jaynovara's review against another edition
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
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Abandonment, Addiction, Alcohol, Cursing, Drug abuse, and Pregnancy
emmaline09's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Alcohol and Addiction
laurelparkb's review
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
Graphic: Sexual content, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Alcohol, Abandonment, and Cursing
Minor: Pregnancy
martachbc's review
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
Graphic: Cursing and Sexual content
Moderate: Abandonment and Alcohol
folded_between_pages_of_books's review
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
Minor: Abandonment, Addiction, Alcohol, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Pregnancy, Self harm, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
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