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Pesadilla en Navidad
A sexy, hilarious standalone holiday rom-com about the adult children of two former rock stars who team up to convince their estranged mothers to play a Christmas Eve concert…
Melody Gallard may be the daughter of music royalty, but her world is far from glamorous. She spends her days restoring old books and avoiding the limelight (one awkward tabloid photo was enough, thanks). But when a producer offers her a lot of money to reunite her mother’s band on live tv, Mel begins to wonder if it’s time to rattle the cage, shake up her quiet life… and see him again. The only other person who could wrangle the rock and roll divas.
Beat Dawkins, the lead singer’s son, is Melody’s opposite—the camera loves him, he could charm the pants off anyone, and his mom is not a potential cult leader. Still, they might have been best friends if not for the legendary feud that broke up the band. When they met as teenagers, Mel felt an instant spark, but it’s nothing compared to the wild, intense attraction that builds as they embark on a madcap mission to convince their mothers to perform one last show.
While dealing with rock star shenanigans, a 24-hour film crew, brawling Santas, and mobs of adoring fans, Mel starts to step out of her comfort zone. With Beat by her side, cheering her on, she’s never felt so understood. But Christmas Eve is fast approaching, and a decades-old scandal is poised to wreck everything—the Steel Birds reunion, their relationships with their mothers, and their newfound love.
Melody Gallard may be the daughter of music royalty, but her world is far from glamorous. She spends her days restoring old books and avoiding the limelight (one awkward tabloid photo was enough, thanks). But when a producer offers her a lot of money to reunite her mother’s band on live tv, Mel begins to wonder if it’s time to rattle the cage, shake up her quiet life… and see him again. The only other person who could wrangle the rock and roll divas.
Beat Dawkins, the lead singer’s son, is Melody’s opposite—the camera loves him, he could charm the pants off anyone, and his mom is not a potential cult leader. Still, they might have been best friends if not for the legendary feud that broke up the band. When they met as teenagers, Mel felt an instant spark, but it’s nothing compared to the wild, intense attraction that builds as they embark on a madcap mission to convince their mothers to perform one last show.
While dealing with rock star shenanigans, a 24-hour film crew, brawling Santas, and mobs of adoring fans, Mel starts to step out of her comfort zone. With Beat by her side, cheering her on, she’s never felt so understood. But Christmas Eve is fast approaching, and a decades-old scandal is poised to wreck everything—the Steel Birds reunion, their relationships with their mothers, and their newfound love.
352 pages, Paperback
First published October 3, 2023
3477 people are currently reading
101909 people want to read
About the author
Tessa Bailey
101 books68k followersNew York Times Bestselling author Tessa Bailey can solve all problems except for her own, so she focuses those efforts on stubborn, fictional blue collar men and loyal, lovable heroines. She lives on Long Island avoiding the sun and social interactions, then wonders why no one has called. Dubbed the “Michelangelo of dirty talk,” by Entertainment Weekly, Tessa writes with spice, spirit, swoon and a guaranteed happily ever after. Catch her on TikTok at @authortessabailey or check out tessabailey.com for a complete list of books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 14,667 reviews
December 4, 2023
Dnf @47%
His name was Beat, hers was Melody and their collaboration failed, successfully.
His name was Beat, hers was Melody and their collaboration failed, successfully.
October 23, 2023
This did not give Christmas
January 5, 2024
all i want for christmas is a man who doesn’t like to cum?
October 1, 2023
well you know what they say… life’s too short to read books you don’t like. i forced myself to get 40% in and i just can’t do it anymore, i have been bored the entire time i’ve tried getting through this the last two days.
i fully assumed this book was going to be a super cute cheesy hallmark esque but spicy kind of book, and maybe it would have finally gotten to that point but the only christmas going on in this book is that it starts two weeks before christmas and they need their mothers to reunite by christmas eve. that’s it. also there’s this whole blackmail subplot that kind of smacks you in the face immediately and is just weird?
40% in and nothing and has really even occurred other than a whole bunch of babbling and internal monologuing. i do like the main characters on their own as a person but together it’s just lacking and i’m not connecting to either nor really feel a connection between them.
really sad bc i expected to be giggling and kicking my feet the whole time but i do be snoozing instead 🥱🥱🥱
i still encourage others to give it a try, this could just totally be a me situation of not enjoying my time reading it. but it was definitely a huge miss for me unfortunately
i fully assumed this book was going to be a super cute cheesy hallmark esque but spicy kind of book, and maybe it would have finally gotten to that point but the only christmas going on in this book is that it starts two weeks before christmas and they need their mothers to reunite by christmas eve. that’s it. also there’s this whole blackmail subplot that kind of smacks you in the face immediately and is just weird?
40% in and nothing and has really even occurred other than a whole bunch of babbling and internal monologuing. i do like the main characters on their own as a person but together it’s just lacking and i’m not connecting to either nor really feel a connection between them.
really sad bc i expected to be giggling and kicking my feet the whole time but i do be snoozing instead 🥱🥱🥱
i still encourage others to give it a try, this could just totally be a me situation of not enjoying my time reading it. but it was definitely a huge miss for me unfortunately
October 25, 2023
This man’s name was Beat, and I never got over it.
December 16, 2023
do not order your christmas romance books from shein
December 22, 2024
This holiday romance is the perfect prescription for lonely souls, depressed individuals who carry clouds beneath their heads, and anyone in need of a great laugh and heartwarming moments. It revolves around a captivating friends-to-lovers trope with a Parent Trap twist, featuring two rock legend parents who happen to be arch-nemeses.
There were two aspects of this book that completely won me over:
Firstly, the main characters are incredibly adorable. If you were to search "sweethearts" on Google, their names might just appear on your screen because they are the epitome of huggable cuteness. They are the kind of fictional characters that you can't help but fall in love with a million times over.
Secondly, the smart banter between their mothers, Octavia and Trina, had me laughing out loud. In fact, I couldn't help but envision the talented Cate Blanchett as Octavia and the incomparable Winona Ryder as Trina. If this book were to be adapted into a holiday movie, that dreamy duo would be the perfect casting choice.
Octavia leads a luxurious and glamorous life in New York, gracing philanthropic events organized by Beat to provide scholarships for aspiring young adults and give them a better future. On the other hand, Trina Gallard is the polar opposite—a nudist, cultist, anarchist, brilliant songwriter, and legendary rock babe. She prefers banging drums and starting fights with men dressed as Santa Claus, truly living life on her own terms.
Melody Gallard, the daughter of Trina, is a quirky, introverted, and shy "Brooklynaire." She is a rare book restoration expert, quick-witted, and kind, trying to find her own place in the world after living under the shadow of her mother. During her teenage years, she endured public humiliation due to mean paparazzo comments about her acne problem and braces.
On the other side, Beat Dawkins is handsome, cool, confident, and knows how to command the spotlight. He is the quintessential golden boy, but he also possesses a golden heart.
Their paths cross at the age of sixteen during a studio interview, where Beat chivalrously steps in to save Melody's reputation in front of the press. They realize they share so much in common and become the only two people on Earth who can truly understand each other's predicaments. However, it takes another 14 years for them to reunite due to a reality show offer with a seven-digit paycheck. Beat needs the money to solve his financial problems caused by a blackmailer who threatens to reveal a life-ruining secret. Melody, on the other hand, needs the money to liberate herself from her mother's control. Plus, she gets to spend time with her teenage crush, Beat.
