thank you to netgalley for the e-arc. give me all the tessa bailey any day. her writing and plotting get stronger and spicier with every book she writes. loved the hockey of it all. the most disappointing part was the step-sibling of it all....ew.

4.5⭐️, 3.25🌶️

Okay wait one hecking second. Because I ENJOYED THE HECK out of this audiobook! The foreshadowing of this story in Au Pair Affair had me nervous about how I would like Chloe’s character but dang once we get into her and Sig’s introduction, you can’t help but naturally love them both and together. Sig is so freaking sweet and devoted to Chloe and it’s such a green flag! And Chloe is so much more than a cute blond girl.

❤️ Taboo-ish (their parents are engaged, so soon-to-be-step-siblings)
⛸️ Insta Attraction
🏒Pro Hockey MMC
🪉Professional Harpist FMC
❤️Boy obsessed

Typical Tessa threw in so much quirky humor and still managed to write this “soon to be step-siblings” romance without it being weird or cringey. I loved the plot twists with their parents and continue to love the hockey team Sig is a part of.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

Another good read by Tessa Bailey. This one didn’t have the character banter as the others in the series but it’s still a good read.

Tessa Bailey has done it again! I was hooked from chapter one and couldn't wait to findout more about Sig and Chloe. The humor and build up were so good. Great pace throughout the book and a hard one to put down!

This was a cute book. The two main characters have a sweet meet cute and really like each other and plan to get together soon. They show up at a dinner each of their parents are hosting to find out they are engaged. This of course puts a stop to their dating or so they think. Funny, sweet novel.

First and foremost, thank you to Tessa Bailey, Avon and Netgalley for an advance readers edition in exchange for an honest review.

Summary
When hockey star Sig Gauthier’s car breaks down, he unexpectedly meets Chloe Clifford—a quirky, free-spirited harpist—at a private country club. Their spontaneous moonlit kiss sparks instant chemistry, but things get complicated when Sig discovers Chloe is the daughter of his dad’s fiancée. Suddenly, his dream girl is his future stepsister. Though they try to keep things platonic, Sig agrees to help Chloe explore life beyond her mother’s control, and their connection deepens—along with the temptation. But navigating new family dynamics, emotional baggage, and growing feelings isn’t as simple as either of them hoped.

Short and Sweet Opinion
While I usually enjoy Tessa Bailey’s signature blend of steam and humor, this one didn’t land for me. The premise had potential, but I struggled with the characters and pacing. Not my favorite of hers.

In Depth Opinion
There were elements of Dream Girl Drama that had real potential—especially the unique setup and the signature spice you’d expect from Tessa Bailey. The taboo, step-sibling twist could have brought fun tension, and the idea of two people finding connection amidst complicated family dynamics was promising.

However, I struggled to connect with the romance. The instant infatuation felt forced, and the central conflict didn’t feel fully fleshed out. The relationship lacked the depth I was hoping for, which made it tough to invest in their story as it unfolded.

Chloe, in particular, was a difficult character for me to connect with. While her backstory as a sheltered musical prodigy was intriguing, she often came across more passive than passionate. Her dependence on Sig and lack of personal growth made it hard to root for her, and I wasn’t entirely convinced by their dynamic. Sig had charm and heart, but I wish we’d seen more balance between their personalities and more reasons behind their connection beyond the initial spark.

That said, I appreciate Bailey’s attempt at something bold and a bit messy. While this one didn’t quite work for me, I know readers looking for an unconventional romance with heightened tension and drama might still find it entertaining.

The story and romance would've been a lot better without the soon to be step-siblings drama, but I guess with Drama in the title I shouldn't have expected different. Tessa Bailey wrote a great book but just didn't deliver the "taboo" topic very well in my opinion.

Dream Girl Drama is hands down my favorite of this series thus far. I adored the relationship between Sig and Chloe. Chloe was almost an Elle Woods sort of character, and I just adored how Sig was so down for her and for all that arose in her life. The insta -lust trope is usually not for me, but the way Tessa wove it into this plot was a delight to me. The plot twist almost sent me flying out of the roof of my car and had me slamming my steering wheel with my fist all “shut uppppppp”. (I listened to this one on audio and highly recommend it!)

Thank you to Tessa Bailey, Avon/Harper Voyager and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this in exchange for my honest opinion.

Honestly. Within the first few chapters, I thought this was going to easily be a 5 ⭐️ read for me. But the more we got into it, the more I disliked it. First and foremost, I HATED the female main character. She was whiny and childish and honestly was a step back for female main characters, especially in romance. I understand being privileged and not knowing certain things, but this took it to a whole new level. Then the story-line, which I think COULD have been done well, just fell flat in my opinion. I don’t know. I usually love Tessa Baileys writing and this one just didn’t hit for me. The spice was good. The main male character? A joy. But everything else? Not a Tessa Bailey book I would recommend.

ARC provided by Publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I would like to thank Avon, Harper Voyager and Netgalley for a copy of this eARC. I really loved Fangirl and had been excited to keep reading this series. Sadly Au Pair Affair. was not my favorite of the series, so I was hoping this one might hit the beats I was missing.

While I adore Tessa Bailey's writing style, I think this series just isn't for me, and I think I'm going to step away from furniture installations, and try my hand at the Vine Mess series instead. That said this book really did have some amazing moments.

I wasn't sure how I was going to feel about the taboo "step siblings" trope when it was pitched in the previous book, but I loved finding out the origin story that they had actually met first. I think where it fell flat for me is that I'm just not an "insta-love" trope fan.

