⭐️⭐️½ – 3 ⭐

I absolutely love Tessa Bailey’s other work, but sadly Dreamgirl Drama just didn’t click for me the way I hoped. The premise had so much potential—a chance encounter, instant chemistry, and then the deliciously messy reveal that they’re about to be step-siblings—but I never really felt the tension or spark that I expect (and usually get!) from this author’s books.

The relationship between Sig and Chloe felt frustrating rather than fun, and I struggled to stay invested in their push-and-pull. While the setup was cute and there were moments of Bailey’s signature humor and banter, it never quite built into the swoony, steamy tension I was craving.

I’m still a huge fan of this author and know she can deliver amazing chemistry and memorable romances, but for me, this one landed as just an okay read. I wanted to love it so badly—but it felt a bit flat compared to her other books.

Such a cute romcom! It read so smoothly and had me smiling the whole way through. I really enjoyed the story and characters—perfect if you want something light, sweet, and feel-good.

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

Cute and Entertaining, but Predictable
Dream Girl Drama was a fun, easy read that I breezed through in a day. Tessa Bailey’s writing is always charming, and the chemistry between the characters definitely delivered. I enjoyed the banter and the lighthearted vibe, but the plot felt a bit predictable and followed a familiar romcom formula. Still, if you’re looking for a sweet, quick escape with some feel-good moments, this one fits the bill.

This review is based off an ARC that I received from Netgalley.

This was messy in all the best ways. Equal parts steamy, chaotic and sweet. Sig is peak Tessa Bailey hero: big, bold, and not-so-secretly a softie. And Chloe is a harp-playing, champagne-stealing manic pixie dream girl with a rebellious streak. Again -- peak Tessa Bailey.

I wasn't super into the step-sibling thing....that was REALLY hard to adjust to. But it works because it's Tessa Bailey? How many times can I write that without it being cliche? If you're a Tessa Bailey fan, this is for you.

This is a good book. The two main characters are Chloe and Sig. they meet at a country club, when Sig’s truck breaks down. Chloe helps him to get into the country club to call AAA. Sig was coming to meet his father and his new girlfriend. Chloe was going to meet her mother’s boyfriend. Chloe and Sig meet up because his father’s girlfriend was Chloe’s mother. There is an instant attraction. Sig is a hockey player. Chloe play a harp, she decides to move to Boston to learn at conservatory. Boston is where Sig plays hockey. They sees or talk to one another every day. They fall in love.

Dream Girl Drama had some of Tessa Bailey’s signature charm, but this one didn’t quite hit the mark for me. The hockey angle wasn’t as good as others, and the future siblings dynamic felt a bit off. It wasn’t bad; just not as engaging as some of her other books. An okay read, but not one I’d rush to recommend.

This book kind of gave the ick, I could not get behind the story line. Im glad though in the end the characters got their happen ending.
Chloe was honestly so annoying.

Look, you combine two of my loves (hockey romance + Tessa Bailey) and of course it's gonna be a good time. Thanks to @avonbooks for the ebook.

✔️ Insta-Lust
✔️ Forbidden Romance (sorta!)
✔️ Opposites
✔️ Hockey
✔️ Protective Over Her

Sig and Chloe meet and have an instant connection, only to find out later in the day that their parents are getting married. They know they can't be together even though both of them really want to.

I have been so curious about these two since Au Pair Affair and the ride was fun. I'm not always a huge fan of insta lust but the meet-cute was adorable and got me on board quickly.

I love a wide-eyed ingenue type so of course Chloe is my cup of tea. This couple reminded me of that old warner brothers cartoon with the big dog and the tiny kitten. 😂

I wasn't surprised by the reveal and the HEA but it was a fun journey to get there and to see both MCs torture each other with what they both want and can't have.

Steam 🔥🔥🔥
Banter 🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️
Swoon 💕💕💕💕

I haven’t been a huge fan of Tessa Bailey books in the past, but this one was pleasantly surprising! I mean, you typically can’t go wrong with hockey players ;) This book had some really funny moments that I enjoyed, and Sig definitely threw out some really cute romantic lines that made me swoon. It wasn’t my favorite, but I liked it better than I thought I would!

Chloe and Sig meet when his truck breaks down and she sneaks him into a country club to charge his phone, the chemistry is instant and explosive but when they find out they’re about to be step siblings they’re forced to take a step back and push against their happily ever after. But how long can they resist?

