Series: The Bellinger Sisters, #2
Traits & Tropes: forbidden; best friend's sister-in-law; friends to lovers; slow burn; forced proximity
Publication Date: 03.01.22
Genre/Setting: Contemporary; Westport, Washington, USA
Heat Level: 3
Rating: 5 stars!
With a dangerous job as a king crab fisherman paired with his good looks, Fox Thornton has never had any trouble with women. Everyone knows he’s a good time both in and out of bed, but not for anything permanent, and he’s fine with those low expectations, until he meets Hannah Bellinger. She seems to like him for his personality more than his looks and charm and wants to be his friend. Fox doesn’t know what to make of it, but he likes her too much to risk ruining things by crossing the line.
When work on a new film brings Hannah to Westport, spending the time staying in Fox’s spare bedroom, she’s determined to remember that they’re just friends. She’s maintaining her hopeless crush on her boss, the film’s director and Fox is the perfect person to help her win him. Yet, the more time Hannah spends with Fox, the more she realizes she’d rather be with him. The lines defining their relationship begin to blur, but Hannah refuses to be a temporary fling for Fox.
Meanwhile, Fox is struggling with his fantasies about waking up with Hannah forever. He’s head over heels for her and helping her gain another man’s interest is killing him, but if Fox can work on his own issues and show Hannah he can be in a committed relationship, he’s hoping she’ll choose him over the polished Hollywood director.
I was a little skeptical of Fox as this playboy character established in the first book becoming a hero, I could get behind but, man did he ever. All his life that sort of promiscuous behavior had been expected and all but forced upon him, so he just lived up to the only thing that was ever expected of him and used sex to hide his insecurities. I loved that Hannah was so willing to be patient with him and knew just when to push him for more, without ever letting him off the hook or allowing him to use intimacy to hide his lack of confidence. Those heroes who just need someone to believe in them are like catnip to me and it didn’t take me long to be cheering wholeheartedly for Fox as he struggled to grasp some respect from others and believe in his worthiness of Hannah. I really loved that these two both struggled with asking for what they needed but they worked it out together and the level of communication and openness between them is what I crave in every romance and so rarely get. This one hit me right in the feels in a way I didn’t anticipate, but it was a delight and I loved reading two characters who were so willing to grow together.
This was different than I expected, but in a good way and it definitely goes on the keeper shelf for me.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/1585482119
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4316036887
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