Sig is the type of MMC that makes you hate your man! He's protective and will do anything for Chloe. Their romance is full of tension! kind of a fast, slow burn. They fall in love instantly before things get... dramatic. Overall a super cute and spicy read!

TESSA BAILEY THE WOMAN THAT YOU ARE!! they are so hot. like leave it to tessa to make future step siblings so smutty and hot and forbidden!! i just love that i can always count on Tessa to give me a good smutty time.

Thank you to NetGalley, Avon/Harper Voyager, and Ms. Bailey for the opportunity to read an ARC of this title. An honest review was requested but not required.

In my opinion Tessa Bailey is an underrated romance author. The woman can write a STEAMY story with characters whose chemistry absolutely strikes sparks off the pages. That being said, this one was... not a favorite.

To start off, it had a tall hill to climb (more like a mountain) insofar as the Manic Pixie Dream Girl is one of my MOST unfavorite tropes. Like, ever. And if I recall correctly even the book blurb describes Chloe that way. Let me just say she is not just a MPDG, she is the queen, the Empress, the Overlord of all MPDGs ever born. Poor hapless Chloe is an ostrich, happily living her cocooned ultrarich life in Connecticut, until she decides to move to Boston and live a cocooned life funded by Sig. Chloe spends her rent money (provided by Sig) on *multiple* expensive eye creams and is late with the rent, four out of six months running. Chloe has no idea how to do laundry, or buy food (let alone prepare it). But! she's good at fashion! and the harp! and wearing sparkly pink jerseys to games! Sigh. Frankly she sounded exhausting. But the heart wants what the heart wants, and Sig's heart was hers from day one.

So Chloe and Sig meet in a country club; it's lust at first sight. An hour later they discover that their respective parents are engaged to marry. Frankly I'm really not sure why this was such a big deal. It's not like they grew up together or were raised together; surely a presser explaining they met an hour before they discovered their parents were engaged would solve that problem. However, for Chloe, Sig and their parents, it's absolutely inconceivable that Chloe and Sig should date. Thus begins the next year of angst and unrequited lusting.

I'll hand it to Ms. Bailey, she writes some really moving unrequited lusting. You can feel the palpable pull between Chloe and Sig, the yearning, the electric tension.

I'm not really sure I felt LOVE though. Maybe from Sig, although his overwhelming attachment to Chloe seemed very one-sided. I'm not sure what he got out of it, as taking care of Chloe seemed like a combination of a dad, big brother, boyfriend, and super all at the same time. That woman was EXHAUSTING. She had all the manic energy of Piper Bellinger but none of Piper's adaptability or gumption.

Meanwhile, I felt like Sig got shortchanged as a character due to constantly having to mother/father/brother/handyman Chloe. He had no real life outside of dropping everything to attend to Chloe's every need. He is a (really good) hockey player, supposedly, but he isn't shown at practice or at games often enough for me. The hockey schedule is a very demanding one, with practices and lifting most days per week and games every second or third day. Wells and Burgess (Big Shots #1 and 2) both got more sports time than Sig did.

I'll hand it to Tessa Bailey, despite my frustration with Sig's character and my general distaste for Chloe's, this book was still pretty enjoyable. I laughed, I read it eagerly, wondering how the step sibling crisis would be resolved, I was curious about the Orgasm Donors (aka., the rookies). While this wasn't my favorite of her books, I think a good portion of that has to do with the fact that MPDGs and I just will not, ever, get along. On a plus note, this book was a good lead-in to what I hope will be Big Shots #4 and 5 and, perhaps Ms. Bailey can do what no other has been able to do for me before, make baseball sexy. I mean: if she could succeed with GOLF... ;)

3.25⭐️ *sigh* im disappointed in this one.

this was my first tessa bailey (ik shocking) and i was let down. i went in to this arc thinking i would absolutely eat it up since she’s such a popular author and it’s a hockey romance but i just didn’t click with it.

