a huge thanks for netgalley, avon & harper voyager for an arc of this book. my thoughts are honest, my own & not influenced in any way.

i was immensely excited to not only read a new tessa bailey but do so in advance. unfortunately, however, this book really let me down. i liked the characters well enough and i think they were very dimensionally crafted but in terms of the romance, it fell very flat for me because of the insta lust & the insta love aspect. everything was moving way too fast. they met, they kissed, they confessed within like 20-30 pages, which is RIDICULOUS, I just was not able to suspend my disbelief enough to believe in their romance for even one second. it felt way too over the top and did not feel like it was subverting any tropes or doing anything differently in particularly. will always be on a quest to find the next "it happened one summer." since i dnf'd it, my original review has no rating but that said, since that's not an option here, i think i will give it a 3 star because i do think some people would absolutely eat this up, especially fans of this series as a whole!

— dnf @ 38%

I was waiting for Sig and Chloe's story since they got introduced in the author's previous book. It sounded scandalous and organic as well as she was going to be his step-sister but how to go about it if you got into it before knowing the future relationship right??? So readers will need to get okay with that trope. But I felt it was way too steamy even compared to the author's previous novels. I felt it too unfinished and could have been better with more closures.

Tessa Bailey does it again! Tessa's books are always an automatic read for me, and "Dream Girl Drama" did not disappoint! I loved the unlikely romance, graphic spice scenes and main characters in this book! I couldn't get enough of the "sport" theme and had so much fun reading this book!

I have mixed feelings about this one. I'll start with the positives. Sig and Chloe have off the charts chemistry and their initial meeting had me eagerly anticipating their story. I love their banter, their spice, and their growing affection for one another. I like how Sig takes her under his wing and helps her find her footing and independence away from her mother's control. And I love how Chloe blossoms.

Sig and Chloe both have complicated family relationships and more than a little emotional baggage. I appreciated the impact those relationships had on the characters but also that Bailey kept the vibe of the book fun and fast moving. There are times (many times) when Chloe seems impossibly young and naive. There are good reasons for that. It also makes her growth arc that much more significant.

The part of the story that just doesn't ring true for me is the stepsibling obstacle to their romance. Sig and Chloe have just met as adults. His father (with whom he barely has a relationship) and her mother have also recently met and announce their engagement the same day Sig and Chloe meet. We're supposed to believe that will make a relationship between Sig and Chloe taboo? It feels silly to me and not a reasonable or realistic obstacle. Others may disagree but for me there are plenty of layers to wade through in this relationship without it.

Aside from the step-sibling issue, this is a fun, fast, enjoyable story with sparkling banter, great hockey brotherhood, significant character growth, and a sweet - and spicy - romance.

ARC received from Avon via NetGalley
Fair and unbiased opinion

The last book in this series was not my cup of tea but I thought I’d give this one a try. DNF’d part of the way through because I just wasn’t in the mood for it. Look forward to rereading it later & hopefully finishing

Things I like about this book
-hockey romance
-the hockey guys
-Chloe’s love of music
-touch her and die vibes
Things that gave me the ick
-insta love
-the fact they are going to be step siblings and shouldn’t date but still bang that’s weird to me

Basically I liked the hockey parts of this book because I’m a hockey girlie but the relationship wasn’t for me they had no connection beyond lust and it just didn’t work for me I wish they had more of an emotional connection beyond dirty thoughts

This was a fun, fast paced forbidden romance and a great addition to Tessa Bailey’s “Big Shots” series.

Chloe and Sig have just found out that their parents are getting married, which complicates the fact that they have just shared a steamy meeting.
With reputations on the line, they must decide how much they’re willing to risk in order to find love.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this novel! I can’t wait to see what’s next in this series (though I think some hints were dropped!)

Thank you to @NetGalley and @avonbooks for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

"Dream Girl Drama" by Tessa Bailey delivers a satisfying and engaging romance, particularly for those eagerly anticipating Chloe and Sig's story after their introduction in the previous installment. From the outset, the premise is undeniably compelling: a whirlwind romantic connection complicated by the revelation of an impending step sibling relationship.

