EP. 38: It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey

On this episode of 'Read Me Next', Carina and Pili have a lively discussion about the book "It Happened One Summer" by Tessa Bailey. The hosts express their love for the book, highlighting its humor, romance, and character development. They delve into the plot, discussing the protagonist Piper Bellinger's journey from a privileged life in LA to a small fishing town, where she meets the gruff yet endearing Captain Brendan Taggart. The conversation is filled with laughter and personal anecdotes, as they explore themes of love, personal growth, and the book's spicy moments. The hosts also share their thoughts on the upcoming movie adaptation and engage with Goodreads reviews, adding their own humorous takes.

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:07

Welcome to Read Me Next, a Book Club of Make It a Podcast. Where we have lots of feelings and no qualifications. What are we reading this week? We're reading That Happen One Summer by Tessa Bailey. I love this book. Yeah, we like start off the summer. Yes. And just like with like a perfect book. This is it for me. I don't know. Really? Yeah, this book. So this is my second time reading this book. Your second time also. I think this was one of those books that got me into the romance because you know, way back in the day, I wasn't a romancey girl. I was a mystery thriller. Thriller. That was it. And I think this was one of them that was like, what are we talking about here? I'm pretty sure this is it. Yeah, this was a very nostalgic read. Oh God, it was so good. Yeah. I love this book. It's so funny. Yeah, I do. So this book is on hoopla. Mm-hmm. Yeah. I listened to the audio. Yeah, so did I. It was interesting. It was in third person. Yeah, so I was also going to touch on that. I liked how this third person did it. So I did like that. But it was not on Kind Unlimited. No. Interesting. Yeah, I don't know if a lot of Tessa Bailey's are on Kindle Unlimited. Mm. Interesting. Okay, so I think I know, but what is your rate in? A five. Yeah. I love this book. That's funny. Yeah. So, like you said, this is one of our first really like romance reads that got us into it. Years ago. Years and years and years ago. Yeah. And this one I think we read with everybody. Okay. Yeah. The second one we're like, all right, we're just telling off. Bye guys. See you later. And we never look back.

unknown 1:34

No.

SPEAKER_00 1:35

And that's how we got here. Thank you. Shout out to the OG book club. Thanks for that. Yeah. Sorry. We left them high and dry. But I was going to say, I remember I really, really liked it. And I still really, really liked it, but I don't know if it's a five star for me. I love it. You really? Mm-hmm. I would say it was like a four, four and a half. Like it was a little corny, and I'm not gonna lie. Oh my god, no, it's so fucking corny. It's so corny. Like if I really think about it, like this book is probably a four. You know what I mean? If I really think about it. But I just really, it has like all of the aspects in a book that I like, like a romance. Like he fell for her so hard. So hard. You know, he's a man's man. So man. Grumpy. Love. Like, you know, all of those things. I'm like, I'm about it. Acts of service. You know? Yeah. Just has that. It was so fun. Like I was, I was laughing. Yeah. It was like I I was picking it up. I did like it. And the relationship with her and her sister, love that. Super cute. Yeah. So I loved it. All right, let's get into it. Yeah. So the book follows Piper Bellinger. She's a rich girl from LA, no responsibilities, no idea what even money is, literally. Lives on her stepdaddy's coin, right? So basically, she does something to finally set this man off, goes to jail, and is like, you're done. Sends her to Westport. So Westport is where she was originally from. That's where her mom and dad met. So this town is known for fishing. Mm-hmm. Crab fishing. Crab fishing. And her dad was a crab fisher. Fisherman. And her dad was It's okay. And her dad was a fisherman, but he died in an accident out at sea. And so her mom like couldn't take in, so she left.

SPEAKER_01 3:17

Mm-hmm.

