While the ending made up for the entirety of the book, I felt incredibly gross reading this. Definitely a plot you won't find anywhere else and there is a reason for that. Compared to her other books, the smut was a bit much for me and maybe that had a lot to do with the premise. On a positive note, I loved the opening scene, it pulled me in from the start up until the dinner scene. I did enjoy the duality of their journeys and how well they seemed to be synced up, albeit unrealistic but it's a book so anything goes! Also, I loved all the different characters and how eccentric they each were, from Grace to the Orgasm Donors. Tessa always does a great job with character development, just not the premise I felt comfortable reading.

Thank you NetGallery and Harper Collins for the opportunity to read the eARC.

A great book for any Tessa Bailey fan! I've been waiting for Sig and Chloe's book since the last installment in the series, and this one didn't disappoint! I'll admit that I'm getting a little tired of the hockey romance trend, but for fans of the genre, this would be a perfect addition.

Okay, let’s be real: I got very lucky to read this book early. And let me tell you, it hooked me within two pages. TWO. The leads are magnetic, their chemistry practically leapt off the page and torched my Kindle. The chemistry? Fire. They’re charismatic as hell, and I was rooting for them from the get-go. I mean, my heart was on fire the whole time... until it wasn’t.
Here’s where it gets tricky: let’s talk about the “jealous” drama. I get it—jealousy is supposed to be hot, but it just felt like unnecessary filler. Too much, too unhealthy. Why couldn’t the story let her date someone else for a second? Imagine the tension if it was a bit more... complex? Instead, we get a lot of “I’m so jealous” vibes that made me roll my eyes.
And don’t even get me started on the stepbrother taboo. Look, I’m no prude, but the "we can’t be together because family reasons" thing was a little much for me. I mean, they’re both adults, and the whole conservative family drama felt a bit out of place for modern times. A couple interviews, a press release, and boom—they could be together. The whole “we can't be together because family” just felt like it was holding back the potential for a much juicier storyline. If the Dream Girl had dated someone else, this could’ve really cranked up the heat in the relationship.

In the end, the plot does what it needs to: hooks you in, builds the chemistry, throws in a twist, and then... yeah, kind of meanders through the stepbrother drama that could’ve been a lot more interesting if they just embraced it a little more freely.

The amount of typos in this book was noticeable and should definitely be addressed, especially considering it’s a foreign reader here.

I am a huge Tessa Bailey fan and was so excited to get the opportunity to review Dream Girl Drama. I loved a lot of elements in this book, and I'm so glad Sig finally got his moment to shine. I also loved getting see glimpses of the couples from the previous books in this series.

A few things I didn't love:
-I get that it's not traditional that "step-siblings" would be a couple, but it's hardly the scandal the book makes it out to be. They didn't know their parents were dating when they met, and they're all adults.
-Chloe had JUST met Sig and walked away from everything that she knew and the comfort of home?

Even despite these things, any Tessa Bailey book is always lots of fun, including Dream Girl Drama. 4/5 stars

Tessa Bailey is my favorite romance author. Full stop. Loved this duo. Loved their trial and tribulations they had to get through. Chloe is a manic pixie dream girl who needs to grow up a little. And Sig is your typical stoic hockey player that needs to learn to let loose. Their chemistry was believable and the spice scenes were top notch (as always with Tessa Bailey). Super fun romcom I definitely recommend.

There were so many things to love in this book! It is witty and charming and I loved the main characters in this book. After reading book two I was thrilled to see that Sig and Chloe were getting their own book. The tension in this one was so hot! Also, if you’ve read Tessa before then you know she can write spice! The only thing I didn’t love was the step-sibling angle. It just didn’t seem like that big of a deal since they met as adults and had a short tryst before finding out that their parents were dating. I guess I just didn’t really see that as taboo, but maybe dark romance has jaded me. This alone wouldn’t be a big deal except that the ENTIRETY of the story hinges on the idea of them being step-siblings and dating being unacceptable AND LIFE/career ruining. Overall, I found the story to be enjoyable and was a fun vacation read. Thank you so much to NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

I loved this! I typically dont love insta-lust but this book did it so well. I could feel the tension between the two main characters and felt how bad they wanted to be together. And sig’s acts of service were my favorite part of. I also liked that the third act conflict didnt drag on for too long! Parts of the dialogue were a little too much for me which would take me out of the story for a little but then I got sucked back in. I enjoyed this book overall, very bingeable as i read it in only 2 sittings!

