Member Reviews
Tessa Bailey is always a must read for me! I can’t get enough of her books and this one definitely didn’t disappoint! Wreck the Halls was such a fun holiday read full of characters you will love, steamy romance and so much more! Pick it up this holiday season!
Wreck the Halls is a fun, not overly Christmasy Christmas romance filled with chaos, rocker moms, and a hint of soulmates.
Nearly anything Tessa Bailey writes is going to be fun, and this book was no different. Beat and Melody have undeniable chemistry, but the real stars of this book, in my opinion, were their moms, Trina and Octavia, former rock stars and polar opposites. I could have spent the whole book with the two of them, because they consistently cracked me up, whether they were together or apart.
The livestream reality show element of the book worked well enough, although the levels of fervor it inspired among the populace seemed a bit much. To be honest, there were a few things about this book that felt a bit much. Beat and Melody's insta-love connection, their circular pulling apart and being drawn back together, the whole gooey soulmates thing. It felt a little overwrought at times, particularly in an otherwise comedic plot.
But still, this is a fun and steamy holiday read that is definitely good for more than a few laughs.
3.75/5
DNF this one wasn’t exactly Christmasy and had this bizarre black mail sub plot that I just could not get into. Overall found it to be boring
I thoroughly enjoyed this holiday read. It was fun and entertaining. If you are a music lover and enjoy romance reads this is the book for you. Melody and Beat are livable and you can’t help but root for them.
Yeah, this one didn't work for me. I'm sorry but these two were absolutely OBSESSED with each other within seconds of meeting each other. It just gave me the ick. Especially because that was literally the only relationship developement we ever got. They just put each other on this massive pedestal, and nothing that could possibly happen would knock them of said pedestal. Add to that this connection everyone wants them to have because of their moms and their names being Melody and Beat, it just kind of feels like they are together because that's how things are supposed to be, and not really because they actually are into each other.
Now insta-love is a thing present in all of the Tessa Bailey books I've read (or at least insta-lust is) but in this book it was really bad. I think this book takes place over like max a months time, and they were talking about marriage by the end of it. It was just one of the worst cases of it that I've seen. It was especially obvious because, like mentioned before, there's absolutely 0 effort put into developing the relationship.
So yeah, I wasn't really sold on the relationship AT ALL. Considering that's like most of this book though that also meant I also didn't have a great time reading this book. I spend quite a lot of it rolling my eyes and just sighing because I just couldn't believe it. The third act conflict was also so incredibly stupid. It was so dragged out as well. I couldn't believe it. That could have been solved in like a chapter's time max, but it took so incredibly long.
I absolutely LOVED the Steel Birds though. The scenes with their moms are absolutely incredible. They absolutely steal the show. They were incredible and I 100% would read a book about them because they truly are the coolest. So yeah, there's that.
This was my first book by this author and I hate to say that I was disappointed. The story was there and I was actually very excited to dive in. The writing was lackluster, the spice was cringy majority of the time, and the plot did not flow the way I was expecting. I have two other books of hers on my shelf that I am unsure if I'll give a try now.
Wait I actually really liked this one?? I’ve seen so many mixed reviews and maybe that’s why I liked it so much because I had pretty low expectations? But either way I adored this story!
Yes, it was cheesy. Yes, it was insta-lovey. But put those aside and you have a really sweet book. ALSO THE SPICE. Typical Tessa Bailey spice I love and adore with some vulnerability mixed in.
A perfect holiday read!
Our main characters Melody and Beat are the children of a famous musical duo. Their mothers toured the world and were really popular for awhile, but broke up and no one really knows why. When one of their songs ends up going viral thirty years later, there are people wanting to reunite them for a Christmas Eve concert. Who would be better to do this than their two children?
Beat and Melody are both interesting characters. I can't imagine growing up in the spotlights, because my mother was famous. It was clear both had different experiences as well. While Beat was praised and loved, a lot of critics didn't have great things to say about Melody. I loved that we got dual POV to see how both characters really thought about that time.
It's surprising that they both ended up agreeing to be followed by cameras for a live stream (Beat has more of an ulterior motive), but it was so fun to read. I loved that we focused on their parents, but also a lot on them. Their developing romance was a lot of fun to read and I loved seeing how they started thinking about each other. Apparently, they don't know the other as well as they thought.
