It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey was one of my top reads this year, so when I got Hook Line and Sinker I dropped everything I was doing and read it in one day.

Hannah and Fox were introduced in It Happened One Summer, and it was nice to read a book fully surrounding them and their relationship.

Hannah grows and tries to find her place as a "leading lady" in her own life. Fox is working through his view on relationships and how people have perceived him his whole life as a quick hook up. It was fun to watch them grow into their own as people and friends.

This was a slow burn and there were so many times I was thinking to myself "you're perfect, just get together already!" However, I think the build up made the payoff better in the end. I loved the epilogue as well! It was so sweet.

This book was another hit by Tessa Bailey!

Thank you Avon Books Harper Collins and Netgalley for my copy.

Hook, Line, and Sinker is out 3/1/22

An absolute freaking delight. Can we round up some long-lost Bellinger sisters just so Tessa Bailey has a reason to continue writing this series?!? Maybe their grandmother can be next?!? Lol, at this point I'll read whatever just to stay with these characters.
The carry over from It Happened One Summer was lightly explained, but if you want Hannah and Fox's story from the very beginning, you should pick up the first book (and enjoy Piper and Brendan's story!) I love that their attraction was pretty obvious from the beginning, despite Hannah's long-lived crush on stupid Sergio. The tension just grew and grew and I was desperate for these two to figure their ish out and get together!
The thing I loved so much about this book was how she treated Fox's character. I don't really want to explain too much because it was such a delightful surprise what she did with him - basically, everything we knew about who he was, from the first book, and from Hannah's perception of him, is turned on its head. This journey is so authentic to their relationship journey, but it also touches on some really important social issues, specifically the way we treat sexuality (in men and women), toxic masculinity, and the harm of generational trauma. I know that sounds super heavy, but trust me, she does it well, and it's all wrapped up in some wonderful pining, hilarious moments, and Bailey's trademark sexy scenes.
READ THIS SERIES!

Wow! I love the story lines of Tessa Baileys books. After reading Piper and Hannah’s story earlier this year, I was anxious to read more. I loved the story of Hannah and Fox. It tugged at my heartstrings and made me want to be friends with the people of Westport. My only complaint is the illicit scenes. Way too open door and explicit for my taste.

The emotion in this book is heartbreaking, raw and so beautiful. This is a friends to lovers slowburn that really peels back layer after layer of depth in each chapter. Both Fox and Hannah help one another open up and take control. I think my favourite part was how we get to see Fox work through years and years of self doubt put on by himself and those around him. After he develops a friendship with a woman who sees around the front he’s put up, he realizes how much he has to offer after a lot of self work. Hannah’s journey at becoming her own leading lady was so relatable.

The chemistry between Fox and Hannah is SO good and will have you rooting for each character individually and of course, together. The slowburn causes tons of angst which just makes the relationship that much better. If this isn’t on your radar yet, go add it to your list for next year asap because I truly think this book will impress so many!

I love a friend's to lovers trope almost as much as enemies to lovers. This really was hook, line and sinker for me. I was hooked from the beginning and it didn't let me go until the very end. This was a hot 🔥 🥵 and easy read for me as a fluffer inbetween some very hard core dark books. 5⭐

3 stars
thank you to avon harper voyager and netgalley for the digital ARC! :)

'it happened one summer' was one of my favorite romance reads of 2021 and while piper x brendan were definitely the best part of the book, hannah and fox also stole the show for me. i was soooo excited to get an early copy of this book and their love story.

'hook, line, and sinker' follow our two leads a few months after the end of the first book. the two have developed a friendship, one that we saw the beginnings of 'it happened one summer'. hannah's job lands her back in westport... and in fox's apartment as his temporary roommate.

sparks fly immediately. the two had a definite chemistry and they were really fun to read. their reluctance to cross the line from friendship to more provided some much-needed angst. they had some hot (🥵) scenes. but i think what i liked the most was that they were friends first. their relationship had such a solid base and they supported each other. they helped each other. it wasn't just one of them fixing the other, it was both of them working together to better themselves. and i always think romances could use more of that.

would recommend this. it didn't steal the show for me like 'it happened one summer' did but this is a book romance readers everywhere will love and adore.

