2.5 stars CW: death of a spouse

I wanted to like this book. I hoped I would. Ultimately, for me it was just so-so. BUT I see the appeal and it might be right for you—so read on.

Piper is a spoiled LA party girl who's banished to small town Pacific Northwest as penace for one too many troublesome antics. There she and her sister have to learn how to make their own way. One kink? Gruff fishing captain Brendan who can't stand the arrival of these city girls and assumes they won't last the night. Not only is he proven wrong, Piper begins to charm the town—and him (and his pants, all the way off) within no time.

Here's what didn't work for me. First, it felt like Schitt's fanfiction. Now I love Schitt's and I love fanfiction so that is NOT an insult. Its just - not what I wanted to read. Once I had the image of Alexis in my head, that's all I could picture throughout the book. Second, there were some continuity issues that might not annoy others but bugged me. Things like: where did they get the funds to finish the bar? How did two girls who couldn't boil water figure out how to do construction? Why in a book that highlighted so many strong female connections was there no resolution with their mom? Third and fourth, the magic peen trope alongside the vaginal orgasms are better trope. (See also: things that annoy the heck out of a romance reading sex educator who spends her day helping people heal from the trouble such beliefs cause.) I LOVED when Piper fangirled with her sister about this experience. I mean, I loved everything about their relationship. But, when study after study shows that less than 1/3 of people with vaginas can experience orgasm from penetration alone? Let's stop lifting it up as The Ultimate O. And while, yes, it is more likely to happen when one feels safe and connected to their partner, that part wasn't explored in depth in the text and I so wish the conversation with Hannah could have gone on longer. I realize 2-4 might be nitpicky but these are the things that take me out of the story and come crashing through the fantasy. Lastly, the dirty talk. I LOVE me some dirty talk but several bouts of this made me LOL, literally. The whole high maintenance vagina angle? I just couldn't.

Now, after reading this if you're wondering, "How did she still give this 3 stars?" Becuase the parts that worked REALLY worked. Let's celebrate those!

First, Hannah and Piper's relationship: yes, more, please, and thank you. I LOVED watching them develop and grow together even as they became their own people. Second, Piper's self growth. In fact, if this has been a coming of age/quarter life crisis novel, I probably would have given it 4 stars. While I absolutely cannot connect with being objectively stunning or rich AF, that feeling of not knowing who you are? Of being—pardon the pun—tossed out to sea and needing to figure it out to survive? Oh that part took my breath away. I loved it. Thirdly, the sex was steamy and explicit and varied. Fourth, recharging station. IYKYK and this made me so sappy because hot damn I get that and what a beautiful way to describe such a visceral experience. Fifth, I learned about fishing! I love learning new things and especially love it when that knowledge comes from romance novels since so many people dismiss them. Sixth, along those same lines, Westport was so very alive for me. I found the world building to be rich and just the right amount to add to and enhance the story. Finally - Abe and Opal. They were my favourite side characters and even though the book gave zero inclination of it, I'm 100% rooting for them to get together as a side couple or even as MCs in their own right. LOVE both of them so deeply.

So yeah - this wasn't for me but you can bet I'll be reading Hannah and Fox's story when it comes out next year because I have a feeling those two are going to be just my jam.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for sharing this ARC with me in exchange my honest review.

I adore Tessa Bailey and all of her books! This one was no exception. Piper and Brenden have chemistry burning these pages! I loved getting to see Piper learn about herself and the atmosphere of this town along with the side characters!!!

I am so excited for the world to get It Happened One Summer. Tessa Bailey creates such great heat and tension between her characters and Piper and Brendan were no different. They each had their own growth to accomplish - his grief and her discovery of herself and her past - and getting to take that steamy and fun journey with them was so much fun. I loved the setting of a fishing town in the pacific northwest. It was a different sense of place for the reader and I am here for it.

This book is great! Would definitely recommend. Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

It reminded me of The Simple wild and that is one of my favorites so it would be fair to say I loved it.

Piper, a party girl, socialite is sent away to a small town where she meets our hero, Brendan, a sea-captain/fisherman and there is chemistry right away. Piper has this reputation of being an airhead but once she is in this new place with her sister, Hannah, her true character comes out and she is so much more likable. Westport with a tight sense of community with all residents knowing each other are involved in the plot without it feeling forced.

Whenever Piper met Brendan, there was crackling chemistry, angst and fireworks and it was such an amazing love story. It definitely stood out for me amongst the other books in this genre. It also made me fall in love with this fishing town. Piper’s relationship with Hannah was really well established and it was nice to see how they rallied for each other. There is this cliche of a rich girl moving to a small town trope but the characters and the steamy writing made me enjoy this book. Though I haven't said much about Brendan, he was an amazing boyfriend who gave Piper her space to make some major life decisions. He is definitely hot without a doubt.