SPEAKER_00 3:18

And now Daniel, the stepdad, said, You're going back to your hometown. Figure it the fuck out. Figure it the fuck out. You have 90 days to, you know, get it together. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. And so Hannah, her sister, follows her. So that way she would have like a friend, a companion. So sweet. So nice. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. And then lo and behold, she meets our captain. Captain Brendan Taggart. Uh. King. The man he is. Oh my god, the man's man. No, literally, like, it was so funny because she would be like, him and his maleness. And I'm like, no, he is so fucking male. Oh my god, no, but I love the way Tessa explained him in this book. Both of them, because I couldn't imagine both them both. Yeah. But the way she would always just like put those key or repeat that every single time. Like he smells like a male, or like oh, it's like, oh, he is a man. He is a man. No, him in all his male glory. He was so good. And no, I loved him. I just love that man. So do I. He was like the original, the OG book boy from Forest. That's what I'm saying. Like he like this book just brings that vibe to me. I'm like back in the day, literally. Reading about Brendan. Okay, we didn't even say, we rated it. What was your spiceometer? Oh, spiceometer? I think this book was pretty good and spicy. It would give four. Yeah, no, I was gonna say like a five. So spiciest book. You know what I was thinking when I was reading this? I was like, how does Tessa Bailey say that fucking clown book is her spiciest book? I don't know. I'm like, this book should be like on top of her list. Yeah. This is great. It was great. Fun, easy, very phon, smooth. Yeah. You know what I mean? So I'm like, I just don't know why I kept thinking that. I was like, fuck that clown girl. No offense. No, the book sucked. Yeah. This is way better. Yeah, yeah, yeah. It was though a little corny. Oh no, it was corny as fuck. Yeah, no, no. Super corny. There were some lines. No. The corniest bit that was in this book was the recharging station every time I could. I loved it. No. I was like, oh, the recharging station is so cute. No. Yes. No, I love that. Oh my gosh, that is so funny. I absolutely loved it. No, I was like, this is corny as fuck. Yeah. Definitely corny. But you are corny. Yeah, yeah, yeah. That's that's welcome here. That's funny. But there was like real corny lines. Like, you know, when you get to the end of a chapter and it like tries to close up a chapter, like each end of a chapter was corny as fuck. Yeah. Be like literally, there's one chapter that it was like Brendan. Brendan knew like before the storm there was the calm and shit was like and the shoe was gonna drop. Literally. Okay. He's like There's never smooth sailing on a boat. No, literally. So funny. Oh my god. So it definitely had all of that in it. So it's like let's talk about it. We didn't say anything. I mean, uh, there's not really much to say. They fell in love. It was a little giving a little insta-love. You think so? Like they fell real hard real quick. They did fall. I don't know. So like in Fever Dream, they like had no history and they were just like, I'm in love. No, this book gave a little bit more than that, I think. Yeah. Yeah. Maybe it was like, I don't know. He was just like so infatuated. Yeah. Like I love. But like he was like so in. Mm-hmm. And he's like, all right. We didn't even mention he's a widower. Oh yeah, he's a widower. I think that's why he was so infatuated with her. Oh no. Like obsessed. Seven years. And but like and her longest relationship was three weeks. Yeah. So it was just like that contrast was crazy. The contrast was crazy, and Piper was so funny throughout the whole book. She was legit your like classic rich girl. Mm-hmm. Yeah, yeah. She played it well. She played it so well. Yeah. It was really funny. Yeah, there were some funny parts. Anyways. Alright, do you have some annotations? Let me see. No. Like we just mentioned, Brendan's wife passed away seven years before, right? And so every single year on like the anniversary of her death or something, they throw a memorial service for her. To which Piper got