Dream Girl Drama by Tessa Bailey is a magnetic and refreshing take on forbidden love, delivering all the tension, charm, and unexpected twists fans of contemporary romance crave. The novel’s setup—where professional hockey star Sig Gauthier realizes the enchanting girl he just shared a moonlit kiss with is about to be his stepsister—throws readers headlong into a whirlwind of complicated emotions and undeniable chemistry.

Sig is immediately likable as a lead: grounded despite his fame, a little out of his element in a high-society country club, yet instantly smitten by Chloe’s whimsical, rule-breaking spirit. His natural charm contrasts beautifully with Chloe’s sheltered innocence. As a harp prodigy trapped under her mother’s controlling thumb, Chloe brings an authenticity to the story; she’s someone readers will root for as she learns to push boundaries and find her independence. Sig’s promise to help Chloe grow into her own person is sweet, noble—and maybe just a bit tortured, considering the depth of their mutual attraction.

Tessa Bailey does an exceptional job in building tension without diving into forbidden territory, and the slow-burn between Sig and Chloe is electric. Their attempts to stay "just friends" while navigating family drama and their deepening connection lead to tender moments, playful banter, and even a touch of heartbreak. The plot’s central dilemma—falling for someone who’s about to be part of your family—makes the stakes feel high, and Bailey navigates it skillfully, balancing humor, longing, and emotional sincerity.

Adding to the novel’s charm is its setting in the posh world of Boston society, contrasting Chloe’s innocence with Sig’s more worldly, free-spirited personality. The Boston backdrop, combined with family dinners, moonlight escapades, and glamorous events, makes for a vivid and captivating atmosphere that heightens their dilemma.

In Dream Girl Drama, Tessa Bailey has created a romance that’s lighthearted and fun yet undeniably heartfelt. The characters are fully realized, with vulnerabilities that make them relatable and motivations that feel genuine. This is an addictive, feel-good read that will appeal to anyone who loves a unique love story filled with charm, laughs, and the perfect amount of family drama.

This was my first step sibling trope book. I was unsure how I would feel about it but I also have such faith in Tessa Bailey that I just knew she would do it justice. And my god, did she ever! 🤯🥵

Sig and Chloe meet randomly one day and instantly hit it off. The sparks are flying and the kiss is HOT! They both decide to meet up later after they go attend the dinners they each have that night. They had no idea that dinner would be together and with Chloe’s mom and Sig’s dad to announce they are engaged. 😳

The restraint these two have once they find out and continue to see each other multiple times a day is painful to read but in the absolute best way possible. But you just know, the moment they give in, it will be extraordinary 🫣🌶️

I highly recommend this book! It is a part of a three book series but I feel can be read as a stand alone too.

Thank you Tessa, Avon & Harper Voyager, and NetGalley for this ARC read in exchange for my honest opinion.

First of all thanks to the publishers and Netgalley for the earc. I was VERY excited for this after seeing the authors tik told about it. It seemed PERFECTLY up my alley! I really liked the first half of the book, maybe the first 2/3 of the book and then the rest was a little boring to me. I think I was craving more longing and tension from a forbidden type romance. That being said it was a very enjoyable romp!! I also love the cover, very on brand for a Bailey book. Plus I love a good cartoony couple on a romance book 😍
Review cross posted from my good reads.

I’ve been impatiently waiting for this Sig and Chloe’s love story since Au Pair Affair! And the wait was well worth it. We LOVE a boy down bad. Their chemistry and connection just felt so electric ⚡️ also, still trying to figure out where I can get a pink Tampa Bay Lightning jersey 😂 another 5 star read from Tessa Bailey, as if we would expect anything else from her 💁🏻‍♀️

4.5⭐️’s. Thank you NetGalley as I received this as an e-ARC. Another Tessa Bailey book that I loved, no surprise. I have enjoyed greatly the other 2 books in the Big Shot series so no surprise to be extremely pumped to get this e-ARC.

Chloe & Sig are adorable and I loved how Sig did everything he could to protect her in this book. The storyline of potential step siblings was a first for me, and that is really the only reason this book got a 4.5 vs. 5 star rating for me. It added a complexity to the story that during the parts where it was mentioned I wasn’t a massive fan of. The side characters in this story also didn’t really do it for me, Sig’s mom Rosie and his “dad” and Chloe’s mom.

