Tessa Bailey has done it again! These two were so perfect for each other, I found myself at times just going "Just kiss already!" I loved the storyline - while farfetched, it never once felt unrealistic, and it made me go listen to Fleetwood Mac immediately after finishing! The hero was the quintessential Tessa Bailey man; dark, brooding, would-do-anything-for-her, but with enough wit to balance it out. Melody never once felt like a damsel, which I was a little worried about, but instead I knew she was strong and could do anything. These two played off each other so well, I got to the end and found myself wishing for six more chapters! Great book!

I really enjoyed this sweet and steamy holiday standalone romance.

Beat and Melody have always been linked by the press because their famous mothers were in a notorious rock band years ago, that has since split up in a terrible break up that no one knows the full extent of. When attention on the band reignites and Beat needs a lot of money quickly, they team up on a reality show to reunite their mothers.

Is it slightly unbelievable that they would amass a huge following and people would become obsessed with the idea of them as a couple in only a few short days? Absolutely. Does that matter all that much? Nope.

Beat and Melody have a really fun dynamic between them and while their love story happens fast, it makes sense given all that they each struggle with. If anything, Melody gets a little shortchanged in the narrative because of all that Beat is dealing with, while Melody has definitely grown into the more well-adjusted of the two, but that's not a real problem in the narrative.

It's fun, emotional, and hits all the right beats, like every good Tessa Bailey book does.

ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Melody and Beat are two halves of one soul and the ultimate team. Their instant connection and deepening of their bond throughout their adventure convincing their rock star moms back together for a comeback tour was a delight to read. Tessa Bailey never disappoints.

This was the first of this author’s books that I’ve read and I get the hype. What a romance! So much spice! I didn’t totally get into the Christmas setting; I feel like this story could have taken place at any time. But still it was a fun read with great characters, great banter, and steamy sex.

Thank you Avon Books for my copy! All thoughts are my own.

When I think of Tessa Bailey, I think of FUN. So, I was very much looking forward to reading Wreck the Halls, since I love a good fun Rom Com and a holiday book. Unfortunately, this book didn’t meet the mark for me. It was a little too fun and a little too cheesy. It has “Hallmark After Dark” vibes and I wish there was a bit more reality to it. But, it is a really fun book that doesn’t take itself seriously and I think will bring a lot of people (who like open door romances) joy this season. Just didn’t work for me!

Synopsis:

“Melody Gallard may be the daughter of music royalty, but her world is far from glamorous. She spends her days restoring old books and avoiding the limelight (one awkward tabloid photo was enough, thanks). But when a producer offers her a lot of money to reunite her mother’s band on live tv, Mel begins to wonder if it’s time to rattle the cage, shake up her quiet life… and see him again. The only other person who could wrangle the rock and roll divas.

Beat Dawkins, the lead singer’s son, is Melody’s opposite—the camera loves him, he could charm the pants off anyone, and his mom is not a potential cult leader. Still, they might have been best friends if not for the legendary feud that broke up the band. When they met as teenagers, Mel felt an instant spark, but it’s nothing compared to the wild, intense attraction that builds as they embark on a madcap mission to convince their mothers to perform one last show. 

While dealing with rock star shenanigans, a 24-hour film crew, brawling Santas, and mobs of adoring fans, Mel starts to step out of her comfort zone. With Beat by her side, cheering her on, she’s never felt so understood. But Christmas Eve is fast approaching, and a decades-old scandal is poised to wreck everything—the Steel Birds reunion, their relationships with their mothers, and their newfound love.” —NetGalley

What I Liked:

The Typical Tessa Bailey Fun—Looks, Tessa Bailey’s books are plain old FUN. And this book is no exception. I wish there was more festive cheer in it because that’s what I was hoping for.

What Didn’t Work for Me:

The Insta Love—I want to get behind it, but it just always makes me cringe. It doesn’t feel real to me!

The Cheese—Beat was just a little too much for me. He’s adorable and such a golden retriever, but I couldn’t suspend my disbelief enough to get on board.

The Pacing—I think overall this book just wasn’t for me.