invited to. It was at a bar. Piper got invited, and she had no idea what it was. Yeah, low-key fuck Mick, but whatever. Yeah, Mick was such a dick. Yeah. So she comes strolling in, hot as fuck, with a tray of shot glasses, like, okay, let's turn this brown upside down. Why all the down faces? Literally, why all the long faces? No, it was so funny. I know. I was like, oh my god. No, I I died. That was terrible. That was terrible on everybody involved. Oh yeah, like, hello. And so obviously she goes, she's like, oh my god, I'm so sorry. She runs away. Literally. Brendan follows her. And it was like, it was a really cute part. Like he was just like, no, it's okay. Like, literally. Yeah. It's fine. You didn't know. But like she felt terrible. No, she felt terrible. Oh, she should. Imagine that. No. No, I would die. I'd be like, well. She was like, did I really just say like why the long faces out of memorial service? I died. It was so funny. No, and then she found that it was seven years. She's like, She's like, I thought it was like a year ago. Like, she's like, why are we still doing this seven years? No, I'm on stand. No, it was funny. No. But she was like very direct and like real. Yeah. Super. And I really like that he like he wouldn't know when she was getting in her head, which I was just like, I love. I love that. And he'd be like, tell me what's wrong. And she's like, nothing. He's like, no, no. Tell me now. Tell me now. I know there is. I know. Tell me now. And then he would legit be like, hey, get out of your head. Yep. Love that. Love. One of the funniest parts in the book was when he downloaded Instagram. Oh, I love that part. I know. And he was with like with his crew and he was like, it's asking me for a name, but I put mine. It's not working. Oh my god. Oh my god. No. So I highlighted the suggestions. Yeah. Because it was so funny. So it goes, yeah, probably because about 900 Brennan Taggards joined before you. So what should I use? Captain Cutie69. I got crabs for you. So stupid. And Slippery When Wet. I was dead. They were so funny. They were so funny. Like this camaraderie in the book, like, that really gets to me too. I love it. Between Brennan Fox and his friends, and then like Hannah Piper. I was like, oh, this is so much fun. That bit continues because he like knows nothing. So he follows her and her only. And they're like, oh, it's just mistake, mistake. No, literally. And he's like, okay, so do I just unfollow? He's like, no. Like, don't do that either. So then we get her like her side, and she's like, oh my god, Brendan followed me. And then she's like, Oh, no, no one you follow. He just joined. So funny. And then Hannah's like, ooh, rookie. Literally. They're all like making fun of him. And then it's so cute when they when they start telling him you need to post a picture. Oh, yeah. Like it's a rule. No, I thought that whole part was so cute because literally, right after he's like, you know, I know that's not true. I'm doing this to make you happy. Oh. Love this. So freaking cute. I love that. See, look, this is another one of the maleness. With seemingly zero effort, he tossed it over his right shoulder and walked out, taking the smell of salt water and unapologetic maleness with him. Oh, yum. Like, I mean, like, I can literally see that happening. Like you trying to pick up a bag of garbage and you can't do it, and this man just over the shoulder. We're good. Oh. Man, man. Making the pergola for her, man, man. One of my favorites was when he was leaving her after having met her, and he sent somebody to put like the little pillow so she would stop banging her head. I thought that was so fucking cute. So cute. I was like, the little note, eat it up. Eat it up. Like that act of service. He just only thought of her. Only it was so good. As it as it should be. As it should. Obsessed. Obsessed with her. I loved him. I love him. I would read this, like probably in a couple years I'll read this book again. Yeah? Yeah. Like we said, this book is also spicy, right? And so it's the part where they're having sex or whatever. And she still didn't dislodge him from the magical spot. And maybe he was Jesus. She didn't know. Like she