Get ready for a sweltering hot insta-love that will rip out your heart and, in true Tessa Bailey fashion, glue it back together.

🌶🌶🌶🌶/5
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Their parent's are getting married, but he fell for her anyway. Like, he's down bad crying at the skating rink. There is no way that they can be together. Even so, they both know it's only a matter of time before one of them gives in.

Sig (yeah, that's his name) and Chloe are complete opposites. He's a professional athlete that comes from humble beginnings. She's a child prodigy classical musician who is filthy rich. Sid and Chloe hear each other's voices and instantly fall in love--and you know what? I'm here for it! Despite being an insta love story, these two characters had such depth and their relationship, with all of its ugly complications, will make you buckle at the knees. Tessa Bailey writes these two characters with such maturity. They communicate. They are honest with their feelings, to a fault! Tessa's characters brought this story to life and it wasn't just entertaining, it was heart wrenching, and it was so frustrating. What I love about them is that they aren't ashamed of loving one another, even if the world tries to make them feel that they should.

It's adorable. It's sexy. It's perfection! *chef's kiss* 🤌🤌

Tessa Bailey knows how to frame stories that are captivating, heartbreaking, healing, and scorching hot. Dream Girl Drama was no different! Queen T delivered with this one, y'all!

🏒 friends to lovers
💗 stepbrother stuff (you'll just have to see)
🏒 hockey players being buff and bossy
💗 top tier dirty talk
🏒 "good girl" kink 🌶
💗 classical musician fmc
🏒 side character banter
💗 s****y parents
🏒 he's possessive and she's here for it
💗 "You're mine"
🏒 she's not allowed to date
💗 forbidden romance
🏒 HEA
💗 an epilogue that will make you melt
🏒 his friends claim her as theirs
💗 look at her and die vibes
🏒 he falls first and harder
💗 no miscommunication 🙌
🏒 slow burn
💗 pregnancy kink...sort of?


Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager for an e-arc of this book on NetGalley!

I have to give Tessa Bailey all the credit because the “twist” hit me out of nowhere and changed the whole book. I didn’t read the description before going into this book which clearly says they find out their step siblings. I loved “Fangirl down” and the “Au Pair Affair” so I saw another book in this series and I was like I’m sold, no more information needed. I had no idea it was coming until Sig got to his Father’s and commented on the music being played. And then I was like OH MY GOD SHE DID NOT! For three and half chapters I was just reading along like ok insta-love. Just okay. The BAM. The whole books sudden has a forbidden romance trope (my favorite) and I can’t put it down. I kind of wished the description didn’t tell you that they be step siblings because the reveal for me was so amazing.
I thought there was no way I would like “Dream girl drama” as much as I did “Fangirl down”. “Fangirl down” is my favorite book of 2024 and I thought nothing would top it. This. This topped it. Sig talked so dirty about what he wanted to do to Chloe but then on the flipside he said things so loving that I was hooked. I loved his protectiveness toward her. That he do anything to see her happy. I loved Chloe’s excitement at things like doing laundry or going into a basement but also I loved her building rebellion against her controlling narcissistic mother. Sig and Chloe have this crackling tension between them as they have been intimate before and it was fire. And now are closer together than before, as Chloe moves to Chicago with Sig to follow her dreams, but now they can’t be together romantically. Just the way they stand when they talk to each other is laced with passion neither of them can act on and they agree to be best friends.
Thank you Tessa Bailey and Avon and Harper Voyager for accepting me for this ARC.

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I adored this book!!
I was blessed to get an advanced copy of this masterpiece and it has altered my brain chemistry!
Sig and Chloe's story is filled with laughs, angst, tension, and most of all love. I was heavily invested in both of these characters and the tension between the two was written perfectly!
I'm ready for another one, Tessa!

Thank you so much to Avon Books for this e-arc! I was pleasantly surprised that I was approved for this one because I have been denied other books by Tessa Bailey before. Because she is one of my favorite authors, I will always always always request/buy anything that Tessa Bailey comes out with!

This one in particular has everything that a TB book normally has, a possessive MMC, above-par spice, and the beloved banter TB fans know and love. With this one involving soon-to-be step siblings, this one also held an extra taboo aspect that I love when it comes to romance novels. I love me some good taboo forbidden romances.

