There’s something irresistibly satisfying about watching a fish out of water find their sea legs, especially when the journey is wrapped in steamy romance and genuine character growth. Tessa Bailey’s “It Happened One Summer,” the first installment in her Bellinger Sisters duology, delivers exactly this kind of emotional satisfaction, wrapped in a package of sizzling chemistry and authentic small-town charm that will leave readers simultaneously fanning themselves and reaching for the tissues.
Inspired by the character arc of Alexis Rose from “Schitt’s Creek,” Bailey’s novel introduces us to Piper Bellinger, an LA socialite whose partying ways land her in jail and subsequently in her late father’s hometown of Westport, Washington. Cut off financially by her stepfather and faced with running her biological father’s dilapidated bar, Piper finds herself completely out of her element—and directly in the path of grumpy sea captain Brendan Taggart, who gives her about a week before she flees back to Beverly Hills.
Character Development: From Surface-Level to Soul-Deep
What sets this romance apart from the typical “city girl meets small-town hunk” trope is the genuine depth Bailey brings to her characters. Piper isn’t merely a shallow party girl who learns the value of manual labor; she’s a woman discovering that her outward persona has become a prison, preventing authentic connections and obscuring her own sense of self-worth.
Bailey writes with remarkable empathy: “I can be in a room full of people that I know and still not feel like I belong,” Piper confesses to Brendan early in their acquaintance, offering readers a glimpse of the vulnerability beneath her Instagram-perfect facade. This confession, delivered almost accidentally, becomes the heart of Piper’s journey—not simply learning to adapt to a new environment, but discovering where she truly belongs.
Brendan, too, transcends the gruff-exterior-with-a-heart-of-gold archetype. His devotion to routine and resistance to change stem from genuine grief and a profound sense of responsibility. Seven years a widower, his growth involves learning that honoring his past doesn’t mean sacrificing his future.
Steamy Romance with Emotional Stakes
Let’s be clear: this book sizzles. Bailey has earned her reputation for writing some of the steamiest scenes in contemporary romance, and she doesn’t disappoint here. The chemistry between Piper and Brendan burns from their first antagonistic meeting and only intensifies as their relationship evolves.
What elevates these encounters above mere titillation, however, is their emotional significance. Each intimate moment represents a deepening of trust, a letting go of control, or a revelation of vulnerability. When Brendan finally confesses his love, declaring, “I love you. More than any goddamn ocean,” the declaration carries the weight of genuine character development—he’s finally acknowledging that something matters more than the sea that has defined his life.
Authentic Setting: The Heart of Westport
Bailey’s portrayal of Westport deserves special mention. Rather than resorting to small-town clichés, she creates a community with a distinct personality and economy, centered around the fishing industry that shapes its rhythms and relationships. The dangerous reality of crab fishing isn’t just backdrop; it’s integral to the characters’ psychologies and the novel’s central conflict.
The secondary characters—from Brendan’s loyal crew to Piper’s newfound friends—feel like genuine individuals rather than plot devices. Hannah, Piper’s musically inclined sister, is particularly well-drawn, setting up readers’ expectations for her own story in the sequel, “Hook, Line, and Sinker.”
Where the Novel Stumbles
Despite its considerable strengths, “It Happened One Summer” isn’t without flaws. The central conflict—whether Piper will return to LA or stay in Westport—occasionally feels manufactured, particularly when characters refuse to have straightforward conversations that could resolve misunderstandings. The third-act separation, while emotionally potent, relies on some questionable decisions that strain credibility.
Additionally, the timeline feels compressed. Piper’s transformation from fish-out-of-water to respected community member happens over just a few weeks, making some of her attachments and decisions feel rushed, despite Bailey’s skill at developing the emotional foundation for these changes.
The Bellinger Sisters Series: Looking Forward
“It Happened One Summer” sets up the Bellinger Sisters duology beautifully, introducing readers to Hannah’s character and her complex relationship with Brendan’s friend Fox, which becomes the focus of the second book, “Hook, Line, and Sinker.” Bailey cleverly plants the seeds for this relationship in the background of Piper and Brendan’s story, making readers eager to see how these two seemingly opposite personalities find their way to each other.
The bonus scene included at the end of “It Happened One Summer” offers a tantalizing glimpse of the dynamic between Hannah and Fox, promising a romance with different challenges but equal emotional depth in the sequel.
Tessa Bailey’s Evolution as a Writer
Fans of Bailey’s previous series—including the “Hot & Hammered” trilogy and her “Made in Jersey” books—will recognize her trademark steam and alpha heroes, but “It Happened One Summer” demonstrates clear growth in her storytelling. The emotional complexity and character development show a writer honing her craft with each publication.
While maintaining the heat level her readers expect, Bailey delves deeper into her characters’ psychologies and builds a more immersive world than in some of her earlier works. Readers who enjoyed her previous novels but wished for more emotional depth will find this book hits the sweet spot.
Who Will Love This Book?
“It Happened One Summer” will appeal to:
Fans of the opposites-attract trope with genuine character growth
Readers who enjoy steamy contemporary romance with emotional stakes
Anyone who loved the fish-out-of-water premise of “Schitt’s Creek”
Romance readers who appreciate strong community settings
Those who enjoy watching characters discover hidden depths in themselves and others
Readers seeking a completely clean romance should look elsewhere, as Bailey doesn’t shy away from explicit content. However, those willing to embrace the heat will find it serves the emotional arc of the story rather than existing merely for titillation.
Final Verdict: A Romance That Stays With You
At its heart, “It Happened One Summer” is about belonging—to a place, to a person, and most importantly, to oneself. Bailey’s novel reminds us that sometimes we must be uprooted to discover where we’re meant to grow.
With its compelling character development, authentic setting, and swoon-worthy romance, this novel rises above many of its contemporaries in the genre. While not without imperfections, it succeeds in what matters most: creating characters readers will care about and a romance worth rooting for.
Ultimately, like the best romance novels, “It Happened One Summer” offers not just escapism but emotional resonance. Piper and Brendan’s journey from antagonism to love feels earned, and their happy ending brings genuine satisfaction.
For those who enjoy contemporary romance with depth, heat, and heart, the Bellinger Sisters series is a worthy addition to your reading list. Start with “It Happened One Summer,” but don’t be surprised if you’re immediately reaching for “Hook, Line, and Sinker” to continue your stay in Westport.