3.5 stars. I liked this book. Especially the beginning. I was very invested but as the story progressed I was looking for a bit more growth from the FMC. Instead it did seem like she relied on others more than what should’ve been necessary for a woman her age. The romance was cute and I did enjoy that I would be liked to see more from the FMC.

I absolutely loved this book. Tessa Bailey is one of my favorite authors, so when I got picked to read and review an ARC of hers I was so excited! I loved the characters. They were charismatic and thoroughly entertaining. The storyline was very well written and kept me enthralled the entire time! I didn't want to put the book down. Her books are always amazing and this one was no exception! I can't wait to see what she writes next!

As much as I love Tessa’s quirk and banter and her general writing style, this one unfortunately fell a bit short for me. I LOVE a forbidden romance and I love EVEN MORE a stepbrother romance and while this started off very promising, the main and major sole focus was the fact that they were step siblings. Which normally, ok, I can get the taboo in that if you’re growing up with someone your whole life as only that but these were older and late life characters that had no idea their parents were even together and met before even knowing that. I just, don’t truly understand the road block here. I just feel like it missed the mark a bit for me. 3/5 stars.

This wasn’t awful, but it wasn’t great. I found it to be very predictable, and I kept rolling my eyes.

Reading this goes to show how much I trust Tessa Bailey to write content that won’t make me uncomfortable or weird me out. This third book in the interconnected standalone series “Big Shots” follows Chloe and Sig and their slow burn, forbidden romance (their respective parents are about to get married which would result in them being step siblings). But it’s not weird! They met and hit it off before they even knew about the upcoming nuptials! Tension builds between the two of them as they try to navigate being friends (but in all actuality being more than friends). Tessa Bailey sure knows how to write a romance where you root for the couple all throughout the story. This one sizzled and you couldn’t wait for Sig to figure out a way for them to be together without scandal raining down on their personal lives.

I've been eagerly following Sig and Chloe’s story ever since their introduction in Tessa Bailey's Fan Girl Down, the first book in the Big Shot series, and let me tell you—this book was definitely worth the wait. In this spicy, forbidden romance, we meet Boston's star hockey player, Sig, and sweet Chloe, a wealthy harp prodigy with a big heart. Their chemistry is instant and undeniable, but things quickly take an unexpected turn when they discover their parents are getting married. What follows is a thrilling mix of lust, passion, and family drama.

Tessa Bailey proves once again that she is a master of spicy romance, and Dream Girl Drama is no exception. Sig and Chloe’s relationship is electric, and the addition of the forbidden romance element gives it an extra punch. Even though the plot is somewhat predictable, it’s the sizzling chemistry and emotional stakes that make this book an absolute page-turner. Fans of spicy sports romances will devour this one, and if you’ve been following Sig and Chloe’s story since Fan Girl Down, you’ll be more than satisfied with this long-awaited continuation.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager | Avon for providing me this advanced reader copy in exchange of my honest review.

Just when I thought the last installment in the Big Shots series was my favorite, Tessa drops these two star-crossed lovers! I knew after The Au Pair Affair that there was tension to be had here. But WOW was I underestimating it. I was kept on the edge of my seat until the very last pages to see how Chloe and Sig could possibly end up together. There is nothing comparable to the way Sig's very existence was made for her, including every tiny detail he memorizes and catalogs. Now I'm gone for him too. Chloe is outwardly someone you don't want to like until you just do. We fall in love with her the same way Sig does. Her determination and journey to find her voice spoke volumes to me, and I'm sure many others.

Five star read!!! Thank you Netgalley and Avon/Harper Voyager for the eARC!

The most yearning from a TB book yet, and I need more of it. Loved the chemistry between Sig and Chloe. I think there could’ve been more explored with Sig and his family because it felt a little rushed at the end.

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Thanks to NetGalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.

Dream Girl Drama by Tessa Bailey was cute but utterly predictable.

This is a third book in a series and in The Au Pair Affair readers knew exactly where this third book was going thanks to the foreshadowing. With the authors books I always ask who talks like that? So cringy. I liked this book best out of the three probably due to the romance happening in the last 30% of the book. There was more story even if it was frustrating due to the characters. They were not believable but I read this fast.

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

Tessa Bailey gave me quite the ride. I laughed, I cried, I got angry and of course I swooned. Chloe is on an adventure to stand on her own two feet and finally grow up, Sig is helping her, by trying to do everything for her. So many secrets, parents lying, on both sides, hurtful comments, toxic relationships. I loved this freaking book. Well except Elton, he's was a jerk face.

Dream girl drama is my new favorite Tessa Bailey book.

After getting a glimpse of Sig and Chloe’s mysterious relationship in The Au Pair Affair, I was intrigued to read more about their story. To say this book hit the spot, would be an understatement.

The love they have for each other is truly refreshing. I loved seeing how much of an impact Sig and Chloe had on each other.

3.5 spicy hockey stars

This is my fourth book by Tessa Bailey. I always know I’m in for a steamy story with interesting characters! In this round, we have a professional hockey player, a musician, and forbidden love. Much of it is set in Boston, which I love as a book setting.

The two main characters, Sig and Chloe, meet at a country club and hit it off immediately. They don’t realize that their parents (Sig’s Dad and Chloe’s Mom) just got engaged. So when they marry, Sig and Chloe will become step-siblings. There’s the forbidden love piece! Although both were adults, so not sure where that measures on the forbidden scale?

Of course, the two have trouble keeping it just friends, and the temperature just keeps rising!

Chloe has always lived at home but heads to Boston to study music, and Sig helps her gain independence. As their careers heat up, it becomes clear that they can’t be together.

I haven’t read the first book in this series (Big Shots), but I think I’ll go back and read them. If you want a book to warm you up this cold winter, this one should do the trick!

