After the absolutely stellar, It Happened One Summer, I was nervous its sequel would not live up to the perfection that was the first. While this second novel in the series is markedly more serious in tone, it is beautiful in its own way. This time, we see Pieper's younger sister, Hannah, back in town for a movie shoot, and reconnecting with her soon-to-be-brother-in-law's friend who has quite the reputation with the ladies. But he and Hannah are friends, right? So it shouldn't be a problem if she crashes with him during the movie shoot, right? And they're JUST friends... right?

This book achieved a number of feats I appreciated. First, this book raises some points about toxic masculinity that are valuable. Second, it has a beautiful integration of music and shows us a fascinating career path in music and soundtrack development. And third, it has that hallmark Tessa Bailey steam! Not quite like the first book (or her other books), because one of the main themes is that the hero is a person beyond his sexual attributes, but when it happens, it happens in true Tessa Bailey fashion.

I enjoyed this book immensely, and though it doesn't have the same humor as the first book, I appreciated it for what it was and would wholeheartedly recommend it.

Thanks to Avon for my ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

5 stars - 10/10

Tessa Bailey is also going to be an auto-buy for me because she just pulls you in. Fox and Hannah were such a fun couple to really root for. Best friends to lovers is *chef's kiss* and this was one of a kind. I'm kinda sad their our only 2 sisters because I love this little town and universe Tessa has built. Please go get this masterpiece!!

Don’t let the innocent cover fool you into thinking this is an innocent romance, because it is not! This is book 2 in a duology but can be read as a stand alone.

Hannah and Fox have been texting for the past month and have developed a sweet friendship. Hannah returns to the seaside town of Westport to work on a movie shoot for two weeks. Since Fox is king crab fisherman and will be mostly on the ship, he agrees to let Hannah stay in his guest bedroom. This could be the worst-or best-idea ever. Will their friendship survive or will this give them an opportunity to forge a new path?

I was rooting for Hannah and Fox from the beginning! Poor misunderstood and broken Fox: I wanted to bonk him on the head so many times! These two had many emotional barriers to get through, but in true Hannah fashion, she never gave up. And, Fox certainly put his dirty mouth to good use…multiple times.

A heartfelt, gut wrenching, and humorous story with a broken hero and a heroine who sees past the playboy exterior, this is one romance story you won’t want to miss!

Thank you NetGalley and Avon Books for an advanced copy!

What a great book! I love Fox and Hannah both so much. Hook, Line, and Sinker tackles toxic masculinity, family ties, pursuing a dream, self determination,, and how that impacts two people falling in love. This friends to lovers as well as "don't date best friend's sibling" adjacent in the world of tropes. Fox's best friend, and captain of his fishing boat, is engaged to Hannah's sister. We met them in It Happened One Summer. That's also when Hannah and Fox met. Since then they've been texting and becoming friends and laying the groundwork for falling in love. Hannah comes back to Westport to film a movie, and she stays at Fox's place. There is not just one bed, sorry fans of that trope.

Fox has a reputation that has both been placed upon him and that he has earned, as a skirt chaser and man who sleeps his way through the female population. It all is rooted in his father, and somehow people had expectations he would be the same as his father simply because 1) he's the son, and 2) Fox looks like him. It's twisted and wrong and somehow it's only Hannah who has been willing to stand up and say stop, hold on, you don't own this legacy. And how dare anyone decide who you are because of who your father was. Fox has a lot of healing to do and a lot of learning to trust that he is more than that label and that other people will see him as more than that label. Furthermore, he has to be willing to let Hannah put herself out there at his side. He's afraid she will be tarnished by his reputation, and he doesn't want that for her. Which, fair, but also, that's her choice, not his. AND also maybe it won't actually be a thing? All of these are the battles Fox has to face, while also learning to accept that he is actually worthy of love, and yes, Hannah loves him. If ever there was the need for a "Shut up and kiss me" line, that's pretty much what Hannah has to do and say.

And Hannah. She has her own demons to fight. Her father did when she was a toddler and she has no memories. That leaves her feeling adrift. How can her sister remember so much and feel conencted to her father and to Westport, when Hannah feels nothing? A fortuitous discovery of some old songs, is a revelation for Hannah. She finds the thing that connects her to her father, and it's special and individual to her. Which is the ultimate gift and lesson. Everyone's connection is what is particular to that person. It doesn't need to be the same as someone else's and that doesn't make anyone's more or less important or strong.

