Book Review: It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey

Rating: 3.5/5

Genre: Contemporary Romance and Adult Fiction

Warnings: Death of spouse and parent

Read if you liked: Schitt’s Creek or Hot & Hammered Series

Steam: 4/5

Thank you to @avonbooks and @netgalley for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion. It Happened One Summer is out July 13th, 2021.

Piper, Hollywood wild child and “it girl” influencer has it all… but when a party goes wrong (i.e. trespassing) and Piper ends up in jail. Her stepfather decides it is time to teach her a lesson in responsibility by cutting her off and sending her to Westport, a small coastal town, to run her late father’s bar. It only takes a few minutes for Piper to start bumping heads with local sea captain Brendan who doesn’t think she will last one minute in his town. Soon, the polar opposites discover an undeniable attraction between them and I’m sure you know what happens next! As Piper reconnects with her past and with a new romance brewing, will she find herself making a home in the most unlikely place?

I loved the premise of this book and that it was inspired by Alexis Rose from Schitt’s Creek…such a great show if you haven’t seen it yet! I have limited experience with Tessa Bailey books, having only read (and slightly struggled through) the Hot and Hammered series. I now think I understand her vibe/writing style. Don’t let these pretty illustrated covers fool you; these books are steamy (and I was NOT prepared). I started to talking about steam ratings after reading this book because the people need to know what they are getting. This is part of the reason I am conflicted about these books is because sometimes these scenes don’t match the characters personalities + vibe of the story. That being said, I think this might be my favorite of hers so far

Things I loved: I’m a major fan of romance after divorce/death of spouse (I really don’t know why, maybe because it feels like real life). Piper and Hannah’s relationship, great sister bond! All the small town vibes.

Things I didn’t care for: See earlier about the (very) explicit scenes, it didn’t fit the vibe and was, ironically, a turn off.

It Happened One Summer is out July 13th, 2021! Pre-order now!

Love,

A