Bailey skillfully crafts a scenario that balances forbidden love with undeniable chemistry. Sig and Chloe's predicament, stemming from their parents' unexpected marriage, creates a compelling emotional conflict. Sig's determination to pursue his "dream girl," coupled with Chloe's burgeoning attraction, despite her sheltered background, drives the narrative forward. The dynamic between them is a captivating blend of sweetness and tension, as they navigate their complex situation.

The characters, already established in the previous book, are further developed with depth and nuance. Sig's protective nature and Chloe's quiet strength complement each other perfectly, creating a believable and endearing connection. The narrative effectively captures the emotional turmoil of their forbidden romance, while also delivering moments of playful banter and steamy encounters. The author masterfully balances these elements, creating a reading experience that is both engaging and emotionally resonant.

Tessa Bailey once again demonstrates her ability to craft a compelling contemporary romance. "Dream Girl Drama" offers a satisfying blend of forbidden love, emotional depth, and undeniable chemistry. While the premise may seem unconventional, the author handles it with sensitivity and skill, creating a story that is both entertaining and emotionally satisfying. This book is a must-read for fans of the series and anyone seeking a contemporary romance with a unique and compelling premise.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

#books #bookishlife #booklover #readingisfun #iowabookstagrammers #iowabookstagram #netgalley #avonbooks #dreamgirldrama #tessabailey

I have historically loved Tessa Bailey's books. But this one just seemed bland to me. While there was an interesting premise, I did not really care for either of the main characters. I don't think the book was *bad*, but I don't think it was for me as I found myself working my way through it instead of enjoying it.
Unfortunately I feel like Tessa's books have become cringey with the spice and the dialogue.

im embarrassed I read this book

(*thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this arc*)

.....

This is a spicy sports romance that I think I a lot of people will enjoy. This is a situation where I am a mood reader not in the mood for this as I recover from 2 different surgeries & struggling with pain. I struggled to relate to this book. This is totally on me as a bad pick as a reviewer for me not being in the correct space to enjoy this.

I will say the audiobook was done very well. Callie Dalton is one of my fave life narrators as well as Teddy Hamilton. They are always fantastic in bringing the humor, heart, spice & life to these characters.

Massive thanks to NetGalley, Libro FM & Avon and Harper Voyager for the gifted cooties, which I voluntarily read & reviewed.

The setting and the characters really didn’t work for me. I didn’t like either of the two MCs and couldn’t get into their relationship at all.

Tessa Bailey knows how to get your feelings going! She is a queen of sports romances & this one did not disappoint! The spice was perfect! I adored this!

Summary:
Sig and Chloe have a meet cute at a county club when his truck unexpectedly breaks down on the way to his father's house to meet his prospective step mother. It's instalove, but when they separate, they end up thrown back together as potential step brother and step sister. When Chloe decides to move to Boston to try to make it on her own, Sig steps up to help her gain her independence with hopes that their parents decide not to marry.

Rating: 4/5
Spice: 2/5

Tropes:
Forbidden Romance
Insta Love
Grumpy/Sunshine

Triggers:
Abandoned Parent
Sheltered Childhood
Paternity Queries

My thoughts:
I always adore Tessa Bailey books. She writes great romance and even better characters. I did have a little trouble relating to Chloe, as she is obliviously spoiled, but I think that was my own personal hang up. I do love how Sig takes care of her and helps her find her independence. Another homerun by Tessa Bailey.