The humor was still great and I think that the story explored emotion within broken relationships with family well. Chloe's difficulties being honest and asking for help, and Sig's need to take care of those around him, gave me a deep love for them as characters, even though I've decided to say goodbye.

I will still suggest this to people who love the tropes that fall within this story, and wish anyone happy reading who decides to dive in!

I'm normally a big Tessa Bailey stan but for some reason this one didn't do it for me. It seemed kind of cringy in parts and unbelievable in others. I'm wondering how the characters all come together with the other ones in this series but it was short and see at and still kind of cute. The Sig character had some depth and development so he wasn't a bad MMC. Looking forward to more of hers and figuring out what to rate this one. I think 2.5 rounded!

Thank you, Harper Voyager and NetGalley, for the advanced copy of Dream Girl Drama. Available now.

Aww! I liked this one! The only thing I didn't necessarily care for or get was why it was such a big deal that they were going to be step-siblings. *Chaneling my teenager* Like bruh.... They're full-grown ass adults with careers and all. They are in absolutely no way related! I get it, though. That's the storyline. Gotta play it up. Tessa Bailey is always a fun read and an automatic, "Yes, please!"

This was an okay read for me. I'm usually a huge (almost every Tessa Bailey books I've reviewed are 4 & 5 star reads) Tessa Bailey fan. This one, I didn't love the typical a younge blonde girl had to be a "ditzy blonde" stereotype. So I had a hard time connecting to this one. It was okay.

The characters were insufferable. The plot was stupid. The entire drama part was that Chloe's mother was going to marry Sig's father. Apparently being step siblings at 25 and 29 respectively is a taboo subject for literally everyone in this book. Again step siblings, which means no relation. Would not recommend. Wish I never read this in the first place.

Tessa Bailey certainly knows how to draw you in. I couldn’t put this book down trying to figure out how it would all end.

Having read The Au Pair Affair, and being introduced to Sig and Chloe, it only added to the anticipation of getting to read Dream Girl Drama. A pro at romance story telling, Tessa hits all the tropes: sports romance, forbidden romance, insta love, and excellent smut.

I will admit to being turned off of the naiveness of Chloe, but I truly ended the book enjoyed her character development. And Sig, *chef’s kiss*. Who can resist the “I can fit it” man.

Overall, this was such a fun read and well worth the ups and downs. I can’t wait for the next one.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC!

I had no issues with the book or Tessa's writing, but I just cannot get behind the step sibling romance thing

This book was o so good. Tessa Bailey does not disappoint 😍 I never expected her to write a sports romance like this.

📖 Dream Girl Drama by Tessa Bailey

Wow, if you're looking for a romance filled with sizzling chemistry, amazing character development, and an unpredictable plot – Dream Girl Drama is exactly what you need! 🌟

This book had me laughing, swooning, and totally hooked from start to finish. The chemistry between Sig (the famous hockey player) and Chloe (the talented musician) is off-the-charts. And when they find out that what seemed like a passionate romance could turn into something way more complicated – because they’re going to be step-siblings – it adds even more tension and heat to the story! 😱🔥

Tessa Bailey’s writing, as always, is absolutely on point – every word hits just right. She perfectly combines everything I love: humor, real passion, and characters I can’t help but root for. I honestly can’t wait for the next book in the series!

💬 If you love romances with tons of chemistry, an impossible love story, and humor with heart – Dream Girl Drama is the book for you!

📚 Tropes:
🏒 Sports Romance
💘 Forbidden Love
👩‍👧‍👧 Step-Sibling Romance
🎻 Musician Heroine
🧊 Hockey Player Hero
🔥 Steamy Chemistry

📌 Hashtags:
#DreamGirlDrama #TessaBailey #BigShotsSeries #ForbiddenRomance #SportsRomance #StepSiblingRomance #HockeyRomance #RomanceBooks #BookRecommendation #RomCom #Bookstagram #Goodreads

I actually think this is the first time I’ve ever rated a book one star. I hated every second of this, and I only finished it because I was gifted a free copy to review.

To begin with, the entire plot is based around the conflict of how ~scandalous~ it is for two GROWN ADULTS who met as GROWN ADULTS to enter a relationship after their parents got together. Did I mention they are GROWN ADULTS? It makes absolutely no sense for anyone to care that they are “step-siblings” when they did not grow up together and have no familial relationship whatsoever. I’m not even going to go into how stupid the conflict resolution was. Just trust me that it does not absolve the ridiculousness of the premise that anyone would care that these GROWN ADULTS got together when their parents were together.

Honestly, I could buy this premise as a setup. Sure, we’re in a fake world where that matters. But the actual relationship itself was one of the most insane dynamics I have seen put to paper in my life. The constant infantilization of the FMC by everyone else was gross enough, but by the MMC?? Oh boy. Why is this man thinking about her as a child to care for and also wanting to be with her? Everyone involved in this situation needs a hefty dose of therapy and possibly jail time.

The ONLY - and I genuinely mean only - saving grace were the side characters of the hockey team. They really carried this book for me.

Genuinely baffled by this entire book. Thank you NetGalley and Avon for the advanced copy to review!

Still love these characters but not quite as much as book 2. I wish we got to see Burgees and Talulah a little bit more. The drama in this was good and I was invested throughout. I should have seen the solution coming but it definitely took me by surprise and I love that! Can't wait for the next book to see how our Rookie is!