Wreck the Halls by Tessa Bailey

⭐⭐⭐.5/5

3.5/5 A campy, slow-burn holiday romcom

This is my 10th Tessa Bailey book, and while it’s not my new #1 of hers, it was a fun holiday read.

We follow the adult children of an 80s female rock duo, Beat and Melody (yes, that's their real names), as they agree to live stream their attempts to get their respective mothers back together for a reunion song on Christmas Eve.

In classic Tessa Bailey style our characters are good-at-heart but flawed and that flaw holds them back from being with their loves. In this case our MMC feels he needs to hide himself so fully that he only allows himself to be edged, but not release in front of a partner. I expected a little more spice around this kink. Our FMC restores old books and doesn't have any friends, however she's extremely witty, outgoing and confident, a juxtaposition which didn't work for me.

I loved the psychotic Santa's, the parent-child relationships, and the side-love story between the live stream producer and the cameraman. Just wished there was more 'bang' for my buck.

This book is best read in a New York public park on a snowy Christmas Eve. If you see a chaotic snowball fight happening between adults, definitely join in.