AWWWWWWWW. Fate brought them together in the sweetest, most messed up way possible. I loved it. Tessa Bailey really knows how to make sweet but hot work, and this book is no exception!

I absolutely loved this book so much and can't wait to get my own copy it was such a fun read and I loved it couldn't put it down

Wreck the Halls was really fun! Tessa Bailey's work continues to improve with each publication and it was truly evident here. The Steel Birds were an incredibly popular 90s rock star female duo until they split and the women now refuse to talk to one another. 30 years later, Octavia and Trina's children, Beat and Melody, are brought together by a production company to film (in real-time!) their attempt to bring their moms back together to perform at a Christmas Eve special. Hilarity ensues as camera crews follow Beat and Melody as they try to convince their moms, who could not be living two vastly different lives, all while falling in love with one another (to the glee of the millions of people watching the reality show live stream). Wreck the Halls was a fun holiday romance with a very strong plot. I loved it!

First big thanks to the publisher, Tessa Bailey and Netgalley for this arc in exchange for my fair and honest review.

Oh man THE BANTER, THE WIT, THE SPICE!!!! 5 STARS!!!

Tessa Bailey always delivers, and Wreck the Halls is no different. I absolutely loved this book, it was a treat from start to end, I couldn’t put it down.

This is a friends-to-lovers/parent trap twist romance between two children of rock royalty as they navigate being on a reality show centered around their crazy crusade to get their talented mothers to reunite for a Christmas eve show.

I really don’t want to give away anything because everyone should read this book, if you’re needing a great belly laughing, heartwarming, and spicy saucy romance experience this book is for you and you need to read it this holiday season.

A favorite of mine for Tessa for the characters! I loved that the main female character wasn't some weak, inexperienced heroine but jumped right in with Beat. I did have some questions on the feasibility of the live stream and how that would work/film ALL the time, but I was able to get passed those questions and focus on the love story.

If you enjoy Tessa Bailey’s books as much as I do, you’ll enjoy this. For me, it was a little too much instalove so not one of my favorites by her. (It was hard to feel the connection to the character when there wasn’t really a build up to their love story.) I still don’t call it a complete miss though.

I received this book from the publisher & NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

I was hooked in this story right from the first chapter. I adored how much Beat was into Melody right from the get go. It is definitely a story for the ages and I know I will come back to their beautiful story every time I am in a reading slump. I also adored how spunky and funny Melody is throughout the book. The back and forth in between Beat and Melody was a foreplay in itself while also being sweet and charming. This is a standalone book and I highly recommend reading it.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Two children of former rock stars have to team up to convince their estranged moms to play a Christmas Eve concert but might find love along the way. Melody Gallard and Beat Dawkins are the children of the infamous rock band known as Steel Birds, their moms were music royalty until the huge mysterious band breakup, and ever since then their moms have hated each other. Melody and Beat met only one time when they were sixteen for five minutes, but that one hug, that one meeting was seared into their brains and now 16 years later when they are both 30, they are about to meet again. Beat is being blackmailed, and has been blackmailed for the past 5 years and the price just keeps getting higher and now he's running out of money, he hasn't told anyone and if the secret gets out it could ruin his mom and his family's lives and reputations and thats not something he's willing to risk, but the only way to come up with the money this time around is if he accepts a tv producer's deal that he and Melody are filmed on their journey to getting their moms to reunite the band for a Christmas Eve concert. From the moment Melody and Beat meet again it's instant attraction, it's more than their 16 year old selves could believe, but Beat has a secret that he's afraid will ruin this friendship and potential relationship with Melody, he only likes being edged and only finishes alone, he doesn't feel comfortable enough to give himself to someone fully and prefers to just be edged. Yet being constantly surrounded by Melody is not helping at all because he's become obsessed with her and now he'll have to ask if he's ready to finally give himself fully over to someone, to let someone in and to trust them, with all of his secrets. Can these two find a way to get their mom's back together, save Beat, and work out the relationship between each other? This one was a lot if I'm going to be honest, it laid in THICK with the whole "Beat and Melody" are a pair, they are two parts of one whole rockstar kids vibe. Then there was the insta love (which can be great at times), the communication issues, and it felt a bit cringey at times and not enough of a cute Christmas read despite it being set during the festive time, it really did not read as a Christmas romance. Overall it was just a bit much for me personally, but if you like rockstar children romances mixed in with reality tv show vibes then give this one a go, maybe it'll be right for you.

*Thanks Netgalley and Avon and Harper Voyager, Avon for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Tessa Bailey delivers a heartwarming, rollicking, and spicy holiday romance in "Wreck the Halls,” the perfect novel for fans of Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone’s A Merry Little Meet Cute.

Melody Gallard and Beat Dawkins, the children of two rock star band mates, met only one time as teens – but their connection was electric. Decades after a mysterious feud tore the legendary band apart, Melody and Beat find themselves teaming up to convince their mothers to take the stage one last time.

Melody, despite being a descendent of music royalty, could not be more opposite than her Gen X Riot Grrrl mother. Their relationship was always distant and uneasy, and to cope Melody retreated into a quiet life, spending her days restoring old books and avoiding the spotlight. Beat Dawkins had a very different experience with his own mother’s approach to fame and family, but he shares Melody’s reticence to force a reconciliation.

Still, the powerful connection that ties Beat and Melody together transcends whatever strings snapped between their parents years before. When the tempting offer to reunite their mother's band on live TV comes along, both Melody and Beat question the things they hide and hold in silence to protect the deeply flawed but ultimately loving people who raised them.

