Almost 4 stars. I'm a big fan of Tessa Bailey's. I've read a ton of her books, and all of her new releases are auto-buy for me. And out of all of the books I've read from her, the Big Shot series is my favorite. After reading The Au Pair Affair, I was definitely curious about Chloe and Sig. The tension between the two of them was obvious even in those books. And it does not take long for that tension to start in Dream Girl Drama. This book is definitely a bit insta-lovey, which if I'm honest, is not always my favorite. But both parties fall very hard and very fast. But Sig... I don't know that I've ever read a male lead as gone for their love interest as much as Sig was for Chloe. He lived and breathed for her. And I'm not gonna lie, that's pretty swoony. Unfortunately for both Sig and Chloe, their relationship is forbidden-- their parents are about to marry one another, making them step-siblings. I think I must be reading too many romance books, because the fact that they were going to be step siblings was a big deal. A HUGE deal. As in, a major impediment to their relationship. But given that they're not blood related, I didn't really jive with/understand all of the hullabaloo that caused. But apparently, it's pretty taboo. Who knew?!? We do have some fun cameos from the couple featured in The Au Pair Affair, and a lot of fun moments featuring other secondary characters. Tessa strongly hints at a possible 2 couples for future books, so this series will definitely continue. The things that I enjoy about most Tessa books were definitely present in Dream Girl Drama. Tessa's books, in my opinion, are just hysterical, and ALWAYS leave me laughing. And for those that are wondering, of course there were plenty of steamy scenes, though I will say there's probably less steam in this book compared to most of the others I've read from Tessa. All in all, I definitely enjoyed this one and am still really loving this series. And I'm excited to see where Tessa goes with the next books!

Thanks so much to Tessa, Avon, and netgalley for the ARCs in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley for surprising me with an approval to read and review this!

Dream Girl Drama features some of my favorite things. He falls first (and immediately) and makes it his mission in life to make her happy to matter what. She realizes she wants more than what she had at home and takes a sudden chance at more. They both have very good character growth. They definitely have insane chemistry, and not just sexual.

Despite the title, I was surprised by how much drama there actually was, not that I'm complaining. It wasn't petty drama, it was actual life-altering drama. Drama that had me feeling a bit heartbroken for Sig and Chloe, I'll be honest.

I had some frustration at times with Chloe and with Sig. Chloe is a bit of a spoiled rich kid who was kept very sheltered by her mother. In general, I tend to not really like that type of character, especially when they take advantage of others when they screw up when it comes to money and not paying bills. That was my major frustration with Chloe. When it comes to Sig, he coddled her too much. I realize I said one of my favorite things is when the guy does whatever he can to make his love interest happy. I just wish that didn't mean him letting her get away with making several stupid financial decisions.

All in all, I enjoyed this! I'm interested in seeing who the characters will be in book #4.

✨🚨 ARC ALERT! 🚨✨

Tessa Bailey has done it again, y’all! Dream Girl Drama is the cozy, laugh-out-loud, heart-tugging gem you didn’t know your TBR needed—but trust me, it does. 💖

Sig and Chloe? Chefs kiss perfection. Their instant connection isn’t just adorable; it’s straight-up magical. ✨ From their first meeting, you can feel the chemistry literally jumping off the page. The way these two support each other, even when the world seems determined to throw every obstacle in their way, is everything we dream of in romance.

Let’s talk Chloe for a sec—because her growth as an independent, badass woman chasing her dreams is everything. 🌟 And Sig? He’s the kind of partner we all deserve, cheering her on from the sidelines and standing by her side when it counts. (Spoiler: It always counts.)

Oh, and for my fellow Burgess & Tallulah fans—yes, there are those little Easter eggs that make it feel like a warm hug from the universe. 🫶 But if you’re new to this world, no worries—it’s a stand-alone that will pull you in all on its own.

Get ready for humor, heart, and a whole lot of feel-good moments. Tessa Bailey delivered a masterpiece, and I’ll be shouting about it forever. 🗣️

*****

Dream Girl Drama by Tessa Bailey is an absolute wild ride of a rom-com! It's messy, swoony, and full of that signature Bailey spice. I mean, the chemistry between Sig and Chloe? 🔥 But honestly, there were times when the whole "our parents are engaged" thing felt a little over the top for me, even though it was a total trainwreck in the best way. If you're in the mood for some drama, laughter, and heat, this is perfect, but it's not quite 5-star material for me. Rating: 3.5 stars.

