This is definitely my fav series by Tessa Bailey. Each book is so ridiculously good. Dream Girl Drama follows Sig and Chloe, soon to be step siblings that we met in The Au Pair Affair. Sig is a hockey player and Chloe is a harpist from a wealthy family, and their parents are engaged! They met before they knew they would be stepsiblings and sparks were FLYING! Sig is determined to help Chloe spread her wings and live her dreams even if he can’t have her. The TENSION IS TENSIONING in this one yall OMG. It was palpable!! Each chapter had me expecting them to just rip each other’s clothes off 😂 Sig is so swoony and just such a dreamboat. The way he protects and takes care of Chloe while helping her grow was amazing 🥹🥹🥹 He anticipated everything she could ever need. Dream man for sure! Chloe was so funny and sweet, I loved her. She was very self aware about her shortcomings and wanted so badly to learn how to be independent. She took all of Sig’s guidance in stride and really was so brave to change her entire life. My favorite thing about these two was how they had each other’s backs. It was beautiful. This book was phenomenal. So funny and so sexy. I was cheering this couple on from the very start. I was so invested in them finding a way to get their happy ending 🥹🥹🥹I LOVE this series!!!

A new favorite Tessa Bailey book! I cannot get enough of this series. Each installment is better than the last & Dream Girl Drama was no exception. I flew through this book. Absolutely devoured and left no crumbs.

Dream Girl Drama is for the forbidden love & angst lovers. Bailey delivers on the yearning (which we have all been craving in romances lately). There are so many stolen moments between Chloe and Sig that made me swoon so hard! I loved both MCs too. Sig is broody and Chloe is adorable. They had insane chemistry. I found their dynamic entertaining. It's opposites attract done so well.

Bailey never disappoints with the spice. Sig and Chloe were hot! The slow burn definitely led to some steamy moments!

A fantastic romance if you want to yearn, swoon & fan yourself all at the same time. Highly recommend!!

this series has been so out there but so entertaining the entire time. sig and chloe’s relationship was so unconventional but I couldn’t help but root for them. Tessa’s voice shine as does her stream. she keeps it creative and convinces the reader of an authentic love between her characters. bring on the next athlete!

This was a classic hockey romance and I did like it but I always found myself remembering they were going to be step siblings at any intimate/romantic parts and it would ruin it. I know everything worked out for them in the end and they ended up not being related, but while you are reading it, you don't know that. Outside of the possibility of them being step siblings, Sig and Chloe are adorable. They exemplify the love at first sight trope! Throughout the whole book, Sig and Chloe put each other above everything and are constantly showing their love for each other which was beautiful to see. I like the sports world that Tessa Bailey has created throughout the Big Shots series and I am excited to see where they go next. I think it is safe to assume the next book will be Corrigan and Skylar, which I can tell I will love. I think there was also hints of a possible Mailer/Reese book in the future, which would be fun as well. All in all, I would recommend this book. It's cute, the characters are so in love and it's a fun story but beware that you may find yourself remembering they are going to be step siblings at very inopportune times!

Dare I say this is the best book of the series?! I am absolutely head over heels for Sig and Chloe. 2019 Cristine would never believe you if you told her that she'd said this about a step-sibling romance, but hear me out...

I am obsessed with Sig's energy and how he was just instantly all-in for Chloe from the first chapter. We already got a sneak peek at these characters in the previous books. Chloe is such a unique and fun personality, I found myself wishing I could jump into the pages and be friends with her. She's grown up spoiled by everything money has to offer and Sig wants to give her everything even though she never asked. Okay, just go read it.

Tessa Bailey’s Dream Girl Drama is a perfect blend of humor, heart, and steamy romance that fans of rom-coms will absolutely adore. With her signature witty writing, endearing characters, and plenty of sizzling chemistry, Bailey delivers yet another winner in this delightful novel.

The story follows Sig and Chloe, who are both charming and flawed in the best ways possible. Bailey has a unique talent for crafting protagonists who feel real, and you can’t help but root for them every step of the way. Whether they’re bickering with each other, sharing tender moments, or navigating their own personal growth, the chemistry between them leaps off the page.