Really loved it! Hannah and Fox were such a cute couple, and you couldn't help but root for them as they went from friends to something more. Can't wait to read more of Tessa Bailey's books!

Wow, wow, wow!! This book is steamy and hot! Whew! I loved It happened one summer with Brendan and Piper and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this one to read Hannah and Fox’s story. It did not disappoint! Hannah and Fox have undeniable fireworks between them and some strong sexual chemistry! This book was a fun, quick read and was totally unputdownable. It leaves you with feel good, happy vibes! I can’t wait to keep reading more from Tessa Bailey!

If you loved It Happened One Summer like I did, you need to preorder this now! I loved Hannah and Fox’s story as much if not more than Brendan and Piper’s story!⁣
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Fox has always been known as a lady’s man, but has been smitten with Hannah since last summer. Hannah has always been the supporting character instead of the leading lady but is looking to advance her career and has a thing for her director. Hannah brings the film crew to Westport to film and ends up staying with Fox who is warned to stay away from her.⁣
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Hannah and Fox have off the charts chemistry but also an amazing friendship. I really loved the music element and how Hannah always has a song in her head. I stayed up late reading this because I loved it so much I couldn’t put it down. ⁣
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Thank you @avonbooks for my #gifted copy. Hook, Line, and Sinker is out 3/1/22!

This was the perfect easy read! I really enjoyed this continuation of the Bellinger sisters. I like that we get a glimpse into Piper's life again, but I also love that Hannah gets her own happy ending. Plus, is so much more down-to-earth than Piper was. I was happy to read the happily ever after epilogue. I love reading these kinds of books and this was, again, the easiest and most satisfying light read. Perfect for in-between heavier topic reading.

When I got the ARC, I was screaming internally because this is what I needed in my life. Honestly was looking forward to this and debating on waiting for this so I can listen to this as an audiobook as I did with "It Happened One Summer." But I'm just impatient and had to read it ASAP. So what I liked about this book because although there was the miscommunication trope, it was more so about not being able to communicate their feelings on their wants and needs. Like Hannah was wanting to be vocal about her wants in her career and how she feels about Fox. Whereas Fox just had his issues about his past relationships and not hurting Hannah. This book also made me love Fox and preferred this book over Brendan and Piper's because the connection was different. Like Piper, Hannah has her self-journey and grows into herself as the leading lady (which, yes, I wanted to cry when she was explaining how she viewed herself.) I think the only thing that people will be unhappy with is the amount of spicy scenes there were, but it was still enough, in my opinion, cause it was starting to build up for when it did happen. Besides that, 10/10 feels, 100/10 for Fox and Hannah, and 1000/10 if there could please be another book about them, please.

3.5 STARS

A man with one of the most dangerous jobs in the world, King Crab fisherman and relief captain, Fox Thornton, has a reputation as a major player who does not do relationships. He is all love’em and leave’em and since Fox lives in a small town, that kind of labeling leaves an ugly stain whether he would like to change it or not. Hannah Bellinger met Fox when her sister moved to town as “punishment” for her socialite wild child ways. They became friends (with no benefits) and while Hannah has been back in L.A., they continued to text daily for several months.

When Hannah returns to the town of Westport for work as a production assistant on an Indie film, Fox agrees to have her stay with him as friends only. Hannah has had a crush on her boss, the film’s writer and director, for a couple of years. Fox initially agrees to help Hannah not only progress in that arena, but step up for herself in a professional way. Hannah does not see her life playing out like a leading lady; she is more of a sideline’s helper and cheerleader although she has dreams of a career related to music in the film industry.

Fox cannot seem to escape his player designation, even his best friend, Brendan, cautions him against treating Hannah the way he is with other women. Fox’s attraction to Hannah is no surprise because not only does he like everything about her, but she acts as if he has value and a good heart. Hannah is a likeable character; I actually preferred her to Piper in the first book. Hannah is self-effacing, loyal, and kind to everyone.

Although Fox would like to change his ways and is really a good guy, his lamentations about how he allows people to treat poorly him gets old. That theme is on repeat throughout the story dragging it down at times. This is the second in the Bellinger Sisters series; the characters and story lines about Hannah and her older sister, Piper, and Fox as well are set up so for the most part in the first book, It Happened One Summer, so these stories are best read in order.

