Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ / 5

“The Au Pair Affair” by Tessa Bailey is #2 in her Big Shots series, but I can definitely be read as a stand alone if you don’t mind being spoiled for the ending of the previous book.

Now, I was initially skeptical because I have tried to read several of Bailey’s books in the past and they have all left me dissatisfied due to the lack of substance and excessive smut but “The Au Pair Affair” finally hit the mark for me!

This book follows Burgess, a gruff hockey player and single dad of his tween daughter, and Tallulah, his live in nanny. (“Au pair”, but by definition she is not an Au pair, there is no foreign exchange happening here)

I really found myself invested in Tallulah’s story and her trauma and throughly enjoyed the romance between them although it is a little “insta-lovey” on his end which isn’t my favorite which is one of the reasons I gave it four stars.

The slow burn is not too slow which I think will make most readers happy. Overall I enjoyed this book and I would read the next one in the series!

Thankyou to NetGalley, Avon Books and Tessa Bailey for an Advance copy in exchange for my honest review!

This book was not what I expected. I don’t really have much to say on this. Which is a letdown since I adore Tessa Bailey. The MMC didn’t have me falling head over heels for him. He honestly felt a little too toxic for me. The book did have its moments there were laugh out loud moments and tender hearted as well. I would recommend any Tessa Bailey fan read it. It just unfortunately wasn’t my favorite book by her.

Happy publication day to The Au Pair Affair!

——

”There will never be an adventure that lives up to you.”

Tessa Bailey is the queen of guilty-pleasure romance novels, and The Au Pair Affair was just as sweet and steamy as I hoped it would be! I liked this one better than Fangirl Down - I don’t read many hockey romances, but maybe I should! The grumpy/sunshine and he-falls-first tropes were really working for me here.

I didn’t feel like we saw as much nannying (or, to be honest, parenting) for a book that is billed as “nanny + dad.” And I was a little overwhelmed by the intensity of Tallulah’s past trauma, for a rom-com. But I loved the chemistry between the main characters enough to ignore all that. 3.5 stars rounded up!

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A huge thank you to Tessa Bailey, Avon Books, Harper Voyager, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

3.75 This is a spicy, age gap, single father, hockey romance and I enjoyed it! I have read a few books by this author before and this one seemed right up my alley. I have seen some reviews calling this a slow romance, but I felt that with the MFC's (Talluah) back story the romance moved kind of fast.. Although, the MMC (Burgess) was very protective of her and was sensitive to what she went through. I would have liked to have seen more of Talluah's journey with the trauma she experienced and her time with her family. Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Harper and Voyager for this ARC.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this free ARC in exchange for an honest review. Pub date: July 16, 2024

Exactly as the title and cover suggest—this is a employer/employee sports romance between a hockey player and his daughter’s au pair. The title and cover don’t tell you that it’s an insta-lust/love-bombing age gap “forbidden” romance between a “chivalrous alpha male” and a woman who was stalked and nearly murdered by her ex (ok, trauma!) and is now reasonably skittish of men. Off the charts level of ick for me because the male MC gives predatory and possessive creep vibes similar to her homicidal ex…female MC is on a carousel of abusive relationships but if you’re looking for a super smutty open door caveman read, Bailey delivers there as expected.

*Please check the trigger warnings before reading!*

Tessa Bailey has done it again ladies and gentleman! The second book in the Big Shots series is sexy, fun, adventurous rom-com about a single dad hockey player who falls in love with his child's Au Pair.

Tallulah is trying to overcome a trauma that happened in her past. Burgess is a NHL star with a pre-teen daughter who is afraid he only has 1-2 good years left in his career. The chemistry between these two is absolutely undeniable. This is a slow burn that will have you turning the pages QUICKLY!

Read this if you like:
-Single Dad & Nanny
-He falls first
-SPICE
-Slow burn
-Dual POV

The Au Pair Affair is book two in the Big Shots series by Tessa Bailey. While I haven't read FanGirl Down (it's on my TBR!), I was anxious to read this one after hearing how much everyone loved the first book in this series, I just wish I had loved this more than I did.