made it funny. She was so fucking funny. No, it was so funny. And maybe he was Jesus that killed me. It was like, bro, so stupid. No, another bit that they had that I thought was funny throughout the whole thing was like, so we're just gonna ignore so and so. Like, we're just gonna ignore the finger. Yeah, we're not gonna talk about it. Yeah. I do remember her talking to her sister, and she's like, he made me come by penetration. And I was like, this is so fucking funny. So funny. I remember that in this. What? That was funny. Okay, so what did you think about like her mom and like never going back there, not even wanting to visit? I'm like, weird, right? Because also, like, like taking them away from the grandma, they didn't even know they had a grandma. Oh my god, yeah, not even and also I'm so happy that she like called her out. She was like, Hey, you couldn't even have given us a heads up. She's like, sorry. She's like, sorry, I didn't want to see your faces when I told you. Like, she was giving like child. She was giving real child. Like, no wonder Piper doesn't know anything. No, and like Daniel was the only one that was doing stuff. Yeah. And she's like, sorry, girls, like, it is what it is. Yeah, I didn't like her. I didn't really like her either. Cool, cool, cool. What do you think about Daniel? I didn't mind him. Yeah. I thought it was like a nice stepdad. Same. Like she started like, she was a little touch and go for a sec with Daniel, like starting to portray him as somebody who didn't believe in her and stuff. Yeah. And I was like, don't think that's true. Like, you legit just haven't done anything and you've gone to jail. Yeah. You know? Literally. So I was like a little fed up. Yeah. Like, so then she kept linking Daniel and Brendan not believing in her. I was like, you're not giving everybody enough credit. Did you think Brendan at some points was kind of giving because I saw this on one of the good reads, like paternal. Like to her. Ooh, like dad? Like dad. Which I was like, I kind of see it. Yeah? Yeah. Cause she was just like so like she didn't know anything. She didn't know anything. He was very protective and like very acts of service, too. I mean, if I think really hard, maybe. Yeah, right. Yeah. Yeah. Ooh. She got a daddy kink. Yeah, she really does. Teach. I mean, you know, Henry Cross was probably big and bad, like Brennan was. So I'm sure he was. So. Just saying. There was another part. There was an accident and she didn't know what it was, and she went to the hospital and stuff. And that's where she they saw Mick. Ugh. Yeah. When they were holding hands. And I was just like, Mick, you're such an asshole. Mick was such a fucking dick. Literally. I mean, you're making Brennan feel like absolute shit. For seven years of service here at this point. Come on now. Like, let a guy live. I loved Fox for that for him. Because Fox was always like, hey, we go through this every year. You don't need to do this. Yeah. They make you feel like shit, bro. Yeah, like, come on. Like in the beginning, continuously calling him my father-in-law. I know. I was like, I get why Piper's like, ooh, literally. And then at the end, with when Mick went up to her when the fucking bar was empty still, I was like, Yeah, Mick. He's like, We're, you know, we're setting our ways. GTFO. Yeah, literally, like, I guess Shiny's not better. I was like, this motherfucker. Like, wait a kick a girl when she's down. No, literally. He did not give one fuck. He like pats her hand like, they're there, sweetie. Get out. Yeah, go back to LA, bitch. Yeah, bitch. And she went to fucking LA. Literally. Oh my god, no. And the fact that he ended up back at the party. I was like, he said, Oh, we're back. He's like, now everybody's here. Alright, I'm going. Oh God. I was like, Mick, fuck you. Oh my god, fuck Mick. I did not like that. Yeah, that was funny. So, anyways. Tell me your thoughts. I was nervous the part where they go to the like very lavish hotel in Seattle. In Seattle, because I'm like, Piper, like, why are we letting him do all this? Like he's clearly doing it like to buy your love because he thinks this is the only way out. And I like that she clocked it and she