
Member Reviews

Thank you to NetGalley for sending me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Dream Girl Drama by Tessa Bailey follows a pro hockey player and quirky harpist who hit it off with a steamy encounter only to find out their parents are engaged. Thus, they embark on a mutual pining, forbidden romance that kept me engaged from start to finish and unable to put it down!
I think one of my favorite aspects of this series are the interconnected storylines and cameo appearances. It really pulls the reader in and has me even more invested! This was definitely a fresh new read from this series as I found the FMC to be so unique and unexpected and our main guy was so so obsessed which just made it even more fun.
Absolutely recommend this book and more importantly this series! Overall I gave it four stars and I can't wait to pick up the next installment to the Big Shots!

Just okay for me. Usually really enjoy Tessa Baileyand her steam and banter. Thanks for the opportunity to read and review.

Dream Girl Drama was an absolute delight! The story delivered the perfect blend of juicy drama, witty dialogue, and romantic tension. The characters were fun, relatable, and full of personality—especially the main love interest, who brought just the right amount of charm and heat. The spice level? Chef’s kiss! It was steamy enough to keep things exciting without overpowering the emotional depth of the story. If you’re looking for a fun, flirty read with plenty of heart (and heat), Dream Girl Drama is a must!

While this book was good, I think I may be getting tired of Tessa Bailey, Each book in this series feels the same. Honestly, rather than continuing with this series, I think it would be a good idea to start new. It was cute, but it was just like everything else.

This was my first read by this author and I wasn’t disappointed! This was such a cute story! Absolutely loved it! The characters and the story had me enthralled!

Okay, not the best in the series, but honestly this was a hard trope to pull off and I think Bailey did the best she could with it. FMC was just a little too ditzy to me, I know she isn’t deep down, but I couldn’t move past it. First 2 in this series are too tier though!

This was sadly not the book for me whatsoever. The forbidden love aspect didn't really seem all that forbidden to me, and the insta-love and lust attraction didn't help with my overall feelings. The characters themselves felt a little flat and un-fleshed out. I love a contemporary romance especially when I'm in-between Fantasy books, but this just wasn't the book for me.

Tessa Bailey has done it again with Dream Girl! I went in expecting steam, banter, and swoon-worthy moments—and I got all of that and more. This book was the perfect mix of spicy and sweet, with characters that felt like they leapt right off the page.
The chemistry between the main characters was off the charts. From their first interaction, the tension was magnetic, and it only built in the most satisfying way. Bailey has such a gift for writing love interests that are both intense and endearing, and Dream Girl delivered on every front. The romantic arc was full of those deliciously awkward, vulnerable, and heart-thumping moments that made me root so hard for them.
What really surprised me, though, was the emotional depth woven into the story. Underneath the heat and humor was a strong undercurrent of personal growth and healing that made the romance feel even more impactful. The heroine’s journey especially resonated with me—watching her come into her own was as rewarding as the romance itself.
Tessa Bailey’s signature wit and voice shine here, and Dream Girl strikes the perfect balance of fun and feels. If you're in the mood for a romance that makes you laugh, blush, and maybe even tear up a little, this book is a must-read.

I really want to know why I bother with Tessa Bailey books anymore. I guess because the first few were pretty good and I also guess a part of me enjoys how bad they are.
For this one, I was so distracted by how stupid the premise was. Sig, a Boston hockey player, meets Chloe, a harpist from Darien, and is smitten at first sight. Minutes after meeting, they realize their parents are engaged. Sig worries that this makes their love forbidden. What? It’s not like they are actual siblings! It’s not like they grew up together as step siblings. Because this is such a strong premise that is mentioned throughout the book I found myself rolling my eyes constantly. Add that to the goofy way Sig talks to Chloe (which is soooo Tessa Bailey) and this is just a miss of a book. Only for die hard TB 🌶️ fans.

This book was pure flirty fun with just the right amount of steam and chaos! Sig and Chloe’s moonlit meet-cute had me instantly hooked, and their chemistry? Off. The. Charts. I loved how Sig was all gruff hockey player with a soft side, while Chloe brought the quirky, free-spirited energy that made every scene pop. The forbidden romance angle (hello, almost-stepsiblings!) added just the right dose of tension, and their banter had me grinning the whole way through. It got a little over-the-top at times, but honestly, I was too busy swooning and cheering them on to care. Tessa Bailey brings the heat and the heart again—definitely a 4-star win for me!

