I enjoyed this light romance – in many places it’s reminiscent of the old screwball comedies, full of smart and sassy banter. It pulls it off well, giving the novel a zip that the best romantic comedies aim for.

Beat Dawkins and Melody Gallard share an unique background. Their mothers, the members of the rock duo Steel Birds, refuse to speak. Melody and Beat have grown up with everyone, from the media to friends, trying to get the inside story on why the beloved band broke up. Like their mothers, they’ve never spoken of it.

The two meet briefly when they’re sixteen, and feel an immediate connection. Perhaps it’s that they understand each other’s lives in a way no-one else can. Perhaps it’s something else. But they don’t stay in touch, and both go on with their lives.

The spotlight is kinder to Beat than Melody. Everyone seems to love him, while the media loves to find fault with Melody. Beat grows into a confident man, not afraid of the spotlight. Melody is shy and introverted, and doesn’t just avoid the spotlight: she avoids people.

When one of the band’s old hits goes viral and is a hit all over again, public interest is revived (not that it ever fully died out). Beat and Melody are offered an extraordinary amount of money to star in a reality show that focuses on them trying to reunite the band – in two weeks. Beat has a very personal reason for considering the kind of offer both of them have always rejected.

I loved the humor of the novel, particularly that generated by Melody. She’s sharp and sassy, wry and witty, which isn’t entirely consistent with her shy lifestyle, but which makes chunks of the novel really delightful. It’s also the aspect which really made this stand out to me. I especially enjoyed that this was sustained throughout the novel, and hit the mark every time.

I was a bit thrown by the really explicit sex with a touch of kink. It didn’t quite gel with the funny, light touch of most of the rest of the novel. The tone of the novel might have been a bit more consistent if this had been dialled down a little – maybe “M rated” rather than “R rated”. The scenes work well, and are consistent with the idea of the irresistible attraction between Mel and Beat. But for me it just felt a bit awkward, as though stories from two different places on the romance spectrum had been mashed together incompletely.

Both Beat and Melody are strong and distinct characters. Their unusual background is interesting and well portrayed, including how it’s impacted on the adults they grew into.

This is a fun romance. It’s very definitely contemporary, with aspects that are very much of this moment in time: going viral, reality shows, internet stalking… It all comes together in a great package, with a believable background, believable action, and a love story you’d like to believe in.

Highly recommended for romance readers in particular.

I will publish this review closer to publication date, and will return then to add links.

Reading a Tessa Bailey novel is always so much fun. This will be an easy sell to customers wanting that feel good, easy to read, Christmas-y spicy romance. Tessa Bailey doesn’t disappoint. Her characters are loveable, the pace is perfect and the romance is hot.

A fun holiday Rom-Com with chemistry, tasteful spice and fun characters that had me laughing and almost crying. I love how the author managed to still fulfil the story line of the Steel Birds as well as the journey of Mel and Beat. The growth that Mel showed in her relationship with her mother and the scene where she sings has my heart.

Thank you to the Publisher and Author for my ARC copy via NetGalley. I may just be at the stage of, if Tessa Bailey writes it, I will read it!

I flew through this one!

At first, I expected this to be just a happy, flirty romance novel with your typical holiday plot. This was honestly a bit heavier than that.

The plot not only deals with getting Melody and Beats rockstar parents band back together, but it also focuses heavily on mental health, social pressures, and blackmail.

Honestly, I really enjoyed it. While I do love a flirty holiday book, this was that and more.

Melody was the cutest, most wholesome person, and Beat was the protective man I crave in my life, with a soft spot that makes me melt.

Slight downsides were that the writing was a little cringe at times, but I mean, that's what you get in a sappy love story. I am also just never going to be fully on board with romances that take place in only two weeks, no matter how well they supposedly understand each other.

Ignoring those small points, this was such an enjoyable read. I'd happily recommend this. I was a bit nervous as I hadn't liked many of Tessa Baileys' books so far, but this really worked for me.

➛ 𝟒 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘏𝘢𝘳𝘱𝘦𝘳 𝘊𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘴 𝘗𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘈𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘢 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘈𝘷𝘰𝘯 𝘷𝘪𝘢 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘰𝘧 𝘞𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘬 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘴 𝘣𝘺 𝘛𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘢 𝘉𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘺. 𝘔𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸 𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘸𝘯.