It’s a journey of emotional healing, trust, honesty, and acceptance that love at first sight exists. Bailey's skill at balancing whimsical story elements with deep emotional connection shines here, as she weaves a tale filled with badly behaved rock stars, an all-seeing film crew, brawling Santas and hippies, and the wildness of fandom.

The chemistry between Melody and Beat crackles as their initial spark years before evolves into a deep and passionate love. As a team, they are able to step out of their comfort zones and support each other on their unconventional mission and beyond.

Melody’s willingness to be vulnerable uncovers a deep inner well of strength that previously remained untapped and stifled. Beat's magnetic personality and unwavering adoration of Melody amplify their power together, making their happily ever after feel true and inevitable.

While the romance takes center stage, Wreck the Halls also investigates the complex relationships between the characters and their family. The decades-old scandal looms over the reunion and adds a layer of external tension that keeps readers engaged until the climactic Christmas Eve concert.

Overall, "Wreck the Halls" is a perfect blend of spicy and sweet for holiday romance fans. Tessa Bailey once again proves her talent for crafting engaging stories with relatable characters, delivering a delightful standalone romance that will warm the heart regardless of the time of year.
______
Tropes: love at first sight, celebrity romance, friends-to-lovers, holiday romance, New York City stories
Spice Level: 3.5/5, open door, dash of kink, emotional + physical intimacy well portrayed on page, expert level dirty talker, consent
______
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon/Harper Collins for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Expected publication date October 3rd, 2023.

I normally don’t love the insta-love trope, but this one worked. 2 rock star kids who have an early and undeniable connection. He’s got issues, she’s got issues, we watch them work through those issues together. Plus it was hot as hell. Very enjoyable.

I tell everyone that either Tessa Bailey is going to be a hit or miss for them and unfortunately, this one is going to be a miss for me... although, I will try this one again on audio. I loved the storyline and plot however; I couldn't get over the male main character's name of "Beat."

Book : Wreck The Halls
Author : Tessa Bailey
Pub Date : 03 Oct 2023

Thank you NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager, Avon, & the author for the opportunity to read and review this book.

If you love :
- Friends to Lovers
- Holiday Rom-Coms
- Insta Love
- Big City Settings
-
Then this book is for YOU!

I am a massive Tessa Bailey fan and LOVE all of her books and her writing style. When I saw this super cute holiday rom-com I squealed at the chance to read it. This book gave me the feels and made me laugh out loud so many times.

The characters are well developed with incredible dialogue and the plot is fantastic. This was such a fun read that is just want you expect from the authors books. I read this book in one sitting and lost track of time being emerged in the book. This will be my book clubs holiday monthly read, I can’t wait to share this amazing book with everybody that I know.

Absolutely fantastic plot! Could not put the book down once I began reading it. Cannot wait for it to be released. I will recommend it to everyone I know!

It's Christmas in July!

𝗪𝐑𝐄𝐂𝐊 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐇𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐒 (Pub 10.03) brings the Ho Ho Holy Holiday Horniness.  (Thanks to @avon and @netgalley for the early copy) 

Beat (him) & Melody (her) are the kids of a famous estranged female rock duo.Over the course of 2 weeks they attempt to bring them together for a Christmas Eve reunion performance all while being live streamed to the enamored public. 

Instant love/attraction
Beat is way protective. 
Melody is witty and her dialogue was whip smart. 
In order to enjoy this book I think you need to embrace the chaos. 
For this reader, it was allll the (brisking fans herself).  Like melt every snowman in a 5 mile radius. 

I've said it before, but I'll say it again. "I have broken up with Tessa Bailey and gotten back together more than once." I found this to be a fun (and spicy) holiday romp but nothing earth shattering. But- if you enjoy Tessa Bailey you may want to add this to your holiday reading list.

It took me a little while to get into this story, but once I did, I was invested!

It left me wanting a little more though. This wasn’t your typical Christmas story, but I liked that!!

I think this will be a popular read this Holiday Season!!

Not going to lie, the names Melody and Beat together made me giggle at first, but then this story really started progressing and I was kicking my feet so much and blushing that I didn't care what their names were anymore because the story was just so good. This story made me yearn for the holidays in my current scorching Texas weather. As always Tessa had the perfect balance of Steam and sweet and I just loved this book so much. I absolutely need to get a physical copy so I can reread during the holidays because it was just that cute. I adored this!

Tessa Bailey is a queen among romance writers. Her books are fun, filled with banter and a delightful read. This book hit all the checks and was a fabulous book. I would recommend to others.

This one needed more of a holiday feel and a little less "insta love". Althought I am literally reading Christmas in Juy...so take that as you may :)

Melody and Beat buddy up to reunite their mothers, an iconic rock duo, for a holiday special after a 30 year breakup. The two have only met once prior, when sixteen years old, but despite this, the connection they share makes them feel closer than ever.
This has crazy crusades, lovable characters, sexual tension and steam-, this is for you and if you want a sweet love story this is for you too.

As a whole, this was a fun holiday romp and I will be still be reading more of Tessa Bailey in the future.

I'm going ahead and rounding up to 4 stars, but this was more of a 3.5 for me, this time. I am such a fan of Tessa Bailey and I love everything she's written the last few years. I loved the premise of this and the side characters, especially Melody's mom. However, Beat's clinginess and self-deprecation turned me off a bit. Having said that, I kept turning the pages, got irritated with my family when I had to put it down, and was thinking about Beat and Melody when I wasn't even reading, so obviously I still really liked it.

Beat’s possessive nature had me putting down this new romance from Tessa Bailey fairly quickly. Not her best work in my opinion, but always read it for yourself. Signature snark and humor and steam from Tessa. Just not for me this time
Thank you to the publisher for The ARC.