Wow. Just wow. I want a man to look at me, think of me, treat me the way Beat does Melody. Gold standard of fictional men! The connection between them vibrates with every page and their banter was top notch!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for providing an unbiased review.

3.75

After the last Tessa Bailey book I read went a little far with the uneven power dynamic joined with somewhat violent sex, I had thought of skipping her new books.

Somehow, however, a cute romcom from somebody I know as a good storyteller, a Christmas one to boot, is a cat nip and, well, here I am. However, reading Tessa Bailey without expecting a lot of thoroughly described sex is like a guy really reading Playboy for the articles and getting annoyed that there are all these pictures in the way.

With that, excepting that this isn’t Chaucer, it’s a kind of a unique story, as much as a romcom can be these days, with interesting characters. First and foremost, I appreciate that they didn’t make Melody somebody who is always stammering or tripping over her words, or saying all these great things only in her head. She may be awkward, though, of course, that ridiculously beautiful awkward that only exist in romance books, but Tessa Bailey gave her dry wit, roll-with-the-punches, perfect romance banter to which I aspire.

Other than the intensity of their relationship, even before it’s romantic, being so over the top so early and so long, it’s a very interesting story of exactly how little privacy you can have when somebody’s filming you and you have a mic strapped to you all day. It’s also fun that their mothers are so over-the-top in their own ways and it’s interesting to see how that journey goes.

Of course, it’s preposterous that Beat would really want to do that without getting any real money if he doesn’t succeed and there’s never a signed contract before they’re already filming, which is absurd. All in all, I enjoyed it more than I thought, and it got me into the spirit a bit on this hot August day.

It is only August but this book made me feel like it should be the holidays already! This story is about lonely individuals who have heart warming moments to lighten up their holiday season. It is friends to lovers with a touch of rockstar romance. The characters were written so well that they are super loveable. The banter between the characters are hilarious. This was definitely a fast read in the best way. This was definitely an improvement from Tessa Bailey in comparison to Vacation Killer. This is also different from her other books because these characters are also single parents and it shows how these relationships also affect their children. Strongly recommend, huge heart-warmer to get you ready for the holiday season.

I've read nearly every Tessa Bailey book there is, clearly I am a fan! But this one was a little different, I loved the retro Daisy Jone's vibe mixed with a holiday romcom. It reminded me a little of the Parent Trap, as the main characters are trying to reunite their mothers for a rock band duo reunion, but then sparks seem to fly because as they spent more and more time together you could really feel their emotions develop for one another- and Tesaa Bailey is queen of swoonworthy moments and she did not disappoint in this one either.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for my free advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Tessa Bailey is one of my auto-buy authors for a reason. Wreck the Halls is holiday rom-com GOLD. I laughed out loud from start to finish, whenever I wasn't a swoony mess on the floor.

Beat and Melody are the children of rockstar mothers--mothers who had a falling out and haven't spoken to each other in decades. They agree to a live-streaming style reality show in an attempt to get their moms back together for a Christmas Eve Steel Birds reunion concert. They both know it's gonna take a miracle. Turns out, even though the public's obsession with the rock duo is what got them this reality show gig, it's NOTHING compared to their obsession with Beat and Melody. They're the real story the public can't get enough of.

I. Couldn't. Put. This. Book. Down.

I started and finished it in a single day. Despite it being absolutely freaking hilarious, Tessa created a beautiful love story about acceptance and trust, forgiveness and love--both romantic love and the enduring love of friendship. Full five stars. No question. I will not accept any other opinion. Thank you and Merry Christmas.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!!
OMG!!!! I am OBSESSED!! Tessa never misses with her books and this one was no exception! Beat and Melody sucked me in in the first few chapters and the rest is history. My heart broke for both of them equally at their own troubles/past struggles they had to grow through but oh was it so beautiful in the end. I wanted to give both of them the biggest hug, especially Beat! His heart literally beat for Melody (lol get it?) and I live for a good boy obsessed/soulmate trope. Five stars!

