10/10. Complete page turner! She always blows it out of the water! There is a Hannah in all of us. Loved her character!! Thanks!

I loved Hannah & Fox as the side characters in It Happened One Summer so I knew I absolutely had to read their story. It did not disappoint!!!! 😍 This book was everything you could want! Well developed likeable characters, a relationship you're actually rooting for, hilarious moments, and of course the steam factor! Now I need to go find more Tessa Bailey books.

Received an ARC from Netgalley for an honest opinion.
OMG! I just absolutely loved this book! I read the first one and then saw that there was going to be a second one, and I was so excited. I looked on Netgalley to see if there was an ARC to read, and was ecstatic to see that I was auto approved for it.
This is the continuation of the story that started in the first book it happened One Summer. I always wondered about Fox reading the first one, and I'm glad that we got a deeper look at him and what was behind his personality and his woman addiction. It was nice to see Piper's sister Hannah come out of her shell and be the person that we all knew she could be.
If you read the first one you can't not read this one! It's awesome!

First of all, I think it's important to note that this is the second book in a series. I did not read the first book, but got this Advanced Readers Copy (thank you Netgalley and Avon Books)!! However, even though I didn't read the first book, I did not feel lost reading this one, but I'm definitely intrigued to go and read the first one now. There is a waiting list at my library for months. So we wait.

It had been awhile since i've read contemporary romances since I've been in the Fantasy/scifi/paranormal romance mostly this year. I'm usually an enemies-to-lovers girl, but I loved this friends to lovers. Moreso, I think what I really enjoyed was that it the type of friendship that they always knew they were never just friends because the attraction had always been there.

This book gave me butterflies in the best of ways. Tessa Bailey does a lovely job of bringing you into both Hannah's POV and Fox's POV without needing to be in first person. You were in each of the MC's emotions. Although I did find myself just saying "just communicate and be honest!" and when they did and were, it made me so happy for the characters. You just were cheering them on the whole time.

I immediately was hooked and even told a friend immediately "I'm only in Chapter 3 and I need this book to come out so I can gift it to you." I can't believe I have to wait until next year for her to revel in the giddiness this book created. I will definitely be going back to read "It Happened One Summer," so I can return to Westport and see how Brendan differs from Fox.

I really enjoyed this book. I loved It Happened One Summer so much, so I had high hopes for this book. I didn't feel connected to Fox and Hannah as much as I connected to Piper and Brendan, but I still loved the connection between Fox and Hannah. I didn't expect it to be a slow burn, but that didn't bother me at all. I have been loving the friends-to-lovers trope lately, and this book perfectly captures the true friendship the main characters have. The dynamic between them was really great, and they support each other so much. It’s just incredible. Overall, this book was great, and I will be grabbing a physical copy on release day! Hook, Line, and Sinker comes out on March 1, 2022.

3.5/5

okay... this book was one of those books that I was waiting until the perfect moment to read. I loved It Happened One Summer SO MUCH and I just knew the second book in the Bellinger Sisters series was going to be a new favorite. I was dying to read it ever since I got approved for an ARC.

alas... it simply did not hit the same as the first one.

This book follows Hannah and Fox from the previous book. Hannah is still crushing hard on her boss, and she's struggling to make progress in her career and in general because she thinks of herself as a supporting role in her own life as opposed to the "leading lady." Similarly, Fox is struggling to make progress and accept Brendan's offer to captain the Della Ray because he doesn't think he'll be respected and doesn't want that much responsibility.

