A captivating and sizzling romance. The book is a sports rom-com that tells the story of the intricate relationship between Burgess and Tallulah. There is palpable tension and heartwarming moments throughout the story. And then there is Burgess’s introverted tween daughter Lissa, who wants her parents to reunite. What does Burgess want? Tallulah?
Many thanks to Avon and Harper Voyager and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Tessa Bailey’s The Au Pair Affair is a steamy, heartwarming romance that deftly combines sizzling chemistry with genuine emotional depth. Known for her ability to craft compelling characters and engaging plots, Bailey delivers another captivating story that’s impossible to put down.

The novel centers on a charming single parent and the ambitious, no-nonsense au pair who steps into their lives. From the moment they meet, the sparks are undeniable, and Bailey’s talent for writing electric, tension-filled interactions is on full display. The dialogue is sharp and flirtatious, and the banter adds a delightful layer of fun to the romance.

Burgess, a single dad and hockey player, needs someone to help watch his daughter so he hires Tallulah to be his live-in nanny. Tallulah also offers to help Burgess get back into the dating scene, but in the process, they find they can’t deny the intense chemistry between them.
I am here for Tessa Bailey’s sports romance era. The chemistry and banter in this book was off the charts. I loved Burgess and Tallulah together and how he helped her heal from her past trauma in relationships. Burgess just had my heart with how he fell first, how he took his daughter’s feelings into consideration, and how fiercely he wanted to protect the people he loved. I am already ready for book 3 in the series.
Thanks to Avon Books and NetGalley for the advance copy.

I really tried to get into this one but I don’t think this one is for me. The writing just did not pull me in and the attraction felt a bit forced.

Loved the daughter and FMC connection though!

Tessa's books are just so much fun! I needed this book this year. It was an entertaining story and very cozy at the same time.

Loved this book! It was a super cute romcom. At first the characters were hard to relate to, but then as it got going you fell in love with them.

This was so good, I loved the communication between the two main characters. I couldn't put this book down and just love anything by Tessa Bailey. Can't wait for the rest of the series!

second in a series, very steamy, loved the characters, but was a little thrown by the pretty intense trauma that Bailey put in the female lead's back story and then sort of diminished it throughout. I liked the characters from the other books showing up

I LOVE all of Tessas book and this was no exception. I knew when I was reading the first in the series and they introduced Talluluh that this story was going to be good and it was! thank you for me copy in exchange for a fair review.

Adored Burgess and Tallulah together!! The way he was just so understanding and patient with her as she dealt with her own trauma and fears. Tallulah also brought out the best in Burgess by making him more open to communicating, giving advice, and just being more social. I also loved how he didn't pressure Tallulah to change in anyway possible and was making sure he was being reasonable enough. Also the spice?? Tessa Bailey never misses and especially not with such a handsome mean daddy like Burgess as a mmc! I'm very much looking forward to Chloe and Sig's story!

Tallulah is a young college student who is broke and looking for a job. She never imagined that she would be working for hockey superstar Burgess. She moves in and helps take care of his daughter. There is a deep chemistry and heat between them, but Tallulah tries as hard as she can to keep it professional and not cross that line until she cannot hold back anymore.

Thank you Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the ARC.

I GOBBLED THIS UP! TESSA BAILEY I LOVE YOU! This has me giggling and kicking my feet. I love the MMC so much.

Tessa Bailey is more miss than hit for me, and this was no different. I just didn't enjoy it very much, the writing felt tedious, and I didn't connect with the characters at all.

i dnf’d this at around 30%. The dialogue just seemed cringey to me and the story wasn’t working to me. I was not feeling invested at all.

The Au Pair Affair was the first book I've read by Tessa Bailey, but it won't be the last! As a hockey lover and a nanny myself, I was excited to read this story of Talulah, a student turned nanny and Burgess a grumpy, single dad, hockey star. There was romance, heartbreak and a whole lot of fun.

Tessa Bailey is quickly becoming one of my favorites, this one was so fun! Steamy for sure, but I loved the characters! I loved watching the big hockey player fall hard. I loved watching his relationship with his daughter grow. I loved the side characters. Can't wait to dive into the next one!

I loved this. It was super cute and such a fun read. It held my attention and I adored the banter and wittiness.

Tessa Bailey books are my guilty pleasure. Feeling down, need a pick me up, pick up this book! Full of characters you can't help but root for, spice and heart.

Continuing the current trend of hockey romance, this is Tessa’s second book in a sports-themed mini series. Burgess (who makes a quick appearance in the first book) is a newly single dad and hockey star, looking to navigate this new experience…with some help. He hires Tallulah as a nanny but with feelings involved, boundaries are quickly crossed. Unfortunately, I didn’t like this as much as past Tessa books. I felt it was more smut than substance and there was wasn’t any real plot or character growth beyond the two being horny all the time.
Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

BOOK REVIEW: The Au Pair Affair by Tessa Bailey
Series: Big Shots | Book 2
2024 Publication Date: July 16

⭐️⭐️

Pages: 380
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Sub-Genre: Sports Romance
T.I.M.E. Jalapeno Rating:️ 🌶🌶🌶🌶 (Extra Hot Spicy)
Time Period: Contemporary
Location: Boston (US)
Publisher: Avon and Harper Voyager

BOOK QUOTE: "How do we come back from that?... Maybe you don't. Maybe you go somewhere different..." — The Au Pair Affair by Tessa Bailey

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All my book reviews can be seen at This Is My Everybody | Simple Living | Denise Wilbanks at thisismyeverybody.com/blog/what-book-should-i-read

♡ Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to review it and the opinions contained within are my own.