This was a really cute contemporary rom com from Tessa Bailey. Our main characters are Melody and Beat, the children of the two legendary frontwomen of the band Steel Birds, which broke up halfway through a tour in 1993. It's been 30 years and Octavia and Trina haven't spoken since the breakup, Melody and Beat have only met once, and there's a sudden resurgence of interest in Steel Birds, with their last hit song even back on the charts. Beat, who is being blackmailed and who needs a ton of money quickly, agrees to do a reality show with the goal of getting the Steel Birds back together for a reunion show, but only if Melody agrees to be a part of it. Melody has had a crush on Beat since the first time they met, when they were both 16, but Beat has some issues to work through before he feels like he can fully give in to the pull he's also felt towards her since then. The format of this reality show is very odd, with 12-14 hours a day of livestreaming on social media, uncut and unedited, and it somehow becomes a national phenomenon. At least part of that is due to Melody and Beat's rapport and sharp banter. I liked both of these characters, though Bailey's super overprotective alpha male protagonists are not always my thing. The formula just really worked here, and Trina and Octavia are also pretty iconic side characters. This is set in December but didn't feel super Christmas-y. I'll have to read it again in December and see what I think then.

I felt like getting in the Christmas spirit in August, and Wreck the Halls was the perfect way to do that. Tessa Bailey’s newest standalone holiday romance is fun and flirty, but also explores the complexities of so many different relationships: parent and child, best friends, and couples. I appreciated that the book wasn’t overly Christmasy, but it definitely includes fun holiday elements—like brawling Santas, for instance. Overall, a fun, cute read! 4/5 stars

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I was excited when NetGalley approved me for this, my first Christmas read of the season. The cover was as cute as the title, and the story started out just as fun! However, before long, it started to drag. Then it picked up again, then it dragged some more. Finally, I decided to switch to another Christmas story that would hold my interest better.

Wreck the Halls
Tessa Bailey
4⭐️

I went into this one totally blind because… um duh it’s Tessa Bailey and I will read anything and everything she writes.

Looking at the adorable cover I was expecting full on holiday rom-com so part of me wanted to hold off and read closer to the holidays vs in August. Not to worry my friends. Wreck the Halls, IMO is more of a lighthearted romance that takes place during Christmastime, and can absolutely be enjoyed ANY time of the year.

Melody and Beat, adult children of two former rock stars are offered a boat load of money to team up and convince their rock and roll diva mothers to reunite for a high stakes Christmas Eve concert in Rockefeller Center. One small issue… they haven’t spoken since the bands epic breakup 30 years ago.

With its unique plot, lovable characters and hilarious banter, this sweet & spicy slow burn romance had me smiling and thoroughly entertained throughout.

What I enjoyed;
❄️ Friends To Lovers
❄️ Feel-Good Romance
❄️ Second Chance
❄️ Witty Banter
❄️ Family Drama
❄️ NYC Setting

Wreck the Halls publishes 10/3! This one is sure to hit the spot for romance readers and fans of the fabulous Tessa Bailey! Definitley going to need a copy of this cute cover living on my shelf.

Thank you to Avon and and NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Review Posted on August 22, 2023 to Goodreads and Storygraph

3⭐️

This book was short and sweet! This book follows Beat and Melody who are the kids of two famous rockstars who’s band broke apart. Having both been in the spotlight, they find comfort in each other. After desperately needing some money, Beat asks Melody to film a reality show with him that will try and get their mothers band back together. Feelings are tense, lives are being shown, and the pressure is in the bringing the band back together in time for Christmas. This book was filled with twists and turns, dramatic moments, sweet moments and much more. I loved the nickname Peach because of the reasoning behind it. I feel like this book did lack a some holiday energy as there were some points where I completely forgot that it was set during the holiday time. There were a few parts where I had to reread some sections to understand what was happening which was a little frustrating. Overall I’d say this is a pretty okay book!

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

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review. I thought this was an interesting premise and I really loved the setting and the history of the parents' careers and off-stage drama. I also really enjoyed that Tessa Bailey incorporated the aspect of tabloids and paparazzi when it comes to fame and how women, specifically young women, are treated much differently than men by the public. The idea of the two main characters only meeting once when they were young, but still feeling that strong connection as adults was something I also really enjoyed. I think I would have liked it more if their immediate connection didn't move so quickly into lust and romantic love, but if it grew into that. I also wished we could have learned more about the parents.

I got so excited for a Tessa Bailey Christmas book! So I think it is important to start with with the statement that this is not a Christmas book - this is a book that takes place during Christmastime. It was super cute and I enjoyed it. The only reason I can't give it five stars is that it was just a liiiiiiiiiiiittle too cheesy for me. (ex: the MCs are Beat and Melody, and yes there are comments like "there is no beat without Melody" about it). But that is a personal litmus that it went a bit too far on, so if you're into heavy cheese, you're going to love it.

