Tessa Bailey successfully delivers Book 3 of her Big Shot series with ‘Dream Girl Drama’ which blends her trademark spice, a mildly irritating heroine, and drama worthy of reality TV into a quick entertaining read! I was so surprised and honored to have received this as an ARC, THANK YOU NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager!

The Dreamy Bits…
✨ A HEA Twist: While the story leaned heavily into melodrama, I did not see the twist coming that allowed our main characters to have their happily ever after, so that was fun!
✨ Music & Sports: I liked how both main characters had a clear path forward for their passions and careers. They didn’t flounder with deciding who they were or what they needed to accomplish. Chloe had her harp, and Sig had his hockey, and their careers added a sense of grit to their otherwise glamorous backdrop.

The Drama Bits…
💔 Chloe’s Characterization: Chloe was, quite frankly, exhausting. Her pride over small wins (like buying laundry detergent at age 25) felt cringeworthy rather than endearing. I like it when entitled characters fall from grace and need to develop, but Chloe’s complete reliance on Sig for everything instead of pulling up YouTube made her seem vapid and incompetent.
💔 Overall Tone: Don’t get me wrong, the tension and steamy scenes deliver; however, some of Tessa's phrasings simply aren’t my favorite. I prefer romance where the characters fall in love, and the lust follows… this is more instalove and narrated through the lens of a hormone-raging boy.

My favorite Tessa Bailey remains 'Hook, Line, and Sinker'. If you appreciate Tessa Bailey's style, you’ll enjoy the continuation of this series!

⭐⭐⭐ 3 STARS!

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The timeline of this book straddles The Au Pair Affair, the previous book in the series, but can be read as a standalone. I have been looking forward to this installment and was happy to get an ARC. Finding out the backstory gave important context to what the major conflict was. Sig and Chloe were a sweet couple that were really invested in the wellbeing and interests of the other. The tension and build up was great. I would say that my biggest problem with the plot was the supposed taboo nature of their relationship as adult step siblings. It just didn’t ring very controversial to me, especially since they were fully grown adults when their parents got together.

3.5 Stars

I didn’t connect with this story or the characters. The first 30% felt like a weird montage that didn’t give us much substance. The “conflict” was so bizarre to me and was pretty annoying to read about. It seemed like a non issue and I couldn’t understand why it was made such a big deal. I did like Sig and Chloe but I don’t think we got to learn enough about them.
After the 50% mark, I rolled with the story more and was having a good time. It was much more enjoyable when thinking about it as a fun, silly, and lighthearted story.

If Tessa Bailey is publishing a book, you can bet I’ll be reading it. Dream Girl Drama was one of my most anticipated releases for 2025, so getting my hands on an ARC was nothing short of exciting. I first encountered Chloe in Bailey’s previous book, The Au Pair Affair, and I was eager to see where her story would take her. When she locks eyes with Sig Gautheir, a professional hockey player at her country club, things seem almost too good to be true. She falls head over heels for him—until she finds out that Sig is about to become her future stepbrother.

Sig and Chloe quickly became my favorite couple in this series, and I was fully invested in their journey. There were moments, though, when Chloe’s “spoiled princess” mindset had me shaking my head with frustration. But Sig’s infatuation with her is undeniable from the first page, and made it easier to bear. His protectiveness feels genuine, and, as always, Tessa Bailey knows how to write a swoon-worthy hero. I wasn’t at all surprised to fall for Sig as quickly as Chloe did.

Overall, this was a fun, spicy read, and the “off-limits” dynamic added an extra layer of tension that made it all the more exciting.

Thank you Avon and Harper Voyager, NetGalley and the author for sending me this ARC.

I loved the first two of this series, and already love Tessa Bailey's writing style, so I knew that this would not miss for me. It was a treat to finally get to read Sig and Choe's story. Forbidden love is my absolute favorite trope, and this story was filled with all the yearning and tension you would hope for and expect. I highly recommend this installment, as well as the rest of the series!

I received this as an ARC. It contains slight spoilers.

I absolutely ate this up, Sig and Chloe were just SO kind and thoughtful to one another.

