Hook, Line, and Sinker

By Tessa Bailey

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Series: Bellinger Sisters #2

Publisher: Avon Romance

Publication Date: March 1,2022

Source: Received an ARC in exchange for an honest review

Stars: 4

Amazon Indiebound

Description:

In the follow-up to It Happened One Summer, Tessa Bailey delivers another deliciously fun rom-com about a former player who accidentally falls for his best friend while trying to help her land a different man…

King crab fisherman Fox Thornton has a reputation as a sexy, carefree flirt. Everyone knows he’s a guaranteed good time—in bed and out—and that’s exactly how he prefers it. Until he meets Hannah Bellinger. She’s immune to his charm and looks, but she seems to enjoy his… personality? And wants to be friends? Bizarre. But he likes her too much to risk a fling, so platonic pals it is.

Now, Hannah’s in town for work, crashing in Fox’s spare bedroom. She knows he’s a notorious ladies’ man, but they’re definitely just friends. In fact, she’s nursing a hopeless crush on a colleague and Fox is just the person to help with her lackluster love life. Armed with a few tips from Westport’s resident Casanova, Hannah sets out to catch her coworker’s eye… yet the more time she spends with Fox, the more she wants him instead. As the line between friendship and flirtation begins to blur, Hannah can’t deny she loves everything about Fox, but she refuses to be another notch on his bedpost. 

Living with his best friend should have been easy. Except now she’s walking around in a towel, sleeping right across the hall, and Fox is fantasizing about waking up next to her for the rest of his life and… and… man overboard! He’s fallen for her, hook, line, and sinker. Helping her flirt with another guy is pure torture, but maybe if Fox can tackle his inner demons and show Hannah he’s all in, she’ll choose him instead?

Review:

This book was an emotional roller coaster. I thought it was going to be the usual playboy falling for the sister-in-law of his best friend but it was so much more. Fox has so influenced by the societal pressure placed on him to be a playboy that he was breaking under it. When he wants more with Hannah, there is so much doubt in his head and comments from the town, that it is just heartbreaking. I didn’t expect Hannah to be the “strong” character in this book but she really was. She suffers from some confidence issues but with Fox’s support, she’s able to push through those and really shine. And then she turns that same confidence on Fox and pushes him to be more than his reputation.

Unlike the previous book with the rebuilding of the bar, this book was really just focused on Hannah and Fox. The way they interact with each other, the role music plays, all of that just works together to take the reader on an emotional journey. This book is almost a slow burn because it does take a while for Hannah and Fox to give into that simmering passion between them and there is a few almost moments. But the emotions you experience reading this story makes the slow burn bearable. And when it does happen, Tessa Bailey’s trademark dirty talk and sexy scenes are there.

Overall, I really loved the Bellinger sisters series. Hannah is an easier character to relate to from the beginning, unlike Piper but she still has emotional depth. I loved the role that music plays in this book, in Hannah and Fox’s relationship, Hannah’s job, and her new understanding of the father she doesn’t remember via sea shanties. This book really packs an emotional punch and I am here for it!

Published by SomewhereLostInBooks

I’m Melisa! I’m an avid reader. I love romance novels and decided, hey, why not write about what I love and hate about the genre. And my favorite books. And when I get to meet authors. And all round why romance novels are awesome. Expect a lot of fan-girling, laughter, and some tears. View all posts by SomewhereLostInBooks