
Member Reviews

"Wreck the Halls" by Tessa Bailey is a heartwarming and enchanting Christmas romance that brings the festive spirit to life. The novel centers on Melody, a quirky and introverted rare book restoration expert, and Beat, a handsome and confident man accustomed to the spotlight. Both characters carry the weight of their pasts—Melody struggling with the shadow of her rockstar mother and Beat grappling with his privileged yet isolating upbringing. Their paths cross as they embark on a live-stream project called "Wreck the Halls," leading to unexpected emotional breakthroughs. Melody finds the confidence to step out of her comfort zone and embrace her true self, while Beat learns to open his heart and let others truly see him. With witty dialogue, genuine character development, and a touch of holiday magic, Bailey crafts a delightful story about finding love, healing, and self-acceptance. Perfect for readers seeking a feel-good holiday romance.

I loved the romance! they understood each and could be themselves together. The chemistry between them was amazing! I also loved the slow-burn and the sexual tension between the main characters. There were several scenes that made me blush and smile so much. The writing is beautiful and descriptive. I honestly felt like I was living in the world with the characters. I felt so many emotions while reading this book, I cried, I laughed and I smiled. This book will stay in my heart for a long time.

Tessa Bailey has been one of my absolute favorite authors for the past 4 years and will continue to be one of my favorite authors. If she writes it, I’m going to read it. She never fails to write the funniest books with so much heart and spice. She nails it every single time. I love her holiday books because they always nail the aesthetic and fun vibe of the season and mix it with her perfect romance recipe. Beat and Melody were so fun to read about and their story was so cute. I’ve never read a romance with this kind of plot line before and it was so much fun!
Another masterpiece by Tessa Bailey in the books and I can’t wait for future books by her because she is an all time favorite author.
*Thank you Netgalley and Avon for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was a cute holiday romp! If Tessa Bailey writes it, I'm gonna read it. The themes of 90s rock and roll, reality tv, and a pseudo star crossed lovers were all super fun. It wasn't my favorite TB book, but I'd love to read another holiday book by her!

This one was just okay for me and I honestly had a very hard time finishing it. There was A LOT going on in this one, the live reality show, the kink thing, blackmail and even the crazy Santa’s. It all felt messy to me. It didn’t feel much like a love story either, but came off more like obsession and lust (especially on Beat’s part) and I was bored by the time it turned into anything more. I enjoyed the start, and then for then it slowly declined and got a bit boring.
The blackmail thing started strong then just disappeared until the very end. I lost interest in that fast. The Kink thing was a surprise and a little bit odd honestly. It became the main focus toward the end and was just like …unmm okay.
I usually love her books, but this one wasn’t my favorite Tessa Bailey book, but I do look forward to her next book since I do enjoy her writing. Thank you @netgalley for this #arc for my honest review.

I read this right after the holidays and it was the best time to do so because it wasn’t super focused on being Christmas time like I thought it was! Such a great read anytime of the year.
I devoured this book and I feel like it might have pulled me out of a slump. It was full of emotion, the characters were so easy to absolutely love, and I rooted for the two of them so hard!
The entire storyline was fantastic, I was never asking myself what was going on or where the story was going because it was written so well.
My first 5 star read of 2024!

Probably not her strongest books. I felt the storyline wasn't great and the two main characters were pushed together without a strong plot.

Thank you Avon and Harper Voyager, Tessa Bailey, and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this advanced copy in exchange for my review.
I really didn’t know what I was getting myself into with this one, especially reading a Christmas book in the summer, but I’m always a sucker for a Tessa Bailey book. Melody and Beat were clearly meant to be together but their mother’s feud kept them apart for years and years. Until they are approached by a media company to film a live streamed reality tv show in order to get their mom’s band back together.
Beat and Melody had chemistry from the moment they met and it only grew and grew throughout the book. Though this book is exceptionally unrealistic, I loved every second of it. I’m usually not a huge Christmas book fan, but this book ended up being less about Christmas/winter/the holidays and more about the story at hand which I appreciated. Another TB book I love. Always always recommend!

Tessa Bailey's Wreck the Halls brings her trademark blend of steamy romance and witty banter to a holiday setting, offering a festive twist on her usual fare. Unlike her other works, which often center on contemporary settings and everyday dramas, this novel immerses readers in a glamorous yet chaotic world of rock star reunions and media frenzy. Melody's journey from the shadows to center stage, alongside Beat Dawkins, feels fresh and vibrant against the backdrop of Christmas chaos and high-stakes showbiz.
The novel excels in capturing the excitement of a high-energy holiday setting, with Bailey’s skillful world-building making the rock-and-roll scene feel as dynamic and colorful as the season itself. While the core elements of Bailey’s style—such as intense chemistry and emotional growth—are present, the Christmas theme adds a unique layer, enhancing the story's charm. This novel stands out as a festive, engaging entry in Bailey's repertoire, blending romance and holiday cheer with her usual flair.

A cute little Christmasy romp. It wasn't my favorite Tessa Bailey and I felt like the chemistry between Beat and Melody was lacking. The whole thing was too insta-love for me. But it was still entertaining to read.

I have loved every single book I’ve read by this author and this book was no different. If Tessa Bailey writes it I’m going to read it. Her books have just the right amount of spice and just the right amount of plot. I don’t normally like an insta-live but this one worked for me maybe it was the storyline of two kids of famous musicians. I love that the male main character is named Beat and the female main character is Melody.

From the names of the leading characters — Beat and Melody — to the cringe worthy interactions, I was bored and annoyed by this book. I gave it 1/3 of the novel before throwing in the towel.
This book is not a Christmas romance in case you’re wondering. It just so happens it takes place in December.

Too insta-feelings for us - unable to bond with the feelings in a meaningful way. Would prefer more depth and development.

"Wreck the Halls" by Tessa Bailey is a delightful holiday romance full of wit and charm. With engaging characters and a festive backdrop, this book is perfect for getting into the Christmas spirit. A fun and heartwarming read for the holidays.

I am the biggest Tessa Bailey ever and this book put me over! I loved the idea of starcross lovers because of ghost from their parents past! Tessa Bailey has a way of creating a world to escape to when the real one sucks. I would read her grocery list if she let me! These characters were so down to earth and relatable and lets be real, Tessa knows how to right spicy scenes without it feeling corny!

Love, love, love - Tessa Bailey fan for life over here! Very fun, cute romance - highly highly highly recommend.

I lost my kindle and couldn't redownload it. Sorry!
I lost my kindle and couldn't redownload it. Sorry!
I lost my kindle and couldn't redownload it. Sorry!
I lost my kindle and couldn't redownload it. Sorry!

Tessa Bailey definitely writes fun light entertaining stories and Wreck the Halls didn't disappoint. A few of her books were uneventful and I couldn't wait to finish, but this one has a little depth and a few funny moments. I would recommend picking this one up.
Thank you for your advance copy.

This definitely isn’t everyone’s cup of tea but I enjoyed it. Would I pick it up again? Probably not. The main characters name threw me off from the beginning and the story had so much potential.

I thought this was going to be a cute holiday read. It was a little slow to get through. Several times I didn’t want to even finish reading it. She meets Beat at 16 for a few minutes and pines over him for 14 years. The book didn’t seem realistic and dragged on.