the plot had so much potential. chance encounters turned step siblings and having to navigate those struggles? i was intrigued. alas unimpressed. this book was the DEFINITION of insta love. like kiss in the first three chapters and talk of marriage in the first half type insta love. and while i usually hate insta love, i can deal with insta attraction. but this was insta OBSESSION and it just wasnt for me. AND IT WAS THIRD PERSON🤢🤢 (this is my biggest personal issue with books i am the #1 third person hater)

i liked the characters at some points and i liked their chemistry but there were still some things that annoyed me. chloe was a fun and cute character but her naivety sometimes was just straight up annoying (see: didn’t know the difference between renting and buying; literally didn’t know what chicken and dumplings were; etc.) i didn’t dislike her but at some points it was just like cmon girl😭😭

sig (what?) he was a king in this book lowkey *except* for his shameless enabling of chloe. i get that he wanted to give her nice things cause he was fr obsessed infatuated and every adjective ever. but taking this girl to boston renting her apartment buying her groceries…ain’t that a little much?

i know i sound like a severe hater but i did sweep through this in like 3 days and it was a cute quick read so i will be trying tessa bailey again but this one didn’t click for me. thanks to netgalley for this arc💖

Incredible meet cute with an instant connection, only to find out they are going to be step brother and sister in that same night! At that moment, they decide they can only be friends.

Sig is a professional hockey player and Chloe is a child prodigy Harpist. Chloe moves to Boston and settles into the city life with help from Sig. They spend a lot of time together and he helps her get on her feet. He also gives her money when she is cut off financially from her mom. Sig would do anything for Chloe, who he calls his Dream Girl. They are addicted to each other but they can't be together. When bad press threatens to tear them a part for good, they have to make a big decision.

I loved how the author portrayed the complexities of navigating this forbidden relationship with so much tension and build up! Tessa is the queen of making the reader suffer through chapters and chapters of angst and then fill your pages with dirty talk. The twist was unexpected! I actually haven't read the other two books in this series and can't wait to dive in.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Harper Collins, and the author for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I’ll be honest out of the series this was my least favorite. I’m not sure if it’s the premise or what. The whole brother sister thing was weird but even weirder that it was made a big deal because they wouldn’t be blood just by marriage as grown adults. It would be weirder if they were teenagers but almost 30 when they met.
I like the characters themselves. Nothing better than a sexy hockey player and a talented musician.
I think the saving grace was the ending. It had a good one, two, punch.

Happy pub day to Dream Girl Drama!

Is this my favorite of the Big Shots series so far? Absolutely!I fell in love with Sig and Chloe almost as quickly as they fell for each other. I’m not usually one for instalove, but I just couldn’t help but be drawn into their romance. The passion was there from page one, but you could also feel just how much they complimented one annother and cared for eachother.

The third act break up/general reason Sig and Chloe couldn’t be together was rather silly, but I’ve come to expect general absurdity from Tessa’s romances. And I love that for us! We can feel just how down bad Sig was for Chloe. Between the pop tart hoard and secret memorabilia selling I truly believed he would do anything for her. Tessa’s MMCs are always a bit over the top in their possessiveness, and Sig was no different, but I loved how he still supported Chloe so fiercely as she navigated the real world for the first time. And in return Chloe was everything he ever needed.

Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for a review copy. I can’t wait for book 4!

I really really wanted to like this one… but I just couldn’t get past the 3rd person POV and believe that I tried.
I am giving it 3 starts because I believe if someone enjoys this narration style they would like this book.
I DNFed at 30% 🤦🏽‍♀️

arc review 🎀💄🏒
dream girl drama by @tessabaileyisanauthor (big shots, #3)
★★★★

happy pub day!! ✨

i couldn’t wait to get to sig and chloe’s story after reading about them in ‘the au pair affair’! i was super curious about how their story was going to unfold 👀

professional hockey player sig gauthier’s car breaks down on his way to dinner to meet his father’s new girlfriend. stuck at a posh country club, he meets his dream girl — chloe.

they hit it off instantly and sparks are flying between the two. they share a moonlight kiss and head their separate ways, excited about the next time they can see each other again. little did they know they would see each other at the same dinner…chloe’s mom is the girlfriend of sig’s father. not only that, they’re engaged. sig’s dream girl is his future stepsister.

when chloe moves to boston, they know they could never be anything more than friends. but keeping their relationship platonic grows harder as they spend more time together. especially after feeling the sparks fly after first meeting.