Steamy, fun and an entertaining read! I cannot wait for Hannah's story!

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon Books for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

It Happened One Summer starts off with the heroine, Piper, getting dumped by her boyfriend of 3 weeks. And since it happens at a party in L.A. she is more worried about not looking pathetic than the loss of this relationship. In an attempt at damage control she does some stuff that ends up with her step father banishing her to Westport, WA. And now Piper and her sister, Hannah are stuck in the PNW with minimal money to survive. Their first night there the sisters meet a grouchy sea captain, named Brendan, who is not happy the sisters have come to town.

I wouldn't say that this is an enemies-to-lover story. Brendan is a curmudgeon and is not interested in Piper. However, Piper is more focused on the fact she was kicked out of her home and cut off. She doesn't know how to do much for herself so Brendan's animosity is less of a focus for her than trying to survive. But sparks soon start flying.

Piper's relationship with her sister is pure and lovely. Despite Piper's past as a shallow socialite with gallons of Instagram followers, she is never shallow or petty with her sister. I loved them. And Hannah could not have been more different than Piper. We also get glimpses throughout the book that although Hannah is pining for an unrequited love back in L.A. that there may be something brewing between her and Brendan's best friend, Fox.

What I love about this author's books are the characters personalities. They are always people I would like to be friends with but they do have flaws. Not huge flaws, but believable ones that we all have. There isn't unnecessary drama where the reader is rolling their eyes and thinking, "just tell them the truth!".

It was a lovely story where two people, who don't even realize they are lonely, find one another and realize what they thought was important means nothing unless they have each other.

This is an ARC copy given for an honest review. I also need to disclose that I ADORE all Tessa Bailey books. All. Of. Them. I also must disclose that I predominately read romance books, but contemporary romance is my least favorite. I start reading, then stop. Sometimes I start again. Sometimes I don't. But I ALWAYS devour Tessa Bailey's books.

Thank you, Avon, for an ARC of this book. IT HAPPENED ONE SUMMER is a swashbuckling story about a Brendan, a grumpy, stodgy, but inwardly kind sea captain, and Piper, a party girl with a heart of gold. While I started this book for the romance, I stayed for the friendships. I loved how the close-knit town rallied for Piper. I also appreciated that Brendan had to confront his overbearing, stuffy nature in order to be a supportive partner for Piper. Some of this book was definitely over the top, but it’s absolutely a fun escape during eternal quarantine!

I am in love! Oh Captain my Captain, Brenden Taggert is my newest permanent book boyfriend. I have licked him, by romance book world rules that makes him mine right? (let's just go with it) The hype for this book is so well deserved. Piper is a Los Angeles socialite, she is insta-famous and thinks that is all she is. When she is essentially banished to a small pacific northwest town, she never expects for it to last the 3 month duration, what will happen to her follower count? Brendan is the captain of a fishing boat and crab fisherman. He is the very definition of a pouty man bear (PMB). He has been single for 7 years since became a widower. This story starts out as enemies to lovers, but Brenden quickly realizes that he doesn't hate her, he wants to protect her, he wants to make her happy and bring out her true self. There is also a lot of humor in this story, which had me chuckling and aww-ing from the start. I was in love with Brenden by the time I was 20% into the book and that love only grew. The character development of both Brenden and Piper was beautiful and so natural and authentic to the characters Tessa Bailey created. Now let's get to the good stuff... if you have gotten this far in my review, and you have read Tessa Bailey before you are probably wondering how the dirty talk is? Because, let's be honest, Tessa is the Queen of dirty talk. The answer: PHENOMENAL I can't remember the last book I highlighted so much! The writing was just perfection and when Brenden was dirty talking it was original and all sorts of hot!

I am going to recommend this book to everyone! I am so grateful to have gotten to read it when I did, and I can't wait for its release in July so everyone can meet my newest book boyfriend.

I received an ARC of this book and voluntarily give my review.

This story was hot! There was so much about this book that I loved and only a few things I questioned or didn’t like.

Piper is an amazing main character. Her character development was stellar. She was such a personality that I felt more like I was watching a movie because I could picture her and her movements so clearly. Her sidekick of a sister, Hannah, is a perfect balance. Then Brendan May make me start begging my husband to quit his job to become a crab fisherman. The steam factor is high (in my opinion) on the one and 50% of that might be the thought of Brendan and how he is described.

