I don't think I could possibly have loved It Happened One Summer more than I do. It has everything that makes a great book in my opinion. It's hilarious, sweet, has a gruff grumpy widower, a slightly clueless heroine with a heart of gold, a small coastal pnw town, great secondary characters, and holy sh*t it's hot. I really love Piper and Hannah's diehard bond. Just trust me on this, you need to read this book, it'll make you laugh and maybe even have a tear or two. I can not wait for Hannah's book!

This book was super cute! After meeting Piper, the quintessential and stereotypical LA bimbo, we're immediately transportation to a sleepy fisherman's town, where Piper is truly a fish out of water. After meeting Brendan, the Captain of this sleepy fisherman's town, it's instantaneous that opposite's attract; however, through a lot of self reflection and growth, both Brendan and Piper start to realize that what they are leaving behind may be worth it for the future that's in front of them.

A feel good, uplifting, summer romance, Tessa Bailey does not disappoint here. If you're looking for an easy and good time, this is the book for you.

I loved this book. It did take me a few chapters to start liking Piper. The enemies to friends to lovers is definitely involved in the entire plot. It's one of the things that I loved most about the book. I also loved Brendan, he is big and burly but lets his guard down with Piper. The book ended very well and would love to continue reading the series.

I have mixed feelings regarding this book's description. It compared Piper to Alexis Rose from Schitt's Creek, which immediately got me interested in reading It Happened One Summer. However, except for the fact that both characters begin as wealthy it-girls, lose their funding in some manner, and love clothing and impractical shoes, I didn't see too many similarities... which is probably why I was so disappointed with the first portion of the book. Fortunately, around the time Brendan became important, I forgot about the comparison and began to enjoy the novel in its own right. I guess one part of the comparison to Schitt's Creek was accurate: I was disappointed with the start of both but happy I stuck around by the end.

Due to the weakness in the start of the story, bolstered by the stronger ending and robust characterization, I would probably give this book 3.5 stars. But I'll bolster that up to 4 since the "romance" (re: smut) scenes definitely earned 5.

Here's the thing about Tessa Bailey: whenever I want to read an entertaining and comical romance (with a nice bit of heat), I know she will not disappoint!

I initially got Alexis Rose vibes from Piper when I read the description, but Piper came through with her level of hilariousness that soon shaped her into her unique character, and Alexis was quickly forgotten. Brendan definitely delivered on the sex appeal and his own layers of comedy and romance. I loved the chemistry between the two characters and was here for ALL of their interactions!

I also really enjoyed the setting of the book being in a cute, coastal town. It made me feel like I was escaping in more ways than one!

I loved this book so much I read through it in less than 24hrs, and I was bummed when it was over. Tessa, please keep writing more of these great stories!

I'm thankful to Avon and Harper Voyager for giving me an advanced copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Adorable, silly, sexy, and endearing!

Anyone who knows me knows that I LOVE Schitt's Creek, so reading an Alexis-inspired rom-com was right up my alley! I couldn't get enough of the sunshine and grump, enemies to lovers, small town romance. The setting is idyllic, quaint, and has that neighborly feel. I appreciated the level of communication and understanding between Piper and Brendan and WHEW! - those steamy scenes!!! The dialogue and storyline is cleverly crafted with just the right amount of tension and familiarity, naivety and intuition. The characters are heartwarming, and there is great personal growth for both characters.

I cannot WAIT for Hannah's story!

Thanks Avon for the advanced read!

So, are we not going to talk about how AMAZING this book was?! Oh, turns out my friends, we are. Have you ever heard an elevator pitch for a book, added it instantly to your TBR, and read said book only to discover it was nothing like it sounded? I was fully prepared to feel that with this book. After all, comparing something to Schitt’s Creek is a pretty tall order to fill. However, THIS BOOK WAS EVERYTHING! Sorry to get shouty, but everyone needs to discover the sheer magnificence that is Piper, Brendan, and this whole damn book!

