Melody and Beat's moms were the hit band in the late 80s and early 90s with a tumultuous breakup. After the breakup, the women had their two kids and never spoke to each other for 30 years.

Melody is a timid girl who restores books for a living, with a very healthy stipend from her mom. She was bombarded and tormented by the paparazzi during her teenage years and she became a recluse ever since.

Beat was born with a silver spoon in his mouth and always felt like he could never fully trust anybody. Everybody only wanted to know why his mom's band ended. He could never be his true authentic self. In order to combat his station in life, he denies himself any form of pleasure and will do what it takes to help the less fortunate.

Beat and Melody met only once, at 16, and it was instant love on both of their ends. They didn't see each other again for another 14 years when Beat was approached by a reality TV producer to see if he could help get his mom's band back together for a one-night concert. He only would do it if Melody would participate. The only caveat with the show was that Beat and Melody would be filmed and have it live-streamed.

During the livestream their romance bloomed. Millions of viewers got to watch the looks they gave each other and the small gestures they would make in order to be closer to each other.

What I Liked:
The sexual tension was the only thing about the story that I liked. The tension was *chefs kiss*.

I also LOVED that Beat edged himself intentionally. He truly believed that he didn't deserve to feel pleasure so he would never finish with a partner. I can't say I've read about an MMC that would intentionally not finish during sex.

What I Disliked:
The characters themselves were lacking. You never felt like you really got to know the characters. The only thing you could comfortably know about them was that they just couldn't live without each other. Their personalities were each other - if they weren't around each other they were literally nothing. They did nothing and couldn't think about things except the other person. To me that's boring and unoriginal, I understand being so into someone that you think about them a lot, but Beat and Melody truly had 0 personalities if they were alone.


Final Thoughts:
This book felt like something that was written really quickly and not very well thought out... I really enjoy Tessa Bailey's books, but this one just didn't do it...

Another wonderful, fun, spicy, romantic and heartwarming read from Tessa Bailey!

I enjoyed so many facets of this story so much. I found both of our MCs to be SO ridiculously charming. Melody is hilarious and sweet and entirely unaware of her effect on others, in such a humble and aloof way, its just so fun to read her on page. Beat is a dream boat, he is fiercely protective in the way he stands up for everyone around him, but he doesn't land as possessive in an overbearing way. Tessa Bailey has a way of writing such glorious men who are so deeply obsessed with the girl they fall for, and it makes me so giddy and delighted while reading. These two really did have such amazing chemistry, and I really could see what they both meant when they talked about being more themselves when they are together than they ever are otherwise.

The rock star / reality show aspect of this was SO FUN, I was absolutely obsessed with it. Trina and Octavia both had such presence on the page, I felt like I knew them and had been a fan of theirs for my entire life. It made for so much hilarious banter and plot development between their attempted reunion, their enemy status, and the questions surrounding their split in the 90s.

The only qualm I had, and the reason this didn't get 5 stars, is because I really especially hated some of the circumstances of the third act breakup. for one, this plot had plenty of conflict and intrigue at this stage in the story. it really didn't need more between Melody and Beat themselves. Also, Beats particular screw up felt very nonsensical and counter-intuitive to everything we know about him. It just took me out of the story quite a lot. The reconnection had a lot of dramatic payoff and was very romantic, I just wish we had gotten there differently.

I ultimately still enjoyed this a TON, and despite my qualms I think these two are a new favorite TB couple of mine. I think this will be a great holiday read, and definitely will go down as another hit from Tessa Bailey for me!

Thank you so much to Avon & Harper Voyager and NetGalley for the eArc of this!

Melody Gallard and Beat Dawkins are the children of two former rock stars. Melody spends her days restoring old books. Beat runs his mother's charity. Melody was basically harassed by the media when she was younger, while Beat was adored. When Beat is offered alot of money to try to get the duo back together, he approaches Melody to get her to agree.

It was okay. I did like the characters. I think it was slightly spicier than I prefer, but I should have expected that with Tessa Bailey.

I cannot say enough about this book. I finished it in 2 days and it would have been done in 1 day but life got in the way.

The perfect hilarious, laugh out loud, feel good, swoon worthy, libido enhancing holiday romance!

You fall in love with these characters from the very start and fall even harder throughout this book.

Mandy Harris
Angel Wings Bookstore

Thank you so much for an advanced copy of Wreck the Halls by Tessa Bailey! To be warned, I'm a big fan of the 80s band Heart...and Beat and Melody's mothers gave me major Heart-vibes in this one!

