Sexy, steamy, and oh so satisfying! Tessa Bailey does it again. LA Instagram influencer Piper is sent to small-town Washington to clean up her act. There, she meets hunky sea captain Brendan and falls deep. Will she give up her luxurious lifestyle and famous friends to keep this fisherman company?

Let's just say it: Tessa Bailey knows how to write hot sex scenes. And fun banter. And likable characters. This is the fourth book of hers that I have read and they're four of the hottest contemporary romance novels I've read in the past couple of years. If you're looking for a fun romance, look no further. I can only hope this becomes a new series! (Hannah, I'm looking at you.)

Tessa Bailey tends to be a hit or miss for me (she's a FANTASTIC writer, it's just not for me sometimes) but I really liked this book. I loved the Schitt's Creek feel of it. The heroine was remarkably likable, despite herself, and the hero was the perfect amount of gruff. Also, those sexy times *fans self*. I can't wait for Hannah and Fox's story.

Tessa Bailey, you’ve done it again! I loved the hilarious banter between Piper and Brendan. They started out completely misunderstanding one another but slowly, after so many hilarious encounters began to go beyond appearances. Piper’s rich girl routine got tiresome at the end when her uncertainties and insecurities cloud her logic but with her sister and Brendan sticking by her side, Piper’s sweet and caring personality broke through. Brendan was super sweet but he became a bit of a romance book cliche down the line. Definite 4.5 out of 5!

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon/Harper Voyager for the ARC to read and review.

Finally with It Happened One Summer, I have been able to break my curse and read a contemporary romance all the way through. Tessa Bailey always presents us with great characters. Piper should be an unredeemable spoiled rich girl. But, somehow her true heart shines through and she redeems herself by going home to Westport Washington. There she meets Captain Brendan and they fall fast. Hot Hot Hot!

Light and fun, It Happened One Summer is a perfect summer read. Perennial party girl Piper gets into hot water when she crashes a swanky hotel pool with a few hundred of her closest friends. Exiled by her stepfather to her biological father’s quaint seaside town to learn just how good she has it, Piper and her loyal sister Hannah find themselves as the quintessential fish out of water surrounded by literal fisherman.

One of those fisherman is Brendan, a widower for whom the very town and people in it are reminders of a past he’s trying very hard to move on from. After an initial bad reaction to Piper’s high maintenance looks and lifestyle, Brendan soon grows a soft spot (and a hard something else) for this Hollywood hottie.

But Piper’s exile is only temporary and Brendan has to go back to sea. Can Piper really leave the party life behind for what she’s found in this seaside nowheresville?

I adore Tessa Bailey and her writing is always fantastic. I think my only gripe is that there is a TON of grief in this book, including dead fathers and dead partners. Not a ton of that emotional baggage is addressed and when Brendan does talk about his dead wife and his angst at being shackled to a ghost, it’s not particularly sympathetic. And she’s soon forgotten all together when the possibility of boning an Instagram model seems viable. I’m not sure Brendan being a widower adds anything to the story or his character other than making readers feel uncomfortable, particularly those who have lost loved ones and are struggling more than Brendan is. I'm not huge on content warnings, but this may have warranted one for their sake.

Tessa Bailey is one of my absolute favorite authors.

This book was so good, and reminded me of old-school contemporary romance. Piper and Brendan relationship was gradual, hot, and consuming. They were communicative and honest with each other. Piper as a character read a bit one dimensional, when she was in LA, in a way that I couldn’t empathize. The rich-girl influencer was hard to resonate with but when she moved to the small town, she grew on me.

Although the plot could use some work. It was a bit unbelievable that Piper’s dad would force them to move to small town, and then they renovated the bar with no money. The third act conflict with her leaving for LA right away since no one showed up was overdone. I think a stronger reason would be needed for her to leave than her step-father not showing up or no one showing up to the opening.

Perfect Grumpy Hero, who is completely set in his ways, and socialite (think Alexis from Schitt's Creek) read! Definitely an opposites attract!

'"Maybe we're a little more than more then friends," she whispered, tucking her head under his chin.'

Tessa Bailey has done it again, made me fall in love with her characters and the location where this story takes place. Brendan and Piper's story is a perfect blend of heartwarming swoonyness, and steam. Tessa Bailey is still our reigning queen of dirty talk and she does not disappoint in this book!

Piper's journey is definitely about growth and finding herself. Also a perfect reminder to live and love in the moment.

"And when her face transformed with pure joy and she waved enthusiastically, Brendan knew he loved her. God knows, it had happened fast, but he'd been incapable of putting the brakes on. Not when she was the destination."