Wreck the Halls is a heartwarming and believably insta-love romance with the perfect touch of spice that almost falls apart in execution, but is saved thanks to Tessa Bailey's strong character development.

Only Beat Dawson and Melody Gallard understand what it's like living in the shadow of their rockstar mothers, Octavia and Trina. Before they were born Steel Birds acrimonously broke up, with Octavia focusing on her non-profit and Trina an absent parent living in a hippie commune.

The two experience an instant connection and lust when they first meet as teenagers. Fourteen years later they're drawn together by with a one million dollar offer to reunite Steel Birds in a two week deadline for a Christmas Eve special. Naturally the two feeling that same inexplicable instant bond and spark they felt as teens.

The biggest strength of this book is Melody and Beat's character development. There's something delightful about watching characters tackle their emotional baggage so they can have a future together. Both understand each other and worked hard to communicate with each other, as well as create safe space so they could be themselves fully. Both of them have grown up guarded because of the public interest in them (with Melody getting the brunt of cruel media commenting on her awkward teenager stage). The spice also didn’t feel gratuitous which I found in some of Tessa Bailey's previous books. It was also refreshing that their mothers were the rockstars (as opposed to their fathers).

However, I felt execution of the plot was flimsy. There’s no way reality tv would work with such a short timeline. Nor would they livestream (given they were trying to coax two bitter ex-friends to reunite. Plus when filming and editing would allow them to control the narrative. There’s forced proximity and then there's badly researched. Also, the final argument felt repetitive. Surely Melody would've worked out why Beat distanced himself given what he confided). It meant the ending was rushed and abrupt with not much of a chance to see the very awesome Octavia and Trina shine.

That said Wreck the Halls was sweet and sexy holiday rom com that I couldn't put down Beat and Melody are two wonderful characters that together made a wonderful harmony. These two oozed with so much charisma, they jumped off the page for me and made this book such an enjoyable read. I hope they get a chance to make a cameo in a future book down the track because I miss them (and their mothers) already.

Thanks to Harper Collins Australia and NetGalley for the ARC.

The spice level in this book didn’t disappoint, and the characters were enjoyable. I do wish there was more of a Christmas feel to it, given the title and cover. I enjoyed Window Shopping more, but this was still a good addition to Tessa Bailey’s collection, and I would recommend to others.

Steamy, fated and friends to lovers.

What I liked:
Touch her and die.
Fated.
Friends to lovers.

What I didn't like:
Third act break up.
Lack of Christmas feel for a holiday book.

Beat and Melody. Two opposites that complete the whole song. Children of a rockstar duo that broke up just before they were born, Beat and Melody grew up in the spotlight but never crossing paths. A single chance meeting at 16, stays on both their minds until 14 years later a reality TV producer approaches them to try and get their mothers back together to perform on Christmas Eve. A near impossible task as they loathe each other. Beat is also carrying a heavy secret that threatens everything.

You instantly fall in love with both Beat and Melody, they come across as genuine sweethearts and you root for them from the beginning. The sexual tension is well written and the witty banter believable, while making you laugh out loud in places.

Thanks to NetGalley and publishers for this digital review copy of Wreck the Halls.

This was the second Christmas book I read for ‘Christmas in July’ and is the 6th Tessa Bailey book I’ve read.

It has the familiar quirky heroine and the tortured soul hero who get their happily ever after with plenty of drama and spice along the way.

Beat’s kinks add some fresh flavour to the spice of this story and Bailey certainly lived up to her reputation of being the ‘Michelangelo of dirty talk’.

The same elements of possessiveness and the man wanting to ‘pick her up and carry her to safety’ are woven throughout and I must admit, I am a little of tired of this one.

This book’s strength was in the characters. They were interesting, quick witted and likeable. Both of the main characters grew over the course of the book and the audience is left cheering for them.

The weakest area to me was the plausibility of the final hurdle to overcome. I just didn’t buy Melody’s reasons for continuing to stay apart from Beat once all the cards were on the table. It didn’t make sense to me. I also think (slight spoiler ahead) the proposal was just entirely unnecessary.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and it will be a great Christmas read - cute and fluffy at a chaotic time of year.

Thank you Tessa, Netgally and Harper Collins Publishers Australia for a copy of this arc. I was hoping to finish in July so I could say all my Christmas in July wishes came true but unfortunately I was a few days late.

