Happy Release Day (yesterday)!! 💖

Once again in true Tessa Bailey fashion, this book was fun and silly, and spicy, and full of angst and drama. The perfect kind of rom-com.

We have a total golden retriever, nice guy, NHL star, MMC who is instantly DOWN BAD for the beautiful, spoiled, peppy, rich girl, harp playing prodigy he randomly runs into on his way to visit his long lost dad. Then the drama just keeps on coming. 😆😮‍💨

I’m not going to lie, I was really wondering how two soon to be step siblings were going to figure out a way to stay together while not being totally cringy, but I never should have doubted TB could find a way to make it happen.

If you are looking for an OTT rom-com with all the angst, all the spice, and with humorous, fun side characters- look no further!

Thank you Netgalley and Tessa Bailey for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. 💕

Overall ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Romance 🩷🩷🩷
Spice 🌶️🌶️.5

This started a little slow for me but again, for whatever reason, I wound up loving it. I want to go back to Sig's world. I found the scenario kind of silly, like who would really care that they were step-brother and step-sister on such a technicality? But then I started asking others' opinions and they said it was weird. The parents were so selfish to still get married but they did seem like self-centered, not great people. In any event, I loved this and am hoping the next book is about one of the Rookies. This is probably my favorite Tessa Bailey world.

I always have so much fun with Tessa Bailey's books. They are funny and sweet. This one had all of the fun banter and I loved that Sig helped Chloe with all of the things she didn't know how to do because she was never taught. I haven't read the first two books in the series yet, but you can totally read this one without reading the others first.

🌟 BOOK REVIEW 🌟
Dream Girl Drama
By: Tessa Bailey
3.5 ⭐️/5

🔥 Insta-love
🚫 Forbidden love
🏒 Sports romance
🌶️ Spicy scenes

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for this arc!

It’s love at first sight for Sig, a professional hockey player, and Chloe, a harp prodigy, who part ways after a chance encounter only to realize their parents are engaged to be married. Yes, they are going to be step siblings. Cue sad trombone. Because it would be so inappropriate for them to date instead of just letting everyone know they met before they knew their parents were a thing, they decide to be best friends. But can they ever be just friends?
I enjoyed this read, although the central conflict rang hollow for me. Everyone kept making a big deal about a potential for an “improper relationship” and how it would be “career ending” for both Sig and Chloe, but again, would it really have been that big of a deal if they had just said they met before they knew their parents were together? How it all resolves is also a little bit silly, but I enjoyed Chloe’s arc from a spoiled rich girl who has no idea what a banana costs (ten dollars?) to actually working hard and making it (kinda) on her own. Sig, aside from his name, is everything you want in a hockey playing MMC. Protective, kinda broody, and absolutely gone for her. And the contrast in their characters makes for a fun dynamic!

This book released February 1, and is the perfect read leading up to Valentine’s Day.

Loved Sig & Chloe! This is a funny rom-com! We have Sig, the hockey player & we have Chloe, who's lived a pampered life being a cellist*? We see them meet and when they're finally going to take a chance, they find out there about to be step siblings. We see them struggle but accept the news, the slow burn, seeing their friendship develop, Sig's hockey teammates are super funny. This is a very cute, slow burn, romance story. Loved Chloe's personal growth throughout the story, how from being pampered her whole life, she was able to make her own choices in life.

When Sig's truck breaks down on the way to meet his father's new girlfriend, he's forced to stop at an exclusive country club to make a phone call. After almost getting kicked out, he's saved by Chloe. There's an instant connection to this woman (and a really hot kiss), and he's determined to call her after his dinner plans. He arrives at the posh estate, feeling completely out of his element, and shocked to discover that the new girlfriend's daughter is none other than his dream girl, Chloe... and their parents are engaged, making her his future stepsister.
She grew up rich and sheltered, a harp prodigy treated like a show pony by her controlling mother. Harp is the only thing she good at, but she longs to break free and live on her own. Sig offers to help her out in Boston where he plays professional hockey. He would do anything for her, even keep things platonic to be near her. If they give in to their growing feelings it could destroy both their careers.
Sig is definitely the kind of guy to try and fix all of Chloe's problems and she's just so cluelessly spoiled she doesn't realize what it's costing him. There's so much slow burn in this book but the emotions and yearning keep you hoping for a solution to their hopeless situation. I was looking forward to reading their story since they appeared in Au Pair Affair and I was so excited to get an arc copy! I can't wait for the next book!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

Dream Girl Drama is the next installment of the Big Shots, sports romance series from Tessa Bailey! When Sig and Chloe meet by chance, their connection is instant, and when they run into eachother again that night, they find themselves connected in a way that no one wants to be with a love interest. As Sign supports Chloe's decision to relocate to Boston, they find that they cannot keep themselves apart, no matter how hard they try.
This was such a fun, fast paced and spicy read. The use of alternative POVs in the story added an additional layer of engagement for me while reading!

