This is my first book by Tessa Bailey--I know, starting at book 3 of a series... thankfully the series appears to be mostly standalones with some recurring characters. I really enjoyed the book and found myself rooting for the couple even when there seemed to be less and less hope for them.

so this is my second tessa bailey book and i have to say, im happy i stuck with her. this book flew by and was so cute!

3.5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for an advanced copy of this book!

I was really excited for Sig and Chloe's book.

Things I really enjoyed: him wanting to take care of; financially, emotionally, etc. I loved how he had a whole cabinet of her favorite Poptarts, I loved that he drove all the way to just pick up her favorite shirt. I loved their meet-cute. It was intense and magnetic.

I loved their friendship. It was a slow burn, and I loved the build up. I think it was perfect.

Things I didn't really enjoy: some moments I think Chloe came across as dumb, when instead she was not sheltered. And the reason I didn't like that, is I don't think Chloe is dumb at all.

I knew going into it it had the stepbrother / stepsister trope / taboo trope. And I was excited for it. However, I don't like how the issue of this trope played out. I won't act like I know much about how things work behind the scenes in the NHL, but idk that whole thing seemed so inappropriate with the new GM. It made me furious, but maybe that was the whole point?

Again, she set up the next two books in this sports series very well and makes me super excited. This one was probably my least favorite so far, but of course I will absolutely get the next two.

I would like to give a big Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC of Dream Girl Drama by Tessa Bailey.

Tessa B does it again!! Chloe and Sig are just adorable in this book I’m obsessed with the big shots series and the trops were amazing. Forbidden romance insta attraction! I love the best friend relationship they had when they couldn’t be together. Sig is just a lovable book boyfriend!! Definitely getting the physical copy

Chloe and Sig are longing personified. This book has you rooting for them every step of the way.

I had been impatiently waiting for their story since very early on in "The Au Pair Affair." It was worth the wait. The tension continuously building was top notch and drove me crazy as a reader.

What to do when your newfound crush is also your soon to be stepbrother? For Chloe, it causes upheaval in amazing ways and the most dramatic encounters with a man she's ever faced.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for gifting me this ARC. I can't wait to see what is in store next for Tessa Bailey and this wonderfully entertaining world she has created.

I loved it!!! Thank you net galley and the publishing company for allowing me to read a ARC of the book!!!


Now that I’m officially hooked on tessa… it’s time to read her other books!! I was a lil iffy on the feel of the book, BUT then the proverbial rug was tugged out from under me, and I ended up loving it!!! Their struggle was completely worth it in the end! They got their happy ending!!

Ps… blood doesn’t always make someone family!

Definitely gonna be buying the physical copy once it’s released!!!

Tessa Bailey does it again! Another cute read with some very spicy scenes. I love all the tropes in this book as well.

Thank you Net Galley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the e-arc.

This book checks a lot of my romance preferences boxes. Romance check. Hockey check. Super awkward re-meet check and so on. This book was a really fun read following our main characters hockey star sig and beautiful, harp playing Chloe. Little did we know we were in for the most complex romance ever. This book was a rollercoaster of constant up and downs and will they or won't they that ended in a very cute HEA. Throughout the book I enjoyed the first half with its constant time jumps, although those time jumps were kinda random with a week her to two weeks to a day to a month. I think. these were needed or else the book would have felt rushed, just maybe not so many next time. I thought the romance was cute if a bit insta-lovey for me. Still a very enjoyable read if you are in your hockey loving era and need a cute short romance.

3.5 stars

Tessa Bailey lovers, be prepared to eat this up! Sig and Chloe have a sudden meet cute and were on fire from the start! This fire is put on the back burner when the two are introduced to each other by their respective parents, as future step siblings. Side note, they are adults. Sig is a hockey star full of steaming hot feelings. Chloe is an extremely shelter music prodigy. Sig and Chloe work through their feelings, and Sig helps Chloe with her newfound adulthood responsibilities. This book is full of spicy tension and yearning on both sides!
Dream Girl Drama was an enjoyable plot with all of the typical Tessa Bailey heat!

3⭐️

First and foremost, thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me early access to read and review this book- I’m extremely blessed for the opportunity, especially as I’m a huge fan of Tessa Bailey’s work.

Dream Girl Drama was quintessentially Tessa Bailey- all of her charm and fun moments were sprinkled throughout the pages of this. I love this Big Shots series and hope it continues in the direction that I believe was teased.

