I was super excited to get an advanced copy of the second title in the "Big Shots" series after enjoying the first book, "Fangirl Down." This book definitely delivered on entertainment and added a refreshing twist to the series. While it kept me engaged for the most part, I found both the beginning and the ending somewhat slow. The final section set in Costa Rica, in particular, felt like a bit of a slog.

Despite my initial enthusiasm for Burgess and Tallulah's relationship, I wished for more development and depth to fully invest in their characters and relationship. Nevertheless, I'm glad I read "The Au Pair Affair" and remain interested in future titles from the series. Recommended reading for adults who love spicy romantic reads!

Thank you to NetGalley, Tessa Bailey, Avon, and Harper Voyager Publishing for an advanced eBook in exchange for my honest review.

Honestly, I just feel like I'm getting burnt out with hockey romances? While some of Tessa Bailey's earlier books really hooked me in and I enjoyed them, this one and the previous one in the series, "Fangirl Down," did not reel me in as much. I'm sorry about the fishing puns, but I'm sure you can guess which Tessa Bailey books I like from a few years back.

I didn't get as much of a vibe between the two main characters. It felt a little too "insta love" for me, which can work sometimes. It just didn't work for Burgess and Tallulah. Plus, it felt a little skeevy when it felt like Burgess loved Tallulah more than his own daughter. She felt like a background character, and also just a plot device to bring the two MC's together. Obviously, without the daughter there would be no book, but is it too much to have more of her?

There were moments I enjoyed, but others I skimmed. Overall, a three out of five.

Read the Au Pair Affair by Tessa Bailey if you are a fan of grumpy x sunshine, age gap, forced proximity, and sports romances. I found the characters to be likeable and a the book had a cute storyline. This is the second book in the Big Shots series. It could easily be read as a standalone however. I look forward to Sig and Chloe's story which comes out next!

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon for the advanced digital copy of the book for my honest opinion.

The Au Pair Affair, by Tessa Bailey, was an excellent addition to her Big Shots series. I read the first in the series, Fangirl Down, and gave it five enthusiastic thumbs up! (I still HiGHLY recommend that book.) The Au Pair Affair had a tough act to follow, but Tessa Bailey did an excellent job on this book as well. Tallulah is Josephine's best friend from the first in the series and Burgess is Will's best friend. That is how they meet. Burgess needs a nanny for his 12 year old daughter, Lissa. I thought this was going to be a book about a mom mostly abandoning her child and the dad needing to step up, thus the need for a nanny. I was actually pleasantly, surprised that that is not the case. Lissa's mom is not a bad mom, they just split custody and because Burgess plays hockey, he cannot be there all the time and needs someone to help out, thus the need for Tallulah. You do learn fairly early in the book that Tallulah had a horrific thing happen to her in the past that she is still recovering from. It was not a situation I've read about in a book before and it really added some depth to this book. I could understand why the trauma would still impact your life, even years later. I can highly recommend this book and cannot wait for the next book in the series.

I'm not a fan of a nanny romance but this one wasn't bad. I love Tessa's writing so I really enjoyed a new story from her but overall I think I'm gonna be staying away for more nanny romance books.

The second installment in the "Big Shot" series has truly cemented my love for hockey-themed romances! While I adored Will and Josephine’s love story in the first book, I must admit that Tallulah and Burgess’s romance has taken things to a whole new level.

This story is a delightful blend of forced proximity, age difference, and opposites attract themes. Tallulah, a quirky marine biologist with a rich Turkish and Native American heritage, is a free-spirited heroine whose past trauma has left her with a touch of insecurity. Her kindness and selflessness make her incredibly endearing, and her unique background perfectly complements her character's fluid nature and tendency to embrace change.

Burgess, on the other hand, is a gentleman with a soft heart but an occasionally volatile side on the ice. His profession as a hockey player, coupled with his need for an au pair to help care for his 12-year-old daughter Lissa, sets the stage for an intriguing dynamic. Despite his on-field aggressiveness, Burgess’s genuine affection for Tallulah becomes evident after their initial meeting, leading to a compelling romantic tension.

The narrative explores Burgess’s internal struggle with the ethics of pursuing a relationship with someone who works for him, and Tallulah’s decision to prioritize Lissa’s well-being adds depth to their evolving relationship. The book steers clear of typical love triangle tropes, focusing instead on the genuine emotional journey of the characters.