Wreck the Halls has to be one of the cutest, sweetest, spiciest holiday rom-coms I've read in a while! I was captivated by Melody and Beat, their parental backstory, the connection between them....basically everything. I think what I loved most about this story was Melody met Beat at a time when she just needed someone kind. Each of them, internally, had already built up the connection to the other because of their mothers, and meeting for the first time just validated all those teenage curiosities wondering if mother really did know best. Their first meeting was just the cutest little meet cute!

I love the idea of reality show/forced proximity, and that's exactly what Wreck the Halls delivers on from start to finish! Sure, we want to reunite the band (a la Heart in the 80s, anyone?), but we also want to unite Beat and Melody. Both Beat and Melody have such insecurities from their lives growing up in a fish bowl, and they were each other's balm for those insecurities from the beginning. Was it always realistic? No, of course not. But their imagined connection over all the years manifests into one very real connection throughout the book, and it's just plain adorable.

Of course, I would be remiss if I didn't mention Tessa Bailey's perfect use of spice...the connection between Beat and Melody is HOT. There's a lot of pent up pining from their teenage and early adult years, and once things get close to the finish (IYKYK 😈), you just know their connection is a once in a lifetime opportunity. I found myself blushing several times as I read because, let's be honest, Beat can tap out a rhythm for me any day of the week. 😂

As far as holiday rom coms go (which is a very specific genre, I know), this is a five star read. It has all the elements of the perfect holiday romance! It completely swept me away.

Rating: 5⭐️

There is nothing I like more than a Tessa Bailey book. I’d read anything she writes. If she could find her childhood diaries I’d love to read those. I’d help her self publish them.
Anyway…this was a fun, holiday romance about the two children of two former rock and roll stars. Octavia and Trina created the band Steel Birds and were so popular that 30 years later they are still being asked to reunite. However, they “hate each other” and it will be a cold day in hell before that happens.
Except that Beat (Octavia’s son) and Melody (Trina’s daughter) (see what they did their with the names) are now being paid to try and reunite their mothers. In the process Beat and Melody are required to have the whole adventure live streamed.
Oh and Melody has had a crush on Beat forever and Beat would lick pavement just for a chance to see Melody for a second. So they chemistry is 🥵

Tessa Bailey can do no wrong in my eyes and Wreck the Halls is just another amazing read from her repertoire! Readers won't want to miss this incredible new romance that is truly PACKED with heart and soul!

Every time Tessa Bailey has a new release, I know I’m going to love it because in Tessa I trust and “Wreck the Halls” did not disappoint! I don’t know what drug Tessa puts in her books but I’m addicted and I’m left waiting with bated breath for her next book release.

Beat and Melody are the children of two former rockstars and now in their adulthood have embarked on the impossible task of reuniting their mothers for one last show, but here’s the catch: every moment of their lives will be lived streamed for the world to see.

Melody was honestly so hilarious that I found myself laughing at loud so many times, and Beat omg I’m obsessed with Beat. He is fiercely protective over Melody, a little bit (a lot) jealousy, and makes her feel like the only person in the world. I love them together so much!

A 5 ⭐️ read for me!

Wreck the Halls featured Melody and Beat, the children of a retired rock star duo, who are trying to pull off a Christmas miracle and convince their famous mothers to reconcile long enough to have a long awaited reunion. There was also a some blackmail involved and a hero who was a bit tortured but completely enamored of the heroine.

Tessa Bailey dished out her typical over-the-top storyline, which was definitely chaotic, but also pretty fun. I do adore how hard her heroes go for the heroines; Beat was obsessed with Melody, and I sort of loved it. I only wish his name was not Beat - it made me laugh every time I read it.

Overall, Wreck the Halls was a fun, slightly ridiculous, yet classic Tessa Bailey read and a fun start to the holiday season.

This hero was a lot to process. I could understand if they had more of a background but he only met her once at 16 for a couple minutes. The whole live streaming thing added another layer of ridiculousness. I never got a sense of the heroine because she was supposed to be a shy shut in but apparently made everyone fall in love with her. Throw in the heroes hang ups and it all added up to a read where I rolled my eyes a lot

Content warnings: blackmail, bullying, estranged parent, long-term family lies

Melody Gallard and Beat Dawkins met once when they were 16, but they've been thinking about each other ever since. They're connected by their mothers, members of the iconic 90s band Steel Birds. Steel Birds broke up 30 years ago, and no one knows why.

