Dream Girl Drama was cute, but I wasn’t completely blown away. The chemistry between the characters was there, and there are definitely some steamy moments that fans of Tessa Bailey are going to enjoy. However, the plot felt a little too predictable for my taste, and some of the dialogue was a bit much. Like, it was cute, but it felt like it was trying a little too hard.

The heroine was fine, but honestly, she was a little too dramatic for me at times. I get that it’s part of the fun for some readers, but it didn’t really vibe with me. Still, there are some sweet moments that might tug at your heartstrings if you’re in the right mood. If you're just looking for something light and fun, it’ll do the job. But if you're craving something deeper or with more twists, you might wanna pass on this one.

Overall, it was an okay read—nothing to rave about, but not terrible either. If you're a fan of Tessa Bailey’s work, you'll probably still get a kick out of it.

The chemistry is is H-O-T with these two! Chloe and Sig are a match from their first meeting at the country club. From different worlds with different interests one thing is certain, they have love for their careers and for each other.
The mishaps, family dynamics, friendships, and life journeys are all relatable. Most of all, the characters are so vivid that you fall in love with them immediately, rooting for them the whole time! Their chemistry is tangible from the moment they meet to the end of the book.
I also love how previous series's characters are relevant and play a role in this story. This is my favorite Tessa Bailey series yet! Long live Hot Shots!

Dream Girl Drama, the third installment in the FANTASTIC interconnected series that is the Big Shots Series by Tessa Bailey was everything I wanted it to be and more. This is a masterpiece of angst, forbidden love, chaos, and swoon worthy moments. I fell in love with Chloe instantly when I met her in The Au Pair Affair, but now I love her and understand her on such a deeper level. Chloe and Sig's banter and chemistry was truly electric!!

Tropes to Expect:
- Forbidden Romance
- Instalove *in the best way*
- Hockey Romance
- Manic Pixie Dream Girl Vibes
- Slow Burn *also in the best way, come on- they're almost step siblings*

Thank you Avon Books and NetGalley for the free e-arc!

I am always down for a new Tessa release and have been really enjoying her Big Shots series. Dream Girl Drama is about Sig, a professional hockey player, and Chloe, a harpist, who meet and have an instant connection. Unfortunately, they find out they are connected in other ways, too. They struggle through how their relationship must change due to outside forces. The story builds up to the third act, so it's not an unexpected conflict. Fear not; it is still an HEA. Sig is a down bad man (Tessa's specialty), and the cast of side characters are so much fun. I think I see where 2 future stories will come from! Overall, it was a fun read and so very Tessa.

Thanks to Avon and Harper Voyager, and NetGalley for an eARC of this book for an honest review.

It doesn't get any better than Tessa Bailey. I love this series and am so excited to see it continue.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital arc.

While the bulk of my attention during Tessa Bailey’s The Au Pair Affair was obviously taken up by Burgess and Tallulah, a part of me was wondering what, exactly, was up with his teammate Sig Gauthier and his…antagonistically romantic (?) relationship with his future stepsister Chloe. That curiosity was no doubt intended by Bailey, as her latest book, Dream Girl Drama, sheds some light on exactly that question.

It turns out, Sig and Chloe met only hours before they were “supposed” to meet, at dinner at Chloe’s mother’s house, where they would be introduced to each other as future stepsiblings. SParks fly at their initial meeting, and the two make plans to meet up for a rendezvous after their commitment that evening, only to realize theirs was the same commitment, and now makes any future relationship inappropriate.

(Which, on that note, I have always found it strange that first cousins can marry, but two adults whose parents meet and enter a relationship, and who were never raised or living together in a “sibling” context cannot. But I digress)

While the two agree not to engage on a relationship, they DO wind up getting closer anyway, as Chloe is desperate to get out from her mother’s controlling thumb and pursue her dreams of studying the harp at a prestigious Boston institute, and Sig agrees to keep an eye on her and support her while she’s in town studying. The initial draw they felt to one another, made so much more alluring by how forbidden this all is, draws the two of them into a scandalous affair that puts both of their jobs on the line, sending Sig into overdrive to find a way to make this work before they tie the knot. As with the other books in the series, it was sweet and steamy and fans of the first two will really enjoy it (particularly fans of The Au Pair Affair). As for me? Well, you know I was always going to be a sucker for a story billed to me as having Clueless vibes.

Dream Girl Drama is out on February 4. Special thank you to Avon for the advance copy for review purposes.

After meeting Sig and Chloe in The Au Pair Affair, it was clear that whatever was going on between them was going to be juicy. That said, the falling for a step-sibling is the sort of trope that often gives me pause—there's a fine line to it and it's extremely hard to pull of well. But with Tessa Bailey at the helm, I knew I'd at least be in for an amusing journey.

