Loved this book. Such a fun and spicy read. I can’t wait to read more from this author.

Pros
- Loved how gone for her he was when he first saw her
- Fun banter
- Really fun to read
- Hot spicy scenes
- Great chemistry
- Just the right amount of drama

Cons
- They call their parents by their first names
- Would have liked to see more of their HEA

I know several other reviewers said they didn’t understand why it was such a big deal that they are step siblings since they were adults when they met. But as somebody who got step siblings in her late 20s, I can see how there would be a taboo/forbidden factor. The drama did not feel manufactured to me.

3.75 rounded to 4.

This is a forbidden, insta love, sports romance between future step siblings, Chloe and Sig.
First, absolutely read The Au Pair Affair before this. While not required, the backstory of Sig and Chloe has great lead up in it. Now, onto Dream Girl Drama. This was enjoyable, fast paced and a lot of fun. I flew through the first 50%, but parts after that dragged a bit for me. There's nothing specifically I can pinpoint as to why. Sig and Chloe are adorable and, as always, Tessa Bailey does insta love the best out of anyone.

Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for an eARC of this delightful book.

Dream Girl Drama proves that Tessa Bailey isn’t just the Michelangelo of dirty talk, she’s the Picasso of pining and the Bernini of broodiness. The third interconnected standalone in Bailey’s Big Shots series, this novel delivers all of the above and more.

Fans of the series will recognize the characters of Sig and Chloe, and I, for one, was thrilled to finally read their story. Make no mistake, even though this book is more of a slow burn, it’s still piping hot. Bailey adeptly ratchets up the sexual tension between the two until readers are also begging for relief. And what a relief it is.

I enjoyed the juxtaposition of classes and professional disciplines, and appreciated the way that Bailey subverts the stepsiblings trope. And my goodness, is Sig a whole vibe. He ticks all of the boxes of a classic Bailey hero, whilst also being a wholly unique protagonist. Chloe, similarly, is a delight. Their chemistry is INCENDIARY. My. Goodness. All of the fire emojis for this book.

Will this be one of my favorite 2025 reads? Absolutely. I already can’t wait for the next one.

I was so excited to find out that Sig and Chloe were getting their own book and was even more excited to be able to get the opportunity to review it! Tessa once again kills it! The banter between Sig and Chloe was so wonderful. I loved every moment of it!

You meet someone and hit it off then you find out you’re gonna be step siblings so you decide not to pursue them. This story was okay the chemistry between them was good vey insta. Our FMC I felt needed saving and our mmc was willing to give more than he got. The story was fine moved along nice, good chemistry.

Dream Girl Drama by Tessa Bailey

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you so much, @NetGalley and @AvonBooks, for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I was thrilled when I saw this book on NetGalley, and even more excited when I found out I was approved for it 🥰

This story follows Sig, a professional hockey player, and Chloe, a music prodigy. They meet abruptly at a private country club, and to say they had chemistry is an understatement.
Long story short, they discover they are step-siblings, and the tension between them throughout the book is off the charts! I enjoyed this rom-com and loved the way Sig was head over heels for Chloe and how he went out of his way to help her at every turn. My heart was rooting for them and hoping for the best.
The only thing I wished is that there was more character growth instead of running from the issues they faced. I also felt like some parts dragged on a little, while other parts felt short-lived, which impacted the overall pacing.
Without giving too much away, I loved the ending and am excited to see if something is on the horizon between Skylar and Corrigan 🤭 That would be fun!


If you love insta-love, hockey romance reads, future step-sibling turned forbidden love, rom-coms, and mutual pining, this 📚 is for you 🤗

If you’re looking for a new romance, try Dream Girl Drama!

Sig and Chloe meet and instantly share an insane chemistry, but later that night they learn they’re about to be step-siblings?! Putting the brakes on what could’ve been, they become best friends. But the chemistry never fizzles out.. and I adored these two!

What to know:
Forbidden romance
Future step-siblings
Hockey player x music prodigy
He calls her dream girl
Slow burn
3rd person POV

Thank you so much Netgalley for this book in exchange for my honest review!

I loved Fangirl Down and after The Au Pair Affair, I had huge exceptions for this book. Well, I was not let down in the slightest. I rated 4 stars because Fangirl Down still holds the number one spot in the Big Shots series for me, but Dream Girl Drama was a close second. Sig is a dream, and the banter between him and Chloe was unmatched. Their chemistry was on fire. I was rooting for them the entire time and Im so glad they got their happy ever after.

Im too excited for the next book (which was set up to be between one of the orgasm donors (iykyk) and the sister of the dog park boyfriend!)

I am struggling with rating this book 😮‍💨 Tessa Bailey is one of my favorite authors. Her books are always quick, fun, easy reads. But, this book fell flat, for me.

It gets a 3 star rating because the storyline was good enough to keep me interested. I wanted to know how the conflict would be resolved. Which I ended up guessing 😬

The FMC was way too childish. She had zero life experience and wanted independence, only to be spend the whole book still depending on someone else. The MMC was clingy to the point of being stalker-ish and creepy.

