This has been my favorite Tessa Bailey since the Bellinger Sisters duology; it’s her at her best, creating sexually obsessive characters amidst a slightly improbable plotline with top notch banter. Even though their mothers were band mates, Beat and Melody have only met once, at the awkward preteen age, but something about their meeting seemed different and almost fated. Years later, Beat desperately needs to pull off a stunt of getting his and Melody’s mothers back together for a live-streaming reunion (for romance reasons, of course), and the magnetic pull between these two is stronger than ever. In true Tessa Bailey style, Beat is a gorgeous hero who only has eyes for Melody and would do absolutely anything for her. Not to be outshone, Melody becomes a standout in her own right as darling to the fans of the livestream with her spot-on comedic timing and sweet-naturedness. It seems everyone can see the big heart eyes these two have for each other and it’s only a matter of time before they act on it.

Things I loved about this book:
🎸 a man who will lose his mind for a woman
🎸 secondary characters like Danielle and Joseph, Trina, and Octavia
🎸 hot hot hot sex—Ms. Bailey does not disappoint
🎸 the whole “I feel like I’ve known you my whole life” vibes

Things I could do without:
🥁 Beat’s name still sounded silly to me even after reading
🥁 No mention of birth control or protection

One last thing: this book takes place in the days leading up to Christmas, but is by no means a Christmas story, and with the exception of snow, there is very little holiday sentimentality.

I think we are seeing the author at her finest with a fun story and tragically in love characters. I read this so quickly and loved every minute of it. I received this advanced copy in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.

This is a wonderful, wonderful story. Tessa Bailey is amazing! Beat and Melody make a magnificent pair of characters. The plot of the story as children of rock legends is iconic. Having the setting as a reality livestream perfectly sets the stage for drama as well as comedy. With wit and charm each turn of the page is delightful entertainment. This is one book you will definitely want to own.

Every time I read a book by Tessa Bailey, I fall with the story and characters. I just can’t get enough of her writing style and the swoon-worthy stories she creates, complete with perfectly imperfect protagonists, quirky secondary characters, amazing banter and humor, and the romance!! Swoon!! The romance is everything.

In Wreck the Halls, Melody and Beat have the perfect mix of a sweet and spicy romance. They also have an interesting connection – their mothers were a super famous rock duo that broke up quite publicly and disastrously. So, when Beat convinces Melody to work on a reality show to reunite the women for Christmas – all televised, of course – Melody doesn’t know what to think. This isn’t something either of them would usually do, and the odds of their mothers getting back together are less than zero, but Beat is in desperate need of money, and Melody can’t say no to the only person who ever made her feel understood.

As Melody and Beat’s lives are streamed on live TV, they find their feelings for each other difficult to hide, and the ever-growing audience falls in love with the pair, especially Melody. I can totally see why! I would totally watch this reality show. Melody and Beat have so many laugh-out-loud moments, and all of their excursions are riddles with chemistry and a lot of emotion.

Melody is so funny and kind, and she has an amazing personality. A book restorer, she’s so upbeat and a bit of an introvert, and a life in the spotlight has made her super self-conscious. Her relationship with Beat is very much an opposites attract love story. Beat is fabulous too, and the way he feels about Melody is positively swoon-worthy. Bailey is the master at creating dirty-talking, charismatic heroes who fall hard for their love interest. OH MY WORD! Beat falls so hard! But Beat has a lot of secrets, and both are slow to trust. Seeing this couple slowly become more and more vulnerable with each other, especially with all the emotional trauma they’ve both endured, melted my heart.

The side characters, especially Trina and Octavia, are also great, and I really enjoyed the side story about them and why they split up. They are so different, much like their kids, and their relationships with each other and their children have a lot of layers. There’s also a potential scandal lurking in the shadows that threatens everything. It all makes for a balanced, layered, and entertaining romance!!

