Take the Bait

by Vanessa Wilder

Can a sizzling chef ignite the spark she’s been missing?

Hanna moved to the sun-kissed shores of Orange Beach seeking adventure. Instead, she’s found nothing but loneliness. Even worse than her nonexistent social life is her mediocre dating life.

Enter Tucker—a dreamy chef who seems straight out of her most delicious fantasies. Despite always seeming to find her in her most embarrassing moments, Hanna nearly swoons at every encounter with his irresistible charm and biteable biceps.

She’s convinced a man this perfect can’t be real—and people have a habit of letting her down. Will Tucker be like all the rest, or will he surprise her?

Take the Bait is part of an interconnected series of romance novels featuring different couples. It has cringey, laugh-out-loud moments and spicy bedroom scenes with some serious oral fixations (Tucker is a chef, after all). It’s intended for 18+ readers.

Small town romance, friends to lovers, sexy chef, awkward kindergarten teacher, she’s given up on love, holiday romance, dual POV

Genres: Romance

142 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 11, 2024

Reviews

[Amy Bonds · Rating 5 out of 5]

I laughed out loud many times while reading this sweet story! The banter between Tucker and Hanna was playful and fun to read.

[Shaylene Hatfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a super cute short story about Tucker and Hanna - the guy that falls quick and loves hard, the girl who questions how anyone could love her so irrevocably. The spice was enough that it didn’t over power the story, but allowed a chance to show off the tension they were building.
So happy I was able to be an ARC reader for Vanessa.
I loved her first book and so keen to read more from her! ❣️

[Catherine Loupe · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC reader review!

This was just the cutest romcom!! Normally I don’t like 3rd POV, but it really worked for me! Read it all in a day, couldn’t put it down!
I wish there would have been more holiday themes in it, very little was discussed other than a Thanksgiving dinner and NYE at midnight.
Tuck is the perfect book boyfriend! Hanna really makes you feel seen and understood as a socially awkward person.
Good balance between cute romantic scenes and spice!

If you’re looking for a cute, easy to read romcom—this one is a hit!

[Jenny Talbot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh, this holiday season novella brings humor and heat, hot and sweet. Hanna and Tucker have an adorably awkward meet-cute while she is on a failing date, and then proceed to have one awkward run-in after another (on Hanna’s end— Tucker loves it). He falls hard and fast for her adorable awkwardness and works hard to earn her attention and her time.They have fun exploring each other and find out very quickly that their chemistry is off the charts. Vanessa writes these scenes so well!

What I love about this story is that Hanna owns her awkwardness and opens up to Tucker in the most adorable ways. Her awkwardness is a side-effect of some her anxiety, and what took me by such sweet surprise is that she is also feisty as hell. Tucker helps her see and take charge of her own seductiveness; way in which he views her made my heart sing.

Their love story doesn’t come without struggles. Tucker’s patience and understanding is so endearing. The spice in this story is palpable. The physical and emotional connection is immediate, and it takes Hanna some trial and error to get over her own mental hurdles. Vanessa writes these scenes with a dose of realistic behavior patterns. To me, details like this are what matters and Vanessa gets it right. Just because you have everything you think you want…it doesn’t mean your heart and mind are aligned.

The story has a beautiful build up to a sweet HEA. Vanessa’s writing is refreshing and relatable. I giggled at Hanna and Tucker’s many entertaining situations, and fell in love with their love story.

[Hunter Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free ARC of this book to review. Tucker and Hanna were so immediately lovable. Tucker was confident and easygoing in the most believable way. Hanna was so relatable it hurt. As someone who moved away and struggled to create community, her loneliness was deeply relatable and it was nice to feel so connected to a character. I loved them together. Neither of them were perfect, but they came together to make each other better. To be what the other needed. If you were trying to decide whether or not to read this book, you absolutely should and after you read this you should go read Catch and Release! Vanessa Wilder knocked it out of the park again!!