I will say that this was a wild ride. Their parents are both unique in their own ways and that gives us some interesting events while reading. This book made me laugh and even had me cry near the end. Wreck the Halls is a feel good holiday read that I would definitely recommend. My only negative remark is that I could've done without the third act break up, but that's just a personal preference.
All in all, I loved Wreck the Halls and couldn't put it down! A great book to read to start off the holiday reading this year.
My review for Wreck the Halls will be posted on https://thebookdutchesses.com on November 25th!
This was my first Tessa Bailey read. I wasn't quite sure if she was going to be too much for my taste, but I was happily surprised at how much I enjoyed Wreck the Halls. If you can get past the fact that the main characters are the kids of a two person duo from the '80's ( think Heart) who are named "Melody" and "Beat" then you are in for a treat. Their mom's break up for reasons no one quite knows, and Melody and Beat are roped into a reality show that follows them trying to the women to sing together once again on new years eve. It's kinda silly, but loads of fun. Beat and Melody get shipped by the internet "Belody" (I'm not kidding, I had to put the book down and sight for a minute) b/c they are so clearly made for each other. My favorite parts of the book were a ridiculous santa fight, and an all out fun snowball fight! Somehow, I got pulled into this and really got invested in the relationships. Beat ant Melody both have stuff to work out, with their mom's and in themselves and it is good to see them do so. If you are looking for a fun holiday read that isn't over the top with Christmas stuff (with the exception of the fighting santas) and you like so spice in your romance, this will certainly be an enjoyable book for you.
I loved this story! You instantly fell in love with the characters. They were so easy to relate to and likable. Loved the ending! Swoonworthy/
Beat and Melody may be the most cringe-worthy protagonist names of any romance book I've ever read, but I don't care one bit when the book is so much fun, and the main characters have such amazing chemistry.
Things I Enjoyed:
- the witty banter and repartee between Beat and Melody had me grinning nonstop
- the two aging rock star moms, Octavia and Trina, are both nutty and so entertaining
- instant love is a risky trope, and this basically makes it out to be insta love plus the one that got away, but it worked
- unique kink and spice, that ties in with the character development
- Beat and his protective nature with Melody is a whole mood and if you like that trope, this will satisfy
I wish the story had more connection to Christmas. Aside from setting it in December and timing the potential band reunion for Christmas Eve, there was very little holiday-ness. I also strongly think this book needed an epilogue. It ends abruptly, and readers are left wanting more (which now I'm wondering is a sneaky parallel to Beat's sexual kink???). But seriously, the reunion between the mothers in the band is abandoned after just starting the concert, and we needed a glimpse at Beat and Melody's future.
𝓦𝓱𝓪𝓽’𝓼 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓱𝓸𝓵𝓲𝓭𝓪𝔂 𝓼𝓮𝓪𝓼𝓸𝓷 𝔀𝓲𝓽𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓽 𝓪 𝓵𝓲𝓽𝓽𝓵𝓮 𝓭𝓮𝓫𝓪𝓾𝓬𝓱𝓮𝓻𝔂?
Are you the kind of person that puts the Christmas tree up and decorates before Thanksgiving? Or do you refuse to even acknowledge Christmas until after Thanksgiving? I’m usually someone that likes to wait but this year I’m feeling the Christmas spirit early, we even put up our tree today! And it totally has to do with reading Wreck The Halls, a hilarious standalone holiday rom-com about Melody and Beat, the adult children of two former rock stars who team up to convince their estranged mothers to play a Christmas Eve concert at the iconic Rockefeller Center on live TV.
This book wasn’t as centered on Christmas as I originally thought. Christmas is more of a background character. This story really could have taken place at any time of the year and been equally as good. But topped off with New York City’s Christmas magic and this book sleighs. Melody spends her days restoring old books and avoiding the limelight, the opposite of Beat, who can charm the pants off anyone, and is a natural in front of the camera. When a producer offers them a lot of money to reunite their mother’s band on live tv, they might agree for different reasons, but they stick it out for each other. The chemistry between Melody and Beat is like nothing I’ve read before. It takes friends to lovers and raises you to all consuming, soulmates level and I loved every second of it. And don’t let this sweet cover fool you, this book is packing a steamy only one bed scene. If you’re feeling cold this will warm you right up.
