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. … 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
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Finally, Bethany and Wes get their turn in Tools of Engagement. I have read the previous books of this series and they were likeable. Bethany and Wes’s build-up from the two books was intense so it was sure to be an interesting ride. I enjoyed their banter. It really made the book pop. The tension, the push-and-pull was good. It was just a matter of time before everything would come to a head. There was also more to the story besides their relationship. Wes and Bethany each had to go through some trials on their own so it was intriguing to see how that would play out. I liked seeing the previous two couples and how they are living their HEAs. While this story kept me going for sure, I just felt that there should have been more especially with them as a couple. There wasn’t enough of it and it would have been nice to get that. Still, this was a pleasant read.
This was an entertaining, well-written book. Bethany’s life is about organization and perfection, except in her dating life. She’s ready to take on more challenge in her career, and tells her brother, who runs the company, that she wants to flip a house on her own. Wes, one of the crew members, is willing to help her with the flip. Things get complicated because sparks fly between them, on and off the work site. The book was fun, romantic and fast-paced. I enjoyed this book and will look for more books by this author.
Such a fun book! The banter between Wes and Bethany was top notch. Love the sassiness of Bethany even though she is very insecure. The way Wes helps Bethany with her insecurity was very clever and not clinical. Wes and his new role as uncle, this was majorly endearing. The Just Us League was another clever addition to the book. I have not read the first two but I will be picking them up based on this one. Great read to boost your mood and to show that even though you have insecurities you can make it through. Oh and I need to add…STEAMY!
”Maybe I could be the one thing you don’t overthink, all right?”
Bethany, Bethany, Bethany. I’ve pretty much loved her bossy butt since book one, and I still loved her in Tools of Engagement. Sparring with Wes and just peeling back her layers while falling in love. Wes is a cowboy type guy who is stepping up to take care of his 5 year old niece, and it’s just a duo you don’t expect to be so perfect for each other, but they are exactly what each other needs. Bethany is striving for perfection, stressed to let any flaws show and Wes is just winging it and hoping things go right. They just work well together.
So in this book we’ve got a slow-burn romance, a heroine learning to live and breath despite life’s imperfections, a hero who is figuring out how to plant roots and be for others what he’s never had, and throw in a reality show house flip competition. So essentially it’s emotional, sweet, a bit funny, hot and tense at times, and just a great contemporary read. I think it was a great end to the Hot & Hammered series, and though I’m sad it’s over I’m glad it finished so well!
Don’t get me wrong I love Tessa Baileys work, but this is my least favorite of this series. I didn’t care nor could I connect with the characters. The story wasn’t engaging for me that after 60%ish I fast forwarded to the end.
I received this book at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Tools of Engagement is everything smoking hot, deeply emotional, and utterly satisfying. There is nothing that this story is missing when it comes to wrecking and demoliting my heart so completely. It gives no excuses or demands as it works on rebuilding a solid and unshakable foundation where a true and honest love can bloom and remain protected and cherished. This story is pure gold, and worthy of all the accolades in the world for its incredible heart and uncompromising soul.
I never knew what to expect when I began reading this story. I just knew it was written by Tessa Bailey, so I knew I was in for a huge treat. What I found was so far above and beyond my expectations! Bethany and Wes stole my heart and refused to give it back. They ruined me, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I never wanted to leave this stunning world full of real people with real struggles. Finally, I found a place where even a broken, imperfect person like me felt at home. This story is perfect in its raw brokenness and real emotion. I savored every second, emotion, and word as I walked this hard yet wildly rewarding story.
Tessa Bailey has rocked my world so utterly and completely. She has shown me that we are all beautiful with our brokenness and quirks and anxiety. I can’t thank her enough for her touching encouragment and huge heart. She will always be one of my all-time favorite authors because she is the type of person I admire and am grateful for their presence in my life no matter how fleeting it is.
I’ve been waiting for Wes and Bethany’s story for what feels like forever and it was everything I could hope for with more heart and heat than I ever expected!
Bethany was a heroine that I could totally relate to. She’s a perfectionist with everything in her life and as a result that has caused her stress and unhappiness. Watching her come to the realization that it’s okay to let some things go was an inspiration to me as I too often worry over the small things.
Wes was the type of hero that I adore. He’s a dirty talker with a heart of gold who is slightly broken on the inside and yet he was more than willing to work through his issues as well as those he shared with Bethany. If only we could all be so lucky to have a Wes in our lives.
This is an older woman/younger man trope with 7 years difference. While their ages posed a bit of conflict, it didn’t take them long to overcome it as they lit up the pages with a chemistry that was so hot I’m sure I’ve not read another book to compare in that department. The true issues arise in the form of what each character carries inside and I loved the way they both failed and then succeeded in making it work between them.
This is a fast read that included characters from the previous books of which I giggled and grinned at their antics. This whole group is one that once you meet, you’ll feel as though you’re a part of them…and you’ll miss them when they’re gone.
I enjoyed this book.
Wes was a dream book boyfriend. He was confident, alpha, caring, responsible, helpful and great with kids. I loved when he was helping Bethany with her confidence and she wasn’t even realizing it. I loved that he stepped up with his niece.
Bethany was a woman who at times got on my nerves. She was a successful woman who wanted to branch out. I could completely understand that. However, I just couldn’t get over the bet she made with her brother to have their flip filmed. She wanted to prove herself to her family and also to herself and yet she let a petty competitive streak with her brother force her to have this whole thing filmed.
