This book continues to prove my theory that you can either do smut well or a plot, but never both. I am not quite sure why that is when both started quite strong. The character development or Burgess and Tallulah is very good in the first half of the book. I would have liked for a little bit more apprehension from both as to whether or not they would get together, but that’s just me. I like how Tallulah is introduced into this plot and just kind of slips into everyone’s daily life. The smut is quite good. Better than expected. Where I get lost is the conflict, which does not actually come to fruition until 89% into the book. It feels rushed, like the characters should not come back from it, and yet it is wrapped up quickly. Why not move it earlier in the book and then actually have time to flush out a resolution. Kind of a disappointing end.

I did read this book in a single day, which always feels good.

This is my third book that I’ve read by Tessa Bailey and I am absolutely in love with her writing style. Whenever I read her books it makes me feel as though I’m actually living the life of the FMC.
This was such a fun and exhilarating sports romantic comedy. The chemistry between Tallulah and Burgess was off the charts and was so fun to read about. I can’t wait to see what else will com of the Big Shots Series:)

Sports Romance - Hockey
Age gap (11 years)
Dad/Au Pair
Forced Proximity
Setting: Boston

Mean Daddy aka Burgess fell instantly for Tallulah when he met her in Book 1. She’s back from Antarctica, and steps right into his life and connecting with his 12 year old daughter, Lissa, while also studying for her masters degree.

Tallulah has a traumatic backstory that was hard to read through, and Burgess shows up for her and supports her through her character growth, but I found him too overbearing and possessive. They seemed to happen quickly while the story progress was slow. I didn’t feel their connection always, it was a bit 2D for me.

I normally love everything Tessa publishes, but I didn’t love their story. I wanted to love it; Book 1 in this series, Fan Girl Down, was so good. We love a possessive MMC, but Burgess didn’t do it for me. I loved getting to see Wells and Josephine from Book 1 (and they take us to Costa Rica for their wedding!), and the set up of Sig and Chloe for Book 3… I am here for Taboo Tessa!!!

Tallulah quotes Dickens with “Forever is composed of nows.” This quote is weaved in through the story. But I am really looking forward to Book 3: Sig and Chloe!

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book! 😍

Tallulah is a funny, smart, beautiful woman who is a marine biologist. She has moved to Boston to advance her degree and agreed to be the au pair to the daughter of a sexy hockey player.
Burgess is struggling with being a dad to a tween and worries about how long his body can keep up with the pace of professional hockey.

Firstly, I loved Lissa. She wants her dad's approval so much, but he can't seem to figure out how to communicate or help her the way she needs. From mean girls at school to music your parents hate, she was great. Next, Tallulah really stood up and faced her fears. She found a way to trust and have adventures and move on from past trauma. Burgess trying to braid Lissa's hair was a highlight for me. You could feel the frustration. I really appreciated that Burgess wanted a real relationship and to fix any perceived power dynamic.

Overall, I will absolutely recommend this book.

This was SO cute and spicy!!!

I loved the first book of Tessa Bailey’s new series, Fangirl Down, and was excited to read this one.

I liked both of the main characters and enjoyed the cameos from the characters in Fangirl Down. Overall, this was a classic Tessa Bailey book with spice and heart.

I will definitely be recommending this and am looking forward to the next book in the Big Shots series!

I really enjoyed Tallulah and Burgess’ story. They have chemistry from the very beginning. Tallulah is dealing with her past while Burgess is ready to make her his future. I love the relationship Tallulah has with Burgess’ daughter. She has a positive effect on both of them.

The banter in this story is very entertaining. I also enjoyed the character growth we see in Burgess throughout the book and in Tallulah in the final chapters. There are so many great characters and relationships between them. I can’t wait to read more of this series. Thank you Avon and Harper Voyager for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a sports romance about a professional hockey player who falls for his daughter's live-in nanny. I like spicy romance novels, but I felt that this one elevated the physical attraction to the detriment of cultivating an emotional connection between the characters. Tallulah's traumatic backstory felt more like a plot-point than an emotional healing journey, and I didn't care for the message that the best way to get over fear is to find a possessive, overprotective man to watch your back while you jump of cliffs and skinny-dip. Has nobody heard of therapy? This story was a miss for me, but I'll still be buying it for my library's collection of course because Tessa Bailey's fans will love it.

This was a cute hockey, age gap, he fell first romance.

The story centers around Tallulah. A 25 year old grad student who becomes an au pair for the 37 year old bad ass Boston Bearcats hockey player,Burgess Abraham also known as Sir savage.

