line, and Sinker by Tessa Bailey was, dare I say, even better than It Happened One Summer. Fox and Hannah have such a beautiful relationship and I just fell for both of them so much! This book has everything we love from Tessa- love, angst, humor, and plenty of steam. It was just so good and a great story that you are sure to enjoy!

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the opportunity to read this book for an honest review.

Will post a review on Instagram and retail sites closer to publishing day.