Special thanks to Avon for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

The story held Bailey's typical wit and lovable characters. Both characters were going through a serious self-growth arc, and I did like the ending of the subplot a lot. However, I feel like the romance storyline was unbalanced. The beginning had a nice build up, but the last 100 pages gave me whiplash. It went back and forth too quickly for me to feel satisfied with their individual and paired growth. It just felt rushed.
BUT - as per usual, the chemistry between Beat and Melody was amazing. I understand why we didn't, but I wish we had more time with the mothers.
The title matches a very fun part of the story, but is not your typical holiday romance.

Wreck the Halls by Tessa Bailey

This is a unique blend of what living live in social media would look like.

Melody Gallard works to stay out of the spotlight. She may be the daughter of one half of the beloved band, but she's rather have her nose in a book than deal with the public. Her quiet life is about to explode when she agrees to take on the impossible, bring back together Steel Birds after thirty years apart. And taking this on alone won't work. She'll need all the help she can get.

Beat Dawkins, the favored son of Octavia Dawkins, has secrets on top of secrets. When offered a big pay day, he sees it as his best option, but only if he can protect Melanie. He's only met her once when they were 16, and he's been protective ever since. Now faced with being under constant scrutiny with cameras, the attraction and protective streak are going to be difficult to keep under wraps.

Now, Beat and Melodie are trending more than the possible reunion. They are magical together, and even with all the speculation, the audience is rooting for them. So can they deal with their mothers, pull off the unimaginable, avoid secrets, and end up overcoming all the obstacles to finally be together?

You can never go wrong with a holiday-themed Tessa Bailey novel. Wreck The Halls is no exception! An adorable novel, filled with the Tessa Bailey charm (great plot, characters, and story!). I HIGHLY recommend this one!!

I was expecting a sweet (and spicy) Christmas romcom, but oh boy, this was so much more. I adored both Melody & Beat (and their mothers, holy hell they were a hoot) and am absolutely floored by the depth of their story. If you search the term soul mates, you will find a picture of these two. Their connection was so beautiful and never felt forced or fake. I would say that this one didn’t feel as “Christmas-y” as I expected, but quite honestly that did not impact my enjoyment at all.

This was super fun and entertaining! I loved both characters, but especially Melody (love an introvert). It had all the steam and chemistry I’d expect from a Tessa Bailey book thankfully! A great holiday read!

Wreck The Halls by Tessa Bailey 🌲❄️

Melody is the daughter of music royalty, but she doesn't have the glamorous lifestyle that would be expected. She avoids the limelight and only talks to her mother once a year. When Beat, the son of the star of the rockstar duo her mom was apart of, comes to her asking for help she decides to shake things up. He's the opposite of her, loves the spotlight, charms everyone he comes across and has a good relationship with his mom. They could have been best friends if their moms didn't split up the band all those years ago. Now he needs her help though and despite not wanting to bring her into the spotlight again, she couldn't turn down the opportunity to get to know him after non-stop thinking about the one time they met 14 years ago. Now they have to do the impossible of bringing their mother back together while being followed by a film crew live-streaming every action.

With it being October I am not at all in the holiday mood... sorry. I wasn't going to let that affect my view of this book and was this a fun one! It's not overly holiday if that deters you at all, in fact I would just call this more of a wintertime book other than the big event for the book happening on Christmas Eve.

The last Tessa Bailey book I read was Secretly Yours and I was a bit disappointed by it. This one turned it around though, it had all the funny, charm, and spice I expect from a Tessa Bailey book! Beat and Melody were so fun. Their moms being members of a rockstar band that broke up and them trying to bring them back together made for a really fun plot.

These two fall hard and fast for each other, but it worked for them. They've lived such similar lives they feel they know each other in some way and have a sort of bond despite only meeting once before. While I usually struggle with insta love, I didn't feel that way here. They were so sweet and understood what the other needed so well. They were soulmates.

If you're looking for a swoon-worthy escape, give this a read.

