Stopped reading at 60%. It’s an insta-love romance (don’t love this trope) with a super intense guy and a very sheltered girl. It overplayed her ditziness and a lot of toxic behavior on his part. Not for me.

Thanks NetGalley for the arc!

*Dream Girl* by Tessa Bailey is a delightful, steamy romance that balances humor and heart. The story follows a woman navigating love and self-discovery while dealing with family expectations and a complicated romance. Bailey’s signature mix of sharp wit, sizzling chemistry, and emotional depth makes this a compelling and fun read for fans of contemporary romance.

Loved this one so much!!! Thank you for this ARC!!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC for my honest review. I was so in the mood for this book so it really helped me cruise through.

I will say I think book one was my favorite of these so far but the tension!!! Guys it just didn’t stop and man was that a win. Sig & Chloe have a chance meeting and it’s love at first sight? Sig didn’t even need to see Chloe to know she was the one…that is until they realize they are about to become step siblings. Yikes! Chloe is a harp prodigy who’s had everything handed to her her entire life…and it shows. Sig is a big ol hockey player who does everything for Chloe. I wish there was a bit more character development and it was hard to relate to Chloe. But I actually have a friend who was similar to Chloe so she did feel accurate. I wish she just gave us a bit more. My favorite parts were the tension of they absolutely can’t but how hard was it for Sig to walk away. But even he had struggled with the idea of not being good enough when what the heck? He was so loyal.

I don’t think I’ve ever loved a Tessa Bailey book as much I enjoyed this one!

I also didn’t think I’d be into a plot with super-rich main characters, but… the FMC, Chloe, grew on me. Her character growth and development was worth the wait. And as for the MMC, Sig, honestly, it was love at first read. He’s hot! Generous to a fault! and so effing in love with Chloe that it made me love him more.

The forbidden love aspect of the plot (the two characters are soon-to-be step siblings despite much protest) was sooo angsty and tension-filled. It really was a sloowww burn. It took more than halfway through the book for spice, but it was worth it! Spice was 4/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

(Thank you, Avon and Harper Voyager, for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.)

Tessa Bailey is usually so “no thoughts, head empty” romp of a read, but this one just wasn’t it for me. I’m usually excited to read the next book in her series because of how they were introduced in the previous book, except I didn’t really care about Sig and Chloe that much. It’s also lust at first sight, then the rest of the book is them just wanting to get together. No idea how they fell in love, just lust. And the twist at the end after a third act breakup just threw it out for me.

This one was not it for me. I have read many Tessa Bailey books and this is my least favorite. I am not a fan of instant love and this book has that by page 10. I felt like Chloe was too oblivious and not in a lovable way that some characters can be. She purposefully spent money without thinking of other costs or rent. The whole step siblings "problem" was far fetched and not really a problem as they are both adults when their parents get married. And the magic resolution to this problem was too convenient.

This is Tessa Bailey's best in a while! Breezed through this one. After the Au Pair Affair, I was chomping at the bit and really excited to read Dream Girl Drama! I really enjoyed Chloe's character and getting to know her better in this one. She was bright and fun and played well off of Sig. Sig was a classic Tessa Bailey hero and I will eat it up every time. I really felt the love they had for each other and it felt more palpable and intense than the most previous Bailey books! The spice was spicing and very hot. I was speeding through the pages to see if they could have their HEA and was happy with the ending of the story! Thank you for the advanced copy!

Sig and Chloe meet at the worst time; they are about to become step siblings, but have fallen hopelessly in love. I love how Sig knew instantly that Chloe was his, same with her. The angst in this book is unmatched! The entire time you know how they feel about each other, but it’s hidden because of their parents. I love that they fall in love by being friends first! The relationship is great, and the book is well written. Sig and Chloe are amazing characters and interact so well! I could have used a little less “we can’t be together”, but then again it made the story. I also absolutely LOVE that he calls her dream girl. Totally swoon!! Tessa Bailey was on point once again!