This book checked so many of my boxes. It’s filled with fun, witty banter. And, I’m such a sucker for a kid in a book. I thought it was a unique idea for the niece to be a part of the story. I do wish that maybe, in the beginning, we had a little more info about that part of the story. I loved Wes, and I found Bethany relatable. I’m an overthinker who strives for perfection at the expense of my sanity. I enjoyed her character growth. Overall, it was another fun read by one of my favorites. As always, I can’t wait to see what’s up next from Tessa.
I liked it and had a lot of fun with this book.
The story is very fresh and light, there is not so much drama, although there are family problems they’re not so impossible to solve and the protagonists solve it in a way that does not even seem complicated. Another thing is the love part on Bethany’s side, she is a girl with many insecurities and therefore finds it difficult to open up to others, so when Wes enters her life the clashes are inevitable because unlike her Wes is more determined and goes for what he wants.
A project will bring them together and during all this they will delight us with situations that are very steamy and hot. Wes will not stop until he seduces her and what a way to do it, the boy from Texas knows very well how to seduce this perfectionist house designer and will make the girl jump at every encounter.
I want to read the previous books because I’ve done a spoiler again to myself since this is book 3 of the series.
If you like stories where the relationship comes up slowly and culminates in happily ever after, this is your book.
Tools of Engagement by Tessa Bailey is the third book in the Hot & Hammered series and it was an enemies to lovers romance with an age gap (older woman/younger man). It was full of witty banter and steamy chemistry between Wes and Bethany. Wes was cocky, but also very patient and caring. Bethany tended to over analyze things and hid insecurities. When they begin working together, they tended to take shots at each other more often than not, but there was something else there as well. I truly enjoyed reading this one. It was funny, light and charming.
Read and reviewed for Reviews From the Heart.
Happy reading!
Everything is Bethany Castle’s life is perfect, except it’s not. A string of failed relationships has pushed her to focus on her career goals, namely flipping a house on her own after years of working with her brother. The only problem is she doesn’t really know anything about the construction end of the business, also, she doesn’t like to get dirty. Enter Wes Daniels, he’s had his eye on Bethany since he came to town to look after his niece for his sister. Always going through life never wanting anything serious, Wes jumps a the chance to help Bethany with her flip. Unfortunately for them, their timeline has just gotten a whole lot tighter when Bethany and her brother Stephen agree to make house flipping a competition for a reality show.
Tools of Engagement is such a great read. It has so many of the tropes I love, age gap with an older woman, single dad, enemies to lovers, it has great banter and it’s funny and full of heart. Bethany was so relatable in her insecurities and need to appear to have everything completely together, I could feel her anxiety. Wes was a little bit of a surprise and absolutely perfect, learning to distract her when she started to spiral, yes he’s a bit alpha, but really sweet and patient where it counts. I also loved that they were each on their own journey, Wes taking on his niece and Bethany learning how to corral her anxiety, but in the end, coming together and taking on those things as a unit. Really my favorite out of the series, definitely recommend.
Tools of Engagement by Tessa Bailey
The first page HOOKS you right in (I mean come on!! That was the cutest thing ever) and then the story just flows so perfectly.
We are entertained the entire book. These characters were fun to read about. Bailey takes us on a bit of a “Flip” rollercoaster. We get lots of emotions, ones you feel yourself while reading the words.
Wes and Bethany have a lot going on in each of their lives but once these two start the flip, we watch as they each gravitate toward one another. How they each can calm the other. There is lots of witty back and forth between the two. And the chemistry is out of this world. Side characters you fall in love with. Super cute scenes with Wes and Laura that will have you swooning. This book was simply entertaining!
I loved every element to this read.
Bailey is super talented and knows how to hook the readers! I would highly recommend this book to any romance reader.
*I was provided a copy of this book by NetGally in exchange for my honest and voluntary review. All thoughts and opinions written in the review are those of my own*
This is the third book in the series and I am pretty sure the last since this is the last of the founders of the “Just Us league” I always liked Bethany she was funny and to the points and definitely there for her friends. Bethany had met Wes in the last book so I hope you guys have read it if not stop go read it you want to know the characters better and their back story. Wes is 7 years younger than Bethany and not someone she probably would have gone for and you love him he does not let Bethany use her sarcasm of put downs at him. Their banter was funny and even though they are different we know opposites attract and these two have that. I loved reading about he previous couple!! I love Georgie and Travis, love them and still can’t stand Kristen, I wish she would have been put in her place they placated her too much, however I was happy they stopped her from getting the microphone, wondering what I am talking about? Grab a copy and find out!!
rcvd an ARC at no cost to author..(netgalley) voluntarily reviewed with my own thoughts and opinion
Wow, Wes and Bethany had chemistry that sizzled off the pages, and we had a good long build up before it couldn’t be contained. But Wes and Bethany also had a whole bunch of heart, just neither realized it was there, they had buried it so deeply. Wes and Bethany also had a tonne of passion, whether sparing, flirting, fighting, or getting it on, they went at it with all that they were, and held nothing back. Add in a perfectly imperfect kindergartener, and your heart and soul will be so wrapped up in the story, you will be glowing with happiness, after a few crying moments, by the end!