When Beat and Melody are approached by a TV producer with an offer to do a livestream reality show about reuniting the band starring the children of the rockers, Melody accepts because Beat says he needs the money. Their goal is to livestream the reunion concert on Christmas Eve... if Melody and Beat succeed.

The characters and their magnetism towards each other reel you in, but you'll stay to find out what everyone is hiding and if the band will get back together. The romance scenes are rated R, so avoid this book if that's not what you came for. Otherwise, recommended for anyone who enjoys romances, especially those revolving around celebrities and/or Christmas.

How does one adequately verbalize the sheer warmth and delight this book brings?

Beat Hawkins and Melody Dawson. The children the iconic rock duo Steel Birds are truly two halves of a whole.

Wreck the Halls is a must read, feel good, heartwarming, whimsical, enchanting JOY — and I recommend this to anyone who enjoys romance (and doesn’t mind some spice 🥰).

Dual POV
Second chance
Magnificent secondary characters
Charming banter
Soulmates

With a side of…
Reality showing
Santa brawling
Spontaneous singing
Bocce balling
Snowball fighting
Bandmates reuniting
And of course… otherworldly loving ♥️♥️♥️

❄️ Friends to lovers
🎄Only one bed
❄️ Celebrities


“Do you work with a magnifying glass attached to your head?” “I work mostly from home. Sometimes that’s all I wear.” Beat choked on his sip of coffee, and flames climbed Melody’s cheeks.

“Kissing Melody was like a welcome home party in a place he’d never be lucky enough to call his home.”

“You’ll never leave my system, Mel. You’re one-half of it.”


Beat Dawkins & Melody Gallard are the children of a women rock duo band that broke up & unknowingly named their kids with complementing names. They would have grown up together had the band never parted but they don’t meet until they are teenagers where they are both smitten with one another but when Beat gives Mel his number she never uses it. Their mothers are complete opposites where Octavia Dawkins is a NY elitist running charity galas and raising money for scholarships but Trina Gallard is a nudist who is in her own little world.

Beat Dawkins has been getting blackmailed by a man for a year and a half wanting money in exchange for his silence on old family details that could ruin his mothers reputation and hurt his father. It’s his surprise birthday party (because he knows his friends so well) and of course the blackmailer chooses that night to ask for more money.

Melody Gallard is a rare book restorer who plays bocce ball with her coworkers. She keeps to herself and knows everyone wants to know about her mother but giving up details feels wrong.

They are both being asked to participate in a reality show to try & get their moms to do a reunion of their band Steel Birds. It’s been 14 years since Mel & Beat last spoke and they both take the meeting mostly to see each other. The show wants to follow them for two weeks to catch every detail live and pay them in the end.

At the meeting they take some time to chat because they aren’t sure what they want to do with the situation. They are still smitten with one another immediately. They both decide to go through with the show but they don’t believe they could ever pull off a reunion.

Finding out who the blackmailer is shocked me. But finding out the band had a love triangle which led to the break up was crazy.

The live videos are a hit for the show and people are loving both Beat & Mel. They also convince Octavia to do one song on Christmas Eve with Trina but now they have to convince Trina even tho they lied and said she already wanted to do it.

Trina is wild. I don’t want to give away any of the details of the trip up to see and convince her of the reunion. That entertainment needs to be a surprise.

Of course in the last 1/3 of the book we have to have the falling out right after the couple officially gets together. Peak rom com but it did make me sad. Overall this book was cute & I really enjoyed it. Thank you Tessa Bailey, NetGalley & Avon for this arc!


A couple things I didn’t love:
- calling it The Parents’ Trap was so awkward and I’m glad the books namesake replaced it
- How long it took beat to tell her about the blackmailer but that he didn’t name who
- It felt like the book kind of just ended. I would have loved to see another 60 pages.

This was a fun ready with a sack plot full of hijinks, rock and roll, drama, steaminess and love. I am not usually a fan of insta love, I prefer a slow burn, but I did not mind it in this story as both characters were very likeable and the connection they felt made sense. There was a lot of mutual obsession and yearning going on and both lead characters were so far gone for each other it was hard not to root for them. Melody was genuinely funny and a relatable nerd and Beat was an adorable protective dummy struggling with a big secret. I thought they had good chemistry and their interactions were charming and cute. The plot to reunite their moms band was as wacky as expected but still a fun ride. Overall quite an enjoyable read 3.5 ⭐️.

