Hook, Line, and Sinker by Tessa Bailey || Book Review

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?

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“I could tell by the way you looked at her, she was something real special.” “How did I look at her?” He was afraid to find out. “Ah, son. Like a summer day showing up after a hundred years of winter.”

What a steamy, funny, and swoon-worthy story; this friends-to-lovers romance had me all over the map, from gushing over our wonderful duo to wanting to comfort them in their times of need.

The connection between music-loving Hannah and lover of the sea Fox was so pure and genuine; watching their love blossom throughout the story was such a ride. I felt especially proud of Hannah, as she really regained a sense of self-worth in this novel and became the woman we all knew she was. Bailey’s gender role swap was liberating as well; usually, the female lead is the one seeking constant guidance and the need for growth. However, it’s Hannah who helps Fox become the person she knows he is, demonstrating tremendous strength and resolve in her assurances and stances.

I did find the plot a little slow and repetitive, wanting more spice andthrilling moments like its predecessor. That’s the other issue I had; I kept comparing this book to It All Happened One Summer, which exceeded my expectations while Hook, Line, and Sinker, unfortunately, did not.

However, I still very much recommend this adoring and beautifully put-together novel. It’s overall a wonderful read and closes off the stories of both Bellinger sisters wonderfully in the end.

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