This was good. I loved the chemistry between our MCs, however, the experience wasn't what I expected from a Tessa Bailey book. I felt like there was a lot of unnecessary plot fillers and I did not love the resolution aspect of the issues on hand. Don't get me wrong, this will still get you a bit giddy and give you some feels as Sig was the perfect boyfriend!

5 Stars!
Sig Gauthier is a professional hockey player for the Boston Bearcats. Boston has been his home for six years, and he’s one of the city’s most eligible bachelors. His profession keeps him in the spotlight, even though he prefers to live a more low key lifestyle. He’s happily single, and then a chance encounter changes everything. He’s in a bind when he meets the girl of his dreams. Chloe is unexpected, but he finds her fascinating, and wants to get to know her. They share an unforgettable, passionate kiss, and he can’t wait to see her again. Then the universe decides to play a cruel trick on him when he realizes Chloe is the daughter of his dad’s new girlfriend. Then to make matters worse the happy couple announces their engagement, which will eventually make his dream girl his stepsister. It’s now a delicate situation, and everything about it was complicated. Can they figure out a way to be together, or will they be destined to only love each other from a distance?

Chloe Clifford is bored with her structured life in Connecticut. She’s a harp prodigy that is offered a great opportunity in a new city. She’s never been on her own, and needs a change. When Sig offers to help her out while she’s in Boston, she leaves her life of luxury behind. Since he is her future stepbrother, she tries to forget the night they met, and keep her feelings to herself. He becomes a massive fixture in her life, and makes her feel treasured. As she discovers herself and has new experiences he believes in her and shows her how to really spread her wings. As he becomes her best friend she lives for their stolen moments together, and has to summon all her willpower to keep clear boundaries. Lines get blurred until they almost feel nonexistent. Will they be able to keep themselves in the friend zone, or will they decide to fight for love?

Dream Girl Drama (Big Shots Book 3) by Tessa Bailey is an insta love, forced proximity, protective hero, future step siblings, sports romance about trust, self discovery, forbidden love and beautiful connections. It’s a fabulous story full of humor, chemistry, delicious tension, amazing banter, family drama and all the swoon. I absolutely adored this couple together, and love this series & this world so much! <333

Sig and Chlo! I want more of these couples! I mean it was a Taboo Beginning but can it be taboo when they are step-siblings who aren't blood-related!? I don't quite understand why people would be so critical of something like that, especially when they meet way before the parents let them know they are together. As long as there is no Blood relation I don't judge. I Loved this Book and How possessive Sig was, Chloe is His forever true Love since the very beginning and I was here for it!

Ughhhh I really hate to do this - especially for a book I was SO PUMPED for - forbidden romance, step siblings plus HOCKEY and it being a Tessa Bailey book…

⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars
🌶️🌶️/5 spice

I was SO excited I mean I was practically screaming at the end of The Au Pair Affair when I realized Sig and Chloe were next …

But in the end it was wayyyy too insta lovey for me to even root for this couple

I found myself screaming WHY ARE YOU SO STUPID?! multiple times at our MCs.

You’re telling me this hockey player just dumps EVERYTHING in merely a FEW HOURS after meeting this girl?! Then funds her ENTIRE life while she flaunts around making the stupidest decisions ever…

Like I get Chloe was spoiled and entitled but you mean to tell me she was just fine with this man who she met WHOS RUSTY ASS CAR JUST BROKE DOWN paying for everything in her life without a second thought? She thought he was gonna be able to afford that?!

🚨MINOR SPOILER NEXT PARAGRAPH ONLY🚨

Plus when she finds out he HAS BEEN STRUGGLING - she just KEEPS LETTING HIM?? I could never - and I say that as a spoiled only child myself.

🚨SPOILER TIME OVER🚨

The spice was decent I guess. I mean really at the end of it my only reason for continuing was for hopeful glimpse at our previous characters and to figure out how the hell they were gonna get out of that situation.

I wanted forbidden longing, secret moments and a gradual love that made that FUCK IT moment worth it. Instead I found myself rolling my eyes more often then not.

I say this all while still keeping that Tessa Bailey is STILL one of my favorite authors but this book was just a miss for me personally. I’m sure other people will absolutely go feral for this one but insta love is not my thing.

I will say I DO look forward to the next book and hopefully that one will continue her streak of these amazing rom coms that have me both cackling then sweating over the spicy moments.

Big thanks to Avon, Tessa Bailey and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinions!

I knew Sig and Chloe’s story was going to be good when we met them in The Au Pair Affair and I was not disappointed!

