User Reviews
Rating: really liked it
it could’ve been worse! it could’ve been
Fix Her Up.
i know.. you’re thinking
”but kat, if you hated the author’s first book so much, why bother with this one?”fair question. wouldn’t it be cool if i had an answer?
like the disorganized little shit that i am, i wrote notes while listening to the audiobook and they are a disaster. therefore, you are getting a messy pro/con list and you’re gonna like it!
pros:
-yes hello, as a generally anxious bitch who *also* acts aloof to throw people off the scent of insecurity (lol i guess we’re getting real personal today on this here platform) while i’m not planning elaborate weddings or flipping houses on national tv, bethany’s overthinking and panic energy were easy to sympathize with.
-i grew up on ao3 + love me a oneshot comfort fic, so seeing wes repeatedly own the role of reassuring/distracting/hyping up beth whenever she spiraled was
noice.
-wes + his niece’s relationship!! genuinely didn’t know i wanted a surrogate father character until he was right in front of me, and the scenes that showcased wes just trying his best for the people he loved were super heartwarming.
cons:
-tessa bailey writes a juvenile ass romance. the men in her stories (that i've read) are possessive and childish, but make self-aware jokes to ‘absolve’ their behavior from being viewed negatively. ik it’s probably not
really that deep. but, i could never get past the MANY instances when wes was on the prowl, making flippant remarks and impulsive decisions to better control his standing with bethany, only to follow it up with “hahah guess i'm just a chauvinist jk lolz” as if that canceled out whatever dick move he'd just made.
-the dirty talk….actually, all the smut. it literally made me dnf
Fix Her Up and wasn’t my thing here either. i guess all the ‘cowboys make better lovers’ tshirts i got targeted ads for while reading this were nothing but lies.
-i did not give a flying fuck about the house flipping competition. boning in a partially constructed building does not a hot scene make (imo). i was mostly concerned about all the sawdust particles that probably found their way into various body crevices, etc. etc.
thank god they eventually located a legit bed, for the sake of that woman's ph.
tl;dr - if tessa bailey ever decided to write a more pg story, with an emphasis on all the soft shit and plenty of fade to black, i honestly might go for it. but, at this point she doesn’t seem like an author i personally mesh with, and i will probs be steering clear from here on out.
Rating: really liked it
smells like a new all time favorite romance to me, boss
(thoughts coming in a vlog in march)
Rating: really liked it
Two opposite individuals whom have expressed nothing more then fondness and a powerful, true chemistry... 
This is the one book in this series in which I was truly hesitant to dive into because of one thing...
I am not the biggest fan of younger guys, and older woman tropes. I know, I know, I wish I weren't saying that but that seemed to be the one thing in the back of my mind in which had stuck there when I was reading this novel. BUT, with that being said I still loved this story! I can never turn away from a book by Tessa Bailey anymore. Let alone, with a synopsis and cover such as this one.
Wes and Bethany are this over couple that had me catapulting for more! She is a force to be reckoned with, while he is this power oozing cowboy that knows how to sweet talk her, but also dirty talk the shit out of her. This combination is what makes them mesh together in the best of ways. Especially with the additional improntu of a semi "single parents" trope due to Wes taking care of his niece.
Wes and Bethany know how to push each other's buttons, and they both also know how to properly take care of each other in a way in which romanticizes every word Tessa has written;
"In the glory of the moonlight, he looked older, more worldly and wether. Or maybe it was the words coming out of his mouth. She didn't know what it was, but all of it, everything, drew her closer..."
I am not sure if this is the final book in this series. I am hoping it's not, but if it is then what a way to go!
ARC kindly provided by Avon Books, in exchange for an honest review...Follow Me On:Instagram ❁ Twitter
Rating: really liked it
Confession: I was a little disappointed after reading Georgie and Travis’ story and first book of the series was three starred, mediocre starting for me. But at the second book, possessive, passionate Alpha-dog Dominic and his fight to win his wife Rosie back stole my heart. And at that book: I already introduced Bethany and charming Wes including their fiery-smart-entertaining banters as a first start of their enemies to lovers story so I was so excited to read their own book.