Thank you to NetGalley, Avon Books, Harper Voyager, and Tessa Bailey for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!

Tessa Bailey did it again! To say I am a fan of Tessa Bailey is an accurate statement!

The Big Shots series as a whole is a delightful time but I loved Dream Girl Drama! I loved Sig and Chloe as side characters in The Au Pair Affair and I'm so glad they got their story!

I enjoyed the mutual insta-love! I guffawed at Chloe's antics! My heart broke along with Sig's and Chloe's! I was invested the entire time and I just wanted them to have their HEA (which I knew they would but I was on the edge of my seat until the very end!)

At the heart of it all, this was pure friendship, yearning, and chemistry!

I do wish there was more Tallulah! I loved Pierre! The baseball field scene is one of my favorites and I'm so excited for Corrigan's book!

Overall, I will be purchasing as a shelf trophy and likely rereading along with the rest of the series!

Thank you, THANK YOU to NetGalley and Avon for the advance copy of this book. Seriously. THANK YOU.

I fell in love with Sig and Chloe instantaneously, and my love for them only grew as their story unfolded. At first, I was a little thrown by the pacing - it felt like the story was moving too fast, with too many gaps in the timeline. BUT, the story found its rhythm, and I was hooked. Now I just want more, more, MORE of Sig and Chloe.

I don't want to give anything away, but I deeply appreciated the way that the "spoiled rich girl" vibe eventually faded into the background, because Chloe eventually learned to fight for what she wants, and it was wonderful to see.

I can't recommend this book enough. Now I have to wait HOW LONG for a sequel???

Thank you so much to NetGalley, HarperCollins Publishers, and the Queen herself, Tessa Bailey, for this eARC! When I read the email saying I was approved, I literally squealed!

As soon as I finished Fangirl Down (maybe my favorite Tessa Bailey book ever) and The Au Pair Affair, I couldn't wait to read Dream Girl Drama! I was immediately intrigued by Sig and Chloe's story. Needless to say, it didn't disappoint!

Let me state the obvious: THE ANGST IS REAL! "What was the correct way to greet a woman you loved with every fiber of your fucking soul, but couldn't have?" (Sig) Ugh! You feel the torment and heartbreak on the page, and relish the happy moments these two find together. "They were best friends who would eventually be related, but weren't quite related yet, having an innocent fashion show at eleven o'clock at night in her bedroom. Totally normal. Nothing to see here." (Sig) The love these two share will warm your heart! Plus, Pierre totally steals the show!

The same characters you know and love from The Au Pair Affair enhance the story. The rookies, Corrigan and Mailer (aka "the Orgasm Donors") with their shenanigans, and Sir Savage, with his no-nonsense, Murtaugh level attitude.

This book was so fun to read and I look forward to Tessa's next adventure!

Teetering on 3.5 or 4

Third installment in the Big Shots Series, following Fan Girl Down and The AuPair Affair

Sig Gauthier may be one of the best players in the NHL, but he's never had the appetite for the finer things. When his decade old, beat up trucks breaks down outside of a country club, with no phone to call for roadside help, he finds himself arguing with the desk staff until the stunning Chloe Clifford swoops in to save the day. The chemistry between them is instantaneous and leads to a steamy kiss, with promises for more later on. But when Sig rolls up to his father's girlfriend's house, he learns that not only will he have a new step mom in 8 months time, but a new step sister in the beautiful form of one Chloe Clifford.

Thoughts and potential spoilers:

This book is a lesson in yearning! Yowza! If there is one thing I can bet on, is that Tessa will give me a man that is down so bad for his woman. And holy hell did Tessa deliver. From the very start Sig was infatuated with Chloe, their tension and chemistry was set and I thought it was fantastic! The mutual obsession lead to some really tension filled moments as both characters teetered the line of too far. In regards to how their relationship grew, I was a bit iffy. Sig is a protector and a fixer but to the extreme where it just felt like he was babying Chloe. Considering she was trying to gain her independence from her mom it almost felt like she went from being under one sheltering home to another. Though it also felt like Chloe took advantage. Though it seemed unintentional, and i do feel like the ditzy blonde stereotype was in play here, with the added sheltered life, it also just annoyed me. Like 700 dollars on EYE CREAM?!?! Girl be so for real??

