Tessa Bailey has done it AGAIN! This book picks up in Boston on Sig and Chloe’s interesting relationship as upcoming step siblings. The burn is slow but oh so good, with a fun plot twist at the end! Tessa covers heartbreak, cute moments, a hilarious harp mentor, super spicy moments, and everything in between. Absolute must read!

Tessa Bailey has a knack for making you fall in love with characters, having the most amazing meet-cute, and then ripping your heart out, but it also makes her happy endings that much sweeter!
Sig and Chloe had such a heart wrenching story of strangers to lovers and being forced apart by their families. The pining and the hardships allowed a classic TB happily ever after (but I’m not saying more than that).

3.5 ⭐️ rounded up

This one just didn’t hit like usual…

To preface love Tessa Bailey, and most of her books.

This book however just was too much too fast for me personally.

I still love the characters and the overarching plot 100%.

I just felt like the romance could’ve taken just a slight step back at the beginning & I would’ve been fine. I love a good tension build.

This might be the last Tessa Bailey book I pick up. It’s tough to say because she was one of my favorites when I first got back into reading, but lately, her books have been more misses than hits. Her female characters have become too insufferable, and her male characters feel excessively possessive. Not to mention, the plots keep getting more and more ridiculous. I feel like I’ve outgrown her style, and this book just didn’t have the depth I’m looking for anymore.

ARC Review

3 ⭐️

I’m SO torn with how I feel with this book, I LOVED Sig and Chloe, how much they love each other, their chemistry, the fact they are 100% SOULMATES!

BUT, the ‘forbidden’ aspect was incredibly blown up other nothing, for me there was absolutely nothing ‘taboo’ about their relationship, they were two grown adults who met before they even knew their parents were getting married and the twist at the end was very unnecessary.

So I did struggle a bit as soon as I was enjoying Sig and Chloe and everything they were I was slapped in the face with how ‘incredibly forbidden’ their relationship was.

I love a Tessa Bailey book, but feel this series peaked with Fangirl Down, still I will be continuing the series.

As always, Tessa Bailey balances a good story with just enough smut! Lol...
Her books tend to start slow, in my opinion. But the story picks up and captivates, ending in a satisfying manner. I highly recommend this title.

I was not looking forward to reading this book... I didn't love the second one and the basic premise of this one did not appeal to me. However, I ended up enjoying it more than I expected. It is not my favorite overall by Tessa, but I finished it quickly and am actually looking forward to book #4 based on the introduction of those characters in this book. I just have to go into Tessa books knowing they are going to be unhinged (lol) and enjoy them for what they are.

3.5 rounded up. This *almost* taboo romance was a little different for TB. Insta-chemistry to our parents are marrying each other so we can't act on our feelings, to a "screw it" moment, to a mini scandal, to an HEA. It was definitely a wild ride. I think the first book, Fan Girl Down is still my favorite of the series, but I still liked this one. I loved Chloe's growth as a person and her determination to get better and put in the work. Sig was down bad from day one. He literally did anything and everything to make her happy and keep her safe. All the parents in this book suck. Just saying. So many secrets and manipulations. Blech.

TB does spice really well. And the "screw it" moment is always a great moment. Throwing out your reasons for staying away and just giving in. Yum. Well paced and an overall good time! Thank you Avon & Tessa Bailey for this ARC!

Available in stores 2/4/2025 🩷

I always LOVE me a Tessa Bailey book, but this one just didn't quite hit for me the way they normally do. However, I will say that I think it's very much because of personal preference.

Lets start with the good: I loved both Sig and Chloe so much, and I liked them together as well. They're funny, their chemistry jumps off the page. and I really did believe their love (even though it was WAY too insta-love for me, but more on that later). I'm impressed that the relationship worked for me as much as it did all things considered, but I really was hurting for them whenever it seemed like things weren't going to go their way. I love the overall world of the Big Shots series, and it was nice seeing Burgess and Tallulah and getting a setup for the next book. The spice was delectable as EVERR (thats one place where TB never, ever disappoints for me).

I think my biggest issue was the insta-love, and by extension, the pacing. The plot moved forward very quickly, but also sometimes the writing would flip tense to remind us that, seemingly, this story was (sometimes?) being told in past tense. This honestly could have worked just fine, but that in combination with how hard they both fall, and how fast, and it just felt like things were off from the very beginning.

Overall, this wasn't my favorite of TB's, but its not my least favorite either. Fangirl Down has not yet been unseated from the top of my list, but I look forward to the next book in the Big Shots series nonetheless! Thank you to Avon & Harper Voyager and NetGalley for this eArc!

Bailey achieves a hat-trick for the Big Shots series with this latest installment!

“Dream Girl Drama” follows Sig Gauthier—a professional hockey player—and Chloe Clifford—a talented harpist— after a steamy encounter between them takes a turn when they discover that their parents are engaged.

Tessa Bailey ventures into taboo romance territory with this one! At the same time, the circumstances of how Sig and Chloe meet and a surprising plot twist near the end ultimately address any disconcertedness, which I appreciated.

The forbidden nature of Sig and Chloe’s relationship prevents them from acting on their “insta-love” right away. As a result, this book is chock-full of the most incredible romantic tension with lots of pining and banter! I absolutely loved their push/pull dynamic and the growth they underwent as the novel progressed.

I really enjoyed exploring a side of Chloe that we don’t get to see in “The Au Pair Affair.” She exhibits so much strength by leaving behind her sheltered life in pursuit of independence and a career in music. Sig champions her new start and encourages her to reach for the stars, which immediately endeared himself to me. I LOVE an mmc who is down bad and Sig is the very definition of that! He sacrifices a lot to help her realize her dreams without expecting anything in return, but the love and support he receives from Chloe—two things that he was lacking in his life—made my heart so full!

