Falling in love is supposed to be the easy part.But nothing prepared me for losing my wife. I promised her that I’d love again. Find someone to mend my broken heart. And that seems impossible, until the day that I walk into Tilly Carter’s cupcake shop.I’ve never met a woman like her–sassy, dirty-mouthed, and smells like vanilla and sin. Someone that makes me want to sweep her off her feet.But … her feet.
But there’s pain in her emerald eyes that mirrors my own.
A past that neither of us can truly escape.
Now that I have her, I’ll do anything to keep her.
Hook is the third book in the STANDALONE USA Today bestselling Men of Inked: Southside series.
Book 1 – Maneuver
Book 2 – Flow
Book 3 – Hook
Book 4 – Hustle
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5 stars
Review by Leah
Late Night Reviewer
Up All Night w/ Books Blog
Hook (Men of Inked: Southside #3) by Chelle Bliss is a super sweet and sexy book. A southern girl meets the Italian bar owner, sounds like the opening to a joke. But between the sniffles, you will fall in love with Angelo and Tilly’s story over and over again and then, right at the end, it nails you right in the heart.
Angelo Gallo, good gravy she does not miss a beat describing this hot as Hades, Italian-stallion. The banter between Angelo and his two cute kids, Tate and Bax, will tug at your ovaries every dang time. Personally, I think Tate and I need a play-date. She is freaking awesome!
Tilly is a little spitfire and her personality is awesome. From the first time Angelo and Tilly meet, their chemistry is off the charts. It will have you on the Gallo family side rooting for this relationship. Oh, and everyone should have a Roger in their life.
The Gallo family is the typical Italian family, boisterous, loud, fun and loving. A family where family means everything. The ribbing between siblings will have you laughing out loud.
This is the first Men of Inked book I have read and Chelle Bliss’s writing was as smooth as raspberry icing.
Angelo Gallo, a single father and owner of the Hook & Hustle Bar, lost his wife to cancer three years ago and never thought he’d love again. He’s drawn to Tilly Carter, a military widow and the owner of the new bakery next door. Together, they work through their guilt of moving on with their lives—finding acceptance, understanding, and love again in each other’s arms. LE SIGH. <3
Hook has most definitely exceeded my expectations!
It’s literally the most heartbreakingly beautiful thing I’ve ever read! I cried ladies! I don’t do crying! The last time I ugly cried was when I read Enshrine (also a Chelle Bliss must read!)Hook got me though! Had me so far in my feelings I didn’t think I’d recover!
Hook is an absolute must have!
Love these Gaallo men so hard!!!! They just don’t make them like that in real life lol so I’ll keep enjoying them in the pages of some of my favorite books! Angelo has been so intriguing to me since the first Southside book…the only complaint I have is that it wasn’t longer. Tilly and Angelo fell in love very fast, though soul mates, it was fast…the ending was a little quick for me too. I absolutely loved their story but could have used more of it. Of course I adore all the secondary characters too…cute little Tate! Definitely recommend the series, book and author! Can’t wait for Vinnies story!
It was lovely to return to the world of the ChicagonGallos. It’s a fun family with much love for each other. Angelo wa the widower we met in previous books. He instantly is attracted to Tilly who is also recovering from loss. It’s a heartwarming love story. Both characters have to let go of their pasts in order to claim their future. There is family involved in their journey which makes you laugh and cry at this love story. Angelo and Tilly are a couple that is meant to be and I enjoyed their journey to love immensely.
I’m not gonna lie, Hook is the first book of the Southside Gallo’s that I’ve read. And from page one I knew I was going to be in for an emotional ride. Chelle Bliss got me. Tears- lots of them wetting my cheeks. But it wasn’t all sorrow and pain. There were a good handful of laughs and plenty of steam and sweetness.
I adored Angelo. How deeply he loved. His pain. How hard he tried for his kids sake. His relationship with his small children, especially Tate warmed my heart. And Tilly’s. That Tilly was something else. Treading the water of her own loss and pain but putting herself out there. Her very first interaction with Angelo was comical and just a hair embarrassing. But there was something there, that invisible link, that neither could deny. Even when they tried.
