Rosie has been living for years in what feels like a loveless marriage to Dominic. So when she finally gets the nerve to leave him and start going after her own dreams, she realizes that there was more to her marriage than she wanted to see. That marriages often break down because of both parties and not just one.

Rosie was a little selfish in her way of thinking about the marriage. She was quick to put all the blame for their situation on Dominic. Even when she starts learning there was more to his love than what she was seeing, she wasn't ready to give him credit. Dominic is an alpha male, but when outside the bedroom, his love for Rosie is shown in quiet and unassuming ways.

These two are smoking hot together. I hadn't read Bailey before but she has the sexy romance genre on point. She wrote this wonderful couple, whose biggest draw to me, was that they weren't perfect. They were realistic and relatable, and then you got them together in the bedroom and wowzah! They remind us that marriage takes work and that we fall in love with people for a reason, and sometimes we lose sight of those reasons.

I received this one from HarperCollins and I hadn't read book 1 before this and I don't feel that I missed anything, which I absolutely love. But I am definitely adding Fix Her Up to my TBR because this is definitely a series I don't want to miss out on. Well done!

Rosie and Dominic have been together forever, but since he returned from his deployment over five years ago, their relationship has not been the same. They rarely talk to each other, and live mostly separate lives except for their scheduled weekly “sexy time.” Dominic thinks that everything is fine, but Rosie is unsatisfied. When she finally decides to call it quits, Dominic agrees to try a last ditch effort to save their marriage through counseling.

Overall, I thought this book was ok. Dominic’s hyper-masculine approach to his relationship with Rosie was too much at times (especially his so-called “dirty talk”). It often took me out of the story because of the cringe awkwardness. Additionally, I really didn’t enjoy Dominic’s secretive nature. His need to provide for Rosie was taken to the extreme and I found it difficult to believe. I wish Dominic’s character had been more developed.

I really enjoyed Fix Her Up because of the balance of humor and romance. Love Her or Lose Her is a much more serious novel. That being said, this was a fairly quick read and I didn’t hate it. I did appreciate how love languages were worked into the story. The ending was very sweet and I enjoyed their misadventures in marriage counseling as well. Tessa Bailey did a good job of showing these two characters falling back in love.

While I had hoped for a more humorous approach, I anticipate that most romance readers will probably enjoy this book.

In our roundup on RetailMeNot, 24 Last-Minute Stocking Stuffers Under $15, "Love Her or Lose Her by Tessa Bailey ($10.99 Kindle edition), [is] a sexy and sweet romp about a still-in-love couple on the brink of divorce trying to work their way back together."
https://www.retailmenot.com/blog/cheap-stocking-stuffers.html

Tessa Bailey is typically one of my auto buy authors. I tend to find her books dirty, funny, sometimes overwrought and dramatic but with this book this book felt different, more thoughtful and grounded and I have to say I like this change. Rosie and Dominic Vega are high school sweethearts who share a dream to better themselves. But they have lost the ability to communicate with each other and have become dependent on passion to cover up cracks. Until one day, Rosie realizes that passion won't be enough to feel like she is a healthy fulfilled relationship and tells Dominic how unhappy she is and that she wants to divorce. Initially Dominic tries to ignore the problems that Rosie lays out but through introspection and communication with his friends, he and Rosie enter couples therapy to work through their issues.

This is the very first romance that I've read where a couple goes through counseling to try to work through obvious issue and it was so refreshing. Instead of glaring and annoying, "why did they do that moments?!", there were actual moments of communication and growth.

Like most of Tessa Bailey's romances, the hotness factor was high, but it was also coupled with strong moments of sweetness and ultimately the book felt like the HEA was actually earned.

Tessa Bailey is definitely going on my list of new favorite authors to keep an eye out for! The Hot and Hammered series has been so much fun to read so far. I love the diversity not just in characters, but in storylines. I can honestly say I did not anticipate what was coming next for Dominic and Rosie and it was so fun to watch them remember who they were and find their way back to each other. The gang in their small town is too funny and I can't wait for more of this world with Bethany and Wes' story!

