Thank you NetGalley for this ARC. Overall I would give this one a 3.5. Not my favorite in this current series but still a cute read! Some parts of it felt dragged out. Still it had some funnier parts and an overall cute but predictably story line.

Very fast paced spicy read. Very on par for Tessa’s reads.

I loved the connection between Chloe and Sig but the story was a little too messy for me. The final twist was good but getting there was a little on the annoying side. Too much back and forth between the love interests.

The way Sig was described made him instantly likable and the way he described Chloe made me smile and kick my feet. The way he treated her was amazing and fun to read, but, that being said, I found their whole relationship annoying (as I mentioned before). Chloe’s story was good but her character didn’t hit as well as Sig’s did.

Thanks so much NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the eARC.

ARC REVIEW

This book got me back into Tessa Bailey and that is a great feeling. I felt like a few books i read of hers last year didn't do it for me, but have no fear this one did it.

I don't know if its the taboo aspect or that I just love Sig but I am obsessed. I read this in one sitting. It's cute, it's flirty and steamy.

Did I get a little annoyed just by Chloe's huge lack of communication in the "3rd act"? Oh 100% that was childish and frustrating.

Did I like the rest? Yes :)

3.5⭐️

I may round the rating up after I sit on it a bit as I’ve been trying to rate books according to the genre and the type of book it is. This is a fluffy romance so I may be demanding too much from it.

I’ll mention that I did not read the other books in this series as I wanted to see if it mattered or not in picking this book up. The positive is that you don’t have to have read them. It seems to be an interconnected standalone. Any info potentially needed was given to you in this book.

I think the part that was challenging for me is this “insta love” trope as it’s just so unrealistic. To simply look at a person and have your world turn upside down without knowing a thing about them just seems silly and wrong. But on the other hand folks seem to enjoy it so to each their own.

Overall it was fairly predictable and didn’t have anything but fluff throughout. So if that is what you’re looking for then this book is for you!

It comes out February 4,2025. I am thankful to have gotten an eARC for free from Avon Books and imprint of Harper Collins through NetGalley to read which gave me the opportunity to voluntarily leave a review.

My rating system since GoodReads doesn’t have partial stars and I rarely round up.

⭐️ Hated it
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea (potentially DNF’d or thought about it)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but nothing special
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! Would recommend to others
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Will circle back and read again

I have read several of Tessa Bailey’s books (The Bellinger Sisters is my favorite) and was excited to get the Advanced Reader copy of Dream Girl Drama. I haven’t read the Au Pari Affair but as there are characters intertwined- I’m adding it to my list to read! I enjoyed the plot and romance. I loved Sig but Chloe fell a little flat for me – her character started out strong but then just fell flat. I did like her growth at the end. Despite how I felt about Chloe – I still really enjoyed this book. Thank you to Netgalley and Avon/Harper Voyager for the Advanced Reader Copy!

Thank you to Net Galley and Avon and Harper Voyage for allowing me to read an early copy of Dream Girl Drama!

I'm so glad I got to read Sig and Chloe's story! The TENSION!! Oh my god I was dying!! I absolutely adore the two of them and their journeys. Both separately and together. This may be my favorite in the series so far! Can't wait to pick up a finished copy to add to my shelves!

I really enjoyed reading dream girl, I was very excited because I’ve always heard so many people love Tessa Bailey books. I can see why, Sig and Chloe were very cute because they just took care of each other throughout the book. If a reader loves spice this book definitely has some of that, I personally skipped those parts but even then it didn’t affect my ability to read the story which I really enjoyed. Both of the main characters hit bumps in the story which I feel like they both took in stride, I really liked Chloe’s character development throughout the story she’s very different at the end than she was at the beginning.

Sig and Chloe have chemistry from the second that they meet. Their plans to be together are quickly dashed when they realize that their parents (her mom and his dad) are engaged, which means that they are about to be step-siblings. Because of this, they agree to put their romantic feelings aside, and they become best friends.

