Fox and Hannah’s story is just stupendous. Separately, they are characters you want to root for, but together you want to fight even harder. I just LOVED them so much!

"You cant live life worrying about what people will think. You'll wake up one day, look at a calendar, and count the days you could have spent being happy. With her."

Hook, Line, and Sinker is an deeply touching love story that I felt in my bones! Fox Thornton, king crab fisherman and lady-killer of the highest caliber. CINNAMON ROLL. Devilish charmer. Dedicated. Death by Fox. RIP @ me. He earned heart eyes from me.


Fox's backstory is emotional. FEELINGS ™. Toxic masculinity and undervaluing himself. His insecurities. And his journey to overcome the burden of his past.


Hannah is a grunge-headed old soul. It me. Hello, obsessive listening of music. I adore Fox and Hannah's friendship and the evolution of their relationship. They way Hannah so fiercely cares for Fox...


Hook, Line, and Sinker is a story of love and loss. Family. With the most affectionate OTP! Romance readers MUST HAVE Tessa Bailey's Bellinger Sisters duo on their shelves. For squeeze hugs obviously. A hauntingly beautiful story that's like a summer day after a hundred years of winter! If you couldn't tell... I AM WILD HANNAH AND FOX. I most definitely be rereading come March 2022. K, I'm going to go cry again.

READ IF YOU LIKE:
-friends to lovers
-forced proximity
-a little fake dating
-vinyl records
-fishing puns
-dimples & freckles
-piggyback rides
-chocolate ice cream & a sleeve of graham crackers
-#IsThisAKissingBook: "big, dramatic movie kiss and everything." Sweet & spicy!

Song: Trouble by Ray LaMontagne

"To help weave together the atmosphere" and enhance your reading experience, check out the soundtrack to Hook, Line, and Sinker.

Hook, Line, and Sinker TUNES

THANK YOU X 1000 to Avon Books and Harper Voyager for an advanced copy!

Thank you to Avon & Netgalley for an advanced copy of Hook, Line And Sinker by Tessa Bailey.

I absolutely loved It Happened One Summer and was SO excited to get Hook, Line and Sinker. I immediately read it and couldn't put it down! I loved this book just as much as the first.

This was such a slow burn between Hannah and Fox and I loved it. I'm not usually a friends to lovers enthusiast, but I was here for their friendship that had started to bloom in the first book. I loved seeing Hannah feel more confident and leading lady. The connection between her father's sea shanties and her was wonderful. I loved this transformation of Fox.

Plus, you know you're getting a steamy read with Tessa Bailey. While it was a slow burn, she didn't loose the steam.

I loved the pervious book, It Happened One Summer, Piper and Hannah were hilarious and great sisters. I was so excited to learn more about Hannah and see more funny, relatable and sweet moments in this novel, and it delivered! This book needs to also come with a sound track, it was so fun to look up the different songs mentioned to describe the characters moods. I loved the writing, and the growth of these characters. Fox and Hannah truly are meant to be! Honestly the epilogue was my favorite part, I love a good time skip. This story had the perfect balance of love and humor. It left me feeling all warm and fuzzy inside! I would 100% recommend reading this and the previous book in this series. :)

This one is my favorite Tessa Bailey I’ve read to date. I knew when we met Hannah and Fox in “It Happened One Summer” that this book was going to be great, but this isn’t just a great book, it’s one of my heart books. Ever so often I read a book that speaks to who I am as a person and this is one of them. I feel like Tessa somehow got a look in my head and wrote this book just for me.

Hannah is a character that I relate to on every level. She’s someone who’s competent in what she does, is fiercely loyal, and says it how it is. She also has imposter syndrome and feels like she’s a side character in her own life. As someone else who has a sister who is as radiant as Piper, it can be hard to recognize that you aren’t a side character in your story. This book was about not only Hannah finding her voice and story, but about her realizing she is deserving of a story separate from others.

Fox fox fox fox fox. I love Fox. He’s a guilt ridden hero who views himself as if he’s only good for one thing, his sex appeal. It’s my favorite type of hero (I mean, just look at my other all-time favorite hero, Joshua from “The Hating Game”). Watching him fight with every fiber of his being to not go after Hannah was so satisfying. Watching him then try and weaponize his sexuality was something I was not expecting but created so many layers to his character. He’s someone who is deeply scarred by what others have said to and about him, making it hard for him to go after what would make him happy, Hannah.

The pacing of this story is different for what I typically expect from a Tessa Bailey and it has a purpose. We can’t have Hannah and Fox having sex in the first half of the book until Fox understands without a shadow of a doubt that for Hannah, he will never just be sex to her. Their first sexual encounter was so impactful for how the rest of the story goes and is a beautiful example of how intimacy can shape the movements of a romance. But as always with Tessa’s books, this one is HOT. There’s one scene featuring a lunch break and some ginger oil that had me squealing.