There's a forced proximity trope in this when Hannah needs a place to stay while her job films a movie in Westport, and Fox fixes up his guest room for her. Tension and cuteness ensues 🤌🏼

The book deals with important topics like toxic masculinity since Fox was taught from a young age that the only thing he's good for is physical intimacy. This book also discusses the idea of thinking of yourself as the hero in your own story and acting like the main character, which I loved. I also really liked the focus on music, and I loved how Fox and Hannah understood each other through music. i ​liked many parts of this book but it just felt kind of forgettable overall for me.

also, I didn't like Brendan or Piper's behavior in this one which makes me sad 😭 why did we have to make Brendan unlikable in the sequel to his book? I don't want to dislike him :'(

i just wasn't as in love with this as I was hoping. I was ready for this book to fully convert me into a friends-to-lovers fiend, but Hannah and Fox's relationship, while adorable, was just missing something that I think Brendan and Piper effortlessly had.

now, don't get me wrong, this is still a cute romance book! It was sweet, heartwarming, and definitely had some moments that made me go all heart eyes. if the premise is interesting to you or you just want to revisit these characters or this town, I think it's worth reading. But honestly, if I'm ever looking to return to Westport again, I'll probably just reread the first one.

4.75 stars!

I loved this book! Friends to Lovers continues to reign supreme! I'm happy this story took place 7 months after It Happened One Summer which helped established the friendship between Fox and Hannah. This was a slow burn compared to its sister novel but man oh man was it worth it. Getting to the root of Fox’s behavior was essential to making his relationship with Hannah work and I'm glad we spent a lot of time unpacking his shit.

I do wish we got some more moments with Hannah and her family. However the moments we did get between Hannah, Piper, and their grandma was sweet.

The sweetest part of this novel was the epilogue! It was nice knowing that both sisters found their happily ever after with their fishermen.

First of all, this is the second book in a series. I did not read the first book, but got this Advanced Readers Copy (thank you Netgalley and Avon Books). This is an epistolary romance…via text message. Before I even made it to chapter one- just reading the initial text conversation- I tried desperately to get the first book from the library. But alas, there was a long hold line (I’m still in line while writing this) and I could not stop reading the second book!

I’m obsessed with this book.That’s it. That’s the review.

There are a LOT of songs in this book. And you should listen to all of them (except the classic rock bc I don’t like it. Don’t @ me haha). But I’m going to include my own recommendation for this book. (Although obviously you should be listening to Sea Shanties while you read…) OK… my recommendation is Golf on TV by Lennon Stella and JP Saxe. Let’s just talk about the second verse of the song…

”You just been so consistentThat stabilityIt's so healthyIt's confusing meI'm done with romanticizingDysfunction and compromisingYou treat me so wellIt's weirdBut I love how much I like it”

I mean…

Ok, I should say other things other than me saying READ THIS BOOK. But I can’t think of anything else.

steam level 5stars 5

I was a huge fan of "It Happened One Summer", the first book in this series, so I had VERY high hopes for this one. I didn't think it was possible, but I loved "Hook, Line, and Sinker" even more! During IHOS, Hannah and Fox spent some time together in order to give Piper and Brendan time alone. That book wraps up with Fox leaving Hannah a gift of a record she had passed up during their trip to a vinyl convention. This book starts with Hannah thanking Fox via text and continues with their growing friendship over the course of 7 months, texting every day.

Hannah is struggling with becoming the leading lady in her own life. She has always played the supporting role, especially with a sister like Piper, who is always the star in any room. But she wants to move forward with her career, and hopefully with her love interest (the director), so she makes a bold step and suggests they move their movie production to Westport, where Piper, Brendan and Fox live. Brendan's parents are in town which means Hannah is staying with Fox, her new best friend and perpetual ladies man, for the duration of filming. And as a good best friend, Fox tries to give Hannah some help in catching the attention of her director. In fact, this is all new territory for Fox because he's never had a female friend, never had a woman interested in him for more than just sex. And he hasn't even been with anyone else since her visit last summer. He wants more than just friendship but is convinced she deserves better than him.

I loved the way Hannah and Fox saw the best in one another and insisted on supporting the other person's growth. I also loved having the dual perspective, so we could see Fox's internal monologue, too. The way they communicated with music, refused to accept lies and BS from one another and ultimately both chose to fight for what they really wanted was swoon-worthy.

