It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey | Book Review

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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. 

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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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April (Books&Wine)

April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.

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