I adored this story of a sea captain and LA socialite. Sometimes an obsessed social media influencer can seem a bit shallow but this was not the case with Piper. She had such a genuine heart and was looking for love in LA which turned out to be the wrong place. The sea town’s people of Westport opened their arms to Piper and allowed her to shine. Brendan was burly and stoic and stayed the course to break down Piper’s insecurities while learning to be a bit more spontaneous thanks to Piper’s influence.

Highly recommend for romance fans.

I love anything by Tessa Bailey. Classic story of opposites attract that is so cute and adorable. Feel good book in the perfect setting.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange of an honest review. This is the second Tessa Bailey, I tried to read Fix Her Up when it came out but sadly I couldn’t get through the book, just like I couldn’t keep reading this book. While in Fix Her Up I disliked both characters in “It Happened One Summer” I only disliked Brendan, who is the definition of Red Flag, he was not only an asshole towards Piper (which at least as far I read he ended up apologizing) he still was absolutely jealous since the start, telling his crew they weren’t allow to make a move or even look her Instagram, I was waiting for him to tell Piper to not talk to other guys and what clothes she could wear (and since this was a DNF for me, he could have). There are characters who are endearing assholes and then there are unlikable assholes, Brendan is one of the second ones.

This book was announced for fans of Schitt’s Creek. While Alexis was a charming spoiled rich girl in the series, Piper was a different type of spoiled, who was said to charm people easily but I just couldn’t find her charm.

Sadly this book with the asshole alpha male main character was not for me and I think I won’t be picking up another Tessa Bailey anytime soon.

Hands down, this the best book I've read all year. My book hangover is going to last for awhile with this one. It Happened One Summer has been hyped by all my friends and it absolutely lives up to the hype. In a love letter to Schitt's Creek Alexis Rose, In Happened One Summer is her happily ever after.

Piper Bellinger is the typical LA party girl. With zero drive in her life to accomplish anything other than napping and a wealthy stepfather to bankroll her shenanigans, Piper is the definition of privilege. But when one night lands her in jail, her stepdad has finally had enough. To set her life in the straight and narrow, he sends her off for 3 months to Westport, Washington to live about the dilapidated bar that her dead birth father once own.

When she arrives in Westport, Piper is not so welcoming greeted by a band of king crab fishermen, including Brendan. With a rough exterior and zero tolerance for crap, Brendan doesn't find Piper's high maintenance act charming at first. As the two work together to give the No Name bar a face lift, the sparks start to fly. But when Brendan yearns for forever and Piper sees everything as temporary, what will happen to their hearts?

Brendan is such a grump, set in his ways, but incredibly loyal and vulnerable. As he continues to cope with the grief of his wife's death, Pipers insertion into the town completely shakes him up and I fell in love with his character. He showed major growth throughout the book, stepping out of his comfort zone to meet Piper halfway. The scene where he takes off his wedding ring had me sobbing. It was so raw with emotion and reflection. I love that he was described as a man that came with a whole roll of caution tape around him.

Piper is so Alexis Rose and I was there for every minute of it. She is painted as a dingbat with a tough exterior, but deep down, she struggles to identify her self worth. She has this softness to her that only Brenden seems to be able to decipher. As she spends more time away from LA, she starts truly seeing herself for the first time and I loved how she allowed herself to struggle with growth, but was open to love.

Together, Brendan and Piper are perfection. Both are learning to lean into the scary. They were simply made for each other. Brendan sees through all Pipers defenses and calls her on her crap. Piper challenges Brendan to live a little and go more with the flow, instead of being paralyzed by anything out of the ordinary. Because Brendan is all man and put together, he's the perfect person to settle Piper down. He knows what he wants and isn't afraid to work for it, even if it's a challenge.

Overall, I loved the book and cannot wait for Hannah's book next. This is a super steamy read with amazing character development and explosive chemistry.

When Insta-famous rich girl Piper gets into legal trouble, her stepfather cuts her off and banishes her to the small fishing town where - unbeknownst to her - she has inherited her late father’s bar. She almost immediately meets gruff sea captain Brendan, a widower who loves his routines and his small town. He finds Piper ridiculous and doesn’t think she’s cut out for life outside her rich girl party circle. What starts out as strong mutual dislike turns into friendship - and maybe something more.

It Happened One Summer strikes the perfect romcom balance of mutual pining, steamy scenes, and humor. The chemistry between Piper and Brendan was off the charts; their dynamic was so jaw-droppingly sexy that I never once gave second thought to the (kinda flimsy and ridiculous) premise on which the plot rests. The supporting cast of side characters was endearing and I can’t wait for the as-yet-unnamed sequel following Hannah, Piper’s younger sister.

This took some time for me to get into. I had hard time connecting with the characters and I think that hindered my overall enjoyment of the book. Piper is a spoiled rich woman without a care in the world and I found that hard to connect with. By the end of the book it was easier to see Piper as a likable character.