Well: I have to admit: I didn’t like this one as much as I enjoyed Dominic and Rosie’s love story because:
Bethany is quirky, perfectionist: everything in her world should be organized, polished, in order, sophisticated. She loves to design houses and working on details. It all works well for me and I actually enjoy reading the characters with their own antics, flaws but Bethany’s extreme insecurities, judging herself so harshly made me frustrated. This hot-sex chemistry between she and Wes start to turn into something angsty- ultra slow burn romance between charming cowboy and annoying insecure woman.
The other thing I didn’t like was the reality TV concept. In my opinion it slowly kills the true romance parts between characters and turning them into something unrealistic and artificial. Without the TV concept, Wes may still Rene Zellweger’d Bethany (it means he quits his job just because following Bethany because he believed in her cause just like Zellweger did at Jerry Maguire , joining her to support her against rivalry between she and her brother. (At the end: if their partnership doesn’t work, he may Cuba Gooding Jr’d her any time by requesting: SHOW HIM THE MONEY as well!)
And of course: I wanted to scream at the author when I didn’t see any intimacy between the characters till the last third of the book.
But I truly loved Wes and his connection with his niece Laura. And Bethany is also more secure and relaxed when she is around Laura.
And the sweet-sour rivalry between Bethany and her brother, the conclusion of their fight were the sweetest part of the book.
So I went back and forth between 3 and 4 stars and I decided another 3,5 stars and rounding them up to 4. Because I still enjoyed the story more than the first book. Wes definitely stole my heart with his sweetness, smartass comments and his patience to earn Bethany’s heart.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Avon/Harper Collins Publishers for sharing this feel-good ARC with me in exchange my honest review.
Rating: really liked it
dare i say it - this is the best book in the series? TB mentions in her acknowledgements that bethany and wes are her favourite couple, and i think preferential treatment definitely shows.
i will say readers who pick this up as a standalone might be a little confused. the build up between these two characters in book 2 is soooo necessary to their story. otherwise, its comes across as a mild case of insta-love. but the relationship is super adorable, regardless.
i was also really pleased with the overall message of this story, which hasnt happened with any of the other books in this series. i love how, even among flipping a house, the MCs realise that sometimes home can also be a person, which i think is a lovely thought.
overall, a satisfying conclusion to a fun and cute series!
a big thanks to harpercollins publishers for the ARC!↠ 3.5 stars
Rating: really liked it
Welp, the
Hot & Hammered series has officially come to an end! While this one definitely didn't top
Fix Her Up for me, it did really redeem the series after a rocky second book and I am honestly pretty bummed to leave these characters behind me. I do enjoy this series for the most part, but my biggest complaint about this book (and the series as a whole tbh), is that Tessa Bailey REALLY loves herself some gendered language and it just.. sits weird with me. This book was full of phrases like "her feminine flesh" in regards to Bethany's vagina, and the love interest, Wes, kept referring to women as "females" and it just personally kept taking me out of the story and made me roll my eyes a bit. With that being said, I did manage to look past those aspects and I ended up really enjoying the story and found it to be a very satisfying conclusion to the series. I'm looking forward to finding out whatever projects Tessa Bailey has next up her sleeves!
TW: addiction, child abandonment
Rating: really liked it
I've been looking forward to
Tools of Engagement ever since I read and loved the previous two books in the series. Sweet and steamy are its hallmarks, and this book continues to deliver!
When Bethany is dragged into a house-flipping competition to prove to herself that she has what it takes, Wes volunteers to be a part of Bethany's team. These two have a tumultuous relationship based on biting remarks and mutual hate, but could their animosity be rooted in something more? As they work side-by-side, their time together slowly thaws their relationship, and these two flawed people realize they don't have to be perfect to find their perfect love.
This story has everything I've come to love about the series: interesting and passionate characters, lots of witty banter, plenty of laughter, and enough steam to defrost the coldest of hearts. What makes this couple even more compelling is that they are both deeply in need of love and acceptance. To see them slowly come to terms with their attraction and love for each other is so rewarding and heartwarming. The house-flipping element also added a level of fun to the whole thing, as if I'm reading a HGTV love story.
