Dream Girl Drama is the latest release for the Big Shots series from @tessabaileyisanauthor and if you’re looking for your next hockey romance here it is. We finally get the back story of Sig and Chloe and find out how they became so close before becoming step siblings. Imagine; boy meets girl, instantly falls for each other, will do anything for her (including keeping a stock of pop tarts at his house so she never runs out), they go their separate ways that night only to be brought back hours later and be told their parents are engaged! The tension, the spice, the dirty talk, the forbidden romance of it all is just *chef’s kiss*

Let's just say I was apprehensive about this book, especially with how it was set up in the previous novels, but I was pleasantly surprised! I found it intriguing to see how the queen of romance would tackle a borderline-taboo situation.
I rated it 3.5 stars because I love a devoted yet masculine mmc, but felt like it all just happened way too fast. I know most will say that is the point of Sig and Chloe's relationship but these story lines are just not for me. I do love how Chloe was able to be level headed (for the most part), about their relationship, when in everything else she was a bit whimsical.
I am so excited to see how this series continues
Massive thank you to Net Galley for this arc, as well as Avon and Tessa Bailey!

I think this is the final straw for Tessa Bailey and me.

This was just fine. Nothing spectacular, but nothing extraordinary either. Her writing had gotten really repetitive, and I just don’t love the insta-love trope. I also didn’t understand why step siblings who are adults was such a big deal?? And i figured out the twist super early on.

Thanks for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I really love this sweet universe. When I was reading The Au Pair Affair, the side dynamic between Sig and Chloe was really interesting. I was definitely interested in reading their book. I absolutely loved the first scene where they meet at the country club. I felt the magic come off the page and could feel the dynamic between them. I don't know if people would really care if Sign and Chloe were together if their parents were married though. It's not as if they were actually related or had grown up together, but maybe it is taboo in wealthy social circles. I appreciated Chloe's growth throughout the book and was happy when the HEA came at the end.

This third installment to the series was exactly what I wanted it to be! I was laughing from start to finish. Tessa Bailey has a way of making you instantly invested in the characters and their story. I will admit the beginning, at first, had me thinking "this is going too fast." But I quickly realized the speed was due to Tessa having to show the growth of their relationship quickly enough to get them caught up to the point that we saw them in other books. In true Tessa Bailey fashion- the MC's fell fast and hard. And it was a joy to read the journey. Another staple- the spice. Although there seemed to be less when compared to other books in the series. I cannot wait for what she writes next!

It’s instalust the moment Sig and Chloe’s worlds collide. The down-to-earth pro hockey player who still drives his beat up truck, and the rich harp player couldn’t be more different. Their first meeting is cut short due to prior commitments, and they’re in for a shock when they both show up separately to a diner hosted by their parents who are in love and getting married. Awkward. All hell breaks loose. Chloe no longer wants to live under her mother’s strict thumb, so Sig offers to look out for her when she moves to Boston. Aside from the awkwardness of the pending nuptials, there’s the inconvenience of their attraction that’s not going anywhere anytime soon.

It’s been a minute since I read a step sibling romance even if this is not quite at that stage yet. It was cute though I had a hard time with how sheltered Chloe was. Since her mom has cut off the purse strings, Sig is essentially bankrolling her - rent, food, necessities. I was annoyed with one instance when she uses the rent money to buy expensive eye creams instead. Like what? So many eyerolls there. Sig’s all right. I mean it’s incredibly generous of him to look out for Chloe, but it’s hard to forget how much he wants her, too.

Highlights:
🏒 Step sibling trope, forbidden romance, instalust, opposites attract
🏒 Banter
🏒 Complicated families
🏒 Spicy, open door

I was more interested in the subplot - could Sig’s dad be trusted after so many years of philandering? I also liked when Chloe got serious about her career.

In the end I liked parts of it but otherwise it’s not entirely for me. It’s not so much the step sibling trope; it’s more that it goes from instalust to Sig being a stand in parental figure as Chloe gets acclimated to her ‘independence’. While that dynamic was weird for me that’s not to say that it’d be the same for other readers. Bailey still brings the humor and shenanigans that she’s known for.

Thanks to @avonbooks for my ARC in exchange for an honest review. 𝗗𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗚𝗶𝗿𝗹 𝗗𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗮 is out February 4th.

I’m not a huge fan of stepsiblings, but I thought this was well done and the characters were really cute together

This is star crossed lovers meets future stepsiblings angst meets Tessa Bailey’s unhinged romcom vibes and I was here for every second of it. Definitely one of my top favorite books by her!

I usually love anything Tessa Bailey, but I just couldn’t get over how… barbaric, controlling, and misogynistic Sig was. And that Chloe was such an airhead. Please, let’s have some respect for our characters and not create them as though they are just two-dimensional Neanderthals.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for this Advanced Readers Copy of Dream Girl Drama by Tessa Bailey!

Dream Girl Drama by Tessa Bailey

Thank you to @netgalley @avonbooks and Tessa Bailey for this ARC!