Dream Girl Drama is the latest release for the Big Shots series from @tessabaileyisanauthor and if you’re looking for your next hockey romance here it is. We finally get the back story of Sig and Chloe and find out how they became so close before becoming step siblings. Imagine; boy meets girl, instantly falls for each other, will do anything for her (including keeping a stock of pop tarts at his house so she never runs out), they go their separate ways that night only to be brought back hours later and be told their parents are engaged! The tension, the spice, the dirty talk, the forbidden romance of it all is just *chef’s kiss*

Let's just say I was apprehensive about this book, especially with how it was set up in the previous novels, but I was pleasantly surprised! I found it intriguing to see how the queen of romance would tackle a borderline-taboo situation.
I rated it 3.5 stars because I love a devoted yet masculine mmc, but felt like it all just happened way too fast. I know most will say that is the point of Sig and Chloe's relationship but these story lines are just not for me. I do love how Chloe was able to be level headed (for the most part), about their relationship, when in everything else she was a bit whimsical.
I am so excited to see how this series continues
Massive thank you to Net Galley for this arc, as well as Avon and Tessa Bailey!

I think this is the final straw for Tessa Bailey and me.

This was just fine. Nothing spectacular, but nothing extraordinary either. Her writing had gotten really repetitive, and I just don’t love the insta-love trope. I also didn’t understand why step siblings who are adults was such a big deal?? And i figured out the twist super early on.

Thanks for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I really love this sweet universe. When I was reading The Au Pair Affair, the side dynamic between Sig and Chloe was really interesting. I was definitely interested in reading their book. I absolutely loved the first scene where they meet at the country club. I felt the magic come off the page and could feel the dynamic between them. I don't know if people would really care if Sign and Chloe were together if their parents were married though. It's not as if they were actually related or had grown up together, but maybe it is taboo in wealthy social circles. I appreciated Chloe's growth throughout the book and was happy when the HEA came at the end.

This third installment to the series was exactly what I wanted it to be! I was laughing from start to finish. Tessa Bailey has a way of making you instantly invested in the characters and their story. I will admit the beginning, at first, had me thinking "this is going too fast." But I quickly realized the speed was due to Tessa having to show the growth of their relationship quickly enough to get them caught up to the point that we saw them in other books. In true Tessa Bailey fashion- the MC's fell fast and hard. And it was a joy to read the journey. Another staple- the spice. Although there seemed to be less when compared to other books in the series. I cannot wait for what she writes next!

It’s instalust the moment Sig and Chloe’s worlds collide. The down-to-earth pro hockey player who still drives his beat up truck, and the rich harp player couldn’t be more different. Their first meeting is cut short due to prior commitments, and they’re in for a shock when they both show up separately to a diner hosted by their parents who are in love and getting married. Awkward. All hell breaks loose. Chloe no longer wants to live under her mother’s strict thumb, so Sig offers to look out for her when she moves to Boston. Aside from the awkwardness of the pending nuptials, there’s the inconvenience of their attraction that’s not going anywhere anytime soon.

It’s been a minute since I read a step sibling romance even if this is not quite at that stage yet. It was cute though I had a hard time with how sheltered Chloe was. Since her mom has cut off the purse strings, Sig is essentially bankrolling her - rent, food, necessities. I was annoyed with one instance when she uses the rent money to buy expensive eye creams instead. Like what? So many eyerolls there. Sig’s all right. I mean it’s incredibly generous of him to look out for Chloe, but it’s hard to forget how much he wants her, too.

Highlights:
🏒 Step sibling trope, forbidden romance, instalust, opposites attract
🏒 Banter
🏒 Complicated families
🏒 Spicy, open door

I was more interested in the subplot - could Sig’s dad be trusted after so many years of philandering? I also liked when Chloe got serious about her career.

In the end I liked parts of it but otherwise it’s not entirely for me. It’s not so much the step sibling trope; it’s more that it goes from instalust to Sig being a stand in parental figure as Chloe gets acclimated to her ‘independence’. While that dynamic was weird for me that’s not to say that it’d be the same for other readers. Bailey still brings the humor and shenanigans that she’s known for.

Thanks to @avonbooks for my ARC in exchange for an honest review. 𝗗𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗚𝗶𝗿𝗹 𝗗𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗮 is out February 4th.