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My book review of It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey. Discover the charm, humor, and romance in this fun, summery read. Perfect for rom-com lovers!
ABOUT THE BOOKS (from Amazon):
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.
My Review of “It Happened One Summer” by Tessa Bailey:
“It Happened One Summer” turned out to be much more of a romance (read: risqué) than I was expecting it to be. It’s classified as a romantic comedy, which I typically think of as PG…maybe PG-13. This one was definitely R rated. I feel the need to warn my readers about that since I don’t typically review romance books.
That said, I did really enjoy this story. Piper Bellinger, a rich socialite, ends up in a small town for the summer with her sister. She meets Brendan, a local fisherman, with whom she doesn’t quite hit if off at first. But things change as they keep running into one another and, in the end, opposites attract.
Themes and Characters
It Happened One Summer presents a delightful mix of opposites-attract romance and personal growth, with the main character, Piper, standing out as a fish-out-of-water in a small-town setting. What really makes this story shine is the depth of Piper’s transformation. At the start, she’s portrayed as the quintessential “it girl” from LA—superficial, glamorous, and totally out of touch with the realities of life outside of her privileged bubble. As the plot unfolds, however, we witness her embrace small-town life, learn responsibility, and discover what truly matters to her.
On the other hand, Brendan, the stoic and rugged fisherman, plays the perfect foil to Piper’s bright and breezy persona. Their chemistry is undeniable, and their relationship develops in a way that feels genuine and heartwarming. Tessa Bailey does a fantastic job balancing humor with heartfelt moments, which makes the romance feel fresh and real.
Writing Style
Tessa Bailey’s writing is known for being steamy, witty, and incredibly engaging. She excels at crafting charming characters that readers quickly connect with, and the banter between Piper and Brendan is a highlight of the book. Bailey’s ability to blend humor, romance, and emotional depth is what keeps her fans coming back for more, and It Happened One Summer is no exception. It’s a feel-good read that manages to explore themes of self-discovery and love in an enjoyable, lighthearted way.
I discovered Tessa Bailey on TikTok. I really love her writing style. The story was light-hearted and funny.
If you’re looking for more rom-coms, you’re in luck. That’s my favorite genre! Here’s where you can find more of my rom-com reviews.