Melody and Beat should have grown up together. Their mothers made up the rock duo Steel Birds who had a disastrous final tour that lead to a band break up before they were born. They met once at 16 and felt a connection. When they join forces 14 years later on a live streaming reality tv show to reunite the rock legends for Christmas Eve, neither one of them plus their millions of fans can deny the chemistry between them.

Honestly I didn’t know where this book was going for the first chunk but I got absolutely sucked in around the 30% mark and too became a Magnificent Melody fan! I much preferred her character over Beat but did appreciate that both had strong character development. I really enjoyed the live stream and reality tv element, for someone who doesn’t watch much reality tv, it felt like something I would invest in to see the outcome. We didn’t see much of the mothers but they stole the scene whenever they were around. I adore Tessa Bailey’s writing and I love Christmas so this was match made in heaven for me.

This book is cozy Christmas perfection!! If you’re looking for a christmassy friends to lovers book then you’ve come to the right place. Such a fun holiday romance!

Thank you to Netgalley and the author for the chance to read this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Wreck the Halls feels like a cheesy Christmas movie. In the month of December every year I subject my partner to watching only Christmas films. Over the five years we've been together we've watched A LOT of them. Often whatever ridiculous Hallmark movie has a catchy title/gimmick and is available on one of our streaming services. Usually they are only loosely festive, mostly just set at that time of year and that is the sort of Christmas book that Wreck the Halls is. 

Essentially, its following Melody and Beat, the children of the now very estranged musical duo Steel Birds as they embark on a public quest to reunite the band for a Christmas Eve concert while being live streamed. Their names are ridiculous and campy and they have this true instalove bond. 

I'd say not to think too hard about the live stream logistics.

When they first met Melody was going through a bit of an awkward teen phase and being ridiculed in the press and Beat was publicly standing up for her. That first scene of them when they were young was so endearing and it was lovely to see the little nickname stick throughout.

Like the other Tessa Bailey's I've read this is funny and sexy. The banter was good. Beat references having a kink a fair bit but it isn't anything too audatious. 

<spoiler>The conflict feels a little like its coming mostly from them rushing into things and the live stream getting in the way of heart to heart communication. They barely know eachother but he's planning to propose on a whim but isn't that just like a dumb Christmas movie? </spoiler>

A easy, quick read. Don't expect it to be wildly festive, just a sprinkle. It's on the more ridiculous end of the romance spectrum so suspend your disbelief and have a cute wintery time - complete with snowball fights, meeting the (fueding) parents, corporate galas and workplace sports team finals.

3.5* rounded up to 4

Tessa Bailey does it again! Sweet, filthy and all around a lovely holiday read

There was a bit too much insta-love for me but this will cute your lonely heart over the holidays

"Wreck the Halls" by Tessa Bailey is the love story of Beat and Melody. Beat is the son of Octavia, one part of Steel Birds. While Melody is the daughter of the other part of Steel Birds, Trina. 30 years before the story takes place, the famous metal band, Steel Birds break up after a very famous incident. When at age 16, Beat and Melody meet for the first time after always hearing about their Mums infamous hate for one another. They realise that they are instant friends. At age 30, Beat is in need of some money, so he agrees to be a part of a tv show that is supposed to bring the Steel Birds back together for their 30 years breakup anniversary. But he needs Melody's help. They haven't seen each other since the first time they met. It's a great love story!

Throughout this book, Beat and Melody's love story had me crying, laughing and swinging my feet. It was an amazing read. I read it on less than a date and at the moment that's really fast for me, I loved every moment. While I don't have famous parents, I completely understand their emotions. Beat's need for punishment within a way was so understandable. Melody's need for trust is explainable. Their relationships with their friends and family are so interesting. They have learnt to lock down their emotions, so they won't get hurt. My heart broke for both of them.

It's a fairly spicy book, with a bit of kink play. And yes it's hot. It's a great book, and I think a lot of people will love it just as much as I did.

Thank you to NetGalley for this read!!!

Another Christmas in July read for me!
The offspring of estranged band members work together with the aim of getting their parents' band to reunite.
The main characters Beat and Melody (🧀) are likeable; both with their own reasons for participating in the reality show, first met when they were 16, and though their encounter was brief, they are both still hung up on it as 30 year olds. I'm not a huge fan of the insta-love trope, but it was sweet to see the acceptance and understanding they had for each other.