All in all it was a fun, heartwarming read with the perfect HEA! Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I went into this book with high hopes because I LOVED It Happened One Summer and it blew me away. Dare I say, I might like this one even better! I read it in one sitting, which I hardly ever do! The slowburn romance between Hannah and Fox was absolutely swoon worthy! Also these characters are just so fleshed out that I felt like I really knew them! I loved reading Fox’s struggle with his identity and reputation as a player and how Hannah shows unflinching faith in Fox and his growth! Hannah is also just such a wonderful character with her drive and her passion for music! I seriously want to be friends with Hannah Bellinger! I seriously went straight from finishing this book to Pre-ordering a copy!

3.5-4 stars! I had high hopes for this after loving book 1 but even though this was good, Fox and Hannah didn’t draw me in like Piper and Brendon did. It’s surprisingly slow for a Tessa Bailey romance and this is the first time I’m gonna say I wanted more steam in a book by her. We have a former playboy hero who realizes he’s fallen for his new best friend but he’s terrified of his reputation ruining things so he keeps her in the friend zone. It’s still a really sweet friend to lovers romance but it was just missing that charm from book 1 for me.

Its official, Im now a Tessa Bailey stan. I will read anything of hers that comes out. I will soon be making my way through her backlist.

After reading It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey, I was so excited to see that Hannah and Fox would be getting their own book! I will say, that while I didn't enjoy this one quite as much as the first book, this was still quite a fun and enjoyable read! This was a great friends to lovers story for all you lovers of this trope. I thought it was done very well. If these two books are an indication of Tessa Bailey's other books, I think I'm sold! I'm becoming a fan of hers quickly!

This book has no right being this amazing. This duology as a whole is seriously god tier.

This particular installment will speak to anyone who has ever seen themselves as the support, rather than the main character, in their own story, to the people who always have the perfect song for the mood they are in, to those who struggle with imposter syndrome, and to the ones who always believe in those they care about, even when they don't believe in themselves. This story oozes charm and heart and sweetness and understanding. It's the perfect embodiment of the younger Bellinger sister.

And honestly, I love how Hannah prompts and encourages Fox to grow. Usually female characters are the ones who goes through the development in romance novels, so it's beyond refreshing to see the guy be the focus instead. Fox's character development is so wholesome and purposefully combats the societal pressures men face when it comes to maintaining a certain reputation and image. It's a topic that definitely needs more attention.

This is a wonderful follow up to ‘It Happened on Summer’ and gives a heartfelt send-off to the Bellinger sisters.

**arc provided by avon books & harper voyager through netgalley**

"'I'm in for the good, bad, and everything in between, Hannah... Decades. A lifetime. I'm in.'"

THIS BOOK. The perfect friends-t0-lovers.

I read It Happened One Summer a little while ago and immediately loved Hannah and Fox. Toward the beginning of the book, Hannah is shy, sweet, and has a hard time advocating for herself- as she likes to say, she's not a "leading lady" like Piper. However, as the book progresses, Hannah finds her voice, while still remaining caring and lovable. Her drive and passion for music was inspiring. She's everything in a main character and was the perfect match for Fox.

Fox's character development was completely unexpected to me coming from the first book. Fox's struggles with self worth and toxic masculinity were nothing short of heartbreaking, and it was beautiful to watch Hannah help him restore his faith in himself.

Together, Hannah and Fox were magical. The depth of their own trauma and emotions shocked me but only furthered their connection. Not only did their shared interest in music spark their relationship, but it gave them a place to communicate and express their love for one another. The songs mentioned in the book- some of my favorite- fit its vibe perfectly and helped drive the story.

Overall, this book was beautiful. It was a perfect book to close my summer with and an amazing end to the Bellinger Sisters duology. Tessa Bailey did not disappoint!!