Burgess is a professional hockey player who is in need of an Au Pair for his tween daughter, Lissa. He had met college student, Tallulah at the wedding of their mutual friends and seeing she needs a job, it's a perfect solution for both of them. Not to mention there is mutual chemistry.

It's clear that Burgess, who is 11 years Tallulah's senior, is all in on her and wants a relationship. She isn't interested in anything more than a fling. Is she ready to let love in or will she walk away completely?

While I liked quite a bit about this book, the age gap in this one bothered me. Normally I don't have any issues with age gaps, but there just seemed to be things they were both dealing with, Burgess from his divorce and Tallulah from things from her past that she hasn't overcome, that made it glaring. Also, some of the dialogue just didn't work for me and it's one of the main reasons I went with a 3-star instead of 4-star rating.

**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review**

I thought this was a fun sports rom-com! I liked the main characters and the side characters too.I liked how protective Burgess was of Tallulah. I also liked the way Tallulah bossed him around. Their interactions were sweet with lots of tension, fun banter and spicy moments. I also liked the friendship between Chloe and Tallulah and Burgess’s relationship with his teammates.
I thoroughly enjoyed this one.

Tropes
Hockey romance
Grumpy / sunshine
Single dad / nanny
Age gap
Forced proximity
4.75⭐️ stars
3 🌶️ spicy
Tallulah is a grad student and moving to Boston. Burgess is a single dad hockey player that needs help connecting with his 12 year old daughter.. Tallulah has faced some serious trauma and is kind of men for all the right reasons after what happens to her but after getting to see Burgess and his daughter she try’s to be his au pair. These two have a connection since the first time they met but they both had different reason for not just giving in right away. I love how he helps her heal from past trauma.. and how she gets him to face a fear about an injury of course she may or may not have pursued him lol..
Wow is all I can say about Costia Rica but man does it end the right way!!
But the way this is my first Tessa Bailey and it for sure will not be my last!!
This may be a slow burner but man the snips she gives you to hold is wow 🤯..

As a golf girlie, I was beyond excited when Tessa Bailey released FANGIRL DOWN earlier this year. It was the golf romance of my dreams 🥹⛳️ and it was the perfect way to kick off this series!! We were introduced to Tallulah and Burgess in FANGIRL DOWN and I was immediately sold on their chemistry.

Tallulah is studying to be a marine biologist and needs a job. She accepts a position as Burgess’s live-in nanny for his tween daughter, Lissa. Living under the same roof means forced proximity 👏

Both characters had a lot of depth. On the ice Burgess is someone other players don’t want to mess with, but off the ice he is a caring father with a big heart.

I loved how quickly sparks began to fly between Tallulah and Burgess. Tallulah was able to open up to him and be vulnerable about her traumatic past — and he was the sweetest protector 🥹

🏒 hockey romance
🩵 single dad
🏒 age gap
🩵 grumpy / sunshine
🏒 forced proximity

Tessa Bailey is known for her spice, and this one sure delivers on that front!

FANGIRL DOWN is still my #1 book in this series, but I loved this one too and had so much fun reading it 🩵

In THE AU PAIR AFFAIR we are introduced to Chloe and Sig, who are the FMC & MMC in book three. They have a complicated dynamic and I can’t wait to see how it unfolds!

Loved the chemistry between Tallulah and Burgess. I really appreciated that we didn’t have to wait for over half of the book to find out what Tallulah’s trauma was, it was revealed in the first few chapters.

I read Fangirl Down last year and it was in my top 10 books of 2023. I was expecting this to be another shot to the net, but unfortunately it earned a spot in the penalty box. I saw this couple featured in the previous book and I was actually looking forward to their courtship. Imagine my surprise when their book made me physically cringe from the awkwardness. I'm pretty ambivalent towards age-gap romance, but the 11 year difference was palpable. Tallulah was incredibly immature and Burgess acted rather fatherly more often than not. She called him Mean Daddy and I had to keep myself from gagging.

