For fans of True Love Experiment and reality tv romance. Beat and Melody (yes, you read those names right) agree to a livestream reality show where their goal is to get their mothers to reunite the Steal Birds band for a performance Christmas Eve. The viral audience however is more keenly focused on watching the “Belody” budding romance transpire over the live feed with worldwide viewership.
Mixed on this one. Concept is cute, main characters likeable. There are scenes that are absolutely hilarious. And some pretty steamy spice. But also some pretty cringey lines and parts that are dull. It’s a better read than listen. The audiobook male narrator wasn’t my favorite. Worth a read, it’s lite and fun…give it a shot!

Beat and Melody take center stage in Tessa Bailey's steamy holiday novel! As the children of two rock stars who had a falling out before they were born, these two have always been connected but only met once as teenagers. Now they're adults and being pulled into a reality show to try to get their mother's back together for a reunion.

The magnetism between these two is immediate from the start and what starts as an easy friendship meshes into a sizzling attraction. As fans watch these two interact, they start clamoring for the couple just as much as their famous parents. Beat and Melody must navigate their growing attraction but also the media attention during the lead up to an end of the holiday performance!

I struggled with the insta-connection between Beat and Melody since there wasn't a lot to go on other than their mothers' history. Beat's kink was also a little out there for me and he seemed to give it up pretty quickly once things got physical with Melody, despite it being a part of his entire adult life...

Overall, a solid steamy holiday romance (and please we need more of these!!) but it wasn't my favorite of Tessa Bailey's.

I love the back story of Wreck the Halls and you could really feel the emotion in Bailey's writing.

Melody and Beat are the separate children of 2 huge rock stars in the 90's. Their two mothers were a powerful duo that still have a huge following even though they both say they never want to see each other again.

It turns out that Beat is being blackmailed right as a reality show approaches him about trying to get the two singers back together for a reunion with the help of Melody so he agrees. Melody has always harbored feelings for Beat so she agrees as well.

Of course, sparks fly between the two and Tessa Bailey makes the connection feel real. However, just be forewarned that it is a pretty spicy very open door romance. I usual am fine reading open door romances, but this one had me blushing for sure.

This was my first time reading a Tessa Bailey novel and I would probably read another one.

Super cute + Spicy, definitely not my favorite TB book because i think it was missing a lot of elements that would really make this a christmas book? Besides the title and the "big event" happening on NYE (or xmas eve... i forget) i dont think there was much that made this a holiday romance.

A cute, spicy read that had me hooked from the very first page! Loved the characters and their stories!)

3.5 stars

It was a slow burn I didn’t want to put down. Chemistry was instantly booming and I loved the constant swooning between Mel and Beat. The heat turned up as expected from Tessa Bailey! At some points further into the read, Mel and Beat’s relationship, feelings, thoughts were a bit overdone/over the top in my opinion but overall I would say I enjoyed their bond and that they worked through some of their past, mental struggles together!

I really loved the storyline and the badass rockstar Mamas. Like her fanbase I also found Mel quite amusing and definitely feel like we would vibe in real life!

I would’ve liked to have more holiday spirit given that I was reading this in the season for the season but it wasn’t necessary for the story. The ending felt a bit rushed but all in all this was a fun, steamy read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon books for a free eARC in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley for e-ARC of the book.

Melody and Beat are children of famous rock duo that broke apart before the kids were born. They both were offered a lot of money to reunite their mothers for Christmas Eve concert but sparks start to fly.

I loved the whole reunion saga and the element of secrecy on the reason of a breakup. This book has some spicy scenes as well as some gentle and fragile love which balances is all well.

I did not like this one. Ugh and it breaks my heart to say that but i did not connect with the characters at all. i honestly wasn't very big fans of them at all either. they were kind of boring and i didnt believe their love story. I felt that the childhood crush was a bit of a stretch, especially with really just one interaction. the storyline was ok, but this just didnt deliver like tessa bailey books usually do for me. still going to support and read this author though!

Beat and Melody, born to a once-famous '90s female duo, faced a daunting task three decades later: to reunite their estranged mothers for a Christmas Eve concert at the Rockefeller Center. The promise of a million-dollar reward for each was the bait. Would this bring their feuding mothers back together, or would it lead to unexpected romantic entanglements for the Beat and Melody?

