This book follows Hannah, who is the sister to the main character in It Happened One Summer and Fox who we also met in that book. Hannah and Fox have a relationship through music and this was my favorite part of the entire book. At the end of the day they would text each other a song that summed up their day and now I want to do this all the time! Hannah works for a movie producer and she gets him to film back in her home town in Washington and stays with Fox while there. Both characters have some internal problems that they work through in the book but for the most part I just was not invested in either of them. I think this will be last book this author because she just doesn't work for me. I thought the writing style was great but Im just not a fan of her characters, they don't grab me and make want to root for them. I do know that I am in the minority for this series and if you like spicy romances set in the Pacific Northeast then you should check them out. I have never been to Washington state but these books make me want to go even more, she writes the town and the water like another character in the book and I really enjoy that. Thank you Avon for my gifted copy for review.

ughhh this book! I didn’t want it to end. I loved the character development and watching hannah and fox’s relationship unfold. I may have even liked it more than It Happened One Summer 🤭 friends to lovers, slow-burn, dash of spice..absolute perfection in my book 🤌🏼

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Actual Rating = 4.25 stars

It Happened One Summer had been on my TBR for an embarrassingly long time, so when I saw Hook, Line, and Sinker pop up on NetGalley I requested it right away as a way of forcing myself to it. Like most readers, I adored It Happened One Summer and I adored Hook, Line, and Sinker but they are VERY DIFFERENT books.

The second installment in Tessa Bailey's Bellinger Sisters duology, Hook, Line, and Sinker is less of a rom-com than the first book. Don't get me wrong, it had its funny moments but I don't think I laughed out loud the way I did with It Happened One Summer.

Interestingly, the major emotional growth in this text is with Fox's character. Specifically, this book explores the way good-looking boys are sexualized from a young age into being "players"/"manwhores" and the kind of damage that can cause. I found this topic utterly fascinating, and think Bailey handled both the social commentary and Fox's character really well.

So why was this not a five-star read? Well, 1) it got really freaking close, you negative nancy, but 2) marketing this text as a rom-com, similar to the first book, does a disservice to Hannah and Fox's story IMHO. I also found that characters from the first book (Piper/Branden/Opal) felt like they were making an appearance more for continuity than because they really added anything. Also, the epilogue to this text is somewhat unnecessary, though it was adorable AF.

TL;DR = Read this. It's excellent. Just don't forget that this book isn't It Happened One Summer and has its own vibe.

***Thank you to Netgalley and Avon Books for sending me an advanced reader copy of Hook, Line, and Sinker by Tessa Bailey! All thoughts are my own!***

Tessa Bailey is one of my favorite romance authors, so I was ecstatic to receive an advanced copy to review. I adored her Hot and Hammered series so I was excited for this new romance. I read It Happened One Summer last month to prepare for this ARC and I loved it. I think Tessa did a fabulous job of building this world, the town, and all the side characters in the book.

Hook, Line, and Sinker takes place six months after It Happened One Summer, but through Hannah's perspective and we get to see more of Hannah and Fox's friendship developing after she left Westport. Hannah comes back to Westport to help with the movie the studio is filming. She wants step out of the shadows of being a supporting role in life and take charge by wanting to help create the soundtrack for the film. Fox is a ladies man with a reputation of not committing to a relationship and one night stands. He also is being offered the position of captain of the Della Ray by Brendan, who was a main character in It Happened One Summer, but Fox doesn't feel he can captain a ship and gain the respect needed because of his past.

I love how Tessa Bailey always has such in depth characters and you get a full 360 view of them and their background. Hannah has mixed feelings being back in Westport, since her father is a figure of the town that everyone respects and honors after his death. Since he died when she was so young, she feels she has no connection to him. Fox is dealing with his bad reputation of being a player and being exactly like his father.

I sometimes found it frustrating when Fox would get into his own head about whether or not their relationship could work with his past looming over him. He spent more time being concerned about what people would think, while Hannah was pretty much ready to devote herself to him and fight for their relationship.

I have to say the epilogue had me smiling the entire time. Seeing the future of both Hannah and Fox and Piper and Brendan made me very happy.

If you enjoy a steamy, slow burning friends to lovers romance, you will definitely enjoy this one. Hook, Line, and Sinker releases March 1st!

I love Tessa Bailey and I was so excited to catch up with the Bellinger sisters again! I'm not much of a series reader, but dare I say I may have enjoyed this book even more than It Happened Last Summer. I simply loved Hannah and Fox's story. Tessa Bailey's ability to combine the RomCom genre with relevant personal issues gives her characters substance and really brings them to life. She's quickly becoming one of my favorite authors!

This is the sequel to It Happened One Summer, which is Piper’s story, but this time this book is about her sister Hannah. Hannah returns to the small town Westport to help her director and crew film a movie. While she is there she stays with her hot friend, Fox. Will they become more?