This is the third book in the Big Shots series and again this is a cute and easy read. I was really looking forward to this one based off the buildup in The Au Pair Affair and the fact that I love a step sibling forbidden love situation. 🤣 Fangirl down still has my heart in this series but this had a lot of slow burn angst and a MMC who would stop at nothing to protect and take care of his woman…even when he can’t have her.

Some cons to this one though was it was an insta lust/love situation and the MCs did seem quite a bit immature with their actions and thoughts at times.

I still ate this up and said thank you so these were not deal breakers for me 🤣

If you love:
🏒Hockey Romance
💕Step Siblings
❌Forbidden Romance
👸🏻Privileged FMC
🐾Cute Side Kick
🎭Past Family Drama

Give this one a try!

I liked the book but I didn’t love it. I liked the MCs - Sig and Chloe.

I felt like I probably would have loved the book if they didn’t have the obstacle of their parents. Tbh her mom would have been sufficient as the obstacle imo. I felt like Sig’s parental situation was just absurd too. These characters had more potential than they were given. But because I did really like them and their relationship, they made the book enjoyable enough.

I do see people loving this book and hating this book because of the trope. The trope just wasn’t for me. I loved the epilogue though!

I felt like because they’re adults (25 & 29) how people were reacting to them was insane because their parents are getting married. They’re all adults. It’s not “forbidden” or anything like if they were in high school or something (cue gossip girl).

How his team and her mentor reacted was dumb AF especially because his “dad” wasn’t even an a hide parent in his life, and never had a relationship with him until he was an adult. So the step sibling trope just wasn’t the best choice for this book IMO.

A lot of the book fell flat for me because I felt yearning for depth but I kept not getting much. Because of the looming “forbidden” connection, they always kept at a certain distance.

I would definitely read more by Tessa Bailey though because her books are always easy and silly reads.

Thanks NetGalley, Avon, Harper Voyager and Tessa Bailey for giving me an ARC of this book!

I struggled with the premise of this one a little more than I thought I would. The timeline jumps were also pretty substantial so I didn’t feel like we really got to know the characters as much. That said, Tessa Bailey can do no wrong!

Is it wild to say Tessa Bailey is a palate cleanser for me? After reading heavier topics or emotional stories, I know I can grab a Tessa Bailey book and have a good time. They are easy to read, typically pretty funny, some spice, good banter, and end with an HEA.

I've been keeping up with this series. Book one, Fangirl Down was fun. A golf, yes please! Book two, The Au Pair Affair, I DNF'd, I just wasn't in the mood, I think. Now here we are with book three, Dream Girl Drama and I loved it.

The story starts off with a bang, insta love. My guy Sig fell hard and fast. They both did. Chloe sweeps in and throws him a bone at the Country Club and they hit it off first look. After spending some time together with an obvious attraction, they make plans to meet up later as they both have dinner plans already scheduled. Surprise! They arrive the same dinner party and Chloe's mom and Sig's (former estranged) dad are dating! Well shoot, now what? Grab the book and find out.

I thought the character's were like able. Sig had to work hard to get where he is today. Chloe has grown up with a life of luxury. She has NO CLUE how to take care of herself. We're talking not at all. She doesn't drive, cook, clean, have any concept of a budget, or even know how to make choices for herself. BUT, she's ready to try and Sig volunteers to be her right hand man, looking out for his future step-sister.

Did the character's feel a little immature, yes. Did Sig's instaLOVE seem like maybe some mommy/daddy issues with a need to take care of someone and help them be independent from their parents financial choke hold? Yes. Did Chloe seems ridiculously helpless at times? Yes. Was Sig a bit of an Alpha? Yes. Did we know it would all work out in the end? Of course. And I thoroughly enjoyed the journey.

Dream Girl Drama was a quick read, a little surface level, and a little repetitive with the sports contract and step sibling details, but a whole lot of fun. If you are a fan of Tessa Bailey's work, add this one to your list. If this review seems mixed, it's not, none of the details mentioned above bothered me one bit. I just know some people are out there looking for a specific read and I want you to know what you're getting.

THANK YOU to NetGalley and the publisher Harper Voyager for the digital copy.

I love Tessa Bailey, she's an auto-buy author for me. Dream Girl Drama didn't disappoint. I loved the story, I loved the characters. So good!

“I would sell my f*cking soul for you and smile while I signed on the dotted line”


SO.

If you’ve looked at my page for, like, a single second, you’ll know that I’m a Tessa Bailey superfan. I’ve been absolutely CHOMPING AT THE BIT for Dream Girl Drama since we got our first morsel of Sig and Chloe in the earlier Big Shots books. And let me tell you, these two absolutely feral lunatics did not disappoint.

