This book was my first Tessa Bailey book and it did not disappoint. The tension and steaminess are top-notch. After halfway through the book, you get to the spicy stuff, which is super worth it, since there was so much tension in the first half.

The book was short and fast paced. I figured out the plot twists pretty fast and since it was a guaranteed HEA, one of the plot twists was predictable. There were a handful of laugh-out-loud moments. I especially enjoyed the baseball scenes. Sig and his teammates are quite hilarious.

My only gripe about the whole situation, it was mentioned by the MMC character at the end, was the miscommunication between the people involved. It clearly would have saved the couple from the initial heartbreak.

Thanks to Avon and Harper Voyage for the ARC opportunity. All opinions are my own.

Another steamy romance from Tessa Bailey is never disappointing! This time we are following Chloe & Sig from their instant connection to a quick realization that their parents are getting married…to each other! Now these future step siblings are forced to navigate their growing feelings with the knowledge that their relationship is a little unconventional and maybe that’s not the best thing for their lives at the moment.

I will always pick up a Tessa Bailey knowing I’m in for a classic rom-com with lots of steam and underlying heart and this was no exception!

Thanks to NetGalley & Avon for the digital ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

Firstly, I'd like to give a huge thanks to the author, Tessa Bailey, the publisher, Avon, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read Dream Girl Drama! I will share my review to Goodreads, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble upon release. I was so excited to be able to read this installment in the Big Shots series. The cover drew my eye right away, and matches the overall look of the other Big Shots covers and Tessa Bailey covers in general. I appreciate when authors try to give books in a series a similar look for the covers. The stenciled edges for the physical copy look so so adorable as well.

Dream Girl Drama tells the story of Sig Gaulthier and Chloe Gifford, a professional hockey player for the Bearcats and a harp prodigy/chaotic hottie. When Sig's truck breaks down on the way to visit his dad and his dad's new lady friend, he runs into and discovers a burst of chemistry with Chloe. Once he manages to get to his dad's, he discovers that Chloe is the daughter of his dad's new fiancee, meaning they will soon be stepsiblings and any romance between them will make things much more complicated. Sig already feels strongly and steps in when Chloe needs support in starting a life as an independent woman, due to her mom cutting her off as she moves to Boston. Sig is very put together, and Chloe is getting through the day a minute at a time.

The spice was great, and there was a great balance between plot and spice that made you feel invested in the characters. It had heavy romcom vibes, which I loved, and the sports romance/hockey aspect is always a favorite. There's an adorable meet cute, and the story is told in third person POV. He's very protective and put together, and she's trying to work it out and failing upwards a bit. Chloe is not my favorite main character ever, but I appreciated her growth through the book and her desire to strike out on her own. I thought the two main characters had awesome banter and chemistry that had me kicking my feet and rooting for them!

HOLD TF UP!!!!!

Okay first thank you Avon/Harper Voyager & NetGalley for this ARC!

I’ve been looking forward to Sig & Chloe’s story for what feels like 84 years, and it did NOT disappoint.

I sometimes find insta-lust/love to be a bit cringe but I feel like this was executed really well. I LOVE that they were basically forced to forge a friendship for so long before getting together. And the possessiveness…. GOD!!!!! Sig Gauthier, the man that you are..

And I just loved Chloe; such a sweetheart.

I officially forgive TB for The Au Pair Affair (kidding!) - this was great!!

Dream Girl Drama
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
So, insta-lust isn’t my favorite trope. But, when insta-lust turns to real feelings I’m here for it. The chemistry between Sig and Chloe was introduced in The Au Pair Affair and boy did it deliver. The slow burn was hot! This is probably my favorite of Tessa’s Big Shot’s series.

Okay, so for the meet-cute! Sig’s at the front desk of a country club, he definitely doesn’t belong to, trying to convince them to let him use their phone because his truck broke down. When, a voice from the hallway saves his butt and says he’s her guest. He’a instantly enthralled with Chloe and the chemistry is fire from first sight. After some heavy flirting, mutually admitting there’s something more than attraction, a hot kiss and a plan to meet up again later, they both part ways for dinners they are supposed to attend. Only… it’s the same dinner and their parents have just announced an engagement. That future they were already looking to crumbles.