Chloe has led a sheltered life because of her controlling mother. Chloe decides to go with Sig to study at a prestigious music school in Boston. She is a harp virtuoso, and she wants a chance to be on her own. However, Chloe doesn't know how to do anything for herself, and Sig helps her. He really takes care of her, and it is so sweet how much he supports her.

Even though it starts at as an insta love situation, it becomes a slow burn. They fight their feelings for a long time, as they become best friends. The slow burn turns spicy and there is lots of dirty talk.

This is the 3rd book in the series, and it sets up for book 4. I'm really looking forward to that book!

Thanks to Avon and NetGalley for an arc of this book.

DNF. I am rarely this uncomfortable this early into a book. The romance seems very forced, it’s more of a sexual attraction than an emotional one. The mmc seems very obsessive and borderline a stalker to the fmc, and as someone who has had a stalker that manipulated me into dating them it is not something that I want to romanticize.

Thanks to Avon for the ARC! I was excited to read this one, because I have read and enjoyed quite a few Tessa Bailey books over the years! This one was exactly what I expected it to be and I enjoyed it overall! I don't think it is my favorite of her books, but if you enjoy her style of romance books, you will enjoy it! This one follows Sig, a professional hockey player, and Chloe, a 25 year old harp prodigy who is recently moved away from her family. Its definitely an insta-love story at the beginning, but I enjoyed reading and watching their relationship develop in to something deeper. As they face many challenges, their love never fades. It was a sweet one that was a quick read. Perfect for a vacation or weekend!

I absolutely love this series! Tessa Bailey keeps her readers entertained and captivated throughout this book. I loved it!

I voluntarily reviewed this book.

4.5⭐️
After getting to know Chloe & Sig in the previous book, I was excited to see them get their own story. Their tension and chemistry was palpable from the first chapter. Overall, I’d rank this as my second favorite in the series, with The Au Pair Affair still holding the top spot. While I had a fun time reading, the story occasionally felt a bit too fluffy, and I wish the plot went deeper into other sides of the characters. I really liked how the conflict wrapped in up in the end though.

I went into "Dream Girl Drama" expecting a fun, sexy romance with a dash of humor, given Tessa Bailey's reputation. Unfortunately, this book fell flat for me. The characters lacked depth and development. Chloe, the heroine, felt more like a caricature than a fully fleshed-out person. She’s a rich, hot, harpist prodigy? Odd. But the real crime here is the hero's name: Sig. Yes, you read that right. Sig. It's a name that sounds like a cross between a bodily function and a Norse god's nickname. I couldn't take him seriously as a romantic lead with a name that ridiculous. To make matters worse, the twist that Sig and Chloe's parents are getting married to each other was just plain disgusting. It felt like a lazy attempt to create conflict and added a layer of ickiness to the whole story. Overall, I'd say "Dream Girl Drama" was a skippable read for me. Honestly, I've come to realize that Tessa Bailey's books just aren't for me. We don't mesh well. I've tried a few of her titles now, and while I can appreciate her dedicated fan base, I think it's time for me to acknowledge that her writing style and I are just not compatible. Would not recommend, but I'm sure die-hard Tessa Bailey fans will still enjoy it. Thank you Netgalley, Tessa Bailey, and Avon/Harper Voyager for my eARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

One of the best books I’ve ever read. Deff a new favorite romance of mine!! Okay so I thought Fangirl Down by Tessa was my favorite. Oh no no no.. THIS ONE IS After I finished this book I wanted to hug it tight and never let go (I mean I actually did) Sig & Chloe's chemistry is one for the books - pun intended.

DNF at 30%

I was struggling in this book. The characters have no emotional growth or likability. The only chemistry is physical. He is pompous and overbearing. He says he doesn't need anything fancy but is willing to throw all kinds of money at a pretty girl. She can do just about nothing for herself. I just wanted to pound my head against a wall.

Because I can't get myself through this book, I do not feel that I can give it a proper review of it that will be fair and positive. I do know that every story has an audience and I am just not the audience for this book. I will not share this book on my bookstagram. However, I can announce it being released in my stories.

