After reading the other books in this series I was excited to get to finally read about Sig and Chloe, but unfortunately Dream Girl Drama end up being my least favorite. I enjoyed their chemistry and banter and tension but I could not take the plot point keeping them apart seriously. Everyone involved were adults so it did not seem that serious. Plus, the story felt very rushed. I understand insta love, but to pay the rent for a woman you legit just met is wild.

Sig and Chloe pop up in The Au Pair Affair, but we didn't know their full story. I have been dying to get my hands on this so I could find out what their past and future were, and I was not disappointed in any way. One of the best things about this series is that the MMCs are totally addicted to their FMCs and not afraid to show it. They make it plainly obvious that they will move heaven and earth to save their ladies even the smallest trouble. Absolutely adorable. Sig takes that trait all way up to eleven, and I loved it. At first, it seems that the relationship is uneven because Chloe isn't constantly at his beck and call, but it becomes apparent that she is willing to do the hard things for Sig, even change things she has been afraid to change. Also, she is providing Sig with the open-hearted affection and joy that he truly needs. The tension in the plot stays high to the very end, even through the funny parts, and there is a lovely epilogue to tie everything up.

If I could sum up Sig and Chloe’s story, I would call it deliciously frustrating! “Stay on the edge with me.” Trust me, Sig, Tessa Bailey’s brilliant writing had me edging right along with y’all.

We meet Sig and Chloe in the previous book, The Au Pair Affair. Their relationship as almost step-siblings with noticeable tension is touched upon lightly. In Dream Girl Drama, we learn that Sig and Chloe meet one night and spend a whirlwind short amount of time together where they demonstrate an insane amount of chemistry. Later that night, they are surprised to learn that Chloe’s mom and Sig’s dad are getting married. What was an instant connection with promising potential becomes a precarious situation.

Sig and Chloe spend all their time trying to stay friends while denying their connection. Now, this is where I don’t know if I’m telling on myself or not, but I didn’t see the issue with their relationship at all. They’re adults on the verge of becoming step-siblings, but they weren’t raised as siblings, or even raised together. JUST LET THEM LOVE EACH OTHER!

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the story and loved watching how Sig and Chloe navigated their situationship. They were honest, tender, and LIVING for each other. With Tessa Bailey’s unmissable brand of storytelling, Dream Girl Drama does NOT disappoint!

*This ARC was provided by Avon and Harper Voyager via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

Dream Girl Drama by Tessa Bailey is the third book in her sports romance series, and while I’m a fan of her writing, this one didn’t quite hit the mark for me. The story centers around Sig, a pro hockey player, and his soon-to-be step-sister, Chloe. The almost-step-sibling romance was a bit too much of a whoa moment for me, and I found the dynamic a little awkward. I can see how some readers might love this trope, but for me, the relationship felt a little complicated by the whole “we’re almost family” thing. I should've known before I went in, so that's on me.

That said, the book still has its strengths. Sig’s dad’s storyline was really interesting, and the team members were a lot of fun. The chemistry between Sig and Chloe was definitely there – super steamy! While the romance felt more focused on the physical side, Tessa still made sure there were some sweet moments showing how much Sig cared for Chloe. Overall, not my favorite in the series, but I can see how others might enjoy it more.

tropes: (read if you like) forbidden romance, instant love, sports romance - specifically hockey, and family drama

Thanks to Avon and Harper Voyager, the author, and NetGalley for the free gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

Dream Gril Drama is a super steamy forbidden romance with a whole lot of tension and buildup. I am never a super fan of the "instant love" trope and honestly, the whole family drama piece was a little weird to me, but don't want to give too much away.

I still really enjoyed the book when I forgot about the forbidden romance piece, just because it was a good romance connection and I loved the characters. However, this trope completely threw me off. I love Tessa Bailey's romance books and have enjoyed her dipping her toe into the sports romance books which are some of my favorite types of steamy romances to read.

4/5! This is by far my favorite one out of the entire series so far. This man is the prime example of Hozier's "I will crawl to you." Dream Girl Drama was such an enjoyable read and a huge refresh from reading back-to-back heavy fantasies. It was the perfect pallet cleanser. I felt that this one was far more fast paced compared to the previous 2 books in this series. Not only that, but I also felt it was the most realistic. I won't get into what I thought of book 1 and 2 here because those thoughts are heavy and not for this book lol, but this one felt more in line with an actual situation and circumstance that could happen in real life.

One of my favorite aspects Dream Girl Drama was the fact that there was further plot development outside of the main characters romance. It was such a refresher and was very well written and played out smoothly in my opinion.

