Tessa Bailey will get me every time, and I will read everything she puts out. This book was a little different then what I’m use to. I usually don’t do holiday themed books. This was a cute get ready for cozy weather book. If you need just an easy book this is for you.

This was my first Tessa Bailey book and I'm hooked! Beat and Melody are the two children of rock legends Octavia and Trina. Their band Steel Birds broke up 30 years ago when both women were pregnant. The two women haven't spoken since then. Beat and Melody have only met once when they were 16 and the connection was undeniable then - even in only a few minutes. Now adults, the two meet for the second time to try to get their moms to reunite and help uncover what broke up the band and started the feud. This was so adorable and I loved every minute of it!

Wreck the Halls by Tessa Bailey
Rating: 3.5 stars
Steam: 3 chilis
Pub date:

Melody and Beat are the adult children of rock and roll duo Steel Birds. The band broke up before Melody and Beat were born, leaving nothing but bad blood in their wake. They hate each other, but the world wants to see a reunion, and people are willing to pay top dollar for it to happen. That’s where Melody and Beat come in. They are given the chance to be the stars of a reality show whose sole purpose is to get the band back together. They need to work together, but can they resist falling in love to do it?

This book was a lot of fun. I love the dual POV here, so we can see the mutual pining between Melody and Beat. They’ve each been affected differently by growing up in the spotlight, and I think the book does a great job of exploring how that kind of environment can affect a person. I found Melody to be a funny, smart and very relatable character, while Beat (whose name drove me crazy by the end) was a little less so. I did admire his need to give back and all the work he did for his mother’s charity, and his overprotectiveness of Melody was endearing at times.

My biggest reservation was the insta-love (more like insta-obsession) between the main characters. Beat and Melody met once when they were teens and have each carried a torch for the other since. It was both romantic and strange. There’s a fine line between swooning and eye-rolling, and I couldn’t decide how I wanted to feel most of the time. It’s a little cheesier than I usually like my romance, but I still enjoyed it.

I was hoping for a fun, spicy story full of Bailey’s signature snark and romance, and that’s exactly what I got. As a bonus, there is also a light Christmas theme, some incredible side characters, and a revenge plot that keeps things interesting. The celebrity romance trope is one of my favorites, as is anything having to do with reality TV. If you’re a Tessa Bailey fan, you’ll love this steamy holiday read. Thank you so much to Avon for my advanced digital copy.

Read if you like:
*insta love
*celebrity romance
*open-door romance
*dual POV
*forced proximity
*shy girl coming out of her shell

Melody and Beat should have grown up friends, but their rock-star mothers hate each other. Trina and Octavia were members of Steel Birds, but the band broke up and ended on a sour note. Trina, Meldoy's mom, is an infamous rebel and shit-stirrer. Octavia is the prim-and-proper founder of a charitable foundation.

Melody restores old books and is extremely introverted, and all she wants to is fade into obscurity. When a producer approaches her about helping to reunite the Steel Birds, she ignores the offer. Beat asks her to consider it, and how can she say no? Melody and Beat only met once, but it left an impression on both of them.

Can Melody and Beat do the impossible? And can they do it on live TV while trying to fight their feelings for each other?

Tessa Bailey needs no introductions. This holiday themed book was an absolute delight from start to finish, and I would highly recommend it to anyone who is already and fan, or someone looking for a spicy winter romance.

The is the PERFECT holiday read. If you love Tessa Bailey, hilarious banter, and the sweetest friends to lovers storyline imaginable, then this is for you. Octavia and Trina, really steal the show here, but Beat and Melody are also just *chef’s kiss. The books focuses around Beat and Melody who are working together to reconnect their rock star mothers to sing together for Christmas at Rockefeller. Unfortunately, their mothers HATE one another, and therein lies the problem. The hilarity that ensues from their quest is incredible. This is such a feel good, cozy winter read filled with tender moments, wonderful banter, and a wild ride.

When the Steel Birds broke up after just too much drama between Trina and Octavia, it also meant that their children Mel and Beat were separated as well. Now, though, they're going to work together to get Trina and Octavia on a stage at Rockefeller Center in return for a very very large check they both need. This isn't a second chance romance but more of a friends to lover with more than a little family drama. The characters leap off the page - especially the moms (what a hoot they are). Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. A fast fun holiday read.