Tessa Bailey returns to Westport, for the second installment of the Bellinger sisters, this time younger sister Hannah takes center stage. Hannah is music-obsessed, hopeless at flirting, and desperate to impress her boss (whom she wants both a personal and a professional chance from). When Hannah’s boss takes her suggestion to film in Westport instead of L.A., Westport charmer (and sexy fisherman) Fox Thornton offers his spare bedroom because they’re “just friends”. “Just friends” lasts about as long as it takes Hannah to put together a playlist…so not long at all. Fox is sure that he’s not what Hannah needs and Hannah is sure she’s not what Fox wants so get ready for a comedy of errors and steamy misunderstandings. Neither character is entirely believable: Hannah’s crush on her boss combined with her longing for his professional approval feels like a backwards step for feminism and Fox’s frustrations with his shipmates making fun of his hook-up lifestyle seems unlikely. That said, Hook Line and Sinker is a solid rom-com purchase for most collections, especially where Lyssa Kay Adams and Helena Hunting are popular.

💭 Overall Thoughts: This is the second book to It Happened One Summer, although I think it can probably be read as a stand alone. I wish the spice factor was on the level of the first book. This had a GREAT build up to the spice, but there were just no fireworks after that. The story is interesting and easy to follow. The characters are very likable and well developed. If you’re looking for a cutesy romance novel, definitely check this one out!

Oh, this was so much better than It Happened One Summer! I skimmed a lot of the first book because I couldn’t handle the way Piper and Brendan spoke, to each other and in general. But Hannah and Fox’s dialogue was so much more realistic, and I loved most of their conversations. I’m also just a big fan of Hannah - choosing to work her way up rather than using her family connections to get a better job, coming into her own as a “leading lady,” and not letting Fox get away with his BS. I really like her as the main character!

THIS ENTIRE SERIES GIVES ME LIFE ILY TESSA

If you LOVED It Happened One Summer then you must read this next in the series that follows Pipers nerdy, music loving sister and Brendans first mate and best friend, Fox. We were introduced to them in the first book and WOW did I love reading their story.

Hannah is a quirky assistant on a movie production set who’s been pining after the same producer for years. Fox (aka loml) is a well known playboy that has never believed someone would want to be in a relationship with him. After a brief meeting when Piper comes to town the first time, Fox and Hannah become friends with a text chain a mile long. When she’s brought back to town for her job, Fox and Hannah must face what they feel for each other…

JUST READ IT ITS AMAZING I love Hannah and Fox sooo much

2.5 ⭐ Disappointed. The book wasn't bad . . . it just didn't do it for me,

I was really looking forward to this story because I am in LOVE with It Happened One Summer. But unfortunately, I was let down.


Here's why . . .


Fox and Hannah felt like secondary characters in their own story, which is kind of ironic because Hannah's big issue is how she struggles to be the leading lady of her own life. On paper, they should be interesting MCs - the self proclaimed man-whore with commitment issues and the shy, but loyal music geek - but they felt flat.


Hannah is just sort of there and almost too perfect. Like what is her flaw? She feels like a side character in her life? Her character felt two-dimensional and just needed more . . . I don't know . . . personality? I'm really not sure what she needed but something was missing.


Fox . . . Good lord does this man have some serious issues to work through. And boy do we work through it. This book felt like a massive therapy session with Hannah at the helm.

I will say though, I really did love Hannah's unfailing support and encouragement of Fox, and the message about the harmful societal pressures men face in regards to maintaining an image based on their looks and sexual capabilities. This isn't a topic I've seen or read much of, but it's important and definitely needs more attention.

HOWEVER, I didn't really sympathize with Fox as much as I think you're supposed to. Even though he was encouraged to act a certain way because of his looks, he continued to perpetrate this image as an adult in order to. . . prove everyone right at the expense of his own happiness? I didn't understand the logic and after a while, I just got annoyed. #hotpeopleproblems


The plot was . . . Well, there were a few different things going on: Hannah's leading lady issue, Hannah's struggle to connect with her father, Hannah's crush on her boss, Hannah's relationship with Fox, Fox's commitment issues, Fox's relationship with Hannah, Fox's rejection of captaining a ship. There was a lot going on with these characters and after a while, it all muddled together. And unfortunately, I lost interest pretty early on - especially because the romance was so fucking slow.