This book is so good and once again proves that pretty much everything Tessa Bailey touches is gold. Normally, I would steer clear of any trope remotely close to this (Stepsiblings getting it on is a hard pass for me and the thought of it instantly gives me the icks) but since I know her work so well, and she’s an author I’ve always enjoyed, I had faith she wouldn’t take it to a bad place. I’m so glad I trusted her because she delivered!!

I knew I would love this couple based on their appearances in The Au Pair Affair. They are classic opposites attract from different worlds who balance each other. On paper, Sig and Chloe shouldn’t work. Sig is the kind of gorgeous, strong, silent, overbearing and worshipful book boyfriend whose behavior could sometimes be seen as red flag territory if you list out what he does without context but is made so attractive when we can be in his head and learn his motivations (I.e. the Pop Tarts). Similarly, Chloe, the rich, beautiful, sheltered socialite, could have came across as annoyingly unaware and naive but somehow we end up loving and rooting for her to grow and become independent.

Overall, this was more of a slow burn than some of Bailey’s other titles but I loved it more for it. If they had just given in to their feelings the entire story, it wouldn’t have made sense and could have made a turn for the worse. But don’t worry, when she delivers the spice, be prepared to sweat!

’m so glad she gave us Sig and Chloe’s story and cannot wait for the next in this series, Pitcher Perfect, with Orgasm Donor Robbie taking the lead!

I've enjoyed this author in the past but this isn't one of my favorites. The book had a lot of potential but felt rushed.

Sig and Chloe have a great meet cute and sparks fly immediately. They share a hot kiss and then run off to their seperate obligations. Except it turns out they were both going to the same place and their parents are planning to marry! This was a great premise but it wasn't delivered as well as it could be.

The tension between Sig and Chloe is hot all the way through. When they finally give in, it's steamy! Everything works out way to easily in the end, which was a disappointment. I hung on through the whole book wondering how in the world this was going to end up happily and then it was just too easy of a fix. Plus, teh whole book takes place over the course of 6 months and it would have been better if it was slower paced.

Still, I recommend this one for fans of the author and those who like a taboo romance.

I’ve been WAAAAITING for this one for like ever. I’m obsessed w how Tessa did this trope and the chemistry
Between the MC’s? Yes please! I adored so much about this book and I cannot wait for more from
Her

Overall: 3/5
Characters: 3/5
Plotline: 3/5
Writing: 3/5
Tropes: MF; Hockey; Billionaire; Taboo

Themes: 3/5
Romance: 3/5
Spice Factor: 2
Enjoyment Factor: 3/5

Review: I really loved the other two books in this series, but I hated this. The romance was too fast-paced, so there was no build-up to the romance. I don't think that the manic pixie dream girl is a personality trope I enjoy because she was so annoying I wanted to go through the book multiple times. While Chloe was super irritating, Sig felt like a carbon copy of Burgess, which was just sad and made him just so flat.

I received an ARC of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I think this lands on one of my favorite Tessa Bailey books.

Chloe and Sig had a chance meeting when Sig’s truck breaks down. They have an instant connection until they find out their about to become step siblings.

I never felt bored with this book. I loved the way Sig and Chloe’s chemistry built through out the book. This is a slow burn. Sig is the sweetest and text book Golden Retriever.

I had some laugh out loud moments and made me just love this book more. The pop tart thing was the absolute cutest thing.

I also want to say I want a Corrigan and Skylar story.

Genre: Hockey Romance
POV: Third Person
APK: Ebook
Pages: 384
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
Series or Standalone: Book 3 in the Big Shots Series

Not my favorite Tessa Bailey book. While the spice was there, I’m not sure I truly believe sleep the love was. Thank you for this arc I really do appreciate it,

Tessa Bailey delivers another signature romance with Dream Girl Drama, blending her trademark spice, compelling characters, and a dash of drama to keep readers engaged. While the plot unfolds predictably, it doesn’t detract from the enjoyment of the story—sometimes, knowing what’s coming makes rooting for love all the more satisfying.

The characters are a standout, with chemistry that leaps off the page and dynamics that feel authentic despite the intriguing, if unusual, family connections woven into the narrative. Their emotional arcs kept me invested from start to finish, and I was cheering for their happy ending all along.

As with most of Bailey’s works, the “spice factor” is just right—steamy enough to satisfy her loyal readers but never overshadowing the heart of the story. The romance is sweet and steamy, balanced with humor and heartfelt moments that make this book an enjoyable escape.

If you’re a fan of Tessa Bailey or romance with a blend of drama and charm, Dream Girl Drama is worth adding to your bookshelf. It might not surprise you with twists, but it’ll win you over with its characters and their journey to love.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon & Harper Voyager for an eARC of this book in exchange for a honest, unbiased review!

dream girl drama: first off, this is my first Tessa Bailey book and this is the third installment of a series. after reading the description, i was intrigued but wary. step siblings that fall in love?

chloe and sig meet at country club where they really hit it off. an hour later, they meet again, but this time it’s at the dinner their parents are announcing their engagement. from there the two try to resist their urges and decide they should stay friends because they can’t imagine not being in eachother lives. long story short, they tease eachother for 8 months until their is a “solution” to their problem.

I really wanted to like this book but here were my issues:

-they meet. One hour later, he loves her and would give his whole life up for her?
-chloe has childlike behavior and sig enables it. it gave me the ick towards both of them.
-90% book is whining about not being able to be together. they are in their twenties when they meant. they didn’t grow up together. they are not related by blood. just do it if it’s “killing” them?

what tessa proved she can do oh so well is write some spice. when they do have moments, it is so clearly described.

overall, I was disappointed with this read. i have only heard good things about tessa’s book and i look forward to giving another one a shot.

thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. Here’s to many more!