Hannah’s complete and total trust in Fox and his feelings for her is what brings him to the realization that she’s in it for the long haul and isn’t going to jump ship when it gets hard. In fact, it’s Fox who jumps ship, MANY times, trying to save himself from the pain of possible rejection in the future. It’s such a nice contrast to have a heroine who knows the hero has been a player in the past being the one who has the full trust in the relationship.

I will most likely be re-reading this before this one comes out to get my thoughts more collected and refined (if I can wait that long). This review is also different from most of my other ones where I do the “down to the nitty gritty what I loved and didn’t love” because for me, this book was nothing but love. I don’t have one bone to pick with this one.

If you’ve been on the fence about this series, do yourself a favor and jump in. “It Happened One Summer” is another 5 star read and this is some of Tessa’s best work. These books will be on my mind and heart forever.

*I received this ARC through NetGalley and voluntarily read this book. my thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager for giving me the chance to read an advanced copy!*

As always, thank you so much to the publisher Avon Books and Netgalley for providing me a digital arc in exchange for an honest review, and I'm so sorry this one didn't hit the mark for me!

I had really, really high hopes for this book, these characters, and their story. Ultimately, it all fell a little short of what I dreamed. I didn't love the characterization or development of either Fox or Hannah. I felt their individual stories were very one-dimensional and the resolutions to their independent issues, and issues as a couple could have been achieved in far fewer pages. This book felt so long. Like, waaayy too long.

Overall, I wanted so badly to love this book but instead I found myself wondering when it would end around the 60% mark. I finally finished it, and the ending was cute, but I didn't like the journey, and believe me when I say that no one is more sad or disappointed about this than me.

"It Happened One Summer" was excellent, and I enjoyed "Hook, Line and Sinker" just as much! In this novel, Piper's sister Hannah is the heroine of the story. This was a wonderful, slow burn romance with just the right amount of angst and steam. Another strength is that Bailey develops secondary characters so well, like the sisters' grandmother Opal. My only minor quibble is that I live in the state that the novel is set, and a few things didn't ring authentic, which took my head out of the story here and there.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc!

Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

CW: slut-shaming, oversexualization as a child, death of a parent (past)

It Happened One Summer was one of my top reads and I was so glad to hear Fox and Hannah were getting their own story.

I would recommend if you're looking for (SPOILERS)

-m/f friends to lovers
-close-proximity
-elements of forbidden relationship
-very sloooow burn
-talking through music
-flirty texts

Hannah and Fox and their build up is friends to lovers gold. The use of the text messages as the first chapter to introduce them and their relationship was brilliant I was sucked in. Fox was just gone on her that was hinted in the previous book and just so confirmed. How he got Hannah, consciously and unconsciously made changes in his life to adapt to her but also because he wanted his life to change. I highlighted so many of the things Fox would say.

They both had issues with how the world perceived them and were ready to be how they wanted to live. I loved how both Hannah and Fox saw each other clearly. Hannah knew that they couldn't lean into their attraction which made this surprisingly a very slow burn despite the very clear chemistry. The use of the music to connect them together, how Hannah saw the world, and also connect her to the father she never knew. It was a really beautiful touch and I loved the music touches. As someone who lives her life needing a soundtrack in the background it was one of my favorite parts and the touches of this throughout the book were so well done.

What stopped this from being a book I loved was the payoff. I have ridiculously high standards when it comes to a Tessa Bailey and somehow (this really pains me to say) the dirty talking wasn't there, the steam was fine and if I didn't know I was reading a Tessa Bailey I probably wouldn't have noticed it. The resolution of Fox's layered issues that were holding them apart seemed to resolve really quickly as well. I also just missed seeing more of the sister relationship with Piper which was a huge part of the first book for me.

I truly enjoyed this one and definitely recommend but I also think my expectations were so high, probably too high which is my own dang fault. I'm sure I'll read again closer to pub date and see if I feel differently.

Rating: 4
Steam: 3/3.5

I have neutral feelings about this book. I loved It Happened One Summer so I had very high expectations going into this book. I found myself bored until about 70% of the way through. For a self proclaimed man whore, Fox seemed tame in this book and the smut was very little. There were a few spots in this book that needed some editing. For example, at the bingo hall there was mention how they kept holding hands but I never read where that was initiated. And it was getting pretty annoying with both of them denying their feelings for each other up until the very end. The “friend” thing felt very forced. My favorite part of this book was the epilogue where we get to see where the two sisters end up in 10 years. But other than that, this book felt forgettable and did not leave me on a major book hangover like the first book. I’m hoping when the book is released and I do a reread I’ll have more positive things to say!