Tessa Bailey books are always hit or miss for me. Sometimes I love them and read it in a few hours, other times I'm grimacing out of secondhand awkwardness. The Au Pair Affair is about a professional hockey player who needs an au pair to look after his preteen while he's on the ice. In retrospect, he's divorced and his daughter is old enough to stay home alone. I think it was merely an excuse to utilize the Hot Nanny trope, which never fails to give a faint ick. They had chemistry, but their peculiar dirty talk and Tallulah's refusal to start a romantic relationship made it difficult to root for them. This is unfortunately another case where I think the couple will eventually divorce. There was too much stubborn pride and miscommunication on the foundation of their relationship to last in perpetuity. Plus, their names were so strange: Tallulah and Burgess. What is this, a nickelodeon form the 19th century?

Although The Au Pair Affair didn't blow me away, I'm still interested in the sequel, Dream Girl Drama. I was concerned that Burgess's teammate made it seem that he was crushing on his married sister-in-law but it's just that their individually divorced parents are marrying each other. That's a relief because I absolutely abhor infidelity as a plot device. This book wasn't the hat trick I was expecting, but Tessa Bailey will always have me wrapped around her finger.

This was a great and captivating read! I’ve never read any Tessa Bailey books before and it did not disappoint. This is a good summer read that is perfect for anyone who loves hockey!

*Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review*

The Au Pair Affair is the perfect summer read! Tessa Bailey reminds audiences of why she remains the Queen of insta-love romances and of course, hot single dads. ;)

Burgess is a divorced, stubborn hockey captain who can’t comprehend that his daughter’s Au Pair could possibly want him. She’s a college student and he’s a seasoned hockey player whose days in the game are numbered. With self-doubt running wild throughout his mind, Burgess must find a way to believe he is worthy of her, or risk losing her for good.

Tallulah is working as an Au Pair for NFL legend, Burgess Abraham’s tween daughter. Earning a master’s degree while playing house with an attractive hockey player goes about as you’d expect… The only problem? Tallulah isn’t interested in more than a fling, while Burgess wants all of her. Will she follow the love that has found her? Or will she walk away?

One of my favorite aspects of this book is the respect and independence Burgess gives Tallulah. It may not seem like much, but the mmc not pushing the fmc’s boundaries is a welcome change from many popular romances releasing as of late.

The relationship between the two is not without some turbulence, but they consistently follow each other’s lead, letting the other in by offering themselves wholeheartedly. As the relationship between Burgess and Tallulah blossoms, they remain dedicated to one another, loving as if there were a lifeline connecting the two, and guiding the other like a moth to candlelight.

Honestly, I loved this book. There were a few plot lines I wished had been expanded upon, but that is only because of my greed and the fact that I didn’t want it to end!

Spoilers Ahead: I would have liked to see Burgess’s role as Captain expanded upon. His title is mentioned less than five times and scenes of his leadership are minimal. Truth be told, The Au Pair Affair leaned more towards romance than sports romance. The plot relies heavily on the “dilfismn” of Burgess (which is honestly top tier) but if you are a hardcore hockey fan, you may not find extensive references to the sport.

Recommended Listening: “Unworthy” by Vancouver Sleep Clinic

3.5⭐

I'm not real sure how to phrase this review. I enjoyed the book. The storyline was good, but I feel like the only way Tallulah connected with Burgess emotionally was while they were being physically intimate... Even after she realized she was in love with him. And Burgess used sex as a manipulation tactic. Like, their relationship was cute and sweet, but they didn't know how to talk about their feelings unless they were naked and sweaty.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the spice, but the spice made the story fall flat for me on this one.

I waffled between 3 and 4 stars, so 3.5 stars it is.

I enjoyed the story but it felt too heavy to be a rom-com. I didn’t connect with the characters like I have in Bailey's other novels. Sure, there are funny parts, but the characters are dealing with a lot of heavy thoughts and feelings.

Burgess is totally gone for Tallulah right from the very beginning and she’s obviously attracted to him but has some obstacles she has to overcome. Their age gap and life gap (he's towards the end of his professional hockey career and she's graduating with her master's degree) feels inconsequential but I guess Burgess needs to have some obstacles too. Lissa (Burgess' 11 year old daughter ) felt more like a plot device than a person.