Character Authenticity: 1/5 Spice Rating: 3.5/5 Overall Rating: 2/5

Content Warnings:

Abandonment, blackmail, infidelity

Tessa Bailey gives us a nice Christmas treat with Wreck The Halls. It’s not your typical hallmarkesque Christmas romance which I LOVED! Beat and Melody (yes, those are the names of our MCs) are each the offspring of two legendary rock goddesses! Beat’s mom Octavia has serious diva pipes and Mel’s mom Trina is magic on the guitar and a world class lyricist. (Does this remind anyone else of Heart? My all time favorite band) Together they were Steel Birds and they were the biggest rock duo in the world in the early 90s until shit hit the fan on their last tour and the band broke up leaving the world to speculate why and hungry for more music. 30 years later their biggest hit is now number one on the charts again and people are begging for a reunion. A reality tv producer approach Beat and Melody separately and task them with the impossible. Reunite Steel Birds for a Christmas Eve special and we are going to live stream the whole process! There is only one problem, their mothers LOATHE each other. Beat and Melody each have their reasons for agreeing to the impossible and along the way the world gets to see them realize they are two halves to a whole. What beautiful music a beat and melody make. We also get a charity gala with plenty of drama, a brawl with Santa’s at a hippie commune, a classic only one bed trope that ends just how we like, lots of hilarious dialogue and of course a happy ending!

Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins, and Tessa Bailey for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This was Tessa Bailey at her best! Wreck The Halls was everything I love in a Christmas book. It was funny and charming and had the feel-good moments of the season, without being so over-the-top Christmas that you weren’t enjoying the actually plot. Beat and Melody were great characters. I found myself rooting for them both. I thought the premise of the book was so unique and fun. The banter between Melody and Beat was perfect. Honestly, this book just made me smile the entire time I was reading it. It was full of shenanigans and hijinks and dramatic grand gestures. As with every Tessa Bailey book, there was the perfect amount of spice, that was silly and sweet and just a tad over the top. Honestly couldn’t have loved this book more than I did!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book. I love everything Tessa Bailey puts out so I knew this would be a hit even before reading it...and I was right! I loved Melody and Beat from the get-go and I loved reading to see how their story played out. The premise was so unique with a reality show following around Melody and Beat to reunite their two rock star moms who do not get along. It was so great! Its the perfect holiday read. Tessa always has the perfect story mixed with the right amount of romance. Readers will fall in love with Melody and Beat just like I did.

4.25 Stars!
This was a very cute book! I freaking loved how the love story developed throughout the book. Although I thought the pacing of the book was a little fast, I think it was perfect for the story. The spice was amazing! The perfect holiday read for Tessa Bailey fans!

This was such a cute and fun read and now I want the winter to be here already. The romance was so cute and fun.

4 Stars

I’ve read a few books by Tessa Bailey over the years & have always struggled my way through them. I had basically written her off and figured this would be my last, but I was so pleasantly surprised by Wreck the Halls!

The chemistry between the two main characters gave me butterflies and I felt like my heart was physically aching on more than one occasion. Insta-love is not my vibe but somehow in this book it worked and I believed it. I also really liked the storyline as a whole despite it being far fetched.

Wreck the Halls was overly dramatic and unbelievable at times but I can’t say I didn’t enjoy the majority of the ride.

Thank you to Net Galley & Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Wreck the Halls
Tessa Bailey
Oct. 3
Avon
Christmas romance
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
This story is an incredible tribute to finding that person you can have a connection with. Loved it!
Theme, plot and characters are especially well done. It’s steaming hot too!
4 stars

Wreck the Halls is another swoon inducing, spicy romance by Tessa Bailey. Melody and Beat had so much chemistry and banter. I loved how they fit perfectly with each other and were able to understand what it was like growing up in the spotlight. Tessa Bailey was able to write a wonderful story about trust, love and acceptance. I can't wait to re-read this holiday romance!
Thank you Netgalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC!

Thank you Netgally and Avon and Harper Voyager for access to this arc.


Beat Dawkins and Melody Gallard are the (adult) children of two women who made up the Steel Birds, an iconic band in the 1980s and 1990s. When the Steel Birds broke up in something known as “the Incident” both Octavia and Trina were pregnant with their respective children. Fans of the Steel Birds have been salivating for a reunion for 30 years but the two women apparently hate each other so the likelihood of it happening is approximately the same as if hell freezes over.