This book would have gotten 5 stars but I had one issue with it. The text conversation at the front of the book seemed too long to me and I ALMOST quit reading it. So if you're reading this review and have the same problem, PLEASE continue reading until Fox is introduced because that is when things get good. :)

I really, really, really loved Hannah and Fox's relationship. They were so supportive of each other and I admired Hannah's perseverance with Fox. It was lovely to see them grow as characters and get rid of some toxic beliefs that they each held about themselves.

And the epilogue? Heartwarming, ooey-gooey splendidly written fluff!

5 stars after making it through the text convo at the beginning!

I think this may be my favorite Tessa Bailey book to date. And that's something something considering I've have read almost all her books.

The second Hannah and Fox appeared on the pages of It Happened One Summer as secondary characters, I could practically taste the tension between them. I was dying to get my hands on their book, so the very second this landed in my grabby little hands, I devoured it in one delicious sitting. I couldn't bear to put it down for even a second and I'm looking forward to more in this series.

Hannah and Fox's friends to lovers story is swoony, sexy, and brimming with feels. It was everything I wanted in their story and yet so much more.
Fans of this author's books will fall absolutely in love with this original read and fans of romance books will certainly gobble this up!

Special thanks to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for sharing this ARC with me in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the dynamic of the relationship between Hannah and Fox from page 1. Any book that has text messaging automatically wins brownie points from me.

Tessa Bailey has such a talent for breathing life into her characters. Hannah and Fox feel like real people, living in a real world, making organic decisions that fill out the plot of the book. The romance was written so well. I love a good friends-to-lovers storyline, and this definitely delivered.

Tessa Bailey was already on my list of my favorite authors, so I am so incredibly grateful to have gotten to read an ARC of her upcoming book! Highly recommend.

5 Fantastic ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Hook, Line, and Sinker revolves around the story of Fox and Hannah. If you have read It Happened One Autumn, then you already met this couple. Let me just say that Fox and Hannah serves friends to lovers trope excellently. I just loved the relationship between these two. They were so cute together that you can't help but root for them all the way through. The amount of chemistry and connection that these two shared in this book literally proved that they are meant for one another.

Talking about the characters, their characteristics were so much more than I would have expected. All the personas that the characters portrayed in the story made me adore them. Not only that, I loved seeing all the development that the characters went through throughout the entire story. All the insecurities that Fox and Hannah had about themselves made the whole book so much more emotional. Despite that, these two wouldn't stop supporting and be there for each other all the time.

Overall, it was an enjoyable read for me. I think Tessa Bailey has done a great job in delivering Fox and Hannah's story. Everything about this book is just adorable that made my heart flutter. It was a total page-turner that I was able to finish it within one day. If you're in the mood for a cute sweet romance, then this book is definitely for you.

Rating: 4.5/5
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Fiction
Warnings: death of a parent, parental issues, toxic masculity
Read if you liked: The Player or Crazy Stupid Bromance
Steam: 3/5

Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

I generally have mixed feelings about Tessa Bailey novels. It comes down to in previous books, the five others I’ve read, that the steam doesn’t always match the vibe of the characters + storyline and it knocks my reading experience. Y’all this was DID NOT DO THIS!!!! And it was so freaking good and perfect and swoony. Basically, I adore this book and it was the perfect friends to lovers romance novel.

Things I loved: Fox and Hannah are just so adorable. It was such a natural relationship progression and a slow burn for sure! I loved all the music connections. Hannah learning to stand up for herself and ask for what she wanted. The takedown of toxic masculinity, this was a new conflict and I loved this journey for Fox. The conflict wasn’t drawn out and the Epilogue was perfect…the FEELS.

Things I didn’t care for: I do wish we saw more of Piper and Hannah because I love the sister dynamic. And personal note, I hate whenever a “leading lady” plan is mentioned

This was such a great romance and I can’t wait for people to enjoy! Hook, Line and Sinker is out March 1, 2022! Pre-order, add to your TBR or request at your local library!

Tessa Bailey's first Bellinger Sisters book was my favorite release of the year and the second one did not disappoint! Hannah and Fox were adorable as friends and the natural progression of their relationship was amazing. I loved the epilogue at the end! 5/5 stars!

Such an incredibly fun read! The perfect summer romance to escape into! Tessa Bailey delivered yet another steamy, satisfying, beach read!

