After reading the Hot and Hammered series with one of my book clubs this year and chatting with Tessa Bailey, I knew I had to add It Happened One Summer to my summer reading list. At the time, I had tried and failed a couple times to watch Schitt’s Creek. Knowing that the mc of IHOS is inspired by Alexis Rose, I decided to give it another shot, and this time, it stuck. I’m so glad I had those references when I was reading It Happened One Summer!

Piper Bellinger is an insta-famous socialite with a wild reputation as a party girl. When one of those parties puts her wealthy stepfather’s livelihood at risk, Piper is exiled to her mother’s sleepy hometown in the PNW. She drags her sister along for the three-month “stint” she’s sentenced to--running their late father’s rundown bar.

Piper immediately butts heads with a smokin’ hot townie. Brenden’s a surly sea captain and widower who makes it clear that Piper won’t last long in Westport. While most peg Piper for an airhead, she’s determined to prove she’s more than a pretty face.

While Piper’s journey seemed a little quick at times, it felt authentic to me. I love her relationship with Hannah (and can’t wait to read her story next year!). Their sisterly dynamic was so sweet. Piper was so vulnerable and open to growing into herself, and I loved that journey for her. ;)

Piper and Brendan’s chemistry was so steamy I had to wipe sweat out of my eyes during a few scenes. I understand that Tessa’s brand of steam isn’t for everyone, but it’s definitely for ME. I loved seeing their relationship building and growing. Brendan is QUITE the cinnamon roll, and I am absolutely here for that. I liked learning more about his profession and its dangers. Thanks so much to Avon for the digital review copy for It Happened One Summer. I’m excited to talk about the book with loveARCtually and chat with Tessa soon!

It took me a few chapters to warm up to this one. But I finally did. It was a mix of Piper’s behaviors and the author’s use of ‘tits’ so often that made me unsure.

Ultimately, I really enjoyed seeing Piper come into her own. And I liked seeing Brendan help. His faith in her, and the way he pointed out her positive qualities had me swooning.

I loved the scenes with Piper and her sister, Hannah. And the ones when she interacted with the town, especially Opal and Abe.

This one is on the steamier side. I didn’t mind but it should be pointed out.

I will definitely be keeping my eyes out for Hannah and Fox’s book.

This book y’all. It caught me by surprise in the best way possible. You know that feeling you get when you read and great book and get all excited and MUST TELL EVERYONE? I had that feeling reading It Happened One Summer. I just want everyone I know to add it to their TBR right away and read it on release date so we can all gush together.

Meet Piper Bellinger- a sparkly, bright, 28-year-old party “it” girl who grew up with a rich step-father in Los Angeles and seems to spend her days shopping and Instagramming. After a bad breakup and fearing the social media fall-out of being dumped, she ends up in a hotel pool (illegally) with a couple hundred of her acquaintances; drinking, partying, and shooting off fireworks. Which is how she lands in jail and in trouble. The solution her step-dad and mom think up? For her to spend several months in the town where she was born and her father died, a place she doesn’t know and a father who she barely remembers. A small fishing village, Westport, where she apparently also owns a bar. At least she won’t be alone, her sister Hannah sets aside everything to go with her.

When Brendan, better known as Captain to his friends, first sees Piper it’s while she’s unloading her fancy suitcases from the back of a cab and with a look of disgust on her face. His first impression isn’t a good one and he acts like an ass to the woman who he’s pegged as a spoiled, rich girl who he thinks won’t even make it one night in the scary upstairs apartment over the rundown bar she supposedly owns.

But he’s wrong. And thankfully it doesn’t take him long to admit that.

This couple… how much do I love them? Let me count the ways.

1) Piper is such a presence. I loved her so very much. She knows she’s had everything handed to her on a silver platter her whole life, but she really wants to figure out exactly who she is and who she could be. She’s so open and honest and I admired that.

2) Brendan is such a big, wonderful bear of a man. He’s rigid and has a schedule and not spontaneous at all, but he wants to change for Piper.

3) The things he does to “court” her are just… swoooooon. Helping her and Hannah gut and renovate the bar. Building her a pergola. Having someone from the hardware store go over just to pad the bottom of the top bunk so she won’t hit her head in the mornings. Planning an intimate dinner at his house for just them. AND HE GARDENS.

