Hair, makeup, clothing, decor... everything in Bethany Castle's world is organized, planned, and styled to perfection. Which is why the homes she designs for her family's real estate business are the most coveted in town. The only thing not perfect? Her track record with men. She's on a dating hiatus and after helping her friends achieve their dreams, Bethany finally has time to focus on her own: flip a house, from framework to furnishings, all by herself. Except her older brother runs the company and refuses to take her seriously.
When a television producer gets wind of the Castle sibling rivalry, they’re invited on Flip Off, a competition to see who can do the best renovation. Bethany wants bragging rights, but she needs a crew and the only member of her brother's construction team willing to jump ship is Wes Daniels, the new guy in town. His Texas drawl and handsome face got under Bethany's skin on day one, but the last thing she needs is some cocky young cowboy in her way.
As the race to renovate heats up, Wes and Bethany are forced into close quarters, trading barbs and biting banter as they remodel the ugliest house on the block. It's a labor of love, hate, and everything in between, and soon sparks are flying. But Bethany's perfectly structured life is one kiss away from going up in smoke and she knows falling for a guy like Wes would be a flipping disaster.
In Tessa Bailey’s latest rom-com, two enemies team up to flip a house... and the sparks between them might burn the place down or ignite a passion that neither can ignore!
When a television producer gets wind of the Castle sibling rivalry, they’re invited on Flip Off, a competition to see who can do the best renovation. Bethany wants bragging rights, but she needs a crew and the only member of her brother's construction team willing to jump ship is Wes Daniels, the new guy in town. His Texas drawl and handsome face got under Bethany's skin on day one, but the last thing she needs is some cocky young cowboy in her way.
As the race to renovate heats up, Wes and Bethany are forced into close quarters, trading barbs and biting banter as they remodel the ugliest house on the block. It's a labor of love, hate, and everything in between, and soon sparks are flying. But Bethany's perfectly structured life is one kiss away from going up in smoke and she knows falling for a guy like Wes would be a flipping disaster.
In Tessa Bailey’s latest rom-com, two enemies team up to flip a house... and the sparks between them might burn the place down or ignite a passion that neither can ignore!
Title: Tools of Engagement (Hot & Hammered #3)
Author: Tessa Bailey
Publisher: Avon
Publication Date: September 22, 2020
Review:
I really enjoy series with cross over characters. And Bailey always does a great job with them. This one was super fun! Think friends to lovers, age gap, and a whole lot of southern boy charm. This makes for great entertainment.
Bethany Castle knows how to deck out a house: both her own and those she helps her family sell. But she's never taken more seriously than the styling she can do. When she wants to do her own flip, her brother laughs it off. That's when she takes matters into her own hands buying a local house and then enlisting the newest kid in town, Wes, to help her out. When a local reality TV show gets wind of the sibling rivalry, they want to air it on TV. Bethany's plan: beat her brother no matter what. But what she doesn't expect is to actually fall for her helper in the process!
I love a good book set in reality TV. I've read a few and they are always fun to watch unfold. I'm always seeking that Survivor type of bond and the rivalry that comes along with it all. So watching Bethany fight to show she can be just as good at flipping houses as her older brother is so much fun.
Bethany is seen as a surface level girl. Hair in place, make up on point, clothing unmarred and unwrinkled. But she's not afraid to get her hands dirty, literally. She fights tooth and nail in this book to show everyone she's more than what is on the outside. I love how she puts her whole heart into it. She's wound a bit tight, but by the end learns that she can loosen in places and relax into who she is. And I also love how she grows and sees she is worthy of not only doing the job, but winning the love she deserves.
Wes, oh Wes! I loved him from the beginning. This kind of side guy who is just a little too cocky for the liking. But, at the same time, he is not at all afraid to go after what he wants. It's kind of endearing. And his cowboy style and drawl had me swooning throughout the entire book. My favorite part of his character is how consistent he is. He provides Bethany with the love and support she needs, even if she doesn't recognize it for what it is until later on in the book. But he also cares for his young niece, Laura, in such a wonderful way. He's thoughtful and generous and he puts others first in so many situations. He provides both Laura and Bethany with the stability they so need.
The banter and chemistry between these two is so much fun. Bethany pushes Wes away over and over again, but he doesn't back down. He's like a dog going after a bone who just won't give up to get what he wants.
I've seen this one called an enemies to lovers trope. But I don't know that I'd go that far as they barely know each other to be enemies. And he does switch sides to help her with her house project. I would say more of a forced proximity trope applies to this one.
And of course a Bailey romcom would not be a Bailey romcom without some seriously sexy times! Boy can Wes do the sexy talk! I was definitely doing a bit of leg crossing while listening to this one!
I can say this was my favorite book of this series. These two characters were well developed and their growth really shined through. I can't wait to read more from Bailey as she's quickly becoming one of my favorite romance writers.
Author:
New York Times Bestselling author Tessa Bailey can solve all problems except for her own, so she focuses those efforts on stubborn, fictional blue collar men and loyal, lovable heroines. She lives on Long Island avoiding the sun and social interactions, then wonders why no one has called. Dubbed the “Michelangelo of dirty talk,” by Entertainment Weekly, Tessa writes with spice, spirit, swoon and a guaranteed happily ever after. Catch her on TikTok at @authortessabailey or check out tessabailey.com for a complete list of books.
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