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IT HAPPENED ONE SUMMER

From the bellinger sisters series , vol. 1.

by Tessa Bailey ‧ RELEASE DATE: July 13, 2021

Another winning romance from an author at the top of her game.

A Hollywood socialite is forced to spend the summer in a fishing village in Washington state.

Everyone thinks 28-year-old Piper Bellinger is a vapid, airheaded socialite—including herself. To distract her social media followers from seeing that her boyfriend of three weeks has humiliatingly dumped her at a party, Piper breaks into the Mondrian Hotel's rooftop pool and holds a wild party. Her shenanigans put one of her stepfather’s business deals in jeopardy, and to teach her a lesson, he ships her off to the small, coastal town in Washington where she was born. Piper’s father died in a fishing accident when she was 4, and her heartbroken mother left Washington and never returned. Piper is joined in exile by her sister, and the two quickly immerse themselves in the life of the small, close-knit town. Brendan Taggart is a widower and captain of a fishing boat, and he thinks Piper—with her beauty, bravado, and big-city ways—doesn’t belong. Their attraction is sudden and intense, and they quickly fall into a relationship, but he fears she’ll never be satisfied with life out of the limelight. However, Piper surprises herself by forming close relationships with the new friends and family she finds in town. Piper realizes she’s capable of more than anyone gave her credit for. Bailey delivers on her usual trifecta of sharp banter, instant chemistry, and high-heat sex scenes, but they are coupled with intense soul-searching for both Piper and Brendan. How can they be together when they seem so different? What does it mean to truly accept a partner for who they are? The third-act crisis feels completely organic to their personalities and beliefs even if the plotting seems a little rushed.

Pub Date: July 13, 2021

ISBN: 978-0-06-304565-1

Page Count: 416

Publisher: Avon/HarperCollins

Review Posted Online: April 13, 2021

Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 2021

ROMANCE | CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE | GENERAL ROMANCE

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New York Times Bestseller

IT STARTS WITH US

by Colleen Hoover ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 18, 2022

Through palpable tension balanced with glimmers of hope, Hoover beautifully captures the heartbreak and joy of starting over.

The sequel to It Ends With Us (2016) shows the aftermath of domestic violence through the eyes of a single mother.

Lily Bloom is still running a flower shop; her abusive ex-husband, Ryle Kincaid, is still a surgeon. But now they’re co-parenting a daughter, Emerson, who's almost a year old. Lily won’t send Emerson to her father’s house overnight until she’s old enough to talk—“So she can tell me if something happens”—but she doesn’t want to fight for full custody lest it become an expensive legal drama or, worse, a physical fight. When Lily runs into Atlas Corrigan, a childhood friend who also came from an abusive family, she hopes their friendship can blossom into love. (For new readers, their history unfolds in heartfelt diary entries that Lily addresses to Finding Nemo star Ellen DeGeneres as she considers how Atlas was a calming presence during her turbulent childhood.) Atlas, who is single and running a restaurant, feels the same way. But even though she’s divorced, Lily isn’t exactly free. Behind Ryle’s veneer of civility are his jealousy and resentment. Lily has to plan her dates carefully to avoid a confrontation. Meanwhile, Atlas’ mother returns with shocking news. In between, Lily and Atlas steal away for romantic moments that are even sweeter for their authenticity as Lily struggles with child care, breastfeeding, and running a business while trying to find time for herself.

Pub Date: Oct. 18, 2022

ISBN: 978-1-668-00122-6

Page Count: 352

Publisher: Atria

Review Posted Online: July 26, 2022

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2022

ROMANCE | CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE | GENERAL ROMANCE | GENERAL FICTION

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Colleen Hoover Dominated Book Sales in 2022

IndieBound Bestseller

IT ENDS WITH US

by Colleen Hoover ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 2, 2016

Packed with riveting drama and painful truths, this book powerfully illustrates the devastation of abuse—and the strength of...

Hoover’s ( November 9 , 2015, etc.) latest tackles the difficult subject of domestic violence with romantic tenderness and emotional heft.

At first glance, the couple is edgy but cute: Lily Bloom runs a flower shop for people who hate flowers; Ryle Kincaid is a surgeon who says he never wants to get married or have kids. They meet on a rooftop in Boston on the night Ryle loses a patient and Lily attends her abusive father’s funeral. The provocative opening takes a dark turn when Lily receives a warning about Ryle’s intentions from his sister, who becomes Lily’s employee and close friend. Lily swears she’ll never end up in another abusive home, but when Ryle starts to show all the same warning signs that her mother ignored, Lily learns just how hard it is to say goodbye. When Ryle is not in the throes of a jealous rage, his redeeming qualities return, and Lily can justify his behavior: “I think we needed what happened on the stairwell to happen so that I would know his past and we’d be able to work on it together,” she tells herself. Lily marries Ryle hoping the good will outweigh the bad, and the mother-daughter dynamics evolve beautifully as Lily reflects on her childhood with fresh eyes. Diary entries fancifully addressed to TV host Ellen DeGeneres serve as flashbacks to Lily’s teenage years, when she met her first love, Atlas Corrigan, a homeless boy she found squatting in a neighbor’s house. When Atlas turns up in Boston, now a successful chef, he begs Lily to leave Ryle. Despite the better option right in front of her, an unexpected complication forces Lily to cut ties with Atlas, confront Ryle, and try to end the cycle of abuse before it’s too late. The relationships are portrayed with compassion and honesty, and the author’s note at the end that explains Hoover’s personal connection to the subject matter is a must-read.

Pub Date: Aug. 2, 2016

ISBN: 978-1-5011-1036-8

Page Count: 320

Review Posted Online: May 30, 2016

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2016

GENERAL ROMANCE | ROMANCE | CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE

IT STARTS WITH US

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book review it happened one summer

Readers' Most Anticipated Fall Books

Bellinger Sisters #1

It happened one summer, tessa bailey.

397 pages, Paperback

First published July 13, 2021

About the author

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Profile Image for Nilufer Ozmekik.

She was courageous, sweet, clever, seductive, adventurous, kind, guileless one moment, mischievous the next.

description

He'd ridiculed her at the outset. Now he wanted to fight off anything that made her sad..."
She writhed underneath him, trying to find the bottom of the pleasure well, but until his mouth landed on hers, anchoring her, she didn't realize... didn't realize the bottom of the well wasn't physical. She needed their emotional connection to calm herself down. Needed him, his hear, his Brendan-ness..."

Profile Image for Bibi.

Inject this book into my veins. Pure joy!

Profile Image for Karla Martínez.

“Y-you’re an ass man, I guess,” she stammered. He shook his head. “No, Piper. I’m a this -ass man.” “Oh,” she simpered.
“She didn’t even know which part of her was in command. Her head, her heart, her lady business. Or maybe they all three were, three bitches hitting the switches of her control panel.”
“She climaxed. Which was a pitiful word for travelling to a distant plane where fairies danced and gumdrops rained from the sky.”
“Show me what I do to that high-maintenance pussy.”

Profile Image for Kate.

“Her soul was made of musical notes.”
🐠 there's nothing wrong w this book i'm just... struggling 🐠 i liked piper 🐠 brendan was fine he's just not my type 🐠 it was a bit too hallmark-y for me i think? v cheesy and the relationship development felt a bit weird to me 🐠 the way i need hannah and fox's book tho 😅😭 i was way more interested in them than the main romance. the tropes might kill me... friends to lovers, 'not each others types', fuckboy turns soft simp for one girl i need it 🙇🏽‍♀️

Profile Image for Dr. Appu Sasidharan (Dasfill).

“Maybe she should try to put her phone down more often. Or at least take in the real moments when she could.”
“Everyone’s low expectations of her were beginning to wear kind of thin, though. One look at her and this prick had become as dismissive of her abilities as her stepfather and her ex-boyfriend. What was it about her that courted such harsh judgment?”
“When I was falling in love with you, I was falling in love with Westport at the same time. That is my home. Our home. And I don’t want to be anywhere else. I knew it as soon as I got here tonight. Nothing was right. Nothing was right without you.”
“My hugs are your recharging station?”
“If this woman tacked the word “please” onto any request, he would find a way to fulfill it.”

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book review it happened one summer

Review: It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey

book review it happened one summer

Piper Bellinger is a spoiled social media influencer who has been feeling like, “I can be in a room full of people that I know and still not feel like I belong.” After an out-of-control party lands Piper in jail, Piper’s stepfather sentences Piper to run her late father’s bar in a small beach town for three months. When Piper, along with her sister Hannah who insists on coming, arrive, they discover that the bar, which has been taken over by local fishermen and a rude sea captain named Brendan, is in a state of disrepair. Determined to prove the naysayers wrong (and maybe earn an early ticket home), Piper gets to work renovating and reopening the bar. But everywhere she turns, she runs into Brendan—the two are polar opposites but they have an undeniable infatuation with each other. The longer Piper stays in Westport, the more she reconnects to her past. Will Piper return to her glamorous life in L.A. or will the small fishing town (and the handsome local sea captain) capture her heart?

It Happened One Summer is a slow burn contemporary romance with quite a few spicy scenes! The vibe of this book reminded me a lot of one of my favourite shows, Schitt’s Creek ; the character illustrations on the cover of the book even look like Alexis and Mutt! I would also recommend this book to fans of Sweet Home Alabama and Virgin River . Readers of Talia Hibbert, Alexandria Bellefleur, and Sally Thorne are also sure to love It Happened One Summer . This book could be characterised as an “enemies to lovers” trope as Piper and Brendan are total opposites that start off on the wrong foot. But I think that best way to characterise It Happened One Summer is opposites attract with a spoiled and chic partier from L.A. meeting a rugged and stubborn fisherman from a small town. Some themes present in It Happened One Summer include beauty of simplicity, change versus tradition, death, facing reality, family, growing up, love and heartbreak, identity, empowerment, inner and outer strength, isolation and loneliness, materialism and wealth, fame, perseverance, and beauty.

I love how Piper spends most of the book “trying to figure out what to do when no one is watching and wondering if maybe that’s the stuff that actually matters.” This book really highlights the phoniness of social media and the importance of love and family. Moving to Westport, being financially cut off, and connecting with Brendan really make Piper question her extravagant lifestyle, as well as to think about what she truly wants (and deserves), and to learn to live in the real world. I really appreciated the main takeaway of the book: “what she’d thought before was living life to the fullest had actually been living life for other people to watch…Now though? She was participating in her own life. Not just posing and pretending”. It was also great reading about Piper and Brendan’s “opposites attract” romance story, especially when Brendan starts to “court” Piper by building her a pergola. The pair made each other grow outside of their comfort zones as Piper falls further in love with Brendan, she also falls further in love with Westport.  Lastly, the ending was very satisfying, and I loved the inclusion of the epilogue that takes place post happily ever after.