I think I have come to realize that I do not like the insta-love trope. The MCs instantly falling for each other within 5 seconds of meeting feels fake, weird, and way too over the top.

A chance meeting between a professional hockey player and the manic pixie dream girl gets turned upside down when they realize that their parents are engaged... and they definitely can't give into their feelings for each other... right? Sig Gauthier is a professional hockey player who visits a private country club when his car breaks down and there he meets Chloe Clifford, right in the middle of stealing a bottle of champagne. Chloe is his manic pixie dream girl, she's a stunning harpist... and after a kiss they both agree to meet each other again... only the next time they meet is at a family dinner because both of their parents are dating and plan on getting married. Chloe and Sig might have a fiery chemistry... but they definitely can't give into their feelings for each other if they are going to be potential step siblings... unless.... the marriage doesn't go through.... and it's definitely going to be easy to just be "friends" right? Too bad the more time they spend together it's harder and harder to keep their hands off one another. This is the third book in the sports romance series by Tessa Bailey and follows another hockey player. While I absolutely adored the last book I just didn't vibe with this book as much. I love a step-sibling trope... but this one just felt lackluster at best because they aren't step siblings, in fact they're just two people who'se parents are dating, like nothing is stopping yall from getting together, especially since neither of you actually care all that much about your perspective parent. The whole "will they won't they" just felt so nonsensical and low stakes because they obviously COULD. It just felt so dragged on and ridiculous to read. I loved the last book so I was just kind of thrown by how much I just didn't vibe all that much with this one, especially considering it had such a fun potential romance. While this one didn't work for me, if you like a slightly taboo romance with a slow SLOW burn, definitely give this one a go!

Release Date: February 4, 2025

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Avon and Harper Voyager | Avon for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

I was so happy to hear that Chloe and Sig were next in the series since I loved them so much in The Au Pair Affair. The *going to be* step siblings, even as adults, can be taboo but I think that Tessa did it so well. We got the spice that we’ve seen in the other books thus far, but we got so much more than that. We saw completely different sides to both Chloe and Sig that really allowed us to see them develop throughout the story and will each other. I will read anything Tessa Bailey writes so I hope they’re all as good as this one!

I absolutely loved it! Tessa Bailey always scores—there’s so much passion, humor, and just the right amount of slow burn.
Sig, the dreamy hockey player, and Chloe, the quirky, free-spirited love interest, had me hooked from their first moonlit make out. Their chemistry is off the charts, and Sig’s pining? Total swoon material.

The twist with their parents being engaged was so frustrating and added so much tension to the story. It made me root for them even harder. Plus, the spicy scenes? Let’s just say Bailey does not disappoint! If you’re into steamy rom-coms with big twists and even bigger spice, you’ve got to read this one. I couldn’t put it down!

I was kindly provided with the arc of this book by NetGalley and the editors in exchange of an honest review, thank you ✨

4⭐️

This was soooo cute to read!! I loved Chloe and Sig since I met them in The Au Pair Affair and I was craving for their story… and my oh my, I wasn’t disappointed 🙂‍↔️ I mean, Sig? The man’s greatest wish was provide her with anything she’ll ever need and wants and making her happy no matter the cost 😭❤️ I need one of those please

Chloe my girl, I just loved her, she reminded me of Rachel in friend’s season 1, she was so innocent and happy, and not knowing anything about the real world, but also she was so determined to prove herself and everyone she could be independent and the greatest harpist in the world, and you bet she did with Sig alongside her 🥹❤️‍🩹

Now, I NEED, Skylar and Corrigan’s story, please and thank you 🙂‍↔️

Tessa Bailey has another pleasing book in her sexy and steamy Big Shots series. Fans of sport romances will no doubt enjoy this series. I enjoyed the last book in the series, The Au Pair Affair and was excited to read Dream Girl Drama. It's full of longing, angst, lust, talent, drama, and dreams.

Sig Gauthier, a hunky hot-t0-trot professional hockey player meets Chloe Clifford, his gorgeous dream girl by chance when they are both at a ritzy private country club. The attraction is instant and after tasting some bubbly, they share a moonlight kiss. Oh, la la, the kiss is bliss, and they hope to engage in more kissing. Unfortunately, their plans falter when they shocked beyond belief when over a dinner they learn that Sig's father is marrying Chloe's mother. Holy Moly!

Chloe is a harp playing prodigy and wants to live on her own, and Sig helps her find a place and settle in. They fight their attraction as they both continue with their lives each pursuing their dreams. But how do they stop dreaming of each other??????

The characters are presented with a dilemma. They are going to be step siblings. But, as other reviewers have mentioned, they are adults and not related at all. I wanted to tell them, who cares, you do not share DNA and are consenting adults. But it appears those in their professional lives might just not share my opinion.

