Tessa Bailey is a favorite. This was not my favorite from her simply because of the troupes. The dirty talk was on point.

Taboo books are not my favorite but I pushed through. Can't wait till book 4 of the series to come out.

This was my 2nd book by Tessa, and I felt the same way about this one as I did the other one. I loved the premise of the story, but I found the writing style lacking. I feel like some parts were repeated throughout the book and that other parts were rushed. I also feel like the investigation into their parents' relationship took up too much of the story and seemed like the main focal point to me. The FMC was very annoying to me, and I think that's why I felt the way I did about some parts of the story. I also felt like the spicy scenes were weird. I like spice, but something just threw me off during some of them.

This may be one I just need to sit on for a while and then come back to update and give a better review. As it stands, I am giving it 3 stars and a maybe on if I would recommend it or not.

Oh I have been waiting for Chloe and Sig’s story forever! Chloe and Sig knew that they were meant to be at first sight. Unfortunately for them, soon after meeting they realized that they were going to be step siblings. There was so so so much tension between the two who were trying to keep in platonic. While I didn’t relate the Chloe in the way that I thought I would based on the last story, I slowly grew to like her in the end. She was raised differently than most and it was interesting to see her learn how to manage life on her own. Sig was absolutely perfect. He protected, provided, and loved her know matter what. The two together- chef kiss.

This is both an insta love yet a development story. While I hated how Chloe never really "grew up" I feel it would have been better if she put a little more effort.. and Sig didnt help either. He was an enabler the whole time. I have to say this was so much story which was shocking to me and I was really interested in it. I do wish the dun dun dun moment was different .. and yet it still worked.
But you cant say that Sig didnt become book boyfriend material with his "<b> I exist for her</b>"

its a good story and it leads to a fourth book if the series continues.

I was skeptical of this book at first (insta-love and step siblings was two red flags within two chapters) but I stuck with it and ended up really enjoying it! The characters were compelling and their relationship was so cute (and spoiler alert: it's less taboo than it seems at first). There were a few cringe moments, like the baseball games and the journalist interview, but overall this was a light, fun read that had me bookmarking the other books in the series. The side characters added a lot of depth and fun dialogue and overall I'd recommend this book to any romance reader.

I received an ARC copy from NetGalley and am leaving my review voluntarily.

I haven't read many Tessa Bailey books at this point in my life, but this is by far the worst one yet. I don't know if I missed some pivotal moment in Sig and Chloe's relationship, but in chapter 4, I was sincerely concerned I had skipped over half the book. Their relationship had developed into something more than stepsiblings in a matter of 4 chapters. And Sig started paying for her apartment, taught her how to do laundry, and was over there almost every day, but we didn't get to read any of that. We would hear about those interactions in flashbacks or in passing comments. In the middle of chapters, it would say "2 weeks later" or "3 months later" and then have another scene that you were supposed to think is adorable but I thought was cringey and awkward because there was no time that the reader got to spend learning about their relationship.

This book heavily missed the mark in my opinion. I didn't finish it because I simply couldn't comprehend the relationship. It felt forced and fake, honestly. If you couldn't tell, I didn't enjoy this book.

And I’m sorry but you had your choice of all the names in the world, and you give him the name of Sig? Sig? With the last name of Gauthier? I cringed every time I read his name.

Despite my review, thank you, Tessa Bailey and NetGalley, for the ARC!

Thank you, Avon and Harper Voyager and Netgalley for a copy of this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

To be honest, Tessa Bailey has been a big flop for me since reading It Happened One Summer. I have found the storylines and dialogue cringy. This was a better read, but still felt a little bizarre. I am all for a possessive man, but this took it to a different level. Sig was overbearing and Chloe was a tad annoying. Despite the flawed characters, I did mostly enjoy the plot.

I will continue to read Tessa Bailey as I know she has good books, but this series has not been my cup of tea overall.

Sig & Chloe have my heart! I love them both so much, they were great characters!

Upon meeting they instantly feel a spark so much so that they share a kiss! Reeling from the encounter, they cant wait to see each other again. Only they meet again only to find out they will be Step Siblings! How could this be possible? Sig finally meets someone who he can't stop thinking about only to find out they're going to be "related"?! Talk about someone throwing a wrench into their plans! They try to strictly carry on as friends/future siblings but it proves to be too difficult. Can they give in to a one night tryst before their parents nuptials? Will one time be enough to get out of each others systems?

This book was a really easy, fun read. I loved the chemistry between the MCs and the line “You love her?” “I exist for her.” definitely had me swooning. There were lots of laughs and the beginning was really promising.

Although I did enjoy the connection between Chloe and Sig, I also found them pretty frustrating. It felt like they fed into each others flaws rather than making each other better people.