Now this book is one I have been waiting for and it was worth the wait. I loved the back and forth banter between the two. Also their relationship is so cute like the way she looks at him "chef's kiss". He know what she needs before she does and it shows. With that being said I didn't like the part where he was selling this things to help her but also thats on him for not saying anything. If I had to describe the book with one phrase it would be "She looked at him like the hung the moon".

Tessa. Bailey.

My excitement for new Tessa Bailey books will never diminish and I cannot explain how excited I was for “Dream Girl Drama” ever since we were introduced to Chloe and Sig in the last book.

Usually I’m not even a fan of insta-love, but the chemistry between Sig and Chloe is undeniable. It was one of the most natural, cosmic connections I’ve seen. Watching their deep love for each other be shown through their friendship was very heartfelt. They truly felt like soulmates.

The conflict in this book felt very realistic and torturous. I love when I can’t think of an easy solution to the conflict in the books I read. I felt just as hopeless as they did—already crying 40% of the way through. I also really connected with Chloe and am going to miss being inside her head.

I was so excited for the return of the Orgasm Twins, two of my favorite side characters. I was laughing every time they were on the page. I can already feel their books coming, and I am claiming first place in line.

I was looking forward to this book all year and it did not disappoint at all. Tessa Bailey is going to stay one of my favorite authors forever.

Got this book as an ARC and it was everything I hoped it would be! After loving Fangirl Down and being slightly disappointed by the Au Pair Affair, Tessa Bailey has done it again with Dream Girl Drama. As a non-sports fan but major fan of whatever this is, highly recommend. I would say that at points I didn't totally understand why the forbidden romance was SO forbidden- they're not really siblings or related in any way! They met as adult strangers before they even knew! - but it was done very well anyway and I loved Chloe and Sig. Chloe came off as kind of vapid and not very smart in Au Pair Affair, so it was great to see who she was on the inside and get her perspective, and Sig was the classic obsessed MMC we all love.

I loved all three books of the Big Shots series by Tessa Bailey and as someone who is typically not one to gravitate to sports romance, it’s a fun discovery. Fangirl Down is still my favorite of the three, but the whole series is really fun. After sneak peeks of Sig and Chloe in the second book, I was really looking forward to reading their story. They were an unlikely duo with a sloooow burn romance. It was funny and silly in all the best ways Tessa Bailey delivers in her books. Thank you to Avon, Harper Voyager, and NetGalley for the ARC.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this series so much! & I was THRILLED to get an early ARC from NetGalley & Avon books

Sig & Chloe story was beyond exceptional. The inner struggle they both go through and the forced growth that has to happen had me fighting for them along side them.

As always, banter between the two MCs is and will ALWAYS be my favorite. Tessa Bailey once again did not disappoint and I’m looking forward to the next installment coming this summer 2025!

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity! Tessa Bailey is one of my all time favorite authors. Hockey is my favorite sport of sports romance. And this series has been so great. Sig and Chloe are mentioned earlier on in the series and I was so excited to get to read this book. It is a forbidden romance trope, so of course read the trigger warnings first as this book won’t be for everybody. This relationship was *chefs kiss* Not everyone can pull off this kind of romance tastefully, but Tessa did. I loved every second of it. I can’t wait for the series to continue.

The third installment of the Big Shots series, but each book can be read as a standalone. This story follows Sig and Chloe, a couple that meet by chance and it is love at first sight. However, later that same night, they find out that their parents are getting married, and they will soon be step-siblings. The two do their best to fight their attraction, but find it impossible to deny their love. A lot of sexual tension and angst- the perfect combo for a yummy love story. Sig is also the perfect cinnamon roll, possessive, alpha male we all want as an MMC. I have loved all of the books in this series- check them out!

2.75 stars

”you love her?” “I exist for her.”