Tropes:
🌲 holiday romance
👥 forced proximity
❤️ insta love
🛏️ only one bed
🎤 celebrity parents
🍑 cute nickname

dual POV
4/5 stars ⭐️
2/5 spice level 🌶️

"Of all the privileges I never feel like I've earned, you're going to be the ultimate one, aren't you?"

Wreck the Halls is one wonderful surprise. Here I was expecting a light rom-com read but instead was treated to a blissfully, heartwarming story that made me swoon. Tessa Bailey is an author who I haven't read for quite a while and I can tell you that I am so thrilled that I was able to devour her stellar words once more. This story unfolds at the perfect pace, bringing together the offspring of the greatest female rock duo ever, Steel Birds, and thrusts them into the spotlight they have avoided their entire lives. Both Melody Gallard and Beat Hawkins felt a kind of kinship from the very first time they met at the tender age of 16 and now in the present, that pull was never stronger. When they are approached to be part of a live stream in order to try and reunite their long-time estranged mothers, the two weeks they spend being filmed for 12 to 14 hours a day, fuels the fire that has slowly burned when the other is near and the result is pure magic.

Bailey's prose is incredible and drew me in from the first chapter. I was fully invested in not only uncovering the long-held reason as to why the Steel Birds broke up, like most of the world, but how both Beat and Melody managed to live with the heavy burden of the legacy their mothers created. We find both always feeling as if they don't fully belong. I felt for them as they relayed how their lives have been structured, avoiding nosy paparazzi with endless repetitive questions about the hows and whys of the Steel Birds breakup.

Beat and his unwavering loyalty to his mother sets in motion a crucial piece to this ongoing puzzle and his integrity is unmatched imo. Not only is he very protective of his mom but casts that same net over Melody, his Peach, as their lives are turned upside down and backwards with every new viewer of their broadcast. I just loved him no matter what secrets he might be harboring or how he felt he needed to keep people at arm's length. He is a keeper of the highest order and for Mel to be able to get inside his troubled soul was such a beautiful thing to witness.

With Melody, she charmed millions with her seemingly innocent ways and her adorable honesty. I loved her reactions to how much the world fell for her, her surprise genuine and sweet. The way she takes care of Beat, allowing him to share his way of handling his priviledged life for way too long was somewhat bittersweet but gloriously beautiful all the same. And when he reveals himself fully to Mel after an impromptu snowball fight, I could feel the love leap off the page.

Yes, there is sharp wit and times when I chuckled out loud. But make no mistake, to me this is much more than your usual rom-com. It's a story of finding that someone that rocks your world, accepts all of your flaws and captures your heart like no one else can. Beat and Melody were indeed that perfect harmony and most definitely the greatest song ever written. Those two headstrong women who are Trina and Octavia, once again known as Steel Birds, created their greatest accomplishments with Melody and Beat. And it was especially touching when they realized that as well. I suppose our couple was always fated to meet and fall in love since there's no doubt that there is no Beat without a Melody and this book, this exquisitely-written book, sang to my own soul from start to finish.

I can't recommend this book highly enough and happily give Wreck the Halls a huge 5+++++ stars!

Tessa is just never gonna miss for me. Period, end of story. It hooked me from the very beginning. I want to read this again closer to the holiday season!

Adding this after I've had more time to reflect: this needs to be a movie. LIKE... ASAP!!!! I absolutely adored Beat and Melody. He was a total simp for her, and I was more than here for it.

This is a perfect holiday romance. Melody and Beat’s mothers were in a band together – one that fell apart before each of them was born. They’ve only met once when they were teens, but now they are teaming up to reunite their mothers in time to perform on Christmas Eve.

Except they decide to do it via a live stream because Beat needs the money and Melody needs to break out of her sheltered life. I ADORED both of these characters and fell hard for their love story – crazy antics and all. #gifted

Wreck the Halls shows us the first meeting of Melody and Beat whose mothers were in the famous band that had an infamous breakup. From that point, the two haven’t talked yet Melody and Beat always felt this connection.