But there's a catch—the show centers around two children's attempt to reunite their mothers to sing at Christmas Eve on Rockefeller Center, 30 years after their last performance together. Although they will still receive payment even if their mothers refuse to sing together (which is highly likely), they find themselves caught up in a whirlwind of wild adventures. These include intense fights with Santa Clauses, singing duets in front of rolling cameras and their growing fan base chanting for "team Belody," getting trapped in jail cells, competing in bocce matches, and engaging in epic snowball fights.
As their palpable attraction continues to grow, Beat struggles to carry the weight of his secret. Will he be able to let his guard down and let Melody in? Can they find their happily ever after despite being the children of lifelong nemeses?
Overall,this holiday romance novel is a perfect escape for those in need of a dose of joy, laughter, and heartwarming moments. With its captivating characters, delightful banter, and an enticing premise that combines rock legends, estranged parents, and a charming friends-to-lovers storyline, it is a book that will leave you with a smile on your face and warmth in your heart.
I encourage everyone to immerse themselves in this beautifully crafted tale, as it offers an escape from reality and a journey towards love, forgiveness, and self-discovery. Whether you're a fan of holiday romances or simply looking for a feel-good read, this book will exceed your expectations and leave you yearning for more.
So, grab a cozy blanket, prepare a hot cup of cocoa, and lose yourself in the pages of this heartwarming holiday romance. You won't regret it.
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to NetGalley and Avon/Harper Voyager for providing me with the opportunity to read this wonderful ARC copy in exchange for my honest thoughts. Their generosity in sharing this enchanting story is truly appreciated.
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There were two aspects of this book that completely won me over:
Firstly, the main characters are incredibly adorable. If you were to search "sweethearts" on Google, their names might just appear on your screen because they are the epitome of huggable cuteness. They are the kind of fictional characters that you can't help but fall in love with a million times over.
Secondly, the smart banter between their mothers, Octavia and Trina, had me laughing out loud. In fact, I couldn't help but envision the talented Cate Blanchett as Octavia and the incomparable Winona Ryder as Trina. If this book were to be adapted into a holiday movie, that dreamy duo would be the perfect casting choice.
Octavia leads a luxurious and glamorous life in New York, gracing philanthropic events organized by Beat to provide scholarships for aspiring young adults and give them a better future. On the other hand, Trina Gallard is the polar opposite—a nudist, cultist, anarchist, brilliant songwriter, and legendary rock babe. She prefers banging drums and starting fights with men dressed as Santa Claus, truly living life on her own terms.
Melody Gallard, the daughter of Trina, is a quirky, introverted, and shy "Brooklynaire." She is a rare book restoration expert, quick-witted, and kind, trying to find her own place in the world after living under the shadow of her mother. During her teenage years, she endured public humiliation due to mean paparazzo comments about her acne problem and braces.
On the other side, Beat Dawkins is handsome, cool, confident, and knows how to command the spotlight. He is the quintessential golden boy, but he also possesses a golden heart.
Their paths cross at the age of sixteen during a studio interview, where Beat chivalrously steps in to save Melody's reputation in front of the press. They realize they share so much in common and become the only two people on Earth who can truly understand each other's predicaments. However, it takes another 14 years for them to reunite due to a reality show offer with a seven-digit paycheck. Beat needs the money to solve his financial problems caused by a blackmailer who threatens to reveal a life-ruining secret. Melody, on the other hand, needs the money to liberate herself from her mother's control. Plus, she gets to spend time with her teenage crush, Beat.
But there's a catch—the show centers around two children's attempt to reunite their mothers to sing at Christmas Eve on Rockefeller Center, 30 years after their last performance together. Although they will still receive payment even if their mothers refuse to sing together (which is highly likely), they find themselves caught up in a whirlwind of wild adventures. These include intense fights with Santa Clauses, singing duets in front of rolling cameras and their growing fan base chanting for "team Belody," getting trapped in jail cells, competing in bocce matches, and engaging in epic snowball fights.
As their palpable attraction continues to grow, Beat struggles to carry the weight of his secret. Will he be able to let his guard down and let Melody in? Can they find their happily ever after despite being the children of lifelong nemeses?
Overall,this holiday romance novel is a perfect escape for those in need of a dose of joy, laughter, and heartwarming moments. With its captivating characters, delightful banter, and an enticing premise that combines rock legends, estranged parents, and a charming friends-to-lovers storyline, it is a book that will leave you with a smile on your face and warmth in your heart.
I encourage everyone to immerse themselves in this beautifully crafted tale, as it offers an escape from reality and a journey towards love, forgiveness, and self-discovery. Whether you're a fan of holiday romances or simply looking for a feel-good read, this book will exceed your expectations and leave you yearning for more.
So, grab a cozy blanket, prepare a hot cup of cocoa, and lose yourself in the pages of this heartwarming holiday romance. You won't regret it.
I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to NetGalley and Avon/Harper Voyager for providing me with the opportunity to read this wonderful ARC copy in exchange for my honest thoughts. Their generosity in sharing this enchanting story is truly appreciated.
medium.com
October 6, 2023
Ah yes one of my favorite tropes a 30 year old woman never feeling sexual attraction bc of a guy she met 14 years ago.
While he had no problem developing a orgasm denial kink and going to sex clubs to partake in this kink…
Truthfully I’m not knocking the guy it’s not his fault melody thought just bc a 16 year the boy said “ one time” to paparazzi “ hey leave her alone” she made up this thing in her head that he was the only one for her.
Did I mention they meet once at 16 and don’t talk in any shape or form for 14 years while she pines for him? ….
While he had no problem developing a orgasm denial kink and going to sex clubs to partake in this kink…
Truthfully I’m not knocking the guy it’s not his fault melody thought just bc a 16 year the boy said “ one time” to paparazzi “ hey leave her alone” she made up this thing in her head that he was the only one for her.
Did I mention they meet once at 16 and don’t talk in any shape or form for 14 years while she pines for him? ….
Read
March 16, 2023his name is beat 💀💀
December 27, 2023
This is my 4th book by Tessa Bailey, I have a love-hate relationship with her writing and at this point all my reviews are probably gonna sound the same, this is my least favorite of all her books so far and I'll explain why.
I love her books because she KNOWS how to write great well-rounded romcom characters, she write some of the most interesting, layered plots and her style of writing is engaging. Only thing I hate? The insta lust coming off the characters in waves and the super cringe sex scenes. It feels like she just can't wait to get it into the story and it literally makes me want to not open the book again.
BUT, the characters and plot just keep making me want to go back to it. One thing I can say is, the "love" between Beat and Melody is just as weird as their names 🤭 all the same, I can assure you that if you do decide to read it, you won't be bored by their story. I wanted a more festive read but I didn't miss it.
find wreck the halls on amazon/kindle/audible 🤸🏽♀️
I love her books because she KNOWS how to write great well-rounded romcom characters, she write some of the most interesting, layered plots and her style of writing is engaging. Only thing I hate? The insta lust coming off the characters in waves and the super cringe sex scenes. It feels like she just can't wait to get it into the story and it literally makes me want to not open the book again.
BUT, the characters and plot just keep making me want to go back to it. One thing I can say is, the "love" between Beat and Melody is just as weird as their names 🤭 all the same, I can assure you that if you do decide to read it, you won't be bored by their story. I wanted a more festive read but I didn't miss it.
find wreck the halls on amazon/kindle/audible 🤸🏽♀️
December 4, 2024
4.5 ⭐️ Pure magic. That's the only way to describe this book.