Aside from how it was written (if you’re familiar with Tessa Bailey romances, it has pretty much the same type of outline/plot order that all of her other books have), which of course I have no qualms with, I was a bit disappointed about how everything was “solved”.

Without giving anything away or providing any spoilers, the whole climax and solution to the plot made me feel as if the majority of the book was not necessary. Which is a bit of a bummer by the end of all of it.

However, the beginning of the story was very giddy-worthy, and I would’ve read it anyway since I love Tessa Bailey and the characters she writes.

All this to say, you may like it, you may not like it, but that’s like any book you read right?

I give it 4 stars as I still enjoyed getting to know the characters and their lives/views/ideals. I can’t wait to read the next one! 🤭

So far, the first book in this series, Fangirl Down, is still my favorite. But this series has more than 3 books in it so far and I can’t wait to see what happens next! 😊

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 to Dream Girl Drama!

Solid 3.5 stars.

Listen, did I love this book as much as Fangirl Down? No. Did I like it more than the Au Pair Affair? Slightly. Am I glad I read this? Definitely. Will I read everything Tessa puts out? 100%

At first I was really torn on reading a book with this trope, but I'm actually glad I did. I've also never read an insta-love story, but I found it highly amusing and found myself rooting for them so hard, and really annoyed when things kept getting in the way. And the mouth on Sig? Excuse ME, Sir.

The best takeaway though, the next 2 books that better be coming. GIVE ME THEM RIGHT NOW. I know that those 2 idiots are going to be my favorites.

3.5 ⭐️

I was so beyond lucky to get an ARC of Tessa Bailey’s new book and I immediately dropped my entire tbr the second this hit my inbox! I’ve been patiently waiting for Chloe and Sig’s story since they were first introduced- so eager to see how Tessa spins this story (step siblings seemed like a tricky line to walk) and I think she did an amazing job of executing this one!

All taboo aspects aside, I loved how much these two cared for each other and their desperation to be together despite their circumstances. Sig is the perfect book boyfriend and was so protective over Chloe, it was so cute. Literally my reason for not rating it higher was that Chloe drove me a little nuts 🥴 I can appreciate she was sheltered and privileged growing up - and that part of the plot was that Sig was taking care of her while she left home to be on her own. BUT Sig literally doing every single for her (including pay her rent, making sure she had groceries, not letting her lift a finger for anything) went from being cute and thoughtful to a little odd.

I adore this series and am excited to see where it goes from here- this just wasn’t my favorite of the three and that’s okay 🤗

Read if you like:
❤️ opposites attract
❤️ taboo / forbidden romance
❤️ hockey player mmc
❤️ privileged and sheltered fmc
❤️ music prodigy fmc
❤️ best friends to lovers

Thank you so so much NetGalley, for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review 🫶🏼

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for this ARC!

4 Stars!!

I have loved every single Tessa book I've read, and this one wasn't any different. A night that starts with an epic meet cute and ends with finding out that meet cute is your future step sibling?? I was hooked from the beginning. A forbidden romance that felt so right the more I read. Sig and Chloe had insane chemistry from the beginning, and it was palpable. The anticipation that built with them meeting in secret, I was just waiting for something to go wrong or for them to be caught.

Sig is a grumpy hockey player, but he is more sunshine for Chloe. I love a boy down bad, and he was for her immediately. He also has a filthy mouth that had me blushing on more than one occasion along with Chloe.

I will note that while I read this, I was trying to figure out how they were going to end up together in the end. I am happy to say that I did NOT guess the ending. It was a shocking twist that made perfect sense.

Dream Girl Drama has:
- Hockey player & harpist
- Forbidden romance
- Pining
- Secret meet ups
- Future step siblings
- Spice
- Found family

I am loving this series!

This was a very cute forbidden romance. I like the stepbrother/stepsister trope. I felt it was a little dragged out and wanted them to get together earlier. Overall great chemistry with the main characters.

Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley for providing me with an early copy to read and review.

A cute, predictable easy-read. The immaturity of the main character stopped me from really enjoying it. But light and fun.

The chemistry between these two was extreme. I don’t know that it felt like love, more like lust. And Chloe seemed so helpless at times that it became a little annoying and was off base. Sig was doing everything for her and getting nothing in return. To me, it made Sig's character seem less of a man. I am a huge Tessa Bailey fan, but this one was outside of my ability to understand. I think some people will really enjoy this book, but it was just so-so for me. What I loved the most about these two was how they were genuinely best friends. It was a slow burn romance that it really gave them the opportunity to become close.

