Hook, Line & Sinker - Tessa Bailey

 

(The MMC is called Fox Thornton. Of course it's 5/5)

Even the bests make a mishap, and it seems I did just that. I wrote a review for It Happened One Summer, which was book #1 in the series. However, I actually read this one first. If you’ve been a long-time reader, then you would know that most of the time when I start a series, I always discover it in the wrong order. And you know what? It always ends up being my most cherished read. Based on the information I’ve just given you; you must know now that I loved Fox Thornton and Hannah Bellinger far more than I did the OG. Ahhh. Let’s talk about this duo.

I understand why everything was happening as it was once I read It Happened One Summer. Can you read it alone? Yes. Will it have the same effect? Yes. Does reading it in order elevate those feelings? Also, yes. Just read it in order.

After being kept up-to-date with who the characters were, we see that Hannah Bellinger is the younger sister of Piper. They couldn’t be more different if they tried. Piper loved the limelight, bathed in money, and dressed in designer clothes morning, noon, and night. Hannah loved her records, music, and wanted to make it big in production. Enter Fox Thornton – a king crab fisherman and a laid-back playboy – until he meets Hannah. They spend one platonic summer together, but then the production company she’s working for as a location scout needs a new place to film, and she is instantly transported back to Westport. Her sister lives there too with her fiancé; however, that same weekend, her in-laws are coming to stay, which means that spare bedroom isn’t spare anymore. Fox has a free room with Hannah Bellinger’s name written all over it.

Hold up, real-time emotion here. I’m currently listening to "Friends" by Chase Atlantic, and that is the one song that screams Hannah and Fox to me. I’m getting in my Westport feels again. I want to move to Westport and find a Fox. For the love of book gods, what do I want in life for a partner?

Okay, let’s get back to it.

This is your loved girl-next-door falls for the player boy. This was the book that got me back into reading, left law, and started a career in publishing. Yes, it’s that serious. It really did a number on me. We have a girl who doesn’t care about what others say, up with a guy that lets his insecurities and the opinions of others rival his way of life. Everything from the well-thought-out plot, to the character development, all up until the exploration of character differences, was done methodically, keeping literature as the centre force. The why’s and how’s were revisited frequently without it being overbearing. The text chain between both Hannah and Fox during their time away from Westport couldn’t have set the tone more perfectly.

The number of bold scenes was well done, but the fact that Hannah did what during when? It caught me off guard. The best type. The emotional growth they had together, alongside the career growth they had, shows the reality of mentally taking on a challenge. Both Hannah and Fox doubted themselves, didn’t have the courage, and waited around for something to happen. When realizing the power was in their own hands, including their love story, it made everything clearer. I understand Fox just laughing everything off. I’ve been in this box for so long that it’s gotten to a point now where it’s draining to explain something to someone who just doesn’t want to listen. It’s as if understanding isn’t in their mindset. It’s something no one can comprehend. Hannah was the first person to listen. To ask. To understand. Maybe that was why it hit so close to home.

In contrast, Hannah was never the main character in her own life, let alone anyone else’s. She was the supporting role, the assistant, and the mediator. If someone needed something, then Hannah did it. She was there before anyone else had to think about anything. Hannah became too comfortable with where she was and too afraid of change. Without realizing it, Hannah and Fox both coaxed each other out of their comfort zones in all aspects of their lives.

The question at the time of reading was: would Hannah stay true to her word and change her supporting actress ways to help Fox? Read it and then you tell me because, for the life of me, I cannot remember.

In a nutshell, we see all the emotions opening up since the last summer they spent together. The best three moments had to be the moment when Fox came sauntering over to Hannah upon the arrival to Westport, the kiss at the party alongside Hannah getting her small win of a promotion, and when Hannah bonded with Henry through music. Now, obviously, Piper and Brendan had their moments throughout the whole book, which was just teary. My sister and I are two years apart, and I love her so much. When I think about the time we will be separated, it hurts, so I get the reunion they had at their grandmother’s house. It’s a feeling I like to call sister-ing.

In my mind, The Bellinger Sisters Duo is a staple in the rom-com reading world. So much so that the first edition of It Happened One Summer is coming to the big screens. We know nothing as of yet, no release date, and certainly not who’s been cast. Am I anticipating the movie? I was, until It Ends with Us came out. The novel was appropriately hyped, however, the movie was lacklustre, mediocre, and dull. The PR drama was just the cherry on top. The acting of Blake Lively, who portrayed Lily Bloom, was just over the top, and Justin Baldoni did a great job as Ryle, so why didn’t it hit the spot? Because the drama before the release was unnerving. I’m just not going into the movie with any expectations, although I believe Tessa Bailey won’t let us down from her role.

I’m picky about how it’s going to be on the big screens, so imagine how particular I am if the second edition is made into a movie. I don’t see Tyler Cameron as Fox Thornton; however, I do see Josephine Langford as Hannah Bellinger. The only small issue is that I am finding it difficult to separate her role as Tessa, which she’s been playing since literally puberty, from the After series.

So yeah. I died over this book; my heart is crying in paper pages whilst I write it, and there is no couple that ranks higher than me in the Tessa world than these two babes. Actually, I tell a lie. I did fall in love with West and Josephine from Fangirl Down, but it was brief. Take it as you will. 5/5 no and, if or buts.

Ahh. So there you go. Great book, great spice, and great Mr. Thornton. Buy it, read it, and then report back to me with the paper pages written on your sleeves.

Until next time.
Mwah.

Vivian.

Don’t forget to keep reading, because as long as you do, it’s making a struggling authors day that much better. Reach for the starts of success.