Beat and Melody met once when they were both 16. The media were very hard on Melody; criticizing her body, her face, her hair, her clothes, but they loved Beat. He was always the media’s darling. When they did meet as teenagers, Beat, who is not an asshole, felt an instant connection to Melody and understood that she was being unfairly treated. Only the two of them know what it’s like to be Steel Birds children. It’s hard to make friends when often all those people want to know is the inside scoop about what really happened between their mothers. And the media spotlight for them is unique. Melody has an instant and life-long crush after that first meeting and it is cemented when Beat calls the media out on their behavior toward her afterward and things start to turn around for her.

Now they’re both 30. They haven’t seen each other in 14 years but an intrepid producer who won’t quit has an idea for a reality TV/live stream show where Beat and Melody get the band back together for a Christmas Eve performance at Rockefeller Center. If they succeed, each will get $1,000,000.

Melody has a fraught relationship with her free-living mother, Trina. The money will mean she can have a relationship with her mother on her terms – including not at all, and still be okay. For Beat the financial need is much more urgent; he is being blackmailed about something to do with his mother, Octavia – something that he believes will destroy their family – and he either needs to take out a massive loan or earn a million dollars in a couple of weeks.

Neither Beat nor Melody actually think they can succeed in their mission but each is willing to try. Beat agrees to speak to Melody to bring her on board but, ever her protector, makes it clear that he won’t do it if Melody is not completely comfortable. Melody, still starry-eyed over Beat, will do just about anything for him. She doesn’t know why for most of the book but she knows there’s a reason Beat needs the money so she agrees.

For the next not-quite two weeks, Beat and Melody will be filmed for up to 14 hours per day and (almost) everything they do in that time will be live-streamed on the internet as they try and reunite the Steel Birds. Beat and Melody have always had a connection and when they meet again as adults it’s like something clicks into place. The internet is very quickly wild for “Belody” and the numbers the production company sees outstrip all expectations.

Beat is hiding an aspect of his sexuality and he initially tries to keep Melody at a distance because he does not believe they can be together. I found this aspect of the story a little hard to resolve; if it’s been such a big part of Beat’s life for so long, it seemed fairly easy to open up to Melody in the end. If it was so easy to open up to Melody, was it really that a big a problem in the first place?

The thing Beat is being blackmailed over was extremely under developed.

The whole book is leading up to this amazing Steel Birds reunion.

The relationship between Beat and Melody is the best part of the book. I do love a hero who is totally gone for his lady and Beat certainly is. Melody is similarly unable to hide her feelings for Beat. Melody was funny and it was great to see her come out of her shell and stand up for herself. It was good to see Beat let not only Melody but also some of his long-time friends in (although I would have liked a little more of the latter; it could have been more fleshed out but as it was it was fairly glancing). Yes, their romance is very whirlwind but I bought their connection so that wasn’t a barrier for me.

I liked Wreck the Halls well enough but it felt a bit rushed in places and didn’t quite have the charm of Unfortunately Yours or It Happened One Summer.

Wreck the Halls was a cute romcom about two children of rock n roll legends who team up on a reality tv series to convince their mothers to do a reunion show.

Best and Melody’s banter was absolutely delightful. I don’t normally like instalove tropes but I enjoyed how this one was written. She was quirky and fun. Seeing her learn to love herself was great. I could see why “melody-heads” were popping up everywhere. I am totally one. Beat got a little annoying. He was way overprotective, like women can fight their own battles too buddy, and multiple times he took the choice out of her hands, made it and walked away. He’s lucky she forgave him so easily. The fans in person and online were phenomenal, exactly what fans should be!

Overall a cute book. However I definitely wouldn’t think of this book as a holiday book. Beyond the fact that they had a snowball fight and the Christmas Eve concert mention. No other descriptions of holiday fun, decorating, etc was mentioned. Also she’s playing bocce ball outside when it’s freezing and snowing seemed strange.