At the end of the novel, Tessa Bailey announces that a spin-off novel featuring Piper’s sister Hannah and Brendan’s friend Fox (tentatively entitled Hook, Line, and Sinker ) is coming out in early 2022! I have already added this book to my TBR and can’t wait to read about Hannah’s story and (hopefully) get some peeks into what happens with Brendan and Piper in the future.

To be honest, this book was fantastic and there wasn’t a whole lot that I would change. Some small cons were that the book was slow to start, and the first few chapters were easy to predict based off the Goodreads description.

Overall, It Happened One Summer was one of my favourite books of 2021 so far! It was a super fast read for me and I would definitely recommend it to friends.

It Happened One Summer is available from Amazon , Book Depository , and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of July 13th 2021.

Will you be picking up It Happened One Summer ? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

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Tessa Bailey is back with a  Schitt’s Creek -inspired rom-com about a Hollywood “It Girl” who’s cut off from her wealthy family and exiled to a small Pacific Northwest beach town… where she butts heads with a surly, sexy local who thinks she doesn’t belong. 

Piper Bellinger is fashionable, influential, and her reputation as a wild child means the paparazzi are constantly on her heels. When too much champagne and an out-of-control rooftop party lands Piper in the slammer, her stepfather decides enough is enough. So he cuts her off, and sends Piper and her sister to learn some responsibility running their late father’s dive bar… in Washington.

Piper hasn’t even been in Westport for five minutes when she meets big, bearded sea captain Brendan, who thinks she won’t last a week outside of Beverly Hills. So what if Piper can’t do math, and the idea of sleeping in a shabby apartment with bunk beds gives her hives. How bad could it really be? She’s determined to show her stepfather—and the hot, grumpy local—that she’s more than a pretty face.

Except it’s a  small  town and everywhere she turns, she bumps into Brendan. The fun-loving socialite and the gruff fisherman are polar opposites, but there’s an undeniable attraction simmering between them. Piper doesn’t want any distractions, especially feelings for a man who sails off into the sunset for weeks at a time. Yet as she reconnects with her past and begins to feel at home in Westport, Piper starts to wonder if the cold, glamorous life she knew is what she truly wants. LA is calling her name, but Brendan—and this town full of memories—may have already caught her heart.

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book review it happened one summer

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Book review: it happened one summer by tessa bailey.

Merrill Robinson

  • January 16, 2024
  • Book Review , Enemies To Lovers , Grumpy/Sunshine , HEA , Smalltown Romance , Spicy Romance

Book Review:

It happened one summer by tessa bailey, written by: merrill robinson.

I read “It Happened One Summer” by Tessa Bailey in September of 2023, and I haven’t stopped thinking about it. In fact, for the last six months, I have done nothing but rave about this book and recommend it to anyone who loves a beardy, sullen, and growly blue-collar boy. Because, woah. Can you say, mega hot boat captain?? 

After thinking about the Bellinger Sister Series for the last six months, I wanted to start 2024 with a happy book that I knew would leave me with a smile. So, I listened to it in audiobook format through the Libby App. And I am so happy that I did. 

I had a different experience each time I read the It Happened One Summer book. It allowed me to see Piper Bellinger and Brendan Taggart not only together as a couple but also how they individually grow through their character development. Unlike a typical rom-com, “It Happened One Summer” delves into Piper’s personal growth and self-discovery. 

Tessa Bailey navigates Piper’s insecurities and explores her journey towards finding true happiness beyond the glitz of LA’s social scene. More than anything, it is a story of love, transformation, and self-discovery. Tessa Bailey connects the romcom aspect of hilarious narrative and pushes a character to their limits. She creates complex characters that you can’t help but love and root for every step of the way. It’s magnetic, spicy, and funny, and I love exploring the captivating dynamics of Piper and Brendan’s enemies-to-lovers relationship. 

Let’s dive in…

Table of Contents

Tropes of it happened one summer:.

  • Grumpy/sunshine
  • Enemies-to-lovers
  • Small town romance
  • Opposites attract
  • Fish-out-of-water
  • Miscommunication

Is It Happened One Summer Spicy:

Yes, It Happened One Summer is a spicy romance novel. If you are a new reader of Tessa Bailey’s books, I really want to stress the importance of being prepared for the steam factor. Piper and Brendan are magnetic, and their passionate and steamy romance will leave you swooning. But, if you’re not ready for a spicy romance book (or you are younger than 18), I recommend holding off on this one until you are of age or are ready to dive into the world of Tessa Bailey’s explicit romance scenes.

Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

It happened one summer spicy chapters:.

  • Chapter 18; pages 214-225
  • Chapter 21; pages 265-271
  • Chapter 24; pages 300-303
  • Chapter 26; pages 316-321

It Happened One Summer Summary:

The paparazzi are always after Piper Bellinger because she is a well-known, stylish, and wild child. Piper’s stepfather decides enough is enough when an unruly rooftop party and too much champagne land Piper in jail. He then cuts her off and sends Piper and her sister to Washington to take up some responsibility at the dingy bar their late father owned.

Piper has hardly been in Westport for five minutes when she meets Brendan, a large, bearded sea captain who believes Piper won’t last more than a week away from Beverly Hills. Well, so what if Piper is bad at math and gets shivers at the thought of staying in a run-down apartment with bunk beds? How serious could it be? She’s resolved to prove to her stepfather—as well as the attractive but grumpy boat captain—that she’s more than just an attractive appearance.

But because it’s a small town, Brendan keeps running into her. Despite their obvious differences—the rigid fisherman and the carefree socialite are irresistibly drawn to each other. Distractions are the last thing Piper needs, especially romantic feelings for a man who spends weeks at a time sailing off into the sunset. But as Piper makes new connections with her past and settles into Westport, she starts to question whether the glitzy, frigid world she formerly knew is really what she wants. Though Brendan and this town full of memories may have already won her heart, LA is calling her name.

Merrill's Takeaway of It Happened One Summer:

The book introduces Piper, a wealthy LA socialite whose life turns unexpectedly when a publicity stunt goes awry. After landing herself a night in jail for throwing the party of the season, she is stripped of her glamorous lifestyle. Piper is exiled to the small Pacific Northwestern town of Westport. Tessa Bailey went overboard (lol) on the fish-out-of-water plotline, drawing parallels to the charm of Schitt’s Creek, which inspired the book.

Brendan Taggart, the sexy, grumpy fisherman, steals the spotlight as the ultimate romantic hero. I absolutely adore Brendan’s character. He is the ultimate book boyfriend: He’s sweet and the epitome of “If he wanted to, then he would” due to the effort he puts into making Piper fall deeply in love with him. He even goes out of his way to ensure Piper’s sister, Hannah, is cared for – mostly so he can selfishly have Piper all to himself, but it’s the thought he puts into caring for Hannah that makes it sweet and heartwarming. I couldn’t have asked for more from a grumpy x sunshine summer romance. Look no further if you’re looking for a great beach read that will leave your heart feeling warm and fuzzy.

@merrillsbooks 🦀PIPER AND BRANDAN🛍️ It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5 #books #booksbooksbooks #ithappenedonesummer #tessabailey #bookrecommendations #booktok #bookworm #bookish #bluecollarboys ♬ Aesthetic Vibes - Megacreate

There is an undeniable chemistry between Piper and Brendan, a grumpy yet charming fisherman. Their chemistry is so off the charts that the spicy elements make this book an unforgettable read. Piper’s vibrant and bright personality breaks through Brendan’s curmudgeonly exterior. They are the epitome of the grumpy/sunshine trope, and it adds a layer of sweetness and complexity to their love story that leaves you wanting more.

The supporting characters, including Piper’s sister, Hannah, and Brendan’s best friend, Fox, are the characters of Hook, Line, and Sinker in this duology, The Bellinger Sisters. It’s Hannah and Fox, as well as the other residents of Westport, who contribute to the heartwarming atmosphere of the story. Piper and Hannah uncover more of their father’s legacy in Westport each day that they are there as they spruce up their late father’s bar, locally named No Name. Their development and everyone’s eagerness to help these two blonde sisters make this story emotional, and you can’t help but love everyone in the small town of Westport. 

For me, “It Happened One Summer” is a novel of a perfect blend of enemies-to-lovers dynamics, grumpy/sunshine romance, and a journey of self-discovery. Tessa Bailey’s hilarious and dynamic storytelling prowess shines through. She always leaves me eager for more. Whether you’re a fan of spicy romance novels or seeking a novel of transformation and love, this book promises an unforgettable happily ever after.

Be sure to check out my review for the second book in The Bellinger Sisters series by Tessa Bailey, Hook, Line and Sinker .

Is There Going To be an It Happened One Summer Movie:

The long and short of it, yes, there is going to be an It Happened One Summer movie. At this time, we don’t know any news about production and when it will be coming to the screen. In June 2022, Deadline announced that BCDF Pictures and Frolic Media would adapt It Happened One Summer into a movie but to the public’s knowledge, they have yet to start production of the movie. However, Tessa Bailey did an interview with Authentic Books where she gave her dream cast for the film adaptation.

Favorite Quotes:

“You can wrap me as tight as you want around that little finger, but I won’t play games about what this is. Get me, Piper?”

“The captain is a little sensitive about Piper,” Fox explained, still wearing that shit-eating grin. “He doesn’t know what to do with his confusing man feelings.”

“Trying to figure out what to do when no one is watching. And wondering if maybe that’s the stuff that actually matters.”

“Oh, this wasn’t good. She didn’t even know which part of her was in command. Her head, her heart, her lady business. Or maybe they all were, three bitches hitting the switches of her control panel.”

“Piper, spoiling you makes my dick hard”

“He wouldn’t stay so firmly rooted in his practices and routines that a good thing would come along and slip away.”

“That sparkle was positivity and life and promise of better things, and she always, always had it, glowing within the blue of her irises, lighting up the room.”

“And when her face transformed with pure joy and she waved enthusiastically, Brendan knew he loved her.”

“Piper, the man looks at you like…he’s full of cracks and you’re the glue.”