Fast-forward to over a decade later and the TV producers come knocking. They want to get the band back together and want Melody and Beat to help them. While it seems like a long shot, Beat agrees but only if Melody will do it. From there, it’s a race against the clock for more reasons than one that I don't want to spoil.

The two try to convince their mothers to reunite if only for one song so they can get paid for the reality show they’re doing. Since everything is being live-streamed, the crowd immediately “ships” Beat and Melody. The two also can’t seem to keep their hands and eyes off each other even when the cameras aren’t on. The tension between these two is just delicious.

We’re also watching Beat and Melody’s mothers come to terms with what they’ve done in the past and how it impacted their kids. Honestly, Wreck the Halls seems too good to be true and I wish it was a real series because I know I’d love to watch it plus it’s set during Christmas.

Given that this is written by Tessa Bailey, there’s plenty of dirty talk and a kink I’ve never actually read in a book. Even so, this one gave me all of the Christmas feelings while keeping me on my toes with the steamy scenes. Whether you were pulled in by the cute cover or are just craving a holiday romance, you can’t go wrong with Wreck the Halls.

3.75 ⭐️

Thank you Tessa for giving us another great Christmas novel!

Beat and Melody are the children of two ex-band members. The two agree to participate in a live reality show in the hopes of reuniting their mothers for a holiday special.

We see these two practically strangers develop a sweet friendship, and eventual romance. The spice was on point, my only negative was the fact that they are celebrity children who don’t do anything in the spotlight themselves but are still somehow famous.

Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read/review this ARC!

The Steel Birds, the greatest female rock duo in history, split up many years ago. They’re like oil and water and haven’t spoken in thirty years. They have two children between them, Beat and Melody. Beat is being blackmailed by his biological father, and desperately needs money to pay him off. He gets Melody to agree to do a live reality show over the two weeks leading up to Christmas in the hopes of attaining a $1million payday. The one condition though is that they have to orchestrate the seemingly impossible - get their two mothers to agree to a reunion performance of Steel Birds.
Holy smokes! Break out the fans, ‘cause that’s what you’ll need while you’re reading this hot romance. These two have got it bad. It’s a character driven story, and what a great cast it has. Melody slays, she’s SO funny! I loved watching her blossom. For everyone who likes romances with lots of sizzle and humor. 4.25 stars

Melody and Beat, the adult children of two rockstars, team up together on television to convince their estranged mothers to play a Christmas Eve concert. But a decades-old scandal threatens everything, including their growing love for one another.

I loved this stand-alone holiday rom-com! And even though I don't always go for the insta-love trope, Tessa Bailey might have just converted me! Melody and Beat had only met once before, briefly as teens, but through their unique position as children of celebs, I readily accepted their connection and how it bonded them. Plus, they had great chemistry.

I really like Bailey's FMCs, but Melody is my new fave! She was sweet and genuine and never changed for the TV cameras or recognition that came her way. She was also adorable and witty and delivered many of the funniest lines in the book! And to top it off, Melody was bookish and worked in old book restoration. Beat was handsome, charming, and kind-hearted. Bailey writes great banter, which was on full display with these two, along with some spice!

This had such an escapist feel it almost felt like watching a movie with its glamorous rockstar/reality TV elements and the NYC Christmas setting, complete with a snowball fight! Fast-paced, sexy, and fun! I could not put this down. Spicy rom-com lovers and Tessa Bailey fans will want to add this to their tbr!

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Harper Voyager for the opportunity to review this ARC!

Wreck the Halls was such a feel good and fun holiday romance that can be read anytime of the year!

Beat and Melody are the two children of the famous duo- Steel Birds that broke up 30 or so years ago. When Octavia was pregnant with Beat, and Trina with Melody. They haven't spoken in all that time, but now that they've grown popular again people are demanding a reunion and who better to facilitate that than the children of these legends? A reality tv producer wants to make this happen.