I rated this novel 3.5 stars. If you watched Clueless and rooted for Cher and Josh to get together, this book is for you. It's very much your stereotypical Bailey novel. Is it the best book I've ever read? No, but did I have a great time reading it? Absolutely, and that's par for the course when it comes to Bailey's books, and I'll keep eating them up every time.

Thank you to NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager for the arc digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

Sig meets his dream girl Chloe at a country club. They have amazing chemistry and have an instant love connection. But that same night Sig has to go meet his father’s new fiancée, who happens to be Chloe’s mother. Chloe has never learned to be independent. Her mother does everything for her and she has never lived alone or paid a bill or learned to drive. She longs to play for the Boston orchestra Symphony. Sig encourages her and says he will help her. She leaves with sig that night. He helps her learn to do things for herself but despite their chemistry they never sleep together. They do everything together though and people begin to talk about their forbidden relationship.

This is told from both Sig and Claire perspectives. I really enjoyed the chemistry between them. The spicy scenes were top notch! I love how Tessa Bailey handles sex scenes. I removed one star because I question someone paying rent and everything else after knowing them for a few hours. If I ignore that though I really enjoyed this book. I have enjoyed every book in this series and will continue with the next book.

Dream Girl Drama is the third book in the Hot Shots series and follows two characters we were previously introduced to. Chloe is a sheltered, upper class harp prodigy and Sig is a rough and tough professional hockey player. These two polar opposites have a chance encounter where sparks fly. They part ways with the promise of seeing each other again only to find that they were going to see each other again VERY soon. At a dinner to celebrate their parents engagement. Where do they go from there?

The chemistry between these two was really good and I was invested but was skeptical of a "step sibling love" kind of trope. I think it was really well done and I didn't find it taboo or off-putting. To be clear, they aren't ACTUALLY step siblings but only step siblings to be. I found the characters likeable both separately and together. The story was a good mix of their love story but also the story of each of their lives separately and the challenges they faced. There was strong character development for both of them. Overall, I found it really fun and exciting to read. I like how she sets up new storylines for future books in this series and I'm excited to read the next installment.

This book was fun to read and I did enjoy it overall. I didn’t feel like the relationship between Chloe and Sig was deep enough and it was just more of a desire for lust. However, the twist at the end was great and not expected from me! Thank you netgalley for allowing me to review this ARC.

This books is 11/10, an absolute banger. Employing her typical witty banter and dirty talk, Tessa scores a hat trick with this hockey romance. It’s just this side of a taboo theme, with step siblings relationships at the heart of the conflict, and the slow burn is fire.

I do feel like I needed more at the end, another chapter or two post conflict resolution, but I’m probably being greedy.

Side note- the accuracy with the referee slander was top tier. I will be buying this book when it releases for my kindle so I can go look up the digs when I’m angry at my refs too!!

Tessa Bailey has done it again! Dream Girl Drama is a heartfelt, steamy, and emotional rollercoaster that had me laughing, crying, and swooning in equal measure. Sig and Chloe’s story is one of undeniable chemistry, aching tension, and the bittersweet longing of two people who know they’re meant for each other but feel they can’t be together.

From the moment Sig and Chloe meet in that private country club, their connection is electric. That moonlight kiss? Absolute magic. But when their parents’ engagement throws a wrench into their blossoming romance, the emotional stakes skyrocket. Tessa Bailey masterfully conveys the anguish of holding back, and there were moments my heart ached so deeply for Sig and Chloe that I found myself in tears. Their mutual longing was palpable, and the way they tortured themselves by denying their feelings was both gut-wrenching and beautiful.

What really stood out to me was how much these characters grew throughout the story. Chloe’s journey from a sheltered harp prodigy to an independent woman was empowering, and Sig’s unwavering support made me fall for him even more. Their struggle to stay platonic, despite their undeniable connection, created so much tension—I was rooting for them with every turn of the page.

With her signature wit, charm, and steamy romance, Bailey crafts a story that’s as much about family and self-discovery as it is about love. Dream Girl Drama is the perfect rom-com for anyone who loves forbidden romance, laugh-out-loud humor, and a story that will tug on your heartstrings.

