Tools of Engagement by Tessa Bailey

Tools of Engagement
Series: Hot & Hammered
Author: Tessa Bailey
Check it Out: Goodreads

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.

Even though I DNF’ed the last book in this series, I was kind of excited about Tools of Engagement. However, This book lacked steam and had a main character that I wanted to thump in her forehead.

 

While the banter was amazing, the chemistry was a bit bland and I wouldn’t believe that this couple would last. Bethany’s insecurities were mostly what this book was about. She let them ruin so much of her life. How many times did Wes actually have things going on in his life and she’s only thinking about herself?

“I can be strong for both of us, but sometimes I need help. So I need you to keep it together for me right now.”

And she couldn’t. I found her to be so selfish of a person. She made everything about her. While Wes was trying to figure out his whole life, plus the life of this niece, she’s only worried about how someone called her home cold looking. Girl, bye.

 

I thought that Fix Her Up was tame, well this was even more than that. I kept waiting for that Tessa Bailey steam and filthy talk to make its presence known. While Wes did say some dirty things, it was nowhere compared to what I’m used to from Tessa. I just wanted so much more!

All in all, I wished I liked this more. This series is over and I’m glad because I don’t think I have it in me to read another book in it.

 

---

Goodreads

Instagram