This was my first Tessa Bailey book, and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it! I'm not a big sports romance fan, so I went into this one a little wary, but I actually found that the sports part of the book didn't take over the plot. The relationship between Tallulah and Burgess was a lot of fun to read about, and the books has a bunch of tropes I love: grumpy/sunshine, he falls first, forced proximity, opposites attract, etc.

Thank you to the publisher and to Netgalley for granting me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I discovered Tessa Bailey this year and I really enjoy the characters she writes. They are fun and quirky and Tallulah is all of those things and more. This is one of my first hockey romances and I have to say I am starting to see the appeal. The shear size of the hockey men is enough to make me swoon.

Burgess is grumpy and Tallulah is a ray of sunshine. They compliment each other well. I do appreciate the hesitation they both felt about getting together, but can you really deny chemistry and attraction that strong. Decidedly not.

It seems they both bring out the best in each other. Tallulah helps Burgess lighten up and become a happier version of himself. He learns how to relate better to Lissa as well and I think that is a huge. Burgess in turn helps Tallulah find her strength and overcome her fears. She has sheltered herself away for so long that the idea of being around people is overwhelming to her.

I am on the fence about the age difference in this book, it seems to have worked out for them but in general I don't know how I would feel about it IRL. But the beauty of fiction is that we can live in all kinds of different situations outside of our comfort zone.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy.

I really enjoyed this book! It wasn't as "binge-able" as Fangirl Down, but had a similar giddy feeling!

This is top-shelf Tessa Bailey! I swear her men are deeper in therapy with each book!

The final act is when it really fell apart for me, but as it was an unedited arc, maybe that was all tidied up before publishing.

Would recommend if you're looking for a 0-100 steamy hockey/nanny/age gap/forced proximity/opposites attract/boy obsessed/he falls first romance set in Boston!!!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the free arc in exchange for an honest review.

This one was fun! I liked seeing the characters from Fangirl Down and enjoyed the humor, spice, and heart.

The FMC's backstory was a bit outrageous, and felt out of place for a romcom. The breakup at the end also lasted too long, and I found it hard to want to pick the book back up toward the end

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Tessa Bailey has done it again with The Au Pair Affair! This book is an absolute gem, blending romance, humor, and heart in a way that only Bailey can. The characters are incredibly well-developed and relatable, making it easy to get lost in their world. The chemistry between the leads is sizzling and the plot keeps you hooked from start to finish. Bailey’s writing is sharp and engaging, making it impossible to put the book down. If you’re looking for a perfect summer read that’s both fun and emotional, The Au Pair Affair is the one to pick up. Highly recommended!

TESSA BAILEY DOESN'T MISS. And her first foray into hockey romance was no different. I knew I'd love her sports romances because I love everything she writes, but after Fangirl Down, which I absolutely adored, I was wholly unprepared for how much I would adore burly Burgess and quirky Tallulah in this sexy single dad x nanny romance with a side of my favorite sport---hockey.

The spice was spicing in this one, I love the push and pull of the opposites attract and age gap, and I especially loved the forced proximity. All of it was a recipe for success, and I can't wait to see what TB does next!

I’ve been a fan of Tessa Bailey’s romances for a few years now, and it seems like each one is getting better! In this story we follow grumpy, single dad, hockey player, Burgess who is trying to balance hockey and parenting. He hires Tallulah, who is a grad student studying Marine Biology as his Au Pair to live with him and help with his daughter, Lisa’s during her grad school program. While Burgess thought he was just hiring someone to help him out, he realizes that Tallulah means so much more to him. They bring out the best in each other. Each of them are working through their own battles and it’s nice to see the support each of them has to offer. Character growth is one of my favorite things to read about and I loved seeing Tallulah progress and overcome her trauma.

This book is addicting! Full of high chemistry, groveling, and so much more, it’s hard to put down. A huge thank you to the publisher for allowing me to read an early copy. I can’t wait to buy the physical edition to add to my never ending Tessa Bailey collection!!

I thought this book started off great and then there was a point after their break-up where i felt like it went downhill for me. There were definitely more things that i liked than didnt like, but the ending just kind of didn't roll with the rest of the book for me. I did love our characters; from Burgess to Talluah, to Chloe and Sig, and even seeing Wells and Jacqueline again. I really liked how Burgess and Talluah came together and the pace of their relationship. Mainly too, how they came together as a little family with his daughter. I thought that everything was tied together pretty nicely but i had a hard time understanding his lashing out on her when he was injured. i mean i kind of got it, but it just felt very off character to me for Burgess. And then the whole them coming back together felt a little rushed. But overall, i did like this book and i am still very excited for the next one in the big shots series!

I love a sports romance book. This one is even better than many are this year because of the banter and the sexy times as well as the fact that I was rooting for both characters from the start. I love when the main character is so determined and really lets the female male character know how much that they want them. I also love seeing how the kid was story but didn’t overwhelmed the love story aspect. This book is entertaining from start to finish.

Took a little bit to get into but it was overall a good quick read with the right amount of spice. Definitely not like her bellinger sister series which I love and could not put down.

