Series: Hot and Hammered #3
Published by HarperCollins on September 22, 2020
Genres: Fiction, Romance, Romantic Comedy, Contemporary, Women
Pages: 368
Format: eBook
Source: ARC
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!
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, and 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.
“Her voice feels as fresh and contemporary as a Netflix rom-com.” —Entertainment Weekly
Tessa Bailey has quickly become an auto-buy for me as I wade my way through her backlist. I adored Georgie’s story in Fix Her Up and was so thrilled to have a chance to read the newest addition to the Hot and Bothered series! Tools of Engagement gripped me right away. I am a sucker for enemies-to-lovers paired with forced-proximity. Adding in an age-gap, older heroine for good measure, and I’m absolutely pushing my TBR to the side to get my paws on the book. Those tropish delights delivered with Bailey’s humor and heart had me reading late into the night and closing the book with a happy, if wistful, sigh. I didn’t want to let Wes and Bethany go to be honest.
Wes was absolutely the sweetest uncle and beyond that, has his own issues from languishing in the foster care system as a child. His absolutely charming personality had just a hint of vulnerability that absolutely hooked me, and I don’t normally find myself falling for fictional (or real) cowboys. Bethany’s obsessive tendencies and severe anxiety under the perfectly cultivated mask of perfection made her an authentic, relatable character for me. Bailey’s descriptions of her anxiety in particular felt uncomfortably familiar. Both were lovable on their own and a pleasure to cheer for. Of course, the insane chemistry between the two doesn’t hurt.
I’m talking fire-alarm hot tension that had me blushing. The back-and-forth nips and jabs are a fascinating form of foreplay for Wes and Bethany. I do think Wes could use a bit of sprucing up with his dirty talk but it was easy to forgive given the chemistry between them.
I do think the pacing could have slowed a bit to allow a bit more time during the flip. I would have loved to see more of Bethany getting her hands dirty rather than just references to it after the fact. I am happy to report that Kristin, Bethany’s sister-in-law, is just as unhinged as ever. I am always torn between amusement and horror when she pulls nonsense on Stephen.
My highlight for this book has to be the “Just Us” club. The idea of a club with little to no drama, (Kristin’s self-created nonsense doesn’t count) creating a community of supportive women. A place for dreams to be willed into existence and they each lend what expertise they can hits me right in the feels. I absolutely love the concept!
Overall, Tools of Engagement was a wonderful, light-hearted read with some scorching chemistry. While I wish we had a bit more of the “house flip” construction included for Bethany’s growth, I was absolutely engaged and invested in Wes and Bethany’s happiness. If you are looking for an exceptional balance between humor, and angsty emotion then I highly recommend this contemporary romance.
CW: Bethany’s anxiety could be triggering for some, so please read with care.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed a review copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
About Tessa Bailey
Tessa Bailey aspires to three things. Writing hot and unforgettable, character-driven romance, being a good mother and eventually sneaking onto the judging panel on a reality show baking competition. She lives on Long Island, New York with her husband and daughter, writing all day and rewarding herself with a cheese plate and Netflix binges in the evening. If you want sexy, heartfelt, humorous romance with a guaranteed happy ending, you’ve come to the right place.