Dream Girl Drama had the potential to be an engaging love story, but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The relationship at the heart of the book didn’t feel realistic or relatable; it leaned too heavily on drama for drama’s sake. The dialogue was often obnoxious and exaggerated, making it hard to connect with the characters or believe in their romance. I found myself more frustrated than invested. If you’re looking for a grounded, emotionally resonant love story, this one might not be it.

I have been so excited for Sig and Chloe’s story since Au Pair Affair. I was so happy to receive an arc from NetGalley. Their story did not disappoint. The book starts off on the night Sig and Chloe meet, their connection is instant. Chloe is his dream girl, later that night they find out that his dream girl is about to become his stepsister. They realize they can just be friends, that proves to be hard with their insane chemistry. I absolutely recommend this book, especially if you love sports romance and forbidden love tropes.

Dream Girl Drama was what I expect from a Tessa Bailey novel. Insta love, spicy. Chloe and Sig both felt two-dimensional to me. I wanted a little more to them, especially given the forbidden romance plot. Their romance was more lust that love in my opinion, and Chloe was hard to like at times, as was Sig. They both felt a little immature. Despite that, I had a good time reading the book. It's not my favorite Tessa Bailey, but it does fall in line with what readers expect from her. It could have been more Cruel Intentions and less Clueless, though.

I love Tessa Baileys writing. It is always spicy and funny and entertaining. When Sig and Chloe meet, sparks fly. But then they find out that their parents are going to be married putting an end to their relationship before it starts. Sexual tension is all over this story of forbidden attraction. Their fight to be able to be together along with their struggles to find success by i. The hockey and Harp playing world I guess… keep you tied up in this very spicy story. Loved it.

Tessa Bailey has been consistent in this series. This was an easy read and fun. Sexy, witty and funny. I enjoyed it and it is a good summer read to keep things light.

This is a fantastic story. The characters are so loveable. I felt so much for them. I couldn’t put this story down. I love the way that Tessa Bailey builds a story and has the characters grow as individuals and as a couple. The curves and twists of the plot line were amazing. The spicy scenes were so hot. Absolutely fantastic story and I highly recommend it.

Another one of mine that was a DNF for me...I really, really, REALLY wanted to enjoy Dream Girl Drama from Tessa Bailey. I LOVE her other books (including other sports romances!) but this one was just not doing it for me. I only got about 50% into the book, and I just had to put it down. I think it is because I view the relationship between Sig and Chloe as VERY immature. Yes, Sig is the bigshot hockey star with $$$ to spend however he chooses, and we ALL love a man who enjoys treating his woman, but Chloe didn't do anything for herself! She moves out to "escape" her trifling mother (which, totally understand) but she is like a baby deer trying to learn how to stand on her own two feet. And instead of letting her experience this pretty influential life moment, Sig is right there catching her through every mishap. Now, I don't mean making sure she doesn't choose like a "murder building" to live in- that's just a good friend preventing stupid decisions. But doing laundry? It is nearly a rite of passage to mess up your laundry at some point, especially when YouTube exists for good How-To videos.
This is probably just a bit of a sore spot for myself as I had a VERY different life compared to Chloe. I initially went in assuming that she was going to become this strong, independent woman who would have her man begging at her knees, and that is just not what happened. She made me frustrated that she couldn't do ANYTHING on her own. And when I start to get angry/frustrated at a book, I have to put it down and walk away. I attempted to read it again, and just couldn't get past her.
Because of my DNF and low rating, I will not be reviewing this book on my socials. I don't post if I DNF, as I feel it is unfair, but I cannot in good consciousness continue reading this.

Not my favorite of Tessa Bailey’s books but it was overall enjoyable. The storyline and character development fell a bit flat for me.

I adore all things Tessa Bailey and this book was no different. Her Big Shots Series have all been books I have read in one sitting. I am usually not one for "taboo romances" but again, if Tessa weights it I'm willing to try and this one did not disappoint! Many thanks to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager | Avon for providing me this spicy sports romance' digital reviewer copy in exchange of my honest review.

After this one I've come to the conclusion that I'm not a Tessa Bailey girl. The story was good and so we're characters. I just couldn't get into the writing style