Review: It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey

You’re probably seeing reviews for this book popping up all over the place. I have to say, it’s with good reason because this is the epitome of a fun and romantic summer read. Tessa Bailey has mentioned that she drew inspiration from the Schitt’s Creek tv character, Alexis Rose, for her own character, Piper Bellinger, and it shows, but I do think Tessa does justice to her own unique character in Piper.

When Piper is dumped in front of a group of acquaintances at a party, she kind of goes a bit wild and well, a bit criminal in fact. Her stepdad has had enough of her wild antics and lack of desire to do anything with her life so he sends her to the town she was born in, Westport, far from the glitz of California. Piper manages to get her sister to come along for the ride, so at least she isn’t alone. But this is going to be a rude awakening.

I’ve not had the easiest time of digging into and enjoying books in the last few months (year) but this book grabbed me. I just really liked Piper. She is kind and goes out of her way to help others. It is certainly true that she had an easy upbringing and hasn’t had to work too hard in her life. BUT, believe me when I say that doesn’t define her. She is willing to prove herself, even if in doing so she just hopes to get back to her party-girl life at first. But soon she is involved in Westport. And she is involved with local fisherman, Brendan. He has his doubts about Piper too in the beginning but like the reader, he starts to see quickly there is more to her than meets the eye.

I don’t want to give too much away so I will just say I really, really enjoyed this sweet book. It’s very sexy (though I wouldn’t say it is Tessa Bailey’s hottest book to date). It made me happy to read it. There is some conflict obviously but thank goodness I was reassured these two would get a happy ending (it is a romance book after all).

Piper is not dumb. She is not an airhead. She has a lot of potential inside of her and this story gives her the chance to unleash it on Brendan and the reader. This book is satisfying in every way.

ARC provided by Edelweiss.

Tagged: Tessa Bailey