WRECK THE HALLS – Tessa Bailey
Avon
ISBN: 978-0063308305
October 3, 2023
Contemporary Romance

New York City – Present Day

There once was a very popular rock group called Steel Birds, but the two women who headed the group had a nasty breakup—though only they know the reason why they broke up. Their children—Melody Gallard and Beat Dawkins—have been approached by a television producer about getting their mothers to get back together for one magical night on Christmas Eve. It would be broadcast live and be the event of the season. Melody so far has refused the offer. She’d rather stay out of the spotlight. But Beat needs the money the network is offering. He is being blackmailed and the ante has been upped to $800,000. The million-dollar payola for reuniting the Steel Birds looks tempting, but only if he can convince Melody to help him in the quest. The network will have them on a live TV feed as they make their pitches to their mothers. Will Melody be able to hide the fact that she has been attracted to Beat since the first (and only time) they met at age sixteen?

WRECK THE HALLS is an adventure for Beat and Melody as they go about trying to get their mothers to agree to a nationally televised Christmas Eve concert. The two women were on top of the world when animosity split them while they were each pregnant with Beat and Melody. In fact, they hate each other. Beat doesn’t tell anyone that he is being blackmailed and certainly not why. Seems there is a skeleton in the Dawkins family closet. After getting acclimated to the camera and mics that are on nearly all day, they approach Beat’s mother. She is sympathetic to the idea, especially since it will be for charity, and she is one of New York’s most charitable patrons. Of course, they can’t have a concert without the other half of the rock duo. Melody’s mother is harder to convince. She is like an Earth Mother and holds court at a remote location. When Melody and Beat arrive at her compound, she is in the midst of a heated argument with a neighbor that ends up with Melody in jail.

A cute and funny tale and readers will enjoy the delightful journey Melody and Beat go on in WRECK THE HALLS. Along the way, they get to know each other and begin to feel an attraction. She has always had this major crush on him, while he just saw her as his mother’s former bandmate’s daughter. Now it is all changing. As their attraction grows, they have to contend with a live stream as it catches everything, including their heated looks and touches. Will they be outed? Will they get a chance to be alone so that they can act upon their attraction other than an occasional touch? They become cult legends themselves in only a few days. Will love rule the day?

A few twists and turns are in store for Melody and Beat in WRECK THE HALLS as they work to bring their mothers back together. Meanwhile, Beat must hope that his blackmailer is satisfied with the payoff, or the stakes will become higher. A fun journey, be sure not to miss WRECK THE HALLS.

Patti Fischer
Romance Reviews Today

Holy spice! This book was good, easy to read, and very enjoyable. I really enjoy when he falls first (and harder!) and Beat sure did. Melody was an interesting FMC and I was slightly confused about her life, but it wasn't enough to bother me. I just think we saw more of Beats life (friends and such) and I was able to root for him more as a character.

Overall, I'd recommend this to anyone looking for a quick, spicy read! There isn't much Christmas in the novel though, besides the fact that it takes place right before the holiday.

I'l always read Tessa Bailey's books!

The Good:
Bailey brings the same delicious banter and chemistry between characters that her books are known for. Melody and Beat have amazing chemistry and fit together as perfectly as their names suggest. Secondary characters are well fleshed out which provides more depth to the story and suggests the possibility of follow up books. Conversations with the characters' mothers are appropriately eloquent as they are meant to be lyricists and Bailey's writing reflects that.

The Less Good:
I did not feel particularly compelled by Beat's issue in the story which made it a struggle to finish the book. The reasons he provided for it being his problem when it seems it should really have been his mother's issue to deal with were not compelling enough to be believable for me. Nor did I find the reasons for his ah, sexual issues, to be particularly compelling.

Overall, this was a fine read but felt like it could have been better if it had a few more months to work out a few issues in the writing. I've read other books by TB that I found immensely more enjoyable, unfortunately this one just did not shine for me.

This was cute, an easy read to finish in a day. There wasn’t much to the plot, and I wish Trina and Octavia had been more fleshed out—some flashback scenes would have been nice. I felt like the stakes weren’t quite high enough, and the insta-love was a little much. But again, cute enough.

My thanks to NetGalley and Avon for an advance reader’s copy.

Melody and Beat are perfect!

Melody Gallard loved her work restoring old books and avoiding the new after growing up as the daughter of Trina Gallard one of the Steel Birds. But she couldn’t avoid the producer that was trying to do a show on the reuniting the Steel Birds when her mom wouldn’t even talk to Octavia Dawkins after the band broke up.

Beat Dawkins couldn’t avoid the tabloids after working for his mom’s foundation but seeing Melody Gallard again trying to put the Steel Birds back together put him in the center of the camera.

