It Happened One Summer Book Review - No Spoilers
Rebecca came home from school yesterday ranting about how her drama teacher assigned everyone to write a character backstory for their spring play auditions. She was frustrated because she said all the "interesting" characters had complicated lives while she felt like hers was "too normal and boring." I reminded her that sometimes the most beautiful stories come from finding magic in ordinary moments—which is exactly what Tessa Bailey does so brilliantly in It Happened One Summer. This book transforms a simple fish-out-of-water premise into something utterly enchanting and addictive.
Plot Summary
It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey is the first book in the Bellinger Sisters series, following Piper Bellinger, a fashionable LA socialite whose wild child reputation lands her in serious trouble. After too much champagne and an out-of-control rooftop party gets her arrested, Piper's stepfather decides enough is enough. He cuts her off financially and sends both Piper and her sister Hannah to Westport, Washington, to learn responsibility by running their late father's dive bar. Piper hasn't been in the small fishing town for five minutes when she meets Brendan, a big, bearded sea captain who thinks she won't last a week outside of Beverly Hills. Determined to prove everyone wrong—especially the hot, grumpy local—Piper sets out to show that she's more than just a pretty face. But 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. As Piper reconnects with her past and begins to feel at home in Westport, she starts to wonder if the cold, glamorous life she knew is what she truly wants. With LA calling her name but Brendan and this town full of memories tugging at her heart, Piper must decide what kind of life will actually make her happy.
Why I Love This Book
I absolutely love how Tessa Bailey completely subverts expectations with Piper's character. At first, she seems like the typical shallow socialite, but as the story unfolds, I discovered this incredibly kind, resilient woman with such a generous heart. Her character growth feels authentic because she doesn't completely change who she is—she just finds the right place to let her true self shine. The small town setting of Westport is so vividly described that I felt like I was breathing the salty ocean air and hearing the seagulls myself. I'm completely charmed by the community dynamics and how everyone has their own story and connection to this place. Brendan is such a compelling love interest—he's gruff and direct in the most refreshing way, and I love how he sees through Piper's surface to recognize her genuine qualities. Their banter is absolutely electric, and the tension between them had me completely hooked from their first contentious meeting. The enemies-to-lovers slow burn is perfectly paced, with plenty of steamy chemistry that builds naturally throughout the story. I love how Bailey balances the romance with Piper's journey of self-discovery and her reconnection with her late father's legacy. The side characters, especially Hannah and the townspeople, feel so real and add wonderful depth to the story. The emotional moments hit perfectly—I got teary when Piper helped elderly Abe with his weekly newspaper routine and when she connected with her grandmother Opal. The way the story explores themes of belonging, family legacy, and finding your true home really resonated with me.
Who Will Like This Book
If you love enemies-to-lovers romance with plenty of banter and sexual tension, this book will be perfect for you. Readers who enjoy fish-out-of-water stories, small town settings, and characters who discover their true selves will be completely absorbed. This is ideal for fans of grumpy-sunshine dynamics, alpha male heroes, and heroines who prove they're stronger than anyone expects. If you enjoy contemporary romance with emotional depth, steamy scenes, and genuine character development, you'll love this story. The book is great for readers who want romance with heart alongside the heat—the relationship feels real and earned.
Tagged As
contemporary romance, enemies to lovers, fish out of water, small town romance, grumpy sunshine, alpha male, opposites attract, forced proximity, slow burn, steamy romance, family legacy, self discovery, seaside setting, fisherman hero, socialite heroine, HEA, series, dual pov, protective hero, kickass heroine, character growth, emotional romance
Steam Level
The sexual tension builds beautifully throughout the story with several detailed and passionate intimate scenes. The chemistry between Piper and Brendan is intense and the romantic scenes are explicit and steamy, making this definitely adult content.