This friends to lovers read was a good read that I enjoyed from the start. Hannah and Fox's story was a slow burn story with well written characters with chemistry that had a swoony story to be told. Both characters had issues that they had to work through but had me rooting for them to get their HEA. Overall, this was a good read that I enjoyed from the start and would recommend to others.

The book I needed when I needed it. Back to school always means a lack of reading time but when I did grab a few minutes I could fall right into Fox and Hannah’s story. Hannah wanting to become the star of her own movie and Fox convinced he will never be leading man material… watching them both grow personally in order to be the people they are meant to be was the heart of this story. One of the things I loved about this book is that there is never a question about how they feel about each other. It’s a story of growth and acceptance.

Somebody grab the crab pots because I totally devoured Hook, Line, and Sinker in three days and I'm ready to come back to shore! After reading so many poorly executed Enemies to Lovers in the past, it was like a fresh breeze from Westport to enjoy a Friends to Lovers dynamic this time. Hannah and Fox shared their friendship and an emotional connection before they took their relationship to the next level. I was already rooting for them in the previous book, It Happened One Summer, and preferred them over Piper's puddle-deep courtship with Brendan.

I could tell Hannah and Fox were going to be something special because of their time together in the first installment, but I didn't expect to see their relationship capable of such depth. They were honest with their feelings, shared their struggles together, and explored open communication. This was a welcome respite from the usual romance novels where they just rip their clothes off and become emotionally constipated throughout the book. The close proximity of the shared apartment was a nice touch that helped build the tension to a fever pitch. Ooh, they're simple tropes, but I sure do love them!

My main critique is the same beef I had with Hannah in It Happened One Summer: her passion for music. I understand it's a crucial part of her character and aligns with her career, but it was rather cloying. As someone who likes gentle Enya ballads, film soundtracks, and showtunes, I'm not interested in other people's playlists. I like relaxing music to serve as a background when I'm reading. I'm not looking for deeper meaning with songs or a chance to foist my listening habits onto other people. Hannah was a total music snob and I was not here for it. I also didn't like the love triangle element and the dirty talk turned me way off, but my main prickly pear was that Hannah wouldn't shut her gob about music. We get it.

This was a vast improvement from its predecessor, even if the playlist pontification had me rolling my eyes towards the harbor. Unless there's a secret Bellinger sister hiding in the Hollywood Hills, I'm afraid this may only be a duology. This was a great rollicking ride on the crab boat and I'm happy to have survived my trip without reaching for a life ring. These two were made for each other and their epilogue was charming, but I could have done without Fox's beard. Yuck! I've got my line out for any Tessa Bailey books in the future that will match the catch of the day I've found in Hook, Line, and Sinker!

Omg! I loved this one so much! It’s so cute! I love Hannah and Fox’s friendship. Friends to lovers is the best. I love how much Hannah laughs and how sweet she is. The STEAM was so good! Loved it! I haven’t read the first book in this series and I didn’t feel lost so that’s great! I cannot wait to read more by Tessa Bailey! This is my first book by her and I absolutely loved it!!!

OH MY HEART. Just when I thought Tessa Bailey couldn't write a romance I loved more than "It Happened One Summer"- she had to go and knock it out of the park with this sequel! What an absolute swoon worthy+ steamy+ dreamy love story. Fun loving Fox and music loving Hannah have formed a friendship since Hannah left Westport last year. They text, talk on the phone and listen to music together regularly- each of them finds comfort and confidence in their platonic relationship. Until Hannah moves back to town for a project that's filming locally...and neither of them can hide their growing attraction + feelings. However, Fox fears commitment and Hannah is struggling creatively + professionally. Can their love overcome their worries? Full of heart, laughs, feels, and of course all the music references, this sexy + fun story charmed me to no end. I definitely fell hook, line and sinker for these characters, their chemistry + banter, and the quaint town of Westport all over again.

Thank you so much to Avon + Netgalley for this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.