I actually really liked this one. It had the depth that I'm usually missing with romance books. I usually don't like super alpha/macho "i'm the man" dudes. But I think because Dom is a Man of Color I sort of get his programming. If that makes sense. I also like that he actively works on it. I may even have liked his personality more than Travis. The only thing I wish would have been explored more was the psychological effects of his time overseas.

Tessa Bailey is slowly working her way into my must read author list. This new series is adorable and hot and I can't get enough of it. This story was so moving and uncommon considering the couple is married. Looking forward to the next one!

Fix Her Up was one of my favorite books of the year so I was ecstatic to find out that the series was continuing! This time we are witnessing Rosie and Dominic's story,which picks up right after Fix Her Up ends. Tessa took a risk when writing this one because she used a very unhappy situation - a failing marriage - as a starting point for a romantic comedy. It shouldn't have worked as well as it did, but man was it good! I *might* even go as far as to say that this one was better than the first, because it was so realistic and emotional. The great dramatic moments you normally find in these types of books were quieter and internal which made them much more tragic but relatable. Who can't relate to feelings of inadequacy or losing part of themselves over time? Its part of growing up. I loved the fun that the therapist brought to the story, which was unexpected and wonderful. He provided a perfect reminder to them and us, the readers, that sometimes you need to look at something from a different perspective and not take things so seriously.

This book has all the emotions. While reading I felt Rosie and Dominic's emotions come through in the writing. This is a powerful story of two people who deeply love each other but have been so involved in their own heads and lives and have forgotten how much loved they shared. They will take you on a beautiful emotional journey of love and life.

Rating 4.5 Stars

Rosie and Dominic shared their first kiss in middle school, and thus, their romance began. However, Dominic seemed to be distancing himself from Rosie since returning from active duty, and Rosie, now tired of trying, decided to move out. This appeared to be a wake up call for Dominic, who agreed to last ditch marriage counseling. The question is whether love was enough to save this union.

Second chance romances are my kryptonite, and sweetening the deal, is the fact that these two shared so much history. I found it so easy to root for them to find their way back to each other, because it was obvious that they belonged together.

I have never been married, but I like that I am seeing more and more of these romances, where married couples try to work through their issues. A fairytale romance is great and all, but there is something so much more meaningful and hopeful about two people trying to save and reignite the love they had.

Bailey may have given these two a kooky therapists, but there was a method to his madness. He was able to get Dominic to open up, while also getting the two to understand each other's love language. Dominic was a man of action and he performed deeds to show his love. The problem was he did most of them in secret. The things he was doing on the DL for Rosie were really sweet, and I was happy, when she finally discovered all the small ways he expressed his love for her, and also liked the wonderful small ways she started showing her love for him.

Rosie needed words, and Dominic started small, with a letter, which was quite lovely, and definitely made me a bit misty. He would often share bits of their long history, and it was all so sweet and just turned me into a puddle of mush. He began to better understand what grown-up Rosie needed, and it was fantastic to see him rise to the occasion.

The thing I loved the most though, was seeing Rosie regain her confidence and go after her dream. The Just Us League was always behind her, But it was good that her husband was finally aware of her heart's desire as well.

This was a very heartwarming story, and all I can say, is that I smiled and teared up a whole lot. It was fun being back with the characters I loved from the previous book, while also meeting some new ones. There were laughs and love and grand gestures, which all enhanced my enjoyment and left me full of joy.

This is such a unique love story. The level of emotion and love is just astounding. This is not your typical boy meets girl, they fall in love and live happily ever after. This is about a couple who is already married but seem to have lost their way and what a story it is. Rosie and Dominic are both such complex and lovable characters and they’re such an incredible couple. Watching them struggle and fight for their marriage gave me so many feelings. I was in their corner from the beginning and I’m so happy they never gave up. This book is stunningly emotional, real and so poignant; it really hit me in the heart and soul. Tessa Bailey has penned something truly special here! I absolute loved it!!! This is such a great series so far with fantastic characters; I can’t wait for Wes & Bethany’s book which is sure to be amazing!

I am so thankful to the publisher and Netgalley for allowing me this early read!