My heart ached for them all the way through, someone described this as slow burn but make it lava and they’re not wrong. This may be my favourite in the series so far.

I want to preface by saying I am a fan of Tessa Bailey and was very excited to receive this ARC! Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for this ARC!
I wanted to liked this more, I really did, but some things just didn’t appeal to me. I read Fan Girl Down and I didn’t enjoy it much but I liked the premise of a sports romance and I have loved other books from Tessa. But it’s fair to say I was excited to read this one, but a bit apprehensive, so maybe I had unfair expectations.

I’m not the biggest fan of insta love but I do appreciate the way it was expressed through their characters. In the beginning Chloe was definitely into Sig but a bit more reserved and more so intrigued by him rather than instantly in love. Sig’s character fit the instant obsession with his fiery personality and all in work ethic.

I was hooked into the book from the beginning chapters just like the characters.

At first I thought the large time just at the beginning was a positive to jump over filler time, but I found myself missing it. Was really hoping for more tension with flirting and banter and the build up of their friendship. I know the characters waited out a long time to be intimate but it barely felt that way with the insta love and skipping of time.

Having not read The Au Pair Affair yet I felt a bit like I may have been thrown in the middle of a story at times - like with her friendship with Tallulah.

The taboo nature of their relationship was all at once too much and not enough. It was an uncomfortable premise and a bit weird to imagine them together under the circumstances. But at the same time they met as adults and in most people’s eyes it wouldn’t be as big of a deal as made out to be. I can wrap my head around it knowing the scrutiny athletes and public figures get.

I still found Chloe to grow and become more real but I wish Sig would have given her a bit more space and babied her less. There was a lot of real world, street smarts for her to learn.
Sig being so impulsive and ignoring Chloe trying to stay away from him made me a bit mad at the end but fortunately it all worked out.

I loved that Rosie got her moment at the end where Harvey gave her praise for raising Sig on her own without taking money!

All in all, it wasn’t my favorite romance novel but it wasn’t a bad book. I might not feel compelled to reread it or recommend it but it had some really cute moments and some good steamy moments too.

“…because, honestly, she couldn’t remember a night where Sig didn’t star in her dreams, anymore…”

“Out of everything I’ve ever had, you are the nicest.”

“You love her?” “I exist for her.”

“Who knew what she’d throw at him next time? Sig didn’t know. He only knew he’d catch her curveballs as often as she wanted to throw them.”

“It reminds me of our story,” she’d said to him once. “It reminds me I was without you once. As I play the songs, you come back to me. Over and over. It’s like joy on repeat.”

When professional hockey player Sig Gauthier’s truck breaks down outside a fancy country club, Chloe Clifford comes to his rescue, pretending to know him so he can come inside and charge his cell phone. Sig is blown away by her beauty immediately, and her sense of adventure & mischief draws him in further. Yet, Sig can see that Chloe lives a very sheltered life as a rich Harp-playing prodigy. They hit it off spectacularly, with a hot yet rushed make out sesh on the greens, but it gets cut short when Chloe remembers she's meant to be home for an important dinner. Sig promises her a scorching reunion as soon as she can sneak away.

Things are looking promising, until Sig arrives his father's girlfriend's house for their introductory dinner. (He and his father have a strained and distant relationship, and he's meeting her for the first time.) Imagine his surprise when he sees Chloe there, playing the harp, and she's introduced as the girlfriend's daughter! Both of them are dumbfounded, but things only get worse when their parents announce their engagement in the next breath. It turns out that Sig's dream girl is his soon-to-be step-sister!

This instalust/instalove relationship is over before it starts, as they have only 8 months until they're officially family. But Sig still feels compelled to stick up for Chloe and help her break away from her mother and her sheltered, richy-rich life in Connecticut so she can study in Boston, where he lives. He makes it his mission to take care of her and help her learn the necessary life skills that she's desperately lacking.

Still, the bone-deep attraction that they both felt when they met is hard to ignore and they work very hard to keep it platonic. But... would it really be so bad if they wanted to be together??

Here's the thing. Everyone in their lives can see that they feel a lot more for each other than familial love! (Let's be real, they let their feelings/attraction slip a lot 😅.) And, maybe I've read too many books, but I honestly didn't feel like their relationship would be that shocking-- They didn't meet until they were fully grown adults, and it'd be a relation through marriage, not blood!

The other main conflict of the story is that Sig is so worried that Chloe will want to return to her old life if he can't keep her in her lavish lifestyle that he's bankrolling her. She's so irresponsible with money, and, unfortunately, he's not one of those millionaire Hockey players we all read about! And he just let's her spend all his money instead of teaching her how to budget (AKA not blow ALL her money at Sephora!)