Piper is la la la la la la la a little bit Alexis and finds herself cut off from her family’s money and forced to the fishing town of Westport to learn responsibility while running her deceased father’s bar. Brendan is the quintessential grumpy (and alpha, although surprisingly not annoyingly so) captain of a fishing boat. In other words, her complete opposite. Their initial irritation with each other eventually flames into something more and I was here for it. Those scenes were steamy! The character growth in this book was such a delight and cleverly crafted and I absolutely cannot wait for Fox and Hannah’s book! Is it because I loved them as side characters or because I just want more of Piper and Brendan? Most definitely both!

*E-ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Piper Bellinger is notorious for being an LA party girl and social media darling. She spends the majority of her time shopping, rubbing elbows with celebrities at all the hottest clubs, and sharing every aspect of her luxurious life on Instagram with her millions of followers. After one bad post-break-up decision lands her in jail, her step-father finally puts his foot down on her excessive behavior. He cuts Piper off and sends her and her sister to a small fishing town in Washington to run their late father's dive bar hoping that she'll finally learn some responsibility.

It doesn't take long for Piper to realize she is way out of her depths. Most of the locals seem friendly enough, except for the bearded, giant, sea captain Brendan, who is counting down the days it'll take before Piper hightails it back to high society. Piper is not only determined to show Brendan and her step-father wrong but also prove to herself that she isn't the flighty airhead everyone thinks she is by renovating her father's old bar. The more time Piper spends in Westport, the more she starts to connect to this place, its people--especially the burly Brendan-- and her past, and realizes maybe there's more to life than follower counts.

I seem to have this issue with Tessa Bailey's books where I like the premise of them but something always seems to be lacking in the execution, so I was pleasantly surprised by how much I loved this. It was so addicting that I read it all in one go because I couldn't put it down. It was such a fun take on the opposites attract trope and I found myself unable to wipe the smile off my face the entire time watching Piper and Brendan butt heads. And what a hunk of man Brendan was, honey! He had me swooning from the start. I loved how exasperated he was with Piper but still managed to show her patience (even when she frustrated him to no end) which then turned into this tender sweetness which then ramped up to this wild attraction. Piper is very much that stereotypical spoiled rich girl at the beginning, and it was so satisfying to watch her come into her own and forge her path to fulfillment. I also appreciated how much research Bailey must've done into the fishing industry because she was able to use that to drive home just how dangerous Brendan's job is so you were just as nervous as Piper whenever he went out on these long trips. I still found Bailey's dialogue a bit cringy at times, especially in the steamier scenes, but it was a definite improvement from her others I've read and overall, this was just such a delight to read.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Looking for the perfect summer beach read? Look no further than Tessa Bailey’s “It Happened One Summer,” releasing July 13. Thanks to @AvonBooks & @HarperVoyageUS & @netgalley for the ARC.

Piper is a spoiled, wealthy socialite, known for throwing parties and looking fabulous. After a bad breakup with her latest fling, she ends up arrested and her stepdad (who also bankrolls her) sends her to her dead father’s bar in a small fishing town for three months as punishment. While there, she meets Brendan, gruff captain of a fishing boat, who sees right through her flighty exterior and puts her on edge. Sparks fly between them as Piper and her sister start to rebuild her father’s bar, and learn more about her father, who died at sea when she was only 4 years old.

Tessa Bailey writes a dynamite love story - the sex scenes are HOT, and Brendan is completely sultry and demanding. At first, it’s hard to like Piper - she seems disconnected from the world and highly privileged. Where the author shines is in allowing Brendan and the areader to discover all of the beautiful, optimistic and loving parts of Piper’s personality at the same time. Although love changes all of us, Piper remains true to who she is - and Brendan loves every pampered and “high maintenance” inch of her.

Let’s talk about Brendan, my new favorite book boyfriend. In addition to being completely ripped, he is tender towards Piper, and frequently stops to ensure that they are communicating properly. It’s refreshing to read about an alpha hero who is ALL IN with the heroine, and WANTS to communicate. That’s not to say that he gets it right all the time - but that willingness to try is sexy.

Overall, this is one of the most charming books I’ve read so far this year. Halfway through reading, I realized my cheeks hurt from continuously smiling - and sometimes, that kind of humor and writing is just what you need.

