Reviews with content warning for Toxic friendship - Hook, Line, and Sinker

Reviews tagging 'Toxic friendship'

Hook, Line, and Sinker, by Tessa Bailey

8 reviews

iamamyyyyy's review against another edition

slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.5

The character progression in this book drove me crazy. Hannah's growth happened but largely took a backseat to Fox's. I would maybe be less annoyed by that if her separate character arc focused on that growth. Instead her story was mostly in service to Fox's. How can I help Fox see his true potential?? How can I help him push through his insecurities? Girl don't let this grown-ass man treat you as his therapist! Speaking of therapy, there are several instances of the character scoffing at the idea and how "so LA" therapy is which is just too much given that 90% of the conflict in this book revolves around this man's insecurities. Honestly Fox's internal conflict didn't even make that much sense. He seeks out women to have one night stands with and makes clear that's all it is, but then says women use him for sex? When that only happened one time ever? Yes it was wrong for his mom and the adults in his life to sexualize him when he was young and that is a big issue. Similarly, it is messed up how his coworkers and "friends" talk to him. But the way this was all dragged out until the third act breakup was just exhausting.

Aside from that, Fox and Hannah had great chemistry so some points for that.

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mypatronusisajedi's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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arthur_ant18's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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lizgriffinwords's review against another edition

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emotional fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Another swing-and-a-miss, though for the first 25% or so, I liked it better than It Happened One Summer (hence the 3 stars, but that is GRACIOUS).

Fox’s “tragic backstory”… dude needs some therapy and some better friends, not a relationship. Two decades of reinforcing his toxic masculinity won’t evaporate overnight.

For all Hannah’s internal monologue about being a main character, not a side character… didn’t feel like she achieved that. I should know, as someone who feels like a side character in her own life.

The romantic leads sexually manipulated each other. A lot. Which seemed super out of character for Hannah, given what had been established about her as a person in the first book & up to that point.

This is what I get for reading romances that aren’t written by Ali Hazelwood, I guess.

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kb33's review against another edition

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lighthearted fast-paced

Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No

5.0

I’m not a huge fan of the previous Tessa Bailey books I’ve read, nor do I like when the male character is a huge player. But this book...

Hannah and Fox were so great, so likable and relatable. Hannah took a chance in her job, not because of a man, but because she planned to anyway, and Fox just made her feel better about it. Fox knew his reputation and the things he’d done to perpetuate that were all bullshit, and he’d already been wondering if he could be different. Hannah just helped give him the courage to visualize it and do it. And sure, some people will bitch about “woke” or complain about trying to remove masculinity instead of just toxic masculinity, and I’m pretty sure those people just feel guilty about their role in toxic masculinity so fuck them. I thought it was truthful, brave, and amazing.

I also liked that the little additions of Piper and Brendan didn’t feel phoned in like in so many other series.

And the epilogue. Holy shit. Not over-the-top sweet, and so perfect.

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bookishgoob's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Going into this, I was super excited to go back to Westport. It happened One Summer set this story up so well I think. Part of the way through, the first 10-20% I felt betrayed and kind of bored. But as Hannah got back to Westport I started to feel better and more happy. Watching her relationship with Fox unfold was so beautifully done. I am not a huge friends to lovers fan, it usually just feels like there isn’t enough dramatics for me, but once in a while I find one I enjoy and this was one of them. The spicy scenes were sweet and filled with pining and need. The declarations from each of them felt so pure and warranted. I had wanted them together since he was introduced in IHOS. I saw some complaints in other reviews about Hannah basically being a MPDG for Fox. being his therapist and helping him figure himself out rather than step into her “leading lady” roll like she set out to. However, this story takes place over the course of a few weeks. It’s hard to turn yourself from side character to leading lady over night. I do see where they’re coming from with her being “Fox’s therapist” to an extent. But, she was being a supportive friend. I’ve been the support for my friend while still building up my confidence. It wasn’t a roll she was forced into. She had real depth and Love in her character, she wasn’t there to serve Fox’s plot. They were there to serve each other’s. I’m not used to a HEA like this one. Nothing could have prepared me for the tears of joy that came to my eyes and I finished the last page. I absolutely adored this story, the relationships, the drama, the pining, the being unsure of the others feelings. It felt so absolutely real and filled me with butterflies. I am so happy I read this book (also did anyone else picture JJ from outer banks as fox????) but I am so not ready to leave Westport! I hope we get a Christmas novella or something 😭😭😭 The Westport boys and the Bellinger girls will have my heart in flutters for the foreseeable future!

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andeng's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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roebschter's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Would i recommend this book: Maybe
Will I reread this book: Maybe

As with It Happened One Summer, I enjoyed this book, possibly even more.

What I liked

I loved the third act breakup and the resolution in this book. Hannah saw right through Fox and gave him space even though she was hurt but I loved that she straight up refused to break up.
The pace in which Fox opened up to Hannah felt really natural and believable, I love how he let her in more and more.
I just found both of them so lovable in their own way, like you just wanted to give them both a big hug.
Westport as a setting is as great as in the last book.
This book felt a lot less possessive than IHOS which I liked more.

What I didn't like
Edit: So after some time and thought and discussion and rereading some scenes I had to edit my review because in hindsight the book somehow gives me some ick. I can't name the reason a hundred per cent but part of it is that they can be in a heart to heart one second and literally the second after that they are in the middle of pretty possessive dirty talk which just seems wrong. Also why would he ask her if she was a virgin out of nowhere? And I fell like the author attempted some sort of consent discussion but failed to do it properly because he literally says “If you want to say no, we’ll stop. I’ve gotten pretty fucking good at waiting for you.” which is kinda asking for consent but also kinda not.

Rated with the CAWPILE rating system (https://pagesplots.com/book-rating-system-cawpile/)

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