The chemistry between Kat and Mason is undeniable, but they must navigate personal and professional challenges that threaten their budding relationship. The story is filled with witty banter, emotional tension, and the undeniable attraction that pulls them closer despite their differences.
Tessa Bailey's writing delivers an engaging mix of romance and humor, with strong character development, making it a fun and lighthearted read. Fans of slow-burn romance and opposites-attract stories will likely enjoy Dream Girl Drama.

Ugh. Chloe was SO annoying in this book. Very whiny and privileged. Not my favorite of the fangirl trilogy books.

In her third book of the Big Shots series, Tessa Bailey finally dives into the relationship between Sig andChloe! The book opens with Sig on his way to meet his estranged father, Harvey who wants to introduce him to his new girlfriend. Sig has big issues with his dad because he walked out on him and his mom when he was young and according to his mother, took all of her money. Through happenstance he meets Chloe and it is love at first sight between the both of them. They have an amazing impromptu date with the promise to meet up later that night. Unfortunately as the readers of the previous Big Shots novel know, it turns up that Chloe is the daughter of Harvey's new girlfriend who - SURPRISE- is actually his fiancé! Sig is determined to dig up dirt on his father to break up the pending nuptials so that he can be with Chloe.

I truly loved the relationship between Sig and Chloe and how open they both were about how strong their feelings were for one another. I saw the little twist coming at the end but it didn't bother me that this book was predictable. I loved getting a chance to see more of Tallulah and Burgess in this book. The comedic relief of the rookies was also a great addition and I look forward to what I'm assuming the next book will be with one of their relationships with the softball player.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for an advanced copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review!

2.5 ⭐️ | 2.5 🌶️

After really enjoying Fangirl Down, I had equally high expectations for this one and it unfortunately missed the mark for me.

❤️ Hockey Romance
❤️ Future Stepsiblings
❤️ Open door spice
❤️ Insta love
❤️ She comes to his rescue meet-cute
❤️ Dirty talking MMC
❤️ Forbidden

🏒 The saving grace of this story was Sig. I loved his grumpy, growly, possessive and protective persona. And he plays hockey?? That man was down bad for Chloe, but it was along the lines of being taken advantage of. He was funding her lifestyle even though he couldn’t really afford to (by his standards) and had to do a lot of extra work so she could go on Sephora shopping trips and would subsequently not have enough money for rent.

💕Chloe herself was portrayed in an almost child-like manner. She has been spoiled her whole life and has never done anything for herself. Sig is slowly teaching her how to be an adult but she really never had the growth I was hoping for because she continues to rely so heavily on him.

I was so excited for the play on “taboo” with these two becoming step-siblings but it seemed like the plot got lost and I ultimately wasn’t satisfied with the way it played out.

🌶️ You know what to expect from Tessa Bailey’s spice and this was no exception (looking at you, 🍑 play for him scene). This started out as insta-lust and developed into somewhat of a slow burn throughout the book.

Overall this was not my favorite of Tessa Bailey’s books but I’ll absolutely keep reading her books!

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the e-arc of Dream Girl Drama in exchange for my honest opinion!

I’ve read a few of Tessa Bailey’s books and enjoyed them enough, so I was looking forward to reading this one, especially as an avid reader of sports romances. Unfortunately, I just really did not like this book.

For one thing, I’m not sure if it’s just my own personal opinion, but the whole future stepsiblings thing was so icky I wanted to die the whole time. Why was their blatant flirting and touching and talking about what they wanted to do okay but their actual romance not??? Like, I just wanted them to pick a lane — either do something or do nothing. Also, they’re both adults and didn’t grow up together or anything so I was kind of really struggling to see what the big deal was, especially since Sig isn’t even close with his dad.


But I think my least favorite part of this book was the infantilization of Chloe. Sig treated her like a child the entire book, as did the book itself. I don’t care that she doesn’t know how to do laundry or hasn’t lived in an apartment before, I don’t think that means she’s going to act like a child. And Sig’s possessiveness and jealousy and the way he ordered her around wasn’t hot, it was icky and gross.

Overall, I found this book to be not worth the time I spent reading it.