Dream Girl Drama is a tension filled romance between two people that are going to become step siblings in a few months.

I really enjoyed the tension and the obvious pull that these two characters had for one another, I loved their meet cute moment and the insta love trope actually worked for this story.

Some of the pacing was a little off for me through out the book, the beginning was a lot of time jumps and the ending kind of wrapped up quickly. Tessa Bailey has a unique way of writing spice but this one was pretty tame for her and a slow burn,

Overall, this was my favorite book in this series and I really enjoyed my time reading it! Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for a honest review!

I was waiting to read this story since book 1, however it didn’t deliver. It was too fast paced to be believable as a romance, Chloe was more often than not depicted with childlike characteristics, and there was little to no character development for Sig. I’ll give it to TB though… she made it to chapter 23 before using the word “mirth”.

4.5 stars

This is book #3 of the Big Shots series, but can certainly be read as a stand alone.

Chloe is a spoiled rich girl who isn’t up too much aside from hanging out at the country club all day. She randomly meets Sig there and he is instantly in love. They have to ultimately choose if they want to be together or both gain success in their careers.

I totally felt it from the beginning. They face some challenges that prevent them from being together. I don’t know if I fully believed it would be a huge deal in real life. I also thought Chloe really took advantage of Sig and even when she realized it didn’t correct it.

Overall it was a page turner and I really enjoyed it. Recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon publishing for the advanced E-ARC of this book!

THIS is how you do a slow burn! Tessa Bailey hit this book out of the park. Filling the story with opposites attract, ample backstory, and tension for days.
Sig has always just "gotten by." He lives his life based on what he needs, not what he wants. When he meets, Chloe, his whole world is flipped upside down. Chloe is a sheltered, musical prodigy who know nothing outside of the bubble her mother has kept her in. The two have instant chemistry and the two of them together are the best type of chaos.

What seems to be a perfect pairing is disrupted by the surprise announcement that their parents are getting married, making them future step siblings. Keeping their emotions in check and feelings at bay amplifies the tension.

The way Sig cares and prioritizes Chloe is the best! Chloe has a great character arc from spoiled rich girl to realizing what is outside of her bubble, all under the guidance of Sig. Both characters are the best versions of themselves when they are together. The dual POV only add depth to the narrative.

Absolutely recommend.

When professional hockey player Sig Gauthier meets manic pixie dream girl Chloe Clifford, sparks fly. They are immediately drawn to each other and set up a date that both are eager to attend. Later that night, they learn their parents are engaged and they are about to be step siblings. Knowing they can't be more than friends, they still can't seem to stay way from each other.

I LOVED this book! There were so many nuances to their relationship. Sig and Chloe both had a lot to lose. He was a professional hockey player living the public eye, and she was a harp prodigy with a high stakes mentorship. Neither could afford public backlash, but they knew they had something special. Sig cared so much for Chloe, and went out of his way to show her that repeatedly. She trusted him more than anyone else in her life. The side characters added a lot to the story, and I always enjoy reading about sappy hockey players.

This is the third book in a standalone series by Tessa Bailey, and I have been dying to read Sig and Chloe's story since they were featured in The Au Pair Affair. I was so grateful to receive this advanced copy, and all opinions are my own!

Tessa Bailey books all give the same thing: mindless, entertaining nonsensical fun times, and this is no exception!

Sig and Chloe are in love, the only problem seemingly is that their parents are also in love- they met before they knew who they were going to be to each other in a year, and suddenly all the feelings are told to just go away. This as a premise feels silly to me, as they’re both in their mid-twenties when they meet so it’s not like their parents’ relationship should really affect them and everyone blows it out of proportion without understanding context- even our delightfully silly lead characters!!

All that to say, I did have a genuinely fun time reading this book, I loved Chloe’s lack of understanding of the world, her musical exploration, and her love for her adopted dog-son; and Sig’s commitment to making her life easier, friendship with the hockey bros, and strong emotions were great to read about! This book had some fun twists I didn’t fully see coming, set up some future love stories for our other hockey friends, and was some of TB’s most emotionally romantic writing!

Thank you so much to Tessa Bailey, Avon, and NetGalley for a chance to read this in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

When Sig and Chloe run into each other at a country club, it’s love at first sight…well…until they learn later that night that they’re going to be future step siblings. Things get a little messy.

Okay so here’s the thing. I knew this was going to be a taboo style romance novel from the get-go. It’s wasn’t a secret that they were going to be toeing a fine line between right and wrong, but I just wish they didn’t bring attention to it as often as they did. Every time things were getting spicy, the next sentence was something about them being almost siblings. It just gave me the ick. Like I get it stop reminding me. The only other TB book I’ve read is “My Killer Vacation,” and Sig has a very similar personality to Myles, and not in a great way. He gave me possessive and controlling animal vibes, and Chloe was written to be a naive/immature child rather than a 20-something adult. Also, the plot immediately went from 0-100 in the first chapter which felt a bit extreme and then the excitement plummeted to nothing for a majority of the middle. I liked this book better than MKV, but still not on the top of my rom-com recommendations list.

