Review: Wreck the Halls by Tessa Bailey

Thank you Avon Books for my copy! All thoughts are my own.

When I think of Tessa Bailey, I think of FUN. So, I was very much looking forward to reading Wreck the Halls, since I love a good fun Rom Com and a holiday book. Unfortunately, this book didn’t meet the mark for me. It was a little too fun and a little too cheesy. It has “Hallmark After Dark” vibes and I wish there was a bit more reality to it. But, it is a really fun book that doesn’t take itself seriously and I think will bring a lot of people (who like open door romances) joy this season. Just didn’t work for me!

Synopsis:

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.” —NetGalley

What I Liked:

  1. The Typical Tessa Bailey Fun—Looks, Tessa Bailey’s books are plain old FUN. And this book is no exception. I wish there was more festive cheer in it because that’s what I was hoping for.

What Didn’t Work for Me:

  1. The Insta Love—I want to get behind it, but it just always makes me cringe. It doesn’t feel real to me!

  2. The Cheese—Beat was just a little too much for me. He’s adorable and such a golden retriever, but I couldn’t suspend my disbelief enough to get on board.

  3. The Pacing—I think overall this book just wasn’t for me.

Character Authenticity: 1/5 Spice Rating: 3.5/5 Overall Rating: 2/5

Content Warnings:

Abandonment, blackmail, infidelity