One of the highlights of this book is the satisfying and well-deserved groveling scenes. Unlike many romances where characters quickly move past major mistakes, this story gives readers the pleasure of seeing a heartfelt resolution and true character growth.

Overall, this sweet and high-chemistry sports romance is a standout read. With its engaging characters, emotional depth, and a plot that keeps you hooked, it's a must-read for fans of the genre. Highly recommended for a thoroughly enjoyable and heartfelt experience!

I love Tessa Bailey books and this one did not disappoint! I liked both Tallulah and Burke and when they were together the sparks flew! I did not like all of the miscommunication and lack of communication, even if it may be realistic I find it frustrating. Enjoyed seeing the characters from Fan Girl Down, they added to the story. This is a story of learning to trust, not only yourself but other people, and of letting people in to your life.

I can’t get past that age gap/nanny aspect of this book. I could do one but not both. I loved the first book in this series but this one was just not for me.

Tessa Bailey is a true gem in the genre. The Au Pair Affair has all of her trademark tropes and then some. I loved this book so much I have recommended it to several patrons and friends!

All the swoon and spice in THE AU PAIR AFFAIR. This book was just what I needed since I hadn’t read a rom-com in awhile. This was the hockey romance to beat all hockey romance’s! Brugess and Tallulah had the best banter. It wasn’t all butterflies as we have Burgess’s daughter wanting her parents to get back together but it made this story so much better because there were so many real emotions involved. This was such a great read! Perfect for all rom-com and contemporary fiction lovers!

I loved Burgess and Tallulah in Fangirl Down and Wells and Josephine are in this book as well. An event they host helps at the end of this book and is a fun reconciliation point.

But I have never met a person with either of those names. Have you?

Love a good height and size difference. This has an age gap but only ten years, it wasn't extreme. But it was a workplace romance but they had met before and had mutual friends.

Their attraction was immediate and before this position she had been hiding in Antarctica on a research trip from a traumatic event that blindsided her. So that may be a tw but he was helping her gain her confidence and help her remember she's strong and that a$$ha+ can't hurt her anymore.

He was a single dad obviously cause she was his hired au pair. But he has a 12 yo so that is way more complicated than a smaller child. Loved their interactions with her and how Tallulah helped him cause he felt like he was always on the outside to be part of his daughter's life. And he had a good co-parenting relationship with his ex as well.

Now I want to go to Costa Rica. Also is Chloe and Sig going to be a thing?

Another great Tessa read!! Full of humor, banter and steam. I enjoyed reading the characters growth throughout!

I went into this one wanting to be excited about it based on premise alone (I've always had a bit of a weakness for hot dad/nanny romances), but I wound up not enjoying it as much as a complete story as I did specific scenes. There's a darker element to the FMC's story that's introduced and then not navigated with as much care as it should receive (seriously, check content warnings on this one). The placement of the third-act breakup also felt a little strange, especially given how much time passes between the main couple going their separate ways and reuniting; in many ways, it felt like this was two book concepts sort of smushed into one. Not my favorite of Bailey's, sadly, although I still wound up devouring it within a day.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this edition from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Au Pair Affair was a single dad, forced proximity, age gap, adult romance. My favorite thing about this book was watching Burgess slowly start to win Tallulah over. From being his nanny, to friend, to more. I loved watching the progression of their relationship. This was a feel-good book that made me so happy!

Burgess was a professional hockey player, who was definitely starting to feel his age. So, while he could be burly on the ice, he was thoughtful and sensitive when it came to his daughter and new nanny, Tallulah. His honesty and intensity were two of the things that I loved most about him. Like when he would state physically what he wanted from her eeps!

Tallulah was a much-needed light in Burgess's life. The way she interacted with his daughter and helped Burgess and her talk warmed my heart. Yet, Tallulah guarded her heart. Her past was heartbreaking and I understood why she wanted to do her thing. And not be tied down in a relationship. Yet spending more and more time around Burgess, it was impossible for her not to fall for him.

He was her boss. She was his nanny. Yet they both wanted each other desperately. So, Burgess and Tallulah had heart quickening chemistry! The tension between them simmered and when they crossed the line into more, it was scorching hot. Also, I adored the found family within these pages. Their best friends and his hockey team, also Chloe, added so much to this story! It made me laugh when they would offer advice, I was dying!