It was great to read Rosie and Dominic’s story in this second book of what looks to be a trilogy. They were first introduced in the first book in the series Fix Her Up ad it was great to get to learn more about them. The couple has insane chemistry and it was interesting to see a romance novel focus on fixing a marriage.

I appreciate the opportunity to read an ARC of this novel. While I loved the premise, the story fell flat. I neither felt invested in Rosie in Dom as individuals, nor as a couple.

Enjoyable but I needed a bit more. I needed more to really buy into these characters and where they were coming from, how they felt. It was a decent read, I just was missing the wow.

I need to stop reading romance books about failing marriages because I'm always disappointed. Rosie and Dominic have a great marriage if your only qualifier is sex. One day Rosie realizes that because the sex is good (and the sex scenes in the book are well written and sexy) doesn't mean that she's happy with her husband not greeting her when she comes home from work or just talking to her at all. She decides that she wants a divorce. In desperation of not losing her, Dominic agrees with going to see a marriage therapist. Through the therapist, I realized that the book should be better called Communicate With Her or Lose Her. Not as catchy.

The book came so close to talking about actual issues. Rosie and Dominic express love in different ways. This was discussed and Dominic understands that he has to say things not just do nice things that she doesn't know about behind her back. I was so happy to read this. Then after this breakthrough the book didn't know what to do until the marriage therapist did a really cruel thing to them. It was brush aside in the end but it was cruel and dishonest. Dominic always did a stupid thing in the end but that got brushed aside because it was the ending of the book and the ending has to be happy with a bow on top of it.

The point this series is that love=horny. The happy couples are always wanting to have sex and everyone around them knows. It got tiring because what happens when a sex drive slows for (fill in the blank) reasons. Do they break up? Do they stop loving each other?

Also, I don't want to read the next book in this series as having a guy calling his love interest 'ice queen' is the opposite of sexy.

3 stars.

Love Her or Lose Her is the second installment in the Hot and Hammered series. I LOVED Fix Her Up and was excited to dive into this world again.

I went back and forth on how I feel about this book. I was hoping a few days would help me gain some perspective.

Let me start off by saying: it’s probably quite a bit more difficult to write about a couple who is already married and going through the not-so-glamours rough patch. I like angst as much as the next gal, but there was just something missing.

This book started off strong. I felt what Rosie was feeling - that she isn’t where she wants to be in life. That she wasn’t feeling fulfilled in her monotonous marriage.
Her husband - Dominic - was stoic except when it came to their routine Tuesday nights, where he’d finally show some passion, then back to robot mode.
She’d had enough.

Rosie leaving was just the rude awakening Dominic needed. He wants Rosie back and is willing to do anything to accomplish it.
Honestly, at this point, it was looking like a 5 star read for me. I was completely invested. The urgency with which Dominic was fighting for their marriage was admirable.

Where did things fall a little flat for me? I’d say it was midway through the book when they were being dealt with tasks. Their therapist was a tad silly. And the back and forth between them and other characters disrupted the flow.
This had me conflicted because I liked the side characters, but they did overwhelm the story in my opinion.

I like how the author didn’t just put all the blame on Dominic. It takes two. It was refreshing to see Rosie realize her shortcomings as well, and take responsibility for her part in the strain of their marriage.

The chemistry between Rosie and Dominic was hot and undeniable. But when they weren’t lusting after each other, I just didn’t see their connection. And I think that’s the most important part if you want a reader to fall in love with a story of an already established couple.

There was some definite great aspects that I absolutely enjoyed about this book - the humor, the chemistry and the different concept. And there were things I didn’t enjoy as much. So it’s a pretty much middle of the road for me. But that’s just me. I think a lot of people will actually like this one and I would recommend it if you love Tessa Bailey.

Ohhh my God, this book really worked for me.

I felt extremely meh about Fix Her Up. It was mostly fine, but parts of it really didn't work for me, or left me feeling uncomfortable. BUT NOT THIS ONE. The thing I enjoyed most about Fix Her Up were the side characters, i.e. Rosie and Dominic, so with this being their story I was so excited to read it. It is way more heartfelt and emotional while still being incredibly steamy.