If you’re a fan of Tessa Bailey or just love a romance that makes you feel everything, this book is an absolute must-read. Prepare for all the feels—you’ll be thinking about Sig and Chloe long after you turn the last page.

I went into this hoping for an interesting take on the stepsibling trope, expecting tension, cute banter, and chemistry. Unfortunately, I found myself disappointed with both the romance and the characters themselves, though there were a few redeeming aspects that saved this from a one-star rating.
The premise had potential: two strangers meet, sparks fly, only for them to reunite later at a dinner hosted by their parents, who announce they’re engaged, making them soon-to-be stepsiblings. There were so many directions this could have gone, but the immediate, overwhelming attraction between Chloe and Sig felt rushed. I wanted tension, flirting, cute banter and mutual pining for one another, where was undeniable chemistry I was promised? Its only CHAPTER TWO and it’s been what? Almost an hour tops since they met and he’s already begging to F**K her. WHAT IS THIS INSANITY!!!?

The MFC Chloe has led a very sheltered, rich and privileged life. She’s very naïve and inexperienced to basically anything in the real world to the point that I find it very hard to believe people like this could exist in real life. So, you’re expecting me to believe that a 25-year-old rich girl has never been to a Sephora?

Let me quote a phrase from Chloe’s POV, “She’d only been in Boston for two weeks-long enough to know everything cost money” - For someone who says this you would think she would be smart about her spending. Nope! She later spends her rent money on eye creams! FYI not her money since she’s cut off from mommy’s bank, and its Sig’s money that he set aside for her to pay rent to just reckless spend on useless things. I honestly couldn’t tell if she’s just clueless, or just entirely detached from reality cause why on earth would a person do that?!

Sig, the male lead, is supposed to be a nice guy helping Chloe gain independence, but his actions often come across as controlling rather than protective. His obsessive focus on Chloe, constantly thinking of her and not even seeming to remember his own hockey career, made him feel one-dimensional and more of a walking “red flag” than a romantic lead. There’s an underlying ick factor to his generosity, like he’s buying her time and attention rather than forming a genuine connection. I almost forgot he was a hockey player because his personality revolved solely around Chloe.
The MMC takes out MFC away to Boston, away from her overbearing mother and sheltered life so she can study music the way she has always wanted, spends money to buy her an apartment and even gives her spending money. Like damn! All this happens in the span of a few days to a week! All the while his constant thoughts about wanting to get into her pants made it seem like his actions wasn’t that noble at all!

The story's solution to their “stepsibling” issue was weak, bordering on laughable. Chloe and Sig’s attitude seemed to be, “We’re about to be siblings, but let’s throw caution to the wind and see where it goes.” This casual disregard for their situation felt irresponsible.

Also WHY DID SHE HAVE TO FINGER HIS ASS – LMAOOO THIS TOOK ME OUT AHAHAHAAHA😭😭

Ultimately, Chloe and Sig needed to work on themselves before diving into this chaotic relationship. They kept running from the real issues by jumping into bed rather than actually communicating. And if we’re guessing whether they’ll still be together after the epilogue? Realistically, it’s unlikely. Without growth or development as individuals, I can’t see this couple surviving long-term.

While this book did have a few moments where I enjoyed the supporting characters like the parents and Chloe’s friend, who oddly felt more grounded than the main characters, the main characters needed more depth, that being said, it wasn’t enough to save this book for me.

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

Good lord the angst in this book! Sig and Chloe are just so so sweet together. He literally would move mountains for her. They’re doing their best to keep things platonic for obvious reasons but fail miserably lol. You could just FEEL their undying love jumping off the page at you.

Love how it turned into a little bit of a mystery. I totally called on what would happen though! Still loved every damn second of this book. The pages just fly by because you’re like, “They have to be together! They just have to!”

Get this book when it comes out. It’s a perfect addition to the series.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers for this amazing opportunity and this is my honest review!

I love Tessa Bailey! 💖💖💖

If you are a fan of Tessa Bailey then you will enjoy this read. Tessa Bailey caters to a very specific trope in the romance novel genre. She always writes men who are large, dominating, and somewhat feral over their love interest. I had the opportunity to see her speak last year when she was touring for one of her book releases and she joked that she told the graphic designer to make the man’s thighs thicker. This book, as all her other books, is full of steamy sex scenes, family drama, and an obsessive lust/love. You know what you are getting into by reading this book if you have read any of her others and it does not disappoint. It’s a guilty pleasure junk food read.