The Au Pair Affair is an absolute gem of a sports rom-com! Tallulah, our smart and vivacious heroine, dives headfirst into the world of nannying for the grumpy yet irresistible hockey veteran, Burgess. Their chemistry is off the charts, and watching Tallulah navigate life with Burgess and his introverted tween, Lissa, is both heartwarming and hilarious.
Tallulah's quirky charm and Burgess's rough-around-the-edges persona make for a dynamic duo that’s impossible not to root for. As she helps him re-enter the dating scene, sparks fly, boundaries blur, and the heat turns up higher than a Stanley Cup final. The emotional rollercoaster they ride, especially with Tallulah trying to do the "right" thing and stepping back, adds a layer of depth that keeps you hooked.
The author's knack for blending humor, heart, and steamy romance shines through in this delightful story. The supporting cast, especially Lissa, adds richness to the narrative, and the eventual push from Burgess's daughter to bring Tallulah back into their lives is the cherry on top.
The Au Pair Affair is a must-read for anyone who loves a good laugh, a swoon-worthy romance, and a story that leaves you with a big, satisfied smile. Grab this book and get ready to fall head-over-hockey-stick for the author's latest hit!
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I enjoyed this book to an extent. I am just reading my first few romance books and maybe it’s consistent with the genre where there is a time jump I don’t necessarily realize but this book felt like I accidentally skipped 50 pages of plot. It was still a quick fun read and I think those more familiar with the genre would enjoy it more than I.

Is this my new favorite TB? Yes and no lol

I have been searching for a TB MMC that will be on the same level as Brendan and boy did Burgess give us that. I loved him so much. He was so good almost the entirety of the book. Then that third act break up hit and I was all "uhhhhhhhh" with 30% left in the book.... the back and forth after that was a constant cold shower...

Some other random things felt off to me but overall it was a win. I enjoyed it - I ate it up so fast. And I am SO excited for the couple in the next book!!!!!!

4.5 rounded down to 4/5

Tullah takes a job as a nanny and finds herself attracted to her new boss. His daughter is pushing for her parents to get bac together , but who will he chose?

Thank you Avon/Harper Voyager for the ARC!

It’s no secret that I absolutely LOVED Fangirl Down and was soooo excited for this one! Grumpy hockey player + sassy and independent FMC? Yes please!

This book was such a great sequel. It had everything I want from a Tessa Bailey book: humor, banter, tension, spicy spice, quick wit. What surprised me with this one was the emotional connection I felt for each of the MCs and the connection they had with each other. Their chemistry was undeniable and they both had some heavy things to work through. The FMC quickly became a fav of mine and the MMC was 🥵🥵🥵🥵

The Au Pair Affair is the second installment in Tessa Bailey’s new sports rom-com series, Big Shots.

The story follows Tallulah, who is studying to be a marine biologist but who is currently struggling financially. She reluctantly takes a job as an au pair for a veteran hockey player who needs help taking care of his 12 year old daughter. Tallulah loves the idea of a live-in job, but is also nervous because in the past, she experienced trauma at the hands of a man. She has carried this trauma with her and it makes her wary of all men.

What I really loved about this story was that while there’s clearly an attraction between Tallulah and Burgess, as soon as he realizes what happened to Tallulah, he does everything he can to make her feel safe and to give her the time and space to work through her trauma and regain her confidence. Burgess may come across as gruff, but it’s clear he has a big heart.

It’s not all about Burgess helping Tallulah though. Burgess has been having trouble figuring out how to really connect with his daughter, and Tallulah comes into his home like a breath of fresh air, helping to bridge the gap between father and daughter.

Last but not least, it wouldn’t be a Tessa Bailey romance if there wasn’t plenty of fun, sexy banter and steamy moments. 🌶️

The Au Pair Affair is an entertaining read with plenty of heart, humor, and heat. If you’re a sports and/or single dad romance fan, you’re going to love this one!

I LOVED the storyline and characters!!!

Bailey's spicy scenes just are not for me. They're a little cringe for me to get through. I enjoyed this more than others, but think Fan Girl Down was much better!

(3.5/4 stars) Did I like this book as much as Tessa Bailey's other books? No. But did I still enjoy it? Yes. The third act breakup and then reunification felt cringe. But will it stop me from picking up more books in the series? No.

I’m not surprised I ate this up. It’s one of those one sitting Tessa Bailey books. She truly can do no wrong and I am a sucker for a single dad (& fictional hockey players)

I had high hopes for "The Au Pair Affair" after LOVING Fangirl Down however; I didn't feel the same magic reading this one.

Tallulah needs something to pick her up after returning to the States after spending time in Antarctica. When hot-shot, brooding single dad hockey star Burgess offers her a live-in nanny position for pay, she can't say no. Quickly, she forms a relationship with his daughter, Lissa, and can't hep but get fiery passion eyes whenever Burgress enters the room. As luck would have it, Burgess also can't help but have fiery passion eyes, although he knows he shouldn't, with Tallulah. They decide to make things an "affair" as she checks off her bucket list items and he learns to love himself, his daughter, and Tallulah. But when feelings fly and clothes go off, will this be able to stay as just a no strings affair?

The Au-Pair affair is a follow up to "Fangirl Down" however; can easily be read as a standalone. I wanted with this book and maybe, I've just set too high expectations with character arcs. The overall language and way that Tessa handled Tallulah's story made me squeamish and wanting the story to quickly end. Overall, I wasn't the biggest fan of this one and although I can't quite put my finger on way, I do think Tessa set up the next book well and I may check it out.