As soon as these two were mentioned in the Big Shots series, I wanted to know more. Thankfully, Tessa Bailey delivered, as only she can. Sig and Chloe have a chance meeting before their world skidded to a stop when they were asked to attend a dinner in which her mom and his dad announced they were engaged. Sig had to grow up fast and be self sufficient from a very young age. He has worked his whole like to be in the NHL. Chloe has lived in a posh, generational wealth bubble. She is a child prodigy harpist that yearns to have more independence. We follow their timeline of becoming best friends and their personal growth. If you love getting the inside scoop of unconventional love stories and happy endings that only Tessa Bailey can deliver, this is the book for you!

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I found the whole *taboo* step sibling issue to be not that big of a deal. They're fully grown adults that started something prior to knowing about their parents so I just didn't see that as a huge issue. Which means a lot of the book was way more dramatic than I was anticipating. Also, Chloe was a little too immature for my taste. I get needing to learn to be on your own, but buying eye cream over paying for rent? Seriously? Overall, I did fly through this and it was fine.

Tessa has done it again! (Spoilers to come) I was a little hesitant when I saw the step siblings trope, but Tessa outdid herself with the setup and backstory of the characters. It never felt too wrong, but boy did it feel right! The tension between Sig and Chloe is undeniable and I couldn’t wait to get their HEA! This book built characters and emotions that I don’t normally think of when reading a book this steamy and hot, but I was laughing, tearing up, and got attached to Pierre! I love that Sir Savage and the rookies made their appearance and hope that the rookies love stories are next! The was Tessa sets up more love to come always leaves me giddy with anticipation. I felt the love between Sig and Chloe and hope they show up in future books as well because I miss them already! Excellent 3rd book to the big shots series!

Thank you Net Galley for the advanced copy of this book. It was so fun to read the last of this series before it even has come out!

I liked this one way more than I thought I would. I was a little weirded out by Sig and Chloe’s relationship in the second book but reading their story was so much better than I’d imagined. Just goes to show you it's so easy to judge someones relationship when you have no idea what's actually going on or just by societal norms. I devoured this book and loved the Corrigan and Mailer side bits all throughout. This book has all the spice and drama and lives up to the rest in this series!

I want to say, I feel extremely blessed that I was given the opportunity to read the ARC for this book.

First a review disclaimer, my review will be more about how this book made me feel and how the overall plot and character development was. I don't like to spoil things and I am not going to write a book report analysis with quotes and stuff. What fun is reading a book if you have to break down and analyze the character and plot.

I feel that Tessa Bailey did amazing with the story build and character development of this book and the others in this series. Of note, the Big Shots series can be read as stand alone book, but they hint to the previous book. This book only hints to The Au Pair Affair due to Sig and Burgess being friends and teammates.

On to this book.

Let me just say, this book had all the feels. I laughed, I cried, I raged with the characters, and I gasped when things happened. I don't do that often, but when I do, I know that this book has me hooked.

Chloe is freakin' hilarious with her naivety. She comes off as flighty and unsecure but with a big heart. When the spice hit (not the leading up tease but the actual going forward), Chloe turned into a confident beast who knows what she wants and how to ask for it.

Sig only has eyes for Chloe and is very evident in this book. Sig wants to protect Chloe and help her navigate her independence. Although he tends to enable her more rather than letting her wings spread wide.

The push/pull dynamic and the "forbidden" attraction in this book had me just as frustrated as they both were. I was rooting for them the whole time. The plot twist made me so mad for their relationship. This book does have an HEA so that is something to look forward to.

I will be adding this entire series to my book case (or trophy wall) and will likely re=read this once I get the physical copies.

One sentence synopsis: Sig learns his dream girl is his future stepsister.