I found the initial chapters of this novel quite promising, as the undeniable chemistry between the protagonists drew them together during their charming first encounter. however, the story took an unexpected turn with soap opera-like events following their realization that they were about to become step-siblings. initially, i adored the way the male character spoiled the female protagonist with a ‘princess treatment’ and took such tender care of her.
yet, as the story progressed, I began to feel disconnected from the narrative. Chloe was often depicted in a childlike manner, which became challenging to engage with at times. nonetheless, I was genuinely surprised by the significant twist revealed at the end of the book, and I appreciated how the author deftly navigated the complexities of their forbidden relationship.
Overall, it was a fast-paced read featuring endearing characters and moments of delightful romance.

many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
🔥🔥🔥

Quick Breakdown

Hockey Hero x Harp Prodigy
Future Step Sister
Forbidden Vibes
He Takes Care of Her
Insta Attraction
Tension for DAYS
Slow Burn
Dual POV
Open Door - Moderate Detail

When Sig’s truck breaks down outside of a golf course on his way to meet his estranged dad & his new girlfriend, he doesn’t expect to meet the woman of his dreams. Chloe & Sig share an instant intense connection & a kiss so red hot both know their lives will be forever changed. The bubble bursts though, when Sig gets to his important dinner & Chloe is already there. Her mom & his dad aren’t only dating, they’re engaged.

When Sig learns the sheltered Chloe always wanted to move to Boston for music school, he brings her back home with him. All the while knowing he can’t touch his future step sister.

I FLUFFING loved this!

It flirted with feeling taboo while not at the same time given Sig & Chloe met before they knew their fate. The will they / won’t they tension paired with their wholesome respect & desire to care for each other had me swooning!

I am OBSESSED with how obsessed Sig is with Chloe. The “he takes care of her” and gentle passive vibes Sig radiates have become some of my all time favorites for the respective tropes. This paired with the mutual pining, unwillingly falling in love as friends with the delayed gratification of their physical relationship made me burn alive as it edged me on. I will never look at laundry the same again 🫠

In The Au Pair Affair, Chloe had a bubbly naive personality that I originally didn’t know how to feel about. While we still see her that way, her back story explains why & you can’t help but love her for it. We learn so much more about her, including how kind & resilient she is as she attempts to grow her world & live more independently. Sig is her ultimate cheerleader & coincidentally, she brings out the best in him, too.

I already can’t wait to read it again!

What I liked:

There was a cute dog.

What didn’t work for me:

The insta-love was off the charts. Sig and Chloe are basically obsessed with each other from chapter 2. There was no build up at all. The only tensions I guess was sexual tension since they don’t actually cross that line until later in the book.

There was absolutely no chemistry between Sig and Chloe. The lack of character development made them feel like caricatures, Chloe the sheltered rich girl and Sig, the fixer. I don’t understand why or believe that they actually love each other.

I really wanted Chloe to have a lot of growth throughout the story and learn to be independent, but that really didn’t happen. Sig helped her move to Boston, but then for the most part sheltered her and bankrolled her so she never had to stand on her own two feet. It felt very infantilizing to me.

A lot of the spice is a big no for me. I hate how Tessa Bailey writes dirty talk, it is typically super cringey. And if I never hear/read the phrase “spurting sex” again I will be a happy woman.

I did not enjoy the circumstances of this book and I think it ruined the characters. The heroine has no growth as she went from being supported by her mother to being supported by the love interest. Her conversation with the landlord where she just used pretty girl privilege to avoid paying rent was gross. Then the hero is such an idiot that he side hustles to sell memorabilia to support her rather than teaching her anything about how to support herself. I love the first few chapters but the structure of the story made me hate the characters that the author started off on such a high note. I wish she had more of a relationship with her mentor who seemed like a bad ass. But she too was wooed by her talent and just gives up her job to her? I prefer more growth of people, not codependent misogynists.

Tessa does not disappoint. After I read the first two in the series, I needed to read this one and I am so glad that I got the chance! Thank you for the opportunity!