While I did enjoy this book, it almost felt like a novella compared to Fan Girl Down and The Au Pair Affair, I’m not sure if it was because this was read in a different format or what not but it felt shorter. I did enjoy this slightly less than both the other books, but I believe it’s because I didn’t necessarily connect with the FMC a whole lot and at times I felt she was annoying. I did love the couple together though, and I do love a good happy ending- it was definitely a soul mate situation and I enjoyed how everything was resolved in the end.

This was a fun addition to Tessa Bailey’s Big Shots series. I was veryyy excited for Sig and his (almost) step-sister’s story, and this lived up to the hype! It did get more serious than I was expecting, but I think it added depth to the story and the characters. I think Tessa did a really good job putting weight on the line for both characters, and I loved the way it ended. It was a fun, flirty read.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon & Harper Voyager for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I have enjoyed other books by Tessa Bailey, including the previous books in the Big Shots series. I did enjoy this book but I will be honest that it was not my favorite of the three. That being said, I would continue reading the series.

The story revolves around Sig and Chloe, who we have met as tertiary characters in the previous book. They meet and it is love at first sight, until they learn that Sig's dad and Chloe's mom are engaged to be married.

The ending was a little predictable. There is some spice in the book but not as much as in other books by Bailey. I could see hints of who the next book might feature, if the series continues.

It is a lighthearted rom com. And what you would expect from Bailey, if you like her books.
I would recommend this book.
3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC of Dream Girl Drama by Tessa Bailey.

I’m a big fan of Tessa Bailey and was stoked to get an ARC of this book. Especially as the Big Shots series have been my favorites by her thus far. However, I didn’t feel that Dream Girl Drama quite hit the mark like the first two did. I felt like as a reader we already knew a good deal about Sig and Chloe’s story from Au Pair Affair and the first part if the book was just restating a lot of that with some gap filling. The other piece I think for me, is I just did find these two characters quite as likable. Overall, it’s a Tessa Bailey book and if you like her work I’m sure you will find this enjoyable to some degree.

Tessa Bailey delivers another captivating romantic comedy with Dream Girl Drama, blending steamy chemistry, forbidden love, and family chaos into an irresistibly fun read. This latest installment in the Big Shots series focuses on professional hockey player Sig Gauthier and harp prodigy Chloe Clifford, whose undeniable connection is complicated by a shocking revelation—their parents are engaged, making them soon-to-be stepsiblings.


Engaging Characters: Sig and Chloe are compelling opposites. Sig's rugged charm and Chloe's quirky, sheltered personality create a dynamic that sparks both humor and heartfelt moments. Their journey of personal growth and mutual support makes their relationship feel authentic and deeply satisfying.
Tension and Chemistry: From their moonlit kiss to the tension of keeping their relationship platonic, Bailey masterfully builds a slow-burn romance packed with sizzling moments. The push-pull dynamic of forbidden love keeps the pages turning.
Humor and Banter: Bailey’s trademark wit shines through. The dialogue is sharp and entertaining, balancing the story’s emotional depth with laugh-out-loud moments.
Themes of Independence: Chloe’s quest to break free from her controlling mother adds depth to the story. Sig’s encouragement and guidance show their bond extending beyond romance, showcasing a strong emotional connection.

Overall:
Dream Girl Drama is a delightful addition to the Big Shots series, combining Bailey’s signature humor, spice, and heartfelt storytelling. While the central conflict may not feel entirely convincing to all readers, the emotional depth and magnetic chemistry between Sig and Chloe more than make up for it. Fans of rom-coms with a dash of taboo romance will adore this book, and Bailey proves once again why she’s a powerhouse in the genre.

Recommended for: Lovers of opposites-attract, forced proximity, and forbidden love tropes, and fans of Bailey’s previous works. This one is a must for your TBR!

With the third installment of the Big Shots series, I was thrilled to see how Tessa developed the characters of Sig and Chloe, whom I adored in The Au Pair Affair. This book is packed with forbidden love, family chaos, and intense tension! My only complaint is that I wish we had more of their domestic bliss at the end, as we waited two books to finally see it. Nevertheless, Tessa struck gold again with this one.

This was a quick, fun read in Tessa's signature style, and we think it's the best one so far!
We couldn't wait to see her take on the stepsibling trope and she did not disappoint! It gave us a forbidden, angsty romance full of wit, banter, and CHEMISTRY! We are already fans for life of Tessa and this was just another hit for us!

Ever since their names were mentioned in book 2, I've been yearning (perhaps that's an understatement) for Sig and Chloe's book.