Overall, there were some laughs and it was fun.

GIRL PLEASE

I like Tessa Bailey and her books, but I've always felt like reading her books was something that I needed to get through. Sadly, I read the whole book and I did not like it at all really. The fmc was spoiled and she really did not seem to know how the world works??? And the mmc....don't even get me started. This man was in insta-love with this girl and I hated it! Like bro please

Thank you NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the arc!

I absolutely fell in love with this story. I could not put it down and it had me kicking my feet and swooning.

Sig was a hockey player hoping to get signed on his team in Boston. He had a rough childhood where his mom was a single parent and he worried if they would have food on the table. He just wanted to make enough money where she would be comfortable and so would he. Well, his old truck that he refuses to give up breaks down and his phone dies, he ends up at an upscale country club. He didn’t know this day would change his life forever.

Chloe is the daughter of a very wealthy mother. She plays the harp and is amazing at it. Destined to be great. But she wants to leave her hometown, she wants to spread her wings. Chloe has never left her home and doesn’t know what it likes to be on her own or have to work for anything.

Sig and Chloe have an instant connection. The two of them are drawn to one another. Sig has to go to dinner with his father and then he is determined to find Chloe again. But he doesn’t expect to see her at the dinner with his father and his fiance.

Sig and Chloe have strong feelings for one another but with their parents marrying they know they can’t be together. For months they resist one another, but they are best friends and very close. Being together could mean the end to both of their dreams.

Sig is very protective and a “she’s mine” kind of guy. He would do anything for Chloe as long as it made her happy. Chloe is a bit ditsy because she would buy eye creams rather than pay rent. And she is very impulsive, insert in the bulldog, Pierre. But the two of them together is electric and steamy.

4⭐️
2🌶️

Tessa Bailey is always a fun read. This is not my favorite trope but it was still a fun read and I thank the publisher for the opportunity to read early. Thank you!

It’s official… I’m breaking up with Tessa Bailey. I haven’t enjoyed her last few books and don’t think I’ll read any more moving forward. The characters were so immature and self absorbed. I was beyond frustrated with Sig and Chloe. She wants to be independent but then relies upon Sig for everything. His protectiveness didn’t come off as chivalrous but instead as disturbing and overbearing. There wasn’t much of a plot beyond will they won’t they. I also thought that the spice was cringey. How many times can he mention that he wants to be filthy?! The best part was when they stopped talking. At least then you could see them growing as individuals.

I read Tessa Bailey solely for the spice, and she never misses. Her books are always so fun, despite lacking some depth. And that's why I love them. I do not want to be reflective.

Woah, this was a SPICY slowburn that I couldn't stop reading. The premise of this book might put some people off. Sig and Chloe are soon-to-be step siblings, but there is zero ick involved. The beginning of the book sets up their story so perfectly and changes the whole dynamic of their relationship and love. I promise, you have no reason to feel any type of icky while reading this book.

Since the series began I was looking forward to reading the Sig and Chloe story because it was hinted at so heavily in the others and it didnt disappoint. This one has all the Tessa Bailey you love but with more complications and issues with the characters getting together than you would normally get. I was happy with it and definitely with the epilogue.

I have to admit, this book was a miss for me. :/ I love Tessa Bailey books typically, however this one was just not for me.

This book was a step-siblings to lovers, which I have read a lot of that have worked out well but this one was very off putting..

Phew, no one does sexual tension like Tessa Bailey!!
I only had two problems with this book: 1) insta-love… it will never be my favorite trope 2) I don’t see the big deal of them dating even tho their stepsiblings… they’re not related by blood and they didn’t grow up together so what’s the big deal?

3.75 rounded up

I have to say, the overprotective/possessive alpha male act was a bit cringe due to the subject matter. Like, the whole “We can’t be together, but no one else can have you either.” Scenario was seriously getting on my last nerve. Their parents drove me crazy, and the miscommunication was making me batty. That aside, the spice was THERE and I am super invested in this universe. I love all of the sports players in this series, I am sooooooo ready for their storylines (THEY BETTER GET THEIR OWN BOOKS!!) and I loved catching up with other characters from the previous books. Despite the cringe, I really enjoyed this book. Chloe is just so sweet and you know she would be an amazing friend. Sig has so much going on, and fights hard for those he cares about. I can’t wait for the next book… hint, hint…

⭐⭐⭐ (3/5 Stars)

I’ve found that I either really love Tessa Bailey books or they really fall short for me. And future step siblings that fall in love with each other is definitely not for me. I tried reading as well as the audiobook and both were a struggle to get through. There was definite chemistry between Sig and Chloe but I wasn’t on the edge of my seat rooting for their success. Tessa Bailey is great for all the spice but this story was a definite miss for me.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon for an eARC of this book in return for an honest review.