Every time Chloe & Sig were on the page I loved it. I could have read 100 more pages just about them.

Overall, a great TB book. Not my favorite from her, but still an excellent addition to the Big Shots series.

Another sweet one from Teresa Bailey! If there’s anything I can count on, it’s Tessa B. writing a book with an unorthodox story. Not too sure how many child prodigy harpists are crossing paths with NHL players IRL, but you’re not hearing me complain!

Overall this was a cute story. If you’re a fan of insta-love, I’ll burn the world down for them and potential step-sibling be damned, you’ll like it. I found some of the earlier chapters a too difficult to read. Chloe was written as a sheltered, pretty bird a cage type where Sig is the ultimate protector type. I got the sentiment pretty early on, but at times it felt a little toxic. But like any good romance, things resolved themselves and this story was wrapped up with a pretty bow. I may be into hockey romance now!

Thank you Tessa Bailey, Avon & Harper Voyage, and NetGalley for the advance copy!

This was my first Tessa Bailey book, but it won’t be my last! Her spicy take on romance is just enough.

I was so excited when Tessa started writing sports romance! It’s my favorite as an avid sports fan and she does not disappoint! I’ve loved this entire series and each book just gets better and better! Thanks for creating this world!

Hot hockey player plus society New England girl equals STEAMY novel.…this is a slow burn with a great plot and wonderful characters. Sig is my new book boyfriend ;) This book was a lot of fun and e optional as well, with the conflict the couple faced. Loved every sentence!

Chloe’s growth in this book is almost as good as the love story. She starts off knowing nothing and by the end of the book she’s ready to face the world alone. Not willing to go back to ignorance and brave enough to do right by the person she loves. Sig is perfect for the situation by allowing her to grow but giving support and safety when needed. I wish Pierre had been in the epilogue though.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really wanted to like Dream Girl Drama, but unfortunately, it just wasn’t for me. The central dynamic between Sig and Chloe felt off. Sig's obsession with Chloe was so intense that it veered into uncomfortable territory, making it hard for me to connect with the characters. On the other hand, Chloe came across as not particularly smart, which added to the disconnect.

Additionally, the pacing of the storyline was slow, and it felt like it dragged on too long. I had hoped for more substance or tension, but it didn’t seem to build in a way that kept me engaged. And then, the conclusion was abrupt and a bit unsatisfying. The final chapter tried to wrap things up too quickly, leaving me with more questions than answers.

While others may find the book appealing, I just couldn’t get on board with it.

I screamed when I got accepted for this arc. Thank you thank you thank you. 💕

Step bro, what are you doing? That’s basically the premise of this book. 2 adults meet and fall in insta love, then they find out their parents are getting married and they’re forbidden from being together. But they can’t help it.

Book 3 in the series. And I think you’ll like it more if you’ve read the first two. I’ve had them on my tbr forever, and they’re moving up the list now. I definitely want to read Tallulah’s story! She’s so cute.

Idk it’s weird, the focus on step siblings was weird, they’re adults and he barely has a relationship with his dad, who left when he was born. But at no point in this book did I even want the main characters together. Sig is controlling, and not in a hot possessive way, and he’s immaturely jealous. Chloe is just immature and so dumb. She’s 25ish and she doesn’t understand money doesn’t grow on trees. She goes on Sephora shopping sprees with her rent money, that’s from Sig because he’s paying for everything for her. The shaving kink was weird af.
It’s weird but I also didn’t hate it. Tessa is a great writer, her ideas are out there sometimes 😂, but she keeps things fast paced and entertaining. The spice is spicy and good.

Lost my mind a little bit when I got accepted for this ARC I've been reading Tessa Bailey since before she was a traditionally published author and to this day I'm still sat for every new release. I will say this little series she has going on has been a hit or a miss or me (The Au Pair Affair = hit, Fangirl Down = miss) and this one lands solidly in the middle. This follows Sig and Chloe who meet and are instantly attracted to each other, but then shortly find out their parents are set to be married in a couple months. The forbidden tension in this went crazy!!! The lingering touches, the hidden meaning in their words and just plain love shining in sig's actions towards Chloe. His love language is very clearly acts of service and in true Tessa Bailey fashion, the MMC is just so down bad for the FMC. Their relationship was paced very well and I really loved it. Also was a big fan of this little hockey found family; the orgasm donors bring such a fun energy and I hope we get love stories for them as well! (I feel like they were set up in this book!!!) overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this one and I cant wait to see what Tessa Bailey does next! Thank you to Netgalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!!!