If you’re looking for a beach read or a book to get lost in, I can’t recommend giving the Big Shot Series enough of a chance. I loved the first book, about Burgess and Tallulah’s best friends. And their own story was so much fun too. I can’t wait to see whose story is next, I have a guess and my fingers are crossed!

Tessa Bailey can be hit or miss for me, but after loving Fangirl Down I was excited to continue in the universe. Hockey player Burgess regrets hiring grad student Tallulah as his daughter's au pair as he can't deny their chemistry.

I enjoyed the beginning as we saw some of the chemistry between Tallulah and Burgess from Fangirl Down as he pushes her to step out of her comfort zone. I also loved the connection between Tallulah and Lissa, and seeing Burgess try to improve his relationship with his daughter — I wish we got more of the family element.

As the story progresses it's a lot of lust and not much else, and I didn't like the third-act break up (and eventual reconciliation).

Overall not a favorite, but may have been a result of too high of expectations.

A fun romance that was different than others I have read. A good escape that made a fun beach read! Overall I enjoyed the characters and seeing where their relationship would go.

📱 The Au Pair Affair 📱⁣
⁣⁣
⁣Length- 384 pages. ⁣
⁣⁣
⁣Genre- Hockey Romance. ⁣
⁣⁣
⁣My thoughts- This one was delightfully naughty. Tallulah reluctantly agrees to live with Burgess to help care for his twelve year old daughter. Sparks fly and it’s completely filthy, but it also takes on lots of heavy topics. ⁣
⁣⁣
⁣What to expect: ⁣
⁣- Hockey Romance. ⁣
⁣- Age Gap Romance. ⁣
⁣- Nanny x Single Dad. ⁣
⁣- Opposites attract. ⁣
⁣- A bit of a slow burn. ⁣
⁣- Third act breakup. ⁣
⁣⁣
⁣Overall- this was super enjoyable and such a fun read! Four stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⁣
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⁣Thank you to @netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of The Au Pair Affair. It is out now.

ARC Review: Burgess and Tallulah are the main couple in this story. She is his Au Pair and in grad school and he is a professional hockey player. He has been interested in her since he first met her almost a year before she started working for him and he wants something serious with her. She does not want anything serious, just wants to have fun.
They spend a lot of time with basically foreplay and him trying to give her what she wants because of her troubles past. Then eventually she shares with him why she has such a hard time trusting men and that the person who hurt her is dead. Then they start to get serious with her agreeing to be his girlfriend. He then sustains a serious back injury at an away game and she flies to him to provide comfort and encouragement. He says extremely hurtful things to her and she walks away and says they are over.
Almost two months after they break up they have a wedding to attend as they have mutual friends. Once there he does everything he can to prove he loves her and he didn’t mean anything he said he was just hurt. They eventually make up before the wedding. Then 17 months later they get engaged!
This book was very good. The flow was perfect and very realistic. The intimate scenes were steamy, but not too crazy. Everything I love for in a romance.

I have really high expectations because of how much I love Tessa Bailey books and this one fell a little flat for me. I expected a little more hockey out of a hockey romance and I spent most of the book feeling pretty middle of the road about it. It read really easily and the end was good. Some of it just felt rushed at times and unrealistic but then the end brought it all back together. I’ll always reach for a new Tessa Bailey book but this one was just not a favorite.

I received an ARC from Netgalley. All thoughts are my own.

Let me start by saying that Fangirl Down is unequivocally my favorite read of 2024. I was really looking forward to The Au Pair Affair, and I could NOT wait to read it. Unfortunately, I was a little let down by it. I can't quite explain it, but It just didn't check off all my buttons like I thought it would.

Maybe Burgess was too overbearing. Maybe Tallulah just didn't live up to the hype in my head. I dunno. What I did enjoy was Burgess' daughter and how she fit into their relationship, and how she created a relationship with Tallulah all on her own. I enjoyed Wells and Josephine's wedding. I REALLY enjoyed all the Wells.

Don't get me wrong - I still enjoyed this book. It was pretty smutty and some parts made me cringe. Some parts made me blush. I'm very much looking forward to Sig and Chloe, tho. I won't count Big Shots out yet.