I originally started reading Wreck the Halls thinking that Melody and Beat would have a romance where they would slowly fall in love but it’s nothing of the sort because there was something there when they first met and everything is being filmed..

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the author and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I can’t even begin to express how much I loved this book! I knew going in that I would…haven’t read a Tessa Bailey book yet and not love it! Melody and Beat are both children of rockstar mothers. Their mothers band broke up thirty years ago and they are both tasked with trying to get them to do a reunion Christmas concert through a reality show. They both had their reasons for doing the show. I loved Beat and Melody and their instant connection. The banter was perfect and the spice was spicy! The Christmas theme wasn’t in your face and I appreciated that. I was able to finish this in less than a day and didn’t want it to end. Another excellent story from Tessa Bailey!

Two requirements for holiday romance- cheesy scenarios and a happy ever after and this has both. I think that if there is ever a time when it is ok to have an over the top proposal with an instalove couple it’s when they’re running through NYC on Christmas Eve. Tessa Bailey consistently delivers stories that make your heart happy. The right amount of spice and angst mixed with characters you can’t help but love- that’s what Wreck the Halls delivers,

Wreck the Halls" offers blend of heat🔥and winter❄️ cheer in a story that brings together the daughter of music royalty and the lead singer's charismatic son, as they embark on a madcap mission to reunite their mothers' legendary band for a live TV performance.

Melody Gallard, a book 📚restorer who prefers to stay out of the limelight, finds herself at a crossroads when a generous offer to reunite her mother's band presents itself. Beat Dawkins, the charismatic and camera-friendly son of the lead singer 🎤, is her partner in this mission.

👫 Instant sparks fly between them, but is it true chemistry or just a case of #InstaLove? 🔥❤️
The book does offer its fair share of sexy scenes, but it's worth noting that Mel and Beat's instant connection is instalove that might not resonate with all readers.

In my case, the chemistry lacked the depth and authenticity I hope for in a romance. While providing a nice escape from reality, the emotional journey and personal growth of the main characters feel somewhat underdeveloped, leaving me craving for more depth and complexity in their relationship 💔.

🌨️ Wreck the Halls offers a winter backdrop, but it might leave you wanting more of that #ChristmasMagic. 🎄

🌟 Overall, "Wreck the Halls" is perfect for a quick and entertaining escape with a touch of holiday spirit. If you're in the mood for sexiness with a touch of winter cheer, give it a go! ❄️📖

#BookReview #HolidayRomance #WreckTheHalls #BookRecommendation #ReadingList #BookLovers #RomanceReads

The Facts: Friends to lovers, a lil bit Parent Trip-esque, insta-love/lust, only one bed trope, slight Christmas vibes but not overly Christmas

I know this is going to sound really dramatic, but I would die for this book. Literally. If there was a fire, I'd run back in the house to grab this (once I got my dogs out of course).

Now, I know, that sounds insane and crazy and slightly unhinged (okay, EXTREMELY unhinged) but let me tell you why:

BEAT AND MELODY. MELODY AND BEAT.

That's it. That's the review.

Just kidding.

I love the main characters in this book. They're funny, quirky in a totally loveable way, and hearts of gold. Reading their story just felt like home, and I was devastated when it was over. It was amazing to read them trying to get their mothers to perform again on reality TV. And the spice was amazing as per usual with Tessa's books. Melody and Beat were soulmates from the very start, and the writing showed that completely. AND HE CALLS HER PEACH. That is the cutest effing thing in the world. This book was a tribute to love, friendships, and soulmates. Melody and Beat were just so well-connected, like they were magnets trying to force themselves to stay near each other. I still can't even accurately state why I love this book. I just do. I think it would be impossible for me to not love this book.

This book is not your typical holiday book in fact it is on the craze of the rock and roll and band genre. The band Steel Birds broke up under mysterious circumstances and now a long lost song was released the pubic wants a reunion. The children of Octavia and Trina have a connection that not even they understand. Beat and Melody understand each other on a deep sense that they don't understand as well as can't explain. Beat (Octavia’s son) and Melody (Trina’s daughter) are now being paid to try and reunite their mothers. In the process Beat and Melody are required to have the whole adventure live streamed. On. this journey Beat and Melody find out many things about themselves they did not expect as well as each other. It is a fun, predictable book that is light to read and would definitely recommend. Tessa Bailey is quickly becoming a go to author for me and I can appreciate how she weaves a story together. There is something for everyone in this book make sure to pick it up Expected publication October 3, 2023

Thanks to Tessa Bailey, the publisher and net galley.

It’s no surprise that I love Tessa Bailey’s books, and I really love Christmas-themed Tessa Bailey books. Wreck the Halls has reverse Parent Trap vibes, with Beat and Melody working to get their mothers to get the band back together.

