Wreck the Halls: A Novel

The novel Wreck the Halls follows Melody Gallard and Beat Dawkins, whose lives have been linked since they were conceived simultaneously by former rock duo Steel Birds (Trina Gallard and Octavia Dawkins) in 1993, shortly before the band’s mysterious breakup.

The Reunion and the Blackmail

In 2009, 16-year-old Melody and Beat meet for the first time in a New York TV studio. Fourteen years later, Beat is a famous musician being blackmailed by his biological father, Fletcher Carr, who threatens to expose Beat’s paternity unless he receives large sums of money. Desperate for $8,000 by Christmas, Beat accepts an offer from Applause Network producer Danielle Doolin to help reunite Steel Birds for a $1 million reunion concert on Christmas Eve. Melody agrees, renaming the project “Wreck the Halls.”

Confrontations and Complications

Beat and Melody’s televised efforts begin at Octavia’s charity gala. Melody successfully charms Octavia, who agrees to play one song with Trina if Trina can be persuaded. That night, Melody and Beat share an intimate moment that Beat abruptly stops due to his complicated sexual history—he has not allowed himself to climax with a woman since he was a teenager, viewing it as a form of self-punishment for his privileged life.

The pair travel to New Hampshire to confront Trina. After a scuffle with locals leads to their arrest, Melody has a breakthrough with Trina, urging her mother to release her past pain. Following their release, Beat and Melody announce the reunion plan and share an intense sexual encounter. Melody enjoys the intimacy but is hurt when Beat pushes her away after intercourse. She gives him an ultimatum: open up to her, or they will only be friends.

The Truth and The Proposal

After a few days apart, Beat realizes his fear of hurting Melody. He finds her, apologizes, and the two reunite, later staging a snowball fight. That evening, Beat opens up to Melody, confessing his love and revealing the truth about Fletcher and the blackmail.

The next day, Beat and Melody appear on the Today show, where the host shockingly introduces Fletcher Carr, the former Steel Birds drummer. Fletcher threatens to blackmail Melody, prompting Beat to suddenly push Melody away to protect her. Trina arrives at Melody’s apartment, and they reconcile. Melody tells Trina everything, leading them to meet with Octavia.

The three decide to stop Fletcher once and for all. Trina and Octavia reconcile, forgive each other for the past, and agree to expose Fletcher’s illicit behavior on stage at the Christmas Eve concert. The concert goes well, but Beat flees, overwhelmed. When Trina and Octavia dedicate a tribute video to the young couple, Melody realizes her love and chases after him. They reconcile in the park, profess their love, and Beat proposes, which Melody accepts.