They were the greatest song ever written, and he planned on singing their song for the rest of his life.
About:
Thirty years ago, the world famous Steel Birds broke up. Unfortunately, the two band members, Trina Gallard and Octavia Dawkins, left on terrible terms and swore never to reunite.
Years later, the lead singer's son, Beat Dawkins, is blackmailed for $800k with a secret that could destroy his parent's stellar reputation. Unfortunately, the only way to come up with the funds quickly means accepting a deal from a producer to reunite his mother’s band on live tv on New Years Eve with the help of the other bandmate's daughter, Melody Gallard.
Melody has done her best to stay out of the spotlight, but when Beat comes to her asking for help, she decides that maybe it's time to shake up her quiet life. Even if they can't pull off the impossible, at least it means she gets to spend time with the boy she met once, who during that brief encounter made her feel seen.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
✨ Christmasy rom-com
✨ MCs are children of rockstars
✨ plot: get the band back together
✨ insta love / connection
✨ second chance-ish (they met one time before)
✨ friends to lovers
✨ forced proximity
✨ soulmates
✨ 3/5 🌶️
✨ one bed
✨ blackmail
✨ live stream confessions
✨ miscommunication
✨ third act breakup (with great reconciliation)
✨ HEA
My Thoughts:
STOP WHAT YOU'RE DOING and read this book immediately!!! I just finished and I am crying! I can’t even function. That’s how much I love this story. Beat and Melody have my heart! This love story needs to be turned into a movie ASAP!
Fair warning, it’s sappy and cheesy as hell - a classic Tessa Bailey. So if you have a problem with that, move along. 😂
What I loved:
Melody and Beat. I'll rave about them as a couple below, but I wanted to take a moment to talk about them as individuals. Tessa Bailey did a fantastic job fleshing these characters out and giving them so much depth. Both Beat and Melody have issues that stem from growing up with world famous, rockstar parents and throughout this story, we really get to dive into them. For such a lighthearted story these characters really go through amazing transformations.
Beat is a charming, intelligent, and kind MMC who is incredibly protective of the people he loves (his parents and Melody). So when someone blackmails him with information that threatens to hurt his family, he is determined to do whatever it takes to make it go away. I also found his struggles with guilt surrounding the life of luxury and his resulting kink to be an interesting addition to the story. I've never seen this in a rom-com before and I was glad it actually made sense for his character instead of being used as a random plot device.
Melody is a sweet, funny, introverted FMC whose loyalty and kindness is something to be commended. I don't know how she turned out so amazing when she grew up with an absent mother and was constantly dissected for her appearance by the press while growing up. My heart hurt for Melody. All she wants is to be understood, seen, and loved, however, her situation as a rockstar's daughter has seemingly made it impossible, until Beat. I was worried Melody would remain a wallflower throughout this story, but instead, she totally shines! Melody was 100% herself and easily made everyone fall in love with her - Beat, the world, and myself included.
The romance and obvious soulmate connection between Beat and Melody. I am usually not a fan of insta-love but this totally worked! Beat and Melody are the definition of star-crossed lovers. I mean, with names like Beat and Melody how could they not be??? From the moment they meet (at 16 years old), there is an instant spark and chemistry that draws them to one another. Unfortunately, it takes them another 15 years to reunite but the moment they're back together, it's as if they've never been apart.
Beat and Melody have both struggled to feel vulnerable and open with people because of who their moms are, so there's a deep understanding between them that no one else can possibly comprehend. Also, the fact Melody never judges Beat and always leads with understanding was beautiful. I love that they are best friends first before anything else. Their bond is so special and the tension, lust and love they have for one another radiates off the page. By the end, I was totally crying at the depth and power of their love. I just love them and their love so much!
PS: Beat's nickname for Melody is Peach. There's a reason behind it and it's so fucking cute.
The 'getting the band back together and live streaming' plot was so much fun! What starts out as a show dedicated to reuniting the band quickly turns into the Beat and Melody show once the world sees the undeniable chemistry and love between them. I loved that the reality show creates a lot of force proximity situations and moments where Beat is in full protection mode with Melody. It was also so wonderful seeing Melody finally thrive in the spotlight and be loved by the public when she's spent so long trying to hide. Tessa Bailey did a fantastic job taking this seemingly fun, silly plot and turning it into an entertaining, exhilarating, and emotional journey.
Trina Gallard and Octavia Dawkins are entertaining characters! Where Trina is a wild child and a hands-off mother, Octavia is polished and a very affectionate mom. They are polar opposites so it's easy to understand why they might have clashed. We get scenes with them alone in their natural element, Trina in a hippy compound and Octavia hosting a fancy charity gala, and these moments were entertaining in their own, very different ways. And once Trina and Octavia finally are in the same room, the cutting, hateful banter between them was hilarious! While they are only shown during a few chapters, they are present throughout the story. They're at the center of the reunion plot and we also see them in their children with how their lifestyle and actions affected them.
The only reason I can't give this 5-stars is because. . .
I just don't jive with the dirty talk when they finally do the deed. It didn't feel very natural to me. Oddly enough, I actually liked everything leading up to the actual act but once he's inside her, the dirty talk was cringe to me. But I legit love this story so much, so don't let my opinions on the dirty talk deter you.
The third act breakup, while it makes sense, was so frustrating (because I just wanted them to be happy). I wish that Beat had just TALKED to Melody. There is an explanation as to why he didn't, and it makes sense, but I'm still a little salty about it.
Overall, Wreck The Halls is a fun, swoon-worthy romance that will pull at your heartstring and bring you joy. The story is entertaining, the characters are incredible, and the romance is perfection. And don't let the Christmasy title stop you from reading any time of the year. While the story takes place around Christmas time, there isn't a huge focus on the actual holidays.
Thank you Netgalley for providing an eARC and Harper Collins for providing a physical ARC in exchange for an honest review! As always, all opinions are my own.
Favorite Quotes:
"I'm not a vice."
"You could be. Easily."
_______
"Of all the privileges I never feel like I've earned, you're going to be the ultimate one, aren't you?"
_______
Melody was a rare, perfect bright spot in his life and if he piled too much of his shit on top of her, he'd dull that luminous glow.
_______
"You're just saying that because you're my best friend."
Was this what it was like to be 100 percent to die for someone?
_______
She was glorious. Brave and uninhibited and a little sad. A lot wise. Even as he sang, Beat's throat burned with the need to reach back into the past and rearrange every hour of his life, and so it could have been spent with her. Knowing her.
_______
The only thing present between them was feverish want and deep recognition of two souls that had been separated too long. Maybe not good for each other but created as a pair for better or worse.
_______
"Maybe we just needed to get it out of our system?"
"You'll never leave my system, Mel. You're one-half of it."
_______
"I should probably unwind my lets from your person."
"Hard, isn't it? When they feel like that's exactly where they belong?"
_______
"You have serious dad energy."
"And here I thought I was exuding serious daddy energy."
"Oh, don't worry, you've got that, too."
_______
"You're the good part of me I've been missing. You're the one who gets me. I just want you to have all of me. God knows I want all of you."
_______
"I know it's a long fall, but I'm going to catch you. Every time."
_______
He knew like would be better from now on. Because she existed and knew him better than he knew himself and he'd somehow taken a right turn and ended up in heaven with an angel.
