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Compared to the multitude of Tessa's books that I absolutely adore, this was just "meh". The concept was cute, but some of the dynamics were bizarre and hard to swallow (and I say that as someone who is HERE for the implausible Hallmark romance). But it was still cute... I guess. Strangely, I likely would have enjoyed it more had it been a new-to-me author. Going in with the high bar that Tessa sets herself left me disappointed in comparison ?

This book only rose to the so-so level for me. I can't believe I am saying this, but there was too much spice and not enough story. I would have liked more character development in order to connect to to them better. I also wanted the Christmas vibes the cover seemed to promise and I felt none of that. All of that being said, there were some entertaining moments and some nice humour that kept me reading. 3/5 stars.

My first read of 2024 was Wreck the Halls; no I wouldn‘t recommend it, unless you really like Hallmark Christmas movies. #sundayfunday

The book was a bit slow in the beginning pick up in the middle over it‘s a cute story

First finished book of the year. I enjoyed the story but there was probably about 25% of the book in the middle that didn‘t really keep my attention. It slowed the pacing way down after such a strong first half. I will probably read another Tessa Bailey book again.

I read 31% of the book and I just couldn‘t finish it. #2024 #bookreview #fiction #christmas #dnf #romance

I think this will be my last book read in 2023 and it was a very good book! I‘m a must read Tessa Bailey fan and I saved this one for the Christmas season. I loved the chemistry between Beat and Melody and I was there for it! I think this was a great book to end the year with.

When rock duo Steel Birds broke up, it left fans begging for more, even thirty years later. The band‘s success and mysterious end shaped Beat (son of the lead singer) and Melody‘s (daughter of the lyricist/guitarist) entire lives.
When they sign on to a reality show to convince their mothers to do a reunion show, sparks fly.
Melody is funny, Beat‘s motivation is weird, miscommunication tropes abound.

Should I be trying to clean up post Christmas? Yes. Am I behind in reading for #wintergames..absolutely. Time to get moving, but not before I had to finish following Beat and Melody‘s love drama. I was encapsulated in my cozy Christmas pants. What a love. 🎄🎅🏼 #restinggrinchface

Thank you to @Meshell1313 for my amazing #jolabokaflod2023 gift! Everything is so fabulous and I can‘t wait to read this book!! Thank you to @MaleficentBookDragon for organizing!!

The holidays are FINALLY here! I finished this book so it gets a so-so but it‘s pretty bad. I can handle some romance but this is not my cup of tea

December‘s #BookSpin & #DoubleSpin books have both been read.
#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

This was between a pick and so-so for me. Ultimately, it‘s not one of my favorites by this author and I had to rewind because I kept losing interest. This was my December #BookSpin read.
#BookSpinBingo #BookSpin #RushAThon #WinterGames #GhostsOfXmas #DashingDecember

Meh. #teamwreathitandweep @StayCurious

Is this supposed to be for adults?🤔It was more like a YA novel and boring🥱Melody and Beat are the daughter and son of two famous singers. Both agree to sign a contract for a reality show where they will try to reunite their mothers and the band again for a concert. Beat needs the money, why? Well you need to read this boring novel🤣Boring even in the “spicy scenes” 🙄2⭐️

Vacation has begun!!

I came out strong week 1..then, life. Looking forward to hopefully passing this number the next two weeks, especially with Christmas vacation! #restinggrinchface #wintergames @Julsmarshall

I‘ve seen this described as Daisy Jones meets The Parent Trap, and I agree. It‘s typical Tessa Bailey - funny, steamy, but with holiday flair.

#dashingdecember #AtoZ #bookspinbingo #candylandreadathon #holidayromance #ispybingo #promptmaze #RushAThon #wintercosy #adventathon #wintergames #candycanecrushers

I swear stickers are getting bigger. When will I learn that in North America cute illustrated covers like this do not necessarily mean feel good rom-com stories like in England BUT very spicy romance ones 🤦🏻‍♀️ Beat ( main male protagonist) has got some weird sexual fetish thing that is only being alluded to 100 pages in - should Melody ( main female protagonist) be wary? I am 😳

Some soft, cozy, smutty seasonal reading this week 🥰 This is actually quite funny and although some of the 'banter' is cringy, it's Christmas, so I can let it go 🎄❤️

Read this for IRL book club. Finished in the Knick of time. Very cheesy, bit over the top and unrealistic, very millennial, and full of 50 shades level of spice. Not my favorite of the author. #wintergames #teamevergreen @Clwojick

2185 pts

This was my first time reading a holiday romance, and it was a jolly af good time! Melody and Beat must get their estranged moms to reunite their beloved rock duo for a million dollar payout—all on live TV that ends up being as obsessed with the romance between Melody and Beat as they are with any rhythm or rhyme. Much steamier than it is Christmasy, I‘d recommend for any rom-com fan looking for just a little festivity with all their smut ☺️🎄❄️

This #holidayromance is one of my most anticipated reads this season, and it has a #christmastree on the cover!

#wintergames #photochallenge #decemberdreams

A little #wintergames fun for the day! Not my donut but I did have one today that I ate way too quickly for a picture! 😅 #snowflakesquad

4/5

Beat and Melody will receive a million dollar payout if they can achieve a Christmas miracle: reunite their mothers' band live on TV on Christmas Eve. Quickly the viewers become as invested in Beat and Melody's relationship and the drama surrounding their mothers. It's a fun and steamy holiday read.

All booked up for Christmas!! Now the question is how many of these will I actually get through since I still have bookclub books (which are Christmas related) to read 🤔🤷‍♀️😜

The first half was kind of funny, and I thought the idea of reuniting their mothers for a reunion concert was fun. But there was a sexytimes issue from the beginning that didn‘t get any better and it took me a week to finish the last 30% which tells me I wasn‘t as into the book as I thought I was.

ebook: Wreck the Halls by Tessa Bailey

audiobook: A Holly Jolly Ever After by Julie Murphy & Sierra Simone

print: Honest Advent by Scott Erickson

#weekendreads @rachelsbrittain

December TBR ❄️

This was between a pick and a so-so. A mix of The Prent Trap and Daisy Jones, with a lot of spice. A feel good, easy, festive rom com.

These are the books I‘m going to prioritize for #wintergames…it‘s so hard to narrow down a TBR since I have SO many holiday books! But hopefully I can get all these read! 🎄🎅🏻

#candycanecrushers

Finished this #ARC in my lunch hr today. Think Daisy Joes meets the Parent Trap, holiday edition. It is so funny, slapstick and laugh out loud hilarious that feels perfect for the season. Some of the spicier bits are very spicy, which feels a bit extreme, even for Bailey. While not unexpected, it did take me out of the story flow. I loved the characters, Bailey fills in the people around the MCs so well. I recommend, with a heads up for 🌶️🌶️🌶️

I love Tessa Bailey books. That said, I had a wee bit of a hard time connecting with this one. I loved everything, except Beat‘s reason for why he‘s doing this. Also, the synopsis was definitely deceptive to me. That said, I did love the journey into some different loving. Can‘t say more cause I don‘t want to give away any spoilers!