This book painted such a vivid picture in my mind - I felt like I was living in Westport right along with the characters. It was so real, I could almost smell the fish ;). This is definitely one of my favorite stories by Tessa Bailey, and that is saying something! As Tessa says in the forward - this definitely has a Schitt's creek vibe - only the girls from LA are really not horrible, shallow people. They just are who they are.

Piper and her sister Hannah were born in Westport, but after their father died when Piper was 4 and Hannah was 2, their mom moved to LA and then married an ultra successful, famous movie producer. Since then, everything they could ever want has been handed to them. And Piper, in particular, has taken it. She hasn't developed any true sense of ambition or drive - just a sense of fun and how to be the life of the party. After a disastrous breakup and night in jail her step-father effectively cuts her off and sends her back to Westport without much money or any of her usual luxuries as a punishment. Her sister comes along in a show of sisterly support.

Piper is 100% L.A. Party Girl She doesn't own jeans, has no idea how much anything costs, and never leaves the house without full makeup and wardrobe. But she really isn't as shallow or materialistic as many are. I think she's just never had anyone (other than her sister) really care enough about her to challenge her or even scratch below her surface. So she feels value-less. I think this is really apparent in the way her mom and step-dad treat her. I am guessing for her mom, her daughters were a link to a painful past. Its been easier to throw money at them and say that they are cared for - rather than actually care for them. The same is true with their step-dad. When she gets to Westport, people do judge her - but her kindness and bright inner light show through.

This is particularly true for Brendan. Brendan is so freaking lovely, Just really - he is loyal and steady and everything Piper needs. For Brendan, Piper is a bright light after 7 years of grey after his wife passed away. He is stuck in routine and tradition and can't move out of the past. In fact it seems like for most of Westport, they are stuck in a rut and can't move forward. Piper really allows the whole town grow and expand its heart a little.

I loved how the characters in this book really loved and accepted each other the way they were without asking them to change. They helped each other grow - but didn't want them to be different people. Brendan is Piper's recharging station - and Piper is Brendan's light.

I adored it. I definitely recommend this - and will remind readers that Brendan is NO exception to Tessa Bailey's long history of writing dirty talking heroes (and its fabulous).

I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, but these opinions are all my own.

I stumbled on this new Tessa Bailey book while browsing through newly added books to Netgalley. How was I unaware that there was a new Tessa Bailey book out?? I requested the book and set it aside for when I had a few days to spend reading it. The synopsis caught me off guard: Schitt's Creek inspired. Love Tessa Bailey. Love Schitt's Creek. But there was something about the main character's description that made me not start the book until a week after getting it. How would I bond with this gal? I am no Alexis! How could I ever sympathize with an Instagram influencer?

Cut to last night. I started it, because with Tessa Bailey, you just have to. Piper is a legit high maintenance influencer in LA who is broken up with by her boyfriend during a very schmooze-y LA party, in front of EVERYONE. She lets off steam by doing what she knows how to do best: break into a hotel and party in their pool!

She's now in jail, and her father has an ultimatum for her: Go to this nowhere fisherman town where her biological father owned a bar, and stay there for three months to prove she's not totally worthless. Hannah, her younger sister (who does NOT care about social media at all) voluntarily joins Piper on this quest.

I really don't want to give anything away. I stayed up so late reading this book, and woke up early to finish it. Who knew I could feel so much for someone I thought would be so one-dimensional. Bailey's writing will do that to ya.

Tessa Bailey hits it out of the park AGAIN.

Her books are always the perfect blend of sweet, pining, sexy goodness. I've been dying to know what she would write next after her last series, and this doesn't disappoint. The chemistry between these two characters is wonderful, and I love that there's always a logic between how two people fall for each other. It's grounded in realism, but always a little extra magical and swoony.

At the beginning I thought there was no way I would like Piper. But as we see her in the small fishing town in the PNW (loved the setting) we see her change and grow. I liked Brendan from the beginning and could totally picture him in this fishing village. This romance was steamier than I thought, so be forewarned. Just give Piper a chance, This will be a fun summer read!

Thanks for this ARC!

I was pulled into this book because of the Schitt's Creek comparison, and I wasn't disappointed. Piper is a fish out of water when her stepfather forces her to leave L.A. and live in a small fishing town to run a bar left to her by her late father. While Piper begins her journey painfully out of place, she quickly comes to love her new home (or, at least, some of the residents). If you are overwhelmed by the news, the quarantine, or anything going on in your life, this book is the perfect anecdote.

I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.

This was my first Tessa Bailey book and I have to say that everyone was right, Bailey is a romance queen! I devoured this book because I absolutely adored Piper. While I think this book was written for me because of the Schitt's Creek inspiration and the sea captain hero, I think anyone who picks this up will enjoy it. It was so fun to read and what really made it stand out for me was the communication between our couple. It seems harder and harder these days to find a romance where the main couple talks about their issues together and Bailey did it so well here. Very excited to recommend this one and absolutely bummed to have to wait so long for Hannah & Fox's book.