This was truly a simple, delightful, swoonworthy read. I loved it from beginning to end, which happened in basically two bouts, sitting in the sunshine next to a pool and having the best and most hilarious time with Piper and Brendan. Pure escapism reading with great writing, a witty and fun and slightly nuts heroine who's so charming and a hero who's grouchy and no nonsense but equally as charming. The two have chemistry that's combustible from first sight. They both had a ton of character and pizazz giving the setting life and the story flair. The secondary characters were also great and make me want to read from this world created by Tessa Bailey. I've not read any other Tessa Bailey books but I'll sure to add her others to my list of must reads too. The blurb and cover for this book intrigued me when I saw them both and I'm so happy I was able to read this great romance story on a little escapism getaway. It was the perfect read for an afternoon of lazy, purely romantic reading in the sunshine and I can't recommend this story enough. You'll love the characters and their grit and their wonderful journey. I sure did and am adding this story to my list of books to reread on a rainy day. Romance, with some comedy and light drama, at it's finest. It Happened One Summer is a great book to make you smile, laugh, and swoon.

This was my first Tessa Bailey and it hit the spot! For anyone craving a fun, easy, and steamy romance, look no further. After reading the synopsis and seeing that the main character Piper was inspired by Alexis Rose (Schitt's Creek) I knew I needed to read it. This book was over-the-top but I felt like I was watching a TV show in my head while I was reading.

Did I wish the story moved a little faster? Yes. Was Piper annoying at times? Definitely (but I think that was the point). Was it predictable? Yes but not in an annoying way.

Not a new favorite romance but I did enjoy the journey and characters. I will be reading more Tessa Bailey in the future and I'm even more excited for the next book which is supposed to feature Piper's sister

It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey
•Book Review•

Piper, who lives a life of social media and fashion, finds herself stuck in her small hometown after a party went too far. Piper now has to stay and work in the fishing town that she once called home. Local sea captain Brendan doesn’t think she’ll make it even a week. Piper is determined to prove she is more than just a pretty face, but she feels even more compelled to prove it to Brendan. The more she stays in this town, the more she realizes how unhappy she felt in her old life. Will a grumpy sea captain and the memories she’s unlocked be enough to make Piper realize where she needs to go in life?

•••
5/5⭐️

I’m so happy I received this ARC bc this book was A-MAZ-ING!! Tessa Bailey just does romance so well. The description said that lovers of Schitt’s Creek would love this book and that is so true. Piper is a complex character that I feel many people might be able to relate to. And Brendan...I mean who doesn’t love a hot sea captain?! His loyalty and love for Piper was just *chefs kiss*. They’re relationship was funny and captivating and this book was such a fun read. This book doesn’t come out until July 13th but it’s such a perfect summer read so put it on your TBR!

This book was a great escape.

I was hesitant about the Hollywood angle, but I love Tessa Bailey's books and this one was no exception -she is an excellent writer! Piper and Brendan have excellent chemistry. The Hollywood name dropping was fun and added to the escape!

I love this Rich Girl/fish out of water stuck in a small town. This book was high heat, low angst and a delight. This is the perfect summer read.

After Piper pushes her stepfather too far one day, he cuts her off. Now Piper, along with her sister Hannah, have to go to Westport, a place where she has never been and where she doesn't know anyone, for a few months and have to get by on her own. Piper has spent the most recent years of her life surrounded by people who only care about her on the surface, posting the photos of herself taken in the best angles (while also amassing millions of followers) and buying the hottest fashion.
Brendan is Westport through and through, he loves his life on the sea as captain of his boat, he loves his small town, and he loves going out to dinner on Monday nights. For a man who is lives such a regimented life, he has no idea what he's about to be in for when Piper walks right into it on her first night in Westport.

This book completely swept me off my feet. Schitt's Creek is one of my absolute favorite shows and I loved seeing Alexis's character in Piper. But whether or not you're a Schitt's Creek fan, this book is so good! I always appreciate a romance novel that focuses on trust and honesty, and Brendan and Piper's relationship is so fun, open, and steamy! Both characters know what they want, but they're afraid that it's all too good to be true. Piper is so fun and outgoing, always livening up any room she's in and Brendan is grumpy, but well loved and respected.. I loved seeing the characters develop and watching them overcome so much both apart and together. This book definitely shows that sometimes the grass isn't always greener, and we can't always see what's right in front of us.

Thank you Avon and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this amazing story!

A hilarious grumpy-sunshine romantic comedy that feels like you're in an episode of Schitt's Creek! I loved the small fishing town setting. I loved the plot and the cast of characters. This romance is full of hilarious and flirty banter and steamy moments. I absolutely recommend!!

What another great book from Tessa Bailey! I’ve read previous books from this author and really enjoyed them. I was thrilled to see that this was just as good as those. I enjoyed the story and the characters were very well written.