What really stands out in Dream Girl Drama is Bailey’s impeccable sense of timing when it comes to humor. The banter between the characters is quick, sharp, and often laugh-out-loud funny, making it impossible to put the book down. There are plenty of moments that will have readers grinning, whether it’s the witty one-liners, hilarious situations, or the flirty tension that builds between the couple.

Beyond the laughs, Bailey also takes readers on an emotional journey, exploring themes of self-discovery, vulnerability, and the complexities of love. The characters’ growth feels organic, and there’s a satisfying depth to the romance that makes it more than just another lighthearted story.

Of course, no Tessa Bailey book would be complete without some steamy moments, and Dream Girl Drama does not disappoint. The chemistry between the leads is electric, and the intimate scenes are written with the perfect balance of passion and tenderness. It's clear that Bailey knows how to create a connection that feels both authentic and exciting.

Overall, Dream Girl Drama is a must-read for fans of rom-coms and anyone looking for a heartwarming, entertaining story with plenty of swoon-worthy moments. Tessa Bailey has once again proven her ability to craft a perfect balance of humor, heart, and heat—making this book a total winner.

Okay this hit.
Sig and Chloe have intrigued me since the Au Pair Affair.
I had such a fun time getting to know the backstory behind them.
The angst in this book was top tier.

Do I think this will be a book everyone loves? Maybe not, but I thought overall it was a fun read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon for the ARC!

I received this book complimentary from NetGalley but all opinions are my own.

I am a Tessa Bailey fan and I have reread a few of my faves of hers over and over. This was well-written and interesting but I just didn’t get into it. It took me 7 days to read this which is long for a Tessa book for me. I just didn’t love Sig and Chloe. I didn’t love them in the Au Pair Affair and I just didn’t get into them here either. Their love just seemed very superficial to me. I don’t entirely know why. I think Sig talked about how beautiful and blonde and pretty Chloe is so much. It just felt like skimming over her other qualities he loves in favor of noting her beauty. Otherwise, it was ripe to be a favorite of mine; Boston is like a second home to me. I love hockey romances. This one just didn’t fall into place for me. That being said: the plot was interesting and I love the setting like I said. I fully expect others to read and love this.

I’m sorry but this one was not for me. I feel like the whole future step-siblings situation gave me the ick. The insta-lust and attraction when they meet felt so quick and forced. The first 50% is the constant back and forth of them trying to convince each other why they can’t be together.

The FMC felt like a clueless damsel in distress and very superficial. The part of the MMC needing to save her and protect her was unattractive to me. Unfortunately, I didn’t connect with either of the characters. I overall feel like the characters need more depth. Also - the fingering part?! Just, no.

I started reading books by Tessa Bailey with this series. I really liked Fan Girl Down, but I can’t say the same for Au Pair Affair and now this one. I don’t think I’ll be reading the next one.

Thank you Avon books and Netgalley for the advanced copy.

Tessa Bailey does it again with a spicy romance. It was so great to be back in the “big shots” world. We got to hear a little about Burgess and Tallulah and there was some serious foreshadowing for book 4 which now I can’t wait for. I loved that they met before they knew who each other were and they became the best of friends. Even with all the tension you can see how much of friends they are first and foremost. The way he calls her Dream Girl is just so adorable and honestly the third act was not so horrible. The only thing I didn’t love was the whole step siblings vibe, when they were together I just couldn’t stop thinking about the fact they know they’ll be siblings soon. I did however know that obviously it would have a happy ending so I spent the whole book trying to figure out how they would end up not being siblings. Overall another great Tessa Bailey book.

This one was FUN! This was my first Tessa Bailey, and yes, you read that right — I have NOT read the two prior books. Whoops. I went into this blind, just knowing it had a cute, bordering-on-taboo premise, because I love that romance is formulaic but also appreciate a book that shakes things up. From page 1, both leads were charming, and I LOVED their chemistry. The banter, the pacing, the spice — it was just right.

