It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey

This author, and specifically this book, was recommended to me by someone I work with and described it as the Hallmark Channel with spice. The description was spot on, and the book was highly enjoyable as a story and plot. Piper Bellinger has a reputation as a party girl and being shallow, but maybe she is more and maybe she is just doing what people think she should be like. The desire to live out her reputation is not as fun as Piper lets the world think it is, and after being arrested and risking her step-father’s funding for the next movie she is sent to Westport, Washington to reconnect with her roots and lay low for 6 months until people forget what happened. Hannah, Piper’s younger sister, realizes that going to Westport alone would kill Piper so she agrees to go with her older sister to restore their father’s bar and see what their mother left behind when Piper was 4 years old and her husband died at sea. Piper and Hannah learn about themselves and Piper figures out what she really wants when she meets Brendan Taggert, and maybe it is the reputation of the life of a party girl that everyone thinks is so great. Of course there are steamy scenes between Piper and Brendan, but the story would be just as entertaining without those scenes. For those that love the Hallmark channel but want a little spice in the story, this is a great choice. 

Character List/Book Summary:

Piper Bellinger – 28 years old, has such a reputation as a party girl no one including the guys she dates takes her seriously. Can remember her father’s, Henry, laugh but not much else about him. Being in Westport, makes her realize she does not have plan, work ethic, or a sense of self-worth when she really starts to look at herself. Determined to make being sent away suck the least amount as possible for Hannah, Piper starts to restore the bar Henry owned. In doing so she reconnects with her paternal grandmother, makes friends in the town, and realizes she is falling in love with Brendan after a bad storm and a drunken night in town with her new friends. Of course there is a hiccup that the two must overcome, but in the end Piper is happy with who she has become. 

Hannah Bellinger – Piper’s younger sister, who bails Piper out of jail against their step-father’s wishes and offers to go to Westport with Piper to make sure she survives. Has the reputation as being dependable and stable, 2 years younger than Piper. Loves music and starts working at the local record store in Westport because of how much she loves music and to help her and Piper have some money while they are in Westport. 

Brendan Taggart – captain of a crabbing and fishing boat, looking to expand is fleet and is working on buying/building a second boat. Is wearing a wedding ring when he first meets Piper, for a wife that has been dead for 7 years. Starts to have feelings for Piper and wants her to be safe while he is out on the boat. As he realizes he has fallen in love with Piper he also realizes she is scared and he needs to help her feel secure, but in a state of insecurity himself he gives her an ultimatum, and while he thinks it went one way he finds out how much Piper has been making Westport her home and that he misread the answer to the ultimatum he gave Piper. 

Kirby – Piper’s friend who ratted Piper out to the police when the party got out of control. They once started a makeup line together, but quit when it became too much work. Calls Piper to tell her about how being gone is doing wonders for her party girl reputation and Kirby wants to throw Piper a welcome back party and sponsors are offering her money and clothes to wear. 

Maureen – Piper’s mother, married Daniel (step-dad) and agrees with her husband that 3 months away from LA is what would be best for Piper.

Mick Forrester – Owns the Della Ray, that Brendan captains, wanted to see Henry’s girls all grown up. His daughter, Desiree, was Brendan’s wife. Is not too kind to Piper when he realizes Brendan is moving on with his life and how much he cares about Piper. 

Opal Cross – Piper and Hannah’s paternal grandmother, has been a shut in but Piper and Hannah manage to bring her out of her shell and start going out when they get to know her. 

Fox Thorton – one of Brendan’s crew, and his best friend growing up. Teases Brendan about his behavior around Piper. Has a reputation as man who gets around and likes ladies, so Brendan warns him to not hurt Hannah when he distracts her so that Piper and Brendan can be alone for a talk when they first are getting to know each other and when the four of them take a trip into Seattle. 

Abe – owns the hardware store, but his kids are taking it over he just is there to help cover when his sons take their kids to school. Brendan sends him to help Piper while he is out on the boat fishing. Piper starts taking him to the museum to help him up the steps each morning. He helps Brendan realize the mistake he made with the ultimatum and how he thought Piper reacted. 

 

 

 

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