From the start I didn't quite understand why they introduced themselves as soon to be step siblings when Chloe came to Boston. Obviously this was the main source of conflict in the story, but Sig always had some sort of plan and from the start was trying to figure out a solution for them to be together, so why not just say you're friends or family friends? Especially with how possessive Sig was. You're not fooling anyone my guy. But coming back to the tensions and yearning, it made for some fun spicy scenes when the couple finally did lose their control!

Seeing as how Sig and Chloe were pretty involved in Burgess and Tallulah's story in AuPair Affair, I thought I would see them more in Dream Girl Drama, and was a little let down that they were minimally involved, especially Tallulah. Though I like that we had some time line shifts in Dream Girl Drama, with the first few chapters seeming to take place before AuPair Affair, and then the rest of the story taking place after.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Harper for providing me an E-Arc of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Tessa Bailey and a hockey romance -- need I say more? I am loving Bailey's Big Shots series and this third installment is a wonderful addition.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC.

Professional hockey player Sig Gauthier gets a call from his estranged father asking him to come to dinner at his new home. On the way to the dinner, his truck breaks down right outside of the Country Club. Enter Chloe Clifford, professional harp player and prodigy. They immediately hit it off and sparks fly. They go their separate ways and agree to meet up later. During dinner with his father Sig learns that his father is announcing his engagement to none other than Chloe Clifford’s mom making her his future step sister.

Sig helps Chloe break free of her ‘ivory tower’ and gain some independence by moving to Boston away from her mother and generational wealth. They become ‘best friends’ because they cannot admit to being in love with each other with the impending doom that is their parents' wedding in the near future. They see each other daily and their ‘forbidden love’ becomes harder to refute until one day they throw caution to the wind and give in to the temptation. Giving in to their desires has some pretty hefty consequences neither of them are prepared for.

Now, this is the third book in the ‘Big Shots’ series and I have already read the other two. I came into this book having an idea of how this book would be laid out and would include a third act break up. In comparison to the other two books I did prefer this third act breakup because I feel like it was less brutal on the feelings of all the characters involved. I knew there was going to be a plot twist and I can happily say I did not see this one coming at all. I really enjoyed it.

With all of this being said, I did not enjoy this book very much because I found the FMC to be very ditzy and at times insufferable. After finishing all three books in this series thus far, I do not plan to continue because I have realized this author is not for me. I would like to say that I do not think this is a problem of the author by any means. This is just a personal preference. I know a lot of people really enjoy Tessa Bailey books but I have just realized her romcoms are not my taste.

I want to thank NetGalley, Avon, and Tessa Bailey for making it possible for me to read the ARC for this book.

🥅 omg y’all Tessa Bailey did it again! You’re going to fall in love with Sig and Chloe the same way I did. The book was filled with amazing chemistry and tugged at my heartstrings a few times. If you enjoy different tropes like forced proximity and forbidden romance, this book has everything someone would want to read. Although it was fast-paced it also was a slow burn due to the story line, which I can’t spoil but also wish I can because the book is so good. The 🌶️ is amazing, as always, and the longing between the two characters builds up smoothly throughout the story. Plus, the book being based in Boston where I live made me so happy while reading! From hidden family secrets to yearning for someone that’s out of reach, I definitely recommend picking up this book! 🥅

⛸️ Thank you @avonbooks and @harpervoyagerus for this ARC! Tessa Bailey is one of my favorite romance authors and being able to receive this ARC is an amazing experience. ⛸️

🫶 Release Date: February 4, 2025 🫶

Love a Tessa Bailey book! Spicy and fun and a quick read. Definitely recommend!

Thanks NetGalley and Tessa Bailey!

3.5/5 ⭐️
2.5/5 🌶️

“I'll love you enough for this whole city.”

Dream Girl Drama is book 3 in the Big Shots Series. Sig Gauthier meets the woman of his dreams one random chance encounter when his truck breaks down. Turns out, she’s his future stepsister. Can they keep their relationship strictly in the friend zone or will lines get blurred…?