was like, You don't need to do it. And he was like, I will, I will, I will. But I was starting to get nervous because I'm like, come on. Yeah, no, I think same thing, but I think that's what Tessa wanted the readers to feel. She like pulled it at like the exact moment and was like, Yeah. Like Piper was like, wait, we don't need to do this. Yeah, because she's like, I know what you're doing. She was like, Oh my god, I'm so excited to go. Oh my god, we're gonna order room service and this and that. And I was like, Piper literally, it was as soon as he was like, I'm taking you shopping, that she was like, uh I think something's going on here. There's something fishy going on. Uh uh. Uh-uh. I get it. I get it, Tessa. Oh, that's buddy. But yeah, that was making me a little nervous. But then she like calmed down. But then he ended up being a rich motherfucker anyways. Ah, love yes, king. I couldn't believe that. The king crab fisherman. No, and him calling her honey. No. I'm dead. So cute. No, I loved honey. Love that. Like, see, like, I think this is like such a good romance movie. Like, I want to see this on the big screen. It's coming on the big screen. Really? Yeah. Did I know that or no? No. Oh, yay! No, but you're probably gonna be disappointed on the characters. I don't really like the actors. Can we pull them up? Sure. I'll show you who they are. It's Nina Dobrov. It's the girl from Vampire Diaries. And the guy is something something from Tyler Hucklin or something from Teen Wolf. Don't like them. How is she Piper? She's brunette. Yeah. And I don't I don't he might work for it, but like, I don't know. He gotta grow a large beard. He needs a lot more hair. Like, I feel like when there's like a beanie on, like you can see the hair in the back, you know? Yeah. And the hair in the front. Mm-hmm. That's very unfortunate though. Who love those actors? What are these comments saying? This comment is so funny. This is definitely not how I imagined any of these characters, and I'm unsure how to feel. I need to see Nina in a blonde wig immediately before I speak anymore. Yeah, literally. Like, why is she so brunette? I hate that. Piper is a blonde. She's a blonde. Blonde as fuck. Blonde as fuck. Yeah, nobody was like set in stone. Yeah. Nina's just way too old for this role. Also true. She's mean as fuck. No, but she is. She's just like 30 something. Anyways, the other part I really loved by him was when she went out in the town with Opal. And they were having like a girl's night at the bar, and she was like giving these like town girlies, you know, like advice on their makeup, makeup advice, and they were dancing and she was drunk as fuck. Literally. And he like just goes and he's just like looking at her on the wall. And he and like he didn't interrupt them, right? He loved her. Yeah. And he's like, You ready to go? And she's like, Yeah, let's go. She was drunk as fuck. She's like, they fed me drinks. Literally. And she was like, You are the best sex I've ever had. Right when the music died, that part I laughed at. I loved that. It's a classic. But the next line after that, I was like, This is what I like, Brennan. She's like, he's like, I mean, I'm not upset that everybody in the bar now knows that I'm the best sex of her life. Literally. So, what did you think about the part where Kirby called her? Fucking Kirby. Answered the phone and stopped talking right about the party. Yeah. And then he was like, What was that about? And she didn't want to tell him. Yeah. And then she he's like, You're lying to me. Tell me. Yeah. And she got all mad at him and was like, Why are you this overbearing all the time? I was like, Piper, Piper, relax. Well, no, he he clocked it. Exactly. No, but that's what I'm asking you. Like, did you think he was being overbearing? No. Okay, perfect. I was like, he was like, What the fuck did Carby just say? That bitch. Literally. I was like, Piper, you need to relax. Like, you've been you've been doing a bunch. No, but she was just like brushing it off because she didn't want to tell him. Yeah. I listened to that part, and when I listened to it, it it seemed like she was just like trying to play it off. Yeah, yeah, yeah. 100%.

