It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey Review -

It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey Review

Post author:Gemma
Post published:July 25, 2023
Post category:Book Reviews
Post comments:0 Comments

Synopsis

In It Happened One Summer, Piper Bellinger, a fashionable and influential young woman, finds herself in trouble after a wild rooftop party. Her stepfather decides it’s time for her to learn some responsibility and cuts her off financially, sending her and her sister to run their late father’s dive bar in Washington. Despite her initial discomfort with the small town and its residents, Piper is determined to prove herself. She meets Brendan, a big, bearded sea captain who doubts her ability to adapt to life outside Beverly Hills.

However, as Piper navigates her new surroundings and reconnects with her past, she questions her previous glamorous lifestyle. While LA beckons her, the attraction between Piper and Brendan grows stronger, leaving her torn between her old life and the possibility of a new love and home in Westport.

Genre

Romance
Adult
Small town
Contemporary Romance

Book Setting – time and place

Westport, Washington, United States

The storyline, in general terms

Piper finds herself in trouble after a wild rooftop party. Her stepfather decides it’s time for her to learn some responsibility and cuts her off financially, sending her and her sister, Hannah, to run their late father’s dive bar in Washington. Despite her initial discomfort with the small town and its residents, Piper is determined to prove herself. She meets Brendan, a big, bearded sea captain who doubts her ability to adapt to life outside Beverly Hills. And straight away, we can feel the sparks fly.

Piper and Hannah were born in the fishing port of Westport. However, their lives take a tragic turn when their father, Henry, dies in a fishing accident. Unable to bear the constant reminders of their loss in the small town, their mother decides to leave. Piper, who doesn’t have many memories of her father, struggles to understand his impact on the community.

Everything changes when Piper discovers the existence of her grandmother, Opal, whom she had never known before. Piper learns more about her father and herself through her newfound connection with Opal than expected. In honour of Henry’s memory, Piper and Hannah decide to renovate a place called ‘No Name’ as a tribute to him, hoping it will serve as a reminder for the locals.

As they work on their project, Brendan and the other locals lend a helping hand. Piper and Brendan grow closer during this time, and their relationship evolves into something more than friendship.

“I’ll love you until my heart gives out. I’ll be your man for a thousand years. Longer if I’m allowed.”
Tessa Bailey – It Happened One Summer (Brendan)

In the novel “It Happened One Summer,” Piper and Hannah face a difficult decision as they must choose between their lives in LA and their newfound love and home. Piper starts to question her place in LA, and this realization sets off a series of events where she fights for her relationship and the place she has grown to love.

The characters and their development.

Piper

At the beginning of the book, I found it difficult to warm up to Piper. She came across as a typical spoiled Hollywood brat, but as the story progressed, we discovered that there was more to her than meets the eye. Despite her privileged upbringing, Piper has a kind heart, albeit with expensive tastes. As she becomes more involved in the community of Westport, she starts to question whether Los Angeles was ever truly her home. This introspection is sparked by her growing connection to her father, Henry, his life, and the unique way of the fishermen.

Piper undergoes a significant character transformation throughout the book. Initially portrayed as an LA party princess obsessed with social media, she evolves into a compassionate girlfriend to a fisherman and a helpful member of the Westport community. Even when she returns to her old life in LA, she struggles to reconnect with it, indicating her growth and change as a character.

Brendan

Brendan was the sea captain I didn’t know I needed! Grumpy and set in his ways, the widower is every part of Westport. He begins his journey grumpy, distant and annoyed that two LA, high-maintenance divas have landed in his town. Westport was not LA, and it didn’t need Piper and her lipstick purses or Prada shoes anywhere near it. We learn quickly that Brendan’s wife has been dead for seven years, and the town mourns her every year as if it was yesterday. It was part of his routine until Piper starts moving things around in his life, suddenly, life wasn’t what it was in Westport, and he can’t stop thinking about her, wanting her.

Brendan undergoes a gradual character transformation as he experiences love for the first time and becomes less fixated on his life at sea. However, his insecurities about Piper’s life in Los Angeles become overwhelming, and he finds it difficult to believe she would choose him.

What did I like about the book?

It Happened One Summer is a slow-paced book that takes time to build up the action. It wasn’t until halfway through the book that things really started to pick up. I initially tried reading it in February 2023 but couldn’t get into it. However, I decided to give it another chance during a reading slump, and I’m glad I did. It was a heartwarming story set in a small town with a grumpy-sunshine romance. Compared to the dark romances I’ve been reading, this book felt like a comforting hug. Despite some negative reviews, I found it a cute and enjoyable romantic comedy.

No one can fault that Tessa Bailey is a fantastic writer, and I especially loved the moment when Piper rushes to the hospital when she thinks Brendan’s been injured. That whole scene of worry, longing, and hot sex in the hospital. Spicy with a good amount of sizzle.

What would have made it better?

Some parts felt a little disjointed. We are introduced to Opal, but she doesn’t really appear again, apart from when Piper takes her for a night out. I felt this missed out on a valuable connection to Westport and their father.

Some of the spicy scenes were a little cringe with all the weird sexy talk. It didn’t need it; it just felt awkward.

What didn’t work for me in the book?

The ending was a little bit blah blah for me. The epilogue just left me wanting more, and I know there is another book focussing on Hannah and Fox, so maybe that might help conclude my longing for Brendan.

Overall opinion and recommendation.

Overall, I loved this book and would highly recommend it to others. Piper’s character was well-developed and relatable, and the plot kept me engaged from beginning to end. The pacing was kept to a great pace from the beginning. The author’s writing style was also written for an adult audience. I officially need a grumpy sea captain with a beanie and beard to whisk me away on his boat for the night. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating and well-written read.

Can’t wait for the movie!