I was so excited to read a book set in Westport, Washington. This is a community I've visited and it has an angsty, fiercely independent vibe that Tessa Bailey captured so well. Brendan is the perfect, wounded, grumpy hero for such a setting and I loved how Piper was his polar opposite: wealthy, materialistic, and not at all accustomed to the commercial fishermen lifestyle.
Piper and Brendan's internal conflicts, wounds and character growth kept me fully invested in this story from start to finish.
Heartfelt and smoking hot, It Happened One Summer will leave contemporary romance fans wanting more. I for one can't wait to read Hannah and Fox's story.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary copy. All opinions stated here are my own.

It happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey is a cute rom-com when that main character gets cut off by her family then meets a guy who she does not exactly like at first but grows to love. This is the perfect beach read.

Utter perfection in a book.

Over the years I’ve really been able to hone in on what works for me in a contemporary romance and what doesn’t. Every single thing about this book worked for me.

28-year old Piper is a socialite. She walks among the rich and famous, partying and looking pretty. Her stepfather is a film producer and has given Piper and her sister a cushy life. Everything she could have ever needed has been handed to her. She’s never had to work a day in her life, never had to worry about a thing other than when her next nail appointment will be. After going overboard one night, Piper’s stepfather steps in demanding change. He decides Piper needs a reality check and sends her to a small fishing village where she spent the first couple years of her life, hoping that reconnecting with her roots might help make her recognize how much more there is to life. Needless to say, when Piper arrives to Westport with her sister in tow she’s in way over her head. The dingy old bar, the grumpy crabbing Captain and the seaside small town is unlike anything she’s ever seen before and it’s going to take a lot for her to settle in.

Tessa Bailey really kills it when it comes to writing the grumpy hero/sunshine heroine trope. Brendan is set in his ways. He doesn’t like change of routine, so when clueless L.A. girl Piper shows up in his small town announcing her and her sister are taking over No Name, the empty bar him and his crew like to hangout in, he’s disgruntled. And every time he runs in to Piper in town, she just keeps managing to get under his skin. While Piper can be described as an airhead, she is such a beam of light, always lighting up a room. Every interaction she makes with the people of Westport counts and seeing her impact on them all was really heartwarming.

The balance between her and Brendan was such a joy and watching Piper grow into herself was the kind of character development I adore.

The steam was everything you’d expect from a Tessa Bailey novel! Brendan is definitely an alpha, but has such depth to him. That man simps HARD for Piper and I absolutely loved it. The sex scenes are incredibly hot and and flirting/banter was so perfectly executed.

This book is probably Bailey’s best. I cannot wait to see where she’s going to take this series because book 2 seems just as promising, if not more so, than this one. Romance lovers, you need to pick this one up in July.

(Also, what drew me in was that I heard it was perfect for fans of Schitt’s Creek and I’m here to say, YES! Piper and Alexis are soul sisters and I adored every single second of Piper discovering her worth just as I did watching Alexis discover hers).

From the first few pages, I was fully invested in Piper’s story. A rich LA party girl with no responsibilities is cut off and forced to live in a small seaside town...yes, please! This is a quick read despite the book being over 400 pages (pretty long for a rom-com).

The side characters and the setting were my favorite parts of this novel - Westport was so magical and eclectic and the residents of Westport only added to it. Piper’s character development was great but truly happened overnight. Not realistic or believable but the story was still fun so I didn’t mind too much. Piper and Hannah’s newfound connection to their father and his hometown was a beautiful element and one I wish would’ve been touched on more, their mother was basically nonexistent and I think there could’ve been a great storyline between the thee of them at the end. Overall, this is a great, fun, steamy read for the summer.

I just didn't really feel anything for the relationship while reading this, so that kinda zapped some of the enjoyment out. But it was a quick, fast paced read, and there was a lot of really great humor that made me fly through the book. Plus I do think that Piper and Brendan had great chemistry, but Piper was incredibly annoying and not so much in an endearing way.

I loved this one! Loved the banter and tension build up between Piper and Brendan. I loved how much Brendan broke down her walls and how much Piper came into her own. The steam was great! Im so looking forward to Hannah and Fox’s book next!

