Member Reviews
This book was not at all what I was expecting, but leave it to Tessa Bailey to make me fall in love with her characters and her story!
Melody and Beat are the children of two rockstars from a famous band -- famous rockstars who are mortal enemies. When a song by their moms' old band goes viral, it reignites the world's interest in their feud. What tore the band apart? How can they be convinced to play their greatest hit live once more?
Capitalizing on their fame, Melody and Beat are invited to do a 24/7 livestream while they attempt to reunite their mothers. But some feelings can't be hidden on camera, and with the whole world watching and millions of dollars in proceeds on the line, will they be able to separate their real lives from that portrayed online?
I really thought this premise would be dumb and completely unrealistic. While I wasn't completely wrong, I also loved this story so much. I was laughing, cringing, and crying alongside these characters. And, while this is marketed as a Christmas novel, it isn't too centered around the holiday making it an enjoyable read at any time of year.
This was a cute story but went on for a bit too long. It started out with great Christmas vibes then lagged a bit and it was hard to finish.
Not quite a Hallmark christmas show but the characters were interesting. I hate that the male lead is named Beat! I wish it was more Christmasy with the title it has. 2 1/2 stars
I love Tessa Bailey and I love holiday romances! This was a great fit for me and I devoured it quickly. I will read holiday books out of season and this may go into my yearly rotation. Great, fun, and flirty.
A charming holiday romance where two former friends reunite to heal their mothers' rock band feud, only to find their own spark reigniting. With reality TV chaos, rock star drama, and Christmas spirit, this sweet and funny story hits all the right notes. Perfect for music lovers and romance readers.
Cute and spicy, but I could've done with a little less will they won't they. Especially because it was so obvious they would!
I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Wreck the Halls has been on my radar for a very long time. It's no surprise to anyone really that it has taken me so long to finally find the time to dive into this book. In a perfect world, I would have zero distractions and I would just sit and read all day long. Unfortunately, for me, that is just not the case.
Anyways, this book was all kinds of cute and perfect to read around the holidays. Or heck, even during the winter season. In this, you will meet Melody and Beat. Yes, I did snort after reading those names. Also yes, I did enjoy the romance that bloomed between them because it was just so easy to fall in love with. They were that easy to fall in love with.
Things between them were intense at times, but I just kept waiting for the other shoe to drop. Where was the drama? Am I missing something between these two or anyone else? I had a lot of questions and just wanted answers before I got to the very last page.
In the end, this was a very cute read, and I can't wait to dive into another one of Tessa's books.
Let's start with our main characters: Melody and Beat. I mean...c'mon. Could that be any cuter? These two are the offspring of the two main stars of an old rock band. Their mothers had a falling out before Melody and Beat even knew one another but they have always been aware of the other's existence as the infamous breakup that happened before they were born has always followed them around. They now come together through a reality TV show that the producers hopefully lead to their mothers agreeing to a reunion show. If you haven't read a Tessa Bailey book, the one thing to know is that there is going to be some serious banter and spice. This book delivers both in spades. It takes place in the weeks leading up to Christmas so is perfect for that lighthearted vibe we often want during this time of year. I really liked Melody and Beat and their conversations with one another. They were able to bond over shared experiences while still both being so different. I am not really a fan of insta-love. but Bailey does a great job of not taking this one too far in that realm. It was the perfect balance of chemistry and tension. Wreck the Halls is full of holiday fun. It reads quickly so is perfect for a quiet afternoon at home while the snow falls out your window.
I DNFed this one around the middle. Tessa Bailey is always hit or miss with me. I wish she would stop trying to crank out as many cringey books as possible and write some really good ones. I know she can. About half of her books are super predictable and not at all entertaining. We want something new and better banter. Thanks. I cannot believe that I also bought the audio. Ugh.
Thank you to Netgalley, and I'm sorry for this review.
3.75 stars.
Beat and Melody first meet when they are 16. They are the only children of Octavia and Trina of the band, Steel Birds, which broke up in 1993. Approached to film a reality show to reunite the band on Christmas Eve, Beat and Melody have their own reasons for agreeing.
The premise of this story was cute, the execution was lacking. I will say if Tessa Bailey spent as much time crafting the entire plot as she did on the very spicy, very open door sex scenes, this book could have been a 5 star book.
Overall, I thought Beat was a little immature, Melody had her moments but she also was a little lacking. I was hoping to see more of the rocker moms, and have more interaction with them. And why set this book at Christmas? It could have taken place any time of the year because the only thing even a little christmas-y was the name of the show “Wreck the Halls” which had absolutely nothing to do with the setup.
Thank you to #netgalley and #avon books for the e-copy of #wreckthehalls.
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
3 STARS
Wreck the Halls was a quick, holiday read...but not one of my favorites. I'm not sure if it's the plot or the characters that didn't work for me, perhaps a little of both. I'm still a Tessa Bailey fan and will continue to read her future books.
Wreck the Hall is a perfect spicy holiday read. Tessa Bailey bring laughter into her books while covering some heavier topics. Wreck the Halls covers it all. Steam: 5/5 Stars 3.75/5
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book. This book was fun in moments, but overall, it felt pretty predictable and didn't capture the festive holiday vibe I was expecting. While the romance had its charming points, the story leaned more on drama than holiday cheer. A decent read, but not as memorable as I'd hoped.