There are side characters, but this is Hannah and Fox's story. I think Fox's mother is important because she is able to be there to apologize for her role in his reputation (yeah it's messed up but good for the clarity and apology). She is also a colorful character and we have some of the best scenes surrounding a bingo hall. Hannah's movie crew, especially the director, are there to help her figure out where and what she really wants to pursue in her career. I'm glad we don't get bogged down in a side plot with any of them and the focus stays on Fox and Hannah.

This is a Tessa Bailey, so yes, sexy times on the page. They are hot and Fox and Hannah get down and dirty. However, the better scenes, in my opinion, are the ones lie when Fox and Hannah fall asleep together without sex. It is warm and inviting and fully charged with emotion. I think the language of the sex scenes works two ways. On the one hand, it's often too full of "I know Fox will be good in bed" type language, which only reinforces the toxic masculinity label Fox is trying to escape, and I didn't love that. But it's also a chance for Fox and Hannah to both say, hey we can share this hot hot sex and that doesn't mean it's a one night stand. So the sex isn't just for heat, the scenes are doing the work. Tessa Bailey fans will be happy either way, I think.

Two Pacific Northwest caveats, because they have to be said. There's a Seattle scene with a throw away line of Hannah seeing she needed to buy an umbrella. We rarely use umbrellas in Seattle. It's almost an urban legend at this point about how we don't use umbrellas, but just get some Gortex. Umbrellas are for tourists. And there is, at best, only a microscopic possibility of seeing a moose in Puyallup. It's not impossible. But it's almost impossible. They just aren't in that part of the state, and Puyallup is basically a suburb, not in the mountains. Just so you know.

I think this worked fine as a standalone. Pacing is excellent and I could have read it in one sitting if I'd had that kind of time. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

CW; toxic masculinity, father's infidelity, difficult parent relationship

Okay I loved this one! I love Fox and I LOVE Hannah. They fit together so well. The story was very realistic and I loved everything about it

I am a sucker for a friends to lovers romance and this one does not disappoint. We see Hannah and Fox meet in book one and they have been friends ever since, so when Hannah comes to visit and can’t stay with her sister, she stays with Fox.

The emotional development these characters have is really beautiful. They each help each other with things they’ve been struggling with. This turns into a slow burn romance between them with some heated moments sprinkled in which Tessa Bailey never fails at. It wraps up with the perfect epilogue that concludes the story in such a great way. The only thing that I wish there was more of was Piper and Brendan from book one but that’s just cause I missed them.

I really liked this one. Fox and Hannah’s relationship is so cute, but I wish there had been more witty banter between them. I know Tessa Bailey is capable of writing that and I missed it in this one. Every conversation was a little too serious. I also didn’t like Brendon’s actions in this book. He was kind of an asshole, which goes against how he was in the first book. I also didn’t think that the “10 years later” epilogue was necessary. It wrapped everything up a little too nicely. I would much rather have gotten an epilogue with Fox’s proposal instead.

Hook, Line, and Sinker is book two in the Bellinger Sisters romance series.

The narrators are Hannah and Fox (3rd person POVs). They were supporting characters in It Happened One Summer (the first book). I would definitely recommend reading these books in order.

This was an enjoyable read. It's definitely different to read a romance where you were already introduced to both main characters in a previous book. But it just made me like those characters even more.

This story focuses on music and friendship. The romance part was very slow burn. I loved Hannah and Fox's banter. But it was definitely difficult to see Fox be so hard on himself (due to his past reputation as a ladies man).

The musical aspect was one of my absolute favorite parts of this book. And I loved getting to see more of Piper and Brendan.

I guess the epilogue makes it clear that this series is over. I definitely enjoyed both books. They are super sexy and fun reads!

This book was fine overall. Hannah stayed with Fox while the movie filmed as a convenience, but things quickly turned romantic , or lustful, really. I felt the conflict with Fox was a tad immature-that he let those around him define him. As an adult, you’d think he would’ve grown out of that, so that envelope of immaturity was irksome…
I think half of what bothered me was the amount of sex in the book. I thought it was going to be light and sweet, not dirty. Would. Have preferred more Rom-com sweet than sex.

