Release Review: Tools of Engagement: Tessa Bailey
Tools of Engagement
Tessa Bailey
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Release Date September 22, 2020
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.
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!
Graphics from Author's Facebook page
Bethany Castle presents like she has the picture-perfect life where everything is always in order whether it be her outfits, her home, the houses she stages, or how she looks like she handles everything. But she hides the strong anxiety, panic attacks, OCD tendencies, and fear of failure from those around her. She appears to be cold and unaffected, and she is strong-willed and bossy. But that hides her fears and insecurities. She is not getting much fulfillment from her career anymore and needs more of a challenge and excitement to fill the void. So she has been trying to get the courage to take on her own flip house since her brother refuses to help her.
Wes Daniels is new to town. A younger, former rodeo cowboy, he now finds himself taking care of his five-year-old niece, working construction, and relying on the help of virtual strangers (led by Bethany's Just Us League). He has never really had a constant home or security and considers himself a rolling stone. He is cocky, charming, sarcastic, and flirty. And he is just as stubborn and bossy as she is.
These two have been antagonistic since day one. Their sparring is flirty, fiery, snarky, and kind of like foreplay. And he is the only man to stand up for her when it comes time to take on her own flip.
Now these two enemies with unresolved sexual tension are having to rely on each other in close quarters while they have unexpected eyes on them as they find themself in a TV reality show war. And they begin to see the cracks in the other's veneer. They start getting dirty and things begin to get hot and heavier. But they are both terrified or a real relationship or feelings. He was never supposed to stay. She is afraid to be found lacking again. She pushes him away only for him to realize that maybe this time he wants to stick. And he challenges her to mess up her life and realize she does not have to be perfect for people to care. It is not only about rebuilding a house, but also their own sense of self-worth and realizing that some things are worth fighting for.
This is a witty, emotional, sexy, enemies-to-lovers story with a bit of an age gap. This is my favorite installment of this series that brings back her siblings Georgie and Stephen and their significant others, as well as their friends Rosie and Dominic. I liked seeing the characters start to break down and show their vulnerability and inner strength, as well as how the community wants to help them. Bethany especially needed someone who could see her flaws, accept them, and at times handle her for her own good. And Wes had a need to be wanted and needed and to just belong somewhere. His niece, Laura was a sweetheart, and seeing them interact with her was heartwarming. It is a wonderful ending to this series about rebuilding lives, holding onto love, and finding a home.
Wes Daniels is new to town. A younger, former rodeo cowboy, he now finds himself taking care of his five-year-old niece, working construction, and relying on the help of virtual strangers (led by Bethany's Just Us League). He has never really had a constant home or security and considers himself a rolling stone. He is cocky, charming, sarcastic, and flirty. And he is just as stubborn and bossy as she is.
These two have been antagonistic since day one. Their sparring is flirty, fiery, snarky, and kind of like foreplay. And he is the only man to stand up for her when it comes time to take on her own flip.
Now these two enemies with unresolved sexual tension are having to rely on each other in close quarters while they have unexpected eyes on them as they find themself in a TV reality show war. And they begin to see the cracks in the other's veneer. They start getting dirty and things begin to get hot and heavier. But they are both terrified or a real relationship or feelings. He was never supposed to stay. She is afraid to be found lacking again. She pushes him away only for him to realize that maybe this time he wants to stick. And he challenges her to mess up her life and realize she does not have to be perfect for people to care. It is not only about rebuilding a house, but also their own sense of self-worth and realizing that some things are worth fighting for.
This is a witty, emotional, sexy, enemies-to-lovers story with a bit of an age gap. This is my favorite installment of this series that brings back her siblings Georgie and Stephen and their significant others, as well as their friends Rosie and Dominic. I liked seeing the characters start to break down and show their vulnerability and inner strength, as well as how the community wants to help them. Bethany especially needed someone who could see her flaws, accept them, and at times handle her for her own good. And Wes had a need to be wanted and needed and to just belong somewhere. His niece, Laura was a sweetheart, and seeing them interact with her was heartwarming. It is a wonderful ending to this series about rebuilding lives, holding onto love, and finding a home.
Tessa BaileyWebsite | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Instagram |
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Tessa Bailey is the New York Times Bestselling Author of the Line of Duty Series. She lives in Long Island, New York with her husband and exuberant daughter. When she isn't writing, eating cheese, listening to true crime podcasts or reading romance, Tessa enjoys a good argument and thirty-minute recipes.
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Tessa Bailey is the New York Times Bestselling Author of the Line of Duty Series. She lives in Long Island, New York with her husband and exuberant daughter. When she isn't writing, eating cheese, listening to true crime podcasts or reading romance, Tessa enjoys a good argument and thirty-minute recipes.
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