“He’d ridiculed her at the outset. Now he wanted to fight off anything that made her sad.”

“You can be as high maintenance as you want, honey. But I’m the only one who does the maintenance.”

“When the reward is as perfect as you, as perfect as this, the work is a fucking honor.”

“I’ll love you until my heart gives out. I’ll be your man for a thousand years. Longer if I’m allowed.”

About Tessa Bailey:

New York Times Bestselling author Tessa Bailey can solve all problems except for her own, so she focuses those efforts on stubborn, fictional blue collar men and loyal, lovable heroines. She lives on Long Island avoiding the sun and social interactions, then wonders why no one has called. Dubbed the “Michelangelo of dirty talk,” by Entertainment Weekly, Tessa writes with spice, spirit, swoon and a guaranteed happily ever after. 

Catch her on TikTok at @authortessabailey or check out her website for a complete list of books and newest releases.

book review it happened one summer

Merrill Robinson

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Review: It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey

Review: It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey

Tessa Bailey is back with a  Schitt’s Creek -inspired rom-com about a Hollywood “It Girl” who is cut off from her wealthy family and exiled to a small Pacific Northwest beach town… where she butts heads with a surly, sexy local who thinks she doesn’t belong. 

Piper Bellinger is fashionable, influential, and her reputation as a wild child means the paparazzi are constantly on her heels. When too much champagne and an out-of-control rooftop party lands Piper in the slammer, her stepfather decides enough is enough. So he cuts her off, and sends Piper and her sister to learn some responsibility running their late father’s dive bar… in Washington.

Piper hasn’t even been in Westport for five minutes when she meets big, bearded sea captain Brendan, who thinks she won’t last a week outside of Beverly Hills. So what if Piper can’t do math, and the idea of sleeping in a shabby apartment with bunk beds gives her hives. How bad could it really be? She’s determined to show her stepfather—and the hot, grumpy local—that she’s more than a pretty face.

Except it’s a  small  town and everywhere she turns, she bumps into Brendan. The fun-loving socialite and the gruff fisherman are polar opposites, but there’s an undeniable attraction simmering between them. Piper doesn’t want any distractions, especially feelings for a man who sails off into the sunset for weeks at a time. Yet as she reconnects with her past and begins to feel at home in Westport, Piper starts to wonder if the cold, glamorous life she knew is what she truly wants. LA is calling her name, but Brendan—and this town full of memories—may have already caught her heart. 

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One glance at the synopsis for this book and I just knew I had to get my hands on it. I mean, Schitt’s Creek inspired?! Sign me up!!

It Happened One Summer follows the story of Piper and Brendan. Fresh off of a humiliating break-up, Piper decides to do something wild and crazy to try and save face. Little did Piper know her so called best friend would rat her out and her whole world would get turned upside down. Piper’s step-father has had enough and decides to teach her a hard lesson, and that lesson lands Piper in Westport, Washington. It’s a totally different pace of life there and Piper has to learn to adjust and fend for herself. The last thing she needs is the broody Brendan who thinks he’s got her number. He’s her complete opposite and challenges her in every way. As Piper starts to reconnect and lay down roots in the last place she ever thought, Piper starts to question everything she ever knew. Will Piper stay put and enjoy the simpler life or will she revert back to her old Hollywood ways? There’s only one way to find out….

It Happened One Summer is a fantastic read from beginning to end. I was sucked into this story from the very first page and never wanted to put it down. I adored Piper and her sister Hannah. I loved how they had each other’s back and how Hannah stuck by Piper’s side and endured being cut off. Hannah helped Piper grow and learn that there is more to life than just the glamour they were used to. I love, love, loved the slow burn between Brendan and Piper. They started off as an enemies, but the more they got to know each other, the more impossible their chemistry was to ignore. And let me tell you, this couple is one you want to root for. You want them to learn and grow together, to find a way to move away from their pasts, and take a risk on each other. And yes, they 100% burn up the pages together.

It Happened One Summer is everything I was looking for in a sexy, rom-com. I loved the Schitt’s Creek and small-town vibes. The characters are fantastic, relatable, and will leave you wanting more. This story is filled with friendship, fresh starts, and taking chances. I laughed, I swooned, and even teared up a little. It checked off all of my boxes and I for one hope that this won’t be the last we see of these characters.

I had the best time getting swept up in this story and highly recommend checking this book out!

*I was provided an ARC copy of this book via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review*

book review it happened one summer

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Millennial Beauty Sisters

Stressed, Blessed, & Usually A Mess

It Happened One Summer By Tessa Bailey | Book Review

When it comes to summer reading I am all about the romances. I'll read fantasy, smut, giddy good vibes, give me all the romances! It Happened One Summer which comes out on July 13, 2021 is a must read summer romance!

I received an ARC of It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey to facilitate this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own!

When it comes to summer reading I am all about the romances. I’ll read fantasy, smut, giddy good vibes, give me all the romances! It Happened One Summer which comes out on July 13, 2021 is a must read summer romance!

I thoroughly enjoyed It Happened One Summer and this happy ending for Brendan and Piper. In a world where we are all just a little bit controlled by social media it’s easy to wonder if the life we live is as vapid as it all feels from time to time. Piper’s journey of self discovery an Brendan’s efforts to get out of his own way long enough to find love are freaking adorable.

I’ve had this ARC sitting for a bit on my Kindle and I’m so glad I finally got around to reading it. I devoured it in a day and now I’m thoroughly devastated because I could keep reading about these two for weeks.

This post contains affiliate links to products or services I think are great! If you click through and make a purchase I make a small commission at no cost to you, thank you!

Pin showing cover image of it happened one summer by Tessa Bailey with title across the top.

Let’s dive into this adorable read. You’ll be devastated when it is over but in the best way. Do yourself a favor and don’t let the pages fly by in a single day!

What is this book about?

It Happened One Summer is about a commercial fisherman and a LA socialite who collide and form an unlikely bond.

Piper and her sister Harper are banished to their hometown, a small fishing town in Washington state. They haven’t been in Westport since they were very small children when their father was killing in a fishing accident.

They’re sent away when Piper gets arrested during a mindless stunt fueled by booze too much money and a need to be seen that burns deep. Brendan doesn’t know what to think when Piper rolls into town and takes over his favorite local drinking spot.

Chaos and sparks follow (of course) and the two battle their spend a few months battling their own demons so they can get down to the business of falling madly in love with one another. It’s high maintenance LA chic meets down to earth crab fishing. There’s much to love.

What did you love about It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey?

I really loved Westport and the characters. Tessa Bailey is a character driven writer which suits me so so well. I need to love the people I’m reading about. I get far too attached to them to have them be ridiculous or not relatable on some level.

Westport is just one of those places I wish was my home. Take a trip to Maine and you never fully get your heart back. It’s the closest thing I can equate to the feeling of being in this town with these characters.

As for Piper and Brendan, they couldn’t be more difficult or different from one another but it just works. Brendan is a no nonsense, right to the point, capable kind of MAN that is worthy of all the swooning. I loved him, he reminds me of the one and only real life commercial fisherman I’ve ever known. Insert nostalgia and a tiny bit of longing for days gone by!

Piper and Harper together is also one of those sibling relationships you can only really understand if you come from a broken home. I never viewed my home as “broken” per say but my sisters were always a constant, good or bad, dependable in that weird way of siblings…I loved these two and their differences.

Fox gets a little bit of a bad start in It Happened One Summer and I am excited to see where his story goes (more on that below) but his bromance with Brendan balances out the story in a comical way which is alway a win in my book!

Long story not short at all – there was a lot to love about this one. Setting, story, and characters were all a big hit for me.

What did you not love about this book?

That is had the sheer audacity to end. How dare you. In all seriousness I kept waiting to be annoyed with Piper and it just didn’t come. In the first chapter I was worried.

I’m not typically a fan of the vapid party girl social media world rich girl on a bender bit. Thankfully that irritation I was expecting never came. There’s more to Piper and we get to see that pretty quickly. I very much loved the book and these characters, no complaints here!

Will you read more in this series?

Oh my god YES. There’s a bonus sneak peak in the back of the ARC for the next book which comes out in 2022. It’s Harper and Fox’s story and I for one can’t freaking wait to be back in this world.

It’s killing me to not still be devouring pages in Westport. TAKE ME BACK! So yes, I will be reading more in this series. Hopefully we’ll get a look at what’s up with Brendan and Piper…and hopefully some little sea captain babies! I swoon. That is all. Thank you for coming to my TED Talk.

When it comes to summer reading I am all about the romances. I'll read fantasy, smut, giddy good vibes, give me all the romances! It Happened One Summer which comes out on July 13, 2021 is a must read summer romance!

Overall opinions of It Happened One Summer book:

This was a 5/5 star read for me. No shocker there it had all the things I love in a summer romance: swoon worthy stud, kickass female MC not running from herself or her past, and a few badass side kicks. The gorgeous setting was gravy.

Processing grief is hard especially when you’ve been burying those feelings for a very long time. I think Bailey handles the relationship Piper and Harper have with the hometown of their dead father so well. The two discover long lost family members, themselves, and each other. It’s excellent. It was one of my favorite aspects of the book.

Another thing I loved was Brendan. All the characters are excellent, supporting, mains, all of them. But the male MC in It Happened One Summer could not be more accurately depicted in my opinion. I won’t claim to be an expert but he’s pretty much a carbon copy of the only commercial fisherman I’ve ever known. There’s this calm intensity to people who spend that much time at the mercy of the ocean and I just loved him as a character and as a reminder of a little slice of my past I don’t get to dwell on too often.

There’s plenty of steamy romance, fierce battles, and fun. It Happened One Summer is part coming of age story, part coming home adventure. If you haven’t already added it to your summer reading list do it now! It comes out next week and you won’t be sorry to have read this one.

Where can I buy It Happened One Summer for myself?

You can preorder you physical copy here or with the link below:

You can preorder your Kindle copy here or with the link below:

What else has Tessa Bailey written?

“Tessa Bailey is the New York Times Bestselling Author of the Line of Duty Series. She lives in Long Island, New York with her husband and exuberant daughter. When she isn’t writing, eating cheese, listening to true crime podcasts or reading romance, Tessa enjoys a good argument and thirty-minute recipes.”

Tessa Bailey writes the kind of romance novels that I just want to keep devouring. You’ll fall as in love with the characters as the colorful and unique spaces they inhabit.

You can learn more at Tessa’s Amazon page and you can see her full works available for Kindle and ordering here!