When Sig offers to help Chloe get out from under her mom’s thumb to attend the conservatory in Boston, Chloe impulsively jumps at it to their parent’s dismay. Feelings are feeling, but can they keep away from each other and keep it platonic? With the words coming out of Sig’s mouth, I’m not so sure ❤️

This is for you if you like these tropes
- Mutual Pining
- Taboo/Forbidden Romance
- Sports (Hockey) Romance
- Insta-lust
- Friends? to Lovers
- Family Secrets
- Slow-ish burn
- Dual POV

Thank you NetGalley, Avon, Harper Voyager, and Tessa Bailey for allowing me to read an advanced complimentary copy of the book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

First of all, if Tessa Bailey writes it, I will read it. I know exactly what I am getting from a TB book and I go into that being comforted and excited. I was excited to read about Sig and Chloe's blossoming relationship. And without the step-sibling storyline, there'd have been no book. But I can't say it didn't sit with me the wrong way the whole book. And not because of the relationship itself, but because the characters made it so.

Without saying too much about the plot, the characters really didn't need to make this into a whole thing. They're not just adults, they're in their late twenties. The way they met and the number of times they could have cleared up any issues was bonkers. But the tension was great, spice was TB appropriate. But when they continually bash themselves for being grown up adult people, they make it feel less acceptable. That is the only thing that gives this storyline the ick, it's the characters own doing. This had Clueless Cher and her step-brother vibes if they were really self loathing about the relationship.

I will always say an energetic yes to a Tessa Bailey book, it was a comforting book during a very stressful week (November 2024). I appreciated the comfort read and would recommend if you love TB Romance.

3.5 stars.

I would like to start by thanking Tessa Bailey and NetGalley for allowing me to be a part of the ARC team for Dream Girl Drama. This was my first Tessa Bailey novel, and I can definitely say it won’t be my last. If the dirty talk is even slightly like this in every book of hers, sign me up. Though the spicy dialogue starts almost immediately, this is definitely a slow burn, but it’s so worth the wait. The story of Sig and Chloe had my heart swelling and their love is intense. The spice and love story that unfolds is breathtaking, but I also enjoyed the aspect of the FMC leaving her cushy life and learning to be independent. My only issue with this book is the step sibling taboo. In this instance, I didn’t quite grasp why it was such a big deal. I understand there needs to be a conflict, but for me, this wasn’t a great one. That being said, I thoroughly enjoyed this read.

One of my most anticipated reads of the year and my expectations were well exceeded! The chemistry between Sig and Chloe was everything you want from a Tessa Bailey book: quick, HOT, and in their case *a tad forbidden*

This book was pure fun entertainment. I know Chloe won’t be a character for everyone but if you’re picking up a book called Dream Girl Drama and expecting super serious characters, that’s on you. I found her naivety silly and charming and more importantly, so did Sig!

The whole Big Shots series has been beyond enjoyable and I’m begging for more!

Lastly, TB could host a master class writing male yearning. Sig was down so bad for Chloe and I couldn’t get enough! A man brought to his knees (literally)? Sign me up.

Sig and Chloe had an adorable meet cute when his car broke down at the country club and she came to his rescue. He meets her for a second time later that evening when he meets his estranged dad's new fiancé and finds out that Chloe will be Sig's new stepsister. What could go wrong?

Hrm, had a really hard time getting onboard with this book. The Au Pair Affair meh for me and kept alluding to the questionable dynamic between Sig and Chloe. So first off, the step sibling taboo. Listen, maybe my morals are wonky, but I honestly don't see the big deal with two consenting adult step siblings who have never met before to date or sleep together. Both their parents have had multiple marriages. who knows it will even last. All that aside, I didn't care for Chloe AT ALL. She was a terrible character and outside of her being a music prodigy, she is a shell of a human being. She is helpless and selfish; I really don't understand what Sig sees in her.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC.

If you enjoy instalove and a lot of angst, this is the book for you! This was a cute story between Sig and Chloe. I loved how Sig helped her become independent and encouraged her to pursue her dreams. The spice in this book was pretty good and overall I enjoyed this book!

A steamy chance encounter between a professional hockey player and the manic pixie dream girl he just can’t seem to forget takes a turn when the pair realize that their parents are engaged.

I loved the instant chemistry between the characters which continues throughout the book as they try to suppress their growing feelings for each other. Tessa Bailey is the queen of spice and delivers again in Dream Girl Drama.

This book continues in the same world as Fangirl Down and The Au Pair Affair. It's fun and has drama but is never overwhelming. The story is fast paced and the world building allows you to read it in a very short time. I enjoyed the characters and the story. Tessa Bailey has always got some great spice in her books and this one does not disappoint. All in all a very enjoyable and at times spicy read. For Tessa readers specifically it has a lot of the same feels as "It Happened One Summer" but in a unique way.

Just like the rest of this series: I LOVED THIS BOOK!!