Thankfully they didn’t try to avoid it for too long because when they finally gave in, it was tender and sexy and romantic and more than they could’ve hoped for.
Grief. Healing. Guilt. Hope. Family. Love. Hook gave me all of that and more. There was an emotional heaviness that was buffered by lots of sweetness and childhood innocence. I liked that Tilly and Angelo’s love for each other wasn’t ‘more than’ but different. Still all consuming and deep with every ounce of their being. Their journey showcases the healing power of love and how opening your heart only gives it room to love more.
Angelo lost the love of his life and would have been so lost if he didn’t have his 2 children. His family has helped him to get on his life. He hasn’t started dating since losing her but maybe it’s time to start living again.
Tilly has lost too, she lost her husband and was making it one day at a time. She’s opened her own cupcake business right next to Angelo. She’s made one dream come true and she’s happy. Well as happy as she can be but then she meets Angelo. He makes her feel things that she hasn’t felt for a long time.
Will these two be able to love again like they had? Will they be able to let each other into their hearts?
Tilly cracked me up and I love that Angelo and her were so open with each other. That they were able to communicate about the important things and were able to laugh about the silly things.
OMGosh! Talk about book feels! Chelle knows how to write words that sink in deep! It’s steamy, romantic and pulls at those heart strings. I love it!
OMGEEEE!
This book!
This book was EVERYTHING! The hangover was real!
The prologue will have you sobbing into your device hard. It was so heartbreaking and heavy and it was so beautifully written. It literally ripped my heart into shreds but don’t let that scare you, Chelle wrote the most beautiful and poignant stories that I have ever read!
Angelo, hands down, favorite Gallo out of both series. He’s been through such a tragedy in life and he still gets up and going for his kids and family. Tilly is also moving on with her life after tragedy and fate (also mama Gallo) taught them that they could love again!
As always Chelle writes the Gallo’s to perfection! The banter and love that they have for one another is clear throughout the books. I have loved all the Gallo’s but this has to be hands down my favorite one yet. If you haven’t read the series yet, you’re missing out!
Angelo Gallo has been through a painful loss. He doesn’t think he will be able to love again until he meets Tilly Carter. Tilly runs her own bakery shop. She also has a painful past and is trying to deal with it. These two were explosive with the chemistry and banter between them. Get ready for tissues from the start, then get ready for an adventure like no other.
I received a copy of this book and am leaving a review.
A hot single dad?? Yes, please!! Both characters have tragic pasts, and move on from their grief and guilt to find their HEA.
This book is a real emotional rollercoaster. you’re going to tissues and plenty of them!
Angelo and Tilly both have suffered heartbreak and they meet when Tilly opens a cupcake store next to the bar. They want more from each other but both feel guilt about moving on,will they get their HEA, if the Gallos have anything to do with it they will!
A beautifully written, emotional story, I believe that this Chelles best work yet.
Definitely a 5* read.
That warning at the front of the book about tissues? Don’t ignore it. I didn’t even get through the prologue without crying! And the letters and dreams? OMG they had me sobbing. This is Chelle Bliss at her emotion wrenching best.
I really wasn’t sure whether to read this or not, I loved the original series but didn’t quite connect with Maneuver . It wasn’t bad, but just not as amazing as I’m used to from Chelle Bliss. However this was back to the full of character, emotion packed and engaging story that I’ve come to expect. I now need to go back and read Flow !
Angelo and Tilly have both suffered devastating loss. A loss so cruel it has left them broken, struggling and unable to contemplate loving anyone else. That is until they meet each other and find someone who understands them in a way no-one else does, not even their closest friends and family.
“Are we too broken to be together?” I whisper with my eyes locked with his.
He shakes his head and brushes his lips against my forehead. “I think we’re too broken for other people, but together, we’re whole.”
Both characters are really well written, this is a Hero and heroine who you can really fall in love with. Then there is Tate who really adds an extra zing to the book. I was gripped from start to the end of this book. The writing flows smoothly, the pace is engaging and the story is just a delight to read, even if it is repeatedly through tears.