All in all, I liked the story and the premise. Suffice it to say it's a slooow burn, but it has very hot moments. Sig is SO OBSESSED with Chloe. He's down SO bad, which I always love.

PS- this was written in third person POV!

4⭐ 2🌶️

I read an advanced copy of this book, and this is my honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC!

Loved it! I feel like each book in this series is so different from each other (in a good way) and get better and better. I found it refreshing that at no point did the FMC and MMC have a fight with each other or have a falling out of some kind.

The first chapter of Dream Girl Drama IMMEDIATELY captivated me and I have to say that this meet cute ranks up there with my all time favorites. It was electric and Tessa Bailey wrote it in a way that felt so magnetic and real and raw. It was like I was there witnessing it happen. I don’t know what drug she put in this chapter (and the book as a whole), but it was addictive.

Please read this series in order, because doing so really allows for you to get curious about the backstory of these two characters. You get a good taste of what’s to come with these characters in The Au Pair Affair by Tessa Bailey (Big Shots #2), but then this finally satiates your curiosity.

Though it starts out quickly, it enters slow burn territory and boy is it a slow burn. Actually, it’s much more than that. It’s a slow raging inferno. I know that’s not a thing, but that’s how I am going to classify this subset of romance. There is SO MUCH LONGING and SO MUCH TENSION.

I absolutely adore and appreciate the setup in this book and how this characters find themselves in their predicament. It wasn’t what I was expecting in the best way. I think Tessa Bailey did a great job crafting their backstory and it was truly satisfying. I also appreciated how the story unfolded as time went on. I found myself not knowing what to expect, but just was constantly rooting for the couple.

Something else I loved in this was the appearance of previous characters and seeing the role they played in this story. Though the current couple was interwoven in the previous book The Au Pair Affair, I didn’t know exactly what would transpire in this book, but it was fun to see it all play out.

I REALLY hope this series continues, because I definitely can see what other characters can wind up together. I’d love to see their story unfold as well. I feel like Tessa Bailey could keep this going for as long as possible and I’d pick up every book in this series without fail. There’s still so much to read! Please, Tessa, write more in this series! I LOVE THESE CHARACTERS (and your writing obvi).

All in all, I loved this book and love this series!

Big thanks to Avon Harper Voyager and Netgalley for this eARC. As always, my review has been written honestly and all opinions are my own.

Overall, I enjoyed the plot of this book, and the way that Sig and Chloe figure out how to be together at the end.

But the angst of it all, the tug back and forth, was frustrating to read.

I really enjoyed Sig’s character, but didn’t love some of his choices. Chloe’s character was very hard to like. She had very little growth and this is definitely more about the type of FMC that I enjoy, I need them to be independent, and self sufficient. She was so clueless at times it was hard to believe.

Dream Girl Drama might be my favorite Tessa Bailey book yet!
Bailey never fails to deliver! Her characters are always relatable and the spice is top notch!
Tessa totally outdid herself with this book and I was literally sold after just one chapter. That’s how incredible it was!
A messy, cute, family drama story that was beyond captivating.
Sig and Chloe were just amazing!

Thank You NetGalley and Avon for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

After meeting Sig and Chloe in The Au Pair Affair, I have been chomping at the bit to learn more about their story. And my goodness, did Tessa deliver!

The story starts with some much wanted background on Sig and Chloe. We find out that Sig is on his way to meet his father’s new girlfriend when his car breaks down outside of a fancy country club in Connecticut. Desperate for a phone or a charger when he finds his phone dead, he tries to get into the country club only to be put through the wringer for not being a member. Enter Chloe - insisting this stranger is her guest, Chloe helps out Sig and immediately they have a connection stronger than anything either of them has felt. The only problem, later that evening they realize that they’re about to be step-siblings.

Oh man - I have never met a simp as down bad as Sig. Do I love the “insta-love” trope? No. Could I get enough of Sig and Chloe? Also no. I never wanted to put this down. The tension was so thick in this book, I completely ate it up. It’s like if Clueless didn’t bother with Cher liking anyone but Josh and you just had an hour and a half of their pining. I hated that society wanted them to be apart, but enjoyed seeing how they navigated their obstacles. Overall, I couldn’t get enough of Sig and Chloe and I can’t wait to read Tessa’s next book in her Big Shots series!

This book was adorable! I loved the dynamics of the two main characters, Sig and Chloe. This was my first Tessa Bailey book and I can't wait to read more by this author. From the first few chapters, I knew I was going to love this book and I enjoyed reading about Sig and Chloe's instant connection as well as how they complimented each other. They are so cute! Additionally, I enjoyed the authors writing style and thought the romance was well written.

Thank you to Avon and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.