It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey
Publication Date: July 13, 2021
Plot: 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 THOUGHTS:
I’ve seen this book series ALL over Instagram and TikTok, and to be honest, I was worried I would be a bit disappointed. BOY was I wrong! I few chapters in, I didn’t really relate to Piper’s voice but she grows so much throughout this book as her love for Brendan grows, and you learn to love her and grow along with her. I wish I could read this all over again for the first time. Tessa Bailey’s voice is so fresh and it just makes me want to keep reading!
If you’re looking for a perfect summer read, this is it. Tessa Bailey’s writing is addicting. I devoured this book. I liked the small town aspect of this book and thought the character growth in this book was great! Piper seemed so extravagant but all she needed was love and acceptance. I liked the growing arc she had. So does Brendan, at first, he was uptight and well... grumpy, but meeting Piper did help him to loosen up. They complimented each other really well.
But also this book was spicyyyyy. I was not expecting that based on the cover of the book! But I loved it. I know everyone talks about how Tessa Bailey writes spicy scenes. I didn’t know that was what I was about to walk into. 20/10 I loved them all. Brendan is once again, an amazing book boyfriend. He was so good to Piper. They completed each other. Both of their character development was top tier.
This story was addicting. I loved the depth. Piper with Abe and Opal was the sweetest! I am excited for Hannah and Fox’s story - I could feel the tension between them in the little moments I was able to witness!
☆ Rating: 4.5/5 stars
