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

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!"