“I love you. I'll love you until the sun goes dark.”

I read this in one sitting. I enjoyed each character and their dynamics with each other. Sig was patient, understanding, and kind hearted. The kind of man who would give the shirt off his back if you needed it and never complain about being cold himself. Chloe was fun and spunky.

I think the reason this isn’t a 4 for me is that it felt a little like insta love and that’s not really my cup of tea. I also didn’t really connect with either character. This book isn’t super heavy on plot but it’s a fun read. If you’re looking for a quick sports romance with some spice and like the tropes, I’d say give it a go. For me, wasn’t my fav but also, didn’t hate it.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Avon, and Harper Voyager for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own. 🫶🏻

What to Expect:
✨Hockey
✨Forbidden Romance
✨Stepsiblings
✨Dual POV
✨Insta-Love

I was lucky to receive an ARC for this book and couldn’t stop myself from diving right in. I must confess I was a bit hesitant to read about Sig and Chloe after their interactions in Au Pair Affair. Obviously I still went and read it. Their relationship is so complicated, you see trouble coming for them from a mile away but that plot twist at the end and the resolution to said plot twist I did not see coming at all. I’m hoping we get more books in this series from the characters we’ve met and maybe started to love
Oh and the spice as always does not disappoint

Tessa Bailey does it again! I always love her books and this one got me good! Insta love isn’t my typical trope preference but in this one I just loved how much of simp Sig was from the moment he heard Chloe’s voice. He was the ultimate in caretaking and I just was so invested in how they were going to make their relationship ship work with their parents getting married. I was definitely invested and enjoyed every minute and even cried a good bit, like hello emotional connection to the characters! This series of books are some of my favorites of hers!

When professional hockey star Sig Gauthier’s truck breaks down outside of a country club, he could have never imagined that he would meet his dream girl, Chloe Gifford inside. The two hit it off over stolen champagne and moonlight kisses, only parting ways to meet their parents for dinner.

Little does the pair know, they are soon to be step siblings. Chloe’s mom is dating Sig’s dad, and they’re to be married in 8 months. Sig’s and Chloe’s attraction is undeniable, but scandalous. Sig is gunning for a million dollar hockey contract in his home state of Boston and Chloe, a budding harp prodigy wants the chance to play at Berkeley and earn her spot as first chair in the symphony.

Sig offers to help Chloe start a new life for herself in Boston. In doing so, the two become closer and their spark burns brighter.

Will the two find a way to make it work? Or is their love doomed from the start?

The third book in the Big Shots series, Dream Girl Drama is an interconnected stand-alone that did not disappoint. I read this book in one day and couldn’t put it down. Sig is officially one of my new bookish boyfriends.

Their loves is forbidden, but you can’t help but root for them to find a way to make it work. Sig and Chloe become best friends - Chloe attends all of Sig’s hockey games (and even has a custom pink jersey made) while Sig helps her get on her feet in the big city.

I loved watching Chloe and Sig fall in love. They are the definition of best friends, but the slow burn was too good! Tessa Bailey did such a great job of slow building their relationship, both physically and emotionally, so by the end of the book, I was holding my breath, waiting for them to give into their feelings.

Sig calling Chloe his dream girl was my favorite part of the novel. It was so endearing… and when he drove 6+ hours to grab Chloe’s lucky blouse from her childhood home… say less.

The chemistry between these two was off the charts. I couldn’t help but want them to fall in love. Sig spends the majority of the book trying to find a loophole in his father’s impending marriage, and I was right there with him during that journey.

Five stars for me! And one of my favorite books of the year. Maybe it’s the hockey players (I love a good NHL romance) but there was just something special in this book.

Read if you like:
-Accidental romance
-Small town boy/ city girl
-Mama’s boy
-Sports Romance/ Hockey
-Slow burn
-Spice🌶️
-Love at first sight
-Golden retriever energy
-Forbidden Love

Thank you to Net Galley, Tessa Bailey and Avon & Harper Voyager for the ARC!

For sure my favorite book in this series and devoured it in one day! We’ve been hearing about Sig & Chloe for the past two books and their story did not disappoint. The tension and chemistry is {chefs kiss}. It was angsty and steamy and funny.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Avon Publishing for this advanced reader copy. Definitely grab this one on pub day (2/4/25)