In this novel we follow Sig and Chloe. They meet at a country club after Sig’s truck breaks down. They make plans to meet later that night since they both have dinner plans they need to get to. Little do they know, they are both attending the same dinner where their parents declare they are engaged (Sig’s dad to Chloe’s mom). Chloe soon moves to Boston where Sig lives and they become best friends who try to hide their feelings for each other. They are both public figures - Sig as a hockey player and Chloe as a harp prodigy. Will these two find a way to be together when they are step siblings?

I’m a huge fan of Tessa Bailey. She has a way of writing such tender and rememerable characters who like to cook up some heat in the bedroom. The spice level on this one? 🔥🔥🔥🔥 I will say this one is a slow burn in a sense because the love is forbidden. It takes a bit for Sig and Chloe to finally act on their feelings, but when they do…it’s totally worth it.

I think this is a great addition to this series. It was nice seeing Tullulah and Burgess again. I have an inkling who I think the next book will be about, so I’m just going to sit here with my fingers crossed while I patiently wait for the next in the series… is it out yet?

Overall this is another hit from Tessa Bailey.

*An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review.

I could not read this book fast enough! Tessa Bailey's books never fail to make me laugh and swoon and Dream Girl Drama was no exception! The Big Shots series has been my favorite series of Tessa Bailey's to date s Dream Girl Drama had been one of my most anticipated reads. I loved Sig and Chloe's story, but had wished there was a little bit more of the hockey team or other side characters in the first 60% of the book. Nonethless, this was a very enjoyable read!

Thanks for the Arc!! i’m not gonna lie I am not surprised that I got a copy of this arc even though I’m pretty low profile as a book reviewer with a very tiny audience. but I think all readers would agree that this author‘s last few releases have simply been bad, word vomit, and poorly thought out novels that shouldn’t have seen a wide release.

i’m sure the publisher is looking for a wider reach in terms of folks I’d like to get reviews from. I do think this is a better book than her previous releases. I think she spent a little bit more time on it and that definitely shows in the pacing of the book , but there’s still a lot of room to grow.

we need to move past the tired "privilege of ____ you" etc etc this author overutilizes that along with the over angsty-instalust trope. its

Tessa Bailey can do NO wrong! This book was such a wild ride but only Tessa can make you root for something seemingly taboo. Sig might be replacing Brenden for my #1 book boyfriend.

3.75⭐️

New book BF ALERT ‼️ you need to read this book & experience Sig Gauthier! He is everything 🥹 a complete cinnamon roll. He supports Chloe’s dreams, helps her be more independent, spoilers her, and MF SHOWS UP!!!!

Chloe is the definition of “Manic pixie dream girl energy” and I loved it! She had the child like wonder about her that just made you want to be her friend.

My only complaints are that this felt really long. I still enjoyed it but it just took forever 😅. This is also 3rd person POV which isn’t my favorite.

*Thank you to NetGalley for gift me this ARC in exchange for an honest review*

My review is up on Goodreads now and I’ll be posting to TT & IG closer to release day.

“Out of everything I’ve ever had, you are the nicest.”

This didn’t feel like your normal Tessa Bailey book - and I mean that as a compliment. Bailey’s books are usually carried by the sex scenes, but this one was much more. Although the conflict was a little lackluster for me, the character development was so strong, it kept me invested in Chloe and Sig’s story.

I was really hoping that Chloe would evolve throughout the book, and I'm so happy that she did. Her inability to handle basic day-to-day tasks was astounding and made her very unlikeable from the jump, but Sig was able to show her the ropes. By the end, I was rooting for her and couldn't wait to see her succeed.

This was by far the sharpest of Bailey’s books. I was DREADING the dinner with Sofia and Harvey at the beginning of the book because I knew what was going to happen. I could physically feel the love these two had for each other from their first meeting. Is it so far fetched that two people could fall in love immediately? Probably. But I couldn’t wait to see how Bailey spun this HEA. Bailey made these characters lovable. She made me believe their love, and I think that's one of the most difficult things to do as a writer.

Thanks to HarperCollins and NetGalley for the eARC!

Love at first sight plus an insurmountable obstacle equals Sig (professional hockey player) & Chloe’s (harp prodigy from a high-society family) story. The meet-cute, characters (main & ancillary) plus anticipation in the writing kept me reading. The obstacle (not a realistic obstacle in my world) made the story unrelatable so I did my best to not put any focus on it & enjoy the other parts of the story. Overall, I continue to enjoy the universe of this storyline.

This was heavy on the insta-love and then it was all about them trying to do the right thing. This got wrapped up a little bit too easily in my opinion but overall I liked it.

Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.