It’s a very slow burn story, which suits the plot and characters perfectly, though once it gets going boy does it get hot! The chemistry between Tilly and Angelo was both intense and scorching, especially the cake frosting scene. I totally believed in their growing connection and feelings and was absolutely invested in them as a couple. This is a really amazing book and one I’m only too happy to recommend.
I was not really prepared to go into this one especially with what she does to the reader when they do. She will right off cut your guts up and make you snot. Promises too are not always easy or done either and in here you get to see what it takes to go in life. She will give life and healing to what had died and pulverized. It will be done by the characters -Angelo and Tilly will do the deed through the magic of the words. Good thing too you do not want to be left a puddle of goo.
Angelo is such a gentleman, “ma’am, I may not know you, but when there’s a lady in need, it’s my duty to help.” Angelo loves to keep his girl happy, “pizza, it is.” He ushers me outside with his hand still on me. “Whatever makes you happy.” I liked this book, I fell in love with Angelo.
I truly love the Gallo clan and I couldn’t wait too read Angelo’s story. It was everything I thought it would be and more. Definitely get tissues ready because Angelo and Tilly will pull on your heartstrings & make you swoon hard. Tate is so precious and at times steals the show lol. The story was everything and the ending was perfect. I can’t wait too read Vinnie’s story next. I have loved everyone book Chelle has written and I can say that I have never been disappointed ever. If you are looking for an author that will give you an amazing stories and kick ass characters then you will want too read all of Chelle’s books. Another 5 Star read that had me HOOKED.
Hook is the third book in the Men of Inked: Southside Series. It can be read as a standalone. I knew Angelo story was going to gut me and I wasn’t wrong. The story was well written and so full of emotion, that I felt them too. I loved Tilly and Angelo! They both knew heartbreak, but when their together they feel alive. Add in little Tate and Brax and your hooked. I love the Gallo family, they make me feel like I’m right there in the room beside them. Their banter makes me laugh. I’m looking forward to the the next book.
Hook is the third book in the Men of inked Southside series, and my favorite of the series so far! I have wanted Angelo’s story since his character was first introduced, and his story was so much more than I imagined! This book provoked such strong emotions starting at page one. Tilly and Angelo were made for each other, two broken souls finding the person that makes them whole again. Tate, Angelo’s daughter, was adorable and one of my favorite characters! I can’t wait to read Vinnie’s book and see more Gallo’s!
I’m going to start this review cursing the author, damn you Chelle Bliss for writing men who can make me forget my all time favorite man, James Caldo.
Now that that’s out of the way, Hook is book three in the Men of Inked: Southside series. It can be read as a standalone but I HIGHLY recommend reading the entire series in order, you just have to get to know the entire family to fully enjoy their personalities!
Angelo’s story is a tough one, I cried ugly tears for him. I also laughed, fell in love with him and enjoyed watching him come back to life.
Tilly is freaking amazing. She’s quirky, spunky as hell, adorable and just what this series needed. At times she reminded me of Izzy just a bit, an as anyone who knows me already knows is my absolute favorite Gallo. Well, maybe. I do seem to have Angelo stuck in my head lately!
I am head over heels in love with this new series and Angelo & Tilly. They are captivating. I read this book from start to finish in a few hours, I was thankful the kids went back to school so I could read it uninterrupted. You have another winner on your hands Ms. Bliss
Chelle has blown my mind again this book is amazing be sure to have a few tissues on hand. I have to say this may be my new favorite Gallo book! This book is emotional, as wonderful characters, has an amazing heroin and hero, it is a page turner and keeps you wanting more. From the gate this book consumes you and takes you on this emotional journey that makes you laugh and cry and everything in between.
Angelo is amazing he is taking step by step to pick up the pieces doing what he think is best. He is raising his children with the help of his family. He feels that his life is going as it should that is until Tilly walks in and he questions everything feeling guilty for how he feels.
Tilly is easy to love the Gallos seem to agree and feel she is it for Angelo. She also has a past that Angelo can relate to all to well. Angelo walks in and Tilly is blown away but feels guilty. Could Angelo be everything that she wants and more?