I have seen Tessa Bailey books before but I have yet to pick one up yet. If all the rest of her books are this spicy and humorous in the most perfect way, I am officially nominating myself as her fan club President. Someone teach my 3 year old how to cook because mommy is busy binge reading the other books by Bailey!

The few things I didn’t love... the interaction with Pipers stepdad early in the book seemed unnatural to me. The dialogue of banishing her away to this remote town seemed forced. But he’s not meant to be a warm, involved dad so I guess it fits. The other tidbit I didn’t connect completely with was an interaction with her stepdad and mom (I don’t want to give any spoilers) just seemed rushed and weird.

I love the cover. It drew me in and I would’ve picked it up by just looking at it.

Thank you NetGalley for the advance copy of this book in exchange of my honest review.

Another hit from Tessa Bailey! While I haven’t seen the show Schitt’s Creek, I was excited to read an opposite attracts story from her. I devoured this novel and really enjoyed my time reading this!

It was so easy to like Piper right off the bat. Yes, she was spoiled and never had to do anything for herself, but she was so relatable. She was a good sister, wasn’t afraid to get her hands dirty, and had a good personality. Now Tessa almost lost me when I found out that Brendan (view spoiler). If you’ve read my reviews then you know I hate that in my romances. Thankfully, (view spoiler). I thought that he was perfect for Piper. He was willing to wait her out and he always let her know how he felt about her.

The chemistry was there from the beginning and the banter between them was so good. The sex scenes were *chef’s kiss*! Don’t let the cover fool y'all, this was full of the dirty talk that Tessa is known for.

Now I didn't rate it 5 stars because there were some things that bothered me. I thought the drama around whether Piper was going to back to LA was drawn out and I was over it pretty quickly. Along with some things that felt unfinished. We never really get a conversation between Piper, Daniel, and her mother after her time spent in Westport. It would have been nice to have some insight or closure there.

Overall, I did enjoy it and would reread it in the future. The next book is about her sister and Fox and I’m super excited about it! If you’re a fan of Tessa or want a feel good romance, then I recommend this!

*Will post to blog closer to release day. Also, the spoiler was hidden on Goodreads as well.

It Happened One Summer was the first Tessa Bailey novel I have read - and it was a steamy one! Admittedly, it was a little too much (gratuitous sex scenes) for me, but I can understand the appeal it may have for other readers.
Piper and her younger sister travel to a small coastal town to spend the next several months after Piper has taken her partying a bit too far. Her stepfather “exiles” her to the fishing town of Westport, where she and her sister learn of their biological father and the life he left behind. Piper meets Brendan, a rugged fisherman, and sparks ignite. The ending paved way for a sequel - and I was pleased to find out that will be the case, with a feature on Piper’s sister, Hannah.

Thank you to the publisher and to Netgalley for the ARC!

Absolutely loved this title. The character development was amazing and I feel in love with that entire small town. It definitely had a Schitt's Creek vibe and I loved every minute of it.

This one definitely kept my interest! What's funnier than a Schitt's Creek-like socialite cut off from the family money and forced into small town life? Not much. Add in an obvious physical attraction between our main character Piper and one of the resident burly fishermen Brandon, and you've got a winner in your hands. Yes, it’s a little predictable, but that doesn’t stop me from wanting to recommend this title to anyone seeking a romcom with some steamy action, too! Thanks to NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for a review.

It Happened One Summer follows a fisherman and a Hollywood it girl. Piper and Brendan couldn’t be more than different, but they can’t help but be drawn to eachother. If you loved Tessa Bailey’s Hot & Hammered series, you love this one! It was a great story with amazing chemistry. I now have my fingers crossed for a sequel to this book featuring Hannah and Fox! I look forward to recommending to our audience and include in our roundup of fun beach reads for summer 2021. Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

**Thank you HarperCollins publishers for providing this ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All quotes are taken from the ARC and are subject to change.**

“There’s just nothing to you, okay?...you have no drive to go anywhere. Or to do anything.”

It happened one summer by Tessa Bailey follows Piper, a socialite from LA, who is known for being a notorious party girl. After her boyfriend of 3 weeks calls it quits on their “relationship” at a party, ashamed and humiliated Piper throws the most instagrambled party anyone has ever seen in order to maintain her status of elite party girl; a party so out of control it lands her in jail. Tired of her expensive proclivities her billionaire step father banishes her to Westport, the fishing town she was born in. Enters Brennan a broody, handsome mammoth of a man set in his ways, “no sense in fixing something that wasn’t broken.” He is the type of guy who does not do well with change, he always orders the same thing on the menu, always has one cup of coffee except on Saturdays. He can smell that piper is trouble as soon as she arrives in Westport, but nothing will prepare him for the immense attraction between them. This intense pull towards Piper the woman set on shattering all of his boundaries.

