Thanks to NetGalley and the author for a copy of this work in exchange for an unbiased review. This just wasn’t for me. I’m not a fan of detailed sexual experiences in a book. It was just too much for my taste. To each their own- and my choice is “no”. The underlying story was cute. It was so graphic that it was a turn off. Well- now I know and I won’t be reading anymore of the books by this author.

Title: Fangirl Down
Author: Tessa Bailey
Genre: Romance
Rating: 5/5⭐️
Recommended: Yes!

I will always love a Tessa Bailey romance, and this was no exception! I'm not a big golf girlie, but I think those who do will love this one even more than I do. Highly recommend!

Tessa is back again with another hit. like she had to have put something in this book because it was so good. I loved the grumpy sunshine vibes and how we saw Wells really defrost from an a-hole to a complete softy . The spice is still very Tessa and I loved it. I can’t wait for this book to be released

Honestly, if Tessa Bailey writes it then I’m gonna read it because if Tessa Bailey has 1 fan, it is me and if Tessa Bailey has no fans, I am dead. She knows how to make THE most grumpiest men, I swear! And I eat that shit up. Truthfully, I know nothing about golf but this book had me being a Wells Belle 🙏🏻 - I loved how protective Wells was over Josephine and how he always made sure to care about her diabetes while also respecting her want/need to be treated as any other person (because she CAN do things anyone else can do!)

Thank you so much for this ARC!

I am not a huge fan of this author but another reviewer convinced me to pick this one up and I am glad I did. The chemistry between the two characters was great from the get go (cute meet-cute) and I really enjoyed the golf aspect. I read a lot of sports romances and golf was a first for me. It has Tessa's signature steam which is not my jam but I was able to skim these parts and still enjoy the overall romance and story!

Tessa always killed , loved this one, this whole sport romance she has going on definitely enjoying , and im here for more . This books didn’t disappoint and the spice top tier. Definitely will be recommending

OMG I cannot tell you HOW REFRESHING it was to read a non-hockey sports romance! And for it to be golf? That was icing on the cake! Golf is notoriously unsexy, but Tessa Bailey worked her magic, and Fangirl Down was FABULOUS!

Wells Whitaker, golf's tattooed bad boy, is experiencing what happens when your rising star suddenly plummets. For the past two years, he's been on a downward spiral, and he's ready to throw in the towel. Josephine Doyle is his one last remaining loyal fangirl. He's seen her holding her signs and wearing his merch, at tournament after tournament. But even her eternal optimism isn't enough, and he burns it all down.

Her parents' golf shop suffers catastrophic damage in a hurricane, and to her horror, she realizes she let the insurance lapse. Now, on top of trying to pay for her insulin out of pocket, she's struggling to figure out a way to fix all the flood damage--on her own. Which is when Wells swoops in with a crazy suggestion: she could caddy for him. Since she won't let him just give her the money to fix the shop, he'll let her earn it.

The rest is delightfully bonkers and filled with the Tessa's trademark dirty talk and steam. He's so used to people leaving him that at first he does everything he can to push her away, to force her to leave, too. But she proves to him, over and over, that she isn't going anywhere. And seriously--they're too cute together.

This book had me smiling the entire time. Joey is such a ray of sunshine, and Wells is such a sulky, grumpy grump, but together, they're magic.

4.5 stars, rounded up to 5. Because I love Tessa and I will read everything she writes in perpetuity. Especially if it's not another hockey romance (and yes, I know her next one is a hockey romance. I'll be reading that one, too, nonetheless--she sets the couple up in this book, and I am DYING. It's going to be so good.)

If you have not read a Tessa Bailey book, start here. This story is delightful and I will be recommending it to everyone. Wells Whitaker was once a rising star in the golf world, but now he's left with one fan, Josephine Doyle, until he spectacularly throws in the towel, rips up her sign, and quits golf. The only problem is he can't stop thinking about her, especially when a natural disaster occurs and he has no way of knowing if she's okay than to go find her based on the few things he knows about her. When he finds her he realizes that she needs money...now to rebuild her family business and get health insurance. He offers to help, but she's too proud to take his money so he proposes that she become his caddy, if he can get back on the tour. The chemistry between these two characters is fun and steamy. Their text message exchanges had me laughing out loud and their in-person interactions were snarky and sweet. The grumpy meets sunshine trope is incredibly well-written. I am so glad that this is a series and I can't wait to read the next one in the "Big Shots" series!
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this title in advance of publication.

Josephine and Wells are two of the most boring MCs I've come across and the "humor" simply does not land - Josephine is pathetic in her devotion to washed-up golfer Wells, and then in her behavior when their situationship begins.

That's about the extent of her character, because her obsession with Wells and most specifically, his ass, is borderline worrisome - but hey, at least she washes it before she eats it.

Meanwhile, while he might be hot to look at, according to her, there is nothing about him that makes him interesting. The dialogue and situations are cringey, the funny stuff isn't, and the epilogue is just more of the same.

