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.

Tessa Bailey is the reigning queen of Romantic Comedies. Her humor and wit is unparalleled by any other author. Like most of her works she is able to find a perfect balance and correlation between plot and sexual tension, as well as (spicy) scenes. I absolutely loved this book, and cannot wait to read her next release. Bailey's works are always a delectable treat to read.

ARC review

Dream Girl Drama
By Tessa Bailey

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ( 4 out of 5)

Publishing date: 2/4/25

Starting off the year strong with this one! 😍😍

When Sig and Chloe meet, they have an instant spark- a once in a lifetime explosion of attraction that they can't explain . But when they learn their parents are ENGAGED TO EACH OTHER, they decide their only option is to remain friends.

Sig and Chloe fight their desire as long as they can...but when articles are published outting them as step siblings with an odd relationship they decide this has to stop. But can they stay away from each other?

I really really liked this! It was super relatable because my husband and I also had that "insta love" but I don't play the harp and he isn't a professional hockey player 😆 so there's that..

I enjoyed both characters. Their banter was entertaining and the spice was good! However I wish there was more. It took a while to get to the spice. So much of the book was spent trying to resist each other.

This is book #3 of the big shot series but can totally be read as a standalone. I have not ready the previous 2.

If you are a Tessa Bailey lover, I recommend this one!

Thank you @netgalley and @avonbooks ! So thankful for the chance to read this early!!

Let me start off by saying I LOVE TESSA BAILEY. I’ve even met her in person this last summer. She is an amazing woman and I love her books.

But unfortunately I just didn’t click with this one. I love this series as a whole, but this book was lacking and felt rushed.

The beginning chapters felt promising but with the massive time jumps and lack of information of what happened between those time jumps, I just kinda got lost in feeling more for the characters.

I couldn’t relate to Chloe, a rich harpist who never really did anything on her own. She came off as childish but she did have a big heart. She wanted to be independent but she moved from having her mother take care of her on to Sig.

Sig, a broody hockey player who lives his life not showing off his wealth, falls for Chloe but can’t have her because their parents announce they are marrying each other. He ends up taking care of Chloe and paying for her rent and her lifestyle because she’s his “dream girl.”

The plot was set up for something great, but it fell short. I will say Tessa kills it with the intimate scenes and building up the tension. It’s one of the reasons I love her writing because she shocks me every time.

I will read more of Tessa Bailey, but sometimes authors have hit or misses. And this one was a miss. Although I didn’t mess with this one, I will look forward to her other releases.

Tessa Bailey writes deliciously spicy romance! The ending totally made this book worth it. I love HEA epilogues.

I really enjoyed the other two Big Shots books, but this one fell short for me.
Chloe and Sig have immediate chemistry, but then the slow burn drags on for six months, and it sure felt like as long when I was reading! The resolution to the hurdle between them and a relationship is resolved satisfactorily, but not until the very end of the book, and then the story speeds up too fast.