🎀 forbidden romance
🏒 forced proximity
🎀 protective hero
🏒 future step-siblings

i really enjoyed this one! before jumping into it i was worried it wouldn’t be something i could get into, but the story drew me in right away and slow burn was def simmering!! ❤️‍🔥

big thank you to tessa bailey, @avonbooks, @harpervoyagerus, and @netgalley for the arc. ❤️

Dream Girl Drama was a super cute, fun read. The previous book in this series got a little heavy, but this one felt much lighter. Tessa Bailey definitely has a signature style, but the emotional intensity of her books seems to vary a bit from book to book. You got a pretty good sneak peek of these two in The Au Pair Affair and probably get the general idea for this book, but I definitely enjoyed reading more about them in this one.

Sig meets the girl of his dreams one night after his car breaks down. The two are crazy about each other, but soon discover that their parents are getting married and they will be step-siblings. While the step-siblings plot tends to only show up in more taboo romance, this doesn't really feel the same.

This book felt like a quick light read. A perfect book to follow a long, dreary January. I highly recommend this book if you are looking for a cute (and spicy) rom-com for February! Thank you to Tessa Bailey, Avon Books, and NetGalley for this Advanced Copy.

4/5 ⭐️

This was good and in Tessa fashion, high stakes and high drama. Honestly the drama was a bit much for me and kind of ridiculous, the main conflict was just not really a problem IMO. But Sig and Chloe were cute and I appreciated their tension.

Thank you to NetGalley, Tessa Bailey, and Avon and Harper Voyager for my early access to this.

I was sooo excited to get to Sig and Chloe’s story after getting glimpses in The Au Pair Affair! The tension and slow burn between these two was off the charts. Sig was such a simp for Chloe! The almost-hookup-turned-possible-stepsiblings plot line was insane in the best way!

There were a couple of things that brought my rating down. One of those things was the unbelievability of Sig offering to essentially chaperone and support Chloe in Boston literally hours after meeting. I do believe in instant connections, but that was a bit far fetched. Also, Chloe really didn’t know that dogs ate dog food. Idk why this bothered me so much, but it did. Sure, she doesn’t know how to use a washer or how to budget (she’s RICH rich), but I draw the line at this. 🥲

However, I did still enjoy this read! Tessa Bailey brings her best spice yet IMO, and whilst the ending was a bit predictable, I thought the plot was solid and made for perfect pining! 😍


*Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.*

Dream Girl Drama is the third installment of Tessa Bailey's Big Shots series and it was a very.. interesting read. The premise is a pretty good one, however, I'm not sure if I loved the execution. Chloe and Sig, two strangers, meet one day, and it's extreme insta-love.. like I'm talking swooning and begging to smash within a couple of minutes. Fast forward a couple hours later, they're both at their parents' dinner and find out they're going to be step-siblings. Things became a little over the top after that. It felt very soap opera-like, and I wasn't too fond of the main characters. Both Chloe and Sig came across way younger than they were because they were so immature. Chloe grew up with money and all of its luxuries, and as a result, she is absolutely clueless about everything. She has no idea how to cook, clean, work.. nothing. And Sig, although he grew up the exact opposite of Chloe and actually had to work for what he wanted, whenever he's around Chloe, it's like all of that goes out the window. He is completely content with paying for her rent, giving her money to blow at Sephora, buying her ridiculous stuff, all with no intention of teaching her how to earn a dollar. Not to mention, he is very overprotective and controlling. This book just wasn't my cup of tea. 2.5 stars rounded up.

Thank you NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager, and Tessa Bailey for this read.

3.5 ⭐️
First off, I’m still sort of in disbelief that I got this ARC??? Thank you so much NetGalley & Tessa Bailey!
Your two main characters meet and fall for each other before discovering they’re gonna be step siblings and the storyline focuses on around how they can’t be together because of that.
The chemistry between Sig and Chloe is def my favorite part of this story. I did find Chloe hard to connect with personally but I absolutely loved Sig (most of the time lol he had his moments).
Usually not a fan of the step siblings trope but the two main characters are adults and not related at all so it was done well and was a good read. It is a standalone that is part of a series so if you haven’t read anything else in the series you can still read this one.
Overall, it was a fun, quick, steamy, and dramatic read and would be perfect for anyone who loves forbidden love, sports romance, opposites attract, and 3rd person POV.