“Hook, Line and Sinker” ARC by @tessabaileyisanauthor (releasing March 1st)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 STARS

This book oozes with small-town charm and is packed full of heart ❤️ Hannah is the quirky, supportive and sensible little sister who always seems to have everything figured out when in reality, Hannah feels nothing but lost. Hannah feels like the support actress in her life and not like the “leading lady” she desires to be. After some time back in L.A., Hannah finds herself once again in Westport after convincing her super hot but totally emotionally unaware boss to start filming their movie in the heart of the town 🎬❤️

Whilst staying in town, Hannah takes up residence in bad-boy Fox’s spare room. Everyone, it’s fine… they’re just friends. Well… it’s a bit more complicated than that but all I can say is that this bad-boy with a reputation in town is more than what he seems… ❤️

Fox decides to help Hannah with her “little crush” on her filmmaker boss when the chemistry between these two start to heat up. Both Hannah and Fox know what they want, but they are stubborn to admit their past feelings for each other. When real feelings start to get involved, this leaves the pair with one big decision to make…

This story is about two individuals that were probably never meant to meet, but once they did, their chemistry was electric, leaving the reader to crave more of this angsty story. This story was raw, heartfelt and showed the reader what it’s like to finally let all of your walls down. It delved into the feeling of being exposed, unguarded and vulnerable with the right person.

This heartwarming friends-to-lovers’ story will speak to anyone who has ever seen themselves as the supporting character, rather than the “leading lady”. It will speak to those that have experienced imposter syndrome and the fear of chasing your dreams. This story also beautifully encapsulates the feeling of finding the perfect song for a particular moment in time and will appeal to any music lover like our leading lady Hannah 🎶❤️

I really connected with this story, the characters and the idea that if we have a little faith and trust in one another, our dreams really can come true.

Story: 5 ⭐️
Steam: 4 🔥 med smut


Ugh I just loved this!! Fox is so swoony and I just wanna wrap him in a warm hug. The steam is this book is just 🤤 I was blown away. It’s definitely a slow burn but worth the wait! I loved seeing Hannah find herself and just the whole thing was great!

Consider me Hooked on Hannah and Fox's story. I couldn't have asked for a better follow up to It Happened One Summer!

From the very first interaction between Hannah and Fox, their chemistry was undeniable. I had so much curiosity revolving around Hannahs love for music after the previous book, and how it would tie into the duos growing relationship. The way they used music as an outlet to express themselves when their own words seemed to fail them had me swooning! 😍 The special attention and care that Tessa Bailey put towards acknowledging past traumas and its effects on day to day life also added a whole new depth to the story that helped create such an emotional connection between the characters.

Ultimately what Tessa Bailey did with this book is nothing short of magical, and I am incredibly grateful for NetGalley, Avon, and Harper Voyager for providing me with an ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.

I’ve never been so giddy after reading a book before! Tessa Bailey’s sequel to “It Happened One Summer” was the perfect follow-up and springtime read!

Summary: When Hannah crashes in Fox’s apartment during her stay in Westport, it’s obvious that the lines between friendship and flirtation begin to overlap. Hannah can’t deny her attraction to the fisherman, but at the same time doesn’t want to be another notch on his bedpost. What happens next is a mix between healing their present and fighting their pasts.

My thoughts: While reading the first book, I was immediately drawn to Fox and Hannah, needing more and more time with them. First off, friends to lovers is one of my FAVORITE tropes, so their story was exactly what I needed to fulfill that piece that was missing.

Additionally, I feel that a big reason why I was drawn to Hannah more than Piper in the first place was how much I related to her. Her ambition and drive to advance in her career path, but unable to find that spark or chance to do so until someone comes along to back them up is something I feel that I can relate to.

I loved that Fox and Hannah challenged one another to grow, knowing that they only wanted the best for each other and in return pushed themselves to do the same for their own personal goals. (However, Fox did drive me crazy with some of his choices).

Overall, Hannah and Fox’s story was everything I hoped for and more💖.

Thank you so much to NG and the publishers for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

I absolute love Tessa Bailey and everything I have read by her. She is my sweet spot in romance. Enough spice but where there is still a plot outside of the bedroom. I really enjoyed It Happened One Summer and thought it set up perfectly for Hannah to have her own story. Typically, I don't love "friends to lovers" trope but in this case it worked because they really did like each other from the start even if they were weary of it! I love Fox and he is just so precious for Hannah. This was very much a slow burn but worth the wait!