Unfortunately, their story didn't quite live up to my expectations. I found no fault with the characters; Sig and Chloe were both likeable, and their gruff/sunshine personalities paired nicely. What was lacking, however, was the plot.

The whole concept of forbidden love fell flat for me. I just didn't find it all that believable that Sig and Chloe shouldn't be together because their parents were dating - it's not like they were related or grew up together. If it had been their respective parents who had gotten together after their kids were engaged, I doubt anyone would have batted an eye.

My dislike of the plot certainly colored my view of the book, and by the end all I could think was "meh". I certainly won't give up reading Tessa Bailey's books any time soon, but I find I'm not all that excited for the rest of the books in this series.

Book Review: Dream Girl Drama by Tessa Bailey ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I want to take a moment to give a huge shout-out and warm hug to NetGalley, Tessa Bailey, and HarperCollins Publishers for providing me with an advance ebook copy of Dream Girl Drama in exchange for my honest review. Let me tell you, saying I was eagerly anticipating this book feels like an understatement of epic proportions. Tessa Bailey DELIVERED, and I couldn't wait to share my excitement!

A Complicated Love Story
Readers of Bailey's previous works will be familiar with Chloe from The Au Pair Affair, where we were first introduced to her quirky charm. However, it was only a mere teaser of what was to come. The intricacies of her relationship with Sig, which initially felt so enigmatic, unfurl beautifully in Dream Girl Drama. The thrill of discovering their complicated love story was like unwrapping a carefully wrapped gift, and oh, what a treasure it turned out to be!

A Tale of Forbidden Love
The forbidden love trope has always had a special place in my reader's heart, and Bailey executed it with finesse. The plot delivers love at first sight and a tantalizing possible step-sibling dynamic that had me turning the "pages" at a breakneck speed. The stakes are high, and you can practically feel the chemistry sizzle between Chloe and Sig. It was impossible to put the book down!

A Small Wish for More
If I had to mention one tiny complaint, it would be the epilogue. While I appreciate a good "happily ever after," the glimpse into Chloe and Sig's life five years later felt just a tad too short for my longing heart. I mean, who wouldn’t want more of that naked harp-playing goodness? Tessa, if you’re listening, I was ready for a full symphony!

And oh, Sig! My admiration for him only grew as he maintained a relationship with Harvey—a character as charmingly untrustworthy as a "lying sack of potatoes." I can’t help but root for the fascinating dynamics Bailey creates within her stories.

Excitement for What's Next
But wait! There’s more! I hear whispers of another book on the horizon: Pitcher Perfect. I can almost guarantee that we’ll see some crossover with the love story of Corrigan (aka O Donor) and Skylar—sign me up for that swoon-fest!

Conclusion
In conclusion, I devoured this ebook in just two sittings (yes, it was that good!) and will be recommending it to absolutely everyone I know. Tessa Bailey's Dream Girl Drama is top-notch in every sense—writing, plot, and execution. If you crave an emotional rollercoaster wrapped in a deliciously forbidden love story, look no further. Grab this book, and prepare for a wild ride!

Happy reading! 📚✨

I sadly did not enjoy this book and had to DNF it before the end. The insta-love was EXTREME, but to the point where Sig was acting like a psychopath. Spending all of his money at SEPHORA? I would bet $100 Sig would lick the floor and clean it that way if Chloe told him she didn’t have a mop. Not allowing Chloe to date or talk to other men? It felt so very unrealistic that it was hard to enjoy the chemistry between the two. Also these two were acting like 13 year olds in their first relationship. This was a very hard read for me and 60% of the way in I still felt like there was truly zero plot. The parents are barely involved in the storyline and I honestly thought it was missing a few chapters when I started the book.

Thank you very much for the arc, I’m bummed I didn’t like this more.

I was SO excited for this book - and I was definitely disappointed.

The main issue I have with this story is that so. much. emphasis was put on the fact that they were going to be step-siblings, and how utterly weird and dramatic that would be. Honestly - it's a little weird, but also, this is 2024. It's also not like they grew up together and THEN decided to be in a relationship. Additionally, I couldn't get over how "woe is me" the FMC was, and how utterly incapable she was of doing literally anything on her own. I understand that she was supposedly very sheltered, but...seriously? I also think it's weird that even with all of the performances she had done, she wasn't paid...for any of them?

There is a "plot twist" at the end of the story, but honestly, I saw it coming almost right away.

I wish I had enjoyed this more. The best part was how down bad the MMC was for the FMC - amazing.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and Tessa Bailey for giving me the chance to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.