Dream Girl Drama by Tessa Bailey
Tessa Bailey, the queen of contemporary romance, has captivated readers worldwide with her swoon-worthy characters, their fun witty banter, and characters that represent what it means to have heart-pounding chemistry. It’s no surprise that the author has gained a loyal legion of fans who eagerly wait for her upcoming releases.
Known for bestselling novels like It Happened One Summer and Hook, Line, and Sinker, the New York Times bestselling author has earned critical acclaim for her ability to weave humor, heat, and heartfelt emotion into stories that stay with readers long after the final page.
Now, they have Dream Girl Drama to look forward to. The story, in true Bailey fashion, promises romance, drama, and forbidden relationships. Chloe Clifford, a posh girl, captures the attention of handsome pro hockey player Sig Gauthier at first sight. Their romance takes off with a moonlight kiss, and they’re excited to see each other again. The only trouble is, the next time they see each other is during dinner with both of their parents, who have been dating and are now engaged to one another, unbeknownst to their children. In other words, the two newly infatuated lovers, Choe and Sig, are about to be stepsiblings. Talk about a conflict of interest!
I was excited to have the chance to interview Tessa Bailey, one of the most beloved voices in romance fiction. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to her work, here’s a glimpse into her mind, her characters and her writing process.
Your books are known for their heartwarming romance and vibrant characters. What inspired you to start writing romance, and how do you feel that your approach has evolved over the years?
Thank you! I like to think my stories have evolved along with the genre. Whereas my earlier books were highly focused on the physical connection between the characters, I think I’ve fine-tuned a balance between intimacy and emotional connection, along with secondary themes like found family, friendship and personal development of the characters.
Your characters have incredible chemistry, and the banter between them feels so natural. How do you approach writing dialogue to ensure it feels authentic and engaging?
I would like to tell you that my approach to writing banter is the same every single time but it largely depends on the characters, who they are, what the situation is that they’ve been put into together and how authentic the dialogue feels to them. My approach genuinely changes from book to book.
The relationships in your stories strike a perfect balance between humor and heartfelt moments. How do you navigate blending fun, lighthearted banter with deeper emotional themes?
I really think that the humorous moments where the characters are getting to know each other are putting them on a course where they’re comfortable enough to express deeper emotions. One of my favorite things to do is to have a character slip something important and emotional into the middle of a lighthearted scene that gives the other character a glimpse of their truer self.
Can you share a bit about your writing routine? Do you plot your books meticulously, or do you prefer a more spontaneous, character-driven approach, where the story somehow finds you first without plotting?
My books are always plotted meticulously and my characters are tightly drawn, but as soon as I start writing the book I’m usually presented with characters I was not expecting. Especially when the two main characters get on the page together, their chemistry is different than expected and I have to learn to adapt, so my plotting usually is a work in progress as the book goes on.
Your upcoming novel, number three in your Big Shots series, Dream Girl Drama, has been generating a lot of excitement. What was the inspiration behind the story, and what themes can readers expect to explore?
Among the themes that readers can expect are forbidden romance, angst, found family and enforced proximity. This book was inspired by two things: one certain Detroit Red Wings player and the characters themselves. They showed up in the previous book and completely stole my heart. So much so that I had to add an entire book to the series to watch their romance come to life.
The dynamic between Sig and Chloe in Dream Girl Drama is filled with tension, humor, and undeniable chemistry. How did you approach crafting their relationship, especially with the added layer of family drama and their evolving feelings?
As crazy as it sounds, I really did let the characters lead me on this one. There were certain moments where I was so positive they would make one decision, but they chose another path and I think that’s what caused the book to feel like such an organic love story. Considering the characters are future stepsiblings, it was a very delicate balance of physical attraction conflict, but overall it was a story about love persevering in the face of adversity.
Dream Girl Drama also focuses on themes of independence, identity, and forbidden romance. How do you hope these themes will resonate with readers, and what message do you want them to take away from Sig and Chloe’s journey?
My favorite characters to write are heroines that have been underestimated, not only by their peers and their family, but by themselves. Throughout the book, Chloe learns that she’s capable of so much more than she realized while learning to navigate Boston after having grown up in high-society Connecticut. If a reader takes away any message from this book, I would hope it is that all of us are capable of doing big, scary things.
Without giving too much away, can you share one of your favorite scenes or moments from Dream Girl Drama and why it stands out to you?
My favorite scene from Dream Girl Drama is definitely the scene where the local baseball players meet the hockey players in the dog park and start a rivalry that will stretch the entire duration of the rest of the series. I didn’t see it coming and it delights me to no end.
As an author and storyteller, what trends or opportunities in the entertainment or book world are you most excited about?
I’m starting to notice a lot of my fellow romantic comedy writers throwing paranormal aspects into their books. This reminds me of the golden age of romance where a ghost might appear or a dead relative might send a message from the great beyond. It just adds another layer of fantasy to what is already such a necessary break from reality.
About Tessa Bailey:
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. (Photo Credit: Nisha Ver Helen)
Publish Date: 2/4/2025
Genre: Romance
Author: Tessa Bailey
Page Count: 320 pages
Publisher: Avon
ISBN: 9780063380783