There was a lot of tension building in the first half of the book, but the second half went off like a firecracker, and in true Tessa Bailey style, although you know what's going to happen, the ride to get there is a lot of fun.

I would have liked more Christmas, as it seemed this book could be set at any time really, but it will make a great holiday read with the perfect combo of sweet and spice.

I don't know how she comes up with these amazing stories but once again Tessa Bailey has knocked it out of the park! Two children born to the two most famous singers of all time but something rips the band apart and the singers become enemies, thrusting the children Beat and Melody into the limelight for the rest of their lives, forever being questioned about what happened wth their mothers. A chance encounter brings them together at 16 and there is an instant connection but fate had other plans and while that one meeting made a lasting impression they never saw each other again until 14 years later. Melody has been living a quiet life and Beat has stayed in the spotlight using the families fame to run a successful charity program. But somebody is threatening Beats family and all that they have built and the only way to raise the money to pay them off is it to try and get the band back together which brings Melody back into his life again. The attraction had never left and the whole world can see it but Beat is hiding so much from Melody and she doesn't know if she can risk her heart without their being full honesty between them in a world that was constantly surrounding her with lies. Beat and Melodys chemistry is beyond hot🔥 There is so much hilarious banter, one liners and spice between the two and as they both learn to open up and trust one another it's amazing watching this beautiful pair grow closer and stronger.

Tessa Bailey is back with another Christmas read for 2023. A few of us buddy read Window Shopping last year and all remember the super cringe moments during a few scenes. I’m pleased to say that whilst some moments are still a little cringe, this one is nowhere near as bad!

Wreck The Halls follows Melody and Beat, children of musical royalty, their mothers were bandmates until 30 years ago it all fell apart. Beat is in a financial pickle when it’s proposed Beat and Melody livestream an attempt to get their mothers to reunite for a once off performance. Melody jumps on board for reasons of her own, including a long standing crush on Beat after they met at 16.

What follows is not a traditional Christmas story. There are few subtle mentions of Christmas but in fact, it could have been set at almost any time of year. Beat and Melody are so loveable in their own ways and when you pair them together, you can’t help but root for their budding relationship. Beat is the handsome good guy with protective instincts. Melody is witty and so incredibly sweet.

Fans of forced proximity, only one bed and it was always you will love this one

Sadly I struggled to get through this. I just wasn't vibing the characters. I had high hopes for this book. It was a bit of fun and I'm a sucker for a christmas romsnce but all in all didn't leave me wanting more.

Their mothers were in a famous band who had a huge fight and broke up just before they were born. Thirty years later, Beat and Melody (yes those are their names) have signed up for a mission to attempt to reunite their feuding mothers for one last show.

It's 'Daisy Jones and the Six' mixed with 'The Parent Trap' but make it a spicy romance!

What a fun time! I really enjoyed this book. It was certainly a little cheesy, for example the quote "There's no beat without a melody"...but when you're reading a Christmas romance, it's kind of expected that'll be cheesy.

I loved how sarcastic Melody was. The banter between the two mothers was also excellent (although I do selfishly wish the reason for the bands break up was more like the Spice Girls...think Geri and Mel B).

As I hate the miscommunication trope, I was happy that the conflict at around the 50% point was discussed and dealt with promptly without being a big miscommunication. I was getting worried about miscommunication happening at the end also, but thankfully it wasn't dragged out so I think it was done well, rather than being annoying like in some other novels.

Overall thought this was a really fun romance! Thank you Netgally and Harper Collins for providing the arc in exchange for an honest review.

This book was absolute perfection….. loved it.

The perfect Christmas romantic comedy novel. As always there is love and laughter, with a villain and a hero.

To see Beat and Melody work their way through the obstacles thrown at them was beautiful. Even with the magnitude of the differences between their mother’s personalities, these two come together to work a miracle.

5⭐️ read for me and the 🌶️ spice between them is off the charts. They just didn’t realise how much they needed each other.

Brilliant read, highly entertaining, laugh out loud moments, passionate moments and a character to despise…. Pure perfection.

I have been excited to scout out some holiday books for December, and was so excited when I saw this one!

Wreck the Halls was one I had on my list so I was excited to get to it early and buddy read with some booksta friends.

The story was different to what I expected, and had plenty of that Tessa Bailey spice. It was a cute holiday romance and I loved the documentary style storyline.