Wreck the Halls had a seriously unrealistic romance. But I don’t care. I love that Beat and Melody are essentially soulmates, like they’ve been waiting for this moment where they can be in the other’s presence. And their connection was fire. Tessa Bailey’s trademarked dirty talk was present and so, so satisfying.

Beat is so messed up, but Melody is so understanding and loving, helping him work through his issues. And while doing that, Melody just really grows as a character; she’s really a badass. I could relate to her so much.

I devoured Wreck the Halls and I couldn’t put it down. I fell in love with the characters and got so invested in their story. I already want to read it again.

Thank you to Avon Books for the review copy.

There was lots of hype about this book but sadly it didn’t live up to any of it. I found it impossible to care about any of the characters

I absolutely LOVED (!!!!!) this book! Tessa Bailey has written another delightful and fun rom-com read. I laughed, cried and I smiled with happiness throughout while reading (I was giddy at the end! It was sooooo good)!

Same as characters in past books, both Beat & Melody (I love these names!) fit together like the perfect puzzle pieces. The reader knows this to be true pretty much immediately - still the enjoyment is reading how they get permanently locked together.

Beat & Melody are children of two very famous female musicians (Octavia and Trina) who once were rock stars together and best friends. On the final tour all goes wrong, the duo split and a very strong hatred ensues between the two. This being the case - and just how different the women are - both Beat & Melody are raised quite differently.

Growing up the media loved Beat. Melody was criticized by the media. Beat had all the support and love from his mother. Melody had a lack of guidance and genuine signs of love from hers. Beat had all the advantages. Melody struggled with self-esteem and worked hard for what she had. Despite this, while separated for years, living different lives on opposite ends of the country - they always felt a connection from the very first time they met and that feeling never went away.

In the end, it is a reality show where the goal is to reunite their mothers on Christmas Eve to sing together again that brings them back together. Of course, in true Tessa Bailey style - there is much more to the need for this reality show to happen and be successful in the end.

Successful or not - Beat & Melody will tackle this together because you simply cannot have one without the other.

Wreck the Halls was my first Christmas book of the year and it was AMAZING! It was my favorite of the five Tessa Bailey books I have read so far. Make sure to add this to your TBR this Holiday season!

Synopsis:
Thirty years ago, Trina Gallard and Octavia Dawkin were rocking out as one of the most famous rock bands around, the” Steel Birds" .That was until they split, for reasons unknown. When the split happened, both were pregnant at the time. Trina had Melody, and Octavia had Beat.

Beat and Melody didn’t meet until they were sixteen and only for a brief moment. Their mothers hater each other, so being friends or in the same circle would have been impossible. They had an instant connection but quickly went on their own way. Fourteen years later, Beat finds himself in a bind and needing money. He is approached by a producer to make a live reality tv show over the next two weeks to bring back the “Steel Birds”. Melody agree’s, knowing that Beat needs the cash for some unknown reason. Over the next several days their instant connection they fourteen years ago flourished.

Over the next two weeks they work to try to reunite the “Steel Birds”, growing closer everyday. How long will they be able to resist the gravitational pull between each other?

Review
What a great holiday read.While you could argue that this was insta-love, they did meet when they were teenagers. Also in any holiday book, you are going to have to have some sort of quick romance. Melody’s character had me smiling and laughing with her sarcasm and witty remarks.

I enjoyed the reality tv show aspect. I do enjoy holiday books, most tropes are pretty repetitive. This one felt new and unique. The reality TV show aspect added some extra laughs in there.

Beat and Melody really had the perfect chemistry and balanced each other so well.

This book was a little cheesy, especially with the names, but I think every Holiday book needs to have a little of that sprinkled in.

You need to pre-order this book and read it this holiday season! Wreck the Halls comes out October 3rd. Make sure to add it to your TBR!

4.5

Wreck the Halls is a lot of things. A good book. A steamy book. A fun book with a great premise that I absolutely loved reading. But it is 100% NOT a Christmas book. So if you’re hesitant to read this one because of the time of year, don’t be. There’s a bit of snow, but this story could honestly take place in any season and still be just as good.

Beat and Melody are utterly charming together. Their matching names are a little too cutesy for me (and I never once stopped being distracted by Beat as a first name anyway), but I don’t think Beat is too far off when he calls them soulmates. They’re the kind of characters that are instantly connected when they meet, but Bailey does it in the most natural way. I totally bought them as soulmates – as friends, as lovers, as partners in crime. I was so on board for anything.

The plot is really wild and fun. Beat and Melody are trying to reunite their rock star mothers. And when I say this book has everything, I mean literally everything: elaborate galas, clashes with small town police, snowball fights, live-streamed reality TV, family drama, some seriously rock and roll moments, and, of course, Tessa Bailey’s signature sexiness. I think this may be the first time the dirty talk hasn’t completely ruined one of her sex scenes for me! Idk if that says more about me or the book, but whatever. Beat and Mel are explosive together.