This comes out March 1, 2022 and I want to thank Netgalley for this ARC. I got super excited when I got approved for this ARC since I’m a huge fan of Tessa Bailey. I was really excited to come back to Westport with Hannah and explore the town more and get to know more about Fox, the fisherman. I love both Hannah and Fox and how they can put a song to something in their friendship or lives. This book’s romance is a friends to lover and a slow burn romance and these two tropes are ones I highly enjoy. I did find Fox to be frustrating at times because he was always comparing himself to what others expected of him and comparing himself to his father instead of allowing Hannah into his heart. I definitely enjoyed this book and devoured most of it on Valentine’s Day, however I prefer It Happened One Summer more.

HOOK, LINE, AND SINKER – Tessa Bailey
A Perfect 10
Bellinger Sisters, Book 2
Avon
ISBN: 978-0-06-304569-9
March 1, 2022
Contemporary Romance

Westport, Washington – Present Day

Sexy King crab fisherman Fox Thornton can charm the panties off young women with just a look—except for California socialite Hannah Bellinger. When Hannah was in town last summer, her sister, Piper, hooked up with Fox’s best friend, Brendan, and the two are now happily engaged. You can find Piper and Brendan’s story in IT HAPPENED ONE SUMMER, out now. Fox and Hannah have settled into a comfortable and distant friendship as she’s now back in California working on a movie set. They occasionally text back and forth, and he knows that she’s attracted to her employer, Sergei. But while working on the movie set one day, Hannah realizes that the movie doesn’t have the right feel it should have. She suggests moving the filming to Westport. To her surprise, Sergei agrees.

But Hannah can’t stay with her sister in Westport because Brendan’s parents are in town staying with them. Piper suggests staying in Fox’s spare bedroom because he will be mostly out to sea. While it feels a little weird, Hannah agrees with the idea. Fox, on the other hand, is disgruntled by it. Why should he have to put up with Hannah under his roof when he’s finding himself attracted to her? He can’t bed her as she is his friend. However, she is fun and enjoyable to be around, though it doesn’t take long before their attraction is mutual. But can a surly fisherman have a chance for a relationship with a party girl?

There is a lot of fun banter between Hannah and Fox in HOOK, LINE, AND SINKER, and readers will no doubt enjoy it as much as I did. They seem so opposite of each other personality-wise, but they share a love for old music. Hannah likes her job working on the movie set but feels a bit constricted by the people around her. It might have to do with that she’s a newbie and they mostly don’t take her seriously. Then there is her unrequited attraction to Sergei. He doesn’t look her way, but when he agrees the movie set should move to Washington state, she feels like it’s a step in the right direction. However, she didn’t count on an attraction to Fox. He’s usually good-natured with her but lately, he’s been surlier. Is it because she’s invading his space?

Fox feels like he has nothing to offer a woman. His father was a heartbreaker and broke his mother’s heart. She looks at him like he’s a replica of his father. Hannah isn’t the love them and leave them type, especially since he’s friends with her sister also. Besides, Brendan has already warned him off Hannah. Yet, it doesn’t stop the desire—and soon the passion—from rising between them. Why shouldn’t a short-term fling work? Maybe because a couple of hearts might get broken in the process.

I really loved HOOK, LINE, AND SINKER. Hannah wouldn’t normally be a character I could feel for, but she’s a good woman with her deep-seated vulnerabilities. She has felt like a second fiddle to those around her. Fox makes her feel like a queen. HOOK, LINE, AND SINKER deserves a Perfect 10 from me. If you’re like me, you will enjoy this fun-filled tale.

Patti Fischer
Romance Reviews Today

Will also appear on our website at http://romrevtoday.com/

After reading It Happened One Summer, I was so happy to read Fox and Hannah's story! I feel like this story had all the tropes; forced proximity, friends to lovers, forbidden love, second chance romance, and slow burn. I loved the character building in this book; usually it's the female POV who is trying to figure out who she is but in this book, we see more of how Fox has to navigate through his problems. Ever since Fox was young, people treated him as a lady's man and not one that a woman can take seriously to date. He thinks that he isn't good enough for Hannah and doesn't want to date her and hurt her. I loved how Hannah refused to give up on him and was patient and helped Fox work through his issues. The epiloge was so sweet and a wonderful way to wrap up this series. Thank you Netgalley for this ARC!

INSANELY GOOD!!! Gave me all the feels, the two MCs were great and such a phenomenal addition to the series.

Tessa Bailey you will always be famous!