When it comes to summer reading I am all about the romances. I'll read fantasy, smut, giddy good vibes, give me all the romances! It Happened One Summer which comes out on July 13, 2021 is a must read summer romance!

Looking for more reviews to check out?

Check out these other book reviews and bookish posts. I think you’ll love them! Make sure to let me know in the comments what kinds of books you like to read and what you’d like to see more of.

I’d love to hear about your favorite books, I’m always adding to my TBR (to be read) pile so leave those suggestions below!

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About Author

Meagen is a newlywed book loving, animal hoarding, beauty junkie that enjoys hanging out with friends and family! I love my library, my pets, my beauty stash, my family & friends, and not necessarily in that order. Remember: I'm almost certainly winging it no matter how good it looks!

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AfterTheLastPage

It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey–ATLP Book Review

It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey

  • Published in 2021
  • Grumpy/Sunshine Trope
“Everyone who spoke to Piper got her undivided attention and walked away like she’d just imparted the secrets of the universe. She forged connections to people, damn near instantaneously, and they loved her.” Tessa Bailey, It happened one summer (240)

Inspired by the television show, Schitt’s Creek, Tessa Bailey’s It Happened One Summer is the story of Piper Bellinger, party girl from LA. Piper’s the next Paris Hilton, gracing the covers of all the popular tabloids–and Instagram, of course. That is, until her 3-week-old relationship ends, and she spirals by throwing the biggest party of the year without permission from the venue. When the party lands Piper in jail, her stepfather decides enough is enough–he’s sending her to Westport, Washington, where Piper and her sister, Hannah, will learn some responsibility by staying in their deceased father’s dive bar (or what’s left of it, anyway).

When Piper and Hannah arrive at the bar, their astonished to find it’s a lot more run down than they expected, and there’s a grumpy (read–handsome) sea captain who’s convinced the girls won’t last the night. Yet, when Piper begins to fall in with locals and learns the ropes of living in a small town, it’s sea-captain, Brendan, who learns that Piper’s more than just a pretty face. Piper doesn’t want any distractions, after all, the goal is to get home to LA. Yet, the small town of Westport and her gruff fisherman grow on her a bit more than she expected. LA is still calling her name, but Piper has to decide if Westport (and Brendan) have caught her heart enough for her stay.

I love a gooey romance and Tessa Bailey’s It Happened One Summer was at the top of my TBR list for this summer for just that reason. While I’ve never tackled Tessa Bailey’s books before, I’ve heard great things and It Happened One Summer has been all over BookTok and Bookstagram recommendations. I figured it’s about time I dove in to this romantic comedy about a dive bar.

Let me start off by saying this book is SPICY. There are definitely some graphic sex scenes in this book that rival Fifty Shades of Grey, but honestly, that doesn’t bother me. Unpopular Opinion? I actually loved Fifty Shades of Grey, though it’s been years since I’ve read it. It’ll always be my guilty pleasure book. Anyhow, It Happened One Summer has several-pages long sex scenes, so if that’s not something you enjoy, that’s definitely something to note here.

As far as plot line goes for this one, I think the plot line here is cute! There’s definitely not as much depth to this book as some other romances that I’ve read, but that doesn’t mean that I didn’t enjoy it. Though, I could do without some of the cringy cheezy lines Piper uses sometimes, I feel like it’s actually part of her character, so I didn’t necessarily mind it, overall. That being said, I loved how Bailey crafts Piper’s character into the town. It’s clear she doesn’t fit in, and most of the plot follows Piper as she tries to find her way in an entirely new environment. Most notably, I loved how much of a kind heart Piper truly has when she is put to the test–she will do anything for her sister, and she genuinely tries to help the other townspeople.

One of the aspects I loved of this book was Piper’s relationship with Abe. Abe is a local man, who is elderly, and runs the hardware store. In the beginning of the book, he comes to fix an issue with Piper and Hannah’s apartment, when Piper learns that Abe has trouble walking and he’s stopped reading his newpaper in his favorite spot because of it. Piper volunteers her time and she gets in the routine of walking Abe every day to his spot. Abe gives Piper tidbits of advice during their conversations, but I think Piper’s decision to help Abe is one of the strong-holds that helps her as she tries to find ways to fit into Westport. I appreciated that some of the characters reached out to her, even when characters like Brendan made it clear that she wasn’t welcome because she was different.

Speaking of Brendan–let’s get into that. Brendan is the “crabby” fisherman (pun-intended, there) who greets Piper and Hannah with a bit of a cold welcome. While he warms up fast, because he’s the love interest, this particular attitude toward Piper is important–I think it helps motivate her to stay and make something of herself. Piper is the type of girl that wants to prove people wrong, rather than fall into the status quo, which I find interesting given that she seems to be more of a follower among her LA friend-group.

As Piper and Brendan spend more time together, their relationship quickly intensifies–almost TOO quickly. Piper is only in town 5 days before her and Brendan share their attraction for each other, and it’s not long after when Brendan basically invites her to move in. For me, this was a problem. It felt SO unrealistic, and there’s a lot of other elements to their romance that are unrealistic, as well. Brendan takes care of Piper in a way that most men don’t and he admits responsibility and devotion to her when he’s barely gotten the chance to know her. I would have liked to see the timeline here extended a bit, as I think it makes the story too fast paced. If my rating appears low, it would definitely be because of this.

OVERALL THOUGHTS

While I enjoyed It Happened One Summer, I’m not sure it’s what I was expecting. It reads a little fast for my taste, and with all of the positive reviews, I thought there would be a little more depth to the plot. That being said, I think it IS a cute romance and it’s definitely one of those mindless reads that most readers enjoy, especially on vacation.

Tessa Bailey’s It Happened One Summer is actually a series and the new book, Hook, Line, and Sinker, was just released in March of this year. This book is Hannah’s story and her friendship turned relationship with playboy Fox, Brendan’s friend. They meet in It Happened One Summer, though their relationship isn’t really explored much in this book. I did order the sequel and it’s sitting on my TBR list, so I’ll be reviewing that book soon, as well. Tessa Bailey is the author of quite a long list of books, so perhaps I’ll be trying some of her other novels, as well, to see if there’s another series I resonate with more.

If you’ve already read It Happened One Summer, I’d love to hear your thoughts—did you agree that the plotline lacked depth? What would you change or improve? Leave me a comment below and let me know!

If you’re looking for your next read and you’re not sure what book to tackle next, check out my most recent review, The Power by Naomi Alderman , or check out my other review on my Book Review page on the blog.

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It Happened One Summer

By tessa bailey.

book review it happened one summer

These are independent reviews of the products mentioned, but TIME receives a commission when purchases are made through affiliate links at no additional cost to the purchaser.

F or fans of Legally Blonde and The Simple Life : best-selling author Tessa Bailey’s 2021 rom-com, It Happened One Summer, looks at a spoiled Hollywood party girl’s journey toward self-discovery. After another unflattering story in the tabloids, Piper Bellinger is finally cut off from her stepfather’s fortune. In order to teach her some responsibility, he ships her off to the Pacific Northwest, where she’ll spend the next three months taking care of her late dad’s dive bar. When she arrives, Piper meets a handsome, recently widowed fisherman who doesn’t think she’s quite cut out for the job. Their flirty run-ins only make her more determined to prove to him—and to herself—that she’s more than just a pretty face.

Buy Now: It Happened One Summer on Bookshop | Amazon

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REVIEW: It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey

Posted June 17th, 2021 by Sara @HarlequinJunkie in Blog , Contemporary Romance , HJ Top Pick! , Review / 2 comments

book review it happened one summer

“That danger in a man can be exciting to a woman. Until it’s not anymore. Then it’s shattering.”

Determined to prove that she is more than just a pretty airhead Piper and Hannah get to work giving their dads old bar a face lift in the hopes they can prove to their stepfather that he should bring them home earlier. However somewhere between learning to fend for themselves and deep cleaning the old bar Piper beings to find her spot in the tight knit Westport community with the help of Brendan.

The sea is his whole life, it provides him the calm and order that his soul so desperately needs, which begs the question what is Brendan thinking wanting to get involved with the sparkly spontaneous party princess? However for the first time in seven years something has woken up inside of the broody seaman and it is all thanks to Piper. Determined to prove to her that this attraction between them is more than casual Brendan finds himself stepping way out of his comfort zone in order to win Pipers heart the question is will these two finally be able to get their acts together?

“One second he was holding the toolbox, the next it was on the ground and he was turning. Piper’s momentum brought her up against Brendan’s body, hard, and his boat captain forearm wrapped around her lower back, lifting her just enough that her toes brushed the concrete. And then he bowed her backward on that steel arm, stamping his mouth down onto hers in an epic kiss. It was like a movie poster, with the male lead curling his big, hunky body over the swooning, feminine lady and taking his fill.”

Take my heart and my money right now! This was hands down THE BEST novel that I have read in a long, long time! I have been a fan of Bailey’s work for a while now but this has got to be her best work to date! This book was the equivalent of putting on your favorite cosy sweater and cuddling up with a hot cup of tea on a cold rainy day but for my book loving soul!

“She writhed underneath him, trying to find the bottom of the pleasure well, but until his mouth landed on hers, anchoring her, she didn’t realize . . . didn’t realize the bottom of the well wasn’t physical. She needed their emotional connection to calm herself down. Needed him, his heart, his Brendan-ness.”

Oh the characters in this book were all so amazing, I just want more of all of them! I absolutely loved Piper, getting to see grow and believe in herself was just amazing. I loved that she didn’t back down once she had an idea and she proved that she is way more than a party girl. Watching her form bonds and connections with the locals and Opal was just the cutest. I also loved the relationship that she and Hannah had, I really hope we get to see Hannah and Fox’s friendship develop into more soon!

“Recharging station?” “That’s what I call it . . .Never mind.” “When I hug you?” Fuck. His heart was turning over and over like a car engine. “My hugs are your recharging station?”

Brendan stole my heart right from the moment we first meet him, oh how this salty sea captain opens up to a big old softie was the cutest! I loved getting to see him open up and break from his schedules and routines, and getting to see him share his love for the ocean with Piper. I can easily say Brendan is my new favorite book boyfriend, I loved that he was so protective of Piper and went out of his way to do small things to make life easier and safer for her. Also how cute was it that he downloaded Instagram just to checkout her pictures! I absolutely adored the relationship that Brendan had with his crew and especially Fox, he definitely needs his own book soon!