The pages flew by, and while it was my first book by this author, I can’t wait to check out her backlog … and the rest of the books in this series — oops — but on that note, this is a book you can read as standalone or first in the series. There are mentions of prior books’ protagonists, but you won’t feel like you’ve missed something especially important for it.

A huge thanks to netgalley and Avon/Harper Voyager for the early copy of this one!!

Tessa Bailey has done it again!! I’m not going to lie, I was a bit wary of the step sibling trope when it was first mentioned in The Au Pair Affair. I was so wrong, the chemistry was palpable and the banter was so good! When I wasn’t laughing out loud, I was blushing from the spicy scenes! Highly recommend this series and I was so happy to read Dream Girl Drama as an ARC!

If Tessa Bailey writes it, you know you want to read it! Swoony, but so much fun, who doesn't love a hockey player romance? Try not to read too much into the "don't date your sister" weirdness, but if you just go with it, you'll love the adventure.

The beginning was great once we meet Chloe which led to a bunch of heart eye emojis from Sig, but then SHOCK oh no they’re going to be step siblings in 8 months. Sig takes this as an opportunity to give Chloe a chance at freedom so obviously problems arise.
And then…..just sexual tension they legit never end up resolving until maybe the last quarter of the book so the entire middle (while I loved it) was just filler. It is definitely a very slow burn.

With that being said, the smut scenes had me a little questioning at times but if you know Tessa, you know her smut can be crazy 😅 but the “dirty talk” wasn’t very dirty for me either. Felt like the cleaner side of dirty talk!
One part I had to stop reading from just so much cringe was when Sigs said “facts” like I’m sorry but FACTS? WE ARENT TEXTING GUYS YOURE SUPPOSED TO BE GETTING SEXY

The ending I did guess but I had known it was going to be a happy ending because no way Tessa would write an entire romance that ends with the characters saying their goodbyes and going on their way. I was happy with the ending, though I wish we got more present time happiness at the end, but I am glad for the epilogue!

With all that said, I still give it a 4 star rating so I clearly enjoyed it and love Tessa’s books. I rooted for the characters to find SOME way to figure crap out so I did fall in love with them as a couple, and plus like hockey men you can never go wrong with. It was VERY insta love though like absolutely no time needed, he heard her voice and said she’s the one and that was pretty much that.


Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

Book #3 in the Big Shots series - whew, what a ride!

We first meet Sig & Chloe in Book #2, The Au Pair Affair, and from that book you get a peek into what their story will be about. Future step-siblings who are crazy about each other! I didn't know what I'd think of this storyline going into the book, being a bit of a taboo topic, but I thought Tessa Bailey told a great story with this one!

The dynamics between these two main characters were interesting to see played out! You have Sig - pro hockey player who came from some pretty humble beginnings and working through some daddy issues, meets Chloe - rich, sheltered, harp prodigy who is looking to strike out on her own and gain some independence.

Usually the "instalove" trope isn't my favorite and can be hard to believe, but the way the slow burn angst of these two pining for each other from their first encounter and later finding out their parents are getting married made it important to the plot and left you wanting to find out how the book is going to end!

If you enjoyed the first two books in the series, keep the good times going with this one! The angst, the spice, the surprises are so so good👏

Tropes/Themes:
- Hockey Romance
- Opposites Attract
- Instalove
- Forbidden Romance
- Slow Burn/Angst - but still spicy🔥
- Future Step-Siblings

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
Publication Date: February 4, 2025

Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager, NetGalley, and Tessa Bailey for this digital ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This is the third book in the Big Shots series by Tessa Bailey. It could be read as a stand alone, but reading at least the Au Pair Affair would be beneficial since they are set in the same city and have a lot of shared characters.