I found myself grappling with three significant reasons why "Wreck the Halls" landed a two-star rating instead of a 'Did Not Finish' label.

Firstly, my self-imposed commitment to finish books I start kept me persevering through this read. Sadly, it lacked the compelling quality to keep me engaged. The book wasn't the type that compelled me to continue eagerly; rather, it was a struggle to pick up and resume reading each time I put it down. However, I persisted, and by the end, I stumbled upon the second reason for the two-star rating.

The book's final moments contained a flicker of warmth. It touched upon the profound notion that genuine love is anchored in trust, emphasizing the necessity of trust in a loving relationship. This concluding note resonated, adding a modest redeeming quality to an otherwise lackluster tale.

On a brighter note, Melody's character was a highlight. Her journey from an insecure past to a present of humor, reliability, kindness, and resilience made her a standout in an otherwise mediocre narrative.

Regrettably, these positives were overshadowed by various shortcomings. The protagonists, though described as thirty-year-olds, lacked the maturity and comportment expected at their age. Their actions seemed more fitting for individuals significantly younger, driven by impulsiveness rather than considered responses to situations, particularly in their interactions with each other.

Furthermore, the promised Christmas essence was virtually absent. Despite the December setting and the impending reunion, the book failed to encapsulate the enchanting holiday spirit typical of Christmas-themed stories. Instead, it delved into Beat's personal struggles, notably his recurrent habit of pushing Melody away during trying times, sidelining the anticipated festive elements.

This being my second encounter with Tessa Bailey's writing, I'm disheartened to find it falling short yet again. Perhaps exploring her earlier works might shed light on the acclaimed aspects of her writing. However, for now, I might postpone further exploration of her works.

Melody and Beat grew up separately, but they had shared experiences. As the only kids of the women who had once been the impressive rock duo Steel Birds. They both grew up in the spotlight, being asked if they could sing or play instruments like their mothers. Being followed by paparazzi and photographed. Being asked why the band had broken up, or if their mothers would ever reunite and get the band back together.

They met once when they were fourteen, and Melody felt seen for the first time. Beat understood just what it meant to grow up in the same spotlight, although he realized that the press had been far more forgiving of him. They had exchanged numbers, but they never used them. And then they grew up.

Melody Gallard likes to be alone, and as a book restorer, chose a profession where she could work by herself. She has friends, and she enjoys their weekly bocce games. But she only sees her mother once a year. The rest of the time, Trina lives in a remote part of the country with friends and stays out of the national spotlight.

Beat Dawkins is close to his parents. His mother Octavia had been the lead singer of Steel Birds, and now they run a foundation together, where they help young artists find funding and mentors. He loves his life. But he also has a secret, one that could bring his entire family down.

He’s being blackmailed, by the man who says he’s Beat’s real father. He needs money, and he needs it quickly, so he makes the decision to talk to a television producer who has an idea: he and Melody should do a reality show, livestreamed, about trying to get the band back together.

Beat refuses to go forward unless Melody agrees to it, so they have a meeting with the producers. Beignets may have been involved. But Melody agrees. While she’s not being blackmailed, she is getting financial help from her mother, and the money she would earn from this would allow her to be free. And besides, Trina and Octavia would never get back together. They hadn’t even spoken in years.

So Beat and Melody start recording, putting their lives online for all to see, and no one could have anticipated what happened next. The comfortable understanding they shared as teenagers starts to smolder into real heat, and everyone watching is all for it. As their streaming numbers skyrocket, and their feelings explode into a connection they have never known before, Beat and Melody find that they have put so much more on the line by living so publicly. It’s not just about their mothers and whether they can get the band back together. It’s about their hearts, and everything is on the line for that.

Wreck the Halls is a super spicy Christmas rom com with lots of fun surprises. The relationship that develops between Melody and Beat is so compelling, both their friendship and their chemistry. And the reality show adds so much fun, whether it’s from the impromptu public snowball fight to the arrests when they head out to Trina’s compound to talk to her about getting back together with Octavia. This story from Tessa Bailey is filled with laughs and heat, as these characters steal hearts and light up the holidays with their struggles, their romance, and their inimitable spirit.