_______
"There's no beat without a Melody."
_______
"I hope it's not going to be a problem that I'm obsessed with you, Peach."
"Is it going to be a problem that I'm obsessed with you, too?"
_______
They'd always been soulmates, they'd just been living separate lives.
_______
"I take care of you. That's what I do."
"No, Beat. That's not how it works."
"We take care of each other."
_______
"I finally got to meet Melody Gallard."
"Was she everything you expected?
"No." his chest rose and fell. "She was better."
_______
They were the greatest song ever written, and he planned on singing their song for the rest of his life.
About:
Thirty years ago, the world famous Steel Birds broke up. Unfortunately, the two band members, Trina Gallard and Octavia Dawkins, left on terrible terms and swore never to reunite.
Years later, the lead singer's son, Beat Dawkins, is blackmailed for $800k with a secret that could destroy his parent's stellar reputation. Unfortunately, the only way to come up with the funds quickly means accepting a deal from a producer to reunite his mother’s band on live tv on New Years Eve with the help of the other bandmate's daughter, Melody Gallard.
Melody has done her best to stay out of the spotlight, but when Beat comes to her asking for help, she decides that maybe it's time to shake up her quiet life. Even if they can't pull off the impossible, at least it means she gets to spend time with the boy she met once, who during that brief encounter made her feel seen.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
✨ Christmasy rom-com
✨ MCs are children of rockstars
✨ plot: get the band back together
✨ insta love / connection
✨ second chance-ish (they met one time before)
✨ friends to lovers
✨ forced proximity
✨ soulmates
✨ 3/5 🌶️
✨ one bed
✨ blackmail
✨ live stream confessions
✨ miscommunication
✨ third act breakup (with great reconciliation)
✨ HEA
My Thoughts:
STOP WHAT YOU'RE DOING and read this book immediately!!! I just finished and I am crying! I can’t even function. That’s how much I love this story. Beat and Melody have my heart! This love story needs to be turned into a movie ASAP!
Fair warning, it’s sappy and cheesy as hell - a classic Tessa Bailey. So if you have a problem with that, move along. 😂
What I loved:
Melody and Beat. I'll rave about them as a couple below, but I wanted to take a moment to talk about them as individuals. Tessa Bailey did a fantastic job fleshing these characters out and giving them so much depth. Both Beat and Melody have issues that stem from growing up with world famous, rockstar parents and throughout this story, we really get to dive into them. For such a lighthearted story these characters really go through amazing transformations.
Beat is a charming, intelligent, and kind MMC who is incredibly protective of the people he loves (his parents and Melody). So when someone blackmails him with information that threatens to hurt his family, he is determined to do whatever it takes to make it go away. I also found his struggles with guilt surrounding the life of luxury and his resulting kink to be an interesting addition to the story. I've never seen this in a rom-com before and I was glad it actually made sense for his character instead of being used as a random plot device.
Melody is a sweet, funny, introverted FMC whose loyalty and kindness is something to be commended. I don't know how she turned out so amazing when she grew up with an absent mother and was constantly dissected for her appearance by the press while growing up. My heart hurt for Melody. All she wants is to be understood, seen, and loved, however, her situation as a rockstar's daughter has seemingly made it impossible, until Beat. I was worried Melody would remain a wallflower throughout this story, but instead, she totally shines! Melody was 100% herself and easily made everyone fall in love with her - Beat, the world, and myself included.
The romance and obvious soulmate connection between Beat and Melody. I am usually not a fan of insta-love but this totally worked! Beat and Melody are the definition of star-crossed lovers. I mean, with names like Beat and Melody how could they not be??? From the moment they meet (at 16 years old), there is an instant spark and chemistry that draws them to one another. Unfortunately, it takes them another 15 years to reunite but the moment they're back together, it's as if they've never been apart.
Beat and Melody have both struggled to feel vulnerable and open with people because of who their moms are, so there's a deep understanding between them that no one else can possibly comprehend. Also, the fact Melody never judges Beat and always leads with understanding was beautiful. I love that they are best friends first before anything else. Their bond is so special and the tension, lust and love they have for one another radiates off the page. By the end, I was totally crying at the depth and power of their love. I just love them and their love so much!
PS: Beat's nickname for Melody is Peach. There's a reason behind it and it's so fucking cute.
The 'getting the band back together and live streaming' plot was so much fun! What starts out as a show dedicated to reuniting the band quickly turns into the Beat and Melody show once the world sees the undeniable chemistry and love between them. I loved that the reality show creates a lot of force proximity situations and moments where Beat is in full protection mode with Melody. It was also so wonderful seeing Melody finally thrive in the spotlight and be loved by the public when she's spent so long trying to hide. Tessa Bailey did a fantastic job taking this seemingly fun, silly plot and turning it into an entertaining, exhilarating, and emotional journey.
Trina Gallard and Octavia Dawkins are entertaining characters! Where Trina is a wild child and a hands-off mother, Octavia is polished and a very affectionate mom. They are polar opposites so it's easy to understand why they might have clashed. We get scenes with them alone in their natural element, Trina in a hippy compound and Octavia hosting a fancy charity gala, and these moments were entertaining in their own, very different ways. And once Trina and Octavia finally are in the same room, the cutting, hateful banter between them was hilarious! While they are only shown during a few chapters, they are present throughout the story. They're at the center of the reunion plot and we also see them in their children with how their lifestyle and actions affected them.
The only reason I can't give this 5-stars is because. . .
I just don't jive with the dirty talk when they finally do the deed. It didn't feel very natural to me. Oddly enough, I actually liked everything leading up to the actual act but once he's inside her, the dirty talk was cringe to me. But I legit love this story so much, so don't let my opinions on the dirty talk deter you.
The third act breakup, while it makes sense, was so frustrating (because I just wanted them to be happy). I wish that Beat had just TALKED to Melody. There is an explanation as to why he didn't, and it makes sense, but I'm still a little salty about it.
Overall, Wreck The Halls is a fun, swoon-worthy romance that will pull at your heartstring and bring you joy. The story is entertaining, the characters are incredible, and the romance is perfection. And don't let the Christmasy title stop you from reading any time of the year. While the story takes place around Christmas time, there isn't a huge focus on the actual holidays.
Thank you Netgalley for providing an eARC and Harper Collins for providing a physical ARC in exchange for an honest review! As always, all opinions are my own.
Favorite Quotes:
"I'm not a vice."
"You could be. Easily."
_______
"Of all the privileges I never feel like I've earned, you're going to be the ultimate one, aren't you?"
_______
Melody was a rare, perfect bright spot in his life and if he piled too much of his shit on top of her, he'd dull that luminous glow.
_______
"You're just saying that because you're my best friend."
Was this what it was like to be 100 percent to die for someone?
_______
She was glorious. Brave and uninhibited and a little sad. A lot wise. Even as he sang, Beat's throat burned with the need to reach back into the past and rearrange every hour of his life, and so it could have been spent with her. Knowing her.
_______
The only thing present between them was feverish want and deep recognition of two souls that had been separated too long. Maybe not good for each other but created as a pair for better or worse.
_______
"Maybe we just needed to get it out of our system?"
"You'll never leave my system, Mel. You're one-half of it."
_______
"I should probably unwind my lets from your person."
"Hard, isn't it? When they feel like that's exactly where they belong?"
_______
"You have serious dad energy."
"And here I thought I was exuding serious daddy energy."