With Dream Girl Drama, Tessa delivers a story that feels a bit reminiscent of It Happened One Summer. We have a spoiled, sheltered blonde in Chloe, a harp prodigy whose mother has smothered her entire life, and an overprotective, self-sacrificing dark-haired hero in Sig, a professional hockey player who falls for Chloe the moment the two of them meet-cute at a country club. But though the character sketches are a bit similar, the rest is not. Sparks fly, mouths meet, and then, of course, Sig and Chloe have a very rude awakening when they show up at the same dinner and discover their parents are getting married to each other – putting them in a very intense forbidden romance scenario when Chloe finally stands up to her mother and moves to Boston, where Sig lives, to attend a music conservatory.

Though Sig's overprotective tendencies grated on me, I actually enjoyed the heightened angst and yearning that Tessa worked into this story, providing more of a slow-burning romance than we usually see from her. I also thought this book was very funny—Chloe's moments of sharp humor were a delight, and the antics from some of the supporting characters genuinely made me laugh out loud several times. I do wish that Chloe had more room to develop as a character, and that a major storyline with Sig's background wasn't so rushed; but overall, this was a fun, easy read that delivered exactly what I expected: a not-quite taboo rom-com chock-full of humor and spice.

I received this book as an ARC read from NetGalley.

Tessa Bailey has done it again!
Another wonderful book in the series. Hockey romance with reoccurring characters from Au Pair Affair, yes please. Who doesn't love an overprotective hot hockey player and with the ROM com vibe. It gets me every time.
I cannot wait to read about Corrigan and Skylar next.
Fingers crossed for a fifth book with Mailer and Reese.

I’d give this book a 3.5 out of 5, but rounded down to 3.

What I loved about the book was Sig and Chloe’s unwavering devotion to each other. Throughout the whole story they just know the other person will be there for them. It was nice to see.

What I didn’t like was how fast it came about. I don’t usually read “insta-love” stories and this is probably why. It doesn’t feel realistic. At the beginning, I was thinking “Dude, you’re gonna trust this stranger and go off alone with him!”. I know she’s led a sheltered life, but it put me off that she didn’t have more wariness when it came to strangers.

I also didn’t like how long it took to get to the spicy parts. It makes sense for the story, but that doesn’t mean I like it. I think it was worth the wait, since Tessa Bailey always writes them well, but I wanted them to happen sooner.

Overall, I did actually like the story. These were just the standout parts for me. If you like romance books with characters that feel real or at least make you feel, I recommend this book.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.25⭐️
2.5🌶️

I really enjoyed this read! I’ve been looking forward to this couple since the previous book and man I loved it. These two together were something else and I just couldn’t get enough of their cuteness. The way he would literally do anything to make sure she was taken care of… so sweet.

This book was a fantastic read! I immediately found Sig to be swoon worthy. Both main characters were fantastic and I was rooting for them the entire time. Tessa Bailey just knows how to write a love story that keeps you engaged and wanting more. I didn’t want to put this book down.

Dream Girl Drama was a fun and quick lighthearted read. The characters and banter were just fantastic.

While this can be read as a standalone it is the third book in the Big Shots series. So I would recommend reading the prior books first for better context and backstory.

It’s dual POVs of the main characters, Sig a hockey player and Chloe a harp prodigy. There are some great tropes as well like future step-siblings, he falls hard, mutual pining, a forbidden and hockey romance.

The overall premise and character development were great, especially the heroine’s. Her journey with independence was written perfectly. There were some cheesy, sweet, heartfelt, and laugh out loud moments. All the side characters were amazing and I enjoyed the musical aspect as well.

The romance was really sweet and filled with some amazing tension and banter. I loved their dynamic and how supportive they were of each other. While their relationship was insta-love, it was still quite a slow burn but so worth it.

I will say though, the whole future step-sibling aspect wasn’t the strongest conflict in my opinion. There really wasn’t anything taboo or forbidden about their romance, as they were both consenting adults who met before their parents announcement. The hero also didn’t really have a relationship with his father, so their familial ties weren’t even strong to begin with.

Overall, just an amusing read with great banter.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Dream Girl Drama is book 3 in Tessa Bailey’s Big Shots series. I was SO excited to finally get to Sig and Chloe’s story after meeting them in the beginning of the series.

Dream Girl Drama follows hockey player Sig Gauthier and harp prodigy Chloe Clifford. They meet at a country club after Sig’s car breaks down, and they have an instant connection. Little do they know, their world is about to change after discovering their parents are engaged, making them soon-to-be step-siblings. How can Sig give up his dream girl so soon?!

You can always count on Tessa Bailey to make you laugh out loud, and this book has so many hilarious moments.

In this book you’ll find:
Forbidden Romance (future step-siblings)
Insta-Love
Family Drama
Hockey Romance
Spice 🌶️

Many thanks to Tessa Bailey, NetGalley, and Avon for ARC in exchange for my honest review. Dream Girl Drama is out on 2/4/25.