“I can be in a room full of people that I know and still not feel like I belong.”

This book is about connecting to your roots and grieving the loss of a parent. It's about finding yourself away from the glitz and the glamour of a superficial environment.

“Piper owns my heart. She came here and robbed me blind of it.”

Who turned up the heat ?? Sheesh. This book is sizzling hot. The perfect amount of sweetness and the right amount of smut. Brendan is a man in a sea of boys. Such a fun and fast sexy read. This is by far Tesaa Bailey's sexiest romance novel yet and it is the perfect beach read! Which is why I'm rating this book a 5/5.

“I’ll love you until my heart gives out.”

This was my first book by Tessa Bailey and she just made her way on to my favorite authors list! Excuse me while I go binge every book she’s ever written because I just can’t get enough of her writing! It Happened One Summer was the ideal book for me. A quiet coastal setting: check. Lovable characters with a undeniable chemistry: check. Witty, steamy, and unexpected : check, check, check! I had a feeling I’d be a fan since Bailey noted the main character Piper was based off Alexis Rose from Schitt’s Creek, but no clue I’d be so smitten with this book. While Piper seems to encompass so many of the same traits as Alexis Rose, those are all just surface level similarities. We get to truly know Piper and get a look inside her heart. And Brendan— the grumpy old fisherman who steals Piper’s heart is grouchy and rough until Piper changes everything for him. Then we find out who Brendan truly is- which is thoughtful, sensitive and very swoony. I can’t say enough good things about this book. I loved getting to know Brendan and Pipe and seeing their growth and how they were able to bring out the best qualities in each other— and clearly their physical attraction was undeniable. The perfect rom-com that will make the best summer book club pick! Thank you NetGalley and Avon for this Advanced Copy— I can’t wait for everyone to fall in love with this quiet little fishing town this summer!

Thanks to NetGalley for the arc in exchange for honest review. I enjoyed the book for what it was, a romantic comedy. It wasn’t terribly lengthy and moved along at a nice pace. I liked that characters and saw the deep down meaning of being a little lost and finding yourself. I found some of the language and sexual dialogue a bit much at times for my usual reading preference, but it didn’t detract from me finishing the book or enjoying the story. I connected to Piper’s mother on the level of widow and wanting to flee the life I had with that person and I see now maybe that wasn’t entirely fair to my children. As mothers we do what we think best at the time but the girls were definitely missing a huge part of them and it was a nice piece of the story to learn about the bar and to watch them bring it back to life. Piper had to lose everything to realize that even though she had lots of possessions, she also had fake friends and followers that didn’t really care about her. She really found herself when she was forced to slow down and just be in the moment. No followers or people who knew who she was. She forged real friendships and impacted neighbors’ lives in a positive way. I think that should be the real take away. Put down the phone, enjoy the moment you’re in, and forge actual friendships with people who live right next door.

I fall more and more in love with this author with each book. I got where she was coming from to write the heroine but it was the hero who stole the story for me. He was perfection. I enjoyed the natural evolution of their relationship and their banter was delicious

I didn’t hate this story, which is a shock because if there’s one thing I hate in stories it’s instalove. I feel like maybe their dating timeline can be edited because sometimes I’d get so engrossed in their relationship and then remember that they’ve only known each other one month and two weeks of that he was gone. It would just feel like two or three weeks had went by but it had only been a day or two and they’re saying I love you and moving in together. It really needs to be cut down as well because it was a little long and drawn out. Everyone had to make a speech for Piper at the end and I thought that was annoying and awkward, I also didn’t understand the point of Mick at all. The love scenes were very steamy and written very well and I give them 5 stars. Thank you to Netgalley and to the publishers for a free copy of an ARC in exchange for an honest review

Loved this Tessa Bailey contemporary romance! Piper Bellinger is a rich girl from LA who gets ''banished" to the Pacific Northwest were she meets Brendan Taggart, fisherman and sea captain. Piper's mother warns her not to fall for a fisherman as she did many years ago when she married Piper's (deceased) father. The novel starts out as a bit of a enemies-to-lovers type style. Piper and Brendan have great chemistry together. I loved the dialog between the two, and watching the evolution of Piper's character as she lives in the small fishing town. Piper learns more about her family history and her roots in this small town, while she slowly falls for Brendan disregarding her mother's warning.

Fans of KA Tucker's, the Simple Wild, will love this novel! (Note: As with other Tessa Bailey novels, this one is VERY steamy!). Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. I hope Tessa Bailey writes Hannah's story! Can't wait to read that one if she does!