"Oh, don't worry, you've got that, too."
_______
"You're the good part of me I've been missing. You're the one who gets me. I just want you to have all of me. God knows I want all of you."
_______
"I know it's a long fall, but I'm going to catch you. Every time."
_______
He knew like would be better from now on. Because she existed and knew him better than he knew himself and he'd somehow taken a right turn and ended up in heaven with an angel.
_______
"There's no beat without a Melody."
_______
"I hope it's not going to be a problem that I'm obsessed with you, Peach."
"Is it going to be a problem that I'm obsessed with you, too?"
_______
They'd always been soulmates, they'd just been living separate lives.
_______
"I take care of you. That's what I do."
"No, Beat. That's not how it works."
"We take care of each other."
_______
"I finally got to meet Melody Gallard."
"Was she everything you expected?
"No." his chest rose and fell. "She was better."
_______
December 12, 2024
DNF @ 44% (page 159).
I can’t do it anymore. A trip to the dentist would be more entertaining than this 🥱
I can’t do it anymore. A trip to the dentist would be more entertaining than this 🥱
October 3, 2023
I tried.
First off, there's nothing Christmas-y about this. There's a whiff of Christmas and nothing more. Second, this is supremely boring. I struggled mightily but I was no match for how incredibly mind numbing this book is, so in the end made it to 50% and then skimmed the rest.
Beat (I could not with that name) and Melody (I wish I was kidding) are the children of a super star singing duo that ended up breaking up and now apparently the world wants a reunion. So Beat and Melody accept a reality show gig to bring their bickering mothers together. The set up alone took about 30% of the book. The reality show aspect was already a little iffy for me, but paired it with lackluster main characters and second chance that made no sense. I'm supposed to believe Beat and Melody could not forget each other in fourteen years yet neither made a move? They had each other's numbers, but radio silence for fourteen gd years and then they meet again and they are all googly eyed with a bad case of the hornies. Please. TL:DR: I never connected with anyone, the leads are as exciting as a bowl of soggy cereal and the plot was strange. I think I'll just reread Bailey's old books because her new stuff is just not for me.
🌟/5
🔥🔥/5
Tropes:
Second chance
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
First off, there's nothing Christmas-y about this. There's a whiff of Christmas and nothing more. Second, this is supremely boring. I struggled mightily but I was no match for how incredibly mind numbing this book is, so in the end made it to 50% and then skimmed the rest.
Beat (I could not with that name) and Melody (I wish I was kidding) are the children of a super star singing duo that ended up breaking up and now apparently the world wants a reunion. So Beat and Melody accept a reality show gig to bring their bickering mothers together. The set up alone took about 30% of the book. The reality show aspect was already a little iffy for me, but paired it with lackluster main characters and second chance that made no sense. I'm supposed to believe Beat and Melody could not forget each other in fourteen years yet neither made a move? They had each other's numbers, but radio silence for fourteen gd years and then they meet again and they are all googly eyed with a bad case of the hornies. Please. TL:DR: I never connected with anyone, the leads are as exciting as a bowl of soggy cereal and the plot was strange. I think I'll just reread Bailey's old books because her new stuff is just not for me.
🌟/5
🔥🔥/5
Tropes:
Second chance
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
December 13, 2023
Wreck the halls? No.
Wreck my will to live with this book? Absolutely.
DNF at 25%
Christmas may be a time for miracles, but no amount of miracles can force me to read this. Santa please, take this back. I don’t want it.
After the author wrote, “They were locking eyes for the very first time IRL.” with her whole chest on the first chapter, I knew I should’ve just dropped this book then and there but I wanted to push forward. But a person can only survive insta-love mixed with cringy writing for so long.
Yes, ladies, gentlemen and the non-binary folk. This book has insta-love. The worst one I’ve ever seen. The very reason why I’m dropping this book right now. I am a person who hates DNFing books, it’s a matter of principle but I just couldn’t not look past it. Life is too short and Christmas is too close for horrific love stories like this one here.
Let’s meet the main characters, Melody and Beat.
Melody and Beat.
Yeah…
So, in the first three minutes these two meet, Beat comes up with not one but two nicknames for Melody. Mel and Peach. Listen, I understand. You have a horrible name and want to ruin other people’s day with equally bad nicknames but come on.
Anyway, after their first meeting, which lasted less than five minutes, they didn’t see each other or speak to each other for fourteen years. Which is apparently enough to fall in love and cling to that love yet refuse to do something about it for fourteen years. I know the market is bad, all the good people are either married or dead and Tinder is full of trash pandas but PLEASE. It can not be that bad. You can not make me believe you obsess over someone you met for three minutes when you were sixteen, which was literally years ago.
Back to the review! So after fourteen years, can’t stress that enough, they meet again. And the moment they met, they were both ready to climb on each other like monkeys with rabies. I’m 99% sure, Beat wrote a Facebook status that goes ‘Call me a balcony because I need a good railing from Melody.’ at that very moment. Their constant thirst for each other and the empty and, quite frankly, stupid inner monologues made this book unbearable.
I wasn’t even slightly interested in the blackmail thing going on at the back. Especially not after the author, for some reason, decided to reveal who the blackmailer was very early on. Why? This book was already boring enough, no needed to work harder to make it worse.
So, in the end it was a horrible book and I don’t have it in me to keep thinking about it. It was as bad as the name Beat which is saying something.
(Starting date: December 9th, 2023
DNF date: December 11th, 2023)
Wreck my will to live with this book? Absolutely.
DNF at 25%
Christmas may be a time for miracles, but no amount of miracles can force me to read this. Santa please, take this back. I don’t want it.
After the author wrote, “They were locking eyes for the very first time IRL.” with her whole chest on the first chapter, I knew I should’ve just dropped this book then and there but I wanted to push forward. But a person can only survive insta-love mixed with cringy writing for so long.
Yes, ladies, gentlemen and the non-binary folk. This book has insta-love. The worst one I’ve ever seen. The very reason why I’m dropping this book right now. I am a person who hates DNFing books, it’s a matter of principle but I just couldn’t not look past it. Life is too short and Christmas is too close for horrific love stories like this one here.
Let’s meet the main characters, Melody and Beat.
Melody and Beat.
Yeah…
So, in the first three minutes these two meet, Beat comes up with not one but two nicknames for Melody. Mel and Peach. Listen, I understand. You have a horrible name and want to ruin other people’s day with equally bad nicknames but come on.
Anyway, after their first meeting, which lasted less than five minutes, they didn’t see each other or speak to each other for fourteen years. Which is apparently enough to fall in love and cling to that love yet refuse to do something about it for fourteen years. I know the market is bad, all the good people are either married or dead and Tinder is full of trash pandas but PLEASE. It can not be that bad. You can not make me believe you obsess over someone you met for three minutes when you were sixteen, which was literally years ago.
Back to the review! So after fourteen years, can’t stress that enough, they meet again. And the moment they met, they were both ready to climb on each other like monkeys with rabies. I’m 99% sure, Beat wrote a Facebook status that goes ‘Call me a balcony because I need a good railing from Melody.’ at that very moment. Their constant thirst for each other and the empty and, quite frankly, stupid inner monologues made this book unbearable.
I wasn’t even slightly interested in the blackmail thing going on at the back. Especially not after the author, for some reason, decided to reveal who the blackmailer was very early on. Why? This book was already boring enough, no needed to work harder to make it worse.
