I was super excited for ARC! It was a very feel good story that I needed to read. I loved getting to read Hannah's story. However, I feel like the story had an incredible slow build for a very rushed ending. I would have liked to see it spaced out a little better, but still a great read!

This book had EVERYTHING I wanted and more!! The humor, amazing. The spice, perfection. This book had the perfect friends to lovers story line. I am obsessed!

Fox is Brendan’s friend and shipmate who is known being a ladies man who doesn’t commit. Hannah, Pipers sister, is known for her love of music and lives in LA. When the film she’s working on needs a location, Hannah suggests Westport. Since she left Piper there, her and Fox have been texting. When Piper doesn’t have room for her to stay while filming, they suggest she stay with Fox.

I enjoyed Fox and Hannah’s story more as it was less of the enemies turned lovers and more about internal struggles. Sometimes Fox made me roll my eyes but I kept rooting for him.

Overall this was a fun, sightly less steamy than I remember It Happened One Summer being, but still had some steamy scenes.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins for the eArc.

Hook, Line, and Sinker comes out 3/1!

Fox has a reputation that he’s tried to outrun; it hasn’t worked, so he’s pretty much given up trying to rid himself of his bad boy, only good for sex persona.

The way this plot line came across when I read it was that Fox is a sex addict in serious need of therapy, which comes in the form of Hannah. He doesn’t think he’s worthy of any sort of bond with someone.

I did love Hannah’s character, though. Throughout the novel, she went on her own journey to find herself and stand up for what she wants out of life.

There wasn’t much mention of Piper and Brendan, which was nice because this wasn’t their story, but there was enough of them to bring back the fun of the sisterly bond between Piper and Hannah and the friendship of Brendan and Fox.

While I enjoyed aspects of it, I sadly didn’t enjoy it as much as ɪᴛ ʜᴀᴘᴘᴇɴᴇᴅ ᴏɴᴇ ꜱᴜᴍᴍᴇʀ.

I read It Happened One Summer a few weeks ago and absolutely adored it! I was so excited to get my hands on Hook, Line, and Sinker because I just loved Hannah so much in the first book. Hannah and Fox's friends-to-lovers relationship was so well executed. They truly bring out the best in each other and I love their dynamic so much. I also was so happy to have appearances from Piper and Brendan. Overall this was such an enjoyable read and it left me feeling happy and satisfied. I'm so sad this series is over because I just love these sisters so much but it was wrapped up perfectly.

LOVED THIS BOOk .. even more than I loved it happened one summer

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4337373450

Wow, just wow.

I loved It Happened One Summer, and what do you know, I loved this one too. Tessa Bailey has a way with characters, romance, and plot. She just knows how to marry them all into one entertaining mass that you just can’t put down.

This book is following Fox and Hannah’s love story. We met them both as supporting characters in IHOS, and while I loved them there, here is where they really shined, where they really became the main characters Hannah kept wanting to become.

Speaking of Hannah, I love her. She really blossoms in this book. I thought she was a well rounded human in the first book, but in this one we learn that she has her own learning/growing to do, just as Piper had before, and I really loved that. Hannah had to learn to be more assertive, to stand up for herself. I think I needed that lesson today. Complacency rarely leads to dreams coming true.

Fox also had a lot of growing to do. He needed to learn to trust himself, and to allow himself to be who he wants to be, not play to others perception of him. He has a lot he has to overcome (including toxic masculinity- like, how did you manage to fit in real life lessons as well as great plot, character development, AND delicious spicy scenes, Miss Bailey? Insane, but sooooo good) but Hannah is there to support him. Not to be a fix for him, as he obviously has to do the work, but to be a loyal friend, confidant, and so much more.

Do you know the miscommunication trope? This book has like the opposite of that. Sure, it might take some time depending on the subject, but our leads communicate and it’s so refreshing. Feelings are shared, assumptions are rarely/briefly made, and ground is covered when they talk. It’s beautiful.

The spice is also beautiful. “Waiting for you is the best I’ve ever had.” AHHHHHH IT’S NOT JUST STEAMY ITS HEART ACHINGLY ROMANTIC. They’re such a comparable pair. It’s definitely a friends to lover book (with a slightly slow burn approach?), which can sometimes be a bit boring, but not here. Here, it’s wonderful. Their love blossoms appropriately and all you can do is feel, laugh, cry and root for them. This is a definite must read, and I’m so glad I got to read it.