I’ll start off by saying that I loved “It Happened One Summer” and I so desperately wanted to know more about Fox and Hannah. So when I realized there is a book just devoted to them- I was already in love with it. I loved the building of the friendship and the tension between the two. They were like forbidden lovers and you’re anxiously reading the book hoping for the moment they realize they’re meant for one another. There was so many moments in the book that im like PLEASE JUST KISS ALREADY!!! Or HE LOVES YOU HANNAH CAN’T YOU SEE!!! Ugh and the emotional damage and baggage that came with Fox (I don’t mean that in any bad way, I absolutely loved getting to know him and having that stigma broken down about guys being players and what not just because they are attractive) and just seeing the impeccable character development. This book was it for me. 5/5 starts easily.

This book gave me all the feels.

I loved the theme and the message of this book. I think I may even love Fox and Hannah more than Piper and Brendan honestly. This book was all about trusting and believing in yourself. It was about knowing that you're enough and having the strength to follow through with your dreams and own up to what you want and deserve.

We got a peek at Hannah and Fox in "It Happened One Summer" and from there you could already tell this was going to be a swoon-worthy romance. This story picks up with Brendan and Piper left off.

When Hannah returns back to LA the last thing she expected was to develop this friendship with the famous lady's man Fox Thorton. This is definitely a slow burn friend-to-lovers romance. When Hannah pitches the idea to Sergei (her long time crush) to film the movie in Westport, Fox and Hannah are reunited and sparks begin to fly.

The tension is there. I very much felt like Fox wasn't the person they portrayed him to be from the start. I loved getting a glimpse into his character through Hannah's eyes. Some may find his conflict immature but I feel the opposite. I think that Fox's insecurities and his issues showed his vulnerable side. Men can be oversexualized too and his life he was told he was a pretty face and nothing more.

Meanwhile Hannah was a supporting character in her own life. She was very happy to be the helping hand for others but never the main character. I related to that so much. I loved her character development as well. She was strong in situations that would have made any woman crumble. She had enough strength for the both of them, which was honestly magical.

I think both Fox and Hannah went through a lot of relatable emotions and that is what made me fall in love with this story. I swear someone was cutting onions in the room somewhere near the end of this book. I was happy/sad and feeling all the things. Right in my office chair lol.

Well done. This book didn't disappoint at all.

Thank you Tessa Bailey, Avon and Harper Voyager for this ARC!

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

I have been waiting so patiently to read this since I snagged it, but I have had so many wonderful ARCs to read that it's been sitting on my TBR for months. I have read four or five other Tessa Bailey books, and I particularly loved It Happened One Summer, so I was pumped for this sequel featuring Hannah, the other Bellinger sister.. Talking to a friend who has also read this and other Tessa Bailey's, we agreed that it was one of the softest of her books. There's steam, and Fox, Hannah's love interest, has the usual alpha male in the bedroom kind of thing that most of Bailey's male leads do, but there's a lot of dimension here as well. So many contemporary romances that I read with male/female romantic pairings are about the female character finding herself/understanding her worth, and there's a little bit of that for Hannah, who is learning to be a "leading lady" in her own life, but this is mostly about Hannah and Fox working on Fox, helping him see that he's a caring, responsible person who isn't just good for one night stands. Lots of family trauma to work through for both of these characters, but because they build a strong base of friendship, they're able to help each other through it all. They were adorable, and I can't help but wish that maybe some long lost Bellinger sister will materialize so there can be a third book!

Fox has always been a flirt and everyone knows it. But his friend Hannah seems to be immune to his charm. When work brings Hannah to town and she stays with Fox that all changes. The more time they spend together the more their mutual attraction grows, but Fox doesn’t do relationships and Hannah is not looking to be another one of his one night stands. But can Fox change his ways and show Hannah how much he cares about her?

I loved It Happened One Summer and if its possible I might have enjoyed this book even more! Tessa Bailey is the queen of steamy romances so get ready for a very hot ride. Fox and Hannah were the ultimate friends to lovers couple with chemistry so off the charts I spent the first part of the book DYING for them to act on the steam between them. But more importantly, I love how fully they saw each other and were able to look past how others perceive them to truly get to know each other for who they are at the deepest level.

As I kind of mentioned, both Hannah and Fox really let how others perceived them impact their own self worth. Hannah felt she was more of a side kick than a leading lady, which at first stopped her from taking chances, asserting herself, and asking for the things she wanted. On the other hand, Fox had been labeled as a womanizer from an early age and the slut shaming that went along with that led him to believe he was incapable of loving/being loved and being in a relationship. Seeing their journeys and how they were each able to get past these misconceptions of themselves and find their self-worth was truly beautiful (especially Fox’s journey).

Thank you to Avon Books for the advanced copy!

3.75 Stars!

I've had high hopes on this one. I mean Fox and Hannah?? Come on!! It started well, I love their relationship, the "would they won't they vibe.." Fox helping Hannah gets Sergei's attention etc.