Truthfully, Tessa Bailey delivers her well-known spice but how incredible that these two characters fall in love with no physical intimacy beforehand (besides a kiss).

The way out of the drama was not what I was expecting and so for me, it tracked in surprise and also because he never told his mom about Chloe, she never helped with the truth.

I am so excited to read Dream Girl Drama. I am a big fan of Tesa Bailey. I have read the other two in this sports series and am happy I got an early copy. Thank you again.

though fangirl down remains my favorite in tessa's big shots series, dream girl drama is a worthy installment, providing the longing and desire readers hope to be immersed in with a forbidden romance. for sig and chloe, their instant connection becomes ill-fated when they discover their parents are soon to be married, quickly closing the door on any possible future they could dream of having together.

from the very first chapter, sig and chloe's chemistry was apparent, signaling to the reader that their happiness was worth fighting for. as the pair worked to help the other grow. sig offered chloe the independence and confidence she'd never known, while chloe offered the support and comfort he'd been deprived of since childhood. true to form, tessa's books are perfect for a bit of escapism, with characters that are likable and contribute greatly to the universe she crafts in each series. their connection was endearing and delightful as they navigated whether or not the universe would throw them a bone, whether they'd actually get the chance to be together. and thanks to some interest plot twists in the third act and a satisfying conclusion, I look forward to where the series may be headed next.

thanks to tessa bailey and avon for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins Publishers, and Tessa Bailey for this free ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Sig simped more than any simp has simped before. Tessa Bailey’s hallmark is a man who would do anything for his lady, and each new installment in the Big Shots series levels that energy up.

I will say this book in particular got a touch tedious in that aspect. It felt sometimes that moving the plot along got sacrificed for the sake of Sig and Chloe’s mutual yearning.

The twist was fairly predictable, though not in a bad way. The conflict was so intense for these two that it was nice to be able to see what was coming amongst all the butt stuff (an apparently new hallmark of Bailey’s stories).

I loved the introductions of the Orgasm Donors love interests and can’t wait to see how their stories play out.

Reading a Tessa Bailey book will always be a good time, even if you don’t vibe with the overall story. Insta-lust isn’t my usual trope of choice, but Bailey manages to write a story that’s entertaining and sexy, with two likable characters. While the story’s conflict felt forced at times, Bailey handled it with heart and I ended the book rooting for Chloe and Sig to have their happily ever after!

Let me preface this by saying - I did read the synopsis, and I knew what to expect going in. I thought with it being a Tessa Bailey book, I would still manage to enjoy it. However, it still felt uncomfortable to me that they were step siblings, or about to be step siblings. Even when Sig finds out they aren’t… it still doesn’t vibe for me.

Also, Chloe acts like a child throughout most of the story and it is really hard to route for them to be together. Sig has about a million red flags, too, and therapy would be a great idea for both of them.

The writing wasn’t bad and it was a quick read. Probably a 2.75 ⭐️ rating overall, rounded to 3. I’ve read better from Tessa Bailey and, to me, it just didn’t measure up to the others in the series.

While I love Tessa Bailey, this one wasn't my favorite.

Honestly the spice in this one was a bit cringe...I don't know what her obsession with women putting a finger in men's b*tt holes, but it's weird and it's in everyone of the books in this series. Maybe it's just me, but I find it strange and totally put me off. If that's your thing, all the power to you.

Moving on, besides that I did love the connection and meet cute between Sig and Chloe. Sig was everything. I loved his personality, loyalty, his need to take care and protect Chloe, he's super supportive and let's not forget the dirty talk 🔥🥵. I also loved watching the growth of Chloe's character.

Overall it was still a cute romcom.

Read if you like:
Forbidden Romance (soon to be step siblings)
Hockey Romance
Insta Lust
Slow Burn
Family Drama

Thank you Netgalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for this eArc in exchange for my honest review

3.5 rounded up. ⭐️ I have loved the books in this series! Insta love isn’t my fave, but the chemistry between these characters started fast and the banter was cute and fun! Soon- to be step siblings who meet before they know… made this book a slow burn, but the spice did finally hit towards the end! This book had me laughing at parts & I ended up liking it more than I expected!

