Tools of Engagement - by Tessa Bailey

About the Book

"Two enemies team up to flip a house ... and the sparks between them will either burn the place down or ignite a passion they can't resist"--Jacket flap.

Book Synopsis

The #1 New York Times bestselling author of It Happened One Summer and Hook, Line, and Sinker brings the heat in this rom-com about two enemies who team up to flip a house because their chemistry will either burn the place down or ignite a passion that neither can ignore...

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.

"Her voice feels as fresh and contemporary as a Netflix rom-com." --Entertainment Weekly

Review Quotes

"Bailey's humor, realism, and great writing make this a fun, compelling read... Blazing hot sex scenes heighten the tension of this emotional exploration of passion and love, tempered by moments of winsome romance and slapstick comedy." - Kirkus Reviews
"FIX HER UP ticks all my romance boxes. Not only is it hilarious, it's sweet, endearing, heartwarming and downright sexy. It's a recipe for the perfect love story." - Helena Hunting, New York Times bestselling author of Meet Cute
"Funny, and SUPER hot, and also full of sooooo much heart... I AM SO EXCITED there will be more books in the series!" - Rachel Hawkins, New York Times bestselling author
"Tessa Bailey has delivered the frothiest of rom-coms with the heat turned up to scorching... it's a wealth of tropes done so well it feels like trope Christmas. Bailey knows just how to push all the right buttons on these plot points readers adore. Her voice feels as fresh and contemporary as a Netflix rom-com, and the swoon factor is there in abundance as well, making you fall hard and fast for both protagonists... Bailey writesbanter and rom-com scenarios with aplomb, but for those who like their romance on the spicier side, she's also the Michelangelo of dirty talk. She wields filth like Da Vinci does a paintbrush, and there's a lot to be said for an author who can fill such exchanges with all the requisite heat, enthusiastic consent, and yes, even humor, of such a scenario without veering into corny territory... Bailey ties all of these elements - the perfectly calibrated tropes, sizzling dirty talk, and envy-inducing ladies' nights - together with a super-charged ribbon of emotion... the way Bailey gradually builds their emotional and physical connection leads to a swoon-inducing ending any reader will fall head over heels for." - Entertainment Weekly
"If you adore romance and HGTV, this is just the book for you." - Oprahmag.com
"Bailey creates likable characters and writes snappy dialogue... A romance between charming characters..." - Kirkus Reviews
"sweet and super-spicy... Chick-lit lovers will flip for this sexy, heartwarming story." - Publishers Weekly
"Quirky secondary characters, inviting small-town setting, and sensual scenes are highlights of this charming and funny novel... Fans of Christina -Lauren and Helena Hunting should add Bailey to their list of go-to rom-com authors." - Library Journal (starred review)
"this enemies-to-lovers rom-com is perfect for fans of romance and HGTV." - Popsugar (11 New Romance Books to Fall in Love with This September)
"Bailey brings the heat... Though it's full of steamy scenes, the book is more than a romp, as Wes reveals himself to Bethany and vice versa, with emotions that will pull on readers' heartstrings. Excellent as both a stand-alone and part of the series." - Booklist
"I could not stop smiling. Romantic comedy perfection." - Lauren Layne, New York Times bestselling author
"Fix Her Up was a complete, utter, unrelenting delight." - Christina Lauren, New York Times bestselling author
"Tessa does it again. I laughed, swooned and had to look over my shoulder to make sure no one was reading the sexy scenes with me. Well-written, with great pacing and lovable characters, I absolutely loved everything about Fix Her Up." - Mariana Zapata, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author
"Books by Tessa Bailey are an insta-buy for me." - Sally Thorne, USA Today bestselling author of The Hating Game and 99 Percent Mine
"Small-town atmosphere permeates bestseller Bailey's comedic contemporary... Delightfully intense and creative sex scenes and potent emotions will reward both fans and new readers alike." - Publishers Weekly (starred review)