4.5/5

I’m so happy we got to read about Fox and Hannah! They had CHEMISTRY in It Happened One Summer and it just got even better in Hook, Line, and Sinker.

There’s so much more to Fox than you realize. I just wanted to wrap him up in bubble wrap and protect him from the world. I loved how much Hannah cared for him and trusted him. It was refreshing to read about a playboy without the “girl thinks guy cheated on her cause he’s a playboy” trope. I absolutely adored this book. Can’t wait to see what Tessa Bailey comes out with next.

Hook, Line, and Sinker is the second book in the Bellinger Sisters series, and focuses on younger sister Hannah, who wants to create movie soundtracks, but is stuck as the world's most competent PA, and Fox, the local Romeo who is so pigeon holed into his role that even he believes he can't be anything else.

Falling back into the world of Westport and Tessa Bailey's writing was great. I'd been in a multi-book slump, and this broke through. Fox and Hannah's relationship begins in It Happened One Summer, and here we get to see how they build a long distance text friendship, which is so sweet and epistolary, and yum. While Hannah and Fox don't jump into bed with each other right away, there is so much tension. And innuendo. And tension. Then when they do? It's worth the wait.

The characters both have journeys which lead to them better establishing who they are and who they want to be. And we get to revisit Piper and other characters from the first book. I would recommend reading that one first because 1) it's great and 2) the Hannah and Fox dynamic begins there.

This is one for the keeper shelf.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Hook, Line, and Sinker is the standalone follow-up to It Happened One Summer. This story features Hannah Bellinger and Fox Thornton, who were first introduced in the previous novel. After Hannah’s sister, Piper, moved to Westport, Washington, and fell in love, Hannah returned home to Los Angeles where she continued to work in movies as a production assistant with a dream of transitioning into soundtracks. She met Fox, who is the best friend of her sister’s now fiancé, Brendan, and the two of them became friends. When Hannah convinces the director, who she has a crush on, to film in Westport, it is a chance for Hannah and Fox to reunite. The two of them get closer when Hannah is unable to stay with her sister and ends up staying in Fox’s guest room.

Hannah is used to being in the background while Piper remains in the spotlight, so she is convinced that she is the supporting character. She wants to change this in some ways, but it is easier said than done. Fox has the reputation of being a ladies’ man with a string of one-night stands. He is afraid of rejection to change this part of himself now that his reputation is established. Both Hannah and Fox were attracted to each other during Hannah’s initial time in Westport and they decided to become friends. Throughout this novel, both have their reasons for both wanting to become a couple and to remain friends, so there is a lot of angst written for each character. I loved the friendship between both of them as it seemed genuine and not just in place to create the basis of the friends to lovers trope. The two characters supported each other and helped each other grow throughout the story and their transition to a potential couple seemed natural and realistic.

While the story did deliver on the fun and sweet friends-to-lovers story, it provided a lot more heart than I initially expected in an amazing way. Fox and Hannah on the surface are a rake and wallflower type story, but the author created a lot more complexity for both characters. Each received a lot of attention for their growth throughout the story, so it was a very balanced and romantic read. Since this is a slow burn, there are some moments where scenarios seem to repeat, which may not be for every reader. For me, I did not mind as I was invested in the characters, setting, and story. Although I enjoyed the steamier moments between the characters, as a reader, I connected more with the emotional intimacy the two characters shared. Overall, this was an excellent wrap-up to the Bellinger Sister duology and I hope that there are more novels to re-visit Westport in the future!

**I give a special thank you to Netgalley and the publisher, Avon and Harper Voyager, Avon, for the opportunity to read this entertaining novel. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.**

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5

“Not everyone has to strive for greatness. Sometimes getting by is just as rewarding.”

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a chance to read and review Tessa Bailey’s new release prior to its 3/1 release!

I am so disappointed. I LOVED the first book (It Happened One Summer). I think it made its way as one of my favorite romances of the year to be honest. When I was approved for this one, that follows Piper’s sister Hannah, I was pumped. I loved Hannah in the first book and was eager to read her story. I am so sad I didn’t enjoy this one as much as I had hoped.

