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Member Reviews

Tessa Bailey never disappoints. I love that her novels have interwoven characters and situations. Her books are fast paced and witty and fun. This particular book makes you feel all the feels. The characters seem vulnerable and relatable. I didn’t feel there was as much spice as some of her other books, but there is definitely some. I will never not read a Tessa Bailey book. Highly recommend.

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Despite the fact that they find out they’re going to be step siblings, Sig and Chloe have an undeniable attraction to each other. Try as they might, sometimes harder than others, they are unable to deny their attraction. The storyline follows them to Boston as Chloe tries to make it on her own without the financial support of her mother. Sig and Chloe are both chasing their dreams, but those dreams might not be able to include each other. The twist at the end was one I didn’t see coming.

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I was over the moon when I received the ARC for the latest Tessa Bailey romance. When I finished The Au Pair Affair I couldn’t wait to read Sig and Chloe’s story. The step-sibling trope isn’t one of my faves but I trust Tessa Bailey implicitly and I will tell you, that trust was rewarded. Sig and Chloe have one of the best meet cutes I’ve read in a long time: immediate chemistry with rapid-fire flirty conversation and an instant understanding of the other person. I’ve railed against instalove in romances but when it is done well, it makes you believe in love at first sight.

So Sig is a professional hockey player who grew up dirt poor, raised by his mother after his father abandoned them. But he is in a good place now - he just wants to renew his contract, make some more money, and become the captain of his team. Chloe grew up Connecticut-country club rich, a harp-playing child prodigy. She has never had to do much of anything on her own. A flat tire and a dead cell phone lead Chloe and Sig to a chance meeting and both imagine it could blossom into more, but when they find out their parents are engaged, they realize that a love affair is not in the cards for them. But Sig is still going to help Chloe break out of cocoon and go for her dreams, even if it is torture for the two of them to be around each other.

Bailey knows how to ratchet up the sexual tension to about 110, drawing out the longing between these two characters. It makes the payoff so good. But also, I genuinely wasn’t sure how she was going to resolve the major problem SIg and Chloe are facing; breaking up the parents felt like such an easy solution, it didn’t feel like it would fit the storyline. I always enjoy when I am kept on my toes a bit with a romance novel.

If you are a Tessa Bailey fan, you are going to love this one. If you’ve not read Tessa Bailey yet, (what? why??) I wouldn’t start here, go read the other two books in this series first and then dive into this one, you will be so glad you did.

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Tessa Bailey delivers yet another steamy, heartfelt romance with Dream Girl Drama. This story is packed with her signature charm—sizzling chemistry, whip-smart banter, and deeply relatable characters. The protagonist’s journey of self-discovery and vulnerability is both touching and empowering, while the love story is the perfect mix of sweet and spicy.

What sets this book apart is the emotional depth, as Bailey explores themes of self-worth and personal growth alongside the romance. However, a few predictable plot twists kept this from being a five-star read for me. Still, it’s a fun, satisfying ride that I’d recommend to any fan of contemporary romance.

A solid, swoon-worthy pick from Tessa Bailey!

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I was so excited to read sig and Chloe's story! Their tension in the previous book was so fun! I actually really enjoyed reading a forbidden romance trope in a rom com setting! We got to see the back story of how they met before they found out about the step sibling! I love that you know exactly what to expect out of a Tessa Bailey novel and she delivers on spice and banter. Sig is so persistent and so kind and the way he goes out of his way to show his love!

3.5 stars! Thank you Netgalley for the arc!

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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!

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*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!!

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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.

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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.)

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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!

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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".

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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!

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