Thank you to Net Galley and Avon and Harper Voyager for an ARC! I'm such a huge fan of Tessa Bailey and love a good holiday novella!

Our main characters, Melody and Beat, are connected by one major thing (other than their musical-themed names) - their mothers were part of a famous band, the Steel Birds, that broke up before they were born. Despite only meeting once as teenagers, both have always felt a connection and understanding with each other and are reconnected through fate in the attempt to reunite their moms and bring back the Steel Birds, all while being filmed for a reality TV show.

The plot of this book was so fun, and Melody and Beat's chemistry was amazing! It was so sweet to see how protective Beat has always been of Melody who has shies away from the spotlight, but it was amazing to see her come out of her shell and address her issues with her mother while trying to reunite the band.

If you're looking for a fun, holiday-themed romcom with some fun spice, Tessa never disappoints and I highly recommend Wreck the Halls!

I never know what to expect with Tessa Bailey and I enjoyed Wreck the Halls which was a parent-trapesque book about two adult children of a famous rock star duo who team up to convince their estranged mothers to get back together.

I liked Melody and Beat, the plot of this book was fun (and different), there was a good amount of steam and fun banter between the two. I liked that they each had crushes on each other, there were a few funny scenes and the reality show aspect had me laughing!

It could have been a little more Christmasy -- but overall this was a fun book!

Thanks to Avon for my advanced copy!

Classic Tessa Bailey alert!!!

Melody and Beat met only once when they were sixteen, even though their mothers were once the rock duo that headlined generation. Now, Beat needs Melody's help with a reality show aimed at reuniting their mothers.

I LOVED this book! There is really nothing to dislike.

Melody and Beat are both really great. Melody might be my favorite Bailey FMC ever. She's hilarious and I wanted to see her succeed in everything, but especially with Beat. And Beat...he is a complete SIMP for Melody which I love. He is the ultimate "I will protect her no matter what" vibe and I'm here for it. Together, they are worth of all the love.

Along with them, the storyline with the mothers and the reality show all work really well here. And don't forget the spice, which is top tier as usual for Bailey.

This is a must read for the holidays!

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the gifted copy. All of my reviews are honest.

Tessa Bailey does it again!
She somehow makes all the typical "tropes" feel new again in each of her novels. And the spicy scenes never disappoint!
Melody and Beat had me laughing, screaming, sobbing, and just wanting to reach into the book and slap them silly and tell them to knock it off and just BE HAPPY TOGETHER.
The miscommunication trope is never my favorite, unless Tessa Bailey writes it. Because she always pulls it off flawlessly and makes the wait WORTH IT.

And the rockstar moms just take the cake for this entire novel.

4.75 ⭐️ Pure magic. That's the only way to describe this book.


"They were the greatest song ever written, and he planned on singing their song for the rest of his life."


WHAT TO EXPECT:
✨ Christmasy rom-com
✨ MCs are children of rockstars
✨ plot: get the band back together
✨ insta love
✨ second chance (they met one time before)
✨ forced proximity
✨ soulmates
✨ 3/5 🌶️
✨ one bed
✨ blackmail
✨ miscommunication
✨ third act breakup (with great reconciliation)
✨ HEA


My Thoughts:

I just finished and I am crying! I can’t even function. That’s how much I love this story. Beat and Melody have my heart! This love story needs to be turned into a movie ASAP!


What I loved:

Melody and Beat. I'll rave about them as a couple below, but I wanted to take a moment to talk about them as individuals. Tessa Bailey did a fantastic job fleshing these characters out and giving them so much depth. Both Beat and Melody have issues that stem from growing up with world famous, rockstar parents and throughout this story, we really get to dive into them. For such a lighthearted story these characters really go through amazing transformations.

Beat is a charming, intelligent, and kind MMC who is incredibly protective of the people he loves (his parents and Melody). So when someone blackmails him with information that threatens to hurt his family, he is determined to do whatever it takes to make it go away. I also found his struggles with guilt surrounding the life of luxury and his resulting kink to be an interesting addition to the story. I've never seen this in a rom-com before and I was glad it actually made sense for his character instead of being used as a random plot device.