[Kristin ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really cute, quick read. This book made me laugh on a really bad day. Hanna is so painfully awkward that you get second hand embarrassment while reading. Tucker is just the sweetest. I loved their banter from start to finish. I don’t have any bad words to say about this book. So far I’ve loved everything Vanessa Wilder has written, so I’ll definitely be picking up any other releases by her!

[Samantha Nair · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC - book release date December 11th

First time reading a novella and pleasantly surprised! Light hearted contemporary romance with fmc being awkward but in a totally relatable way, and mmc instantly in love. A quick and good read together you out of a slump 💛

[Alexandria Da Ponte-Cheatham · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novella was such a fun and delightful read—I didn’t want it to end! The characters were incredibly relatable, and I loved all the awkward yet endearing moments with Hanna and how Tucker made her feel so comfortable. For a short read, there are MANY spicy moments between Hanna and Tucker, if you’ve read Vanessa’s other book, Catch & Release, you will love all the spice in this one too!

[Emily Bruck · Rating 5 out of 5]

A super fun, light-hearted, hilarious, and spicy holiday read. Vanessa has such a way with making characters relatable. I feel like I am just sharing a good story with my bestie over drinks. Highly recommend!!

[Cecily Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the perfect book to devour right before the holidays…I loved getting Hanna and Tucker’s story after meeting them in Catch and Release. Sweet, spicy (I mean…the smoothie sex scene?! 🥵🔥) and with an absolute walking green flag of a male main character. Enjoyed reading every page of Take the Bait!

[Soph · Rating 4 out of 5]

★★★★. Thank you to the author for this ARC!

This was such a cute but embarrassing holiday novella. I loved how the author wrote Tucker falling in love because of how embarrassing Hannah actually was. I’m sorry but the girl was actually a walking embarrassment poster, still love her. I absolutely loved the representation of social anxiety and how it was handled. Thank you to the author for actually putting therapy as a way to heal instead of just doing the “I have my man”.

I definitely would love a novella on Shawn. Like immediately. And the sister and her wife.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC copy of Take the Bait and omg I loved every second of it!
I related to Hanna so much. The embarrassing moments, the clumsiness, the witty humor and fear of being accepted for who she is. This novella had me laughing constantly and shedding some tears towards the end. Highly recommend!!! ❤️

[Stephanie Pederson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was absolutely delighted by this book, it’s pretty spicy and a very fun, quick read!

[booksvanereads · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC review:

this is my first book read by Vanessa Wilder, but a teacher and a chef?!? i’m here for it.

Hanna: a quirky, awkward, nervous, teacher who is easy to relate too.
Tucker: a handsome chef who clearly knows what he’s doing in the kitchen and the bedroom.

i enjoyed the book, couldn’t put it down honestly (i know i say that for a lot of books but i legit wanted to keep reading to see what happens next).

i’m not the biggest fan of third person reads, but they are growing on me.

the spice? was spicing. Spice rating: 3/5 spice.
the plot? super cute and realistic.
& of course a happy ending. 💕

“God, this woman had so many different sides to her. All of them were fucking sexy” - Tucker.

i shall definitely be reading more from Vanessa Wilder.

[Amanda Little · Rating 5 out of 5]

Got an ARC of this and was really happy with it! Sometimes with shorter books the chemistry between the MC’s can feel
rushed and just not right. That was not the case AT ALL with this book. The banter between Hanna and Tucker was funny and witty. You couldn’t help but cringe at Hannah in the way you cringe at your most awkward friend, in a loving but holy shit way… This was a fun, cute and appropriately spicy holiday read! Would recommend!

[Emma220_ · Rating 5 out of 5]

So pleased to have received an ARC for this book!
Lovely short and sweet story
Hanna is chaotically beautiful and so relatable! You can see Tucker is enamoured with her from the very first burpgate incident and it most certainly made him want to know more!
Was nice to see Shawn before we meet him in catch and release too!
Spice as always perfectly spicing!
The epilogue is maybe my favourite ever epilogue and just summed up both characters perfectly

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Take The Bait is a super cute short story by Vanessa Wilder. This story was sweet, fast-paced, and with the right amount of spice! Even with this being a short story, you still were able to fall in love with Hanna and Tucker!