I practically devoured this one because it was such a joy to read! I cannot wait for the next book in the Big Shots universe—we meet the mc’s in this one and I’m obsessed with them already!

I adore an interconnected series and really enjoyed the first two of this series, so I was excited to read Dream Girl Drama! Unfortunately this one didn’t quite hit the spot the way the first two books did for me.

I think the taboo, forbidden romance aspect would have been pushing my limits already, but when combined with an over the top naive FMC, I just couldn’t get excited about reading this one. Sure, they aren’t siblings YET as they keep saying, but I was just skeeved out by that the entire time. If you enjoy slightly taboo romance, a male who is down freaking BAD, and a helpless FMC who needs help even buying PopTarts, maybe this will be the one for you!

I did love the scenes featuring Sig and his teammates, and look forward to book four! I just didn’t love this addition to the series.

Thank you to Avon for the ARC. All opinions are my own,

This was okay! Not my favorite read, but cute! It was quick and easy. I honestly just wasn’t really a fan of the whole step-sibling aspect of it. I’m sure it’s enjoyable to some, I just couldn’t get past it.

This book was such a spicy sporty dream. I loved every bit. Sig was one of my faves already, going in. He is confident, self assertive, dramatic, typical sporty boy. Chloe is a princess. On paper, they seem like a spicy good time, but not a long time. I never thought that these two would be the couple I was rooting for, but wow I am. The plot of this book was a roller coaster from one end to the next. As many of the details that had me saying "oh I know how this will go," just as many had me screaming, tapping my feet, cheering, and everything else. The family drama was everything. Dad's new girlfriend? Drama in paradise? Already stilted relationships? There is no way that this will go well..... Sig knew what he was looking for and was going to get it, no matter who's happiness stands in the way. This book was such a quick read but the romance had me swooning and the plot had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. I love Tessa Bailey and cannot wait to have a physical copy of this in hand.

While I read fiction of all genres, this time of year I’m drawn to romances, and I especially love series with an interconnected universe. These main characters have been intriguing me since their cameos in Bailey’s last hockey-themed book, and their chemistry is sizzling. The adorable sprayed edges on the print version make this a perfect gift for Galentine’s Day.

Sometimes, parents really seemingly like to prevent you from being exceptionally happy.

Chloe and Sig's paths cross unexpectedly when Sig's car breaks down. As Sig tries to gain entrance at the tennis club, to charge up his phone, Chloe witnesses Sig being denied entry to the exclusive club. Chloe, pretends Sig is her guest, helps Sig get his phone charged from an exclusive tennis club. Impressed by Sig's kindness toward a parking attendant, it was then that Chloe stepped in to help Sig. As Sig's phone is being charged, Chloe snags a bottle of champagne, showing off her playful side. As they chat, sparks fly, and they agree to meet up later that evening.

Sig is surprised to find Chloe at his father's mansion, where his father announces his engagement to Sofia Clifford, Chloe's mother. Sig's father had previously abandoned Sig and his mother to marry into wealth.

Chloe decides to pursue her dream of becoming a harpist in Boston and Sig becomes her protector. Despite their strong attraction, they remain forbidden to each other due to their potential step-sibling relationship and the potential impact on Chloe's and Sig’s careers.

Chloe’s mentor, Grace, warns Chloe about the negative consequences of any association with Sig, especially after a news article questions Sig's motives for helping her. The situation could be resolved if Chloe's mother doesn't marry Sig's father, eliminating concerns about their relationship. As Chloe and Sig both plea to their parent NOT to marry, sometimes, parents really seemingly like to prevent you from being exceptionally happy.

I loved this book. Tessa Bailey knows how to create the perfect rom-com with laughs and spice. I loved both Sig and Chloe in the au pair affair so I was super excited to see them get their own story. I was not expecting chole to date Sig’s dad but I love how the story came out.

Dream Girl Drama by Tessa Bailey was an enjoyable read, but not the strongest in the Big Shots series. Sig and Chloe’s chemistry was undeniable, and their connection kept me hooked. However, the main conflict didn’t feel like a big enough issue to justify all the concern surrounding it, which left me a little underwhelmed. While I still had fun reading it, this one just didn’t hit as hard as the others in the series.

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the eARC.

Thank you to NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager, & Tessa Bailey for the chance to read this book in exchange for my honest review.

Listen- the Au Pair Affair set this one up beautifully!! Going in, I was like out what in the taboo hell am I going to learn I'm okay with now, Tessa? And she set these pins up and knocked em all down! Also worth noting- I think the overlapping timelines of The Au Pair Affair and Dream Girl Drama were really well done. Sometimes that can be handled in a way that feels repetitive to those that read the prior book- and this was not that.

The tension in this book. The air around me was CHARGED because of the tension-- in a book! But I think that's the magic of using a taboo like this. The HEA/resolution did not leave me questioning anything.

Tessa set up for the next book perfectly-- Can't wait to see where Skylar & Robbie "Orgasm Donor" Corrigan go on their journey!

How does Tessa write such good books? I freaking love this series and feel extra thankful to have gotten an ARC of this.

Sig was so down bad I loved it so much, their relationship had so much tension you could physically feel it while reading, I swear. I love them so much

Read if you love
🤍step siblings to be
🤍slow burn
🤍so. much. tension.
🤍friends to lovers
🤍he’s down bad but so is she

Okay, this was so good and exceeded my expectations. Very challenging circumstances for hero and heroine, but Tessa was able to do what I thought impossible and make me absolutely fall in love with the love between Sid and Chloe.


Dual POV
Hockey romance
Romantic comedy
Insta love
Forbidden love
Future step-siblings 😬
Harpist
The rookies
Burgess and Tallulah cameos
Pierre the bulldog