unknown 18:45

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 18:45

So that he would stop asking questions. Exactly. Like she didn't want to acknowledge her feelings yet. Yeah. Which I get it, but then damn, he clocked her so fucking hard, was like, yeah, I bet you you haven't said no to the party yet. Ooh. Literally. So that sucks. So literally, right in that part where Kirby calls that they were cologne shopping. Which was Wow, I love that part. So cute. And I was literally I my annotation is I choked because it cracked me up. I was listening to this, right? And so she's saying there's nothing left, right? You've already done both of my wrists and the sides of my neck. And she goes, just a quick sniff test, so we don't waste money. She beamed. Oh, listen to me, Brendan. I'm practically cutting coupons here.

SPEAKER_01 19:27

I fucking died.

SPEAKER_00 19:29

The the narrator was so funny. Yeah, she was so good at the like mannerisms of her. Like I could imagine Piper moving around. She likes she beamed. Yeah, I'm basically cutting coupons over here. And I can see her. But like she like learned the value of money. And so she was like, she did it with like all the jeans that she was buying and everything. It was so funny. She's like, it's a hundred dollars, that's a lot, I think. I think it was so funny. See, like there were there were like the parts like that throughout the book were which were like actually funny. I was like, this is why I love this book. No, yeah, it was really funny. Because there's definitely like corny as fuck. Yeah. But like the book itself was phenomenal. No, and it was cute because that was the trip to Seattle. Hannah was in the car with them after they dropped Fox off. So she's telling Bretton, she's like, I'm gonna do you a solid. And he's like, What's that? Uh and she's like, I'm assuming you have a guest room at your place. Like, if you want, I'll stay with you so that way, like, you guys can be together. And because she doesn't feel bad. She knew Piper wasn't gonna leave her. And then it's funny because she goes, That would alleviate Piper's sister guilt, and she would be able to stay in the captain's quarters. And he goes, Go pack. That made me laugh. But I was like, love Hannah. Like, that's so cute for her to like think of them. She was a girls' girl. Super. Yeah. She was funny. Mm-hmm. I really liked her. So towards the end of the book, right? The whole like third act breakup was that she had like these like safety nets in place. You know, she hadn't said no to Kirby's party. She had told Daniel to come to the party so that way like they could get go home early and this and that. And Brendan clocked it and was like, what the fuck? Like, do you want to do this or not? Yeah, rightfully so. Brendan was so fucking right. I was like, Piper, be for fucking real. Like, why haven't we? And and she had told Hannah days ago that she was. But she was staying. So I'm like, what are we waiting for? Yeah. What are we doing? She could have been avoided. Piper was not it at that moment. Not it. Which was so funny because then we get like Brendan's side, and he was like, Oh my god, I pushed her too much. Like, it was all my fault. I can't believe I did this. I'm so sorry. Poor Brendan. No, but also, just to hop off that before you keep going, I loved how Hannah, she was like so supportive of her sister, but real. Yeah. Because Piper was like, he's supposed to be patient with be this and that. And and she's like, Oh, so you're the only one allowed to be irrational? Yeah. She's like, Yes. And she's like, okay, but if he's understanding you, you need to understand him. Yeah. And I was like, She's very much a therapist right there. Yeah, go, go, Hannah. Yeah, I really liked Hannah. She was she was the she was the mature one. Of course. Yeah. Yeah. And so Piper's like, well, no, like you're being unreasonable. This, that. They get into this argument, and then she's like, okay, well, you know what? Fine. I'll be at the dogs tomorrow morning before you leave for your like your two day trip. And then obviously fucking fucking Abe fucking. Fucking Abe. Abe, this old man that she helps walk around this fucking harbor. Took a fucking tumble. Took a goddamn tumble. And then she missed him fucking leaving. Yeah. So obviously Brendan thought that it was over. She didn't choose him. And then she was back at the bar and nobody was coming to like to their opening Labor Day party. Fuck, that sucked so bad. It sucked so bad. I'm like, Westport. Yeah, no, no. What are we doing? No one coming to represent. It was so like pitiful. And Hannah's like, just leave. Like, it's just go home. It's okay. Literally, Hannah was like, go. You're not gonna miss much. She's like, I think I can handle this last ship. Don't worry about it. I guess not. I guess not. Piper's like super sad. And so she leaves to LA because she's like, fuck this town. Fuck Brendan. Nobody, nobody likes me here. Yeah. And poor girl, she really left feeling bad. She left feeling so bad. Rightfully so. Like nobody came. Nobody's showing up to your fucking party. It was so sad. I'm like, but like, but my thing is like she should have realized, like, Opal not even going, Abe not going. Like, come on. Like something's something's going on. Yeah, but she was also already down. Like, imagine. Okay, okay, hold on. She was down at the dumps, but imagine then Mick coming up to tell you, nobody likes shiny