Melody is a sweet, funny, introverted FMC whose loyalty and kindness is something to be commended. I don't know how she turned out so amazing when she grew up with an absent mother and was constantly dissected for her appearance by the press while growing up. My heart hurt for Melody. All she wants is to be understood, seen, and loved, however, her situation as a rockstar's daughter has seemingly made it impossible, until Beat. I was worried Melody would remain a wallflower throughout this story, but instead, she totally shines! Melody was 100% herself and easily made everyone fall in love with her - Beat, the world, and myself included.


The romance and obvious soulmate connection between Beat and Melody. I am usually not a fan of insta-love but this totally worked! Beat and Melody are the definition of star-crossed lovers. I mean, with names like Beat and Melody how could they not be??? From the moment they meet (at 16 years old), there is an instant spark and chemistry that draws them to one another. Unfortunately, it takes them another 15 years to reunite but the moment they're back together, it's as if they've never been apart.

Beat and Melody have both struggled to feel vulnerable and open with people because of who their moms are, so there's a deep understanding between them that no one else can possibly comprehend. Also, the fact Melody never judges Beat and always leads with understanding was beautiful. I love that they are best friends first before anything else. Their bond is so special and the tension, lust and love they have for one another radiates off the page. By the end, I was totally crying at the depth and power of their love. I just love them and their love so much!

PS: Beat's nickname for Melody is Peach. There's a reason behind it and it's so cute.


The 'getting the band back together and live streaming' plot was so much fun! What starts out as a show dedicated to reuniting the band quickly turns into the Beat and Melody show once the world sees the undeniable chemistry and love between them. I loved that the reality show creates a lot of force proximity situations and moments where Beat is in full protection mode with Melody. It was also so wonderful seeing Melody finally thrive in the spotlight and be loved by the public when she's spent so long trying to hide. Tessa Bailey did a fantastic job taking this seemingly fun, silly plot and turning it into an entertaining, exhilarating, and emotional journey.


Trina Gallard and Octavia Dawkins are entertaining characters! Where Trina is a wild child and a hands-off mother, Octavia is polished and a very affectionate mom. They are polar opposites so it's easy to understand why they might have clashed. We get scenes with them alone in their natural element, Trina in a hippy compound and Octavia hosting a fancy charity gala, and these moments were entertaining in their own, very different ways. And once Trina and Octavia finally are in the same room, the cutting, hateful banter between them was hilarious! While they are only shown during a few chapters, they are present throughout the story. They're at the center of the reunion plot and we also see them in their children with how their lifestyle and actions affected them.


The only reason I can't give this 5-stars is because. . .


I just don't jive with the dirty talk when they finally do the deed. It didn't feel very natural to me. Oddly enough, I actually liked everything leading up to the actual act but once he's inside her, the dirty talk was cringe to me. But I legit love this story so much, so don't let my opinions on the dirty talk deter you.

The third act breakup, while it makes sense, was so frustrating (because I just wanted them to be happy). I wish that Beat had just TALKED to Melody. There is an explanation as to why he didn't, and it makes sense, but I'm still a little salty about it.


Overall, Wreck The Halls is a fun, swoon-worthy romance that will pull at your heartstring and bring you joy. The story is entertaining, the characters are incredible, and the romance is perfection. And don't let the Christmasy title stop you from reading any time of the year. While the story takes place around Christmas time, there isn't a huge focus on the actual holidays.


Favorite Quotes:

"I'm not a vice."
"You could be. Easily."
_______

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

Melody was a rare, perfect bright spot in his life and if he piled too much of his shit on top of her, he'd dull that luminous glow.
_______

"You're just saying that because you're my best friend."
Was this what it was like to be 100 percent to die for someone?
_______

She was glorious. Brave and uninhibited and a little sad. A lot wise. Even as he sang, Beat's throat burned with the need to reach back into the past and rearrange every hour of his life, and so it could have been spent with her. Knowing her.
_______

The only thing present between them was feverish want and deep recognition of two souls that had been separated too long. Maybe not good for each other but created as a pair for better or worse.
_______

"Maybe we just needed to get it out of our system?"
"You'll never leave my system, Mel. You're one-half of it."
_______

