Wreck the Halls by Tessa Bailey (Review by Sara D’Onofrio)

Rating: 3/5

Let me start off by saying, I love Tessa Bailey. It Happened One Summer is one of my favorite reads from last year, and so I was optimistic going into this book; however, I was left wanting! The word that kept popping up in my head the whole time was “corny”. I understand that the storyline required the characters to make a connection early on, but it seemed so unrealistic for two sixteen-year-olds to connect that way after only meeting once, and then to stay connected through their adult years without having contact. I loved their desire and obsession with each other, but the way it was portrayed was just so cheesy and it felt like every expression of love was attempting to be this profound, poetic declaration. It just fell so short for me. Not that every story needs to have a big twist or reveal, but it was pretty clear from the very beginning exactly what was going to happen in this book, down to the reunion. Speaking of the reunion, it made me sad that it was so anti-climactic! We waited the whole book, obviously knowing it was going to happen, but waiting to read this moment, and we had a few sentences of banter and calling out Fletcher, and then it was over. I get that the book was more about Beat and Melody, but I would have loved to have more descriptive moments from that scene. What really kept me going with this book was the sarcastic banter. It literally carried this book for me. It seemed so easy and very natural, and unlike their obsession, it felt so real. Magnificent Mel stole the show with wit and sense of humor, and she made the book for me! Even the banter between Trina and Octavia was hilarious, and I wish the rest of the book would have felt as organic! This won’t deter me from reading more Tessa Baily books, but unfortunately, this was not my favorite!