I went into Wreck the Halls with high hopes, especially with its promising premise of holiday cheer and rock 'n' roll family drama, but unfortunately, it didn’t quite hit the right notes for me. While Tessa Bailey is a talented writer with a gift for crafting steamy romances, this one felt more like a recycled playlist of clichés than a fresh holiday hit.
The enemies-to-lovers dynamic between Melody and Beat had potential, but it leaned too heavily on predictable tropes without bringing anything new to the table. The characters didn’t feel fully fleshed out, and their banter, which I usually enjoy in Bailey’s work, often came across as forced rather than fun. The pacing also dragged, making it hard to stay invested in their romance or the subplot involving their mothers’ estranged rock star pasts.
I will say the holiday atmosphere was festive, and Bailey’s knack for setting a scene still shines through. Fans of light holiday reads who don’t mind a heavy dose of the familiar might still find something to enjoy here. But for me, Wreck the Halls lacked the spark and originality I’ve come to expect from Tessa Bailey’s books. If you're a devoted fan, it might be worth a read—but otherwise, there are better holiday romances out there to cozy up with this season.
"Wreck the Halls" by Tessa Bailey is a festive romance that brings holiday cheer and a touch of spice. The story follows the lives of two characters who find themselves entangled in a holiday romance filled with humor, misunderstandings, and steamy moments.
The book has its strengths, particularly in Bailey's ability to create chemistry between the characters. The banter is witty, and the romantic tension is palpable, making for some enjoyable reading moments. The holiday setting adds a cozy, festive atmosphere that is perfect for the season.
However, the story does have its drawbacks. The plot can feel a bit predictable at times, and some of the conflicts between the characters seem forced or resolved too quickly. Additionally, while the characters are charming, they can also come across as somewhat clichéd, lacking the depth that would make them truly memorable.
Overall, "Wreck the Halls" is a fun, light-hearted read that is perfect for getting into the holiday spirit. It's not without its flaws, but if you're looking for a festive romance to enjoy by the fire, this book might just do the trick.
I definitely feel like this is a book that you need to have lower expectations to really enjoy it. To me Tessa's books are usually a hit or miss and I was really nervous with this book because I saw more negative reviews for it. So going into the book I thought I wouldn't really love it. Going in with lower expectations really helped me with this book. There are plenty of cheesy and cringe worthy moments. If I go in and really think through this book I would rate it lower, but more surface level rating it is a 3.5 star.
I think there are so many funny moments in this book and I loved how Beat and Melody (Hate their names) instantly had this connection. I think without it this book would not have worked. The story was really cute and I loved that Beat and Melody were connected without ever really spending anytime together just based off of their parents. I loved how protective Beat was and how he thought of Melody first. Is this my favorite Tessa couple? NO! Not even close. There was plenty of things wrong with the book and the couple, but overall its a spicy, funny, cheesy Christmas romcom.
I love books by Tessa Bailey, and her witty banter and heartwarming characters make this a fun and engaging read. The chemistry between Melody and Beat is undeniable, and their slow-burn romance is both sweet and sexy. The author's ability to blend humor, drama, and heartfelt moments creates a truly enjoyable reading experience.
Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me.
The offspring of former rock stars pair up to try to talk their mothers into getting past their fallout and reuniting the band in this seasonal rock & roll romance. Melody and Beat met as teens, when he accidentally put her in a compromising position that lead to a lot of fallout for her. Frankly, she likes her quiet bookish life and would prefer NOT to see him again, or get involved in this project, but the financial compensation if they are successful might be worth it. Next thing you know, they’re being followed around by a film crew 24/7 to document their mission: impossible; deadline: Christmas Eve.
This is a funny, bubble-gum pop story with a strong dash of Tess Bailey spiceness, which is to say, expect lots of chatter in the bedroom. I connected more strongly with these characters than some of her more recent reads. A smattering of depth is added through Beat’s backstory (poor lonely rich boy) and Melody (overshadowed by her mother and her career).
If you love musical stories with the added complications of media, try The Breakup Tour by Emily Wibberley and Austin-Seigemond-Broka, which is a thinly-veiled homage to Taylor Swift and imagines her in a relationship with her pianist, the one that got away; Not Another Love Song by Julie Soto, in which the conductor plays up the romance between his first-chair cellist and antagonist violinist for publicity and sponsors, or Kiss the Girl by Zoraida Cordova, about a glam rock girl band sensation that drops in as just another musician for an up and coming act.
I received a free reader’s advance review copy of #WreckTheHalls via #NetGalley.
This was a really cute book. I loved the connection between the characters and the plot was a lot of fun. It’s definitely got the usual Tessa spice too! Thank you netgalley for my free review copy.
I’m a big fan of Tessa Bailey’s work, but Wreck the Halls just didn’t hit the same mark for me. While the book has her signature steamy chemistry and fun, holiday vibes, I found myself struggling to connect with the characters and the plot. The romance was definitely there, and it’s a quick read, I just didn’t feel the same spark that I’ve enjoyed in her other books. That said, if you're a fan of festive rom-coms and Bailey’s usual style, it is still be a fun, light read.