I don’t know if this is the right book to put you in the Christmas spirit, but you should read it anyway, because it’s a hell of a lot of fun.

Another Tessa Bailey rom-com that doesn't disappoint! It's silly, it's cute, it's spicy and its the perfect holiday read that is not too centered around the holiday itself.

When Melody and Beat, two near strangers, set off to re-unite their long estranged rock star mothers for a Christmas Eve show, the two of them are fighting of serious crushes on each other. Their chemistry is immediate and undeniable, but is overshadowed by secrets Beat has been hiding, one of which he is being blackmailed for.

Their journey takes them to over-the-top Christmas parties and commune in the middle of nowhere, all while they are being followed by a camera crew. Melody's humor makes her lovable, as does Beat's kindness.

This was a quick and easy read perfect for a cold day!

Beat and Melody. Their mothers made up the infamous rock duo Steel Birds, that broke up in mysterious fashion 30 years ago. They’ve only met once, when they were 16, but the chemistry they both felt was undeniable. Now, a TV producer wants them to try to reunite their mothers for a one-night TV performance on Christmas Eve. The two weeks up to the event will be live streamed, so Beat and Melody will be paired through it all if they agree. And neither of them can deny the feelings that one chance meeting 14 years ago had left them with.

It’s no secret I adore Tessa Bailey. But dare I say…this one might be my new favorite? I absolutely loved Melody and Beat. Their banter, chemistry, and spice was off the charts. I laughed out loud. I caught myself smiling just sitting there reading. And I felt for these characters in the hard times. If this happened in real life I wouldn’t be able to look away from the live stream!

Even though this book is titled and appears to be a Christmas book, that’s just part of the story. There’s so much to it that it can be enjoyed any time of year, so don’t let that make you hesitate to grab this one! I’d highly recommend it for any rom-com reader that loves great witty banter, Insta-love, and of course, Tessa Bailey’s infamous spicy scenes!

Thank you to NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager for an advanced copy of this book!

Once again, Bailey does not disappoint!!!! The characters, the development, the plot, the banter… oh and the steam! 🙌🏻 absolutely will be recommending this to all my romance, smut, and witty banter lovers at the library.

right ok, I know its early and you wont be in the mood to read this yet but the second a flake of snow touches down within 5 miles, i'm going to need you to expeditiously pull up to your local bookstore!

Melody is us—awkward youth, glows up in her 30s— but if our mom was stevie nicks or something? Lost in her rockstar mom's shadow until BAM (or should I say Beat?) she meets and feels instant connection with the son of fellow rockstar—mom's bff turned arch nemesis.

the MMC name is Beat (I hate it too but we can't think about it to hard ok) he's always been cool, calm, collected and OBSESSED with Melody bc why wouldnt you, SHE GETS HIM.

they reconnect after YEARS and mayhem ensues as they try to get their mom's band back together.

there is literally nothing better than christmas in new york and this managed to capture that whimsy feeling within the e-pages so well, just chapters of HOT fun with two literal sweetie pies bc they are SO NICE (emphasis on hot, Beat is going through it).

when you want to forget everything going on in the world and enjoy pure holiday cheer, this is it.

5/5, reading this in sept was basically xmas edging (sorry Beat), but im not mad about it!

thank you Netgally, Tessa Bailey, and Avon and Harper Voyager, Avon for the ARC I had a great time, let's do this again soon!

Two nepo babies are tasked to reunite their rockstar moms on reality TV, whose band broke up ending their music careers before Melody and Beat were born. Beat needs the money a reunion would bring in and Melody doesn't want Beat to do this alone, but is afraid of the media after they hounded her as a kid. Can they successfully get their mothers back together for one spectacular Christmas Eve performance?

I really loved this book. While this is marketed as a Christmas book, I enjoyed that it wasn't the main theme of the story. It was really just a romance that happened to take place over December with the reunion happening on Christmas Eve. We have a classic Opposites Attract and Friends to Lovers romance tropes at play here. I enjoyed the story arc of Melody being this teenager who was harassed in the media who then turns out to be a media darling as the time reality show on. Both Beat and Melody were well rounded, likable characters. I loved their banter and the suspense of a will they or wont they finally give into their attraction. I didn't care for the third act breakup considering how late in the book they got together. I also had a hard time relating to Beat and his reason for not letting his mom know he was being blackmailed. It wasn't his burden to carry or his secret to keep. If I was in that situation I would have run to my parents right after I hung up the call!

Thanks to the publisher for the ARC in return for an honest review. This book releases 10/3