This was SUCH a fun romance! Tessa Bailey writes swoon-worthy characters that are such a delight to read. I had zero interest in golf as well, but somehow the way she wrote this book it wasn't boring at all!

Recently her books have been a bit of a hit-and-miss for me, but I blew through this one in a few days. I can't wait to read the follow-up book about one of the side characters!!

And oh boy, the spice in this was... whew 😅

🌈 Queer rep: none

I thought that this book was really good and the romance was great! It was my first romance novel where I genuinely enjoyed the comedy found here. I thought that the ending was a bit weak, and wished it was more slowburn, but I think thats just a personal preference.

Thanks to Avon for Fangirl Down by Tessa Bailey.

I know that any Tessa book is going to make me laugh and it will be steamy and Fangirl Down was both of those.

I love sports romances -- even a golf romance. I'll watch golf and honestly wish I could play so I enjoyed that aspect of it. Especially seeing Josephine as a caddy who really knows her game and wants her family's pro shop to succeed.

I didn't love Wells as much and there are a few cringe scenes but the scene where he drops everything to make sure she's okay was pretty great. This was kinda insta-romancey but I'm always going to read a Tessa book because they are fun.

The Type 1 Diabetes rep in Josephine was great and I loved the acknowledgments that Tessa had for her daughter who is a T1D and this will be the first book she reads but hopes she skips a few pages...

This was exactly what you expect in a Tessa Bailey book and I'm here for it.

Fangirl Down: ★ ★ ★ . 7 5

Tessa Bailey (Big Shots, #1)

“I had no idea what unconditional love looked like until you, Josephine. You taught me how to be like this. And I will love you whether or not you’re helping me win some fucking game. We. Are bigger. Than a game.”

Down on his luck golfer Wells has literally one fan left and she's absolutely not giving up on him, even if she has to come up with very creative ways to incentivize him.

Tropes:
– Sports romance
– Grumpy/sunshine
– Workplace romance
– Forced proximity

A new Tessa Bailey release always gets me so hyped and this one was no exception! I loved Wells and Josephine–they were just the sweetest, spiciest, funniest couple who also loved each other so deeply to make the tough decisions for one another purely out of that love. Their banter, the grumpy/sunshine dynamic, the spice... all of it HIT. They also just communicated really well and were overall a wholesome, encouraging pair that you just wanted to see succeed, ya know? Josephine might have been the fangirl, but Wells was so very gone for her too. I mean, the man called her dad every single day to ask how to take care of her and learn about her. It was too sweet! I loved their book and I cannot wait for The Au Pair Affair!

*ARC kindly provided by Netgalley for an honest review. Releases Feb 6!

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for a galley of Fangirl Down.

I loved this from start to finish. The bad boy of golf (in more ways than one) finally pisses off his ever present cheerleader. To the point where he realizes that rock bottom might be closer than it looked. As Wells and Jo embark on a journey to save Wells' flailing golf career and Jo's pro shop, they discover there is more than meets the eye to each other.

A hilarious romp through the world of golf, Tessa does it again with loveable characters.

Fangirl Down by Tessa Bailey offers a refreshing take on sports romance, delving into the world of golf with ease. Wells Whittaker, a struggling golf player, finds an unwavering supporter in Josephine, his devoted fan. The narrative unfolds seamlessly, making the golf backdrop accessible to even those unfamiliar with the sport.

Josephine's character shines as she navigates life with diabetes, challenging stereotypes and proving her resilience. Unlike those around her who often underestimate her abilities, Wells treats her as an equal, fostering a genuine connection. Their relationship becomes a catalyst for mutual growth, as they inspire each other to overcome challenges and become better versions of themselves. Bailey skillfully weaves a heartwarming tale of love, acceptance, and personal development in Fangirl Down.

Tessa Bailey consistently delivers a delightful blend of fun, flirtation, and sizzling romance in her novels, making her a go-to author for anyone seeking an enjoyable and spicy romantic comedy escape. Highly recommend this for fans of spicy sports romance in general!

I'm giving this 5 stars because of the absolute blast I had reading this. I was ugly laughing and completely giddy over it. Did it become one of my all-time favorite Tessa Bailey books? I’m going to have to say yes!! And it’s a golf sports romance?!? I detest golf but leave it up to TB to romance golf. Not to mention the setting is like 40 minutes from my house. Which makes it all the funnier in my opinion.

The banter was sublime in this, probably some of her best. Between the banter and the betting, the tension was at an all-time high. The chemistry between the MMC - Wells and the FMC - Josephine was off the charts. They fit so perfectly, and their personalities really complimented each other well. A pro golfer and his number one fan! When I heard that, not going to lie, I was a bit skeptical but seriously, why would I question it when Tessa is here to deliver. I was sold from the first 2 chapters alone.