My rating: 3.5 stars

I’d like to thank NetGalley for giving me a chance to read this ARC.

**Spoiler warning**

This book really tries to toe the line of socially forbidden love, but I really struggled to understand why it was such a big deal. Yes, both main character’s lives were in the spotlight and media can be cruel, but they were adults when their parents met. There was no childhood cohabitation or weird family holidays as teens. Thankfully, they don’t end up as stepsiblings, but the book seems a bit dramatic. Even Sig’s Dad was harping on the fact they would be related so back off of Chloe, but he KNEW that wasn’t even true.

Also, Tessa Bailey frequently writes MC women who need help, but Chloe took it to a whole new level. She didn’t know how to do anything and somehow convinced a person she just met to financially shell out more then he could afford to keep her in some form of luxury to prove she could “strike out on her own?” Seems a little crazy to me, but again if you like this genre, you will eat this shit up. Don’t even get me started on how Sig kept a closet full of pop tarts so that he could keep her dependent and keep tabs on her. Overall, I liked Chloe as an MC. Although helpless, she does have a growth arc and really does learn how to do a lot for herself. She puts Sig’s needs before her own at the end which I respect especially for someone who grew up surrounded by such wealth. I will say, Tessa Bailey really nailed the slow burn and intense sexual tension between Sig and Chloe.

ARC Review. 2.5 stars! This was a fun, silly, non-serious time. Both characters felt rich in the writing. If you are looking for a "deep" romance, this is not the one. Although very predictable, isn't that a reason to love it?!

Tesa Bailey goes on a slippery slope with Dreamgirl drama. Her latest hockey romance scrapes the surface of a forbidden romance. Let me first say that the this book had my mind in circles wondering just how Tessa was going to deliver this plot without crossing the line. I really think this book is perfect for a reader who loves Hockey romance and loves the idea of giving yourself a fighting chance at love. This is my first hockey romance and my first Tesa Bailey read. I was both excited and nervous for this story given the taboo of the plot. I was here for Tessa’s overall vision. Let me start by saying I wanted to love Sig & Chloe together but I found myself getting frustrated with a Chloe’s lack of sense of self (felt she relied heavily on Sig) I do recognize this was her identity since page 1. She wanted growth and independence and I feel she just scratched the surface of the growth she was looking for. I thought Tessa did a good job of writing Sig. He was likable, and that’s always a plus for me. I mean who doesn’t want a man who will destroy the world or anything in his path to make you happy? They had a insta love “connection” & that was fine until it became more of a lust than actual love story for me. (I knew there was spice going in and I’m here for that all day) I suppose the “burn/crave was what Tessa wanted us to feel so I can see how it went that direction.

Right off the bat a wrench gets thrown into their chance encounter. I have to say during those scenes I was actually confused on whether they knew each other or not? We’ve got a guy whose career is hanging in the balance and then we have Chloe, who is a carefree ‘I’m a good time, girl socialite’ who both get the shock of their lives when they end up seeing each other again only this time it’s under the cringiest of circumstances..their parents are getting married. I did find myself speculating how their 2nd encounter was going to go and I was pretty close to how it played out. I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing but I’ll chalk it up to being invested in the storyline and watching way too many CW shows to begin with.

I did enjoy Sig’s over protective nature and Chloe’s relatable girl moments..Tessa threw in a T-swift reference and I giggled at that not bc of anything other than it being unexpected which I appreciated as a low key swiftie. I wanted more of a connection between the two of them. There was seemingly more fluff than depth and while I know I’m not reading Shakespeare, I wanted more to think about with these characters and all I kept thinking was ..where is the real drama? Did it get lost bc I feel like it all got lost in translation for me. This read was not terrible but it wasn’t memorable for me.

Maybe this was one of those right book wrong time kind of things. I’m def open to reading more TB in the future but this one just didn’t leave me with anything other than the obvious question of will they or won’t they? And maybe that’s all Tessa wanted from me as a reader..I walk away giving Sig & Chloe’s story 3.2 ⭐️’s.

Thank you to both NetGalley & Avon books for the advance reader copy. I hope whoever comes across this review takes a chance on any book that ever crosses their path you never know you just might love it.