To be honest, this book makes me giddy at first. But somehow, I kinda felt bored once Fox spills his secret. His fears. I understand him.. really, I do. But it's been on repeat so instead on feeling their sizzle, I felt flat. Got bored and want it done.

A hot, spicy read that Tessa Bailey is known for. This is once again a slam dunk in terms of romance and adventures. Fox and Hannah were old friends, but now that she is in town and has set her eye on her co-worker, Fox is starting to see her in a whole new light. Now, they are fighting attraction to each other and on a sexy adventure.

Tessa Bailey will forever be one of my favorite authors! Everything she writes is everything I love about contemporary romance, and her newest book isn't any different.

This book takes place in the same fishing town as 'It Happened One Summer'. In this romance, we get to know Hannah and Fox. Fox is a good time charlie kind of guy that has been taught from a young age that he's the kind of guy you bed, but not one you would ever take seriously enough for a relationship. He and Hannah have been texting each other as friends for the last seven months, and when they start hanging out together again, sparks fly.

I can't say enough good things about this one. Fox was the kind of guy that you really feel for. He wants so badly to change his stripes, but has been boxed in by his reputation in a small town. Hannah tried so desperately to make him see that he can be more, but Fox doesn't want to sully her reputation by being with her. Their chemistry was so amazing, and the slow burn bringing them together doesn't disappoint in the least. A really original twist on the usual boy meets girl that had me finishing this one in one sitting! I don't know how she continues to do it, but each Tessa Bailey book I read just has me begging for more.

Thanks so much to Avon Books for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Confession: I requested this ARC back in October without having any real clue who Tessa Bailey was or that this was the second book in this series. After finally reading It Happened One Summer a few weeks ago, I could not wait to dive into this one. I was NOT disappointed.

I love Hannah and Fox so much! The author does a fantastic job of conveying their degree of compatibility. It was impossible not to root for them. It was also so clear why they struggled to figure themselves (and each other) out. My heart broke for Fox but I really liked that he was forced to work through his issues and things were not just magically resolved because Hannah walked into his life.

Also the harmonica story? DYING. My kids have harmonicas and I could just picture the scene with Hannah and Piper… READ THIS BOOK.

I was pretty nervous about reading this one because I loved It Happened One Summer so much but obviously shouldn’t have worried since I loved Hannah so much!

Friends to lovers isn’t normally my jam but Tessa still gave us all the tension between Hannah and Fox.

What a treat to be back in Westport!

Let me start off by saying that Fox and Hannah's friendship is everything. I have never seen a such a realistic depiction of friends to lovers. I don't think it can ever be an easy thing to go from friends to lovers, and this one portrayed the hardships of doing so, so well.

There were so many times when I wanted to reach into the pages and give Fox and Hannah a hug, I wanted to protect them at all cost. To be honest, there were times when I wanted to grab Fox by the shoulders and just yell at him to get out of his head and be honest with Hannah. PLUS!! The way they were there for one another and encouraged each other was what made me fall for them even harder.

Overall, such a sweet, beautiful book. A slow burn, but so worth it.

I have loved Fox and Hannah since the moment they began their back and forth banter in IHOS. I related to Hannah and could not wait for her book, and let me tell you, it did not disappoint. This is a slow burn, friends to lovers story that deals with a young woman named Hannah who’s always been a “supporting actress” in her mind, but never the main character. We follow her as she steps out of her sister’s shadow and discovers what she’s really capable of. She loves music and has a song for every situation. Then we have Fox, who is confident on the outside, but not so much on the inside. He is constantly slut shamed for his past promiscuous, playboy behavior, and always feels second best. He doesn’t feel good enough for Hannah and he doesn’t want to taint her reputation with his. But Hannah sees Fox for what’s inside, who he really is, not what others around them think he is.

I loved these two so much! I loved that Tessa touched on toxic masculinity and the effect that focusing too much on how a person looks can damage them emotionally. The prologue gave me everything I wanted to bridge the gap between where we left off with them at the end of IHOS and where HL&S begins. I loved seeing their friendship blossom and the cute little things they said to each other and that both of them were oblivious to how the other felt, even though it’s so obvious to the reader. These two help each other realize how to be the best version of their self and truly care about each other’s happiness. I was smiling through the whole book. I also felt that because they were friends first and tried really hard to resist their attraction to one another, it made me believe in their romance and love for each other even more so than Brendan & Piper. The only thing that kept me from giving this five stars is I felt the ending was slightly rushed, and I wanted a little more steam. Not necessarily more sex, but I needed a bit more tension and angst between them.
However, I loved the epilogue and the glimpse we got into their life (including B&P) so many years later rather than the typical “next step” epilogue where you just see them get engaged or married. This comes out March 1st and I promise you won’t be disappointed!

Thank you NetGalley, Avon, and Tessa Bailey for the ARC!