Such a great book! Loved Sig 😍 his loyalty, dedication and personality were swoon worthy. I loved the relationship between Sig and Chloe and cannot wait to see what this series has in store for the next book!

Hockey/Harp RomCom? That’s a yes please from me! This book was super cute but also had some decent spice. I am not normally into sport romance, but this one didn’t have a ton of sport stuff, it was more of a setting/backdrop— nothing like kissing in the zambonee etc. the storyline is a bit far fetched at times, but I read to be entertained. I enjoyed some of the side characters, especially the Orgasm Donors. Overall a fun read!

This was my first Tessa Bailey book, and it was enjoyable. I honestly thought it was going to be predictable at first, but there were twists and turns throughout the book with a delightful surprise at the end.

The story is about Sig and Chloe, a professional hockey player, and a woman who was born and raised in a very weathy family, who meet at a country club and fall head over heels for each other. Imagine the look on their faces an hour later when they meet again, only at dinner where they find out their parents are getting married, and they're about to be step siblings!

Chloe was born and raised in Darien, Connecticut, but was never able to follow her dreams the way she wanted to, as her mother thought she belonged in their wealthy neighborhood, and often made excuses to hold her back. In a leap of faith with encouragement from Sig, she moves to Boston, where he plays hockey, and was accepted to Berklee, to live out her dreams of becoming a professional harpist.

Sig plays professional hockey for the Bearcats in Boston, but he's hoping his upcoming season will come with his contract being renewed, and a salary increase.

Throughout the book we watch Sig and Chloe's relationship, and how they handle an attraction to each other, though they're about to become step siblings, and are trying to not let Sig's greedy father ruin what could be a great relationship for them.

This was a cute book, and I enjoyed the story. Thank you to Tessa Bailey, and Avon for the E-ARC!

Thank you Netgalley and publishers for proving this e-ARC in exchange for a honest review.

Too bad 1 star is the lowest that I can go. I should’ve DNF’d this book.

I had never read anything by TB because reading the synopsis and seeing the covers always gave me a very childish vibe, and I was right.

There was no plot, just this insta love, obsessive possession from both characters without any meaningful reason.

Chloe is the most childish 20 something girl I’ve ever read about. She’s never done anything for herself, he’s mom is manipulative and controlling. But when she moves away to become independent, we come across a toxic relationship between Chloe and Sig.
Because Sig doesn’t truly let her grown and become her own independent person. He teaches her only what he wants, he controls where she goes, what she eats, who she talks to all in the name of her being his soulmate and their love. His possessiveness and jealousy is just the worst, it’s not sexy and it’s not cute.

The whole forbidden love idea is good, but it was poorly executed and I could see the “solution” that was reveled at the end coming a mile away.

This books has 🚩🚩🚩 all over it.


And last but not least…
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WHAT IN THE ACTUAL F*CK HAPPENED WHEN THEY FIRST HAD S*X?

She freaking fingered him!!!!!!!!!!!! PLEASEEEEEEE!!!!!!!

I wish I could unread this!!!!

Dream Girl Drama is an amazing addition to Tessa Bailey’s Big Shots series! I had been anticipating Sig and Chloe’s story since being introduced to them in The Au Pair Affair. Their chemistry was so well written. Sig’s unwavering love and care for Chloe, along with all the mutual pining and witty banter made it difficult to put this book down. It was a fun read following them through all the obstacles they encountered while trying to find a way to make their relationship work.

And, while I absolutely do not condone spending rent money on eye cream, who doesn’t relate to Chloe’s love of Sephora!?!
 
Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced digital copy of this book! I’m looking forward to seeing what Tessa Bailey comes out with next.

Not going to lie, this book was a total let down. I am a Tessa Bailey fan, but this book left a lot to be desired. Read if you are curious.

I adore Tessa Bailey so much, but this one felt kinda rushed and not up to her normal hot hot hot but sweetly romantic stories. It felt a little... forced, maybe?