It Happened One Summer: A Novel

This one is to be devoured. Big Romance happens in this book. It's so cute, swoony, spicy and heart-melty. Damn, it's so so good. The lines Tessa Bailey writes in this RomCom are soo achingly romantic at times it makes you clutch your chest. And her sex scenes are so creative and viseral, they had my jaw drop. She writes some damn good scenes. Give Tessa Bailey her flowers! The story is told in alternating 3rd person perspective, which I loved. Piper is so likable, she doesn't seem like she would be likable, but you take her out of LA and you find how many layers there are to her, as she's also finding them in herself! And Brendan is just everything and more. What a Hero!! He is gruff and seemingly set in his ways, but he embraces everything about Piper. He sees value in all of it. The frivolous and the substantial parts of her personality are precious to him, because they make up "her." It's a lovely message of acceptance. The romance btwn the MMCs starts early and remains steady, but they have a journey to discover they are "enough." My only issue is that of COURSE the 3rd act problem could be solved right away with a call/photo/Facetime but isn't that usually all it takes in a RomCom? But all in all it's so satisfying that it doesn't matter if there are some trite roadblocks. Especially when it's as damn romantic and spicy as it is. Who knew shopping for jeans could be so damn hot?! Big Time Sexy.

About It Happened One Summer Piper Bellinger, a self-proclaimed "Party Princess," has dedicated her entire life to flaunting the latest fashion trends and showing off the hottest nightlife spots to her devoted social media following. The first 28 years of Piper's life have been a whirlwind of red carpet premieres, designer shopping sprees, and lavish parties. Piper's carefree existence comes crashing down in spectacular fashion when she winds up in the slammer after one of her infamous ragers spins completely out of control. Her stepfather decides it's finally time Piper grew up and took responsibility for herself. So he cuts her off from the seemingly endless flow of funds that fueled her lavish, party-girl lifestyle, then promptly exiles her and her sister Hannah to the backwater burg of Westport, Washington. Their mission? To take the reins of the bar that belonged to their late father and use the experience to learn some much-needed responsibility. Needless to say, Piper is less than thrilled about this turn of events. The idea of trading in her glitzy Hollywood haunts for a dank, small-town watering hole gives her the shudders. But with her stepfather's money and influence cut off, she has little choice but to suck it up and make the best of it. When Piper arrives in Westport, she's utterly dismayed to discover the bar she's meant to take over, known locally as "No Name," is occupied by a band of stubborn locals who have no intention of letting her waltz in and claim their beloved watering hole. Leading the charge against her is Brendan, a hulking, bearded fisherman in a ragged beanie who immediately takes it upon himself to make her life a living hell. Brendan is determined to force Piper to throw in the towel and slink back to her glamorous life in Beverly Hills, leaving the bar in the hands of the locals who've cherished it for years. But Piper, for all her pampered princess ways, isn't about to go down without a fight. There's no way she's letting this scruffy, sardonic seafarer kick her out of what's rightfully hers, even if she has to go toe-to-toe with him every step of the way. As much as Piper tries to hold onto her designer-clad, red carpet persona, spending time with the rough-around-the-edges Brendan starts to chip away at her carefully cultivated facade. Against her better judgment, she finds herself drawn to his quiet confidence and old-school charm. And to her own surprise, Brendan seems to respond better to the real Piper, the one she's hidden away for so long, than he ever did to her public party princess persona. With her banishment in Westport nearing its end, Piper faces the toughest decision of her life - return to the glitz and glamour she's always known, or take a chance on finding true happiness in this small fishing town, with Brendan at her side. Tropes in It Happened One Summer ❤️ Grumpy/Sunshine 💙 Small Town ❤️ Fish out of Water 💙 Miscommunication ❤️ Opposites Attract 💙 Found Family My Review As a longtime fan of Schitt's Creek, I was thrilled by the prospect of Tessa Bailey crafting a happily-ever-after for the beloved Alexis Schitt. Like her small-screen counterpart, Piper Bellinger is the quintessential spoiled socialite who finds herself forced to confront the emptiness of her glamorous yet vapid existence. Piper's transformation from self-absorbed party princess to a more grounded, empathetic woman is both heartwarming and humorous to witness. Bailey's writing beautifully captures the genuine joy and substantial challenges of Piper's journey of self-discovery, as she sheds her carefully curated facade and embraces her authentic self. The romance that blossoms between Piper and the gruff, old-fashioned Brendan is a particular delight, with their playful banter and gradual connection striking just the right balance of swoon-worthy and genuinely heartfelt. Final Thoughts Ultimately, It Happened One Summer delivers the same sense of comfort and feel-good satisfaction that made Schitt's Creek such a beloved phenomenon. Bailey's winning story celebrates the power of community, personal growth, and finding happiness in the most unexpected of places. For fans of the beloved sitcom, as well as anyone who appreciates a good redemption tale, this book is an absolute must-read.

