A review by mama_bookworm_
It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey

lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Piper is a wealthy socialite who spends her days shopping, partying or sharing on social media. When her outrageous actions cause her stepdad to cut her off and force her to be independent she finds herself in the small fishing town where her birth father lived. 

Piper realises that there is more to life than putting on a show for others, she makes connections with long lost family and learns how important her father was to the small community. Unfortunately for Piper not everyone in the community is happy she has arrived. Brendan is grumpy and harsh and doesn’t like how Piper has taken over the town bar, but they can’t deny the attraction between them. However, she is returning to LA in a few weeks time and he spends his life at sea, is it really worth giving in to the temptation. 

My thoughts: Small town romance, grumpy sunshine, opposites attract. As with all the Tessa Bailey books I’ve read so far, there is some steam. 

This book is marketed as inspired by Schitts Creek which is one of my favourite shows and Tessa is one of my favourite authors but this just didn’t hit the mark for me. The humour wasn’t there, the characters lacked depth and the story was predictable. There is nothing Schitts Creek about this other than a rich girl losing her money and living in a small town. 

I did enjoy Piper’s growth and how she matured through the story and the chemistry between the couple was strong. The romance is cute. If you like a pining hero then you’ll love Brendan, he hides behind a grumpy exterior at the start of the book but soon lays all his cards on the table and begs for Piper throughout the whole book.

I enjoyed this and will start book 2 immediately but it wasn’t my favourite Tessa to date.