Reviews with content warning for Cursing - Tools of Engagement

Reviews tagging 'Cursing'

Tools of Engagement by Tessa Bailey

10 reviews

thaliareads's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This is one of my favorite Tessa Bailey books that I've read to date. I love how both optimistic and yet realistic this novel was. While Bethany and Wes had an undeniable instant love connection, they both had real world issues to consider. Wes is now acting as the guardian of his niece, there's a very real age gap and suspected maturity gap between the two characters, and Bethany wants to prove herself outside of what Wes is contributing to the flip.

For a romance novel, the pacing and resolution are realistic, giving the characters the time to discover what they truly want and need and who they are in their new roles in life.

I'll need to get my hands on my own copy so I can have this available to read at all times!

Content Warnings

clairew97's review

Go to review page

4.0

Content Warnings

lmy612's review against another edition

Go to review page

lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Now THIS was the book for me. I absolutely loved Bethany and Wes’ relationship! How they grew and changed as people and partners was beautiful. Their relationship was sexy and plentiful.

I also loved being inside Beth’s head half of the time. To hear how critical “miss perfect” was of herself humanized her in a big way for me. And hearing her realize that being less than perfect was OKAY was beautiful.

Wes was simply adorable. Tessa Bailey didn’t give him a macho attitude like you’d expect from a cowboy but he was just the right amount of cocky and annoying to be endearing. He also didn’t call Beth a cringy pet name like “baby girl”. Darling (most commonly used) suited me just fine.

Content Warnings

jaynovara's review against another edition

Go to review page

funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Content Warnings

criticalbooks's review

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings

laurelparkb's review

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Out of this whole series this was my favorite one. I really connected with Bethany’s struggle with anxiety and I loved the enemies to lovers romance. Overall I would read again it was heartfelt and it was warm and it was engaging. I gasped, teared up and laughed. Any Tessa Bailey book is worth a read.

Content Warnings

martachbc's review

Go to review page

funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix

3.0

Tools of Engagement wasn’t my favorite Tessa Bailey book.

The plot: Bethany Castle’s life is a Pinterest board from her perfectly styled outfits, to her perfect white home. Her job as a home stager with her family construction business is no longer fulfilling to her, and she wants to try her hand at flipping but her asinine brother Steven laughs her out of the room. So she strikes out on her own - with just one of Steven’s crew - handsome newcomer Wes - following her. When an HGTV-esque network catches wind of two siblings flipping nearby houses, they smell reality success. Meanwhile Wes is taking care of his niece and nursing a big crush on Bethany. Can they work it all out?

My thought: I loved the HGTV-inspired concept and our beautiful but flawed lead - but this just fell kind of flat for me. The romantic tension between Bethany and Wes wasn’t really a “will they, won’t they” as much as a “they definitely will, just when.” There was an unnecessary enemies to lovers tease. But Wes was too much of a standup guy (is there a problem with me that I want my romantic leads to be a little more asshole-ish? Probably.).

The reality show concept became kind of an afterthought to Wes’s domestic drama. Basically, I wish this had focused more on the elements I liked, instead of adding in a lot of other, less compelling drama and details. The plot should have taken a cue from Bethany’s decor and edited way down.

I loved the “it takes a village” message behind the female friendships in this series. And make no mistake: Tessa Bailey is not afraid to get 🔥 💨 🌶 x 100. I’m giving this ⭐️⭐️⭐️.

Content Warnings

annahamburger's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Content Warnings

folded_between_pages_of_books's review

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful inspiring fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Content Warnings

100_pages_hr's review against another edition

Go to review page

hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I really loved watching Bethany and Wes spar. Their chemistry was amazing.

I also appreciated Bethany's struggles and Wes's ability to talk her down. They made a great team.

Content Warnings

More...