things around here. I'm out. Bye. I'm out. I'm not even calling an opal. Get me out of here. Literally. Fucking Mick. And he's like, apologize to her for me. So that's the part that had me laughing, right? Because Brendan gets back and he sees her missed text, like, oh my god, I had an emergency. I love you. Like, I'm so sorry. And he's like, Holy shit, I have to go to the bar. So him and Fox go to the bar. The bar's popping off. It's tagged to the brim in there. Everybody just went late. And so she missed everybody by a couple hours. I was like, God damn. Stupid as fuck. Stupid oil rig fire. God damn. And so it was so funny because Brendan's like, now Brendan's down in the dump. He's like, Where I where is she in? And it's like, she's gone. Like, she lost her sparkle. She's out. And so Brendan's like, oh my God. Like, I made her lose her sparkle. But then it gets worse because then it's like everybody just starts like adding on to it. And I was fucking dying because it was like, he was like, he's like so depressed. And um Sanders' wife is like, oh my God, no. And she actually wanted to go like wave you goodbye. And he's like, what? She's like, yeah, she was a crying mess. And so I told her to toughen up. And he's like, oh my God, poor Piper. And then Abe comes, everybody in the bar was like, she's like, I think it was nice. And so then Abe comes and Abe's like, no. And the only the reason she missed it was because I fell and she was helping me out. And but and fucking Brendan's like, oh my God. And then Opal's like, oh my God, she's the best granddaughter I ever had. And he's like, oh Lord. And then the girls are like, oh yeah, she's supposed to come to like tutor us and make up or something. And he's like, he literally goes, he was going to die. He was dying. And I was, I was cracking up. Everybody coming to her aid while she was gone. I was like, I'm gonna be sick. Like it was, I was cracking up. I'm like, bro. Oh my god, that's hilarious. No, everybody was so like, oh, we love Piper. And then like nobody told her to her face. Literally, nobody. She felt like absolute dog shit. No, and then then Mick. And then Mick, Mick goes and tells him like everything. He's like, it's like, apologize for her. And Brendan's like, I'm gonna fucking kill everybody here. Oh my god. He's like, I may have told her nobody would be as good as my daughter. And then it's just like Brendan like clenching and unclenching his fist to his side. I was like, oh my god. Oh my god, that's so funny. It was so funny. I was cracking up because I'm like, this is supposed to be like super sentimental, and this kid's like getting depressed and depressed and depressed. Like everybody's just like tacking it off. Yeah, yeah, yeah. That shit made me laugh. That is hilarious. Yeah, that is so funny. Alright, but then so what happens? Of course, all that depression makes him catch a flight and he goes to LA. Yeah. And he finds her on a unicorn in the middle of the club, as Piper does. So random. But poor girl, she was really uncomfortable. Yeah. Which kind of sucks. But he saved her. Yeah, no. Like she obviously she's like, this is not my fucking life anymore. Mm-hmm. Fuck everybody here. Yep. I mean, like I want to be back in Westport. The whole thing that none of her friends reached out to her the entire fucking time. I was like, I know, like at that point, I just didn't even understand why she went back to LA. Because she was feeling down in the dumps. All she wanted to feel good was being at a party, you know what I mean? Yeah, yeah. The party she threw and nobody fucking showed up. I'm sure that was like a gut punch for her. Yeah. You know? And like here in LA, she's on the cover of whatever being that girl. Yeah. You know what I mean? Yeah, yeah, yeah. So a little superficial. Yeah, a hundred percent. But that that that that was Piper. That was LA Piper. Yeah, it was. And then Brendan was like, I'm here. Yeah. I got you. Let's go. Gim come back to the recharging station. Kids didn't like it. And they said it like a thousand times in the book. A thousand times. Yeah. It was so good though. She was really like um milk in that one. She was really uh out of battery in that one. I love the little drop off of the record by Fox to Hannah. I love But I remember I didn't like that book as much as the first one. Correct. Which sucks. Yeah. But I mean cute. Well, because wasn't it like she was very adamant on them being friends? I don't really remember that book that much, but I'm pretty sure it was like she was just like, no, like you're my friend and that's it. I don't really remember it either. I don't really remember any of the books I read though. No, but I do remember I like that this one more than that one. Correct. I remember uh we were all on the same boat. Yeah. Yeah. And as far as the Tessa Bailey books, I've read, because I've read a few. This one is still my favorite. Well, obviously, I wasn't on the clown. I like the way you said few. Few. I read a few. I've read a few. Yes. Alright, anyways. Shall we get into the Goodreads, or do you have anything else you want to say? No, we can do Goodreads. So this was a five-star, and it says, I read this book and now I don't want to unalive myself. All this grumpy man does is grunt, and why did it make my coochie tingle? Oh my god. This book had my back arching, my toes curling, my neck cracking, bed sheets gripping, knee trembling, and ass smacking.