This is a hard review to write because I have so much to say, yet seem to be lacking the vocabulary to truly get across how stunning of a read Hook, Line, and Sinker by Tessa Bailey was. It's strange because about 10% in I messaged my friend and said, "You know, it's good, but it's not grabbing me like Brendan and Piper's story was." Boy, was I wrong. Both books in the series are absolutely fabulous (the Tessa Bailey we all know and love), but they're brilliant in totally different ways. There are some light spoilers below because I just cannot express my love for this book without being clear about what made it so special.

Our glimpses of Fox from It Happened One Summer gave up this perception that he's a delicious-looking alpha male who enjoys the endless company of ladies (so long as they're gone in the morning, or he is) but hasn't a single female friend. When I picked up Hook, Line, and Sinker I expected that he'd be this untouchable rake who is taken in by his feelings for the heroine, Hannah, and ultimately must choose between his life as a playboy and the life of monogamy with the girl of his dreams. Not so.

In fact, Hook, Line, and Sinker takes on toxic masculinity in a startling twist in this equally heart-warming and heart-wrenching story of a man who truly believes that all he has to offer the world are his looks. I'm so used to reading books about rakes and just believing that it's the life they want for themselves. Yet Bailey gives us a hero who has spent his entire life being told that his only redeeming quality is his physical attraction and it destroys him inside bit by bit. His journey to understanding that he has more to offer the world, more to offer a woman, had me weeping on multiple occasions. His internal dialogue, and the stories he shares with our heroine, were equally terrible and touching.

This book ended up being a bit of a slow burn (at least as far as intercourse goes) because, though Hannah desires him, she refuses to let Fox believe that all he's good for is a quick lay. She's such a powerful heroine in that she has the opportunity to fulfill her own desires with a willing participant, but she can see that Fox is more than he thinks he can offer and she's going to wait until he sees it too. Don't get me wrong though, it's hot as fuck regardless. I also loved Hannah's personal journey towards achieving her professional dreams and tackling that imposter syndrome that affects so many of us women.

At the end of the day, this book, like our hero Fox, was so much more than it appeared to be from the outside. It's not often that a romance novel embeds itself in my soul (for more than a really good sex scene) but this one has me thinking hard about the men in my life and about how I'm going to raise my own son (due in August). We're so focused on feminism in romance novels that I think we don't stop often enough to think about the toxic masculinity that affects our heroes as well, though I do think there's been a step away from the typical alpha males we've seen in the past.

This book--Fox and Hannah--should be treasured.

tessa bailey has perfected the honest, hilarious, and hot af romance novel. two things i really enjoyed about hannah and fox’s relationship were their honesty with each other and how their love helped to make the other feel whole. i was excited for hannah and fox’s story and this did not disappoint. imo, the better of the two bellinger sisters books.

#netgalley

Gahhhhh I love Tessa Bailey. I don't know how she always manages to write such good chemistry! So spicy!

I was expecting a typical friends to lovers, but that is not what I got. It was like an epic love story and a tale of self discovery for both Fox and Hannah.

I still can't decide it I liked this more than IHOS. But they were both amazing and I want to move to Westport ASAP.

This book managed to have one of my big book pet peeves and still get a five star rating. I hate the idea that a guy pushes a girl away "for their own good." But this was different because Fox's past and experience was really the thing holding him back. I feel like we can all relate to the insecurities thrust upon us. He just needed to talk them out a long time ago.

Hannah ended up being quite the leading lady and I loved seeing Fox support her in her career.

Can't wait for this one to come out in March and low key wish Piper and Hannah had another sister cause I'm not ready to leave Westport.

5/5 stars!

We're back in Westport, and this time the story is all about Hannah and Fox! These two were introduced in It Happened One Summer, and I couldn't wait to read their story. While their first interactions were all based on superficial judgments, these two actually forged a really cute friendship in the first book. When Fox took Hannah to the convention and secretly bought her that Fleetwood Mac record? Ugh so cute.

This one takes place several months after the first book ends. Hannah is still finding her way in the adult world, starting with taking control of her career path. She wants to be a music coordinator for films, but is still a lowly production assistant. Fox is still a cavalier playboy with no intention of setting down roots. The two maintain their friendship with daily texts that they both look forward to, maybe a little too much. When Hannah gets the opportunity to move her movie to the Westport to film, she jumps on it. Having no room at Piper and Brendan's place, Hannah rooms with Fox, what could go wrong with that? They're friends, right?

Hannah is such a gem. She's a genuine person that sees the best in people without being overly naïve. She sees through Fox's façade of being carefree and charming playboy. Obviously, Fox doesn't react well to someone actually being interested in him because what's there to even love about him other than his looks?

I knew there was so much more to Fox when we first met him. I loved all of his personality layers. He and Hannah complemented each other so perfectly.