I listened to this one on audio, read by alternating narrators, Brooke Bloomingdale giving voice to Melody and James Gloucester giving Beat that serious tone to his thoughts. Both of these narrators brought their characters to life, and listening to the two of them as we go back and forth from Melody’s and Beat’s perspective adds so much depth to this story.

This book is a lot of fun, and listening to the audio is an extra gift. Some of the intimate scenes were extra-spicy, so you might not want to listen to this one at work, but it’s still a lot of fun to listen to!

Egalleys for Wreck the Halls were provided by Avon through NetGalley, with many thanks, but I bought the audio book myself through Chirp.

I don't know what it is.. Tessa Bailey used to be a top tier author for me.. but I feel that she is trying to pump out book so fast that nothing makes sense. It was not it for me.. Don't let the Christmas cover fool you.. or the name.. because the vibes? Not there. I am so disappointed because I was so excited for this.. and it just feels like a let down.

Immensely enjoyed this book. The entire focus on being a celebrity kid was so well done. I was especially really happy that it was duel-POV because it gives you a real feel for how the characters think and feel.

Cute Christmas romance novel by Tessa Bailey. I like her books and this one was just as cute and spicy as the others.

Beat and Melody (yes, that’s actually their names) are the offspring of rock and roll legends. However, the legends fell out 30 years ago and now Beat and Melody have the chance (or obligation) to get them back together for one last performance. The sexual tension is high between them from the first moment they meet, but there are so many reasons to run the other way from each other.

This is a Hallmark movie in a book with some serious spice thrown in that wouldn’t be suitable for television! It’s a perfect little book for a great holiday read!

I typically love Tessa Bailey's books, but had a hard time getting into this one for some reason. My biggest issue was that the main characters met briefly as tweens and then again as adults, however, they seemed to know so much about each others current personalities even though they have not had contact since childhood.

✨ Review ✨ Wreck the Halls by Tessa Bailey

The last few TB books I've read have been hit or miss but this was an absolute hit. I loved the set up of this book -- Beat and Melody, kids of the Steel Birds, a rock duo, who broke up while one was pregnant with Beat and one with Melody. The two grew up in the eye of the media, always curious why the Steel Birds broke up. They met once as teenagers, but otherwise have lived their lives apart due to the enmity between their moms.

But when approached about a reality show to reunite their moms, both have reasons to join together to attempt the impossible. These two are like magnets from the beginning, and there was something just so fun and captivating about their relationship. I was rooting for them from early on and I couldn't put this down.

This book is silly and filled with all sorts of fun details -- Melody's in a bocce league (and she's terrible at it), Beat's mom is like a socialite queen, Melody's mom is living in some sort of weird commune with brawling Santas next door.

This book definitely requires you to suspend your disbelief and open yourself up to some delightfully inane fun, but I was so here for it!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️(4.25)
Genre: f/m contemporary romance
Setting: NYC

Thanks to Avon and #netgalley for the gifted advanced copy/ies of this book!

Unfortunately, I didn't love this one like I typically love Tessa Bailey novels. For some reason, I just did not fully connect with the characters or the romance. It had a lot of interesting and unique bits--the 24/7 livestream, their famous rockstar mothers, trying to reunite the band before Christmas, the blackmail,etc--but I ended up just thinking this was okay. I think I had expected more Christmas and we don't really get that here.

This was just a perfect holiday (or any time of the year really) read! I cannot get enough of the fated lovers trope and Tessa Bailey writes angsty pining SO WELL! From the first moment they lay eyes on one another, Beat is such a sap for Melody and she is head over heels for him. If you love rockstar romance vibes but without the tragic nightmarscape that is the ending of A Star is Born, this one is for you. Daisy Jones and the Six meets All the Best Nights. It's got really fantastic banter, the STEAMIEST steam (because of course it does), a great revenge plot, and Christmasy vibes without being over the top for those who don't love that. I already can't wait to read this one again. I will be thinking of Beat and Melody for such a long time!

I saved Wreck the Halls to read closer to the holidays. I enjoyed the premise and that the two main characters were immediately into each other (I guess I typically only read enemies to lovers....? who knew!), but this wasn't my favorite Tessa Bailey. That honor still belongs to the Belinger sisters. Thanks to Netgalley and Avon/Harper Voyager for the ARC!

such a fun, spicy holiday romance! i absolutely loved it. tessa bailey always knocks it out of the park for me, and wreck the halls is no exception.