When I tell you I binged this book, I mean it - I read it in a day! Dream Girl Drama was everything I wanted and more. Tessa Bailey has delivered a steamy, heartwarming, and utterly captivating romance that had me hooked from page one.

Let’s talk about Sig Gauthier - SWOON. He’s the ultimate book boyfriend, and his obsession with Chloe is the kind of love we all dream about. Instalove doesn’t always work for me, but for this story? It definitely did. Sig’s devotion to Chloe, their undeniable chemistry, and the way they both supported each other’s passions made their connection feel so authentic.

Chloe’s journey toward independence was inspiring, and I loved how Sig was there to guide her without overshadowing her growth. Their mutual respect and the way they looked out for one another made their relationship even more special. And the banter? Chef’s kiss. Add in the spice and you’ve got a romance that will have you fanning yourself one moment and swooning the next.

This was my first book by Tessa Bailey, and I’m already planning to read the rest of the interconnected standalones in this series. If you’re a fan of steamy romances with heart, Dream Girl Drama is a must-read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books for providing an arc of this title in exchange for my honest review!

📕Dream Girl Drama by Tessa Bailey

⭐️ Dual POV
⭐️Hockey Star/Harp Player
⭐️Forbidden Romance

Sig and Chloe meet and have an intense instant connection. Until they find out their parents are getting married and they are about to be step siblings! Lots of spice but also lots of soulmate moments. He calls her Dream Girl!! ♥️

I love the slow burn of this book and how much Chloe develops and comes into her own. I’ll never get tired of reading books where women being strong independent badasses! The Big Shot series has been all
hits and this third book did not disappoint!

Thank you to Net Galley, Avon Books and Tessa Bailey for this ARC. Get your own copy on February 4! ♥️

I had been excited for book two in the Big Shots series. Last book really set us up with our curiosity with Sig and Chloe. I was excited to dive in and see how their story began. However I felt disappointed with this story and ended up not finishing at 25%.

While the way they met was fun, it still felt slightly unrealistic. What kind of country club would not allow you to make a call if your car broke down? I know this is fiction, and it is not real, but it was too far fetched. Especially when he just agreed to set Chloe up in an apartment and help her to follow her dreams after only knowing her less than a day. I had originally thought it would be awkward with the potential "step siblings", but I was so confused as to why Sig was spending all this money on someone who he just met. He can't live without her after just a week?

I will not be posting this review to Goodreads since it is below three stars.
Thank you for the opportunity! I think I might just need to have a Tessa break.

3.75 stars

Normally I’m giving Tessa Bailey all the stars and while I still enjoyed this book, there was a lot that just either didn’t make sense to me or just felt odd. In the previous book of this series when we met Chloe, I’ll be honest and say I wasn’t excited about her as a future FMC because of how spoiled and her charm felt manipulative to get Sig to do anything for her. I do think this book explained that and even corrected it a bit which I appreciated. And I actually enjoyed the insta-love to we can’t be together but want to be aspect, it was fun and the yearning was peak.

But here’s my issue….this shouldn’t be such a scandal. Everyone acted like “ omg this is so weird it will ruin your life” but
1. They met as full grown adults
2. They met before the context of their parents was known.
3. Their parents weren’t even married yet.
4. If they were so sure they were in love, just get married first and then it’s just that your parents decided to marry each other later then you avoid the whole illegality of it in Massachusetts. (Which would honestly probably be something you could get around given the circumstances)

And everyone was so against the idea when I just don’t think it was anywhere near that level. I get it, it’s technically illegal to marry a step sibling in MA so yes, a bit of a scandal in some ways but I only learned that through Google and not in the book. That context honestly would’ve been great to know because it’s not the case in many states. It would be just maybe a tiny “oh that’s odd” but not a full blown scandal imo. And the resolution…doesn’t change anything! If you found the relationship weird in the first place, I don’t think that one detail changes anything to you! It’s still weird! Sure now it’s not technically illegal in MA but the public opinion probably would have no change.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC!

I am a big fan of Tessa. Bailey, so I expected to enjoy this book. It did not disappoint at all. The storyline was really good and the character development was done very well. I hope one day to find a partner like Sig! I would definitely recommend this book.

Tessa Bailey does it again. I have LOVED this series so far and this book did not disappoint! I can see at least two more in the series (the orgasm donors) and I can’t wait to read those as well! I love Sig. I love Chloe. They’re both fantastic and deeply likeable characters.

This series has been a guilty pleasure read of mine, and I was so happy that Avon answered my request and allowed me to get my hands on this book as soon as I could. I am and always will be a fan of books where the main characters from earlier stories make their way into this one as a background character, and "Dream Girl Drama" is no different. Thanks for continuing the series, Tessa! If my guess is right and there will be at least another book or two in the series, I would love to read them as well!

Like other TB books, this couple was an insta lust. I’m not always a fan of this trope because there’s more to a person than just sexual attraction. While I enjoyed Chloe and Sig, I found myself being frustrated at times. Sometimes it felt like he only cared about sleeping with her and made me think he’d get laid then move on…but then his feelings come out and I realized that’s not the case.

I didn’t like Chloe’s character development. I felt that she was described as one would a child. Yes, she was sheltered all her life, but why did it take some man to get her to think about being independent? A woman should never be dependent on a man. And Chloe would be lost without Sig throughout the entire book. She didn’t overcome the dependency either.

Overall, I enjoyed this fast-paced romcom. I tend to enjoy most Tb’s works and while it’s not my favorite, it wasn’t horrible.

Thank you to Tessa Bailey, NetGalley, and Avon for providing an ARC!

Okay here me out, this book was cute, except for the major plot being forbidden, stepsibling romance. That felt a little taboo and pornhubby for me. Don't get me wrong I felt like their relationship was honestly not as bad as everyone made it out to be considering they were grown adults and their parents were getting married late in life and they had met before realizing this information. However, I do think the turnaround time of finding out they weren't related to ending the book was a little too quick. A third act breakup is almost always a no for me. It was obvious that Harvey wasn't the parent pretty early on and I think finding out they weren't related should have been pushed earlier, so they could delve deeper into why Chloe's mom was so selfish instead. (And Rosie and Harvey's relationship with SIg too). Overall, though I am really loving Tessa Bailey's athlete romances! I am excited for her summer release with Corrigan and Skylar (and hopefully a story with Reese perhaps...)

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.