Wow! Just wow! I LOVED this book. Absolutely devoured it. Like “everyone around me needs to be quiet so I can find out what happens next” devoured. This was my first Tessa Bailey book and I ran out and bought 3 others right after finishing this one. Piper and Brendan’s story was such a fun ride! This book is like Schitts Creek meets Sweet Home Alabama meets Material Girls! So good!

I started this book twice before I was able to get through it. That shouldn't be an indicator that it was a bad book, because it was not and I ended up quite enjoying it. However, Piper was very difficult to like in the beginning and I could not relate to her at all. With romance, I often have a difficult time enjoying a story if I do not find any redeeming qualities to the MC. With Piper it really was a lesson with patience, and as the story progressed I ended up liking her a lot. The author's portrayal of her as a spoiled, social-media obsessed rich girl was spot-on, and it was written well, even if it made me dislike her a lot at the start of the book.

This is not a five-star romance for me because there was just a bit too much insta-love for my liking, which felt out of character for Brendan as he was established early on as being surly and set in his ways. Overall, though, I did really enjoy this story and there was a lot of humor, which I always appreciate with contemporary romances. I have not read anything else by Tessa Bailey, but I have definitely put her other books in my TBR pile.

*I received a free copy of this through NetGalley in exchange in for an honest review.*

I honestly loved this! I know the author kind of based it off of Alexis from Schitt's Creek and I am here for it. I loved both Brendan's and Piper's character growth - and that they really grew together too. Brendan was probably my favorite. I loved his no-nonsense, bluntness. I just wish the epilogue was farther out than a week later! I want to know the long-term details! Kind of hoping we get glimpses in the next one with Hannah's story.

The main reason I gave 4 stars and not 5 was just because of the sex scenes. They were pretty lengthy and explicit. So, if that's not your thing (like how it's not mine), just a heads up! It's pretty steamy. Other than that, this is yet another great summer read.

Well, it seems like the marvelous Tessa Bailey has done it again. This sweeping romance centers around an unlikely match: Piper, a socialite banished to a small harbor town in the Pacific Northwest a la Schitt’s Creek and Brendon, a gruff king crab fisherman who is set in his routine. Their relationship blooms as Piper gains self confidence and a sense of place and Brendan learns to step outside of his comfort zone.

Though the main characters and their steamy romance were captivating, there was a certain lack of BIPOC and queer characters in this book that made it hard for me to invest in the characters' personal development. However, my interest was maintained by some of the supporting characters: Pipers sister Hannah, their grandmother Opal, and even the older neighbor Abe. I would have loved to have read more about Opal's foray back into the world!

If you’re looking for a solid romance novel with unlikely characters and reliable steam, look no further! Thank you, @NetGalley and @AvonBooks for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Piper and Brendan could not be more different. He is the Captain of a commercial fishing boat and she is a Hollywood socialite. She is back in her hometown of Westport after getting sent away by her stepfather and stepmother after her latest disaster. She is 28-years-old and has not really done anything with her life. She feels worthless and her self-confidence is shot. Her sister decides to go with her for the 3 months she is being exiled so she won't be alone.
Brendan is a creature of habit. To say Piper upsets his world is an understatement. Their first few meetings do not go well at all. He is abrasive and downright rude at points. Piper fascinates him, but also scares him. She makes him question his life and he isn't sure he likes that. I did like how he decided to go for it and not let anything or anyone stop him. His past needed to be put in the past and I liked how Piper caused him to do that.
Piper, for her part, did seem to be stuck on the fact that she needed to return to LA. She also seemed to think that men just wanted to use her. To be fair, that is how the men in her past treated her. She did have really good qualities about her. She was loyal and kind. She needed to get herself motivated and she did that in spades. I felt she needed to own her issues and quit backtracking all of the time. It did get a bit old, but I liked how Brendan called her out on it constantly.
The ending was perfect for these 2. I liked how Tessa Bailey made me connect with these characters.
I received an ARC from the publisher for my honest opinion.

It Happened One Summer is the perfect summer read for anyone who loves Schitts Creek (especially Alexis). Piper is a typical LA party girl who gets shipped off to a small fishing town when she gets arrested for breaking into a hotel pool and throwing a rager. Brendan is the gruff fisherman who's lived in the village his whole life and has been living alone since the death of his wife. Piper immediately upends the town with her loud and lovable personality and Brendan finds himself inexplicably drawn to each other. The two have immediate chemistry, but Piper doesn't plan on sticking around for any longer than she absolutely has to, and Brendan can't imagine his life anywhere else. They will both have to come to terms with what they thought their lives would look like in order to find their way to each other.

I loved a lot about this book. Tessa Bailey is the master of dirty talk and the sex scenes were super hot and intimate. I felt like I shouldn't like Piper, but she's really just so lovable and fun, I was instantly captivated by her. I am a big fan of a gruff hero who's all softy on the inside and that is Brendan to a tee. I thought their relationship was equal parts steamy and sweet. The only thing I didn't love was the dark moment, which felt a little contrived. But overall, this was a really fun read and perfect for summer!