My biggest critique, and this is a critique that I have for ALL hockey romances I read is the lack of the actual sport and the lack of the sports knowledge. I am a hockey sport fan first and foremost and then a hockey romance fan, so it always bothers me when I pick up a hockey romance and there is minimal actual hockey and the hockey that is there is not true to the sport or timelines with the sport.

Overall, I really did enjoy this one far more than Fangirl Down and The Au Pair Affair.

"you love her?" "I exist for her." .... SWOOON!!

I have loved the previous 2 books in this series. I expected a usual Tessa story-- a sexy romance with amazing tension, spice and lots of banter and that is what I got in a way.

Throughout the book, I adored the chemistry between the main characters. Sig and Chloe meet and fall in love--- just to find out they are about to be "step-siblings" so they can't be together. It's a unexpected, heart-wrenching twist no one expected but I feel like the majority of the plot surrounded this which turned me off a bit and the overwhelming attraction right off the bat felt rushed. Saying that, I still liked the book! I think the forbidden tension was well done and enjoyed the tropes (love at first site, sports romance, family drama, opposites attract).

I enjoyed the chemistry between the characters while kind of hating both Chloe and Sig. Chloe's character irked me with her sheltered, childlike, rich-girl personality and Sig was hyper-focused on Chloe, controlling and just screamed red flag at a point. It was my least favorite of the series so far and have high hopes for book 4.

Thank you Avon and Harper Voyager, NetGalley and Tessa for the opportunity to read this ARC!

3.5 Stars

I loved this book and how it was right in the verge of being taboo. Tessa Bailey can do no wrong when it comes to her Big Shots series and I will say the slow burn in this one made it one of my favorites!

Dream Girl Drama by Tessa Bailey is the third book in a series of sports romance novels. This novel focuses on professional hockey player Sig, and his soon-to-be step-sister, Chloe. I really enjoyed the first book in this series, along with many other Tessa Bailey books, and had high hopes for this one, but the relationship between the two of them was uncomfortable to read due to their almost step-sibling status.

Personally, this was my least favorite in the series. I can see how others may be more into this specific trope than I am, but personally the subject wasn't broached cleanly enough. They met before learning they'd become siblings, and I think the dynamic could have been worked around in a well-navigated way, but the length of time that they spend as "siblings" publicly while having a romantic relationship privately is off-putting. The whole issue, especially the pieces jeopardizing their careers, felt as though they could've been resolved if they had publicly stated that they met and began dating before they knew their parents were together. It's understandably a taboo will they/won't they, but the lines aren't quite clear enough.

Aside from the step-sibling element, the book was well crafted, and the side plot line that focused on Sig's father was really interesting. The team members were endearing, and it successfully set this series up to lead into another book. The chemistry between the two of them was well written and very strong - there was definitely more of an emphasis on how badly they wanted to sleep with each other, rather than the relationship building between them, but Bailey was also able to show this through the actions that Sig took for Chloe.

Additionally, Chloe was intended to come off as naïve, but she presented more child-like than unworldly. I loved the dynamic of him wanting to make sure that she wasn't without any of the amenities she was used to, but she seemed to have no idea that him purchasing anything she needed (or wanted) and renting her a luxury apartment would be an imposition. I do think that the two of them suited each other very well.

Overall, it was a cute read, and I think that it did a very good job with the resolution. Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC. 3/5

Thank you to Avon and Harper, and NetGalley for an ARC of this book, in exchange for my honest opinion. This was one of my most anticipated reads for 2025, so I screamed getting to read this early!

It’s an ♾️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read for me!!
“Always my dream girl. Always mine.”

“You’re a fucking star that fell out of the sky and I was lucky enough to be standing in the right place.”

I have loved every single book in this series, but Sig and Chloe have stolen my entire heart!! I love so many of Tessa’s books, but for me Dream Girl Drama might have just taken the cake (I’m sorry Wells and Josephine, I still love y’all).

The book kicks off with a bang, with the most fun meetcute, and so much chemistry you could feel it off the page. But what starts as the best night ever, crashes and burns when they find out they’re going to be step siblings, because surprise their parents are getting married! Devastated they decide they will remain friends and in each other’s life, but not to delve into the romantic part of their relationship anymore.

I don’t think I’ve ever been more invested in a couple, and praying for their happy ending as I did for Sig and Chloe. Their love felt so real and genuine, so wholesome, and just all encompassing. They were so perfectly suited for each other, and their love for each other felt BONE DEEP! I highlighted half the book because every interaction they had, I was giggling, kicking my feet, and stomach swooning with butterflies. Also, finding out why he calls her Dream Girl 🥹 truly the cutest nickname ever, and I loved every time he used it in the book!

I cannot wait for everyone to read this book, and fall in love with Chloe and Sig like I did! The way book four was perfectly set up, has me so excited for what’s to come in this series!