I am always hesitant to read short stories because it can seem too rushed. Vanessa Wilder cooked up an amazing story that you can feel connected to and is relatable! Thankful to be an ARC reader for Vanessa Wilder, and I am excited for what she writes next!

[Mellissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC, it's publication date is December 11th ♡

Take the Bait is a romantic comedy, wherein our kindergarten teacher Hanna awkwardly meet-cutes her way into our chef, Tucker's, arms.
** slight spoilers below**

Hanna is in the middle of intensely regretting her move out of her small hometown when she burps her way into Tucker's life, and is left having to decide if committing to staying, and committing to him, are the best idea.

Hanna is all of us with her socially awkward tendencies and inability to make friends as an adult, all of which leaves her on the cusp of moving back home to the safety net of her best friend and sister. She hasn't had any luck befriending her fellow teachers, and every tinder date has left a sour taste in her mouth. Making a new home seemed genuinely impossible; but at least she'd tried, right?

Tucker is a self admitted workaholic. He opened his own restaurant a few years out of culinary school, and was dedicated to seeing it thrive. While it definitely was, he found himself losing any other meaningful connections he might have had in favor of pursuing his dream.

They're both lonely; in different flavors of the same dish.

This book is filled with witty banter, steaming spice, and all of the tropes that keep you coming back to romance. It's a short read, but easy to digest and leaves a smile on your face.

I highly suggest snagging this book, and making your own midnight wish. ♡

overall rating: 3.5/5

spice rating: 4/5 (especially for book length)

[Katana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vanessa Wilder’s Take the Bait is an absolute gem that pulls you in hook, line, and sinker! This book was the perfect antidote to my reading slump, reigniting my love for witty, heartfelt romances with its irresistible charm.

What truly stands out about Take the Bait is its balance. The romance blossoms naturally, allowing the characters to grow as individuals while navigating their baggage. The plot is delightfully paced, with twists that feel earned and a finale that leaves you grinning.

If you’ve been struggling to find a book that keeps you glued to the page, this is the one. Wilder’s storytelling is like a warm hug with just enough spice to keep things exciting. Take the Bait has officially lured me back into my reading groove, and I can’t recommend it enough to anyone looking for a feel-good romance with a lot of heart.

[Lily G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it!
I am going to be vulnerable, because yeah, I am not afraid right now. I have always always always felt like the odd one, the awkward and weird person, the one who laughs to loud, the over sharer, etc., and I say this with propriety, because I am a 37 year old woman who rather be alone reading than approaching human beings, I rather not face anything because I can not seem to face myself, or how the world perceives me.

So yeah! This was amazing, I also had the incredible opportunity of reading Catch and Release as an arc, and deeply enjoyed it, but Hanna and Tucker’s story? Is definitely a favorite.

I seriously loved it, and clearly connected to it on a different level.

It is amazing!
Thanks Vanessa for writing so beautifully.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute, steamy novella. I could totally relate to Hanna. She's a Kindergarten teacher who struggles to make friends and meet men. Her sister
and bff convince her to try dating apps, which leads to one horrible date after another. She's on one of those horrible dates when she meets Tucker. Tucker is a chef at the restaurant, and he becomes determined to get to know Hanna better. I loved his determination and how he proves to Hanna that he is interested in her. This is definitely a "he falls first" book. Hanna struggles with accepting these families, and it does cause some issues in their relationship.

This is definitely a rom-com. I laughed out loud at certain parts and swooned at others. And it definitely has some steamy moments. Go check it out!