If you haven't read anything by Tessa Bailey, it's worth mentioning that her books are extremely hot and steamy, at times shockingly so. This is especially surprising because the covers of this series will have you believe it's an innocent rom-com which you can blithely read whenever and wherever. To come across unprepared one of these raunchy passages would definitely be a startling experience.
I wholeheartedly adore this series. Its cast of kind, sweet, and loyal characters always fill my heart with so much joy. Their naïve and stalwart belief in love seems so full of potential, harkening back to a time before cynicism and stress takes its toll on relationships. These books are pure escapism, no doubt, but they're exactly what I need right now.
Rating: really liked it
4.5 stars
This series started out flat and it just got better and better. I'm now such a fan of Tessa Bailey's books. I had such a blast reading this start to finish. The epilogue wrapped up a bit too perfectly, but other than that, this was a hilarious enemies-to-lovers story, a man-child taking care of his niece and owning responsibility and an overly perfectionist woman coming to terms with her flaws. Alongside great banter, steaminess and vulnerable moments.
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Pre-ordered!
These two had the one of the most hilarious 'meet-cutes' in Love Her or Lose Her and I can't wait for all the banter and snippy remarks that is about to ensue in this one.
Also, forced close proximity anyone?
Rating: really liked it
Hot! Hot! Hot!🔥🔥🔥
This is book three of the Hot and Hammered series. And just like the series title suggests it’s not just a rom com but a very steamy and raunchy read!OK...You’ve been warned!⚠️
When I first started this series I had no idea what I was in for and I think I blushed through the entire book. But going into book three I was fully aware and ready! Bring on the heat!🙈
This latest installment focuses on Georgie’s older sister Bethany who is desperate to branch out on her own from her family business and flip a house. Though her family doesn’t quite believe she is capable. To her rescue is Wes. The new young man in town who recently arrived to care for his young niece when his half sister needed to take a timeout from her life.
Bethany does her best to fight the relationship.
(Of course - it’s a rom com where no romance is straight forward ). She can’t seem to get past the fact she is seven years older than Wes. But he is determined to break down all of her walls and in return may end up with more than he ever imagined.
The heat between these characters is palpable! The steamy scenes were risqué (to say the least) but fit the characters and storyline perfectly.
This rom com had everything I ask for in the genre. Both romance and Comedy. I loved the flirtation between Wes and Bethany. And, I had many laugh out loud moments as they navigated their relationship.
I’m not sure if this is the end of the series....but my fingers are crossed that it will continue!🤞
I listened to the audio version and Charlotte North once again did an amazing job bringing all of Tessa Bailey's characters to life!
Rating: really liked it
3.5 starsthis had great everything (including an adorable little niece who could do a perfect Scooby-Doo impersonation), and the age-gap was a nice touch (the H was seven years
younger than the h); but, i feel like the couple deserved something more
grande than this cause the storyline was too mediocre. or would that be overdoing it?? hmm, idk. i liked the flipping houses narrative, but the reality TV competition side of it was unnecessary imo.
also, its sad that when youre reading about a heroine who’s dealing with a certain type of insecurity, it comes across as annoying instead of sympathetic, illuminating, or inspiring. not saying the heroine here was outrightly annoying, but her overthinking-ness did get on my nerves a few times. i wished she’d gone to a therapist or smth cause it’d gotten to a point where she’d hyperventilate, clench her fists too tight, scratch her neck til it itched, or she’d even get panic attacks.
my first Tessa Bailey, and i was surprised with how steamy & raunchy it was. i feel like romances with covers like this book tend to be more cute & fluffy than hot & sexy. another thing, idk if this is true to all her heroes, but the H in this reminded me of KA’s alpha heroes. or maybe it could just be a Texan cowboy thing, and Wes is how theyre typically portrayed in romance books. either way, i mean no offense cause i love KA and i love cowboys.