Hook, Line, and Sinker follow Hannah who is back in the town of Westport for her job, Where she is a production assistant on a movie. Fox lives in the town and is a fisherman. Hannah and Fox know each other because the summer before Hannah lived in Westport. After Hannah left town she kept in contact with Fox. Fox has no idea that Hannah is going to be coming into town for work. And when he sees her he realizes just how much he missed her. Hannah realizes that she has always had feelings for Fox. But she doesn't want to ruin her friendship with Fox so she keeps her feelings to herself. Soon Fox and Hannah realize that they have feelings for each other. But they don't know if it is the right thing to act upon those feelings. And soon they have to choose between being together or not.

I read this one because I love It Happened One Summer ( that was my favorite summer read of 2021). So when I heard there was a sequel I had to read it. Now if you have not read It Happened One Summer you can still read this book. However, there is so back story to these characters that you would be missing, if you did not read that one first. But if you have read It Happened One Summer you will get more of these characters' stories which I loved. This was such a cute rom-com and such a perfect follow-up book. I loved the characters I loved the chemistry. Also, it talked a lot about music and I loved that since I am also a huge fan of music, I highly suggest reading this one.

Thank you NetGally, Tessa Bailey, and HarperCollins Publishers for the ARC of this one.

This was one of my most anticipated reads of 2022 but unfortunately it was just fine. There wasn't anything wrong with this per se, but it definitely isn't my favorite Tessa Bailey. I didn't feel very invested in Hannah and Fox's relationship and it lacked a lot of the substance and humor from It Happened One Summer. Tbh I also actively hated the epilogue

Eh, I think Tessa Bailey and I just don't see eye to eye on what's sexy or romantic. In both books I've read so far, the dynamic between the love interests is more creepy. So I didn't like this book much, but I think it's more about personal preferences than anything else.

Well, this is Tessa Bailey in her true form! We've got an alpha hero who's damaged and a little broken but absolutely head over heels for the woman he loves. We've got a spunky heroine who is figuring herself out. We've got super steamy love scenes and lots of dirty talk and the kind of feels that just punch you in the heart. I raced through this book because I could not stop reading. I already loved Fox and Hannah, but watching them together really pushed them into favorite couple territory. A delight from beginning to end!

Another fun, sexy book from Tessa Bailey. The follow-up to It Happened One Summer, Hook, Line, and Sinker features the younger Bellinger sister and another drool-worthy king crab fisherman. This was a slow burn (sometimes a bit too slow for my taste), but delivered in the end. I can't wait to read whatever Bailey publishes next!

Friends to lovers
Angsty Slow burn
3 person POV

Plot 4/5
Steam 2.5/5

After It Happened One Summer (Bellinger Sisters, #1) took the world by storm, I was really excited to dive back into the Westport world and learn more about Piper’s quirky and responsible music loving little sister, Hannah. We were given some hints that Hannah and notorious himbo, Fox, might be developing an attraction, but I was not prepared for this angsty and emotional journey.

As the sister to the vivacious and attention seeking Piper, Hannah has felt comfortable in what she calls the “supporting actress role.” She doesn’t consider herself a leading lady although she would like to take some steps in that direction professionally and personally. Hannah works for a movie production company, but has always wanted to develop movie soundtracks. She also has had a crush on her boss, Sergei for years. After the events in book one, Hannah goes back to LA and begins work on a new movie. While she is gone, Hannah and Fox continue their friendship through a string of adorable texts.

However, things with the movie aren’t quite right. Hannah finally asserts herself and pitches Westport as the perfect setting for the movie. Much to her surprise, Sergei agrees. Hannah and the rest of the crew travel to Westport where they will film for a few weeks. Unfortunately, Piper’s future in-laws are visiting, so there is no room for Hannah to stay with her sister. Fox has an extra room in his apartment, so Hannah ends up staying with him despite some reservations from Brendan, Piper’s fiance and Fox’s best friend. Brendan was concerned that Fox wouldn’t be able to keep it in his pants, and Hannah isn’t the type of girl to hit it and quit it.

In a lot of ways, this story is about perception and identity. How do the characters view themselves? How are the characters viewed by others? How do those views impact the character’s actions, decisions, and relationships?

Hannah and Fox’s chemistry is off the charts. The tension in this slow burn is palpable. However, Hannah and Fox are worried that they are too different to make a romantic relationship work. Fox believes that he isn’t the type of person to have relationships at all. They have an amazing friendship and don’t want to mess that up. Will Fox be able to get over his insecurities? Can Hannah take the initiative to become a leading lady in her personal and professional life? Does Hannah even want Fox, or is she still hung up on Sergei?

I highly recommend you read this story as soon as it is released on March 1!