For me it's all about the journey with romance books. I enjoyed the journey that both characters went on. Both had things that they needed to learn and experience. Chloe needs to learn independence. She has never had to budget and struggles with her impulse purchases. Sig wants to protect Chloe and be helpful but is he being too helpful? Sig also has family issues that may stand in his way of happiness.

The characters were likeable and facing some real-life issues. I enjoyed how they worked them out while reaching for their dreams. As I mentioned, this book has some steamy scenes so if those are not for you, you may want to skip those. This book had a nice amount of longing, tension, desire, and forbidden love.

Another fun, dramatic, and engaging read by Tessa Bailey.

At this point, I've read over 20 Tessa Bailey books. This might just overtake Fox and Hannah's Hook, Line, and Sinker as my number one favorite. Sig and Chloe are just that good.

I saw someone on Threads say that Sig's yearning rewrote her DNA. Umm yes. I loved the authenticity of it. The dropping the head to her neck and the extra long hugs. I cannot get over how much I loved this book. Five stars times Infiniti. Tessa Bailey absolutely knocked this out of the park.

My only disappointment in this book, and it is minor, is that we didn't see any Wells. Barely any Tallulah as well. But honestly, I think I like that? It's keeping the series fresh for me. Having read other series in the past and how their stories all intertwine so much, I like the interdependence of each one. You do not have to read each book to know the stories, if that makes sense.

What I loved most though about Chloe and Sig's book, is the way we went back in history. But we weren't forced to relive it through the book. There were mentions of the time he bribed her out of the bar with a Sephora shopping spree, but we didn't have to relive it on the page. I appreciated that so much.

Tessa is always an immediate yes from me!!! I absolutely adored this book and ate it up! And did you see its cover?! And those edges?! Absolutely stunning!

This was another really fun read from Bailey. It really keeps pace with the rest of the books in her Big Shots series.
While you get to meet the characters of Chloe and Sig in the previous novel, "The Au Pair Affair", you really get to see them shift and come alive in this one. Chole is not nearly the spoiled princess she appeared, rather a young women trying to follow her own dreams and passions for the first time in her wife, without relying on her family name or money. Sig is a hard working hockey player who knows he isn't making as much money as he deserves, but as someone who grew up fighting for everything he had, nothing it going to stop him from reaching his dreams and providing for the women in his life that he loves.
I will admit I loved the little taboo romance of step siblings falling in love, what I didn't get was the HUGE deal it was made into in the book. Sig & Chole are two grown adults who meet as adults before they knew their parents were getting married. They would really only be step siblings in name only, they never grew up together or anything that would truly make them siblings. That thought kept nagging at me while reading.
Themes of Insta love, forbidden romance, grumpy sunshine. Overall a fun quick read!

Dream Girl Drama by Tessa Bailey ❤️
Big Shots, Book 3
Interconnected Standalone

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Adult • Sports Romance
ARC Review
320 pages
🗓️ February 4

🏒hockey romance
❤️future step siblings
🏒attraction to friendship to more
❤️slow burn
🏒opposites attract
❤️cute nicknames

📍“You aren’t in charge of my love life.”
“I am your love life, Chloe.”

When I started It Happened One Summer I very much disliked the FMC. By the end of it, I was her most fierce defender.

In many ways, the same can be said about Dream Girl Drama and its FMC. Only I’m not her most fierce defender. I’m more like a casual friend who wishes her the best.

When I say it took me a minute to like Chloe, I’m not kidding. It really did take a long time. But it did happen. Funny thing though, I actually loved her with Sig. I loved their banter and their “I can’t take it anymore” confessions. It’s her alone I struggled with.

But all in all, a super fun read, with hilarious moments and an incredibly funny secondary cast. It wasn’t Fangirl Down but I would definitely recommend it if looking for a low stakes, extremely entertaining book. 🫶🏼

Thank you so much Tessa Bailey, @avonbooks and @netgalley for this ARC.

I initially requested this book because I love a hockey romance book, but unfortunately this just did not hit for me.

The thing that initially through me off was the “insta” love. Not my favorite thing in a book, but I continued.

Sig was not a bad character, I liked that he always wanted to help Chloe and push her to become more independent, but wow Chloe’s character just felt too childish for me.

The book did have a few moments that I loved, but overall this was just not it for me.

Thank you Avon and NetGalley for this eARC.

I’m a sucker for Tessa Bailey and I’m not ashamed to admit it. Her writing style, her characters, her stories. They’re all so good and so fun and I always end up cheering for these fictional characters to figure their shit out so they can be together. Even if that shit is the fact that they’re about to be step siblings…

I knew from the moment Sig and Chloe started showing up in Au Pair Affair that their story would be a wild ride, full of tension, angst, and spice, and Dream Girl Drama delivered on every bit of it. Sig may never be my man Wells, but the way that man was OBSESSED with Chloe, will live rent free in my head for months to come.

I really will read just about anything Tessa Bailey would write, but I truly cannot wait to read what happens next in the Hot Shot series and diedddd over the snippets we got in Dream Girl Drama.