I don’t normally like the step siblings trope but this one was great! A different twist and their relationship, Sig’s development, and Chloe’s independence journey were so well intertwined it was so fun to get lost in! Loved the spice, it was way more intense than I was expecting and the angst was just right. Can’t wait for the next book!

This was a quick and easy read and absolutely had some fun moments.

Unfortunately, comparatively to others I’ve really enjoyed from her, this was not my favorite from Tessa Bailey. I am not a big fan of insta-love and this felt a bit forced and a little too cheesy for me. With that being said, I really liked Cig, some of the plot, and the spice.

This was a quick and easy read and absolutely had some fun moments. This series has been an enjoyable one but sometimes I wish there was a little bit more build-up to the relationship and more plot.

I listened to this on audio and really enjoyed the narrators and them bringing this to life. Thank you to Tessa Bailey and Avon for the ALC and ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I have been waiting for this book since meeting sig in the first two books! Sig and chloe meet unexpectedly and have an instant connection. They soon find out they are going to be step siblings and realize they can’t act on their feelings. Sig doesn’t let that stop him from doing everything he can to help chloe live out her dreams. They fight the tension for so long but will they give in… you will have to read the book to find out!

Well this was a bit disappointing. Usually I'm a pretty big fan of Tessa's work, but a good chunk of this was highly repetitive and got a little irritating, and the ending felt somewhat lackluster. The characters had almost no growth or development, and what they did have felt forced. The chemistry between the two MCs was good, as is par for TB works, and I did still enjoy it, but it definitely wasn't her best work. It felt like there was an outline that she was forcing the story to follow.

I enjoyed this book but the premise/plot was a little awkward reading about in some instances. Love a good sports romance though

Well this one was interesting, not going to lie, the first book is still my favorite. It did take me awhile to finish this one. It felt a little slower to me and it could be because we had a good glimpse of them in the last book. Although this does leave me super curious for the next one! So it was more like a 3.5 vs a 3.

Thank you so much Net Galley and Tessa Bailey for the E-ARC.

This book started off really really good, and I enjoyed everything about it. The only problem for me with this book was me. I had to stop reading to do school work and I know when I stop reading a romance book halfway through it makes it really hard for me to get back into it. That does not mean I didn't love it, it just means that I personally can not give it five stars.

Characters: Chloe and Sig were both very interesting characters. Sig is a professional hockey player and Chloe is a child prodigy harp player. They both are amazing at their respective careers and because of that I think it makes their relationship even stronger. They had a lot of chemistry and it was present throughout the entire book which I enjoyed.

Ending: I never like to say a lot about the ending of a book, but this one did not end exactly how I thought it would and I enjoyed that. But how does that man only make eight figures (tens of millions) if he is the captain of a professional hockey team in a major city like Boston. In real life that man would have a nine figure contract easily.

This book was so cute. I really love the characters and I loved the romance in it. I liked how it was forbidden but not really at the same time. Such a fun read!

I have always loved Tessa Bailey's writing style and this book is no exception. I thought their chemistry was strong, the banter was *chefs kiss*, and overall seeing their relationship grow and change over the course of the book was something I enjoyed reading.

“Chloe, I would sell my f***ing soul for you and smile while I signed on the dotted line.” -Sig

Holy sexual tension! For Sig and Chloe it is literally love first kiss and this book was a complete slow burn as they fight their attraction to each other. Honestly it is worth reading this book for just for initial meet and sexual tension. Be forewarned Sig is a complete Golden Retriever MMC.

I love Tessa Bailey books. I have passed my Bellinger Sisters books (Read these if you heaven’t!) on to so many friends I haven’t had them in my possession in at least a year possibly longer. The reason this didn’t go above 3 1/2 stars for me was the tension was so good that when they finally got together felt like the burn created a fire that didn’t live up to what I expected. Also let’s be honest I don’t love Golden Retriever or Cinnamon Roll MMC. If I had my way they wouldn’t exist in romance novels.

What you about? What is your favorite MMC type? Golden Retriever, Cinnamon Roll, Grumpy/Sunshine, Alpha Male, Damaged Hero, or Morally Grey? Any I am missing from this list?

Thank you Netgalley for granting me access to the ARC of this book. Last month I read book two and loved it. This was no exception.

Sig was down-bad-crying-in-the-gym for this girl! At times it was too much, like stay away from one another or be together. Pick a side. There were some cameos which I loved, side characters who went to bat for Sig. It was a great love story!

#netgalley #arc #tessabailey #dreamgirldrama