While this isn’t Bailey’s most groundbreaking novel, it delivers chemistry, relatable characters and a few laugh out moments. I really liked Chloe and Sig. Chloe had a good mix of vulnerability and determination making her easy to root for. Sig was sweet natured and I would’ve loved to hear even more of his backstory. I absolutely despised the parents; they ruined everything. Literally. 😂

The actual story explores themes of self doubt, ambition and the tension between personal and professional goals so it went a little deeper than a typical TB novel.

Overall, this was a fun little series that wasn’t even meant to be a series! Fun times were had.

*ARC*
3.5🌟
🌶️🌶️🌶️
NHL, opposites attract, forbidden romance. I had a fun time reading this book. I really did enjoy the interactions between the two main characters and the friendship they created. I also think there was the appropriate amount of pining. I wish there was more maturity growth for the FMC. She only seems to have one moment of true maturity instead of learning true independence over time. I also disliked that we never really saw a true resolution on the whole “I need to have enough money to support her” issue.

I so enjoyed this book with familiar characters and new ones both! Sig and Chloe are so different and from different worlds but yet both have so much heart. I was cheering for them, crying with them and laughing out loud at times.

As a huge fan of Tessa Bailey, I can confidently say that Dream Girl Drama did not disappoint! This book is a delightful blend of humor, romance, and a touch of drama that kept me completely engaged from start to finish.

What I loved most about this story is Tessa's signature writing style—her characters are so relatable and vibrant. The chemistry between the leads is electric, and their witty banter had me laughing out loud. Tessa has a knack for creating situations that are both hilarious and heartfelt, making every moment feel genuine.

The plot is fast-paced and filled with unexpected twists that kept me turning the pages. I appreciated how the story explored themes of self-discovery and the complexities of love in a fun and entertaining way. If you’re looking for a book that will make you smile and swoon, Dream Girl Drama is a must-read! I can’t wait to see what Tessa Bailey comes up with next!

I want to preface this review with I am a HUGE Tessa Bailey fan and was so beyond excited to receive this as an ARC read. Unfortunately, I am greatly disappointed with how this story turned out and it breaks my heart to even be typing that out.

Dream Girl Drama follows Sig Gauthier, Boston Bearcat hockey star, and Chloe Clifford, privileged country club harpist prodigy. When Sig's car breaks down at the country club he's not a member at, Chloe saves him from getting kicked out by pretending to be his long time friend. They end up stealing a bottle of very expensive champagne and next thing you know, they are making out. Both parties have plans later that evening, but what they don't realize is that their plans are the same: meeting their step-parent to be.

The ONLY redeeming piece of this book in my opinion is Sig. Sig is everything I want in a man: protective, selfless, caring, and considerate. On top of that, he's constantly struggled to make ends meet as he grew up poor and uses his hockey earnings to help everyone else around him. I loved reading his parts because they were the only positive. In contrast, Chloe is the most insufferable FMC I have read in a while. I know that she is privileged, and most of this story is her trying to make it on her own, but wow it was difficult to read. I found myself skimming through her perspectives as I could not relate to her at all. Their relationship was forbidden as they are soon to be stepsiblings and that type of story line when written well is incredible. This was not the case as this fell so so flat for me. This relationship was super insta love and the characters eventually did develop an emotional connection over time, but half of that connection was built during the time jump so we didn't get to see it.

I will say as someone who is from Boston, I loved how this story took place there and loved keeping an eye out for all of the Boston references. Some were very cliche, but it was fun to see on the page. That kept me engaged more than the plot itself.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for giving me the chance to read this as an e-ARC!

Ok, I really do keep giving Tessa Bailey shot after shot, I have read lots of her books, but I just don’t get the hype. This one was better than Fangirl down (a low bar), but just never got good enough or bad enough for me to have a lot of feelings about it.

The book revolves around Sig, a poor boy turned professional hockey player, and Chloe, a prodigy harpist that has grown up privileged and wealthy. They meet and are immediately attracted to each other, only to find out their parents are engaged and they will be step-siblings, something that makes a romantic relationship just not possible because it will not be seen well in their public careers… but a series of big and little events happen, and they have to figure out where they stand with one another.

