Thank you to Netgalley and the publishing team for sharing this ARC with me!

I've been a fan of Tessa Bailey's books since reading Fix Her Up and was pleasantly surprised to know she was releasing another one so soon after Tools of Engagement.

This book wavered between a 3.5 and 4 for me! I definitely enjoyed the writing style, romance, and the characters! It was hilarious to read about how Piper started out and her way of thinking. Granted, to imagine a 28-year old (same age as I am), behaving as she did was a little weird for me because it seemed so childish, but with her upbringing it made sense.

I appreciated the sister relationships between Piper and Hannah. It was nice to see them support each other and go back to their roots together. I liked watching them engage with the town so different from whether they came from. My favorite part of this book was Piper's journey. You can very clearly see how she evolves as a character and it was so great watching her build her own routine and relationships outside of everyone else. Brendan was hot (totally my type). His character arc was also nicely done and I appreciated how he wanted to support Piper and meet her in the middle, if not go above and beyond for her. Small town vibes are something I know well and I found it (annoyingly HAHA) accurate.

I think my one issue is the pace. For the most part, it was nicely done but some of the chapters felt a little like fillers that I think we could've benefited from having more time with Piper and Brendan building their feelings for each other. To me, it felt like it happened a little too quickly. I would have liked a little more of a slow burn but nonetheless, I really liked them together. Another eh moment for me was their first time together...time and place, people lol.

Overall, sweet read! I'm likely going to give all her novels a read as I like her writing style. I look forward to reading the next book in the series!

Joy. Joyous. Joyful. That's how I feel about this book. I have been a Tessa Bailey fan ever since reading Fix Her Up (and really need to go back and read some of her older work...) but this is honestly my favorite of hers yet. It's both sweet and sexy, romantic and quirky, fun and serious... it has it all! And it already strongly teases for a sequel that I have no idea how I'm going to wait for it!

When LA's Party Princess, Piper, goes one step too far and her stepfather pulls the pursestrings and send her back to her to the town she was born to learn the value of money and survive on her own. But soon Piper meets a shockingly handsome ship captain who begins to steal her heart... but can Piper cope with his dangerous job or will she find it home at home back in LA?

As said above, but worth repeating, this book was fabulous. As much as it is a romance (and it is sizzling, if you know what I mean), there's also a great show of sisterly bond and friendship between Piper and her sister Hannah, who comes with her on this journal to the seaport town. There's just so much heart in this book, and I love that we can see someone who, let's be real, WOULD appear spoiled to most outsiders, but is totally at home with and comfortable with herself that you respect her for it. It's a fun character you don't see a lot of.

I know Piper is inspired by Schitt's Creak, but I've never seen it (I know!) and you definitely don't have to to read the book.

This is one of my favorite rom-com reads of 2020 and it doesn't even come out until 2021! I know it'll remain in the top of my list next year, though...

Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for my free eARC in exchange for an honest review.

5 stars - 10/10

I have to admit, at first I was not really a fan of Piper or Brendan. However, by the end of the book I was tearing up out of happiness. Both of them grew and changed over the course of the book for the better and it was so wonderful to read. I also really enjoyed how neither of them changed for the other person, but to better themselves which ended up bringing them closer together. Also, as someone who grew up watching tv shows about crab fishing with my dad, it was interesting to read a book that had a connection to that. Overall, I think this is a great romance read and I cannot wait for the follow-up book!

I adore Schitt's Creek, so when I read that It Happened One Summer was inspired by the hilarious Canadian sitcom of a wealthy family falling from grace and landing in a poor, rundown town I knew that I was going to love it. And love it I did. Tessa Bailey is one of my favorite authors so I don't say this lightly...but It Happened One Summer is better than her last three books combined--and I loved the Hot and Hammered series as much as a person can love books. That's how serious I am about the deep feelings I developed for the relationship between Piper and Brendan.

Bailey does a great job of creating a spoiled rich girl character who is not only relatable to the average, non-millionaire reader, but actually likable. She is dynamic and intelligent and knows how to market herself to stay in the public eye, but she's not without faults. I haven't enjoyed a heroine as much as Piper in a long time and I think a lot of that was due to just how much she changed as a person from the beginning of the read to the end.

Brendan is the grump that every grumpy/sunshine addict dreams of reading about. He starts off our story as a total asshole (yes, yes, yes) and has to grovel in a few different occasions (yum, yum, yum). Plus, as typical with a Tessa Bailey novel, the dirty talk from our filthy sea captain is literally some of the hottest words I've ever read on the page. But the best pat of his character development was that he had genuine reasons for his stubborn behavior that really made me feel for the man and understand him. I don't think I've ever wanted a hero to be real as much as Captain Brendan Taggert.

This book is genius. I honestly wept. Real tears. And I'm not a crier, so you know that there were some mad emotions happening between these characters. I cannot wait to read more about the town of Westport and am so excited for Piper's sister Hannah and Brendan's best friend Fox to get what will surely be a pretty dramatic book packed full of sexual tension and lots of music references.

I love Bailey’s writing. It’s so sweet and fun but also makes you want to cry.

I love Brendan, I just love him. I love the witty, grumpy men but also have a soft middle. Recommend this for fans of haters to lovers stories and lots of steaminess!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tessa Bailey is one of my absolute favorite authors.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tessa Bailey hits it out of the park AGAIN.

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

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

Thanks for this ARC!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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