After pushing through the first few chapters, this became an enjoyable and quick read. It took effort to decide to continue reading, as the main character begins as vapid and awful. Piper is presented as a selfish social influencer without a grasp on reality. The loyalty her sister shows her is nearly unbelievable, as the author provides zero reasons for readers to find her likable.
Once the sisters are “banished” from their lavish lives in LA to a tiny fishing town in the Pacific NW, the story becomes a likable and fun read. I loved Brendan, and see why Piper fell for him, regardless of how unlikely their pairing might seem.

This would be a perfect book had its author made Piper a bit more likable and human from the start. I’m glad that I pushed through and saw her growth. I feel many patrons would return this book without ever giving her a chance.

*When it comes to romance, I am often asked whether it is “cozy mystery” or specific. This book contains plenty of sex, accompanied by rougher language in these scenes.

Piper seems like a vapid party girl with no substance. When her stepfather banishes her to her late father's bar after she's embarrassed him one too many times, Piper doesn't think she has what it takes to survive. But spite can make us stronger - when a local, Brendan, looks down his nose at her, Piper is determined to last the whole three months. She'll show her stepfather and Brendan that she's more than her instagram page.

This was one of the most fun books I've read in awhile, particularly because Tessa admits in the Acknowledgements that It Happened One Summer is a Schitt's Creek AU. As most romances do, things seemed to go from zero to 100 real quick, but Piper is so loveable, Brendan is hot af, and all of the supporting cast are lovely. I can't wait to see Fox and Hannah's story.

True story: I don't usually like contemporary romance novels. However, Tessa Bailey is just so damn good! She has characters with depth. She has stakes that are realistic and come from the individual character's psyche. Oh, and she knows how to turn up the heat.

If you ever watched Deadliest Catch, you know crab fishing is a hella dangerous job. Our sea captain is obviously brave and very loyal. He may be a buff and confident man, but he is not a jerk. He is kind and thoughtful and steady. Our heroine, while a party girl, really just needed to be in a place that is NOT L.A.., with people she can care about and who aren't looking for what they can take from others. She isn't really an airhead (thank goodness), she just needed a chance to try her own wings. My favorite scene is where Piper is at the local bar, not to pick up dudes, but to hang with her granny and ends up making friends with all the women in the town, while our hero watches on from the side of the room and makes sure she gets home ok. It is sweet and this book is sweet. Is the world getting you down? Come visit this cute little town and you will feel better, I promise.

I really enjoyed the characters in this one. I thought no way would I like Piper and then I loved her. I sort of wish there had been a little more “fish out of water” stuff with her and Hannah both, but what was there was fun. I loved Brenden and how quickly and deeply he fell. The plot moved quickly and I enjoyed their stories. The conflict was slightly forced and the resolution felt too easy, but I really enjoyed my time with Piper and Brendan.

This is a book you will read in one sitting. I've read several books by Tessa Bailey and I feel she’s getting better and better. “It Happened One Summer” wasn't just a steamy romance. This book had characters you really fall for. A burly sea captain, a spoiled woman from LA, a newly discovered grandmother all set in a small Pacific Northwest fishing village. So many characters to like, including ones to be featured in future books.

Gah. I just loved this book so much. Hands down my favorite Tessa Bailey book ever. Hands down.

Inspired by Alexis Rose and Schitt’s Creek, Piper is a socialite whose stepfather vows to teach her a lesson after she goes too far with her latest publicity stunt. He sends Piper and her sister Hannah to Westport, WA - the small fishing town where the sisters were born and lived briefly before their father died and their mother moved them away. Brendan is the captain of a crab fishing boat (think Deadliest Catch but way sexier) whose life is ruled by rhythm and predicable routine. The moment Piper walks into his life, all bets are off.

The chemistry between Piper and Brendan is literally sizzling. Sizzling! Seeing them grow together and develop as individuals was so rewarding. This book has Tessa Bailey’s signature steam but it’s all in service of the story (which is different than some of her other books IMHO).

Piper is so lovable. If you’ve watched Schitt’s Creek and can recall how we all felt about Alexis by the end of the series, you’ll know what you’re in for with Piper. She’s messy and passionate and so so kind. Brendan is - well he’s just a MAN. Loyal and generous, straightforward and no bullshit. And he worships Piper. It’s the best.

Thanks to NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager for this early copy. I’ve never been so dang excited for an ARC! All opinions are my own

Tessa Bailey hits it out of the park again! Reminiscent of Schitt's Creek and The Deadliest Catch, this novel provides all the feelings: love, grief, humor, sadness, hope. I will be buying this for our library, and I can't wait to recommend it to my friends!