Dream Girl Drama

Alright, Tessa Bailey fans, get ready to indulge in some serious guilty pleasure goodness with Chloe and Sig's ridiculously complicated, totally swoon-worthy story. I'm raising my hands in surrender, and my Kindle is probably judging me hardcore for diving headfirst into this steamy tale without even bothering to read the book description. Who needs details when you've got a couple as hot as Chloe and Sig? Imagine meeting your perfect match in a passionate meeting, and then discovering she's about to become your stepsister - yeah, that's the kind of crazy, heart-wrenching drama Sig finds himself in, thanks to his estranged, grifter father deciding to marry Chloe's wealthy mother, Sofia. What starts as a picture-perfect romantic show more connection quickly spirals into a forbidden love that seems impossible to pursue. Yet, the chemistry between Sig and Chloe is undeniable, and no matter how much they try to resist, the sparks between them only grow hotter. Sig can't just let his dream girl slip away, and Chloe, with her sheltered harp-playing background, finds herself falling deeper for him with every encounter. While they both hope their parents' whirlwind romance will somehow fall apart, it seems unlikely, leaving Sig and Chloe in a complicated emotional bind. Watching them navigate this tricky situation while still building an undeniable bond is equal parts sweet and sizzling. I already adored these characters from their previous appearances, and seeing their story come to fruition in Dream Girl Drama was so satisfying. Sig's protective nature and Chloe's quiet strength create a perfect match, and the way their relationship balances tenderness with tension kept me hooked. The playful banter, steamy moments, and heartfelt exchanges made me root for their happily-ever-after from page one. It's the perfect blend of spice and sweetness, and let's just say I didn't want to see them separated for even a second. This is the book! and Sig and Chloe deserve to get their love story. show less

I received this book for free, this does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review

Somehow, he knew that she wasn't a choice.

If you read The Au Pair Affair, you'll remember Sig and Chloe and their, ….are they? In Dream Girl Drama we get a look at how they first met and why the tension felt so turned up between them. Sig's on his way to dinner with his father, who he didn't meet until he was eighteen because his mom says the guy abandoned them, when his truck breaks down. He makes it to a country club that doesn't want to admit non-members when a blonde comes out of nowhere and claims Sig's with her. From there it's stolen champagne, a kiss on the green, and love at first sight. Until Sig finally makes it to dinner show more and finds out that his father's newest wife-to-be has a daughter and it's Chloe.

Leave...them to chance?
Can't do it.

Look, I can't say I found it wildly taboo that a twenty-nine year old man who didn't grow up with his father and only communicates with him a handful of times in a decade is in love with a twenty-five year old future step-sister that he only met the night before. They're strangers who are adults and will never live in the same house developing a familial relationship. So, fair to say that part of the angsty start-crossed aspect was lost to me. I'm also not one for insta-love, so when Sig is thinking/feeling in love immediately, I wasn't exactly getting the tingles with him. However, I do think that Bailey shows and gives us those falling in love emotions as the story progresses, it just might not be everyone's cup of tea of why/how Sig is in love with her. Chloe grew-up 1%er rich, so she has no concept of taking care of herself, she's also a harp prodigy and used to gliding by on her talents. At twenty-five, and I think a push from meeting Sig, she decides that she wants to spread her wings and move out of her home and to Boston. This puts a bit of a wedge between her and her mother, thus putting a wedge between Sig and his dad, but they're not really in the story, just some occasionally coming in from the sides. Sig's love language is taking care of and he does it all for Chloe, helping pay rent, buying groceries, basically what you learn to do for yourself when you first move out. Chloe's pretty oblivious to it all until the beginning of the second half, so if you can't handle immature, flighty female main characters that take a while to grow, you'd probably struggle with this one.

They were a messy pair. Everything about what they were doing was messy but stopping seemed impossible.

This had that trademark Bailey heat, mostly on the back of the repression the two have to observe towards each other. They don't want their reputations ruined, Sig is a professional hockey player who's team is about to make captain and offer a lucrative contract and Chloe is trying for first chair in the Boston Symphony Orchestra. I get we're in the TMZ era of being in people's business but since I didn't fully feel the step-sibling taboo-ness, I felt like it was somewhat overplayed (NHL is no stranger to drama, Martin Brodeur's past mess, anyone?) It was a lot of we're not staying away from each other but we can't physically act on our feelings, while Sig hires a private investigator to dig up dirt on his dad so Chloe's mom won't want to marry him. If this is your type of back and forth, you'd be in heaven.