I love all of her books. Wreck the Halls is about Melody and Beat and their mom's distain for each other. They meet once by chance and then they meet again when Beat needs Melody's help. Their moms were in a band together and they fell apart, and nobody really understands why. Beat is offered a lot of money if they can successfully get their moms to do a 30-year reunion concert. Beat is also being blackmailed about a family matter and he wants to protect his family. I really enjoyed the characters and how Beat is always trying to protect Melody. This holiday romance is filled with lots of laughter, drama and fun!
I can't wait to order a copy of this book for our library!

Thank you for the ARC. I've notcied that Tessa Bailey has changed here writing style. At points it gets very overwhelming and bogged down. Took my a while to get into the book. Overall a cute and steamy christmas read.

Tessa Bailey seems to be a hit or miss author for me, and unfortunately, I think this one is going to be a miss for me. It is marketed as a holiday book, but other than a couple of references to it being winter time and around the holiday season, it didn't seem very Christmas-y. I also wished that Beat would have told his mom about Fletcher Carr blackmailing him and knowing he was his real father. It is always kind of anti-climactic when the character who has been keeping a secret finally tells and the person already knows, which was the case in this situation. The third act break up also drives me crazy. There's no doubt their is plenty of steam in this one, and the chemistry between Melody and Beat is undeniable. I guess I felt like that got lost with everything else that was going on in the story. Overall, this wasn't my favorite but I didn't completely hate it either. It Happened One Summer still remains my favorite Tessa Bailey book. Thank you to the publisher for giving me the chance to read an early digital copy of this book.

This book surprised me in a good way! The way that Melody began prioritizing herself and choosing to put herself first really made me love her character arc. She relied on Beat and depended on him, but she chose to stand her ground and not lower her standards when it came to the tough decisions, which I totally respect!

I loved the whole Wreck The Halls livestream idea! I thought it was so entertaining to read their bickering and banter and to think about the fact that everyone in the country was getting to witness it too…I would have completely been obsessed with them as a couple too!

The one bed trope IRL, singing Rattle the Cage, the banter, the emotions, the bocce league game….getting it all on camera made it so much better and Melody getting to rewatch all the special moments back at the end truly made her realize how much Beat really loved her.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and the spice was chef’s kiss 😘! I would recommend!

Thank you Harper Collins & Tessa Bailey for the ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

📖 ARC REVIEW 📖

𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙨𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙣. 𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙖𝙥𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙗𝙚𝙨𝙞𝙙𝙚 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙡𝙤𝙘𝙠𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙬𝙤 𝙥𝙞𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙨 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙖𝙢𝙚 𝙥𝙪𝙯𝙯𝙡𝙚, 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙪𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙜𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙨𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧, 𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙤𝙣 𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙨𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚.

Oh my goodness, I absolutely devoured this book! Let me tell you, the TENSION in this one is so thick! I absolutely ate it up.

Melody first met Beat, the son of her mother’s nemesis and ex-bandmate, at the age of 16. From that moment on, though they didn’t see or talk to on another for 14 years, they shared a bond that they could never find with anyone else. Now they’ve agreed to join onto a reality show trying to bring their mothers back for a reunion, leading them to spend every waking moment together in the weeks leading up to Christmas Eve…

First of all, although the setting of this book is around the Christmas holiday, I wouldn’t say that it is an overly “Christmasy” book. It really could have been set at any time of year, but the backdrop of Christmas-time in NYC is so cozy, it really added to my enjoyment of the story.

Melody was by far my favorite character. She is so funny and witty, without really meaning to be, and I totally understand how Beat fell in love with her so easily.

And Beat was so much more complicated than he seemed from the start; although he seemed so put together in the public eye, there was a lot more going on behind the walls he put up.

And I have to say, although their “love story” spans *only* a few weeks, it really didn’t feel insta-lovey to me with their history, and the special bond they share.

There’s a little bit of *mystery*, two VERY different rocker moms, and it was such a fun story, with an ending that had me pulling out the tissues for all the cuteness. 🥹 Such a fun, cute book!

What this book is giving:
✅ Holiday Romance
✅ Second Chance
✅ Dual POV
✅ Children of Rock Legends
✅ Forced Proximity
✅ The TENSION 🔥
✅ Reality Show
✅ Magnificently Hilarious Mel

Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / 5
🌶️🌶️🌶️ / 5