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

--------------------

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.

Thank you Netgalley and Author for this Arc unfortunately this wasn't my favorite I definitely liked Fangirl down a lot more and was expecting more from this book, it was an okay read for me but just fell short.

This was a great escapist summer book. Tessa Bailey writes great chemistry, and I think the set up for this book was done really well. However, I wasn't totally sold on the conflict resolution at the end of the book.

I enjoyed the character cameos and getting hints for the next book in the series, and Tessa Bailey's humor really shines through in those scenes. Overall, I enjoyed this one, but it felt like there were a few elements missing to help it reach it's full potential. Would recommend to anyone looking to pick up a light, fast paced hockey rom-com.

Thank you to the author, NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the advance copy!

ATE IT UP LIKE MY LAST MEAL!!!!!! tessa bailey the woman that you are wow oh wow. this has quickly become one of my favorite series of hers

Tessa Bailey has done it again! I'm loving her foray into the sports romance genre -- this series is so fun! I loved THE AU PAIR AFFAIR just as much as FANGIRL DOWN. I can't wait for the next one!

DNFed at over 50% so I'm counting it. It wasn't awful, but it just wasn't doing anything for me. I loved Fangirl Down from this series, so I thought this might be better, but I really also hate the age gap trope. I've never read one where the author did it well. I just don't get why a middle-aged man would want a woman barely out of high school or college. It's my ick. Don't let me sway you. Try this book if you just want a mindless beach read. I wanted something with a little more substance or at least better banter.

✩ 3.25 stars ✩

Everything Tessa Bailey writes is such a joy, and "The Au Pair Affair" is no exception. The characters are loveable with solid chemistry and an engaging enough storyline.

However, the instalust/instalove was a bit excessive here. It felt like the author was trying to pack in as much as possible, and it often felt too overwhelming as a result. There are a few places where the pacing is uneven, with some plot points rushed and others underdeveloped.

Regardless, "The Au Pair Affair" has that wonderfully fun and very recognizable Tessa Bailey style that makes all her books such rewarding escapist reads.

Thanks to the author, NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the advance copy in exchange for my review.

This was another Tessa Bailey book I enjoyed reading! I know when I pick up one of her books I will be entertained, and this was no exception. If you like her other novels, I would definitely recommend picking this one up!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

This is lighthearted romance that brings a bit of charm to the workplace romance genre. The characters are likable, and the storyline is engaging, but it doesn’t quite reach its full potential. The chemistry between the protagonists is enjoyable, but there are moments when the pacing feels uneven, which affects the flow of the story.

While there are several funny and heartwarming scenes, some of the plot points feel predictable, and the character development could have been deeper. Despite these minor issues, Its still enjoyable read for anyone looking for a feel-good romance with a few laughs along the way.

Rating: 3/5

Ah another great hockey romance. Tessa did me proud with this one. It was everything I expected it to be and more. If you enjoy this subgenre, then you would love this book. It had great everything. Read it!

Tessa Bailey and Hockey Romance??? Sign me up!!!

Tessa Bailey is a go to author for me and I just adore her. I will pick up anything by her.

Following Tallulah, who's study to be a marine biologist, but broke and jumps at the opportunity to take a live in nanny job for a single dad, Burgess.

You're telling me we have hockey, single dad x nanny tropes. YESSSSS.

This was just amazing. and I will forever continue to read Tessa Bailey.

✨ARC Review✨

Ok ok. Tessa has been writing the *best* MMCs - they are falling first, they are over-the-moon for their women, they fvck it up and figure it out.

I honestly thought no one was going to top Wells and I was right, but Burgess is rightthere. Thisclose. He’s a giant, gorgeous hockey player and he has his world knocked askew when he meets Tallulah. She’s beautiful, sassy, funny, and works wonders with his preteen daughter, Lissa. All this makes him offer her a job as an au pair.

Tallulah has quite a bit of trauma in her past and this makes her rethink accepting the job working and living with a man she doesn’t really know; however, of course Burgess is going to show her by word and deed that he’s her protector and encourager. And she in turn shows him that he’s been living an unfulfilling life and how to fill it with adventure and love.

They have a lot to overcome together and of course, they manage to do it while coming together. This book is hot and spicy! 🥵 🥵🥵

Great story! Lovely characters written in that recognizably Tessa Bailey style. It’s a winner!

I received an ARC of this book from #netgalley and @AvonBooks and @HarperVoyagerUS in exchange for a review. All thoughts are mine alone.

#romance #contemporaryromance #hockeyromance #arc #booksbooksbooks #bookstagram #igreads

This copy was kindly given to me by Netgalley and publisher for review. All opinions are my own.

Tessa Bailey is quickly rising in the ranks as one of my fav romance authors. They are fast, fun, spicy reads. I am also loving when the MMC falls first and this totally gave it. I can't wait to continue on with this companion series.

Tessa Bailey and Hockey romance!!! SOLD! I was a Massive fan of FAN GIRL down so i jumped to read this the moment i saw it. As always the humor and spice were top tier.

I love anything Tessa Bailey writes. This one did not disappoint. Loved the banter, loved the steam. Highly recommend.

I love everything Tessa Bailey writes and this was no exception! I was looking forward to the story continuing with this group of hockey buddies. Tallulah and Burgess had great chemistry and I love the #meandaddy

A Hot Mess of Hockey and Heart

The Au Pair Affair is a rollercoaster of emotions, steamy scenes, and hockey dad angst. Tallulah, a quirky and determined heroine, lands a job as an au pair for the brooding and grumpy hockey star, Burgess. What follows is a whirlwind of banter, tension, and undeniable chemistry.

While the book has its swoon-worthy moments and laugh-out-loud banter, I couldn't shake the feeling that some plot points felt rushed or underdeveloped. The emotional depth that Bailey is known for seemed a bit lacking in this one.

Still, if you're a fan of Tessa Bailey's signature style of witty dialogue and scorching hot scenes, The Au Pair Affair is worth a read. Just don't expect a deep dive into character development or a complex plot.

This was so fun, so much chemistry, and I couldn't stop reading. I loved this book and Tessa Bailey fans and new comers will absolutely love this!

This second book in the "Big Shot" series has already made me a big hockey fan! I loved Will and Josephine's love story, but I can honestly say I enjoyed Tallulah and Burgess' romance even more. It includes themes of forced proximity, a single dad, an age difference, and opposites attract!

One of my favorite tropes to recommend is a nanny/single dad and you can bet this book is being added to that list of recommendations. The protectiveness that Burgess places upon Tallulah from the first moment he learns about her past made my heart so happy. We love a grumpy athlete who is protective over those he loves. The complexity of both main characters and their past made for some emotional moments. There are a lot of big emotions that can be easily felt by the reader as well. A book that makes me feel something is a book well written!

Overall, this is one of the highly anticipated, sweetest, high-chemistry sports romances with likable characters that I highly recommend for a thoroughly enjoyable read!

3.5 stars. I’m usually a big fan of Tessa Bailey, But this book was just middle of the road for me. The beginning was a bit slow, Once you really got into it, it really amped up. Definitely signature Tessa Bailey full on romance, falling hard and fast which I enjoy. I feel like the ending dragged on a bit, But I thought it was lovely light read .