unknown 28:08

It's like, oh my god.

SPEAKER_00 28:10

Who writes like this a reveal? It says, number one, it was downright hilarious. Like for real, I was laughing out loud. That memorial party scene, I was in fucking tears, y'all. If it ain't obvious already, this book had me going feral. Pepper is such a lovable character. She carried this whole fucking book. She's so entertaining and funny, and I love everything about her. She's a baddie and nothing less. I love the way she loves Brendan. Brendan, on the other hand, has me looking for apartments in a small town known for fishing in the hopes that I may come across a six-foot-something, bearded, grumpy, buff as fuck dude that'll fall hopelessly in love with me. If there's one thing I love, it's the words of affirmation, and Brendan wasn't here to fucking play. True. This is one star. Oh my god. Jesus, this was bad. Well, the romance before the sex was cute enough. The sex was ridiculous and graphic and cringy. I've never read anything so profane. We'll never attempt to read another by this author. This isn't cute romance with sex. This is just pure pornography, not my thing. This has two stars. Oh my god, this was me. I hope I never have to hear the phrase recharging station in reference to a hug ever again. Boo. This is a lot of like like hits or misses. One star. It was with a heavy heart that I rate this one star. Listen, I really wanted to like this. I started out this book super annoying with Piper and slowly began to root for her. I enjoyed seeing her discover who she is beyond social media, develop friendships in Westport that weren't reliant on her social capital, learn the value of money and hard work, and revive her father's legacy. But I could not, for the life of me, fucking stand Brendan Taggart. He's nothing but a sexist wannabe alpha male, far too obsessed with this masculine image right out of the 2000s super problematic rom-com movie script. The throwaway line about him sleeping under a pink comforter doesn't change the fact that Brendan doesn't believe in having female sailors on his boat. Oh my god. Oh, that entire review to get to that. So funny. I said that's ridiculous. Five stars. Two words. Bearded fisherman. The way I would die for Brendan. I honestly started this book worried I wasn't going to like it. The beginning is obviously introduction, and there are just some books for me that I love from the first page. So when I started this, I was iffy because I wasn't feeling the immediate pull. But damn, wait until you get a few chapters in, wait until you meet the grumpy fisherman. This man is the blueprint. Yep. He might be. Literally, right? Literally him having a handyman install a foam cover on the bottom of the top bunk bed because she hurt her forehead on it and he noticed and did not like. Ugh I mean come literally. Every single thing he'd done for her, the way I got choked up with the relationship, the certain scene with Abe, and then the boat, and then the panic. Woo! Stop it right now. I love this, love this, love this. 20,000% recommend. Very hot. My first Tessa Bailey book. And if her other books are like this, you bit your ass I'm gonna read them. Now, while I'm wholly obsessed and will rave about this book forever, I will say I found the ending to be a little bit lackluster. And by ending, I meant the club scene. That part was okay for me, and I felt like it was a little anticlimactic. But everything else, immaculate. Go read it. That was funny. Cute. Oh my gosh. Then says, We've got a very capable fisherman, you guys. Very capable. Alright, this is four stars. It says, when the cover is innocent, but the book is wild, and then like a bunch of little greater than signs. Can't believe it took me this long to read. It is simply so good, close to perfection. Tessa Bailey can write good spice, and it is a fact. Also, I finally get the hype about Brendan. Man is too hot. Piper's character development also shuffs kiss. But I do feel like, oh, I do have a feeling that I might just like Fox more. I'm so ready to find out. Ooh. Four stars. OMG, I absolutely ate this up. I wasn't sure I was going to like it because I really didn't vibe with Piper during the first few chapters. Everybody said that. I mean, she was like giving very Hollywood. Yeah, she was like annoying. Yeah. Braddy, stupid. I thought she was funny. Like I thought it was funny.

SPEAKER_01 31:59

Mm-hmm.

SPEAKER_00 31:59

But like it definitely gave that. Yeah. But once we got to Westport and the story really started, I could not put it down. This had all the steam you would normally expect in a Tessa Bailey novel, but it came served alongside an extra heavy dose of emotional connection, and that just really, really worked for me. While I did clearly really enjoy this, I will say this book had a lot of gendered language. Her feminine flesh, his masculine strength, etc. etc. I kind of expect that from Tessa Bailey at this point, but so it doesn't bother me as much here as it has in our previous books, but I did just want to mention that it happens pretty much every other page of lol well. Ooh. Other than this, it was so much fun and I cannot wait to read Fox and Hannah's book. I need it. I think that's actually so funny because me and you are like, oh, the maleness. So literally, like, we're so anti-feminist. It's crazy. I hate that. So sorry. This is four stars. This is so funny. Four stars. Wow. I love when a man barely speaks and simply loves to shower you with gifts and affection. Tessa Bailey never disappoints me. She was funny. Yep. And this was the last one. Four stars. Why can't I stop falling in love with fictional men? I mean, I get powerful and rich, suited businessmen, but a fisherman. I'd be less shocked if tomorrow morning I'd wake up with a third arm. I'm not kidding. I'm a snob and I fell for a fisherman. Tessa Bailey, you're good. Damn good. That's a good review. I like that one. Yeah, literally. Like we're falling for fishermen. Yeah. We're falling for a fucking fisherman. Honestly, we fall for anything at this point. Yeah, yeah. The fishermen, the cowboys, mafia leaders. If you're a man. No, literally, if you're a man, and possibly a woman sometimes. And that's the bot. Thank you. That's hilarious. Yeah. That's good. But it was it was fun. I I enjoyed reading it. I love it. Yeah. It was good. Definitely a good one. Yeah. All right, we're wrapping it up. Read responsibly. Or don't.