I can easily say that It Happened One Summer is my absolute favorite book of 2021, nothing can top this beautiful tale of two individuals rediscovering themselves and opening their heart to love. I highly recommend reading this novel asap, like push this baby right to the top of your TBR you won’t regret it!

book review it happened one summer

Piper Bellinger is fashionable, influential, and her reputation as a wild child means the paparazzi are constantly on her heels. When too much champagne and an out-of-control rooftop party lands Piper in the slammer, her stepfather decides enough is enough. So he cuts her off, and sends Piper and her sister to learn some responsibility running their late father’s dive bar… in Washington.

Piper hasn’t even been in Westport for five minutes when she meets big, bearded sea captain Brendan, who thinks she won’t last a week outside of Beverly Hills. So what if Piper can’t do math, and the idea of sleeping in a shabby apartment with bunk beds gives her hives. How bad could it really be? She’s determined to show her stepfather—and the hot, grumpy local—that she’s more than a pretty face.

Except it’s a small town and everywhere she turns, she bumps into Brendan. The fun-loving socialite and the gruff fisherman are polar opposites, but there’s an undeniable attraction simmering between them. Piper doesn’t want any distractions, especially feelings for a man who sails off into the sunset for weeks at a time. Yet as she reconnects with her past and begins to feel at home in Westport, Piper starts to wonder if the cold, glamorous life she knew is what she truly wants. LA is calling her name, but Brendan—and this town full of memories—may have already caught her heart.

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2 Responses to “REVIEW: It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey”

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I really want to read F & H’s book so freaking badly. This book definitely has steamy sexy times for sure. Thanks for this wonderful review, HJ!

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Great review, I loved this one too!

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Book Review: It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey

You’ve been spending time on Booktok and came across It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey and wondered whether you should read it or not?

You’ve come to the right place! In this ultimate review of It Happened One Summer, I tell you everything you need to know about this book by Tessa Bailey.

I’ve included the summary, some information about the book but also the things I loved and didn’t like.

You will also find a FAQs section with all the questions and answers about the book.

So, are you ready to learn more about It Happened One Summer? Let’s get started!

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no extra cost for you!

It Happened One Summer Cover and Quick Introduction

Author : Tessa Bailey

Published : 2021

Number of pages : 379

Category : Contemporary Spicy Romance

Themes and tropes: Small town, Travel, Opposite personalities, Enemies to lovers, Grumpy sunshine, Opposite Attract

Set in:  Westport, Washington, USA

Where to buy: Amazon

Rating : ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Boyfriend Rating: 💍💍💍

Likelihood of reading a sequel: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

It Happened One Summer Summary

It Happened One Summer is a spicy romance book about a girl from LA, Piper, and a fisherman from Washington state, Brendan.

Piper is what we could call a bit of spoiled girl. She is 28 and has never really done anything with her life apart from creating quite a bit of online presence on Instagram.

At the beginning of the book, her boyfriend dumps her and she ends up breaking into a hotel to throw a massive revenge party.

After being bailed out of jail by her sister, her step father decides to send her to Westport, the small fishing town where her late dad came from, for 3 months.

She goes with Hannah, her little sister with whom she is very close.

At the beginning, she is not exactly welcomed by some of the locals, particularly one, Brendan who is now the captain of the boat on which her dad died.

As things go on, Brendan realises that he actually likes Piper and they start dating. They have a bit of a rough start because obviously Piper doesn’t want to commit. She wants to go back to LA but they fall for eachother more than anyone would have even thought possible.

It Happened One Summer: Is it for you?

Before we dive into the actual review, it’s important to see if that’s a book that you would like. We all like different things and all the opinions in the world won’t matter if that is just not a right fit.

Yes it is for you for if you love:

  • Spicy rom com (this is a spicy one!)
  • Grumpy Sunshine trope
  • Page turners (it’s very well written and the story goes through very nicely)
  • Dirty talkers but also cute during the day time
  • Books that are about love but also about sisterhood

No it’s not for you if you don’t like:

  • Small town romances

I also wouldn’t recommend it if you are triggered by the following topics: loss of a parent, loss of a spouse.

It Happened One Summer Review: My Opinion

I absolutely loved ‘It happened one summer’ by Tessa Bailey. It’s one of my favourite spicy rom coms.

It was such a page turner. I read it in 2 days and could probably have finished it in one sitting.

It’s a great book on every level. The storyline is great, it’s well written, it flows very well and you get very attached to the characters.

Things I loved about It Happened One Summer

The thing I loved the most about It happened one summer was the character development of Piper.

At the beginning, she is in effect a rotten Instagram obsessed kid (though adult) but she turns out to be so much more than that.

The thing that I particularly loved is the fact that she doesn’t actually change. She is just a very lovable person and she is unapologetic for loving the things she loved. And that’s exactly how we should all be. We are all allowed to love the things we love and even if they seem superficial, we shouldn’t have to apologise for it. 

That’s exactly Piper! But on top of that, she is kind, an amazing sister and takes care of people. She is a great character and it you get very attached to her.

I also loved Brendan and how he went from a grumpy widower to be so loving to Piper. He has eyes only for her and it really transpired through the book.

The small town setting was also very nice especially since it was linked to Piper and Hannah discovering their roots.

The character of Hannah also adds a lot to the story. The two sisters are very close and it’s something that really stayed throughout the book.

Things I didn’t like about It Happened One Summer

Honestly, I can’t really think of something I didn’t like about this book. If you’re looking for a good spicy rom com book, that’s the one for you!

It was pretty perfect.

The only thing I would have liked would have been an epilogue that gave insight on their future life but that’s not something to actually complain about because there is a sequel to this book. It’s called Hook, Line, and Sinker and it’s just as good if not better!

It Happened One Summer Review: The Characters Ranked

The characters in this book were all pretty great so they were hard to rank but here we go.

  • Piper. As previously said, she is such a kind person and she reveals herself more and more throughout the book.
  • Brendan. He is so in love with Piper, it’s great to see. Also, he is the grumpy in this grumpy sunshine trope and it’s very cute to see Piper and her sunshineness go through.
  • Hannah. Piper’s little sister is a bit in the background in this book but she is the funniest character. She is so protective of her sister and has no problem telling off a bloke twice her size. She is great.
  • Fox. Again, Fox is not a main character in this book but you can already see he is deep down a good guy even if his reputation says otherwise. He is very caring and yet nobody seems to notice.
  • Abe. I mean, who can’t love a cute old man helping out?

Best It Happened One Summer Quotes

Here are some of the best quotes from It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey.

  • “I’ll love you until my heart gives out. I’ll be your man for a thousand years, longer if I’m allowed” – Brendan
  • ‘You can be as high maintenance as you want, honey, but I’m the only one who does the maintenance’ – Brendan
  • “You’re getting off baby, or nobody is getting off” – Brendan
  • “Who wouldn’t die trying to earn her loyalty”
  • “Can you be mad at me while I kiss you, baby?”

FAQs about It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey

Now that you know everything about our review of the book, it’s time to answer some of the most frequently asked questions about It Happened One Summer.

What is the genre of It Happened One Summer?

It Happened One Summe is a contemporary spicy romance book.

Is It Happened One Summer part of a series?

Yes, It Happened One Summer is the first book of the Bellinger sisters series. The second book is called Hook, Line and Sinkers and is about Piper’s little sister, Hannah.

Is It Happened One Summer a spicy book?

Yes it is. There are several spicy chapters.

Can a 13 year old read It Happened One Summer?

No, absolutely not. This is definitely a spicy book so it’s not recommended for people under 18.

Does It Happened One Summer have a good ending?

Yes, it does. At the end, Piper decides to live in Westport with Brendan because she realised that that’s where she belongs and where she is happy.

The ending is also quite nice because it leaves a bit of hint about what will happen in the sequel.

Is there a part two to It Happened One Summer?

Yes, the book ‘Hook, Line and Sinkers’ is the second book in the Bellinger sisters series. And guess what, it’s just as good if not better than the first one!

How old is Piper Bellinger?

Piper Bellinger is 28-year-old and Hannah is 26.

Are Piper and Brendan in Hook, Line, and Sinker?

Yes they are but they have a very secondary role in this one (a bit like Hannah and Fox in the first book) so you won’t hear from them as much. However, it’s nice to see what their life has become and they are still involve with what is happening between Fox and Hannah.

Who is Piper Bellinger’s sister?

Piper’s sister is Hannah Bellinger. She is 2 years younger and loves music. She always has her earphones on and loves browsing for records. She works for a movie production company in Los Angeles.

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It Happened One Summer: A spicy rom-com featuring a wild child socialite, a small-town grumpy fisherman, and the undeniable attraction between them

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Tessa Bailey

It Happened One Summer: A spicy rom-com featuring a wild child socialite, a small-town grumpy fisherman, and the undeniable attraction between them Paperback – July 13 2021

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The first in a spicy and unforgettable rom-com duology from #1 New York Times bestseller and tik tok favorite Tessa Bailey, in which a Hollywood “It Girl” is cut off from her wealthy family and exiled to a small Pacific Northwest beach town... where she butts heads with a surly, sexy local who thinks she doesn’t belong. 

Piper Bellinger is fashionable, influential, and her reputation as a wild child means the paparazzi are constantly on her heels. When too much champagne and an out-of-control rooftop party lands Piper in the slammer, her stepfather decides enough is enough. So he cuts her off, and sends Piper and her sister to learn some responsibility running their late father’s dive bar... in Washington.

Piper hasn’t even been in Westport for five minutes when she meets big, bearded sea captain Brendan, who thinks she won’t last a week outside of Beverly Hills. So what if Piper can’t do math, and the idea of sleeping in a shabby apartment with bunk beds gives her hives. How bad could it really be? She’s determined to show her stepfather—and the hot, grumpy local—that she’s more than a pretty face.

Except it’s a small town and everywhere she turns, she bumps into Brendan. The fun-loving socialite and the gruff fisherman are polar opposites, but there’s an undeniable attraction simmering between them. Piper doesn’t want any distractions, especially feelings for a man who sails off into the sunset for weeks at a time. Yet as she reconnects with her past and begins to feel at home in Westport, Piper starts to wonder if the cold, glamorous life she knew is what she truly wants. LA is calling her name, but Brendan—and this town full of memories—may have already caught her heart. 

As seen on E!Online, PopSugar, CNN, EliteDaily, Vulture, Buzzfeed, Bustle, the Nerd Daily, PARADE, LA Magazine, Country Living, USA Today, and more!