"You have serious dad energy."
"And here I thought I was exuding serious daddy energy."
"Oh, don't worry, you've got that, too."
_______

"There's no beat without a Melody."
_______

"I hope it's not going to be a problem that I'm obsessed with you, Peach."
"Is it going to be a problem that I'm obsessed with you, too?"
_______

They'd always been soulmates, they'd just been living separate lives.
_______

"I take care of you. That's what I do."
"No, Beat. That's not how it works."
"We take care of each other."
_______

"I finally got to meet Melody Gallard."
"Was she everything you expected?
"No." his chest rose and fell. "She was better."
_______

Tessa Bailey has become a must-read author!

Christmas comes early with Wreck the Halls, a holiday rom-com about the adult children of two former rock stars who team up to convince their estranged mothers to play a Christmas Eve concert…

Their names are Melody and Beat, and their mothers have cut all ties with each other for decades due to some unknown band drama. As teens, there was a brief run in between Melody and Beat where Melody felt a spark, but was it attraction or just the security in knowing someone else was living a similar, crazy life.

As adults, Beat is in need of some serious cash and agrees to do a reality show to attempt to get the band back together. But he'll only do it if Melody agrees.

The banter, lost souls, odd-man-out, us against the world themes are swoonworthy. Add in the holiday season and "miracles do come true" and this book will be top on your list.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for an advanced copy of this book. Look for this on 10.3.23!

Tessa Bailey is an auto-buy author for me, and I will read everything she puts out. While this isn’t my favorite of hers I’ve read this year (Secretly Yours supremacy!), and felt different than others in tone, I can always count on her books to be a fun time.

4 stars for wreck the halls. I love the rock band moms. Ilove the christmas theme of the book. Always enjoy tessa baileys books. Would recommend for a christmas reading challenge.

I love Beat and Melody so much! They might just be my favorite Tessa Bailey couple now. Plus, I love the rockstar moms - I was so intrigued by their backstory! Definitely one I will be recommending.

This book was not the typical happy-go-lucky holiday book I was expecting. Honestly, it was better. Beat and Melody are the adult children of women who were in a famous rock band 30 years ago. They broke up and everyone wants a reunion. Beat and Melody team up to make this happen by going on a live-stream reality show. Insanity ensues with blackmail, some good spice, and cute moments. This is definitely a dramatic romance, but I would say it takes place at the holidays, but it is not a holiday book. It’s like Die Hard. 😂 Overall, I really enjoyed it.

This book was cute for what a holiday read. I liked the main characters, but the plot lacked a consistent pace, seeming rushed at times and dragging at others. Some moments were a bit too cheesy for my liking, but the spice was definitely good.

Overall, I enjoyed my experience reading this book.

Well, this is a new favorite from Tessa.

I love love loved Melody and Beat. She's snarky, he's charming, together they have an undeniable chemistry and understanding (due to who their moms are). There's banter and flirting for daaaaaaays and I legit couldn't get enough of them. Of course Trina and Octavia are glorious and I especially enjoyed their arc.

Plot wise, it's good. The entire story spans 2-ish weeks and never got boring. (Did I mention all of the banter?) There is some miscommunication, a lot of "touch her and you'll die", and a delicious amount of spice. When I got to the end, I wanted a quick future take, but I think I just wanted more of these two.

Overall, I woke up thinking about this book and it's likely going to be on my top ten of 2023. I can't wait to read it again.

**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**

This was a fun holiday read with Christmas in NYC vibes, without going over the top. I also really enjoyed that it was a little bit kinky, without being totally unrealistic.
And I’m going to need a bar near me to have a bocce ball league now!

Do you love introverted, smart yet sassy heroines with not much of a filter? What about a Tessa Bailey signature dirty talking hero? Wreck the Halls will provide all of this and more!

This was a fast paced, reality TV vibe of a book. Honestly, these two characters came across as starcrossed, with a second chance to really connect.

For me, the mystery aspect, and the time crunch of the plot really made this book just fly by. I had to know who was behind the need for the reunion, and the reasoning why the Steel Birds broke up.

There are definitely some holiday vibes with this book, it takes place in the two weeks prior to Christmas in New York.