So, in the end it was a horrible book and I don’t have it in me to keep thinking about it. It was as bad as the name Beat which is saying something.
(Starting date: December 9th, 2023
DNF date: December 11th, 2023)
December 9, 2023
i have loved a lot of tessa bailey in my life, but i think this is probably my least favorite. look, when i saw the mcs were named beat and melody i really should have taken that as a sign to just dnf quietly, but i actually did like the set up and i was intrigued to where the story would go.
basically, our mcs are connected by their mothers, who used to be in a popular band together. they met once when they were both around 15 and really liked each other, and now, 15 years later, when they are both 30, they are coming together once again because of a reality tv show that wants their moms to get back together at rockefeller center on christmas.
i just… hated all the parents in this book. even the ones that were deemed “the good parents” were still doing really shitty things and lying to their kids. i feel like that ultimately is what ruined the story for me, but also…. i just didn’t really like beat… which i feel bad saying, because i know he was going through some stuff, but his inner and outer monologues were always just so intense and over the top, it really hurt the romance for me.
overall, i only like melody, i didn’t like the romance, i didn’t like the lying/withholding information plots, and even though we got a december countdown - this book didn’t have christmas vibes.
trigger + content warnings: blackmail. anxiety, parental abandonment, emotional abusive parents, paparazzi / media invading spaces, hurtful and abusive media coverage, ptsd, talk of body image, a scene with a cult, a scene with police + a police station, a lot of talk of pregnancy
blog | instagram | youtube | kofi | spotify | amazon
basically, our mcs are connected by their mothers, who used to be in a popular band together. they met once when they were both around 15 and really liked each other, and now, 15 years later, when they are both 30, they are coming together once again because of a reality tv show that wants their moms to get back together at rockefeller center on christmas.
i just… hated all the parents in this book. even the ones that were deemed “the good parents” were still doing really shitty things and lying to their kids. i feel like that ultimately is what ruined the story for me, but also…. i just didn’t really like beat… which i feel bad saying, because i know he was going through some stuff, but his inner and outer monologues were always just so intense and over the top, it really hurt the romance for me.
overall, i only like melody, i didn’t like the romance, i didn’t like the lying/withholding information plots, and even though we got a december countdown - this book didn’t have christmas vibes.
trigger + content warnings: blackmail. anxiety, parental abandonment, emotional abusive parents, paparazzi / media invading spaces, hurtful and abusive media coverage, ptsd, talk of body image, a scene with a cult, a scene with police + a police station, a lot of talk of pregnancy
blog | instagram | youtube | kofi | spotify | amazon
November 10, 2023
Wreck the Halls by Tessa Bailey
Second Chance Romance | Christmas Theme
•Melody Gallard is offered a lot of money to reunite her mother’s band on live TV. Beat Dawkin is offered the same deal to get his legendary mum to perform one last show. The Steel Birds potential reunion may also snowball a newfound love between Melody and Beat.
•I liked Beat just until he dropped his confession and then I was turned off from him all the way to the end of the book. I thought he was over the top when he did turn on the romance. The plot wasn’t groundbreaking and I didn’t vibe with the main characters. This was my first Tessa Bailey read and I enjoyed her writing style, but maybe this book just wasn’t for the inner Grinch that I am. If you have enjoyed Tessa’s other reads than I’m sure this wouldn’t disappoint.
★★★★ 4/5
Second Chance Romance | Christmas Theme
•Melody Gallard is offered a lot of money to reunite her mother’s band on live TV. Beat Dawkin is offered the same deal to get his legendary mum to perform one last show. The Steel Birds potential reunion may also snowball a newfound love between Melody and Beat.
•I liked Beat just until he dropped his confession and then I was turned off from him all the way to the end of the book. I thought he was over the top when he did turn on the romance. The plot wasn’t groundbreaking and I didn’t vibe with the main characters. This was my first Tessa Bailey read and I enjoyed her writing style, but maybe this book just wasn’t for the inner Grinch that I am. If you have enjoyed Tessa’s other reads than I’m sure this wouldn’t disappoint.
★★★★ 4/5
December 18, 2025
Great FMC with an amazing sense of humor, troubling MMC with a personality that was weird and all over the place, and ZERO CHRISTMAS VIBES 🤬
December 2, 2023
4.5 ⭐️
another slam dunk by TB. spicy, funny, sweet, and everything in between. the perfect holiday read to stuff your stocking with 😏
another slam dunk by TB. spicy, funny, sweet, and everything in between. the perfect holiday read to stuff your stocking with 😏
October 2, 2023
4 stars
Wreck the Halls was such a feel good and fun holiday romance that can be read anytime of the year!
Beat and Melody are the two children of the famous duo- Steel Birds that broke up 30 or so years ago. When Octavia was pregnant with Beat, and Trina with Melody. They haven't spoken in all that time, but now that they've grown popular again people are demanding a reunion and who better to facilitate that than the children of these legends? A reality tv producer wants to make this happen.
Beat would never dream of doing something like this, but honestly he needs the money and it's for something he can't go to his mom for. Melody and Beat have only met once when they were 16 but have this major connection. When Beat asks Melody to help him, she can't say no. They only have a few weeks and cameras are following them nonstop, but they set off to do the impossible. Together.
This is a very character driven story and I think that's why it worked so well. Melody and Beat are both incredible charters. Melody, however, stole the show. With her quirky personality and fun loving attitude, you can't help but love her. She and Beat are both so gone for each other. It's adorable.
I loved so much about this book! I do wish we would have gotten more of an ending, an epilogue maybe, but aside from that it was truly magical!
Wreck the Halls was such a feel good and fun holiday romance that can be read anytime of the year!
Beat and Melody are the two children of the famous duo- Steel Birds that broke up 30 or so years ago. When Octavia was pregnant with Beat, and Trina with Melody. They haven't spoken in all that time, but now that they've grown popular again people are demanding a reunion and who better to facilitate that than the children of these legends? A reality tv producer wants to make this happen.
Beat would never dream of doing something like this, but honestly he needs the money and it's for something he can't go to his mom for. Melody and Beat have only met once when they were 16 but have this major connection. When Beat asks Melody to help him, she can't say no. They only have a few weeks and cameras are following them nonstop, but they set off to do the impossible. Together.
This is a very character driven story and I think that's why it worked so well. Melody and Beat are both incredible charters. Melody, however, stole the show. With her quirky personality and fun loving attitude, you can't help but love her. She and Beat are both so gone for each other. It's adorable.
I loved so much about this book! I do wish we would have gotten more of an ending, an epilogue maybe, but aside from that it was truly magical!
October 20, 2023
I really tried so hard to like this book but sadly it didn’t happen. I was so bored reading this I switched to the audiobook but unfortunately that didn’t help at all 😪
And there really wasn’t anything christmasy about this book 😩
And there really wasn’t anything christmasy about this book 😩
October 11, 2023
I don’t know why I loved this book so much compared to other tessa bailey books BUT I DID. I HAD SO MUCH FUN. I LOVE HOW UNHINGED SHE IS
November 28, 2023
I thought this was going to be a Christmas-y rom com and I got a sprinkle of the holidays tbh. I didn’t like the characters, this wasn’t for me
December 9, 2023
Gah sadly I wanted to love this but I didn't. First of all, it's not really a holiday novel and secondly I just didn't love the characters or the romance.