4)The chemistry between them is off the charts hot. It practically jumps off the page.

5) Piper calls being wrapped in Brendan’s arms her “recharging station” and I’m just over here sighing.

6) I LOVED their filthy, sexy love scenes. And yes, I am happy to report Tessa Bailey is still the queen of the dirty talking hero. Brendan is just… *bites lip*

7) Their opposites attract relationship was so realistic and lovely. She’s a bit wild and extroverted, making friends wherever she goes and he’s in control and a little rigid, used to his small-town life and people he’s known forever. But they bend for each other and it works.

8) Brendan, a widower, and Piper have frank conversations about his wife, her death, and their marriage. They also have some deep conversations about Piper’s fears and how she views herself. I am all here for the deep, meaningful conversations before the hot, mind-blowing sex. Yessiree.

9) The way Brendan and Piper shaped their HEA.

10) Piper and Hannah have the best relationship. Funny, supportive, loving, honest. They make a place for themselves in Westport and do it as a team.

I think this is my favorite Tessa Bailey book to date. And that is saying a lot. I’ve already gone and checked to see if Hannah gets her own love story and HEA and I’m happy to report she does. Hook, Line, and Sinker releases in March of next year and I CANNOT WAIT. (Don't forget to read the bonus scene with Hannah and Fox at the end, trust me.)

Add this book to your TBR. You won’t regret it.

Final grade- A

I have never read a Tessa Bailey book before , but I was not a fan of her writing. I did not get the Schitt's Creek comparison at all, and I hated the male lead.

The author said that the inspiration for Piper was Alexis Rose from the show ‘Schitt’s Creek’ …and considering how much I love Alexis, I knew I’d love Piper and her story too. This book was so addictive and fun to read - it’s funny, adorable, well-written, full of wit, and features the ultimate sunshine/grump couple. This is a small-town romance, which means that a lot of care went into developing the setting and the residents of the town/side characters. It’s a great book to lose yourself in and I’m looking forward to getting to return to this world via Hannah and Fox’s story, which the author assured us is in the works!

I wanted to like this book, I truly did but it just fell flat. The characters personalities changed too much throughout the story.

It Happened One Summer is a fun enemies to lovers read that’s great for the beach or the pool this summer. Fans of Tessa’s other books will recognize her writing style immediately. I wasn’t completely blown away—to be honest, I wish there was a much slower burn to get from the enemies stage to the lovers stage, and the sex scenes were steamy, but it was hard to connect them with the actual characters at times. On the whole, this is a cute homage to Alexis Rose from Schitt’s Creek and a quick and easy read. I didn’t get too invested in the characters, but I don’t always need to. I don’t know that I’ll reach for it again, but it was great for an afternoon.

My thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for an advance review copy.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I loved this book! I’ve read Tessa Bailey’s other books, and I think this one is one of the best. The setting, in Washington State, is well described and it’s like another character. The plot and characters are interesting and kept me reading until the end.

I highly recommend this book, 5 stars.

Another 5 star romance from one of my favorite steamy romance novelists! This fish out of water, enemies to lovers romance was easily one of my favorite reads of the month and one you will definitely want to get your hands on when it publishes in July! Piper and Brendan were one of my favorite couples & I just hope this is the start of a new series & we can see Hannah next (and of course, check in on Piper too!)

As someone who has previously read Tessa Bailey and enjoyed her work, I wasn’t surprised by how much I liked this one. Both Brendan and Piper were incredibly flawed characters, but extremely redeemable.

Brendan likes his routine. He likes the town he’s lived in his entire life. He likes his ship, his crew, and days out on the water. And then Piper shows up and throws a wrench in it all. He finds himself willing to disrupt every facet of his carefully constructed life in order to claim Piper as his own.

Piper is an LA IT girl. She’s never had to work for anything in her life. Her entire world revolves around fashion and makeup and getting the maximum amount of likes on each Instagram post. Her exile to Westport teaches her that there’s something to be said for the simple life, working hard for something, and putting down roots in a place that she loves. She forms genuine connections with the people she meets to replace the superficial ones of the past.

I enjoyed the story. It’s your typical rom-com. Burly fisherman falls for seemingly vapid outsider when he finds out she’s got a heart of gold beneath the designer threads. However, this fell short of a five star read for me because something about Piper and Brendan’s relationship felt wrong to me. In addition to feeling very forced, there’s something I can’t quite put my finger on that didn’t agree with me as a reader.

