This book was so entertaining. I liked the taboo aspect of it without being too taboo, if that makes sense. Not my favorite from Tessa Bailey, but her books are always a fun time.

Tessa Bailey is a hit or miss author for me sometimes but after the Au Pair Affair I was excited to read Dream Girl Drama. It started off strong for me and I was really enjoying it but then it quickly went downhill from there. I feel like the step sibling story dragged on forever and it was just a bit chaotic. I liked how caring Sig was and how well he took care of Chloe but I just thought this book was okay. If you typically enjoy Tessa Bailey I still recommend adding it to your TBR as it does have its sweet/funny moments.

Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyage and NetGalley for the ARC!

Like any Tessa Bailey book, it will always hold a special place in my heart. I gave this book 3.5 stars because the beginning was amazing, I was intrigued and captivated!! But as going through the novel, I started losing interest and maybe it was due to the trope of “step-siblings”. I would also get frustrated with both mc’s but hey, that’s just me! Going with that, this book wasn’t for me but!!! That doesn’t mean others won’t like it!
Forever love my Tessa Bailey <3

This story follows Chloe and Sig, who meet by chance and are instantly drawn to each other. They come to find out later that they are going to be step siblings and must navigate this new drama.

This book was fun and light hearted but also managed to touch on the idea of setting boundaries and you defining who you are, not letting other people define your life.

I really enjoyed the chemistry and interactions between Chloe and Sig and I loved seeing Chloe's growth throughout the book.

The spice was good, but doesn't really hit full blast until later in the book. We do get some teases sooner though.

Overall, I enjoyed reading this one. I was hooked from the beginning and really wanted to see how it played out.

Love love love a Tessa book. Spicy, dramatic and full of the good. NetGalley thanks for letting me read!

I'm sure you all know Tessa by now but In case you don't... Girlfriend writes some spice like no other 🥵 and this one is no different.

We get
♥️ Hockey
♥️ Slowww burn
♥️ Taboo (step siblings but one night stand before they knew)..?!
♥️ Boy OBSESSED
♥️ Insta love
♥️ THE TENSION

Sig is down bad for Chloe and the drama is DRAMA-ING big time in this one. They have a one night stand and fall hard for each other only to sit down to dinner later and learn they are about to become step siblings. We are loaded with family drama and relationship drama and honestly I was worried if we would even get a hea but Tessa made it happen of course.

A Tessa Bailey book? A hockey romance? A forbidden romance? Sign me up! This was a fun forbidden, soon to be step-siblings romance that kept me on my toes. The chemistry and passion between Sig and Chloe was palpable and it was great to see them get their HEA. My main downfall for this book was that there were just too many cheesy and kind of cringe moments. I think it's great that Sig and Chloe had an instant connection and were it for one another, but some of the dialogue and actions were just a bit much for me at times.

Read if you like:
- Hockey romances
- Instant Love
- Touch Her and Die Vibes
- Forbidden Romance

This was such a fun read! Per usual Tessa Bailey brings the heat. I always enjoy her story lines and approach. I haven’t read the others in the series but now I wanna go back in and enjoy them also!! Recommend this book to romance lovers!

99% of the time I don’t like insta-love/instant connection but there’s something about the way that Tessa Bailey does it that has me EATING IT UP.

I listened to this book and when I tell you that I had to pull my hands back from my keyboard and cover my mouth, I’m not lying 😅🥵

The instant connection was HAWT. The mutual pining was EVEN HOTTER. THE SPICY SCENES?? *puddle* 🫠 Tessa Bailey knows how to write a romance that’ll have you seeking out your partner!!

I actually liked Chloe as a character. She could acknowledge how dependent she was on everyone around her but by the end, she really found a way to branch out on her own. And girl, I can totally relate to spending your rent money on Sephora hauls.

Sig was an absolute dream boat. He felt that connection from the beginning and never stopped fighting for it. He took care of Chloe at his own expense, which reminds me a little of my man 🥹

And let’s not forget the plot?? I was absolutely STRESSING at how this HEA was going to come about, if at all. Maybe everyone else did but I didn’t see the twist coming and was so relieved when Sig hopped off that plane!!

Now I just need to decide which SE I want to get as my trophy for this book 🤭

I smiled and swooned so much while reading this book! Man obsessed doesn’t even do justice to the way Sig cares for Chloe and I just could not get enough!

While I think much of the forbidden aspect of this book is supposed to hinge on the "step-siblings in love" aspect, much of my focus was on Sig and Chloe breaking the societal rules and boundaries set forth by Chloe’s mom’s and the hockey organization for which Sig played. From threats of ruinous scandal from Chloe's family or the optics for a public sports figure like Sig, these are the boundaries I felt made it more forbidden for them to date. This is likely why it never bothered me that two step siblings could fall in love…and boy did they!

I appreciated so much that Sig and Chloe’s attraction to each other could easily be considered insta-lust with a special connection rather than insta-love! However, there were many swoon-worthy insta moments! Insta-protective, insta-supportive, insta-kind, insta-respectful, insta-generous, and so much more! From stocking up on her favorite Poptarts to rubbing her back during that time of the month, Sig was there for his dream girl and I melted every time! His support and belief in Chloe were exactly what she needed to break out of the “pampered princess” role she had been shoved into all her life. Watching her experience life’s vastness was so endearing! From having a dog to playing the harp for herself, rather than the clout of her family’s societal standing, each moment was completely heart-warming!