[Destiny · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book as an arc.
Honest review would be 3.5⭐
🌶️Spice 1/5
As I much prefer dark romance, this book wasn't really my cup of tea. But the part of myself that loves the cringy Hallmark movies did enjoy this book to some extent. And if you love all the sappy, Christmas time romcoms then this book is definitely up your ally. I really could not stand the female main character, and had a hard time seeing where the chemistry was, and she spent the entire book until the last chapter just sabotaging herself and being a child. Honestly Tucker deserves better.
My favorite part of the whole thing was the group chats names.

[Shara · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of this novella as an ARC.

If you love a Hallmark romcom, this is a great quick read for you. Tucker is a dream man, knows what he wants but isn't pushy. Hanna can be a hard read, a little too far into the "quirky petite girl" trope for my general tastes. There were some moments where I was actively cringing, and I don't think I was supposed to be.

But I did read this on a nice mountain cabin weekend away and it 100% suits those vibes. Also the struggle to find home in a new place as an adult is a relatable struggle that is the most humanizing and relatable aspect of our FMC.

[tiff rasberry · Rating 4 out of 5]

First things first, we LOVE an awkward girl… and Hanna? Burping on command is hot, I absolutely loved it. Take the Bait is short and sweet just like the shortcake. The dynamics between Tucker and Hanna is full of understanding and eventually the desire to grow together. Tucker is FUN lemme tell you… I wanted a smoothie reallllllly badly after a specific chapter hehehe. It’s also the perfect read for holidays, mentioning Thanksgiving, Christmas and NYE.

thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC of Take the Bait

[Bridget Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story. I was given an arc and I have to say wow. It was a cute short refreshing read. The banter had me giggling out loud and fan girling. It had spice but wasn't crazy I would say 3/5 peppers. I love how relatable the fmc is, she is clumsy, awkward, insecure at times, loud, unlady like at times. It was refreshing to have a character be so relatable and real. The male mc is sweet, golden retriever, cinnamon roll and I was all here for it. I will definitely pick this up again and be recommending!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vanessa Wilder does it again with this spicy, fun and heartfelt holiday novella. I found myself genuinely captivated by Hanna and Tucker’s stories, experiences and emotions. Wilder’s writing is eloquent and evocative. She truly paints a picture through writing. I felt like I was on a mini getaway while reading this novella!

Thank you to Vanessa Wilder & team for this ARC. I appreciate the opportunity to delve into this novella and look forward to more of Vanessa Wilder’s work in the future! She has cemented herself as a favourite author of mine.

[Sarah Bowden · Rating 4 out of 5]

“She was an absolute tornado. He loved it.”

A completely reasonable relationship timeline, he’s a chef with tattoos AND a good communicator, she’s awkward but not so over the top she’s unrelatable?? I’m not normally a novella girlie because I love how character development makes me feel invested but I loved both of them from page one.

This is a perfectly sweet, a little bit spicy, palate cleanser read.

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I ABSOLUTELY loved this book, i couldn't put it down. Hanna and Tucker were so relatable to everyday people. Her clumsiness and his caring nature, taking the time to teach her how to cook. This is one of those books that is hard to put down, the first chapter had me laughing to the point of tears streaming down my face. The witty remarks and embarrassing stories exchanged through out this book will have you laughing until your stomach hurts.

[Fatima · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a cute novella! I loved the setting of Orange Beach, I feel like I got a great peek at the town in such a short span of pages. There was so much cuteness, fluffiness, spiciness, and character arc in this novella. I absolutely loved it!

Hanna was so relatable and just a fun character. I wanna be her friend! And Tucker, what can I say?? Besides I want to visit his restaurant.

This was a great, and fun novella. I absolutely recommend it!

Thank you Vanessa Wilder for the ARC!

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

A man who sees you at your worstish and still wants to take you on a date, cook for you, and immediately is obsessed with you. Green flag! Tucker watches Hanna belch during a HORRIBLE first date at his restaurant, Fish Food, and just knows she is something special. These two were absolutely adorable together! I hope we get to see more of them in the rest of the series!

Thank you Miss Vanessa for allowing me to read this story as an ARC!