“No, this was her story line, and she had to write it herself.”

Fox has some serious trauma, and that is reflected in the story. He is known basically as a f*** boy and only good for sex. So when he starts to fall for Hannah, he pulls away (typical) because of what society labels him as due to his trauma. I get it. This was an important aspect of the book BUT it was mentioned SO many times that I actually got very annoyed. I kept saying “Not again Fox, we all know you have issues. Why are we doing this again?” I kid you not, it was in just about every chapter.

I did enjoy Hannah’s story as she became her own “leading lady” and finally standing up for what she wanted. I loved her love for music and how that was intertwined in the story. I loved her patience for Fox and her therapeutic approach (I see you girl) to him and his life. She was absolutely way TOO good for Fox. Yeah, he got better eventually but, I said what I said.

This book was STEAMYYYY 🔥🔥🔥 (mostly towards the latter half of the book). Tessa Bailey remains the queen of writing very intense and steamy scenes. I don’t hate it.

“How did I look at her? He was afraid to find out.
“Ah, son. Like a summer day showing up after a hundred years of winter.””

Overall, I was not impressed. It took me WEEKS to get through this because I just did not want to pick it up. But I was determined to finish it with hopes of it getting better. It did slightly improve, but not enough for me. I still love Tessa Bailey though.

“”Our love is always enough. It’s always more than enough.””

This book. Wow. I loved It Happened One Summer last year, but Hannah and Fox’s relationship has a certain tenderness in it that made me fall for them a bit more. The way Tessa Bailey described the characters’ inner thoughts and feelings is all SO convincing. I genuinely feel them falling for each other and even *initially* trying not to.

Starting from It Happened One Summer where we saw glimpses of Hannah and Fox’s friendship, it continued through their text exchanges while Hannah came back home and Fox remained in Westport. I love how both of them kept trying to form a connection even when they were apart. Now that Hannah is back in Westport and staying in Fox’s house, the tension and attraction keeps building between them.

Hannah is trying to get past Fox’s walls. He’s kind of closed off on his feelings and he also doesn’t want to ruin their friendship. His reputation is that he’s not known for committed relationships, so he thinks she deserves more than him. And yet Fox finds himself slowly opening up to her and allowing himself to be vulnerable.

It was very relatable how Hannah felt like she wasn’t “leading lady” material, thinking she’s just a supporting character to the people around her. I admire her traits and her trying to achieve her dreams, and I LOVE that she was able to find a connection with her late father in a way that felt very special to her.

I want to give Fox the biggest hug. I loved his growth so much. He had a lot of unlearning to do coming from how he was sexualized and slut-shamed growing up – with all the words said to/about him that molded into truths in his mind, but now he’s straying away from living up to that and letting himself be the kind of person he actually wants to be.

I think this is a very well-rounded romance complete with a good story arc for both leads. This is now one of my favorite romances of all-time.

Thank you, Avon Books and netgalley for my E-ARC, in exchange of honest review.

Tessa Bailey has nailed it once more! 'It Happened One Summer' had me captivated from the first page, and while I love Piper and Brandon, I was immediately drawn to Hannah and Fox. For me, Hook, Line, and Sinker was a perfect romance. Everything about Hannah and Fox's story was fantastic!

It follows the story of Hannah, who is Piper's younger sister, and she isn't used to being the star of the show in her own life. She's back in Westport, where she's working on a film, and it feels good to be back. She's back with her sister, and she's back with Fox. While Hannah was in town before, Fox and Hannah became friends and have remained in touch. Hannah sleeps in Fox's extra room while in town. It's not a big deal because they're just pals. While Hannah has a crush on a coworker, Fox decides to assist her by flirting with her to pay her more attention. When that flintiness becomes genuine and actual sentiments get involved, they must make difficult decisions.

Hannah and Fox's chemistry was outstanding. It was the perfect friends-to-lovers relationship. It was wonderful how they were able to connect via music, anxieties, and friendship. Their love was so pure and sincere. It was a slow build that seemed both raw and utterly authentic. But don't get me wrong, it was still a Tessa Bailey book, so there was enough spice and tension. This novel made me laugh out loud. I'm completely smitten with this couple. I wish I could give this book more than 5 stars because it was incredible. Highly recommend!