Author: Tessa Bailey
Publication Date: 22 SEP 2020
Publisher: Avon
Page Count: 368
Reading Method: Physical – Romance Backlog
Dates Read: FEB 12 – 13
Review
Enemies to lovers and a televised house flipping competition between siblings – what the heck more could you want?
Bethany is a perfectionist who enjoys paying attention to even the tiniest of details, often to the point of ruining her own happiness. Bethany believes that being perfect is the only way to convey success, and any misstep is a failure. I related SO HARD to Bethany and her tendency to accept nothing less than the best for herself. It’s important to note that she doesn’t hold anyone else to these impossibly high standards, just herself.
Wes has moved to town to take care of his niece after his half sister made a hasty exit from the pressures of motherhood. Wes and his sister have a rocky relationship, never having bonded very well through their years in and out of foster care. But Wes’ relationship with his niece is the most precious part of the whole story. Their interactions were adorable and made me fall even more in love with Wes.
Wes and Bethany’s chemistry was off the charts! The back and forth banter was swoon-worthy and it was much steamier than I anticipated (though it was quite the slow burn). Every interaction between Wes and Bethany was zingy and packed with heat. Though Bethany tends to get in her own way sometimes, Wes was able to balance her out a bit. On the flip side, Bethany is able to provide Wes a bit of structure and stability in an otherwise chaotic life.
The only thing I didn’t love was the house flipping story line. It felt like an add-on to the main plot. We didn’t get a lot of house flipping content, though one of the best scenes in the book comes from the competition. I just would like to have seen a bit more, and maybe some of the competition from Stephen’s side of things too.
Admittedly, I didn’t realize this was the third book in a series (but a romance series, so it doesn’t make a ~huge~ difference) and I felt like I was missing just a little of the backstory when it came to some of the supporting characters. But after reading Tools of Engagement, I am adding the first two to my tbr! However, I absolutely adored Wes and Bethany’s story.
About the Book
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, 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.
About the Author
New York Times Bestselling author Tessa Bailey can solve all problems except for her own, so she focuses those efforts on stubborn, fictional blue collar men and loyal, lovable heroines. She lives on Long Island avoiding the sun and social interactions, then wonders why no one has called. Dubbed the “Michelangelo of dirty talk,” by Entertainment Weekly, Tessa writes with spice, spirit, swoon and a guaranteed happily ever after. Catch her on TikTok at @authortessabailey or check out tessabailey.com for a complete list of books.