I was provided with an advanced copy of this novel by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is the first Tessa Bailey book I've read, and it was a phenomenal introduction to her writing. While this novel does have its fair share of unrealistic scenarios (as most of us, unfortunately, are not rich socialites who move to a small town populated by hot fishermen), I think that the characters were strong and realistic in their goals and struggles. I think people have been calling this enemies-to-lovers, but the "enemies" part doesn't last very long, so don't go into this book expecting it will.

Piper is rich and beautiful, but when she throws her biggest party yet to get back at her recent ex-boyfriend, she is shipped off to the Pacific Northwest to be humbled in the town she was born in but never knew. Despite her over-the-top richness, she has very real fears about how people perceive her and how much these perceptions have affected her view of her own worth. She grows a lot throughout the novel, both alongside the hero and by herself.

Brendan is a buff and grumpy captain of a king crab fishing boat (aka he has the most dangerous job in the world). He is initially bothered by Piper arriving in town, but that annoyance quickly turns to lust and, later, love. Despite being gruff, Brendan is incredibly caring and wants to give Piper the world - as long as she lets him. His wife died seven years before the start of the book, so watch out for that if it could be triggering for you.

Their romance progresses quickly, both in part to close proximity AND absence making the heart grow fonder. They have their fair share of ups and downs, but they communicate about them and have lots of deep conversations about themselves and their relationship. The sex scenes in this book are STEAMY and glorious, so don't let the illustrated cover fool you. Piper and Brendan are compatible sexually before they realize they are romantically, and it's great to see how the author worked in the sex scenes to show vulnerability and the need of each character to make their partner feel good.

My Thoughts
In the beginning of this tale we meet what seems to be the shallowest of the shallow in Piper Bellinger’s character.

All about the perfect photo to post for ratings boosting on social media Piper has at 28 opted to market herself as the ultimate party girl never planning for any more serious lifestyle, until her latest stunt nearly blows a business deal for her stepdad Daniel.

Banished to tiny Westport, where she was raised till the death of her father when Piper was only four, the immediate culture shock soon turns into something wholly unexpected for both she and younger sister Hannah.

Nothing prepared either young woman for the place, the people or their own ability to actually make an uneasy situation turn into one in which they both found solace instead.

Making friends and making an effort to get outside her comfort zone turns out to also open Piper’s eyes to who she really is and more importantly who she really can be, in the right environment with the right people.

A coming into ones own story that has the ability to transform what could have been middle-of-the-road reading into a tale worth exploring for this reader who loved it from start to finish !

Hopefully Hannah’s book will come sooner than later as really looking forward to it.

[EArc from Netgalley]

On every book read as soon as it is done and written up for review it is posted on Goodreads and Netgalley, once released then posted on Amazon, Barnes and Nobles as well.

Another winner from Tessa Bailey! Of course her main characters have amazing chemistry and *need* to be together, but there's tons of additional loveliness in IT HAPPENED ONE SUMMER with the relationship between the sisters, Piper's totally believable self-discovery, and more.

4.5 stars - What a fun story! Piper Bellinger, LA’s latest partier famous for being famous, is sent to a small town in Washington state by her stepfather for 3 months to learn some responsibility and the value of money. Piper’s sister Hannah joins her in the small town of Westport, WA and they decide to refurbish their late father’s bar to prove to their stepfather that Piper is responsible and can return to LA before the 3 months are up.
Piper meets a sexy local sea captain, Brendan, who is not happy about the Californians visiting and expects them to be headed back to LA asap. As the bar renovations progress, so does the steamy relationship between Piper and Brendan. Piper grows introspective to discover her strengths/values and decide if her LA life is the right one for her or if small town life is just what she needs.

I really liked the story! The pace was good and just the right amount of steaminess for Brendan and Piper’s relationship. Eagerly looking forward to reading Hannah’s story next.

A big “Thank You” to NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy in return for an independent, honest review.