This was a fun small town to dive into. A hot fisherman captain and a clueless socialite - what could go wrong? Brendan adores his town, he is Westport. So when Piper comes bopping into town, he doesn’t trust her intentions but also just assumes she will leave just as quickly as she strolled into town. Piper doesn’t want to fall for anyone in Westport like her mom did. But she has to find a way to pass the time to being sent to this small town to “learn her lesson”. While in the process of learning her lesson, she also starts to figure out who she is and what she is capable of. And as it turns out, she’s pretty great at more than just posting on her socials. The story didn’t wow me but I love how it made me feel & I’m excited to get back into the second book to see how her sister gets her happily ever after.

"It Happened One Summer" is an original story and written well. It was a quick read and the storyline was new, interesting and believable. Tessa Baily develops all her characters very well. I would have given it 4-5 stars but there was too much cussing and explicit sex. Just completing a novel myself, it is very easy to use cuss words without using the Lords name in vain. It was unnecessary and is offensive to some people. I found it off-putting. The sexual tension between Piper and Brendan was immediate and over done. It was unrealistic and over the top, as if sex was their best, biggest and basically only attraction. Both characters come off over-sexed or sex-deprived which takes away from how well the author developed the storyline. Too much is about hot desires and not enough on developing a deeper relationship which leaves the reader wanting it. Tessa Baily also could have developed their unknown local family member, Opal better and, done a better job with connecting their mother's origins. That was a miss or maybe an Editor's call but that storyline was left hanging. However, Baily truly succeeds in taking the reader into Piper and her sister's lives which suddenly plops them into an unknown Northwest fishing village with old traditions. Their adjustments to new life were charming and you root for them and the ending was good and complete.

Tessa Bailey’s It Happened One Summer delivers a charming, opposites-attract romance that blends heartfelt character development with sizzling chemistry. This novel follows a spoiled socialite who finds herself stuck in a small fishing town, where she unexpectedly falls for a grumpy yet irresistible sea captain. While the book shines in many areas—particularly its humor, character dynamics, and steamy romance—it does have a few minor drawbacks that keep it from being a full five-star read. Piper Bellinger is an Instagram-famous LA socialite whose reckless party lifestyle lands her in hot water. When her stepfather decides she needs a reality check, he sends her to a small town in Washington to run her late father’s rundown bar—without money, luxury, or her usual comforts. There, she meets Brendan Taggart, a serious and no-nonsense sea captain who is unimpressed by Piper’s glamorous attitude. Despite their differences, Piper and Brendan find themselves drawn to each other, with Piper learning that there’s more to life than the Hollywood scene and Brendan realizing that there’s more to Piper than just a pretty face. What follows is a steamy, emotional, and surprisingly heartfelt journey of self-discovery and love. At the start, Piper is every bit the spoiled, high-maintenance influencer. She thrives on social media validation and has little experience handling real-life struggles. However, one of the strongest elements of the book is her growth. Over time, she proves to be resourceful, kind-hearted, and surprisingly resilient. Watching Piper embrace the small-town lifestyle, build relationships, and take responsibility for the bar is one of the most rewarding aspects of the novel. Her decision to stay and make something of herself—rather than run back to LA the first chance she gets—demonstrates real character growth and emotional maturity. Brendan is the perfect contrast to Piper’s lively, dramatic energy. He’s serious, disciplined, and deeply rooted in his routines, especially since he’s been widowed for several years. His journey isn’t about changing who he is, but rather about opening himself up to new experiences and realizing that he can love again. His initial resistance to Piper slowly melts away as he realizes she’s not as shallow as he first assumed. His willingness to step out of his comfort zone for her makes their relationship all the more satisfying. Bailey’s prose is lively and full of personality, especially in Piper’s point of view. The narration feels casual and conversational, making it easy to connect with the characters. She excels at balancing humor with emotional depth, ensuring that the story remains entertaining without losing its emotional stakes. Piper’s inner monologues are filled with self-deprecating humor and exaggerated dramatics, making her a lovable and relatable protagonist despite her privileged background. Bailey knows how to build tension in a romance. She expertly balances the slow-burn anticipation with moments of vulnerability, making the connection between Piper and Brendan feel authentic. The steamy scenes are well-written, blending physical attraction with emotional intimacy. While Bailey’s writing is engaging, it does have a few minor drawbacks: Sometimes Over-the-Top Dialogue – Some lines, particularly in the flirty banter, can feel a little exaggerated or too polished, making them sound more like a scripted rom-com than a natural conversation. Repetitive Emotional Beats – Certain themes, like Piper’s self-doubt or Brendan’s protectiveness, are emphasized multiple times in slightly different ways, making parts of the story feel repetitive. Predictable Romantic Tropes – The “grumpy-sunshine” and “city girl in a small town” tropes are well-executed but don’t necessarily bring anything new to the genre. While Bailey does them well, they follow a formula that some readers might find predictable. Tessa Bailey’s It Happened One Summer is more than just a fun, steamy romance—it explores themes of self-discovery, belonging, grief, and love. Beneath the sparkling banter and swoon-worthy romance, the novel delves into personal growth and the emotional weight of leaving behind old identities to embrace something deeper and more meaningful. Overall, It Happened One Summer is a delightful, steamy, and heartwarming romance with great character growth and an engaging storyline. While not perfect, it’s an enjoyable read with a fun premise and an irresistible grumpy-sunshine dynamic. If you love small-town romances with strong character arcs and sizzling chemistry, this book is definitely worth picking up!