(read as an audiobook)
Rating: really liked it
4 stars 
I’ve enjoyed Tessa Bailey’s ‘Hot and Hammered’ series so much! I’m sad this is the last book of the series, but I really enjoyed it. A bit of enemies to lovers as well as the age gap… what’s not to love!
Bethany Castle is doing her own flip and she’s doing it without the help or support of her family’s business. She is sick of not being taken seriously and being made to feel like she’s only good for decorating. When she makes her stand, Wes follows along to help her. You can tell Wes has it bad for Bethany and she’s attracted to him too, but she’s older and doesn’t want to be interested in him.
“We can still pretend to hate each other, if it makes you feel better about accepting my help.” She brushed her hair back. “Who’s pretending?”
Wes may be in his early twenties, but he grew up a lot over the last year. He has temporary custody of his niece who’s in kindergarten and his pace of life has changed. He and Bethany have such a connection and so much chemistry but there is something holding her back. He just has to break through that barrier.
I loved the reality tv part of this book and the end left me with a giant smile. Bethany is a relatable character and I loved when she finally gave into Wes. He brought her out of her perfect facade and helped her to be her real and authentic self. That person is pretty great. Wes was fantastic and I adored him and the way he was with his niece. Also, with this being written by Tessa Bailey you know it was smoking hot!
If you’re looking for an enemies to lovers/rom-com that is funny, sexy, and has just enough feels, pick up
Tools of Engagement.
“You’re my first home, Bethany, and my last”
Rating: really liked it
I'd been so excited for Bethany's story since the first Hot and Hammered book, and I became even more excited when Wes was introduced in Love Her or Lose Her. As soon as I read about them together and their clashing vibes, I knew I needed to read it. If you love enemies to lovers meets HGTV, with an older heroine/younger hero, you need to read this latest rom-com from Tessa Bailey!
Bethany is the last of the golden trio to get her romance. She's always come across as self-assured and on top of her life, but the reality couldn't be farther from the truth. She's a perfectionist with anxiety, which makes for a terrible combination that constantly has her second guessing herself and her decisions. Which is why it's taken so long for her to finally leave her family's construction company to go out on her own. And all of a sudden, she's swept up in a reality show facing off with her brother to see who can do the best home renovation. To her surprise, alongside her is her nemesis Wes, a man that's far too young for her who riles her up like no one else.
When I read Tessa Bailey, I always know I'm in for a fun and hot time. She writes the best dirty talking heroes, and though Wes is a bit younger than her typical hero, he can still dish it out like the best of them. I loved seeing Wes with his niece, who he currently has guardianship over. They were too adorable together! And I really enjoyed the way Bethany and Wes had so much fun banter together but also had plenty of meaningful, emotional moments. Their romance was entertaining from the get-go and I'm glad we finally get their story! This is a great finale to the Hot and Hammered series and I'm so sad to be saying goodbye to these characters.
*****
Cannot wait for Bethany & Wes' enemies to lovers romance!!
Rating: really liked it
okay, after not loving the first 2 books in this trilogy, I didn’t have high hopes for this one…but the second I started this book, I was sucked in! I literally couldn’t put it down until I finished it. I related to bethany and her anxiety and desire for perfection, and I really loved seeing her relationship with wes develop. their chemistry was so wonderful to read. I actually believed their conflicts and the build up between them felt perfectly earned. the little moments with laura were so sweet and I just loved the dynamic between the three of them so, so much. I actually laughed out loud multiple times. this book might be a new favorite!
Rating: really liked it
Wes and his baby niece Laura were the highlight…the rest did not give what needed to be gave
Rating: really liked it
I don’t like the reality tv plot line.
That’s probably why this book has a lower rating because it would have gotten three stars overall but that part just didn’t do it for me at all.
Now the entire competition between siblings was pretty cool but in the end it didn’t do for me what I thought it would.
Wes was an interesting character but I still don’t think that him and Bethany had any chemistry. It was all sexual tension.
Wes just seemed Horny ngl and even-though I enjoyed the niece plot line, I thought the ending did not round of the book as well as this universe in the best way possible. It was truly disappointing and I did not feel satisfied.
