Seven months after returning to LA, Hannah Bellinger finds herself on a bus back to Washington. This time, she's got a whole movie production company with her. In an attempt to finally and truly be noticed by the hot movie director Sergei, Hannah suggests he uses Westport as his next filming location. It might just be the move that elevates her from supporting character to fully-fledged leading lady in Sergei's eyes. But the location suggestion will also bring her back to her sister, and to Fox. . . Fox, who she's been secretly texting ever since she left for LA last summer. Fox, who knows all her doubts and fears. Fox, who may be the only one who truly gets her and has become her closest friend. Fox, who is beyond gorgeous and whose reputation with the ladies is no secret around town. They only have a few weeks together while filming, so will Hannah and Fox make it count or will they regret what they did and didn't do for the rest of their lives?
I loved It Happened One Summer, but Tessa Bailey really blew me away with Hook, Line, and Sinker. What started as some little flirtation between Fox and Hannah in the first book become such a wonderful and real romance in this book. Beyond the entertaining plot, Hook, Line, and Sinker really showcased Bailey's character development skills. As sort of superficial as Piper can come across, Hannah is as deep and unpredictable as the ocean Fox sails on. Her connection to music is beautiful and oh so relatable and truly is her love language. Hannah uses music to center herself, to give name to her emotions, and to connect to the world around her. Unlike her sister, who instantly connected with their father's previous life when they first came to Westport, Hannah has been struggling. But through music, Hannah could finally find that connection and find herself. After years of facing imposter syndrome, Hannah could finally find herself with the help of music and the love and support of Fox.
Fox wasn't what I was expecting at all after briefly meeting him in the first book (and that's really the whole point, isn't it?). If you're looking for a reformed character trying desperately to outrun his past, look no further than Fox Thornton. Despite seven months of celibacy and eyes for only one person, Fox still can't shed his reputation among the guys in town or with his closest friends. Bailey really dove into how these false perceptions can damage a person heart and soul, with clear commentary on toxic masculinity and how it can mold boys from such an early age into believing they have to be a certain way. It broke my heart watching Fox reveal his deepest insecurities and seeing how teenage expectations can make or break someone as an adult.
While Bailey definitely included all the good steamy bits we have come to love from her (Fox has some incredibly hot lines in this book), this book is a definite five stars from me because of the character development. I could've honestly cared less about what Hannah and Fox were doing or where they were doing it at, as long as they were helping each other see past the limitations and boundaries they had been putting on themselves because of the world around them. Hannah and Fox were perfect for each other, and Bailey wrote the perfect story for them.
A huge thank you to Avon for providing a review copy of Hook, Line, and Sinker!
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Release date: 3/1/22
Format: eARC
eARC provided by: Avon via NetGalley