We (meaning definitely me - who am I to speak for the masses) love a grumpy/sunshine trope and it was executed thoroughly well. Wells is a jerk to everyone, and Josephine is there to give him the snark right back. Wells was turning “my caddie” into the new “my wife.” I was poetry snapping (you know - the snaps after some fire poetry is spewed) the entire book with everything Wells was saying about Josephine. No spoilers here but I am a serious flight risk for them. Wells is one of those grumps that only has a soft spot for his heroine, and I was living for it. If he had a love language it would be words of affirmation for sure. I adored Josephine. She's the kind of heroine you wish you could be friends with. She gives as good as she gets. She’s also highly relatable and loyal.

Golf strokes weren’t the only strokes happening if you catch my drift. The spice was *chefs kiss* I mean duh, it always is with TB. The dirty talking will have you fanning yourself.

I highly recommend this book. I had such a good time reading it and I can’t wait for it to be out on February 13th so I can run to the store and buy it for a reread.

The way Tessa Bailey keeps pumping out quality books is amazing. She is a machine. I was honestly skeptical about a golf romance. Hockey? Yes. Basketball? Sure. Football? Ok. But golf? Unheard of.

Color me a fan though because this was so dang good. I loved the grumpy sunshine, forbidden love angle with Wells and Josephine. Also this is such a small thing but I am overjoyed that he never called her Josie the whole time. Love that. The breaking down of Wells walls to let Josephine in was so beautiful. And the angst. Good golly miss molly that was delish!!

Josephine is just goals all around. Dedicated fangirl to full on caddy. But not just any caddy-- she actually knows her stuff and is competent. I just love all of it. Erry little bit!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

𝘼 𝙨𝙪𝙥𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙚𝙭𝙮 𝙨𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙨 𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙙𝙪𝙤𝙡𝙤𝙜𝙮 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙖 𝙧𝙤𝙢-𝙘𝙤𝙢 𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙖 𝙗𝙖𝙙 𝙗𝙤𝙮 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙛𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙡𝙚𝙩𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙛𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙨 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙞𝙜𝙜𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙛𝙖𝙣...

📍 Read if you like:
• Sports Romance
• Grumpy/Sunshine
• Forced Proximity
• Workplace Romance
• Great Banter
• Golf ⛳️

I have been a Tessa Bailey fan for quite a while now, so I’m not surprised at all by how much I enjoyed this book. It Happened One Summer is probably one of my favorite romances - this is now my fourth book of hers I have given five stars. I’m planning on reading her backlist this year too.

I don’t recall ever reading a golf ⛳️ romance so I was eagerly waiting to get this off NetGalley - thank goodness for approvals.

I may honestly be a sports romances fan 🤯 after reading this book because I really loved the portrayal of golf in this - fan fact, I was on my school’s golf team for a year 😆

The chemistry and banter between Wells and Josephine had me in my feels - no joke. I absolutely loved their chemistry 🧪 and couldn’t stop rooting for them. I was giggling 🤭 throughout and couldn’t hold my emotions in, this was perfection in all the ways.

I honestly can’t think of a single negative thing about this book - that’s how much I enjoyed it. I also loved how Wells's character was written the way he acted with Josephine 🥹💕

He was grumpy 😠 but she was his sunshine ☀️ and oh my goodness, I was so happy to see them together. I also loved how he was his biggest fan - and trust me, she definitely was.

I also really enjoyed the spicy scenes 🌶️ in this. I know not many people enjoy TB’s writing when it comes to spicy scenes, but I thought they were fantastic in this

I’m completely obsessed with this book and this was the perfect book to end off the month of January with. I loved these characters and the banter in this was top-notch 💯 Tessa Bailey has won me over again and honestly, this is up there in my favorites of hers.

I’m so excited to see this is part of a duo-logy, I can’t wait to read the second one (also realizing later this year). I’m hoping I can get my hands on that one early too 🤞🏼

Thank you so much NetGalley and Avon Books for the review copy in exchange for my honest review!

•𝗧𝗪/𝗖𝗪: Sexual Content, Chronic Illness, Medical Content, Child Abuse, Cursing, Sexism

I love a grumpy man / sunny woman trope, and this fits the bill. Golf isn’t my deal (hockey is), but I appreciated that it lent itself well to his personality, and allowed for growth as a character. The supporting characters added charm and drove the story, without feeling as if they were tossed in to fill the gaps in their arc.

As a type 1, I loved (LOVED) that she was a type 1 diabetic. It was handled sensitively in a way that added to the story. Their relationship was funny, sweet, and definitely dirty - all great things for a romance, and had me rooting for them both to figure it out: Looking forward to book two!

#NetGalleyARC I wanted to love this book, and I swear I went into it with an open mind, but by the end of the first chapter I was done. It was a chore to finish. Right off the bat the two MCs annoyed the hell out of me and soured the rest of the book. Not my cup of tea but might be for someone else.