Sig and Chloe meet by chance after his truck breaks down outside of a country club. They have an instant connection and can't wait to take things further, but first both of them have important dinner plans that they can't back out of. Turns out they are both going to the same important dinner and his dad is dating his mom. They also announce that they are going to get married. Now Sig and Chloe don't know what to do with all their feelings and connection since they are set to be step siblings in less than a year.

There is so much lust, and yearning in this book. I love the dynamic between Sig and Chloe, he grew up having to rely on himself and she grew up having everything handed to her. He lets her figure out how to be more independent while also providing guidance.

I gave this book 4 stars overall. I enjoyed the story and characters. The circumstance of them being future siblings didn't bother me and I didn't think it was a deal breaker (maybe I read too much romance!) and if the series were to continue I would pick up the next one as well.

Thank you so much, Avon and Harper Voyager. The publication date is February 04, 2025.

Tessa has a remarkable talent for capturing tension, longing, and heartbreak in her writing, and this book is no exception. Her well-crafted banter draws you in and makes you feel as though you’re falling in love right alongside the main characters.

“‘You love her?’ ‘I exist for her.’”

However, despite these strengths, there was an aspect of the storyline that just didn’t resonate with me.

Initially, the central plotline/trope felt quite icky. Fortunately, the story doesn’t delve into anything too extreme, and the premise is actually not as bad as I anticipated - it actually involves adults whose parents unexpectedly fall in love, which is different from the more traditional “we grew up together” scenario that often accompanies this type of plot. This particular detail offered some relief, allowing me to push past that “hiccup,” but unfortunately, so much of the storyline revolves around this concept, making it feel both repetitive and exhausting. Then the heavy emphasis on the significance of a marriage certificate became a point of frustration for me. The characters act as if the label of "married" fundamentally changes their relationship. It raises the question—was what they were doing before the official "I do" really any different? What makes it "ok" then vs after...the dynamic is literally the same. This focus on formalization detracted from the more authentic moments they shared, leading to a sense of redundancy throughout the narrative. And the twist, although well welcomed towards the end, made the entire book seem pointless - a complete wash.

Oh, well - I loved the first book in the series, but each one after goes downhill.

3 stars. I really didn't love or hate it.

As always, all thoughts are my own. 🖤✨

First of all this series is EVERYTHING!! but this book specifically I LOVED. The sexual tension between the characters was top notch but also the emotional connection was so sweet. I was so invested and rooted in this love story for the first chapter. SO SO good. cannot wait for the next book!!!

2.5 Stars. I enjoyed the first two books in this series enough, so I was optimistic about this one. However, it just wasn’t for me. I have never had any interest in reading a step-sibling romance but I tried to give this one a chance and went into it with an open mind. But between the insta love/lust obsession for each other, the constant focus on how weird they and their relationship looked to everyone around them, the dramatics of literally everything, and Chloe’s naive and childlike character, I couldn’t get into it. I think fans of Tessa Bailey and her writing style will like this book.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for this ARC!

Dream Girl Drama is the third book in Tessa Bailey's "Big Shots" series. The book follows Sig and Chloe, future step siblings that met mere hours before finding out their parents were engaged and developed a romantic relationship. Since finding out they are going to be related by marriage, the two agree to keep things strictly platonic, however, become close friends as Chloe moves away from her hometown and her mother's watchful eye to attend Berkeley in Boston as she is a harpist and prodigy. Sig is a pro hockey player, slated to make captain once his friend and teammate retires. The two know that having a romantic relationship will ruin both their images and upset their parents, but the chemistry is undeniable as the two fight to withhold their feelings.

I really enjoyed this book, I thought it moved quickly and was easy to stay entertained. I was a bit worried about the plot before starting as the step-sibling angle can be a bit cringe, but I think Tessa Bailey did a good job at writing the characters to avoid that wariness. My main issue with this book was trying to understand the timeline in comparison to Au Pair Affair. It seemed like it was happening somewhat concurrently but yet some parts made me think it was happening after? I read them back to back and it just made me a little confused. Otherwise, I love Tessa Bailey and I think she is an excellent romance writer that truly understands her audience and her specialty! Can't wait for the next book!