  • Book 1 of 2 It Happened One Summer
  • Print length 416 pages
  • Language English
  • Publisher Avon
  • Publication date July 13 2021
  • Dimensions 13.49 x 2.39 x 20.32 cm
  • ISBN-10 0063045656
  • ISBN-13 978-0063045651
  • See all details

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Product description

“Fans of Schitt’s Creek will love the premise of Bailey’s latest work... [a] sexy, drama-filled love story. It Happened One Summer is another great beach read. Plus, laying out in the sun is a perfect excuse for the blush-inducing scenes scattered throughout.” — USA Today

“A romantic comedy delight. If you loved Schitt’s Creek , It Happened One Summer will be your absolute jam.” — Christina Lauren

"Tessa Bailey writes pure magic! It Happened One Summer has everything you could want in a rom-com—heartwarming romance, laugh-out-loud humor, and scorching hot chemistry between the lovable socialite and sexy ship captain. I absolutely loved it!" — Alexis Daria, bestselling author of You Had Me at Hola

“With her singular talent for writing romantic chemistry that is both sparkling sweet and explosively sexy, Tessa Bailey once again delivers— It Happened One Summer is everything I want in a modern romance, with two complicated, appealing leads, a setting that feels lived-in and also fresh, and storytelling you want to sink into even as you can’t stop turning pages. The total package from one of the genre’s very best.” — Kate Clayborn, author of Love at First

" Schitt's Creek fans, this is the romance read for you." — PopSugar (Best Books of July)

"Her voice feels as fresh and contemporary as a Netflix rom-com...  Bailey writes banter and rom-com scenarios with aplomb, but for those who like their romance on the spicier side, she’s also the Michelangelo of dirty talk. She wields filth like Da Vinci does a paintbrush, and there’s a lot to be said for an author who can fill such exchanges with all the requisite heat, enthusiastic consent, and yes, even humor, of such a scenario without veering into corny territory."   — Entertainment Weekly

"Bailey strikes rom-com gold in this outstanding tale... [She] is bound to earn new followers with love scenes hot enough to boil water and a hilariously naïve  Schitt’s Creek -inspired protagonist who is clearly out of her depth." — Booklist (starred review)

"Bailey delivers on her usual trifecta of sharp banter, instant chemistry, and high-heat sex scenes, but they are coupled with intense soul-searching for both Piper and Brendan... Another winning romance from an author at the top of her game." — Kirkus Reviews   (starred review)

“When you read a book by Bailey, there are two things you can always count on: sexy, rapid-fire dialogue and scorching love scenes...” — BookPage.com

"This fish-out-of-water story features quirky characters in a charming working-class small town and a steamy, feel-good romance between opposites. Schitt’s Creek fans who just wanted to see Alexis get her happy ending will flock to this title." — Library Journal

"Steamy, sexy and fun, you’ll want to soar through these pages." — New York Post

About the Author

#1  New York Times  bestselling author  Tessa Bailey  can solve all problems except for her own, so she focuses those efforts on stubborn, fictional blue-collar men and loyal, lovable heroines. She lives on Long Island avoiding the sun and social interactions, then wonders why no one has called. Dubbed the “Michelangelo of dirty talk,” by  Entertainment Weekly , Tessa writes with spice, spirit, swoon and a guaranteed happily ever after. 

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Avon (July 13 2021)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 416 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0063045656
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0063045651
  • Item weight ‏ : ‎ 295 g
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 13.49 x 2.39 x 20.32 cm
  • #11 in Holiday Fiction
  • #14 in Feel-Good Fiction
  • #14 in Holiday Romance

About the author

Tessa bailey.

New York Times Bestselling author Tessa Bailey can solve all problems except for her own, so she focuses those efforts on stubborn, fictional blue collar men and loyal, lovable heroines. She lives on Long Island avoiding the sun and social interactions, then wonders why no one has called. Dubbed the “Michelangelo of dirty talk,” by Entertainment Weekly, Tessa writes with spice, spirit, swoon and a guaranteed happily ever after. Catch her on TikTok at @authortessabailey or check out tessabailey.com for a complete list of books.

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book review it happened one summer

Young Creative Press

Books & entertainment, book review: it happened one summer by tessa bailey.

book review it happened one summer

Piper Bellinger is fashionable, influential, and her reputation as a wild child means the paparazzi are constantly on her heels. When too much champagne and an out-of-control rooftop party lands Piper in the slammer, her stepfather decides enough is enough. So he cuts her off, and sends Piper and her sister to learn some responsibility running their late father’s dive bar… in Washington.

Piper hasn’t even been in Westport for five minutes when she meets big, bearded sea captain Brendan, who thinks she won’t last a week outside of Beverly Hills. So what if Piper can’t do math, and the idea of sleeping in a shabby apartment with bunk beds gives her hives. How bad could it really be? She’s determined to show her stepfather—and the hot, grumpy local—that she’s more than a pretty face.

Except it’s a small town and everywhere she turns, she bumps into Brendan. The fun-loving socialite and the gruff fisherman are polar opposites, but there’s an undeniable attraction simmering between them. Piper doesn’t want any distractions, especially feelings for a man who sails off into the sunset for weeks at a time. Yet as she reconnects with her past and begins to feel at home in Westport, Piper starts to wonder if the cold, glamorous life she knew is what she truly wants. LA is calling her name, but Brendan—and this town full of memories—may have already caught her heart. 

Review: 

I attempted to read It Happened One Summer a year ago and only got seven chapters in before a different book took priority. Well, I’ve finally gotten around to finishing it and no, I didn’t restart it. Which I know, sounds a little crazy because it’s literally been a year, but I could actually remember everything that happened, which I thought was a good sign. 

Well, I didn’t like this anywhere near as much as I thought I would. It has a pretty solid average rating on Goodreads so I had a lot of faith in how good it would be. But now I’m realising if a book has a good amount of smut in it, people will rate it highly either way. Don’t get me wrong, the actual story was pretty strong and the characters had a decent amount of development, but it does feel like the smut is the only reason why it’s rated so highly. 

Which brings me to my next point. The smut. I knew this book would have it as I flipped to a random page and it was intense to say the least, but I didn’t expect it to make me cringe quite so badly. I’m not a prude, smut doesn’t bother me, but there was something about this smut that made me cringe and actually laugh out loud at some points. I don’t know why, maybe it was how forward Brendan was and the way he would speak to Piper. I didn’t expect him to be like this considering it had been seven years since he’d even been near a woman. He was a very intense man and if my boyfriend spoke to me like that, I think I’d burst out laughing. Don’t even get me started on the bonus scene where Fox refers to “down there” being like a crustacean. I’m sorry what?

I really didn’t like Piper at first, but I will say her development was done pretty well. By the end of the book I really liked her – well other than the party situation, that was just silly and a huge backstep if you ask me. It does really feel like Westport became her home though.

The whole ‘how is Piper going to handle not having money and lavish things’ plot line was ruined by the fact that apparently Brendan is absolutely loaded. Are fishermen actually rich? I don’t know, but I feel like her giving up everything to live with him (sorry spoiler) would have meant a lot more if he didn’t have money. I’m nitpicking, it’s not that deep. 

Overall, It Happened One Summer was a good read, but it took me so long to get through that my experience was a bit ruined. I do think it’s far too long and a lot of the will-they-won’t-they got too repetitive. 

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It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey | Book Review

I received this book for free from Library, Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

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It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey | Book Review

USA TODAY BESTSELLER Tessa Bailey is back with a Schitt’s Creek-inspired rom-com about a Hollywood “It Girl” who’s cut off from her wealthy family and exiled to a small Pacific Northwest beach town... where she butts heads with a surly, sexy local who thinks she doesn’t belong.  As seen on E!Online, PopSugar, CNN, EliteDaily, Vulture, Buzzfeed, Bustle, the Nerd Daily, PARADE, LA Magazine, Country Living, USA Today, and more! Piper Bellinger is fashionable, influential, and her reputation as a wild child means the paparazzi are constantly on her heels. When too much champagne and an out-of-control rooftop party lands Piper in the slammer, her stepfather decides enough is enough. So he cuts her off, and sends Piper and her sister to learn some responsibility running their late father’s dive bar... in Washington. Piper hasn’t even been in Westport for five minutes when she meets big, bearded sea captain Brendan, who thinks she won’t last a week outside of Beverly Hills. So what if Piper can’t do math, and the idea of sleeping in a shabby apartment with bunk beds gives her hives. How bad could it really be? She’s determined to show her stepfather—and the hot, grumpy local—that she’s more than a pretty face. Except it’s a small town and everywhere she turns, she bumps into Brendan. The fun-loving socialite and the gruff fisherman are polar opposites, but there’s an undeniable attraction simmering between them. Piper doesn’t want any distractions, especially feelings for a man who sails off into the sunset for weeks at a time. Yet as she reconnects with her past and begins to feel at home in Westport, Piper starts to wonder if the cold, glamorous life she knew is what she truly wants. LA is calling her name, but Brendan—and this town full of memories—may have already caught her heart. 

Of the four books I’ve read by Tessa Bailey,  It Happened One Summer is hands down the best. I was prepared to write her books off as just not for me. Lots of people love them — but I previously found some of the spice to be a bit cringy . However, based upon the Schitt’s Creek comparison and the fact that it has taken BookTok by storm, I decided to give  It Happened One Summer  a chance. I’ll admit, I was skeptical going in. But WOW! I am so glad I gave this one a chance.

It Happened One Summer opens up with Piper Bellinger getting dumped. She is the IT girl of L.A. And so, in order to protect her reputation, Piper throws one heck of a party which involves breaking into a hotel pool. Unfortunately, the hotel is owned by one of the financial backers of her stepfather’s movies. In order to teach Piper a lesson in humility, her stepfather sends her to Westport to work the dive bar owned by her deceased father.

With her sister in tow, Piper takes Westport by storm and learns to stand on her own two feet. She catches both the eye and ire of Captain Brendan Taggert. At first, it is a bit antagonistic between them. However, with a little bit of sparkle, Piper wins Brendan over completely by being herself. Ultimately, she must make the decision between staying in Westport or going back to LA and resuming her party girl lifestyle.