Had she ever heard him this raw and honest before?
Is this what he'd been holding back?

If you showed up for a sports romance or worried there would be too much for you, hockey features maybe 2% in this, we don't even find out Sig's a winger until 60% and see Chloe at like one game. The scene where they snap and give into their lust was hotly great but there was some, to me anyway, immature actions and feelings that took this a little over-the-top fluffy fun. The whole baseball versus hockey players rivalry game came off pretty goofy to me. When it seems like things are going to be impossible for our couple, a surprise reveal has them getting their happily ever after, which we see in a five years later epilogue, that also teased the next book couple. I didn't completely feel the angst keeping these two apart but I felt their lust and sometimes that's enough. show less

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
So, insta-lust isn’t my favorite trope. But, when insta-lust turns to real feelings I’m here for it. The chemistry between Sig and Chloe was introduced in The Au Pair Affair and boy did it deliver. The slow burn was hot! This is probably my favorite of Tessa’s Big Shot’s series.

Okay, so for the meet-cute! Sig’s at the front desk of a country club, he definitely doesn’t belong to, trying to convince them to let him use their phone because his truck broke down. When, a voice from the hallway saves his butt and says he’s her guest. He’a instantly enthralled with Chloe and the chemistry is fire from first sight. After some heavy flirting, mutually admitting there’s something more than attraction, a show more hot kiss and a plan to meet up again later, they both part ways for dinners they are supposed to attend. Only… it’s the same dinner and their parents have just announced an engagement. That future they were already looking to crumbles.

When Sig offers to help Chloe get out from under her mom’s thumb to attend the conservatory in Boston, Chloe impulsively jumps at it to their parent’s dismay. Feelings are feeling, but can they keep away from each other and keep it platonic? With the words coming out of Sig’s mouth, I’m not so sure ❤️

This is for you if you like these tropes
- Mutual Pining
- Taboo/Forbidden Romance
- Sports (Hockey) Romance
- Insta-lust
- Friends? to Lovers
- Family Secrets
- Slow-ish burn
- Dual POV

Thank you NetGalley, Avon, Harper Voyager, and Tessa Bailey for allowing me to read an advanced complimentary copy of the book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. show less

We live in a world where President Musk's father is married to his stepdaughter. As such, the conceit here, that the central couple cannot be together because his father decided to marry her mother -- when all concerned are adults -- is absurd. There is no legal or ethical reason a couple cannot be together because their parents are married to one another, no matter what Tessa Bailey thinks. And here, where the MMC is a pro hockey player and the FMC aspiring first chair for the Boston orchestra, there is no reason those organizations would withhold contracts because of the potential scandal. Hell, they would probably advertise the meetcute on their social media accounts. So the story doesn't work for that reason. But also for others. show more The MMC is obsessed because he would not be able to provide for the FMC on a regular pro athlete salary, he had to have an 8 figure contract to be worthy of her. Vomit. And there is a point where he is paying her rent and she is using the money to binge at Sephora and missing her payments. And he is in love with that and thinks that is cute? I mean she grows up and realizes she is being an entitled asshat, but he falls in love while this is going on. This is the most vacant, soulless love story I can think of. There are some fun moments, as there always are in Bailey's books, but the story is badly crafted and the creepy obsessive love without foundation? No. 1.5 stars, rounded up because Tessa has given me a lot of stories that have made me happy over the years. show less

3.75

This is another irresistible rom-com, blending forbidden romance, humor, and sizzling chemistry. Sig and Chloe’s chance encounter turns complicated when they discover their parents are engaged, forcing them into a slow-burn, tension-filled dynamic. Chloe, a sheltered harp prodigy, longs for freedom, and Sig, the ultimate book boyfriend, is determined to help her while keeping their relationship strictly platonic. Their banter, undeniable connection, and emotional growth make this story impossible to put down. The Bearcats team adds hilarious moments, and Sig’s devotion is swoon-worthy. Packed with heart, heat, and laughs, this book is a perfect mix of angst and fun.