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You guys! It’s finally happening. It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey is officially being made into a movie. Happy-dances in bookworm.
I’m a lover of classic literature, with novels by Victor Hugo, Jean Rhys, and Tolstoy flooding my shelves. Yet every once in a while, I like to cleanse my palate with some more lighthearted contemporary romance novels that leave me feeling all warm and giddy inside. That’s exactly where my girl Tessa Bailey comes in, who always delivers the most fun, intoxicating books in the romance genre. I’ve been loving her work for years now, and her novels always (always!) make me swoon.
Yet my absolute fav-o-rite Tessa Bailey-written romance book is It Happened One Summer. Talk about steamy! It’s by and large her most engaging page-turner to date, and is one of the top-rated contemporary romance novels on Goodreads — and it's finally getting a movie adaptation. With this in mind, here are all your burning questions answered about It Happened One Summer.
Here's everything you need to know about the It Happened One Summer movie — including the first leaks of Nina Dobrev and Tyler Hoechlin.
Your first look at Nina Dobrev and Tyler Hoechlin in 'It Happened One Summer.'
After leaks of Nina Dobrev filming the movie went viral, the Vampire Diaries actress blessed us all by posting a first look behind the scenes of the movie. We get a closer look at her new blonde hair (which looks AMAZING!), a fully-bearded Tyler Hoechlin, and some of the summery, coastal setting. I'm already obsessed.
“Hello Dream cast. I couldn’t be more thrilled to have this talented team behind the project and look forward to the magic they’ll make," Tessa Bailey said in a statement.
“This book has sold all over the world and became a BookTok staple with 235 million hashtag views, remaining a bestseller thanks to its sharp wit and emotional depth,” producer Claude Dal Farra added.
What is the plot of It Happened One Summer?
Amazon
It Happened One Summer follows influencer-with-a-heart-of-gold, Piper, who gets a little too wrapped up in her bubble of fame and fortune. She ends up getting “cancelled” online, and in an attempt to straighten her out a bit, her father sends her to a salt-of-the-earth nautical town so she can remember what’s important in life.
There, she meets her rugged love interest, Brendan, who initially becomes her sworn rival. Eventually, the two are unable to avoid their sizzling attraction for one another, and things take a major turn when these feelings finally boil to the surface.
What is It Happened One Summer based on?
Funnily enough, It Happened One Summer is loosely based on the hit series Schitt’s Creek. Bailey was inspired by the character Alexis Rose, who seems shallow and materialistic on the surface, yet once you get to spend time with her, you realize how warm and loving she is.
Where can I watch It Happened One Summer movie?
While there’s sadly no official release date yet for the film adaptation of the novel, fans will hopefully be able to see the movie in 2026 or 2027. Stay tuned for official news!
Who's in the It Happened One Summer movie cast with Nina Dobrev and Tyler Hoechlin?
Peroni
The piping hot novel by Tessa Bailey will star actors Nina Dobrev and Tyler Hoechlin as the leading lovers. My Vampire Diaries & Teen Wolf-obsessed heart can’t take it. “This looks like it could be a fun one!” one commenter wrote on the Pop Culture Chat Subreddit. “I’ve always liked Nina Dobrev, and Tyler Hoechlin is great for rom-coms. Looking forward to how this one plays out!”
Here's the full movie cast so far:
- Nina Dobrev
- Tyler Hoechlin
- Virginia Gardner
- Gavin Leatherwood
- Fredric Lehne
- Lachlan Buchanan
Is there a second book to It Happened One Summer?
Amazon
Yes, it's the first book in The Bellinger Sisters series:
- It Happened One Summer
- Hook, Line, and Sinker
Ahhh! I’m just so excited for this It Happened One Summer movie adaptation. Who else simply can’t wait? Follow us on Facebook for even more movie news.