Wreck the Halls by Tessa Bailey presents a delightful holiday romance centered around Melody Gallard and Beat Dawkins, the adult children of former rock stars, who unite to persuade their estranged mothers to perform a Christmas Eve concert. The novel offers a heartwarming journey of self-discovery, as Melody, an introverted book restoration expert, and Beat, a charismatic showman, navigate their complicated past and growing attraction while dealing with rock star antics and a reality show. The dynamic between the characters, particularly the witty banter between their mothers, Octavia and Trina, adds depth and humor. Bailey's storytelling evokes a range of emotions, creating a charming tale of love, laughter, and the power of unexpected connections.

Another hit by TB! I’m not even sure what trope I would use for this book—second chance maybe? Doesn’t matter because I loved it!

Melody and Beat are great together. I loved how their connection grew throughout the story. The middle was a bit laggy for me, but the beginning was so great that I knew I wouldn’t be uninterested for long.

The side plot of the band was really interesting! I laughed out loud when the women were back in a room together. Also, more of Danielle and Cameraman, please?!

This gets a 4.5/5 from me. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC of this book in exchange for honest feedback.

I am a huge Tessa Bailey fan so I was very excited to read this one. I’ll be honest, the “insta love” trope is not my favorite (grumpy/sunshine all day here) but Mel and Beats relationship totally worked for me. Bailey did such a good job explaining why they had such an instant connection that any other trope wouldn’t have worked as well.

As expected Bailey does not disappoint with the spice. She also dabbled with a little bit of light kink in this book which was unexpected but it worked.

I was a little worried about reading a Christmas book in the month of August but as others have mentioned this book was pretty light on the Christmas. Was the Holiday spirit there? Yes, but she could have set this book any other time of year and it still would have worked.

Bailey fans will be happy. 4 stars!

Melody Gallard is the shy daughter of one of the two members of one of the greatest female rock bands that ended in the 90s, while Beat Dawkins, always in the spotlight, is the son of the other. They only met once in their teenage years, but that meeting impacted both of them in ways they were not expecting years later when a producer wanted them to do an online real-time reality show to try to get their mothers together for one more concert. Both would get paid handsomely.

Instant sparks fly when they meet as adults. While both embark on a reuniting, their moms, their show becomes “Will they, Won’t they” as they have weeks and a 24/7 film crew, and the public wants more about the could-be couple and if the band reunites would be a bonus.

It is a delightful Holiday Rom-Com that could be a movie in a heartbeat. I couldn’t help but make internal references to the vibe similar to the Music & Lyrics film (Hugh Grant & Drew Barrymore). I read it in one sitting.

Tessa Bailey’s Wreck the Halls drew me in from the first pages, and I found much of the story quite entertaining. I particularly enjoyed reading about Melody and some of the antics of the protagonists’ mothers. Character and relationship development are at times sacrificed for sex scenes, however, which likewise disrupt - rather than progressing - the plot to a surprising extent. The tale starts out well, with snappy, fun and witty dialogue, but seems to lose its way. Also, despite the title and the cover, and despite the fact the events in the book take place during the two weeks before Christmas in New York City - which is at its enchanting best in December - I was disappointed to discover that the holidays are merely incidental to Bailey’s story. This is not the tale for those seeking a literary equivalent to a Hallmark Countdown to Christmas movie.

Two and a half stars, rounded up for the occasional laugh out loud, intelligent quips by Melody and for Trina and Octavia - the mothers of Melody and the unfortunately named Beat.

Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the complimentary ARC. Opinions are my own.

So cute! Don’t sleep on this holiday rom-com! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. Out on 10/3/23.

Wreck the Halls is a holiday rom-com that is sure to make you swoon! Melody and Beat are the children of music royalty. Their mothers were rock stars until their band, the Steel Bird, broke up.
The former duo have been estranged ever since. Now, as adults, Melody and Beat are offered a significant amount of money to live stream their efforts to reunite the Steel Birds for a Christmas Eve concert.

As they work together, Mel and Beat realize that they understand each other in a way no one else can and share a strong attraction. But the scandal that broke up the Steel Birds could ruin everything.

I absolutely adored both Mel and Beat. Seeing Mel's character break out of her shell and become more confident as Beat cheered her on, was great, and I loved seeing Beat mature and grow with Mel's support. I would have appreciated more holiday vibes, but its a great feel good read.

Thank you to Avon/Harper Voyager and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.