I just reviewed Hook, Line, and Sinker by Tessa Bailey. #HookLineandSinker #NetGalley

*4.5

friends to lovers, forced proximity, dual pov, BANTER, tension?! and just a bit of slow burn. throw in some mutual pining and we’ve got all the favs.

i just loved this book so much y’all. i kept reading pages over and over again because i wanted to savor this book as long as possible — i didn’t want it to be over. fox and hannah have my heart, truly. THEM <333

fox is so down bad for hannah. down TERRIBLE. he’s absolutely obsessed with her and you know what, as he should be. the biggest simp. truly.

i am so down bad for fox. this man who:
- pays attention to what ice cream she eats so he can get her favorite for her
- calls her by his own nickname he came up with [if ‘freckles’ isn’t the cutest thing ever]
- buys new decorations just to make her feel at home
- slow dances! makes her pancakes! buys her favorite records!
- looks at her in that specific way where everyone around them can tell he’s head over heels

fox and hannah’s dynamic, their chemistry, is *chef’s kiss*. they fit together so well and feel so undeniably comfortable with each other, but they also help each other grow. they understand each other on a whole different level. the power of friends to lovers!!!

individually, they each have their own character arcs. fox deconstructs the playboy reputation and toxic masculinity that has trapped him since before he was born, and hannah begins to believe in herself as the leading lady of her own story. they’re both so strong as characters, so together i love them even more.

the cameos from brendan & piper were also very much appreciated hehe

AND THE EPILOGUE LSDJFLSDSDLFJ i’m incoherent it was perfect

oh and! i loved how big of a focus music was in the book! super interesting. makes me want to invest in a record player

thank you to avon and netgalley for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

tw: death of loved one (in the past), grief

This book is just adorable!! Tessa Bailey did a fantastic job of building the chemistry between Hannah and Fox, and I loved watching their friendship grow to a loving relationship. Beautiful use of the friends to lovers trope :)

I haven't read "It Happened One Summer" yet, which is the first book in this series, but I felt this book was great as a standalone as well. Even though there were technically some spoilers from book #1, it doesn't deter me from reading it at all! Tessa is famous for her happily ever after's.

In this book, Hannah is working as a production assistant on a movie that brings her to Westport. While the movie films, she stays with in her friend Fox's guest room and their romance grows from there! At some points, I did find the internal monologue of the two main characters to be a little bit repetitive. Other than that- this book was extremely enjoyable to read!

Very light, fun, and romantic!! I highly recommend this to any contemporary romance readers.

Thank you Avon & Harper Voyager for the ARC :)

Can it be better than the first book in the series? Can the sequel or second installment ever live up to the hype? When I read It Happened One Summer I remember thinking, “wow it would be cool to find out what happens with Hannah and Fox”… I didn’t realize I would get the experience the absolute joy of reading that adorably gushy perfect love story. Hannah is just so damn likable in every single way. And I am a sucker for a great female lead in a book. I would highly recommend reading this book and be ready to love it more than the first one, which I thought would be impossible… but here I am relishing in the reality that it was that damn good.

Romance powerhouse Tessa Bailey wraps up her Bellinger Sisters duology with HOOK, LINE, AND SINKER, an unexpectedly emotional journey that explores what it means to define yourself on your own terms, despite what others expect from you. The story follows Hannah (sister of Piper, the main character of the prequel novel) as she returns to Westport for work, and strikes up a romance with her friend and Westport local, Fox. As Hannah pursues her dream of becoming a movie soundtrack producer, Fox battles perceptions of himself, reckoning with his past as well as his future. Funny, emotional, and of course steamy, I highly recommend both novels in this series.

Hook, Line, and Sinker is an absolute delight! Fun and flirty, it begs the reader to look beyond the surface and what you think you might know about a person. I didn't think I could like Tessa Bailey more than I did when I read It Happened One Summer, but the impossible is, indeed, possible. Loved it!

This book delivered EVERYTHING for me. I love Hannah & Fox's dynamic throughout the book & how supportive they are of each other. I mean, he calls her Freckles!! It was different than IHOS in all the right ways. The spice of the novel was sublime 🌶. Thank you Tessa Bailey for everything this novel is!

A special thank you to Avon & Harper Voyager for this ARC! I will definitely be buying the hard copy so I can have it along with IHOS.

I absolutely loved Fox when we were introduced to him in the first book, so I was thrilled to see that we would be getting his story next. Hannah was wonderful as well, and I couldn't wait to see the combination of them together. It did not disappoint! Friends to lovers isn't usually my favorite of tropes (I enjoy it, but there are others I love more), but this one was great. I loved the progression of the story & what they had to work through. These books were so wonderful & I have recommended them to so many people!