read to me, sweetheart

JOMP day 3

qotd: “‘I didn’t fully understand at the time, but I do now. There was never going to be a life away from you, because, Jesus, that’s no life at all.’” — Tessa Bailey

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𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 

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Tessa Bailey does it again!! “Hook, Line, and Sinker” is the perfect end to the Bellinger Sisters duology. 

I really enjoyed getting to know the main characters after being introduced to them in “It Happened One Summer” and catching up with Brendan and Piper!

I don’t normally enjoy the friends-to-lovers trope, but Fox and Hannah’s relationship development is so well written! Hannah falls in love with Fox’s true self the closer they become as friends. She sees through his self-destructive nature and wants to help shoulder the burden of his past. Fox wants nothing more than to help Hannah realize that she is a “leading lady” after she confides in him about her insecurities. 

Both characters are extremely complex. I appreciate how Bailey created Hannah and Fox to shed light on real issues. Fox suffers from a lot of childhood trauma surrounding his image. Growing up, his father was not really present in his life and he was a bit of a player. Many people developed “like father like son” assumptions, because Fox shared his father’s physical attributes. He eventually “follows in his father’s footsteps” after experiencing his first heartbreak. He becomes the player, the heartbreaker, and the noncommittal man everyone expects him to be, which creates a lot of internal conflict. It is not until Fox meets Hannah that he is able to build up enough courage to escape the pressures imposed on him by society, the real issue at hand. 

Hannah grapples with the fear of being a “side character.” She feels almost overshadowed by her sister Piper, who is a successful woman carving out her own life in Westport. She is prevented from pursuing her own dream because her current position is a comfortable one. But with the help of Fox, she takes the leap and steps into her own spotlight. 

I absolutely love how both characters lift each other up throughout the novel. They offer one another so much love and support. It brings tears to my eyes.

I hope Bailey finds a way to write more about Westport in the future! I cannot get enough of the Bellingers!

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“Ooh. A bookstore?” … “You sure know know how to show a girl a good time, Roane Robson.”

“See, from any other woman that could be construed as sarcasm, but I think you actually mean it.”

“I do.” I chuckled. “Books are life.”

💬 What series are you most excited to continue reading this year?

A HUGE thank you to @1001darknights_blueboxpress & @socialbutterfly_pr for gifting me this early copy of The War of Two Queens by @jennifer_l_armentrout! I’m so excited to binge these asap!! 🤎📖

. . .

I'm not a big romance reader but here is my take on the romance readathon hosted by @princessofbookaholics throughout February.

This will be my only romance read squeezed between everything else I'm currently reading. This book has been in my drawer at work for months and now is the perfect time to read it. I'm covering the new-to-me author prompt with this one.

Happy Wednesday!

#QOTD - What is a book that recently surprised you? (This could be positive or negative).

It Happened One Summer really surprised me in an incredible way. I wasn’t expecting it to become one of my favorite rom coms of the year, but here we are. I suppose I shouldn’t be shocked as the book depicts two romantic tropes I love: city/rich girl out of her elements falling for a down to earth guy & enemies to lovers (it quickly goes from enemies to an awkward and adorable friendship, BTW). I like banter. I like laughable awkward moments. And this book delivered on that.

I found the setting of the small town in the Pacific Northwest to be the perfect backdrop for this story and I found the details about life as a fisherman interesting. While this book is inspired by Schitt’s Creek, Tessa Bailey delivers on a story that stands on its own. If you are looking for a sexy, open-door romance that will make you laugh out loud look no further!

⭐⭐⭐⭐💫