It Happened One Summer is the first book in Tessa Bailey’s Bellinger Sisters series. I chose this book because I’m planning on attending this year’s Indies Invade Philly event in November (if I can get a ticket) and she is one of the attending authors. It also fulfills the Goodreads 2021 Finalist challenge in @ratetheromance’s Year of Smut 2022 reading challenge. Brendan Taggert is a grumpy fisherman who has been “mourning” his wife for seven years. When a spoiled Hollywood party girl invades his hometown, he’s unimpressed and yet he can’t stop thinking about and running into her. Piper Bellinger is Hollywood’s “it” girl; she loves attention and has over a million followers on Instagram. When her latest party ends up almost costing her step-father his latest project, he sends her to a small fishing town with family ties in hopes that she will finally learn to grow up. It’s there that she meets Brendan who takes an instant dislike to her. But, there’s something that keeps drawing them together. I really enjoyed this opposites attract, grumpy vs sunshine story. Brendan and Piper both tugged at my heartstrings in this as they helped each other heal old wounds. I loved watching Piper grow to not only love the small town, but also herself. I loved her relationship with her sister, Hannah, and how they worked together to repair their father’s old bar. I loved Brendan’s crew members; especially his best friend, Fox. I loved the scenes we got of him and Hannah and am definitely interested in reading their story in Tessa’s newest release, Hook, Line and Sinker, that released at the beginning of March. Pace – I thought this story flowed pretty seamlessly and didn’t drag. Characters – As mentioned above, I really enjoyed these characters; including all the town characters that we got to meet in the story. I thought Brendan and Piper’s chemistry was more of a subtle chemistry that simmered. But, when the attraction becomes too great for them to ignore; boy does the chemistry start to sizzle! I definitely enjoyed the peeks at Fox and Hannah’s characters and I am definitely interested in reading their story! Plot – I thought the plot was believable enough. Steam Level – This book is definitely on the Steamy level. Once Brendan and Piper give in to their attraction, they can’t keep their hands or mouths off each other!