Tropes:
❤️Hockey Romance
💛Forbidden Love
❤️Future Step siblings
💛Instalove
❤️‍🔥Spicy

3⭐️ 3🌶️

I was pretty excited for this book after all the hints dropped in the previous book but this one just didn’t hit me the way I was hoping.

I just didn’t buy who everyone thought they shouldn’t be together but maybe that is because I’ve read quite a bit of step sibling romance at this point. It’s not like they met as children and grew up as siblings.

Chloe was a little too naive for me and Sig was a little too intense. I love a man who wants to spoil is lady but this just felt off.

This is book 3 it the Big Shots sports series. I adored Fangirl Down and really enjoyed Au Pair Affair, so I was so excited for this one, and it did not disappoint!
I loved Sig and Chloe's story so much. I'm usually not a fan of insta-love, but their connection was so sweet and true. Sig's overprotective vibe combined with pro hockey player status is certifiable swoony. Chloe starts out as a sheltered rich girl, but as she branches out on her own and becomes more independent, I grew to love her character so much. She seems quirky and sweet and the perfect match for Sig.
Sig meets his dream girl at an upscale country club when his truck breaks down and his phone dies, she comes to his rescue. As they talk and share champagne, he falls for Chloe immediately and they share a steamy kiss. Later, at his dinner obligation with his father, they both find out they are soon to be step siblings. Neither can fight their connection, but know it does not look becoming. When Chloe wants to branch out and move to his town of Boston for her musical training, he decides to take her under his wing, but how long can they fight the connection they share?
This book releases on February 4, 2025! Thabk you @netgalley for the digital copy!

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to try the ARC of Dream Girl Drama by Tessa Bailey. Unfortunately I didn’t care for this book. It became apparent to me that this was an insta-lust kind of story and unfortunately there was so much “spice” in the first 25% of the book that there wasn’t hardly any plot or intrigue since we know the characters like each other. I will say she does a great job making a cute couple together and her writing isn’t bad, I just didn’t enjoy a story with so much just and what seems like such a lack of romance.

This book is definitely one of my new favorites.

If you love booktok books this one is definitely for you. This book is so steamy, Chloe and Sig have such chemistry that no one can ever compare to. Tessa has done it and will always do it right. This is a book where you can just turn your brain off and drift onto a world of friendship, love and fun.

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC.

I really enjoyed this. Tessa Bailey always writes super sweet, spicy, and fun books! I found both main characters to be likable and have a great connection. I thought the plot was fun!

I love Tessa Bailey! Her books are my favorite light hearted fun reads. I love to turn my brain off and just zone out and lean into her worlds. This book was really fun and gave me exactly what i wanted and expected which is why i love Tessa. You know what you’ll get with her!!!

I did enjoy this but I will say it was my least favorite in this series. I found myself kinda getting distracted while reading. It didn’t suck me in like the first two. Now I do like the story line and the characters were perfect for each other but I just feel it was missing something.

I was so hyped for this book after seeing both their cameos in book 2. A little forbidden romance with Tessa Bailey's steam is just a perfect match. I loved Sig as a main hero. He was so swoony. He will do whatever it takes to help Chloe blossom on her own two feet. And it's not just Chloe, but any of his friends and family. Chloe was also a likable heroine who had a ton of growth. She was like Rachel Greene from Friends. She's never had to think about life and then decides to leave the nest and has to come to terms with reality and watching her grow and seeing how Sig shows up for her through it all was so nice. She never lacks confidence or doubt, she just knows she can do it and I loved that about her.

By Tessa Bailey's standards, the romance is a slow burn. We have a ton of back and forth between can we do this? We have to do this. We can't do this because of appearances, and vice versa. To be honest, I am not a huge fan of the Insta-love trope, I just find it a little too unbelievable. I mean they meet for 20 minutes at a country club and they without a doubt know the relationship is end game? It seems unrealistic. It's lust and all about appearances. So because of that, this wasn't my favorite of the series. However, I am excited to see what happens with Book 4. Is one of the two orgasm donors gonna be tamed?! 😂

Read if you enjoy a forbidden sports romance with dual POV. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC in return for an honest review. This book releases 2/4!

Thank you NetGalley, Tessa Bailey and Avon & Harper Voyager for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

DNF’d at 25%. There is a group of people who absolutely love either the extremely smutty athlete novel and/or the step sibling troupe but I am not one of those people. Tessa is extremely popular on BookTok and reading this reminds me why I’m not in booktok.

Readers who love that kind of troupe will love this, but this just wasn’t for me. I tried, but life is too short to read books you don’t like.

Sig and Chloe were such fun characters to read along with the dog. The pacing was quick. This was my favorite so far in the series. Thanks, netgalley.