Perfect for fans of Schitt's Creek and The Simple Wild - this is a great summer romance. The dynamic between Piper and Brendan was so fun with great banter and tension. I loved Piper as a character (and yes, I did read her with Alexis Rose's voice lol); she was very much who she was and didn't apologize for liking what she liked, but had a heart of gold and was also able to learn and grow.

As I've come to expect with Bailey's stories, there was some great steam, some really heartfelt moments, and a few parts that make me roll my eyes a bit (like the overuse of pet names/endearments). I also would have liked to see more of Piper's relationship with Opal be shown on the page; I think it would have added even more to the whole story. I really enjoyed the setting of Westport and I'm excited there's going to be at least one more book with Hannah and Fox. This is definitely one of my favorites I've read by Tessa Bailey.

Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Piper has grown up in LA with everything she could ever want, thanks to her film producer step father. At 28 years old, she leads a frivolous sort of life, throwing big parties and getting more Instagram followers are all she really cares about. But underneath her a glamorous exterior is an insecure woman who has been told by society that she can’t be any more than that, When her longest relationship (three weeks) is ended with harsh words about her character, Piper licks her wounds by throwing a large and extravagant pool party without consent of the pool’s owner. Sold out by the person she thought was a friend, she is given the punishment of having to go back to the town where her family started. Weston is a small fishing town, where her father died at sea when she was four. She feels completely out of her element.

Branden is a widower and fishing boat captain. Everything about Piper is different from all the things he has ever known, but feels a pull for her almost instantly. His job is one of the most dangerous in the world (king crab fishing) but after seven years of being alone, he finds he finally wants to bid goodbye to his wedding ring and look for something new,

I love Tessa Bailey’s books, and this one did not disappoint! The chemistry between the two main characters is amazing, and she managed to grow Piper from a character that I wasn’t sure I would ever like to a charming and layered woman. The book made me want to pack up and find the quaint fishing town, and immerse myself in it.

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review,

LA Trust-fund socialite, Piper lives a carefree existence until she gets herself in too much trouble after an especially rowdy party. It was the last straw for her stepfather who controls Piper’s cash flow. To punish her, he decides she needs to spend 3-months in a small town called Westport, Washington. Piper hasn’t been to Westport since she was 4-years old when her crab-fisherman father died at sea. And now she’s not looking forward to going back.

When she arrives, Piper meets town local Brendan. He’s lived in Westport his whole life and just so happens to be a fisherman. His wife died 7-years ago unexpectedly and he hasn’t been able to date since. Piper & Brendan get off on the wrong foot, the complete opposites that they are, but their butting heads quickly turn into a budding attraction.

When Piper & her sister start fixing up the bar they inherited in Westport, Brendan offers to pitch in his help. And the more time Piper & Brendan spend together, the less they can deny the attraction between them.

It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey is a fun romance that’s perfect to read in the summertime. Miss Bailey’s books have been pretty hit or miss for me thus far and while this wasn’t a miss by any means, I didn’t love it either. One of my issues is the setup that I’ve heard is inspired by the popular show, Schitt’s Creek (which I’m not a fan of). I didn’t believe Piper’s overnight transformation from spoiled socialite to seaside fisherman’s girlfriend. I wanted the enemies to lovers trope to be played up more before the attraction started. Also a few things with the steamy scenes bugged me, but that’s a personal thing. Overall though, the plot was fun and the characters were charming. Clearly I’m in the minority with this one! 3/5 stars.

Thanks NetGalley, Avon & Tessa Bailey for my review copy.

This books was amazing!!! Loved the banter between the couples! The description in the pages made you feel like your their. I also feel like it shows that getting to know someone changes your perspective on a person and assuming makes you look like an a**. Everyone has a story read it before guessing the ending!

I loved this book! This author is a hit or miss for me and this one she knocked it out of the park. My biggest hint is that you need to read the acknowledgments and that will put you in the right mind set for the main character Piper.

There isn't really much world building, and you don't need it. The characters all shine for themselves, with the dual P.O.V. making this the icing on the cake. I loved the interactions between Piper and Brendan and how you got to know both sides of the story about those interactions/ where they each were coming from in the story. Hannah and Fox were great characters and I can't wait for their story next. All the town people are great, and have wonderful interactions with Piper. I was happy to see both main characters grow, and felt the pace of the story made this all work.