• Author: Tessa Bailey
• Series: Bellinger Sisters #1
• Genre: Cotemporary Romance
• No. of pages: 397
• Dates read: 11.05.2022 – 16.05.2022
• Star Rating: 5 stars

Plot: Piper Bellinger is fashionable, influential, and her reputation as a wild child means the paparazzi are constantly on her heels. When too much champagne and an out-of-control rooftop party lands Piper in the slammer, her stepfather decides enough is enough. So he cuts her off, and sends Piper and her sister to learn some responsibility running their late father’s dive bar… in Washington. Piper hasn’t even been in Westport for five minutes when she meets big, bearded sea captain Brendan, who thinks she won’t last a week outside of Beverly Hills. So what if Piper can’t do math, and the idea of sleeping in a shabby apartment with bunk beds gives her hives. How bad could it really be? She’s determined to show her stepfather—and the hot, grumpy local—that she’s more than a pretty face. Except it’s a small town and everywhere she turns, she bumps into Brendan. The fun-loving socialite and the gruff fisherman are polar opposites, but there’s an undeniable attraction simmering between them. Piper doesn’t want any distractions, especially feelings for a man who sails off into the sunset for weeks at a time. Yet as she reconnects with her past and begins to feel at home in Westport, Piper starts to wonder if the cold, glamorous life she knew is what she truly wants. LA is calling her name, but Brendan—and this town full of memories—may have already caught her heart. 

Now, this was one of the last books I ever thought I would pick up. As I stated in my previous post, I never considered myself a romance book girl. When I was younger it didn’t appeal to me and I thought that would be the case forever. Stupid I know hahahah. But after seeing TikTok video after TikTok video I had to give this book a go. For science… 😉

Well, let me tell you. This was one of the most enjoyable reading experiences I have ever had. This book was literally so much fun! It met all the hype for me.

First off this book is bloody hilarious. I was worried that this book would fall down the route of couples pining after eachother and that’s all it would be but this book was so funny. It had so much heart, so much joy and so much tension that wasn’t just about the couple falling in love. I felt that Bailey has really easy reading and accessible writing. I finally understand that when people say they read a romance book in a day, they aren’t lying. I read this book very quickly. Just flying through the pages! I also loved the utilisation of dual POV. I really enjoy being in both characters heads as their relationship gets deeper and deeper. It just makes you feel connected to them and the story more.

The plot was so good. My first issue when it came to my misgivings about the romance genre was that it would be boring just watching two people fall in love. Now this is both a statement I agree and disagree with. 1. I disagree because it is not boring reading about two people falling in love. I was wrong about that. 2. But I also agree in the fact I enjoyed this book more because it had a lot more going on that added to the story. Piper’s own struggle with her confidence and security in herself. Piper and Hannah’s growing connection to their Dad’s hometown. Brendan and his own personal struggles. I had this misconcieved idea about what goes into a romance book which is literally due to the fact that I have not read any! So stupid! But I really enjoyed this story and everything that went on both at the forefront and the side.

Now these characters were so good. I loved Piper instantly. There is just something about her where you can’t not fall in love with her. She is hilarious, kind-hearted and so much fun. Brendan was a lovely love interest. He was geninually a guy I could fall in love with. Kind, considerate and doesn’t play any games. I really enjoyed watching these two fall in love. The communication, especially on Brendan’s side, was super good. It was so refreshing to read a romance that was positive and not toxic. They had so much chemistry, like SO MUCH. I recently read a romance where the two love interests had 0 chemistry. None at all and this book thankfully was the opposite. I loved them so much I got dissapointed when they weren’t in scenes together.

The other person I wanted to shout out was Hannah, Piper’s sister, the main character of this books sequel, Hook, Line and Sinker. She was also so funny and I think her inclusion really helped you fall in love with Piper as a main character because you see her love for her sister and her sister’s support for her just really adds more layers to Piper. I cannot wait for Hannah’s story!

This book was super heartwarming and I loved every minute of it.