Chloe is young, hot and rich, but she also happens to be a harp prodigy. Her mother is a bit of a society maven and has kept Chloe close and sheltered, so she’s never really had a chance to spread her wings. Sig is a hot shot hockey player in Boston hoping to up his contract while navigating a strained relationship with his family. A chance encounter involving theft and making out at a fancy golf course brings these two together and they both know immediately it’s the start of something big. UNTIL they find out later that night that their parents are on the cusp of getting married. Cue them deciding to be “friendly” stepsiblings while Sig helps Chloe find her independence in Boston.

The TENSION y’all. This was insane. And I know you may be wondering, “why would anyone care about these two getting together when they’re not actually stepsiblings and didn’t grow up together?” Which, fair enough. I don’t think this would be the scandal that Chloe and Sig think it would be, beyond giving sports reporters an opportunity for some very hilarious headlines, but I just don’t care about logical thinking in this kind of romance novel, thank you. It’s about the YEARNING. Even though the drama is obviously dragged out, since it’s the main thing keeping them apart, it never felt tired. Sometimes you’re urging romcom characters to JUST GET OVER IT ALREADY. But I think that their soon-to-be step-sibling status was balanced with other, perhaps more realistic, relationship worries that kept the angst from feeling too over-played.

These two have a very similar dynamic to Brendan and Piper from It Happened One Summer, which is literally my favourite romcom of all time, so if you were also a fiend for those two than you simply HAVE to read this book.

I seriously can’t gush about this book enough (hence my gross overuse of capitals) - it’s funny, emotional, unhinged, spicy, and there’s a french bulldog that I think I might relate to more than any other character in the book.

READ IT NOW!

Dream Girl Drama is the third book in Tessa Bailey’s sports rom-com series, Big Shots. It follows Chloe Clifford, a harp prodigy who has lived a very sheltered life, and Sig Gauthier, a professional hockey player.

Chloe and Sig meet at the local country club when Sig’s car breaks down and he wanders into the club to call a tow truck. Chloe and Sig are enamored with one another, share a kiss, and look forward to seeing each other again. That all changes, however, when Sig goes to meet his dad’s new girlfriend and it turns out the girlfriend is Chloe’s mom and they are getting married. Although still attracted to one another, Sig and Chloe decide to just be friends, and Sig offers to help Chloe learn how to live on her own in Boston and get out from under her mom’s control.

I struggled with this one a bit in the beginning. I liked Chloe in the sense that she was fun, flirty, and very charming, but at the same time, I struggled with how truly helpless she came across. There were basic chores she didn’t know how to do as an adult that I’ve been doing since I was a kid. Thankfully Chloe does show some major growth, with Sig’s help, throughout the book, so that by the end I really loved her character. Sig was easy to fall for right away. I never can resist a grump, and his desire to help Chloe was really sweet.

I would classify this as a slow burn since Sig and Chloe try for so much of the book not to think of each other romantically. Bailey does a great job keeping the tension and longing ramped up throughout the story, so it’s easy to stay invested in the pair as they try to navigate the situation they are in.

I kept going back and forth about this being a forbidden romance though since Sig and Chloe would not be related by blood if their parents married. Awkward, heck yes, but taboo?

2.5
This story did not work for me. While the setup was interesting and the story is fast paced building up to the drama in the last 30% of the book, I found the characters to be flat and unlikeable. The favorite scenes focused on our MCs interacting with the side characters like Sig’s teammates and Chloe’s friendship with Tallulah.

Sig talking about making Chloe his wife before they were even dating?! These two characters were delusional. Also, Chloe’s naïveté was not not relatable.

Thanks to Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I always have a good time when I read a Tessa book. The plots are always entertaining and a little bit different from your standard contemporary romance. The dynamic of Stig and Chloe having a love at first sight meet cute then discovering that they are soon to become step siblings was fun! My issue was it was so insta love it was a bit over the top. Stig was a great character and I enjoyed his development. Chloe was ok, I like her branching out on her own and becoming a dog mum, but I just couldn’t get on board with the how dependent she still was on Sig for a lot of things! It’s my least favourite in the series just because I don’t vibe with insta love.

I just finished Dream Girl Drama by Tessa Bailey, and while I love her writing style, this one didn’t fully hit the mark for me. The setup had so much potential—an impulsive, champagne-stealing meet-cute, a broody hockey player, and instant chemistry under the moonlight. But then… the accidental step-sibling plot twist happened, and I just couldn’t get past it. It felt too weird for me, and it made it hard to root for the romance.

Beyond that, I didn’t find the characters as emotionally appealing as I’d hoped. Chloe’s sheltered, manic pixie dream girl energy and Sig’s protective, brooding hockey player persona just didn’t resonate with me in the way I wanted. There were some fun moments, and the writing kept me engaged, but overall, this was just an okay read.

If the step-sibling dynamic doesn’t bother you and you love a mix of sports romance and high-society drama, this one might be worth picking up!

📖 Have you read Dream Girl Drama? Let me know your thoughts! #BookReview #DreamGirlDrama #TessaBailey #Bookstagram #ThreeStarRead #RomanceReads