Piper Bellinger is the typical LA socialite, living off her step-dad's fortune and partying like a spoiled rich girl. When she ends up getting arrested, of course, her family bails her out. Her only punishment... to spend three months in the small town of Westport, running her late father's bar. He was a crab fisherman tragically lost in the Bering sea. From her arrival, the locals make it obvious that she doesn't belong there, none more than Brendan Taggert. It's impossible to avoid each other in this small town, but how can they give in to their attraction when she's not staying and he's in it for the long haul?
Picture Paris Hilton on deck with the crew of Discovery Channel's Deadliest Catch and you'll get this laugh-out-loud rom-com. I just wanted to roll my eyes in disgust at her airheaded vanity at the beginning of the book, so I was really glad that got toned down when she was forced into"real life". I never really grew to like her character at all, but Brendan totally made up for it. Who wouldn't love a brooding, gruff, hot fisherman?! I stayed up way too late to finish this book!
I received an advance reader copy of this book through NetGalley. My review is given voluntarily.

This was such a fun, steamy, and amazing read. I literally read it in 2 days and ATE THIS UP!!!

The chemistry between Piper and Brendan was such a great time to read and like watching Brendan go oh wait...wait....I'm totally infatuated with this over the top super glam sparkly woman and I can't GET ENOUGH!!

ALSO BRENDAN IS SO HOT!! THE DIRTY TALK FROM THIS MAN!!! I NEED A FISHERMAN WHO'S GOT MONEY LIKE THIS MAN!! HE GETS HORNY FROM BUYING ME THINGS AND DOING DIY PROJECTS FOR ME!!

I'm definitely getting the physical book for this and can't wait to reread it later.


I got an arc from Netgalley. Thank you to the publishers and Tessa Bailey for this book!!

Tessa Bailey really knows how to bring the steam and this one does not disappoint. This story is kind of pitched as a Schitts Creek inspired story as the main character Piper is a media influencer and has never know hardship because of the life she is used too. After a major incident lands her in jail her step father decides enough is enough and sends her to the small fishing town in Washington where she was born. Once there, Piper is so far out of her depth and she isn't sure how she will survive the months till she can go back to LA. Brendan is a sea captain who has lived in the town his entire life and doesn't have time for the spoiled but beautiful woman who just waltzed into his life. The two have a rocky start but within chapters there is an attraction between the two. I did feel like this was a very insta lovey story and those are not my favorite. This book takes place over a month and I just like my romances to be a little bit more drawn out. I did really like both main characters and their individual stories as well as their romance. The people of the town were also great and I can't wait for the next book because Im pretty sure Piper's sister will get one! Thank you Avon and Netgalley for my gifted copy for review. This book comes out 7/13/21.

I saw "Schitt's Creek" and hit the request button immediately. In truth, Tessa Bailey's books have been hit or miss for me - I either really like them or really don't. It Happened One Summer, however, I loved! I really liked that Brendan wasn't your typical grunting alpha. Sure, he grunts, but he also communicates and argues mostly maturely and he builds Piper a gazebo to show his feelings! I found Piper delightful as well. Her initial appearance as a shallow socialite quickly gave way to a deeper person who was looking for a purpose and was understandably scared of putting herself out there. I loved their relationship and the way it developed and I'll be excited to come back to Westport for Hannah's story.

This book is spectacular! I was literally hooked after the first paragraph.. Tessa Bailey truly outdid herself with this book. The characters were so loveable! I found myself "letting out a breathe" I didn't know I was holding during some scenes. The banter between the characters is exactly wanted I needed to start off my summer reading! If you are looking for a fun, steamy romance look no further than this book!

I honestly don't know if I'm going to be able to sum up how much I loved this one in words- it's really more of a happy and content feeling in my heart and soul. I knew I was going to love this one because of its roots in Schitt's Creek and because it's from Tessa Bailey, but I didn't expect to be knocked off my feet by it.

The characters, the small town, the steam, the tension, the romance, the emotion- this one HAS. IT. ALL. I read it in one sitting and was up until 2:30 AM finishing (don't tell my boss!). I was just so drawn in by Piper's personality and the struggles she faced as an "it girl" in LA. Brenden never gave up on her, no matter how hard Piper tried to pull back and it was just so heartwarming and wonderful to read and watch them learn not to give up on each other. The connections that Piper has to the town set a wonderful foundation for them coming together; it makes me want to vacation to coastal Washington! And those steamy scenes- WHEW! Tessa is a master of her craft, and I loved every moment of it.

Another excellent summer (or really anytime) read, this will definitely be a comfort re-read for me when I need it most.