December 7, 2023
Well there goes a month of Spotify audiobook credits I can’t have back🥲 This is a big fat NO. There really aren’t words to describe just how cringy this was. Felt like a terrible book plot disguised in Christmas decor even though it literally has nothing to do with Christmas? Not the holiday book vibe I was looking for, please spare yourself of this.
Want to read
November 19, 2023All the people I see waiting for this behind me on the Libby app are giving me anxiety lol. I want to read faster for them but unfortunately, I can still only read one book at a time lol.
Soon. -Way before Christmas. 🎄❄️😅
Soon. -Way before Christmas. 🎄❄️😅
December 4, 2023
I couldn’t finish it. The MMC’a name was Beat and there was nothing Christmassy about it
January 17, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ -NetGalley ARC
Description:
Melody Gallard may be the daughter of music royalty, but her world is far from glamorous. She spends her days restoring old books and avoiding the limelight (one awkward tabloid photo was enough, thanks). But when a producer offers her a lot of money to reunite her mother’s band on live tv, Mel begins to wonder if it’s time to rattle the cage, shake up her quiet life… and see him again. The only other person who could wrangle the rock and roll divas.
Beat Dawkins, the lead singer’s son, is Melody’s opposite—the camera loves him, he could charm the pants off anyone, and his mom is not a potential cult leader. Still, they might have been best friends if not for the legendary feud that broke up the band. When they met as teenagers, Mel felt an instant spark, but it’s nothing compared to the wild, intense attraction that builds as they embark on a madcap mission to convince their mothers to perform one last show.
While dealing with rock star shenanigans, a 24-hour film crew, brawling Santas, and mobs of adoring fans, Mel starts to step out of her comfort zone. With Beat by her side, cheering her on, she’s never felt so understood. But Christmas Eve is fast approaching, and a decades-old scandal is poised to wreck everything—the Steel Birds reunion, their relationships with their mothers, and their newfound love.
Review:
Instalove is my least favorite trope, but that didn’t stop me from enjoying this book. Yes, his name is stupid. Yes, their love is almost sickening at times, but all the things in between saved this book from being a DNF. His fierce protectiveness, the humor, and (what I thought was) an interesting storyline had me turning the pages to see what was going to happen next. I also absolutely loved Trina and Octavia. (They reminded me of me and my best friend.) Even though this was marketed as a Christmas book, it doesn’t really have a Christmas feel to it, so it could be read anytime during the winter months. I highly recommend it!!
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon/Harper Voyager for the chance to read and review this book. All thoughts are my own.
Description:
Melody Gallard may be the daughter of music royalty, but her world is far from glamorous. She spends her days restoring old books and avoiding the limelight (one awkward tabloid photo was enough, thanks). But when a producer offers her a lot of money to reunite her mother’s band on live tv, Mel begins to wonder if it’s time to rattle the cage, shake up her quiet life… and see him again. The only other person who could wrangle the rock and roll divas.
Beat Dawkins, the lead singer’s son, is Melody’s opposite—the camera loves him, he could charm the pants off anyone, and his mom is not a potential cult leader. Still, they might have been best friends if not for the legendary feud that broke up the band. When they met as teenagers, Mel felt an instant spark, but it’s nothing compared to the wild, intense attraction that builds as they embark on a madcap mission to convince their mothers to perform one last show.
While dealing with rock star shenanigans, a 24-hour film crew, brawling Santas, and mobs of adoring fans, Mel starts to step out of her comfort zone. With Beat by her side, cheering her on, she’s never felt so understood. But Christmas Eve is fast approaching, and a decades-old scandal is poised to wreck everything—the Steel Birds reunion, their relationships with their mothers, and their newfound love.
Review:
Instalove is my least favorite trope, but that didn’t stop me from enjoying this book. Yes, his name is stupid. Yes, their love is almost sickening at times, but all the things in between saved this book from being a DNF. His fierce protectiveness, the humor, and (what I thought was) an interesting storyline had me turning the pages to see what was going to happen next. I also absolutely loved Trina and Octavia. (They reminded me of me and my best friend.) Even though this was marketed as a Christmas book, it doesn’t really have a Christmas feel to it, so it could be read anytime during the winter months. I highly recommend it!!
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon/Harper Voyager for the chance to read and review this book. All thoughts are my own.
December 23, 2023
3 stars. I LOVED the idea behind this story, but I didn’t really enjoy the execution.
First, the long ass separation is just depressing. As they always are. They met briefly when they were 16 years old and felt an instant connection. They both pined for one another for YEARS but neither made a move to reconnect. I really hate that shit. I hate knowing that so many years were wasted when they could have been together. It’s a problem that I have with all second chance romance… but especially when they both acknowledge thinking about each other for years.
Second , I’m very sick of Tessa Bailey writing heroes who visit sex clubs…. I just feel a physical revulsion upon reading that now. It’s always some semi-fucked up hero who just visits sex clubs to get off because of his weird fetish or his inability to commit. Here we have a hero who falls into both categories. The sex club detail has become such a HUGE turn off for me. I really don’t need to hear about how he would fuck random women for hours but not allow himself to cum until he was alone. Yea, these details don’t add to my enjoyment of the story. But please, fellow readers, speak up if this does indeed turn you on… I need to know why authors keep including such unnecessary details.
Third, the heroine, while not a virgin, has never had truly mind-blowing sex. Why? She’s also never been in a real relationship. Again, why?? Yes I understand that she has trust issues because of her famous mother - but has there truly never been a single guy who was interested in her enough to try to break down some of her walls? It’s such a disappointment to read yet another book about a heroine who is basically stuck living a boring existence until the hero comes along. Thank god he did, or she would have remained frozen forever.
Fourth, the separation at the end was so stupidly dramatic and too long. Tessa Bailey had such an opportunity to show the MCs being kick ass partners in crime with each other, but instead she tore them apart. WOW, what a great basis to the start of their relationship!!! 🤡
Fifth, the hero’s mother had cheated on her husband many years ago… and when she tells him, he doesn’t even blink an eye before forgiving her. Because “that’s what true love is” 🥴Nope, nope, nope, nope, noooope!!! So disappointed when authors pull this shit because they don’t want to write more than a blurb about what’s happening. TB easily could have explained away why the mother had been with this OM… said they had briefly broken up during that time, or something. But no, let’s just pretend that love is a cure-all for all past misdeeds.
There’s more that irritated me about this book. But these are the major points. Like I said, this book had tons of potential, but Tessa Bailey has become hugely hit or miss lately. Clearly hitting that quota she’s got from her publisher isn’t doing her readers any favors.
Safety:
-No virgins
-MCs met at 16 and had a many years long separation until the start of the story. Both were with other partners and they do both mention thinking of each other and some mutual pining.
-heroine’s sex life was boring and not super exciting although not much more was mentioned about it
- hero has a kink for withholding his orgasm and would go to sex clubs and ask his partners to edge him for hours. Then he would go home and jerk off to finish. I think I saw someone say that he didn’t enjoy sex much prior to meeting the heroine, but I disagree. He definitely enjoyed it, this was his kink he was satisfying. Not sure about manwhore status.
-hero says there has been no one else since seeing the heroine again
-no om/ow drama
-no scenes with OM/ow
-no cheating between MCs
First, the long ass separation is just depressing. As they always are. They met briefly when they were 16 years old and felt an instant connection. They both pined for one another for YEARS but neither made a move to reconnect. I really hate that shit. I hate knowing that so many years were wasted when they could have been together. It’s a problem that I have with all second chance romance… but especially when they both acknowledge thinking about each other for years.
