DID I LOVE THIS BOOK OR DID I LOVE THIS BOOK?

I love Tessa Bailey, I love her heroines and her heroes and her absolutely fun plots, and this story was no different.

Beat and Melody are the children of the two leads of Steel Birds, a band that separated right before their birth over some unknown drama. The mothers go their separate ways and the kids finally meet up at teenagers at an interview related to their moms, and their connection is instant but their visit is over in minutes. Two decades later, these two come crashing back together in an attempt to finally reunite the band, while Melody tries to stand up for herself to her mom for the first time and Beat tries to protect his mother from a blackmailer... all while live streaming their attempts to get the band back together.

The drama takes place in the two weeks leading up to Christmas Eve, but this isn't really a holiday read, outside of that timing. However, the season does lend itself to some fun environments and sets the stage for the reunion, should it happen.

The things I loved:
- Melody is quirky but in such a normal way (not in a bookish girl way, if you know what I mean)
- Beat and Melody's banter is *chefs kiss* perfection
- Celebrity parents/children in the spotlight
- Viral sensations/live streams
- Edging ;)
- MMC who help FMC be confident in who they are
- FMC who help MMC be vulnerable and trusting with people who love them
- When walls come down
- He falls hard
- She falls hard

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for early access to this book. These are my honest thoughts.

What a sexy, charming read from Tessa Bailey! Tessa always writes a fun romance, and Wreck the Halls is no exception. It's so Christmas-y and romantic!

Melody and Beat, the MCs. are the children of a famous rock duo who broke up 30 years ago under less-the-perfect circumstances. Neither of the teenagers know each other, but end up meeting at a documentary-type sit-down that's being recorded about their famous moms. It's lust at first sight, but neither makes a move. Fifteen years later, they see each other again to get their moms together for a final concert. They are being paid a LOT of money to do this, and each of them has their own reasons for doing it, but they end up being WILDLY attracted to each other, and then sparks fly. Hot ones. I can't stress this enough.

Tessa excels at dirty-talking heroes, and Beat is a perfect example of her MMCs. Sooo sexy. And in the bedroom? He likes to be told what to do. That's right. It's HOT.

Melody is smart and resourceful, and kind to a fault. She's helping Beat with this reunion so that he can get the money--he's being blackmailed by his own father!--but ends up loving the time they spend together.

There's only a couple of issues--for me--with this romance: For starters, the plot is a little all over the place. I think this is definitely a "me" thing, though. The other thing is that, while I buy their sexual chemistry, their love story feels a little random. Combined with the plot, I was kinda like "They pined for years after only seeing each other for 10 minutes over 15 years ago?" At times, the writing felt too much, like the author was trying to cram too much into the plot, and it was scattered. The romance, at time, felt underdeveloped.

Now, most of this is a "me" thing, If you like Tessa Bailey romances--which I do--you'll adore the chemistry the MCs have. Beat is a little different from her normal MMCs, but was still awesome. I'm sure most readers won't have an issue with the plot at all, but I just wanted to be honest and put it out there that this romance felt rushed and all over the place. Don't get me wrong, though. I'd recommend this to romance readers, especially fans of Bailey.

Rating: 4 stars/5

**A huge thank-you to NetGalley and Avon Harper Books for this ARC to read and review for my own opinions.**

Title: Wreck The Halls
Author: Tessa Bailey
Pub Date: October 3, 2023

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What was the last book you finished in less than a day? For me, it was Wreck The Halls by Tessa Bailey! I could not put this one down and just felt such a connection to the characters and the storyline from the first page.

Melody and Beat are on a quest to reunite their mothers, former music icons and band members, Trina and Octavia. While Melody and Beat did not grow up with one another, there was an instant connection when they met once as teenagers. Now, with Beat in some financial trouble, Melody agrees to help him reunite their mothers in order to win one million dollars by bringing the two divas together for a Christmas concert. The catch? The entire lead up to the hopeful reunion is set to be live streamed, AND, both Trina and Octavia want nothing to do with one another. Can the two pull of the impossible? Will the same spark they felt as teenagers still be present now?

Read If You Like Books About:
🎤Forced Proximity
🎤Opposites Attract
🎤Childhood Friends to Lovers
🎤Holiday Romances
🎤Family Feuds
🎤Reality TV Shows

Thank you Avon Books, Tessa Bailey, and NetGalley for providing me with a #gifted copy of Wreck The Halls!

I loved Melody and Beat. She's snarky, he's charming, together they have an undeniable chemistry and understanding (due to who their moms are). The banter and flirting was so good and I couldn't get enough of them. Of course Trina and Octavia are glorious and I especially enjoyed their story arc.
There was some miscommunication which isn't my favorite, but it also had 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 peak at the future, but I think I just wanted more of these two.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Voyager for this ARC!

I have read several Tessa Bailey books, and this one did not disappoint. I enjoyed Wreck the Halls so much! Beat and Melody are absolutely perfect for each other. Their chemistry flew off the pages. There were also so many sweet moments that I can't wait to read again when the book officially comes out!

With all Tessa Bailey books I read, I never want them to end. And this book is no exception. I just want Beat and Melody's story to continue forever! Melody is also really funny and lovable! I could not wait for what she would say next when in certain situations.

Overall, if you are looking for a quick, cute, STEAMY, book with adorable characters, pick this one up!

“Love doesn’t come and go that easily, Beat. You need to believe you can lean on it, even when you have to lean really hard.”

I loved the premise of this book: the children of estranged rock stars come together to reunite them for a live television special. Beat and Meloday met once when they were sixteen and although they didn’t keep in touch for fourteen years, they’ve always felt this bond. That same feeling comes roaring back when they meet again at thirty.

Melody is so relatable in that she has always been a wallflower and a bit insecure. She has a job restoring old editions of books and doesn’t really go out much. But she is also so hilarious. Her banter with Beat is absolutely excellent and their tension it always simmering close to the surface. She has always struggled with her relationship with her mother, and there are a lot of moments that we see directly how it's affected Melody.

Her juxtaposition with Beat is so interesting. He’s always been popular, but he’s always kept himself guarded. He's insecure in a completely different way. He struggles with how easily things have been afforded to him. It’s Melody that grounds him, and I loved how they realize the immensity of their feelings for each other. They really understand each other even though they have different personalities. As the reader, you're endeared to them both immediately. You want them both to have their happily ever after.

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

I also adored the background of Octavia and Trina who were once a great rock duo, but broke up under circumstances that were never explained to the public. Their resolution is equally as satisfying as Beat and Melody’s. Any fan of Tessa Bailey will love this one.

This is a very fun holiday romcom. Melody's and Beat's moms are former bandmates that parted on terrible terms. Beat is being blackmailed and needs the money offered from a livestream show to reunite the former bandmates. He decides to tell Melody but lets her know that she doesn't have to do anything but give her permission. That leads to her deciding to step out of her comfort zone and work with Beat to accomplish the task in a short amount of time. Highly recommend reading this to see how people named Melody and Beat find a wsy to make music together.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for advanced copy in exchange for my honest review

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.