If you like Tessa Bailey's previous books, you'll probably like this one too.

I received an eARC of this book for free via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

LOVED THIS BOOK!!!! It had everything I wanted in a sports romance and more! Tessa Bailey really outdid herself with this one!

This book follows Tallulah, a broke marine biologist with a kind heart who puts others first, and Burgess, a hockey star who is tough on the ice, but a gentle hearted dad off the ice. When the two of them meet, there is instant chemistry. Burgess needs a live in nanny for his tween daughter, and Tallulah needs a job and a place to live. Even though there’s an age difference, the two of them can’t help but have intense feelings for each other.

Ahhhhhhhhh!!! I just love a Tessa Bailey book. I’m so excited she’s in her sports romance era too! She is an auto buy author for me and I cannot wait to read what’s next from her! Definitely read this gem of a book!


📘: The Au Pair Affair by Tessa Bailey
🗓️: July 16, 2024

Thank you to NetGalley, Tessa Bailey, and Avon and Harper Voyager for this ARC!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

*Reviewed on NetGalley, Amazon, and Goodreads.

I was absolutely OBSESSED with Josephine and Wells in Fangirl Down and loved meeting Tallulah and Burgess there, so The Au Pair Affair was a highly anticipated read for me! It definitely didn’t disappoint.

Tallulah is a broke grad student, so she jumps at the chance to be the live-in nanny for hockey player Burgess’ tween daughter. She moves in and finds herself helping Lisa with homework and tween friendship, but also helping Burgess learn to communicate with his daughter.

The chemistry between the pair is immediately apparent, and the genuine connection that forms as they spend time together felt so authentic. Burgess is a grump on the outside and a golden retriever on the inside, and when you add in some Mean Daddy vibes he is straight 🔥. The gruff way that he is constantly there for Tallulah and supporting her had me absolutely melting.

I loved it all - the premise, the characters, the father daughter relationship, the multiple open door scenes, the side characters. Look for several Wells and Josephine appearances 😍

Read if you like:
💞 Hockey romance
💞 He falls first
💞 Grumpy x sunshine
💞 Who hurt you
💞 Single dad
💞 Spice spice spice

Thank you NetGalley and Avon Books for the ARC! All opinions are my own.

I was looking forward to this story ever since Talullah and Burgess were introduced in Fangirl Down. They’re both so confident and opinionated that of course sparks are going to fly when they’re together. This book has all the typical Tessa Bailey steam and dirty talk, but that’s not what I loved about it.

Tallullah has been through a trauma and her journey to regain her former confidence and joy for life is beautiful to see. Burgess helps her by being a supportive presence, but he’s not the reason, not the fixer. She needed the reminder that she’s in control of her own life and her own adventures, and she got it. I really loved that aspect of the story, and watching Burgess change to realize hockey might not be the most important thing in his life.

The side characters are great. Chloe is hilarious and chaotic, and Burgess’s daughter is a full realized tween, not some prop piece set up for the adults growth or amusement. As a hockey fan I could have used a little more hockey, but I’m willing to concede that wasn’t the most important part of this book.

Thank you so much to Tessa Bailey, Netgalley, and the publisher (Avon) for the ARC of the Au Pair Affair! This book had a little bit of a slow start for me but by about 15%, I was hooked into Tallulah and Burgess’s story.
 
The Au Pair Affair follows Tallulah (Josephine’s best friend from book 1 in the series, Fangirl Down) and Burgess (Wells’ best friend from book 1). After their first meeting, Burgess hires Tallulah to be his teenage daughter’s au pair. When we start the Au Pair Affair, Tallulah is hesitant to live and work for this man, known as Sir Savage on the ice. Tallulah has had bad experiences with violent men, which is why she’s so hesitant to start the job., However, Burgess is determined to put her at ease and make her feel safe, even if she doesn’t take the job (spoiler alert- she does). The growth between the two as Tallulah learns to trust Burgess is really cute to watch and Tessa Bailey really nails the longing between the two and the spice as she usually does. All in all, I enjoyed this book and had a fun time reading it!