Also, side note, I’m a big Deadliest Catch watcher, and all I could imagine the entire time was 60 year old Sig Hansen so that didn’t help 😂

I was so excited for this book when it was announced. Combine hockey with a step sibling romance? This book started out well. It took off quickly from the start, but then it dramatically slowed down. There was a large chunk of this book where the two main characters know they like each other, but not a whole lot is happening. They both are potentially risking their careers to be together. And just when you think all it lost, you find out they aren’t actually step siblings. This ending fell flat for me. I was led to believe one thing and then it was like just kidding. I liked the premise of the book, but think a few areas were underwhelming to me.

You could already tell that Sig was down bad for Chloe in the last book so I was so excited to read their story!
It was definitely an insta-lust situation on both sides but their relationship grew so naturally and was really sweet. As sweet as a romantic relationship between two soon to be step siblings can be, I mean.
Honestly though, since they met as grown adults I don’t understand why it was so taboo in everyone’s eyes but maybe I’m weird lol. At least the forbidden aspect made it hotter when they finally gave in.
I’ve really enjoy this series and will keep reading it if Tessa keeps writing it!

Possible Spoilers

I wanted to read this book as soon I finished the Aupair Affair so in thrilled to have gotten a hold of it.

First off, you have to read the previous book on this series or else I feel like you might miss a lot of their relationship building. Some of the stuff that happens in the Aupair Affair are referenced in this book but not in detail. Secondly, maybe I'm the weirdo since I don't think there's anything wrong with marrying your step-sibling that you didn't grow up with, but the whole reason they can't be together throughout the book is frustrating.

Otherwise I enjoyed the book. I liked seeing Chloe grow and become determined to do things for herself instead of relying on anyone. I'm happy they finally got together.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

Sig and Chloe have an intense meet cute after his truck breaks down in front of the country club that Chloe attends. However they later find out their parents are engaged to be married and there are soon to be step siblings which makes their love forbidden. Their chemistry was off the charts but I had a difficult time relating to either character. If you enjoy insta love and extremely over protective men then this is the book for you.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I've read many a Tessa Bailey book, so I already knew what I was getting into: lots of spice, laugh out loud moments, and characters that fall for each other incredibly quickly. Tessa gets straight to the point! I love the little worlds she creates and the multiple couples that each get their own stories. Sports romances are not my favorite, though, as I find reading about sports a bit tedious. This one didn't grab me instantly the way some others have, and I struggled to like Chloe. This author's books are either a hit or a miss for me, and I found myself skimming through a few sections. I'd still recommended it if you like Tessa.

This book just fell flat. There were moments where it heated up and a lot of unnecessary drama. Overall, I enjoyed the themes of the book and love the sports aspect.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity! As always Tessa Bailey has done it once again. Also can I just say how much I love the step sibling trope, this one was top tier although there were some minor set backs that could had been improved the story still delivered. The way Tessa writes the chemistry between characters is like no other this book was no exception.

I absolutely loved this book. You get a glimpse of their story in the Au Pair Affair and I couldn't wait for this book to come out. I loved the long build and sexual tension she brings to this story. The way this man believes in this girls dreams is a breath of fresh air.

This book was very cute. I enjoy her books in general and went into this one blind - I was not disappointed. While the story line was a little drawn out and the scenario not very believable, it was a nice, quick read.

Tessa Bailey does it an again. I could not wait for Sig and Chloe’s story. It was a but of an emotional roller coaster but in Tessa fashion. Wrapped up with the a HEA bow! Can’t wait for the next book in this series.

((reviewed this under a different account before getting it here... whoops ))

Book Name: Dream Girl Drama
Author: Tessa Bailey

ARC
Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager and Netgalley

Stars: 5
Spice: 4

Anthology Series/Standalone
Fast Paced
Dual POV
Contemporary Sport Romance

- Thoughts.
- OMG I was dying for this book
- Lives up to the HYPE
- SLOW BURN
- Secrets and Miscommunication
- Insta Love
- Forbidden romance
- Sigs Moral Compass (swoon)
- Panic Pixie Dream Girl
- Musician and Athlete
- Lots of emotional moments and pinning
- relationship/non-relationship

LOVE LOVE LOVE
This book was so funny and great
Plus it wins the 3am award for having me stay up WAY too late to finish it!
Did I mention I LOVE it


EXTRA THOUGHTS
I love this series and have been buying it and the other books for all my buddies Tessa is brilliant and these sports romances are for the girlies who arent into sports I love it so much...

Thanks to Netgalley & Avon/Harper Voyager for the E-ARC! Loved so much! My fav in the series so far. Tessa does it again!

Dream Girl Drama, written by Tessa Bailey, is set to be released on February 4, 2025. It's a steamy sports rom-com that promises to be a whirlwind of emotions. The story kicks off with professional hockey player Sig Gauthier experiencing car troubles and ending up at a fancy country club, where he meets the enchanting Chloe Clifford. Their chemistry is instant, but things take an unexpected turn when they discover their parents are engaged, making Chloe his future stepsister. Chloe, a harp prodigy with a sheltered upbringing, craves independence from her controlling mother. Sig, ever the hero, steps in to help her navigate her newfound freedom. The book is bound to be filled with drama, romance, and plenty of swoon-worthy moments. It’s one of those stories that makes you want to curl up with a cozy blanket and get lost in the pages.