Audiobook Sample
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- Title: It Happened One Summer: A Novel
- Author: Tessa Bailey
- Narrator: Charlotte North
- Length: 10:48:40
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 13/07/2021
- Publisher: HarperAudio
- Genre: Romance, Fiction & Literature, Rom-Com, Contemporary, Contemporary Women
- ISBN13: 9.78E+12
There’s something magical about discovering a story that transports you to a place you’ve never been, yet makes you feel right at home. That’s exactly what happened when I pressed play on “It Happened One Summer”, Tessa Bailey’s sparkling rom-com brought to life by narrator Charlotte North. As someone who’s spent years chasing stories from Chilean deserts to Oaxacan kitchens, I can tell you this audiobook delivers that same visceral sense of place I crave in my travels.
The story unfolds like the perfect coastal road trip – windows down, salt spray in your hair, and the promise of adventure around every bend. Piper Bellinger’s journey from Beverly Hills socialite to small-town barkeep reminded me of my own transformative experiences in unfamiliar places. Like that time I found myself sharing mate tea with gauchos in Patagonia, completely out of my element yet profoundly changed by the experience. Bailey captures that fish-out-of-water magic beautifully, especially through Piper’s hilarious yet heartfelt attempts to navigate Westport’s no-nonsense fishing culture.
Charlotte North’s narration is a masterclass in character distinction. Her Brendan voice – all gravelly warmth and reluctant charm – transported me back to evenings spent listening to fishermen’s tales in Portuguese seaside tavernas. She perfectly balances Piper’s LA vocal fry with genuine emotional depth, making the character’s growth feel earned rather than abrupt. The way North handles the romantic tension is particularly impressive – those charged silences between Piper and Brendan had me holding my breath like I did when that Oaxacan grandmother would pause just before a story’s climax.
Bailey’s writing shines in audio format, with dialogue that crackles like driftwood in a bonfire. The small-town dynamics reminded me of Gabriel García Márquez’s ability to make fictional communities feel lived-in and real. While some plot points follow predictable rom-com beats (the third-act conflict feels particularly telegraphed), the journey remains thoroughly enjoyable thanks to Bailey’s sharp wit and North’s charismatic delivery.
For romance listeners, this audiobook offers:
– A enemies-to-lovers arc with genuine emotional stakes
– Small-town charm that rivals Stars Hollow (Gilmore Girls fans will adore the quirky locals)
– Steam that’s both spicy and emotionally grounded
– Narration that enhances rather than distracts from the story
While the novel doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it polishes the rom-com formula to a high shine. The fishing town setting provides fresh texture to the familiar opposites-attract dynamic, much like how my travels have shown me that every love story is universal yet uniquely local.
If you’re looking for an audiobook that pairs well with long drives or lazy beach days, this one’s a catch. Just be warned – you might finish it craving clam chowder and daydreaming about gruff fishermen with hearts of gold.
Fair winds and following seas in your listening adventures,
Marcus Rivera