The whole story seemed weirdly hinged on the fact that the “public” just couldn’t grasp that they weren’t related, in any way, and suggested that everyone would find it incestuous, which I just didn’t fully buy in to. The insta-love went a little too far for me, and Chloe’s controlling mom seemed like a weird way to get her to Boston and under Sig’s guardianship. Why did she have to be so repressed as a character to make the storyline work. I’d love a girl to be strong and smart and capable without a man’s help first.

And for the love of Pete can we please get a dude that isn’t foaming at the mouth with jealousy? I find it wildly off-putting to repeatedly have these insecure men in Tessa Bailey’s books, it just isn’t for me.

I liked seeing characters from Au Pair Affair, and you can clearly see that a softball spinoff is coming.

Thanks Net Galley for the eARC of this book in exchange for my honest feedback.

Story line was great, the only reason I have it 4⭐️ instead of 5 was because I thought that back and forth “we can be together” “no we can’t” vibe was getting kinda annoying after the first 200 pages. After everything was resolved though at the end it was a breath of fresh air with a perfect ending that left me satisfied! I would recommend for a quick sports romance with some crazy family drama ❤️

This was a quick, fun read. I had no idea this was part of a series when I signed up for the ARC but I had no issues understanding everything going on.

I loved the chemistry between Sig and Chloe but they weren’t my favorite characters. I also had a hard time fully buying in to the issue of them being step siblings totally ruining their careers. They’re two consenting adults with no blood relation that develop feelings for each other.

I did really enjoy all the banter with Sig and all his teammates. Overall I enjoyed reading this.

I received an advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Sig and Chloe are an unlikely pair because they find themselves in a bit of a pickle. His father is marrying her mother, ruining their chances of being together. However, their chemistry is undeniable. They try so hard to be strong and move on, but just can't. The twist at the LITERAL end was good. The rest of the book, however, was not.
Tessa Bailey is usually a hit or miss author with me. This read was a huge miss. I was so excited to read it, too. I didn't feel the romance, the chemistry, yes, the romance, no. They only had sexual chemistry, not that romantic type of chemistry I crave in romance books. I definitely feel like with a little bit of revamping, adding an actual romance element would be better. I feel that I can't give a full review simply because there's no romance. I also didn't like how Sig treated Chloe like straight-up property. Always commenting in her body, how he can't wait to feel her sex on his, like what even... he also mentioned how he can't wait to make her a mother, like they never had that conversation, idk why he felt it was okay to just be like wowni cant wait to make you a mother, like what if she cant be? What if she doesn't want kids?? It's just not okay with me.
Thank you, NetGalley, for the eARC.

Sig and Chloe have a chance encounter one night and the sparks fly. Unfortunately, they find out later in the evening that their parents are engaged --- to each other. The whole storyline revolves around the concept that they can't be together because being future step-siblings, it would be too strange or taboo -- to the point where it would literally RUIN BOTH THEIR LIVES... For me, I just couldn’t understand why it would be weird for them to be together when they met as adults before they even knew their parents were together. All they would have to do is own that and say that publicly and I felt like it wouldn’t be weird at all? THERE IS NO BLOOD relation and there's nothing weird about two adults that aren't related who end up having feelings for each other.

The best part about this book was definitely the chemistry between them and Sig was super sweet and Chloe showed quite a bit of character development throughout the story. Also, Tessa always brings the spice ;) It was a quick, light, fun read but the premise was a little tough for me to totally buy into.

4.5 stars 💖

this is by far my favorite hockey romance that I've ever read. I adored these characters, and of course a tessa bailey novel is always a fun and spicy time! chloe gave such legally blonde vibes, sig is a protective guys' guy that that fell first... and hard.

this was so close to being a five star for me. I do think some people will associate this with the insta love trope, but hear me out. it made sense because of the circumstances of how they met. to me, chloe and sig seem to have had a lot of same but different experiences and kind of mirror each other despite having very different personalities. it wasn't a typical insta love/lust. they definitely connected on a way deeper level. the ending felt slightly rushed because these characters don't rush into a physical relationship. there is a lot of pining for each other, and I love how tessa was able to keep it sexy without actual sex occurring until much later on in their story.

I love this series, and this was my favorite one so far although the other big shots novels are close contenders. thank you netgalley and the publisher, avon, for allowing me to read dream girl drama by tessa bailey before it is released in exchange for my honest review.