There’s absolutely nothing better than being swept away by a story and that’s exactly what It Happened One Summer did. I fell in love with the characters and Westport, the location where this story takes place. Brendan and Piper's story is a perfect blend of heartwarming swoon, and steam. I love, love, loved Piper and Brendan. This was an absolute delight and I pretty much inhaled it. This story had me swooning, smiling, tearing up, and laughing! I felt the connection Piper and Brendan had and was so invested in their story that it kept me turning pages until late at night wanting to read just one more chapter. Brendan, the perfect grumpy hero, was the ultimate beanie-wearing, dirty talking, swoonworthy dream. Piper was such a refreshing character who definitely broke the pretty airhead stereotype. She had a heart of gold and I loved how people were drawn to her and her infectious personality. I loved her coming into her own, finding her place, and seeing in herself what others saw, not just what was portrayed on social media. I thought there was a great build to their relationship and I loved the tension of them fighting their feelings. The character development of both Brenden and Piper was beautiful and so natural and authentic. The growth in these characters, the chemistry and the steam made for an epic and romantic love story that I could not get enough off. This book was so precious. I wasn’t expecting so much depth to the story, and with so much raw emotion from the characters. It was hard to not get drawn in and fall in love with them too. I loved watching Piper bloom and finding her footing, and the steamy scenes with Brendan was just the cherry on top. This is one of those books that had me smiling so big when I finished it...pure excellence!

This book is a sweet small-town romance about a spoiled party girl, her sister, and their unexpected late summer plans. Piper and Hannah arrive in the small town of Westport to learn about life. While there, they both learn about themselves, love, and community. This book gets steamy and includes a whirlwind of enemies to lovers; opposites attract romance that is emotional and exciting. I liked the whole premise behind this story with the Captain and the small fishing town. This story was enchanting, sweet and a great romance read. Piper is a spoiled woman who runs with the rich and famous; her life is about being seen and noticed. Her life is upside down as she gets dumped by her prestigious boyfriend. She messes up bad, but what happens now? I love that the author includes a consequence, even this rich girl's actions. Her sister is a breath of fresh air in the story. I love Hannah's vibe. I love the doled-out punishment, which also seems fitting, but it truly begins this story. Brendan is a captain in Westport who has a long history in this small town. The girls don't like him first, but we shall see where this goes. This enemies-to-lovers romance heats up, and I love the old-fashioned style of Brendan. He is a true gentleman and so sweet and kind when he isn't being an ass. This story gets steamy, but Piper wants a fling, and I think Brendan is in it for the long haul. They are indeed opposites. I will admit that this story has its strange moments. I wouldn't call them to laugh out loud funny, but they definitely hold a weird appeal in the story and might make you chuckle. I don't think I will forget them as some are very memorable. This book does have some sad moments and a lot of steamy ones. But Piper learns to live with herself and others and not just things. Brendan knows to open his heart and his schedule. This book does end happily.

I have not much words to describe this book but this how romance should be when a Hero behave like one and a heroine teach us lots about loving and loyalty Spare yourself a heartbreak just go ahead and read this book

I get it. I get the hype. What a breath of fresh (and salty) air that was. I loved it. The character growth, the romance and the flow of it all was seamless. The story wasn’t full of massive plot twists and chaos, however it was full of grumpy/sunshine banter, romance, a little (okay more than a little 😏) spice, comedy, found family and personal growth. I sat up till 2am because I had to know where Piper and Branden ended up. I’m so happy with the result, and even more so now I can get stuck straight into Hannah’s story! 🦊 (iykyk) Tessa Bailey is quickly becoming a favourite of mine! I give it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 Yep, 5. Generous? Perhaps. But I just loved how I felt whilst reading it, romcom fiction at its finest.

Well I’m a sucker. Of course I guessed what would happen early on and the type of ending I would see, it did that stop me being glued to every chemistry filled moment, floaty movement, endearing looks and awkward run ins? Of course not. In the first few page, I was dubious, quickly realising this was the point and there was so much to unravel about Piper Bellinger. When a series of bad decisions sent LA socialite Piper and her dutiful sister to the fishing town of Westpoint, no one was ready for what lay ahead. A burley widowed Captain Brendan fought when a sequinned covered Piper showed up turning his routined world and hometown askew. Piper’s relationship with her sister was truly endearing and a standout in this book. The sense of home as the Westpoint residents were introduced was surprising but made the book all the warmer. I cannot ignore the fireworks, steam and chaos that filled the pages with the battle of wills between a starry eyed socialite and a no nonsense captain. I wish i could articulate the escapism I felt when enveloped in this funny, steamy, heartwarming and empowering book. The personal developments and progression each character made through this book had me hooked on plot and characterisation. Great summer read.

This book is so spicy maybe even spicier than fifty shades of grey specially chapter 16. The book dose start off a little slow in the story but dose get very good and the whole story line is very good as well. They should definitely make this a movie. 10 out of 10 book