It Happened One Summer

The enemies-to-lovers arc is a common trope in the romance genre. Examine how Brendan and Piper overcome their reservations toward one another. How does this trope amplify the sexual tension between the two?

Piper and Hannah have a close relationship. Explore the ways that Piper’s ability to talk things through with her sister—and to see herself reflected by her—impacts Piper’s growth throughout the novel. You might contrast the relationship between the sisters to Piper’s faux friendship with Kirby, which is based on competitiveness and shallow connections.

Explore what “home” comes to mean to Piper and why, in the end, she considers Brendan and Westport as her home. Why does she think of these two as so closely aligned? Would she feel the same way about Brendan if she didn’t care for Westport?

Examine how sexual intimacy plays a role in Brendan and Piper’s evolving emotional connection. In particular, they do not kiss or touch until Brendan has shown Piper that he is interested in her—not just her appearance, but her personality. How does that contribute to the intensity of their physical connection?

Explore how Piper’s status as an “It Girl” or celebutante creates conflict for her when she is in Westport. In what ways is Piper able to adapt to her new circumstances? What does she need to choose or leave behind to adjust to life in Westport? Why does Piper need to demonstrate she has the character to belong in Westport?

Consider the distinctions between urban and small-town life and the qualities that Bailey assigns to each in the dichotomy between LA and Westport. How does the difference in these settings contribute to character growth and self-discovery?

Consider the relationship that Piper develops with Opal and how this contributes to her feeling of belonging and connecting to Westport. You might also compare Piper’s relationship with her mother, Maureen. Explore the type of relationship that Piper develops with Opal and what this means for her other connections to Westport.

Contrast the different father figures that Piper has in her life, Henry and Daniel, and what this means for her evolving understanding of where she belongs. You might also consider the connections each man has to a specific place—Daniel to LA, Henry to Westport—and compare how these connections align with Brendan’s deep rootedness in and identification with Westport. What does their attachment to these towns mean for the relationships these men can cultivate with the women in their lives?