Instalovers, this one’s for you! The instalove is STRONG with this one, with our couple falling from the moment they lock eyes with each other. They briefly (very briefly) met when they were teenagers, and their mutual crushes reignite as soon as they reconnect as adults. It’s a light and fluffy rom com for the most part, with a hearty dose of the spice Bailey is known for. I wish it had felt more like a holiday romance – other than being set at Christmastime, it really didn’t give off those vibes. I also wish the relationship had developed slower, so that the pacing didn’t feel so slow one minute and rushed the next. And I wasn’t completely sold on the hero’s preferences in bed, though it’s an interesting concept. So it wasn’t an overly successful read for me, but there’s definitely an audience for this sweet and spicy romance.
The story follows Beat and Melody, two people whose mothers had a falling out years ago. They had one encounter when they were teenagers, and it left a lasting impression on them both. So when they’re paired up for a reality show, it takes no time at all for that ember of connection to spark up again. As they grow closer during filming, it’s difficult to remember the reasons why giving into their mutual attraction is a terrible idea. But Beat is harboring a few secrets that threaten to derail their budding relationship before it even gets started, and that means there’s sure to be trouble ahead.
Bailey is notoriously an inconsistent writer, and that holds true for this as well. Some of her books are easy 5-star reads for me and others are obvious misses. This sits somewhere between the two. I liked the cute Christmassy vibes, even though I don’t actually consider this to be a holiday romance. It felt sort of like Hallmark after dark though, and that was pretty fun. I also enjoyed the fact that both characters were so likable, and the mutual crushes were a win in certain ways. I almost wish these two hadn’t met before though, and instead had bonded once they met. That would’ve lessened the instalove vibes and the messiness of their history, in addition to smoothing out the transition from strangers to lovers. It made sense to me why they bonded so quickly, it just felt like too much. So I never connected to them as a couple. I also understood the reasoning behind Beat’s bedroom preferences, and I think I would’ve been more accepting of them if they’d met for the first time as adults. I can’t really go into that without spoiling things, but that’ll make sense if you read it, lol. In the end, I didn’t emotionally connect to the story at all, and that made it incredibly easy for me to put down. I can’t rate this one any higher, but that’s just me.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/48ChjP3
Blurb:
#1 New York Times bestselling author Tessa Bailey delivers 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 hera 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.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/48ChjP3
About the Author:
#1 New 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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Jeeves Reads Romance 
Great review. This is on my list. I agree with you that her books can go either way, but I’ll keep reading them hoping for that 5 star experience.
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Yes, exactly! This was definitely better than some of the others, it was just too much for me. Hope it goes better for you!
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