I was excited to get my hands on this ARC from Net Galley because I usually have a lot of fun with Tessa Bailey’s books.
This one just fell flat, unfortunately. The characters weren’t even remotely likable or relatable. Chloe is spoiled and vapid whose redeeming qualities are that she’s a harp prodigy at 25 years old and likes to shit talk hockey refs. She is incapable of laundry, buying her own pop tarts, and paying her rent. That Sig is willing to sacrifice anything, let alone everything for this girl is wild.
I feel like I deserve a prize or something for sticking this out.
The stars are because there was a dog.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the eARC of “Dream Girl Drama” by Tessa Bailey in exchange for my honest review.

We were first introduced to these characters in book 2 of the Big Shot series. Sig is a professional hockey player and Chloe is a professional harpist they have an unexpected meet cute at a Country Club. They formed an instant connection but unfortunately a few hours later Sig finds out Chloe will soon be his stepsister! Sig helps Chloe move to Boston to further- her musical education/career. She’s been cut off financially from her mother, so Sig sets her up in an apartment and takes care of all her wants and needs. They ultimately fall in love and become best friends while fighting the urge to cross the line until their pull to one another becomes too much to handle!

I was looking forward to reading their forbidden love story. I really enjoy when a book captures my attention from start to finish. So far I’ve read all three books in this series and I’ve throughly enjoyed each one. Tessa Bailey books never disappoint. I didn’t care too much for how Chloe came off as a dependent, naive, child like airhead. However, overall as a couple they made it work. With that being said, I’d still highly recommend reading the entire series.

***Thank you Netgalley and Avon for the opportunity to read this e-ARC for an honest review***

Going into this book, I was very excited! The premise seemed different than usual and the potential for drama was high! Unfortunately, the insta-love, angsty, mutual pining was a bit much for me personally. I get the FMC was very sheltered but my goodness! The damsel in distress trope for the majority of the book didn't work for me this time.
I have enjoyed books by this author previously, I just couldn't get into this one. I believe this book will be really be enjoyed by those into the forbidden love trope.

This has all of Tessa Bailey’s standard elements: witty banter, super steamy spice level, and at least one scene of humorous ridiculousness. It’s complete with a grumpy sportsman with solid ethics and unfailing goodness, who lives for one girl only.

The premise (they can’t be together bc their parents are going to marry) seemed silly to me; why not?? It was a non-problem problem from the start.

I also didn’t love the heroine, as I found her too ditzy, needy, and innocent to be realistic (though Bailey does a fair job of making her likable anyway). And the picture of wealth Bailey paints in Darien is too stereotypical. I grew up in this neck of the woods - I would know. I would always prefer real, and flawed, over an exaggerated caricature.

Minor but perhaps related: I found the premise, of her being an innately talented harpist without any effort, also unrealistic.

Tessa is SO good at creating stories - SO good. She just has to remember to keep them believable.

Thank you, Avon and NetGalley, for the arc.

3.75 stars!

Tropes: hockey romance, forbidden/ future step siblings, best friends to lovers, opposites attract

Arc review|

Sig & Chloe were a super fun read- definitely not my favorite of Tessa’s books but the spice brought it and I had an overall good time!
I will say, I was disappointed after being really excited going into it but I’m not so disappointed that I didn’t enjoy myself.
Some overall notes that don’t really swing one way or the other: the plot’s wrap up was kind of wild, some of the scenes had abrupt shifts of scenery where I was super confused but honestly, I didn’t really mind. Like I said, the spice was awesome and that was what kept me going through it all.
Not that it was bad, though. it was super funny and lighthearted!!! I appreciated that.
Not much else to say- I think I’d recommend this series so far in general but not DGD specifically (as a standalone).

To put it simply - I loved this book.

I loved how down bad the MMC was from the second he saw the FMC. I loved their banter. I loved their chemistry. I loved.

I love everything Tessa writes! This book was no different. Perfect pacing and the storyline was soooo good! Thanks for the ARC!