Scan barcode
A review by cheye13
It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was a lovely little romance – hit all the beats, and the writing itself was good and readable.
I don't know if I just wasn't in a romance mood or if this wasn't for me, but I found it a bit of a slog. (I'd lower the rating, but the writing was genuinely good.) There were a few too many long internal monologues, and as much as the story tried to validate Piper's outlook and lifestyle, I don't think it succeeded. The main thorn in my side was the parental/familial relationships – I know she's 28, but the parents play an explicit role in the plot, and having developed that relationship more would've served the story well imo. It also wouldn't've hurt for her sister to have a little more characterization. And I don't want to spoil anything too much, but if you're not a fan of the final act breakup, you may hate this one. (If you enjoy the trope, you might love it.)
As a romance novel, it's pretty solid. Just wish it'd been a bit more rounded with some character aspects.
I don't know if I just wasn't in a romance mood or if this wasn't for me, but I found it a bit of a slog. (I'd lower the rating, but the writing was genuinely good.) There were a few too many long internal monologues, and as much as the story tried to validate Piper's outlook and lifestyle, I don't think it succeeded. The main thorn in my side was the parental/familial relationships – I know she's 28, but the parents play an explicit role in the plot, and having developed that relationship more would've served the story well imo. It also wouldn't've hurt for her sister to have a little more characterization. And I don't want to spoil anything too much, but if you're not a fan of the final act breakup, you may hate this one. (If you enjoy the trope, you might love it.)
As a romance novel, it's pretty solid. Just wish it'd been a bit more rounded with some character aspects.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Alcohol, Blood, Grief, and Medical content
Medical content refers to a scene that occurs at a hospital. References to grief are a late spouse, and the death of a parent when one was very young.