I couldn’t stop laughing at the rock star shenanigans, 24-hour film crew catching EVERYTHING, brawling Santas, and mobs of adoring fans. I almost wish this reality show was real. I’d be watching in a heartbeat. If you’re looking for a holiday romcom I highly recommend this one. And if you haven’t read any of Tessa Bailey’s other books then shame on you! She is freaking awesome and one of my auto buy authors.
Read if you like:
- Friends to lovers
- Opposites attract
- 🌶️🌶️🌶️
- Christmas in NYC
- Reality tv show
- Reuniting a rock band
This is one sexy, romantic, modern and adventurous rom-com! I enjoyed the originality and flow of the story. It is impossible not to fall in love with Melody. She is delightful and charmingly fresh. Beat is charismatic, but has secrets that prevent him from trusting others and accepting good fortune for himself. Together they find what each has been searching for- a person with whom they can be themselves. Yet there is so much that can sabotage this combo, particularly with the bad history of their mothers' fallout breaking up their famous rock band. Add in some reality TV and you have a modern but timeless love story with many twists. Can they be a real team?
I enjoyed this story very much. It was super sexy with a stranger to friend to lover transition that worked well for me. The back story of their moms, was entertaining and held just the right mix of tension and humor. Melody's transition from introverted nerd to reality star princess was redemptive and a joy to watch unfold. It's hard not to cheer for these two and their swoon worthy romance.
My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this title. it is certainly a whirlwind, spicy tale for the romance reader.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for the eARC of Wreck The Halls by Tessa Bailey. To say this book was unhinged is an understatement. So this review will be unfiltered. While the story and characters were lacking this was highly entertaining - I laughed out loud multiple times, and rolled my eyes aplenty. First of all - the characters are children of former rockstars and are named “Beat” and “Melody”. If this wasn’t sign enough that it was going to be cringe idk what is. The spicy scenes were ridiculous, I could not take them seriously and every time the story progressed I could barely believe I wasn’t having a fever dream. This book has crunchy cults, blackmail, childhood trauma over being privileged, overcoming said trauma by entering a vagina, a reality show, someone having a career as a book restoration expert, Hoda Kotb and a bocce ball tournament. The only thing missing was a cute pet for the cover. I simply cannot stress enough how insane this book was and I genuinely couldn’t believe this was a traditionally published book. No hate to Tessa Bailey, but this was the most chaotic mess I’ve read - AND it’s holiday themed. Enjoy the wild ride.
You can always count on Tessa Bailey to bring in the spice when it comes to a love story! There were many times I laughed out loud while reading this. I loved the friends to lovers trope (one of my favs!) with the twist of the parent trap. It was a feel good, lighthearted romcom that is perfect for the holiday season!
I could not get into this one. Melody and Beat??? really???????????? I wanted to love but this one just wasn't for me.
Tessa Bailey will never fail
To make you laugh I love her honor and smut in every single book she releases. Perfect book to read with a cozy blanket cup of hot chocolate during the holiday season
This was a fun and different take on a Christmas trope. I really enjoyed the premise of this, and while logistically it sound like a nightmare, it made for a fun read. These characters, especially Beat, are everything. Mel is quirky and hilarious. I want to see this show in real life!
Grab your blanket and nestle in for an afternoon of reading because you won’t be able to put this one down! Melody Gallard is the daughter of music royalty but her rockstar mom hasn’t been around except for once a year on her birthday.
Beat Dawkins is the lead singer’s son. He has lived a charmed life as a perk of being a rockstar’s son. Melody and Beat are the only people who can understand what it is like to be the offspring of this famous duo. The media and the difficulty of getting close to people because of their ulterior motives. They both have trust issues. They might have been best friends if not for the legendary feud that broke up the band. Now they have been offered a huge amount of money to reunite their moms for one last concert on Christmas Eve. But this opportunity also gives them the chance to get to know each other. Great read! Thank you NetGalley! I just reviewed Wreck the Halls by Tessa Bailey. #WrecktheHalls #NetGalley
Everything Tessa Bailey writes is just *chefs kiss* This had everything and more: rockstars, smut that would make you blush, tv shows and more. I lovedddd this book so much!