Dominic and Rosie are the perfect couple. Married high school sweethearts, best friends, and ridiculously in love. Or at least, they used to be. Now Dominic barely speaks to Rosie, their relationship is in the gutter, and Rosie decides she’s had enough. She wants to live out her dream of opening a restaurant and she wants more out of love too. When she tells Dominic she wants a divorce, things start to change. He begs her not leave, not understanding what the problem is. He’s loyal to a fault, a good provider, and they love each other. What could possibly be making Rosie feel this way? Enter the ultimate marriage boot camp, a last-ditch effort to save what was once something beautiful between them.

This book is so emotional, it got me good. Rosie and Dominic really take a hard look at their marriage and realize that their communication is off. They learn about love languages and how to provide for each other in the way that best suits each other, and I just loved reading about them falling in love all over again.

The biggest problem I had with Fix Her Up was the characters. Georgie did not appeal to me, and neither did Travis. He was way too alpha male and some of the things he would say gave me an icky feeling. Dominic can also be described as an alpha male, but it feels different in his case. He grew up seeing his father in that role, providing for his wife and children and trying to give them the life they want and deserve. Dominic wants to do the same for Rosie. He begins the book being not great at verbally expressing his emotions. He’s more of an actions kind of guy and thinks he’s showing love by providing a home for his wife and working long hours so there’s money for food and essentials and comfort. He wants to be the provider, but he also doesn’t dissuade Rosie from working and providing as well. Granted she has a shitty job when the book opens, he never asks her to quit, instead he does little things that are revealed later that improve her work experience. He wants her to have her dream restaurant, he just doesn’t know how to effectively communicate that. He’s definitely alpha, but he has more reservations than what I found in Travis while reading Fix Her Up, and that worked so much better for me.

Rosie is also so much more appealing as a leading lady. Her personality is easier to connect to and her growth is fantastic. When she realizes that she and Dominic are both contributing factors to their marriage failing, and it’s not just him, it’s so raw and real and I loved it.

There were definitely still a few cringy things during the steamy scenes, but overall this book was so much better than Fix Her Up in my opinion, and I cannot wait for book three in this series!

*Thank you to Netgalley and Avon for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review.*

Don't be fooled by the sweet cartoon cover - this book is a scorcher. Like... hot hot hot. Rosie and Dominic have been together since the seventh grade, and their marriage is in trouble, but their sexual chemistry is emphatically not the problem.

Rosie (who we met in Fix Her Up) has been feeling isolated in her marriage for a while, and trapped in her job. Dominic has been exclusively focused on providing for and caring for Rosie in invisible ways, and has stopped communicating. I'm not sure I've read a book that has the heroine leaving the hero in chapter two, but having a black moment that early on left me wondering how they were going to repair their marriage.

Bailey does a wonderful job of making their love for each other clear, and having them discover how to express that love. She also takes the unusual step of actually showing the characters in therapy (which has some serious comic moments, but also very very poignant).

I was a little annoyed by Dominic's stoicism and inability to reveal a secret he'd been keeping, but mostly I appreciated how quickly he accepted other feedback on how to be a better partner.

I'm really enjoying this series - it has comedy, a sweet cast of characters, and it also sizzles.

I received an ARC from the publisher via Netgalley for review.

Dang the steam is real with this one. I was not expecting that level of smut somehow. I didn't read the first book in this series although I know there were mixed reviews. Books like this make me wish for half star reviews because it's really not quite a 4 star but 3 stars seems low. I found the story engaging and inoffensive (not to say it couldn't be, just that I didn't pick up on it) which is pretty much all I'm looking for in a romance. Some of the terms used during the sexy times were a bit personally cringe-worthy but that won't bother everyone.

I was so in love with the first book in this series, I thought there would be no way that the second one could hold up. Oh boy was I wrong! I think I liked this one even more. I just thoroughly loved Rosie and Dominic Vega. Their relationship was so sweet and even though they were married, it had a really excellent slow burn. I am officially ready for the next book in this series!