Nothing screams February quite like a new Tessa Bailey release. This year we were graced with the third installment in her Big Shots series. Although this isn't my favorite series she's published, it's still one I tend to preorder months in advance, just so my doorway can be blessed on release day by the newest filthy installment. When I finished The Au Pair Affair last year, I couldn't wait to get my hands on Sig and Chloe's story. A forbidden romance between a professional hockey player and a harp prodigy, what could go wrong? Here are my thoughts.
Synopsis
This third installment in her Big Shots series follows Sig and Chloe. While on a trip to visit his estranged father, Sig runs into Chloe, a harpist prodigy who's yearning to gain some independence. Sparks fly, but the pair soon finds out that their parents are engaged, making them future step-siblings. Sig determined to help Chloe gain some independence, steals her away to Boston, where they try forget the feelings they may have started to have for one another, but being high profile individuals, drama is sure to follow.
Strengths
Obviously the biggest strength is that this is a Tessa Bailey book, so regardless of plot her dedicated readers were going to pick it up one way or another. Also the hockey romance trope is a big one right now, so that alone was sure to pique many readers interest. Chloe's character (although I've read mixed reviews and seen others who don't feel this way) I feel like was done well, in the fact that she had a lot of character growth throughout the book. She left her sheltered life where everything she did was determined by her controlling mother, and through the initial help of Sig was able to gain independence and determine for herself what she wanted to do for the rest of her life. Sig also had a lot of growth throughout the book, as he came to terms with his own personal family dynamics, while also making some big decisions career wise. Then in typical Tessa Bailey fashion she brought the spice. Although, we did have to wait a while for it, making it a slow burn romance.
Weaknesses
The main issue I've seen going around in regards to this book, is that it's a step-sibling romance. This is a trope I've seen a few times and if done correctly it doesn't bother me. I feel like in this case it was executed well, as they didn't grow up together, instead meeting and forming an attraction for one another in their adult years, before they have any knowledge of their parents getting married in the future. Emphasis on the word future here, meaning they aren't actually step-siblings until their parents officially get married. However, if this is a trope that automatically gives you the ick, then don't pick it up. Simple as that. Another weakness of Dream Girl Drama, is that it relies heavily on insta-love to drive the story forward. For Sig it's love at first sight and he'll do anything for Chloe. A lot of it also starts out as lust for one another, but that doesn't mean it's necessarily bad, it just made it a little less believable that they'd drop everything for each other. The final weakness is that there's a third act break up. The only saving grace is that it was resolved fairly quickly, and in a satisfying way which I will not disclose due to spoilers.
Would I Recommend It?
Yes, I would for sure. I personally enjoyed it, and am excited to read the next book Pitcher Perfect which will be Robbie and Skylar's book. This was hinted at by a scene in the book where we saw the two form a banter, and I'm excited to see where their story goes. The only reasons I would dissuade someone from reading is if you don't enjoy open door romances, or if you absolutely despise the step-sibling trope. As long as that doesn't bother you, I think it's a fun addition to the series, and I enjoyed reading it. Did I mention there's a super cute bulldog that they totally should have put on the cover? Missed opportunity Avon. Seriously, you could have even put him on the back cover and I would have been ecstatic.
My Ratings
Overall Rating: 3.75/5
Spice Rating: 3.5/5
Content Warnings
Classicism, abandonment, family issues, controlling parental figure
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