ARC Review
Dream Girl Drama ~ Releasing on February 4, 2025
Big Shots Book #3
Tessa Bailey
My Rating 4/5

First of all I would like to thank Tessa Bailey, Avon and Harper Voyager and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.
@tessabaileyisanauthor @netgalley @avonbooks

My Review ~
I have thoroughly enjoyed Tessa Bailey's Big Shots Series, which includes Fangirl Down, Au Pair Affair, and now Dream Girl Down. Each book stands alone, featuring witty dialogue, engaging characters, and the delightful spice typical of Tessa Bailey's writing. While I appreciate the series, my rating for this particular installment is lower, as it wasn't my favorite. The instant love and the reasons for the characters not being together as adults felt somewhat overdone. Moreover, it was difficult to believe that the FMC was completely unaware of any financial issues. I genuinely admire Tessa Bailey's work, but regrettably, this one did not meet the five-star mark for me.
I would like to extend my gratitude to Tessa Bailey, Avon, and NetGalley for providing an advanced digital copy of this book.

Tessa Bailey is the queen of writing dirty talk, and Dream Girl Drama is proof that no one does it better. This forbidden romance was one of the hottest I’ve ever read. The chemistry was absolutely off the charts, and the love between the main characters squeezed my heart so tight that I had no choice but to root for them.

The pining in this book had me shouting at my e-reader multiple times, completely consumed by the slow burn and tension. And don’t even get me started on the male lead. His love for the heroine was so swoony I had to pause a few times just to clutch my chest because it made my heart so full. His devotion, his need for her, the way he sees her, protects her is the kind of romance that makes you believe in soulmates.

And of course, the steam? Pure fire. Combustible. Exactly what you expect from Tessa Bailey, yet somehow even more intense and emotional. But beyond the heat, this story tugs at your heartstrings in the best way. The circumstances that kept them apart were written in a fresh, compelling way, and both characters were so likable that I was desperate for them to get their happily ever after.

If you love forbidden romance, top-tier dirty talk, and a love story that makes you feel everything, Dream Girl Drama is a must-read. Tessa Bailey delivers yet again!

Happy Pub Day @tessabaileyisanauthor!!

Dream Girl Drama is out today and oooooh what a delight it is! Big thank you to @netgalley @avonbooks & @librofm for the advanced copies in exchange for my honest review!

Dream Girl Drama is the third book in Tessa’s Big Shots series and it is honestly such a fun series. I love her humor so much!

This is a quick and easy read that could absolutely be binged, but I found myself slowing it down so I could spend more time with these characters.

I was wary of the tropes and FMC in this book but I fell in love with Chloe almost instantly (as did our love interest Sig 😉) and leave it to Tessa to write a step sibling romance I’m here for!

This one has equal amounts spice and sweetness with a wonderfully protective hockey player love interest! The audio was fantastic and I highly recommend investing in that format for some Teddy Hamilton love!

4.25 ⭐️

I was so excited for Sig & Chloe when I read book 2, and these two delivered! They both just cared for each other so much and were willing to sacrifice and fight to be together.
This book was definitely a more fast burn in the sense that they knew from the start they liked each other. But it was still so good, because even though they developed those feelings early they didn’t act on them which created such good tension and slow burn!
I loved how Sig was so protective and quick to help take care of her. Sig definitely has an acts of service love language 🥹 he took care of literally everything she needed and never complained. And when she mentioned she wish she had her lucky shirt he drove 6 hours to get it for her 🥹 he was just the sweetest man ever!

The way the problem was solved surprised me a bit, but it was good. I just wish like once it was revealed like it showed or talked more about that. Because it just resolved quickly at the end, and I get why since the problem has been since the beginning and it needed to be solved.
I was able to receive an arc and am happy others may now read and love Sig & Chloe too! ✨

Tessa Bailey knows how to write a fun, light hearted (even though there are some tough situations and feelings happening) and spicy romance!

From chapter one this book sucked me in and I had to know what happened between the main characters and if they were going to be able to figure out the new step sibling relationship between them. Oh, and hockey players? Sign me up!

Overall, such a fun story with some banter, spice and funny supporting characters. I would recommend to lovers of Tessa Bailey of course, but also Meghan Quinn and Elle Kennedy.

Another fantastic sports romance! This one had a quirky meet cute. Meet awkward? Loved how Chloe and Sig met. Loved how immediately they were drawn to each other. Loved how Chloe and Sig helped each other out along the way. Loved how Sig was there to teach Chloe how to be independent. Loved how he took care of her above and beyond. Loved seeing some of the hockey players. Loved how everything worked out in the end.