Of course, this wouldn’t be a Tessa Bailey book without the undeniable steam these two created! It’s a bit of a slow-burn to get there but it sure ignites when the moments happen! Gosh, I just LOVED these two so much! Can’t wait for what’s next to come in this series!

I have a lot of thoughts and feelings about this book. I enjoyed Fangirl Down and The Au Pair Affair, but this next installment fell flat for me and I am so sadden to even say that. I was so excited for this one, but it ended up being a boring disappointment. I found the main female lead, Chloe, to just be an airhead and couldn't connect to her at all. I didn't find myself caring about her situation at all or that she didn't know that Sig was paying for this or that. Sig, I really wanted to like him, I mean he's a hockey player for crying out loud! Him being obsessed with Chloe right off the bat and wanting to buy her whatever she wanted just seemed a little far fetch to me and I just found them as a couple to be a little non-believable. I think the whole step sibling trope in and of itself in this book too was a little bit of a missed opportunity. It didn't really feel "taboo" or not to sound repetitive - believable. I mean they met one another before they found out their parents were engaged and they are both adults so them not giving in to each other because they would want more was just annoying. I hate giving a bad review because I really enjoy Tessa Bailey's books, but this one was a no go for me. I greatly appreciate you allowing me to read this book and giving my honest review.

What can I say about Tessa I absolutely devour all her books there isn't one that I haven't enjoyed. Opposites attract, forbidden love, all the spice hockey player ooo my go to reads... Loved every minute of this book.

I’ll be honest, not the biggest fan of this book. The FMC felt too immature and I wished they had built up her character stronger. The step sibling trope usually interests me but this time I felt it was unnecessary.

I was definitely nervous about this one, but I should have known that Tessa Bailey would not let me down! Sig and Chloe are goals from their very first meeting! Sig is a simp in the very best ways, and Chloe is so innocent to the way the world works that it’s comical. I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see how they could possibly have their HEA, and I am sure will too, but just remember, it is all worth it in the end!

This book had my heart racing until the very end! Chloe was so relatable, the constant rambling, shouting, shopping - she is such a girl’s girl! Sig was DOWN BAD from the moment he met Chloe. Every girl deserves a Sig. He is a man that will do anything for his woman...when he went on the hunt for all the Strawberry Pop Tarts so she never misses her favorite breakfast meal I melted. Loved the glimpses of Burgess & Tallulah throughout and foaming at the mouth for book 4!!

Tropes:
- Forced Proximity
- Pro Hockey Player MMC
- Musician FMC
- Slow Burn

I just can't with Tessa Bailey anymore. She has a good thing going and then ruins it with cringe, unrealistic sexual situations. I love spice but she just loses me.

I really did want to like this book. Tessa’s two other books in this series have been enjoyable.

But I think the hold-up for me were 2 things : both of them were way to immature for their age and step-siblings. 😬😬😬 it did hold up to the title, however!

I know some people like the step-brother/sister trope but I’ve never been a real fan. 😅

Also, I felt like the characters - Chloe and Sig - didnt really have a solid connection, it felt waaaay to insta lost and forced. 😕

With all these things aside, if those points above dont bother you - you’ll probably still enjoy this.

2/5 ⭐️ ⭐️
3/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️

ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher-in exchange for an honest review. #DreamGiRlDrama

ummmm i was so pumped to receive and ARC for this book!! i absolutely loved Fangirl Down so i will be eating up every damn book in this series!!!

it was a taaaad bit insta-lovey (but who can argue with love at first sight??) but also watching Sig and Chloe was everything (they are literally so mf cute i cannot). the classic third act breakup was rough (i hate that shit even though i know it’s coming and that it will be resolved), but the end was super sweet of course. i also love when Tessa throws in some humorous characters like our favorite Orgasm Donors AND a sneak peak into who the next book will be about!!

Thank you NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager for the eARC.

After reading The Au Pair Affair I was so excited to read Chloe and Sig's story.

Sig's trick breaks down and has a chance encounter with Chloe, their chemistry is off the charts and they make plans to meet up only to realize later in the evening that their parents are getting married.

Sig convinces Chloe to move to Boston to continue her music studies and the pair falls hard and fast for each other. It's angsty by chapter 4.

The slow burn is intense and so are the spicy scenes.

There were things about both main characters that I loved, but overall she generally came off too clueless at times and he felt too possessive/controlling for my taste at times.

Overall I enjoyed this book and look forward to others in the series. After reading The Au Pair Affair I was so excited to read Chloe and Sig's story.

Sig's trick breaks down and has a chance encounter with Chloe, their chemistry is off the charts and they make plans to meet up only to realize later in the evening that their parents are getting married.

Sig convinces Chloe to move to Boston to continue her music studies and the pair falls hard and fast for each other. It's angsty by chapter 4.

The slow burn is intense and so are the spicy scenes.

There were things about both main characters that I loved, but overall she generally came off too clueless at times and he felt too possessive/controlling for my taste at times.

Overall I enjoyed this book and look forward to others in the series.

This book had all the forbidden romance goodness—longing looks, electric tension, and that delicious “we shouldn’t, but we can’t help it” energy. Sig is completely obsessed with Chloe in the best way, and their chemistry is undeniable. I loved how he took care of her while she was trying to find her own independence. The slow-burn buildup was so well done, even though it started a little insta-lovey. My only wish? More domestic bliss once they finally got together! If you love angst, yearning, and a touch of found family, this one’s for you.