BUT things started to pick up about 70% of the way through, and the epilogue was pretty cute.


The romance was frustrating. It's friends-to-lovers where Fox is completely clueless about his feelings, Hannah is just . . . there, being incredibly patient trying to get to the bottom of Fox's aversion to relationships. And every time they take a step forward in the right direction, they go two steps backwards because Fox is always in his own head. The conflict got redundant and boring.


The spice was basically non-existent, and what was there was not sexy (imo). Fox literally calls her 'wet girl' at one point and tells her to 'fuck me up'. Idk, it just wasn't my thing.


Overall, this story was a bit of a letdown, and I feel terrible saying this because I really loved It Happened One Summer. The characters were not captivating, the romance storyline was okay, and the spice was hardly anything to get excited about.

Why, oh why, can't the male character just trust that the female character knows her own mind and can make her own decisions? I find the old "I know what's best for you, so I'll make a $#!++y decision without you, for your own good, because I'm such a bad man who's no good for you" trope so, so tiresome. At least TB didn't feel the need to include a playlist for this book.

I am predicting now that Hook, Line, and Sinker will be THE new standard for the friends-to-lover trope. Admittedly, I went into this with somewhat low expectations for two reasons. One, I LOVED "It Happened One Summer" and I honestly didn't want to get my expectations high for the second book in the series and end up disappointed. And two, friends-to-lovers just generally isn't my thing. I have a hard time connecting with characters who start off as *truly* friends and then suddenly switch to being in love. (People who hate each other and then suddenly want to bang? #myshit) Let me just say - Hook, Line, and Sinker exceeded ALL of my expectations and (dare I say???) I liked It more than IHOS??? Have I, Hannah Murrell, in the year of our lord 2021, been converted to a friends-to-lovers stan? Probably not but I am officially a Tessa Bailey and Bellinger Sisters stan.

I think what Bailey does so well is that in each installment, the trope never actually existed if that makes sense? The enemies to lovers were never truly enemies, and her friends to lovers were truly never just friends. This helps me connect to the characters instead of getting whiplash from watching 2 best friends suddenly move from bff's to sexy lovers. This book was somewhat of a slow burn which I did not expect but omg was it worth it!

One of my favorite parts of HL&S was the character development we get from Fox. The dual POV was so wonderful and necessary to see the internal struggles and self doubt Fox dealt with. Romance novels often focus on the struggles of the woman in the relationship but it was so refreshing to see Fox work through his toxic masculinity issues and I love to see a woman fight for her man! Sergei who?!?! Hannah is THE leading lady.

Huge thank you to netgalley and avon for this ARC. I am truly honored to have read it early and I can't wait to read again when my pre-orders (e-book and physical because a bitch was excited) come in!

(I will be adding my review to my instagram shortly!)

eARC
Hook, Line & Sinker
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Author: Tessa Bailey
Pub date: 3/1/2022
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Clean Read: Nope, this book is spicy as hell!
Content Warning: Language, sexual content

Okay. I think I actually love this one more than I It Happened One Summer, and I’ve read them both back-to-back over the last two days, so my memory is fresh. The tortured bad-boy with a guarded, golden heart is my favorite type of leading man. To start, I LOVED the unusual but seriously cool way Tessa Bailey crafted the Prologue! We have Hannah sharing nightly texts from busy LA to quaint Westport, with a super-hottie (Fox) on the other end, both swearing up and down it’s a “just friends” situation…and here’s where we insert a sarcastic eye roll and my salivating imagination for the enemies-to-friends-to-lovers story we know is coming!! And boy does the book deliver. Also, my lyric-obsessed, vinyl record owning, and all around music-loving heart could not get enough of all of the amazing band and song references! Tessa Bailey, we need a spotify playlist, ASAP!

And oh my gosh, the pure sweetness and thoughtfulness of Hannah and Fox to each other as they both try desperately to maintain the “friend” thing, while simultaneously falling for each other but neither of them knowing it…they way they put the other first in so many situations, it’s enough to make my heart palpitate just thinking about it.

This book has humor, personal redemption, triumph, LOTS of steam, and a seriously powerful emotional pull on the heartstrings of the reader. I don’t want to give too much away but this is a MUST read for romance lovers everywhere!

Thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins/Avon Books and Tessa Bailey for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.