Beat would never dream of doing something like this, but honestly he needs the money and it's for something he can't go to his mom for. Melody and Beat have only met once when they were 16 but have this major connection. When Beat asks Melody to help him, she can't say no. They only have a few weeks and cameras are following them nonstop, but they set off to do the impossible. Together.

This is a very character driven story and I think that's why it worked so well. Melody and Beat are both incredible charters. Melody, however, stole the show. With her quirky personality and fun loving attitude, you can't help but love her. She and Beat are both so gone for each other. It's adorable.

I loved so much about this book! I do wish we would have gotten more of an ending, an epilogue maybe, but aside from that it was truly magical!

*Title: Wreck the Halls, a standalone 

 *Release date: 10/3/23, read: 10/1/23

*Author: Tessa Bailey, read the Bellinger Sisters and Hot & Hammered series-*4 reads

*Format: e-ARC

*Page Count: 368

*POV: 3rd person

*Setting: NYC

*Genre: Contemporary Romance, Rom-Com

*Tropes:
- celebrity parents
 -live reality show
- holiday vibes
 -female friendship
- love triangle
-friends to lovers

*Look out for:
media bullying, mental health/therapy

*Synopsis: After 30 years, Melody and Beat agree to film a reality show attempting to reunite Steel Birds-their mothers' rock band now music royalty.

*Characters
*Beat Dawkins: 30, son of Octavia Dawkins; being blackmailed for money and family secrets.

*Melody Gallard :30, a rare book restoration specialist; Trina Gallard's daughter.

*Octavia: the lead singer; now has a foundation that provides scholarships for performing arts students. Shares responsibility with Beat.

*Trina: The lyricist and bassist; now only visits Melody once a year and pays for her expenses.

*Danielle: From Applause Network. Wants Mel and Beat for a live reality show to reunite their mothers' band-Steel Birds.

*Review: I loved how protective Beat was towards Melody, even when they were kids. Mel's life was reclusive and quiet until Beat came back into her life. They were attracted to each other and had their mothers' fame and music in common. A great steamy romance!

*Rating: 5/5  

 *Spice level- 5/5 

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon for this ARC💙! I voluntarily give my honest review and all opinions are my own.

Just take my money. I *demand* a special edition because a book like this deserves all the frills.

Melody and Beat are the now-adult children of rock royalty, their mothers the leads in a band I mentally compared to Heart while I read the book.

The band that broke up (explosively) before Mel and Beat were born, and went viral again 30 years later.

As their mothers were no longer friends, Mel and Beat didn’t grow up together. But they did meet once, and it was clear that they had an instant connection.

And man, was it well written. I could not for the life of me imagine these characters apart, and I ate up every second of it!

Now, Beat is being blackmailed, and it looks like the only way he can protect his secret is working with Mel to get the band back together in time for a Christmas Eve reunion.

Ensue live-streaming, adoring fans, ALL the sexual tension (and forced proximity), touch-her-and-regret-it, and music references!

My favorite part of this book was the way Beat touched Mel, and no, I’m not talking about the spicy scenes.

(But the spice? Excellent, of course! It’s TB, after all.)

Beat was always touching Mel, whether it was for his own reassurance, to protect her, to comfort her… and I will be re-reading this for that feature alone.

I adored who Beat was, his consideration, and want to BE Mel (she has the coolest job ever), who grows so much throughout the book, finding her voice.

This is a quick and deliciously fun read that will appeal to everyone who likes romance, music, and the holidays.

At its heart was the undeniable link between Mel and Beat— and I’m sold!

This should be on your holiday reading list.

How does Tessa Bailey continue to make these romances so good?! She just has the magic touch. I enjoyed this one and I loved getting to see two people come together and fall in love, with one being an introvert. I loved reading this holiday story and can't wait for everyone to read it!