I just fell for this book and for Piper. Brendan was absolutely wonderful as well. Turns out, I don’t mind the grumpy-sunshine trope. Also, who doesn’t love it when people learn to be more self sufficient. Additionally,  It Happened One Summer is about the building of confidence and accepting yourself flaws and all. I liked that Piper didn’t change her whole self – but still liked fashion and shopping and partying. Also, the spice is genuinely good and not cringe-y. If more of Bailey’s books go in this direction, sign me up. I am such a fan. Also, I am now planning on buying my own copy to keep forever on my shelves.

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It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey

It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey

The Reading Life

Helpful Book Guide: 5 It Happened One Summer Spicy Chapters and Review

Posted on Published: July 23, 2023  - Last updated: October 23, 2023

Categories Book Guide , Book Reviews , Spicy Chapters

If you are wondering what are the It Happened One Summer spicy chapters, this guide is for you! Is It Happened One Summer spicy? It doesn’t have a lot of It Happened One Summer spicy chapters, but the ones it does have are decent.

Table of Contents

It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey

It Happened One Summer spicy chapters

Piper Bellinger is fashionable, influential, and her reputation as a wild child means the paparazzi are constantly on her heels. When too much champagne and an out-of-control rooftop party lands Piper in the slammer, her stepfather decides enough is enough. So he cuts her off, and sends Piper and her sister to learn some responsibility running their late father’s dive bar… in Washington.

Piper hasn’t even been in Westport for five minutes when she meets big, bearded sea captain Brendan, who thinks she won’t last a week outside of Beverly Hills. So what if Piper can’t do math, and the idea of sleeping in a shabby apartment with bunk beds gives her hives. How bad could it really be? She’s determined to show her stepfather—and the hot, grumpy local—that she’s more than a pretty face.

Except it’s a small town and everywhere she turns, she bumps into Brendan. The fun-loving socialite and the gruff fisherman are polar opposites, but there’s an undeniable attraction simmering between them. Piper doesn’t want any distractions, especially feelings for a man who sails off into the sunset for weeks at a time.

Yet as she reconnects with her past and begins to feel at home in Westport, Piper starts to wonder if the cold, glamorous life she knew is what she truly wants. LA is calling her name, but Brendan—and this town full of memories—may have already caught her heart. 

It Happened One Summer Review

It Happened One Summer follows Piper Bellinger, a Hollywood socialite trying to escape the spotlight, and Brendan, a grumpy Alaskan sea captain, as they embark on an unexpected adventure in the small town of Westport.

Tessa Bailey’s writing is witty, funny, and filled with charm, making it a joy to read from start to finish. The banter between Piper and Brendan is entertaining, and their chemistry sizzles off the pages.

The characters in It Happened One Summer are well-developed and endearing. Piper’s journey of self-discovery and growth is empowering, and Brendan’s gruff exterior hides a heart of gold.

The romance in the book is sweet and passionate, and it’s impossible not to root for Piper and Brendan to find their happily ever after. The It Happened One Summer spicy chapters definitely help intensified the romance development.

What sets this book apart is the beautiful setting of Westport, Alaska, which becomes a character in itself. Tessa Bailey’s vivid descriptions bring the small town to life, making readers feel like they are right there with the characters.

In sum, It Happened One Summer is a feel-good romance with a perfect blend of humour, heart, and spice. If you’re looking for a light and enjoyable read that will leave you with a smile on your face, this is the book for you.

Even better, this book is also one of the best grumpy and sunshine trope romance books out there !

It Happened One Summer Spicy Chapters

book review it happened one summer

As many readers may know (especially romance book readers), oftentimes we like to seek out book tropes and read romance books that include the book tropes we usually like and the book tropes we want to read at the moment. It’s what drives a lot of book recommendations and is a common way we seek out books to read. If you are a reader who is interested in:

  • Tracking tropes that you have already read
  • Tracking tropes that you would want to read in the future
  • Collect original trope ideas that you came up with (and haven’t come across before)

Then this book trope reading journal is perfectly made for you!

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It Happened One Summer: A Novel

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Tessa Bailey

It Happened One Summer: A Novel Audio CD – Unabridged, July 13, 2021

Tessa Bailey is back with a Schitt’s Creek -inspired rom-com about a Hollywood “It Girl” who’s cut off from her wealthy family and exiled to a small Pacific Northwest beach town... where she butts heads with a surly, sexy local who thinks she doesn’t belong. 

Piper Bellinger is fashionable, influential, and her reputation as a wild child means the paparazzi are constantly on her heels. When too much champagne and an out-of-control rooftop party lands Piper in the slammer, her stepfather decides enough is enough. So he cuts her off, and sends Piper and her sister to learn some responsibility running their late father’s dive bar... in Washington.

Piper hasn’t even been in Westport for five minutes when she meets big, bearded sea captain Brendan, who thinks she won’t last a week outside of Beverly Hills. So what if Piper can’t do math, and the idea of sleeping in a shabby apartment with bunk beds gives her hives. How bad could it really be? She’s determined to show her stepfather—and the hot, grumpy local—that she’s more than a pretty face.

Except it’s a small town and everywhere she turns, she bumps into Brendan. The fun-loving socialite and the gruff fisherman are polar opposites, but there’s an undeniable attraction simmering between them. Piper doesn’t want any distractions, especially feelings for a man who sails off into the sunset for weeks at a time. Yet as she reconnects with her past and begins to feel at home in Westport, Piper starts to wonder if the cold, glamorous life she knew is what she truly wants. LA is calling her name, but Brendan—and this town full of memories—may have already caught her heart. 

  • Print length 1 pages
  • Language English
  • Publisher HarperCollins B and Blackstone Publishing
  • Publication date July 13, 2021
  • Dimensions 5.8 x 1.1 x 5.6 inches
  • ISBN-10 1665099569
  • ISBN-13 978-1665099561
  • See all details

Editorial Reviews

"Bailey strikes rom-com gold in this outstanding tale."

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ HarperCollins B and Blackstone Publishing; Unabridged edition (July 13, 2021)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Audio CD ‏ : ‎ 1 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1665099569
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1665099561
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 3.53 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.8 x 1.1 x 5.6 inches
  • #56,442 in Books on CD
  • #73,166 in Romantic Comedy (Books)
  • #77,447 in Contemporary Women Fiction

About the author

Tessa bailey.

New York Times Bestselling author Tessa Bailey can solve all problems except for her own, so she focuses those efforts on stubborn, fictional blue collar men and loyal, lovable heroines. She lives on Long Island avoiding the sun and social interactions, then wonders why no one has called. Dubbed the “Michelangelo of dirty talk,” by Entertainment Weekly, Tessa writes with spice, spirit, swoon and a guaranteed happily ever after. Catch her on TikTok at @authortessabailey or check out tessabailey.com for a complete list of books.

Customer reviews

  • 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 5 star 53% 30% 13% 3% 1% 53%
  • 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 4 star 53% 30% 13% 3% 1% 30%
  • 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 3 star 53% 30% 13% 3% 1% 13%
  • 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 2 star 53% 30% 13% 3% 1% 3%
  • 5 star 4 star 3 star 2 star 1 star 1 star 53% 30% 13% 3% 1% 1%

Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

Customers say

Customers find the tone cute, light, and flirty. They also describe the male protagonist as fantastic and emotional. Customers describe the visuals as realistic and relatable. They describe the romance as sizzling, lovable, and giving them insta-love. Customers praise the writing style as easy to read, smart, heartfelt, entertaining, and quick. They find the content unique, steamy, and sweet. Opinions are mixed on the ending, with some finding it predictable and determined, while others say it's cliche.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Customers find the tone cute, entertaining, and nice with a small fishing town atmosphere. They also say the narrative has an easy flow and is perfect. Readers also mention that the banter is comical.

"...The romance between Piper and Brendan is steamy and engaging , keeping you hooked from start to finish...." Read more

"...The banter is comical , the situations tense, and the character development was everything...." Read more

"This was a wonderful quick beach read . I loved seeing pipers character develop. The romance was adorable and the spice was great...." Read more

"...A nice read with small fishing town atmosphere and characters." Read more

Customers find the male protagonist masculine, gruff, and demanding. They also say he's wonderful and relatable.

"...Additionally, I really liked the character development in this book, each character is well-crafted and evolves naturally throughout the story...." Read more

"...The banter is comical, the situations tense, and the character development was everything ...." Read more

"...Prior.”All and all the book has good secondary characters , I’m a big fan of Abe personally...." Read more

"Swoon worthy leading man and high emotions but also fun small town characters make for a great read...." Read more

Customers find the visuals in the book cute, sweet, and beautiful. They also say the beach town makes it easy to visualize how everything looks. Customers also mention that the book has some of the best sex scenes they've read in a long time.

"...Her journey of self-discovery and growth was relatable and beautifully portrayed ...." Read more

" Cute , predictable, but entertaining. Too much hard core sex for my liking, prefer more romance. Might read the next book." Read more

"...This couple is very appealing and I did become invested in their relationship. I would like to know more about them building a family...." Read more

"...The details of this beach town made it very easy to visualize how everything looked from the bar to the little shops and everything in between...." Read more

Customers find the romance in the book sizzling, sweet, and rewarding. They also love the journey of the couple and the FMC's journey to finding and loving herself. Readers also mention the closeness of the sisters is beautiful.

"...Brendan was equally compelling, and their love story felt genuine and heartfelt...." Read more

"...I loved seeing pipers character develop. The romance was adorable and the spice was great...." Read more

"...But seriously, I had read this book before and it gave me a lot of insta-love . Reading it again though gave me a different perspective...." Read more

"Gosh this one was so good. Everything about it screamed real life romance , and kept me on my toes the entire time...." Read more

Customers find the writing style easy to read, with vibrant vocabulary. They also appreciate the narrators as great, sweet, respectful, and understanding. Customers also mention that the story is decent, smart, heartfelt, entertaining, and quick.

"...This book is a fun, easy , and spicy read, perfect for the summer." Read more

"...If you’re thinking about reading this book , just do it , it’s quick and such a good read ." Read more

"...I also listened to the audiobook version and the narrators were great ...." Read more

"...they were introduced, and I nearly stopped reading, but it was a very easy read so I kept going. I'm glad I did!..." Read more

Customers find the book has plenty of spice to keep them satisfied. They also say it's a perfect mix of charm, honesty, and sexual tension.

