I didn’t think it was possible to love this book more than the first in the series but somehow Tessa Bailey has written a book that surpassed my expectations.  When I finished “It Happened One Summer” and found out that Hannah and Fox were getting their own story, I screamed out loud.  And then, when a week later, I saw “Hook, Line, and Sinker” pop up on Edelweiss as an advanced reader copy, I screamed out loud…again.  I could have waited until next year when this book comes out to read it, but I have no self-control and read this in one day.  Friends to lovers is usually not my go to romance trope but this book may have changed my mind.  I adored Hannah and Fox’s story and hope you do too.

We first met Hannah and Fox in “It Happened One Summer” and it was clear in that book that there was a spark between them.  But Hannah had a long-standing crush on her boss and Fox had a reputation as a ladies man and someone who isn’t interested in a relationship. At the end of the first book, Hannah leaves Westport to go back home to L.A and Fox stays in Westport.   At the beginning of “Hook, Line, and Sinker,” we find out that Hannah and Fox have been texting and have become friends.  Usually I don’t like books that use text messages as a plot device but it works here as a prologue to the story and to fill in the time gap between the first and second book.  When the story picks up, Hannah is still crushing on her boss while longing to create music for movies and Fox has been pining for Hannah since she left Westport but his reputation and Brendan’s warnings against starting anything with her have stopped him from admitting his feelings.  When they find themselves sharing a living space for a few weeks, the sparks fly again but the romance takes its time.  Like all Tessa Bailey books, the sex scenes are hot and realistic and while the romance is slow burn, the attraction isn’t so there is some very enjoyable teasing and flirting throughout the book. Both Hannah and Fox end up changing throughout the book but not for each other and they support each other through their growth. I like how Bailey conveys the downside of small town living by showing how hard it is for Fox to break free from how the town sees him. Even when he tries to make small changes, someone is there with a joke to rattle him and make him retreat back into himself.  But throughout the entire book, Hannah is there to remind him of who he truly is.  We get to see these two friends care for each other and help each other grow into their love so when they finally do admit their feelings, the moment feels earned.

This was one of the best romances I’ve read in a while and I can’t say enough about how much I loved it. It was wonderful to return to Westport for another story and even though I’m sad to leave these characters, I hope this series continues. Tessa Bailey continues to write fun, enjoyable romances that I would recommend to everyone.  I hope you enjoy this one as much as I did!

Author:  Tessa Bailey

Expected Publication Date:  March 1^st, 2022

Rating: 5 Stars

*Thank you to Avon Books and Edelweiss for an ARC in exchange for an honest review*