Can I kiss you, dream girl?
~
I went into this blind because, I mean, it’s Tessa Bailey, and I’ve never met a Tessa Bailey book I didn’t like. This was no exception! Sig and Chloe are love at first sight, and watching their journey in Boston together, Sig being the super protective, ultra-caring sweetheart with a side of big, broad hockey player and Chloe being sweet and lovely with a side of fierce and determined was incredible. My heart was absolutely breaking for these two for most of the book, and even though it’s life at first sight, Miss Tessa draws out a torturous slow burn. And Pierre?! WE STAN PIERRE ON THIS ACCOUNT (and maybe Grace, too, I liked her!). It was super fun seeing Burgess and even Tallulah a bit, and the insight into the next Big Shot story. I mean, a baseball team and a hockey team brawling in a dog park in downtown Boston? Sign. Me. Up. This was classic Tessa Bailey with a delicious twist, and I kid you not when I say my heart was in my throat for the last 25% of the book, even though I knew it would be an HEA. That last big twist? I gasped so loud, and I feel like I got my High School Musical moment at the end, and I am so happy about it. Did I mention I loved how many times Sig sprinkled “dream girl” throughout the book? Title in the book is one of my closet favorites so I was tallying away at this. This is the PERFECT February read, or any time at all, and it will not disappoint!

sadly this is a trop I cannot stand, Anything step -family related. Even as a adults I just feel like those boundaries are a brick wall for me.
And sadly I can't see love in their actions either, its very lust focused. She is always so helpless and he is doing everything which if I was him, I would have easily walked away from.

Sorry just not my cup of tea

In a book slump after Onyx Storm? Looking for some steam without all of the dragons and war?! Need a little harp and hockey and a little less Basgiath, and bloodshed?? 🐉🎶🏒🩸

Dream Girl Drama by Tessa Bailey is the third book in the Big Shots series and is my
FAVORITE of them all! I totally loved this book and thought it was so so much fun to get to Sig and Chloe's story after seeing them in the Au Pair Affair. 💖

Here we have a steamy chance encounter between famous professional hockey player, Sig Gauthier, and Chloe Clifford, an alluring rich girl from Connecticut. When Sig's on his way to meet his dad's new fiancé, his car breaks down outside the posh country club Chloe attends. 🛻🍾There is steam right away - but when they learn that their parents engaged to be married - Sig realizes he's not going to get the girl. Womp.
When Chloe ends up moving to Boston, homing in on her harp prodigy career (obviously 💁🏼‍♀️🤣), Sig takes her under his wing to help her adult. But can they keep things platonic, especially now that they're about to become stepsiblings?! Cringe! 🤣🤭

While this premise is 🦇*batshit*🦇 crazy, this book was so funny (Tessa Bailey is SO FUNNY!) & so steamy 🌶️ and honestly, although we all know there will be a HEA, I felt actual stress about how it would all get sorted. Chloe is very much Alexis from Schitt's Creek, in the best way possible, and that totally makes the book.

Thank you to NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager, and Tessa Bailey for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. Dream Girl Drama releases February 4, 2025! 🏒🥅💖

I really tried to get through this book because I normally love Tessa Bailey, but this was a DNF at around 40% for me. The connection between the MC"s was great. I thought they were cute together. I just couldn't deal with the fact that their parents were getting married was mentioned all the time. The reality is, it's not even an issue. I'm not sure if Tessa was just trying to dip a toe in the "step siblings" pool or what. The FMC came across as childish at times and that was a bit of a struggle as well for me. I do love that Sig was down bad for Chloe though. I'm a sucker for an obsessed MMC.

I'm giving three stars because I could see the potential, and it's a book I might try and revisit later down the road. Plus there were a few things I enjoyed.

Read This Book If…you love a forbidden romance!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Dream Girl Drama by Tessa Bailey

Genre: sports romance
Series: Big Shots # 3
Spice Level: 4/5🌶, 3-4 explicit scenes
Setting: Boston
POV: dual, 3rd person, present tense
Tropes: soon-to-be step-siblings, insta love, forbidden, secret, “good girl”

My Thoughts:
Look, no one in their right mind would care that two people who meet in their twenties are about the become step-siblings. And yet, that is the ONLY reason these two decide they can’t be together. Yes, there are some outside forces saying the same thing, but again: NO ONE SHOULD CARE.

But, if you can get past the silly premise, I loved these two! I was obsessed with the sneak peeks we got of Sig and Chloe in the previous book and they did not disappoint. These two are DOWN BAD and perfect for each other!

Chloe reminded me a lot of the lead in It Happened One Summer, and I loved her personal growth throughout the story! Sig remained a possessive alphahole, but we love to see it.

Overall, I thought this was a really solid read and I’ll be continuing the series!

Memorable Quote: “Chloe, I would sell my fucking soul for you and smile while I signed on the dotted line.”

This book was just ok for me. The storyline was kind of hard to get past. The chemistry was great between the main characters, but their parents are engaged. Thank you for the advance copy!

4.5 stars to Netgalley and Avon or Harper Voyager for the E-ARC. I am not even gonna lie since I read The Au Pair Affair and we were introduced to Sig and Chloe I needed this book because I wanted to see how the whole step siblings was going to be played. Slow Clap Mrs. Bailey because you played it well. I dont think I've read anyone more self sacrificing MMC than Sig towards a MFC Chloe. I loved this book the love was just felt thru the pages. I cant wait for more on this series loved them all so far