Second , I’m very sick of Tessa Bailey writing heroes who visit sex clubs…. I just feel a physical revulsion upon reading that now. It’s always some semi-fucked up hero who just visits sex clubs to get off because of his weird fetish or his inability to commit. Here we have a hero who falls into both categories. The sex club detail has become such a HUGE turn off for me. I really don’t need to hear about how he would fuck random women for hours but not allow himself to cum until he was alone. Yea, these details don’t add to my enjoyment of the story. But please, fellow readers, speak up if this does indeed turn you on… I need to know why authors keep including such unnecessary details.
Third, the heroine, while not a virgin, has never had truly mind-blowing sex. Why? She’s also never been in a real relationship. Again, why?? Yes I understand that she has trust issues because of her famous mother - but has there truly never been a single guy who was interested in her enough to try to break down some of her walls? It’s such a disappointment to read yet another book about a heroine who is basically stuck living a boring existence until the hero comes along. Thank god he did, or she would have remained frozen forever.
Fourth, the separation at the end was so stupidly dramatic and too long. Tessa Bailey had such an opportunity to show the MCs being kick ass partners in crime with each other, but instead she tore them apart. WOW, what a great basis to the start of their relationship!!! 🤡
Fifth, the hero’s mother had cheated on her husband many years ago… and when she tells him, he doesn’t even blink an eye before forgiving her. Because “that’s what true love is” 🥴Nope, nope, nope, nope, noooope!!! So disappointed when authors pull this shit because they don’t want to write more than a blurb about what’s happening. TB easily could have explained away why the mother had been with this OM… said they had briefly broken up during that time, or something. But no, let’s just pretend that love is a cure-all for all past misdeeds.
There’s more that irritated me about this book. But these are the major points. Like I said, this book had tons of potential, but Tessa Bailey has become hugely hit or miss lately. Clearly hitting that quota she’s got from her publisher isn’t doing her readers any favors.
Safety:
-No virgins
-MCs met at 16 and had a many years long separation until the start of the story. Both were with other partners and they do both mention thinking of each other and some mutual pining.
-heroine’s sex life was boring and not super exciting although not much more was mentioned about it
- hero has a kink for withholding his orgasm and would go to sex clubs and ask his partners to edge him for hours. Then he would go home and jerk off to finish. I think I saw someone say that he didn’t enjoy sex much prior to meeting the heroine, but I disagree. He definitely enjoyed it, this was his kink he was satisfying. Not sure about manwhore status.
-hero says there has been no one else since seeing the heroine again
-no om/ow drama
-no scenes with OM/ow
-no cheating between MCs
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2023
It’s a book.
edit: I'm being told that words put into sentences put onto a page and bound together does not prove that this is a book. :/ so... I'll put an actual review together now 😂
I have to say this first, I am a Tessa Bailey STANNNN. I devoured It Happened One Summer, Hot & Hammered series, Window Shopping, etc. I even enjoyed My Killer Vacation for the most part too! However, the last 4 books I've read by her, including this one, have pretty much all flopped for me. The synopsis hooks me in, I love the ideas and concepts... but that execution has not been up to what she used to be doing, in my opinion.
Now, I don't want this to be a total bashing of Wreck the Halls... because there were a couple of scenes that I enjoyed! Hence the two stars rather than one 😭 I love a good snowball fight scene, and the one featured in this was really fun. And there was something really funny about Melody witnessing her mom getting the cops called on her for trespassing, and then also getting arrested along side her for trying to defend her 😂 it made for a pretty decent heart-to-heart moment in a jail cell between them.
What I didn't like was how forced together everything seemed. I mean, honestly, those two scenes I just mentioned only being one or two chapters apart doesn't make sense to me at all. There was way too much going on, and none of it fit together seamlessly. If I'm REALLY honest, this felt like there's a list of things that TB wants to put in her books, and she rolled a dice to decide what this one gets, and tried to make it work 🥴 cause I honestly can't figure out how we got an extremely un-athletic book restorer who regularly plays bocce ball and has been pining after someone she met once so hard that it's nearly all of her personality... reuniting with Beat, the guy she's pining over, (I don't even remember if he had a job... other than nepo baby??) who has an edging kink so profound that it's nearly all of HIS personality... working together to reunite their rock star mothers, whose band broke up because the drummer (that they kicked out of the band pre-breakup) slept with both of them (really tired of this being the storyline behind band breakups). Oh, and that drummer is also blackmailing Beat (this makes up the other half of Beat's personality). And throw in a snowball fight because it's christmas time and now we can market it as a christmas book. LIKE??? Tell me how that doesn't sound forced together.
I have one more book by TB in my audible library, and after that I think I'm going to have to call it quits on her for the foreseeable future. I want to be wowed by her again so badly! 😭 hoping that she can wow me again one day soon cause I really do think she's got incredible books, but maybe is getting too caught up in the demand from social media/bookish community. Sorry TB, I still love you! I'm just upset 😭
edit: I'm being told that words put into sentences put onto a page and bound together does not prove that this is a book. :/ so... I'll put an actual review together now 😂
I have to say this first, I am a Tessa Bailey STANNNN. I devoured It Happened One Summer, Hot & Hammered series, Window Shopping, etc. I even enjoyed My Killer Vacation for the most part too! However, the last 4 books I've read by her, including this one, have pretty much all flopped for me. The synopsis hooks me in, I love the ideas and concepts... but that execution has not been up to what she used to be doing, in my opinion.
Now, I don't want this to be a total bashing of Wreck the Halls... because there were a couple of scenes that I enjoyed! Hence the two stars rather than one 😭 I love a good snowball fight scene, and the one featured in this was really fun. And there was something really funny about Melody witnessing her mom getting the cops called on her for trespassing, and then also getting arrested along side her for trying to defend her 😂 it made for a pretty decent heart-to-heart moment in a jail cell between them.
What I didn't like was how forced together everything seemed. I mean, honestly, those two scenes I just mentioned only being one or two chapters apart doesn't make sense to me at all. There was way too much going on, and none of it fit together seamlessly. If I'm REALLY honest, this felt like there's a list of things that TB wants to put in her books, and she rolled a dice to decide what this one gets, and tried to make it work 🥴 cause I honestly can't figure out how we got an extremely un-athletic book restorer who regularly plays bocce ball and has been pining after someone she met once so hard that it's nearly all of her personality... reuniting with Beat, the guy she's pining over, (I don't even remember if he had a job... other than nepo baby??) who has an edging kink so profound that it's nearly all of HIS personality... working together to reunite their rock star mothers, whose band broke up because the drummer (that they kicked out of the band pre-breakup) slept with both of them (really tired of this being the storyline behind band breakups). Oh, and that drummer is also blackmailing Beat (this makes up the other half of Beat's personality). And throw in a snowball fight because it's christmas time and now we can market it as a christmas book. LIKE??? Tell me how that doesn't sound forced together.
I have one more book by TB in my audible library, and after that I think I'm going to have to call it quits on her for the foreseeable future. I want to be wowed by her again so badly! 😭 hoping that she can wow me again one day soon cause I really do think she's got incredible books, but maybe is getting too caught up in the demand from social media/bookish community. Sorry TB, I still love you! I'm just upset 😭
December 14, 2024
I need to binge Christmas movies after this to get me back into the holiday spirit 😭
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