"...This book is a fun, easy, and spicy read , perfect for the summer." Read more

"...The romance was adorable and the spice was great . I laughed out loud a few times at pipers internal monologue." Read more

"...This book had a cute plot I could see being a movie. It also had a good amount of spice ...." Read more

"...The banter and build up leading to some great spice was chefs kiss ! By the end of this story you will have fallen in love with Piper and Brendan...." Read more

Customers find the content steamy, with adorable characters and electric chemistry.

"...The romance between Piper and Brendan is steamy and engaging, keeping you hooked from start to finish...." Read more

"...I really enjoyed it! It’s steamy !!! Cute story line and a great summer read. I just purchased the second book to read too." Read more

"So so good. Steamy and sweet and I loved both main character so much! Small town romance with big city roots. Obsessed!" Read more

"... This book gets steamy and includes a whirlwind of enemies to lovers; opposites attract romance that is emotional and exciting...." Read more

Customers are mixed about the ending. Some find it fantastic, while others say it's boring and incomplete.

"...I skimmed the last 10% because I was annoyed by the final conflict . The MMC and FMC have fantastic chemistry, I loved the MMC!..." Read more

"...in this book, each character is well-crafted and evolves naturally throughout the story ...." Read more

"...At one point after Piper and Brendan get together, the story does go a little flat , but it all comes together so well at the end...." Read more

"...Manipulative and immature, not smart. Predictable and selfish. Deep as a puddle. Top 10 most hated FMC...." Read more

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book review it happened one summer

IMAGES

  1. Book Review: It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey

    book review it happened one summer

  2. Book Review: It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey

    book review it happened one summer

  3. It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey

    book review it happened one summer

  4. REVIEW: It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey

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  5. It Happened One Summer ARC Review

    book review it happened one summer

  6. It Happened One Summer By Tessa Bailey // Book Review

    book review it happened one summer

VIDEO

  1. It Happened One Summer

  2. it happened one summer| bookstagram| booktuber| book lover| prettypaperback| pretty books| crying

  3. 📖 It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey 💕 #bookaesthetic #booktok #booktube #bookrec #reading

  4. The 23 Books I Read in 2023 (includes mild SPOILERS!)

  5. 4.3🌟|📖- It Happened one summer by tessa bailey| #booktok #bookgirl #bookstube #romancebooks #shorts

  6. IT HAPPENED ONE SUMMER by Tessa Bailey

COMMENTS

  1. IT HAPPENED ONE SUMMER

    Packed with riveting drama and painful truths, this book powerfully illustrates the devastation of abuse—and the strength of the survivors. 905. Pub Date: Aug. 2, 2016. ISBN: 978-1-5011-1036-8. Page Count: 320. Publisher: Atria. Review Posted Online: May 30, 2016. Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 2016. Categories:

  2. It Happened One Summer (Bellinger Sisters, #1)

    Tessa Bailey. New York Times Bestselling author Tessa Bailey can solve all problems except for her own, so she focuses those efforts on stubborn, fictional blue collar men and loyal, lovable heroines. She lives on Long Island avoiding the sun and social interactions, then wonders why no one has called. Dubbed the "Michelangelo of dirty talk ...

  3. Review: It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey

    To be honest, this book was fantastic and there wasn't a whole lot that I would change. Some small cons were that the book was slow to start, and the first few chapters were easy to predict based off the Goodreads description. Overall, It Happened One Summer was one of my favourite books of 2021 so far! It was a super fast read for me and I ...

  4. Book Review: It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey

    Yes, It Happened One Summer is a spicy romance novel. If you are a new reader of Tessa Bailey's books, I really want to stress the importance of being prepared for the steam factor. Piper and Brendan are magnetic, and their passionate and steamy romance will leave you swooning. But, if you're not ready for a spicy romance book (or you are ...

  5. It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey: My Review of this Grumpy

    It Happened One Summer was the perfect book to read this summer. Check out my book review to see what I thought of this new romance book release from Tessa Bailey and if it's the perfect summer read for you. *Disclosure: This post may include affiliate links.As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

  6. Review: It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey

    It Happened One Summer is a fantastic read from beginning to end. I was sucked into this story from the very first page and never wanted to put it down. I adored Piper and her sister Hannah. I loved how they had each other's back and how Hannah stuck by Piper's side and endured being cut off. Hannah helped Piper grow and learn that there is ...

  7. It Happened One Summer By Tessa Bailey

    All thoughts and opinions are my own! When it comes to summer reading I am all about the romances. I'll read fantasy, smut, giddy good vibes, give me all the romances! It Happened One Summer which comes out on July 13, 2021 is a must read summer romance! I thoroughly enjoyed It Happened One Summer and this happy ending for Brendan and Piper.

  8. Review: It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey

    It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey was one of my most anticipated releases of the year and it didn't disappoint! I had a great time reading this totally escapist romance, even though it had some elements I'm usually not crazy about when it comes to contemporary romance. Synopsis: "Piper Bellinger is fashionable, influential, and her ...

  9. It Happened One Summer: A Novel (Bellinger Sisters, 1)

    It Happened One Summer is an amazing read. I loved this so much. I love all the changes Piper goes through as she finally finds her true self. This is a beautiful read with plenty of laughter and chemistry. Brendan is wonderful and you cannot help but swoon for this Captain. I love how he lifts Piper up. You are going to fall hard for Piper and ...

  10. It Happened One Summer: A Novel (Bellinger Sisters, 1)

    It Happened One Summer is another great beach read. Plus, laying out in the sun is a perfect excuse for the blush-inducing scenes scattered throughout." — USA Today "A romantic comedy delight. If you loved Schitt's Creek, It Happened One Summer will be your absolute jam." — Christina Lauren

  11. It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey-ATLP Book Review

    Tessa Bailey's It Happened One Summer is actually a series and the new book, Hook, Line, and Sinker, was just released in March of this year. This book is Hannah's story and her friendship turned relationship with playboy Fox, Brendan's friend. They meet in It Happened One Summer, though their relationship isn't really explored much in ...

  12. It Happened One Summer: Best Romance Books

    August 1, 2024 8:12 AM EDT. F or fans of Legally Blonde and The Simple Life: best-selling author Tessa Bailey's 2021 rom-com, It Happened One Summer, looks at a spoiled Hollywood party girl's ...

  13. REVIEW: It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey

    REVIEW: It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey. Posted June 17th, 2021 by Sara @HarlequinJunkie in Blog, Contemporary Romance, HJ Top Pick!, Review / 2 comments. It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey: The last thing notorious party girl Piper Bellinger expected was to get shipped of to some small middle of no where fishing village, but after her latest stunt pushes her stepfather to far Piper ...

  14. It Happened One Summer: A Novel

    Hardcover - July 13, 2021. by Tessa Bailey (Author) 4.4 43,375 ratings. Book 1 of 2: It Happened One Summer. Editors' pick Best Romance. See all formats and editions. The first in a spicy and unforgettable rom-com duology from #1 New York Times bestseller and tik tok favorite Tessa Bailey, in which a Hollywood "It Girl" is cut off from ...

  15. Book Review: It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey

    It Happened One Summer Summary. It Happened One Summer is a spicy romance book about a girl from LA, Piper, and a fisherman from Washington state, Brendan. Piper is what we could call a bit of spoiled girl. She is 28 and has never really done anything with her life apart from creating quite a bit of online presence on Instagram.

  16. It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey : All About Romance

    It Happened One Summer is a contemporary romance about socialite Piper Bellinger reeling after a fall from grace. Following some bad choices, Piper finds herself stuck for the summer in the small town where she was born, where she might find more than she bargained for. Our story begins when Piper is dumped by her latest boyfriend, a guy who ...

  17. It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey

    *moira's voice* this is exciting!Amazon book wish list: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/21CPHOQJYKJUN?ref_=wl_shareMy Goodreads: https://www.goodreads....

  18. It Happened One Summer: A Novel : Bailey, Tessa: Amazon.ca: Books

    It Happened One Summer: A Novel. Paperback - July 13 2021. by Tessa Bailey (Author) 4.3 47,053 ratings. Book 1 of 2: It Happened One Summer. See all formats and editions. The first in a spicy and unforgettable rom-com duology from #1 New York Times bestseller and tik tok favorite Tessa Bailey, in which a Hollywood "It Girl" is cut off ...

  19. Book Review: It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey

    Book Review: It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey Synopsis: Piper Bellinger is fashionable, influential, and her reputation as a wild child means the paparazzi are constantly on her heels. When too much champagne and an out-of-control rooftop party lands Piper in the slammer, her stepfather decides enough is enough. So he cuts her off, and ...

  20. It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey

    Of the four books I've read by Tessa Bailey, It Happened One Summer is hands down the best. I was prepared to write her books off as just not for me. Lots of people love them — but I previously found some of the spice to be a bit cringy. However, based upon the Schitt's Creek comparison and the fact that it has taken BookTok by storm, I ...

  21. It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey

    *Content Advice: It Happened One Summer is an adult romance novel containing mature themes and content* The first in a spicy and unforgettable rom-com duology from 1 New York Times bestseller and tik tok favorite Tessa Bailey, in which a Hollywood "It Girl" is cut off from her wealthy family and exiled to a small Pacific Northwest beach town... where she butts heads with a surly, sexy ...

  22. Helpful Book Guide: 5 It Happened One Summer Spicy Chapters and Review

    Indulge in the captivating world of "It Happened One Summer" with our review and a sneak peek at the 5 It Happened One Summer spicy chapters that will leave you breathless. Tessa Bailey weaves a tale of sizzling romance that will have you hooked from the very first page. Dive into this steamy story filled with passion, humor, and heart as Piper and Brendan embark on a journey of unexpected love.

  23. It Happened One Summer: A Novel (Bellinger Sisters Book 1)

    It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey is the first book I've read by this author, and I absolutely loved it! I am ready to quit my life and move to a coastal town to fall in love with a fisherman. I resonated with Piper, which made the book even more enjoyable. Her journey of self-discovery and growth was relatable and beautifully portrayed.

  24. It Happened One Summer: A Novel

    It Happened One Summer: A Novel [Tessa Bailey] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. It Happened One Summer: A Novel ... AI-generated from the text of customer reviews. Select to learn more. Tone Male protagonist Visual design Romance Writing style Spiciness Content Plot. 311 customers mention "Tone" 311 positive 0 negative.

  25. Gateway Church: Texas megachurch faces exodus of worshippers ...

    Summer was off to a tumultuous start when allegations of child sexual abuse surfaced on a blog dedicated to Christian survivor stories. This time, the man involved had gone on to lead one of ...