(3.5 stars) one of the better holiday romances I've read! this book does a great job of taking place during the holiday festivities but not being too heavy handed or cliche with the Christmas stuff. I really enjoyed the childhood crush and celebrity tropes used, and felt that the reality show/livestream plot line was unique. this book had the usual humor and quirkiness of a Tessa Bailey book that we all know and love.

while I had such a fun time with this book, I know it won't be for everyone. it is one of those feel-good, suspend disbelief, don't take yourself too seriously type books that are perfect for a holiday romance vibe. if readers go in knowing to set those expectations I think they will love it, but if they don't they will really dislike it.

Oh my god… the ultimate romance! 🥰🥰 Swoon.
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Sometimes I really hate the beginning of romantic novels. That might sound funny, but I love the endings of this type of story so much that it kind of ticks me off I have to go through so much to get there.

That’s not a bad thing, however, especially when you are delivered a book like this one.

As I said, in the beginning, I thought this was going to be a romcom because of the cover, but the story is an incredible tribute to finding that person you find that soulmate level connection with.

I’m almost at a loss for words on how to describe this book. The author has done an extremely difficult job in creating these characters that are just so connected, that they could breathe for each other. The tactile soul, piercing tenderness, and depth of emotion that Bailey was able to wrangle with her words are quite intense in many parts of the story.

Bailey has a wicked way of weaving her words that guide us into submission because it’s just so damn beautiful. The entire theme and plot of the story are brilliant, and honestly, I can’t even compare this to another story that I’ve read. Not to mention it’s steaming hot as well because of the main characters’ intense connections.

For the reader who craves true romance with that soul-crushing intensity that includes the highs and the lows, this book delivers all of that and more. Tessa Bailey has created a romantic masterpiece. This is a book you will reread many times. I guarantee it.

Wreck the Halls was another enjoyable hit from Tessa Bailey!

Melody and Beat have never really known each other, but they've known each other - as the children of feuding former rock stars, they've felt a connection since the one time they met at age 16. When Beat (come on, Tessa, could you have found a different name for him?!) needs money, he agrees to a reality show that will attempt to reunite the band - but Melody must agree. Feeling drawn to Beat like she did fourteen years earlier, Melody agrees and the two start their live streams and the country falls in love with them on their quest to reunite their mothers.

I liked this story a lot (minus Beat's name. Again, why Beat?), but I did expect more holiday-ness - it's just set in New York City around Christmas time. I also felt the ending was rushed and would have liked more!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.

Thank you to Tessa Bailey and NetGalley for the ARC. I enjoyed this one and look forward to reading it again during the holidays. This was giving Hallmark vibes. I loved the banter and the childhood love interest plot was perfect.

5 stars. I LOVED this one from Tessa Bailey!!!! I feel like there are 2 types of holiday romance reads: 1) Books that are kind of like a Hallmark movie, where the Christmas spirit in and of itself feels like it's its own character and the town/ people/ family/ someone has to band together to perform a Christmas miracle and save something (aka the town/ people/ family/ someone etc). 2) Books that are your typical romance that just so happen to takes part during the Christmas time period. Maybe it sporadically makes reference to the holiday itself, but other than that, there's no major feeling of Christmas cheer or spirit in the story. I call this the Die Hard effect- because there is the age old question of whether Die Hard is actually a Christmas movie. Wreck the Halls most decidedly falls in the latter category. Yes, some of the characters did have to band together to defeat some sort of evil, and yes, that did happen on Christmas Eve, but like I said, the holiday itself wasn't really the main focus of this one. And with respect to my personal preferences, that's what I prefer.

As I said above, I LOVED this one from Tessa, in large part, because I LOVED both Beat and Melody. But Melody... she stole the show. I fell in love with her character, which is something that happens often when I'm reading a Tessa book. She knows how to pen a FMC that I can get behind. I think the reason why Melody was so lovable was because she felt like a normal person. She was so relatable and I could totally see myself in her. Yes, sometimes she was a little bit quirky, but all in all, she was just a down to earth girl who was totally just herself (no pretension, no airs, no pandering to the masses), and I loved that. She and Beat had INSANE chemistry, which means that their banter was sensational. I was constantly laughing at their back and forth exchange and the one liners that developed. They were totally in synch. I also thought this one was, in general, very funny without being cheesy. All in all, I had a TON of fun reading this one.

Thank you so much to Avon, Netgalley and Tessa for sending me an advanced copy of this one!

The perfect holiday romance that’s giving me Daisy and the six vibes! Love the banter and childhood love plot. Perfect holiday rom com to curl up with this season!