Tallulah is trying to overcome some past trauma and feel more confident, especially when it comes to men

Burgess is aging out of hockey and is struggling to come to terms with life and what comes next

The Au pair affair was a cute romcom with some emotional depth. The connection between Tallulah and burgess was intoxicating. There’s just something hyptonic about experiencing love almost like it’s the first time. And sir savage definitely lives up to his name.

Burgess is HOT. “Mean Daddy” if you will

I give this book 3 stars because I found some of the conversations and one liners to be just a touch cringy. But overall it was a cute and funny read.

Tallulah Aydin is relearning to embrace her adventurous spirit when she returns to school in Boston and takes on the au pair gig offered up by Burgess Abraham, professional hockey player and father to a moody tween. The sexual tension between Tallulah and Burgess is off the charts as they relentlessly flirt with one another and unavoidably become romantically attracted to one another once Tallulah recruits Burgess to help her with her own version of a bucket list.
Tallulah and Burgess's relationship was deliciously steamy. Burgess's way of supporting Tallulah quietly from figurative sidelines and Tallulah supporting Burgess loudly from literal sidelines, the two reflected love and encouragement. Both of their growth from their own separate traumas was touching to read, although I wish we got to see more of Burgess and Tallulah relying on their friends as those were some of my favorite moments in this book! I particularly missed Tallulah and Josephine's friendship.
Tessa Bailey continues her reign as the queen of writing men who 1. admit they are in love first and 2. are ready to propose marriage after a week.

Adorable as always, Tallulah and Burgess’ story is full of the of Tessa Bailey’s signature spice plus the emotional ups and downs of dating as a single parent. I loved the sports angle and Burgess’ relationships with his teammates as well as his daughter. I did struggle a little with Tallulah’s character; she never quite felt real to me, but overall I enjoyed the story.

I think for me this one is going to be a 3.5. I've read a few Tessa Bailey books and for the most part I have enjoyed them. This one didn't connect as well and I really wanted it to.

This is an age-gap/grumpy-sunshine/prior trauma/single dad read. And it was split POV. Burgess is a divorced dad who is a grumpy hockey player. I didn't read the first book in this series (I'm waiting for it from the library) but the missing context is he meets Tallulah who is 10 years younger and a marine biologist in the first book- where she agrees to be his au pair for his 13 year old daughter.

This has all the makings of a fun read. I think the biggest roadblock for me is that Tallula suffered some massive trauma in her past. And she has not healthily dealt with it. And the kind of trauma she suffered would absolutely affect her relationships in the future. While the author did address her continued issues briefly- she really didn't. The type of past she has should have been dealt with a lot more care and nuance and it made all the characters- but especially Burgess- unlikeable. For me, personally, there was no getting over her past without actually dealing with it. So I basically just took that back story out of the book in my head and that was how I was able to read on and enjoy the story for what it was meant to be- a cute story. And I did enjoy it mostly. It was honestly not my favorite book by this author- but I would say a 3.5 was accurate.

Besides the back story that I think really is an issue- there were a few unnecessary or unfinished story lines (ie the ex-wife seemed to have moved on and their relationship healthy but all of the sudden she starts making waves about the new GF's age? It seemed out of character for their relationship - he was invited to her wedding- and almost like the author wanted to make the age gap a thing when it hadn't been at all the entire story.) I just moved on but I did note there were some story lines that really hadn't been fleshed out. His hockey career was seriously only briefly touched on. And even though there were a lot of side characters- we barely got to know them. Tallulah's family- especially, her sister, Sig, Chloe, the hockey rookies- we honestly have only the barest hint at their characters. I get some of them are probably getting their own books in the future, but they felt so little a part of this story that they shouldn't have even been a part of it. (or more likely we should have gotten a little more interaction with them)

While this was definitely not my favorite of her books, I do enjoy this author. And I am going to read the first book in the series. Hopefully I'll connect with that story more. I received an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC! SPOILERS. All the characters were so lovable in the book and the banter with each other which made it enjoyable and funny. I loved that Tessa brought in a serious/real life issues in Tallulah’s background, as well as, bringing in the single dad aspect. The only thing I feel like I missed in the book was the ending. I just wish Tessa would have finished out the event, especially since we were seeing the couple in the first book get their happy ending. It would have been fun to see them let loose and enjoy that moment with their friends. I would give it 3.5 stars and would recommend to anyone who loves romance/Tessa Bailey.

🌶️2.5/5
Thank you Avon/Harper Voyager for the ARC!

This book was so good! Burgess and Tallulah had great chemistry even in their first mention in Fangirl Down, so I was so excited to read their story. It did not disappoint!

It’s a single father, employee/boss trope, but still felt really unique in how they came together and overcame any problems. There were elements I didn’t expect and trauma for Tallulah to deal with and it was handled with care. I felt their attraction right away and even more as the book carried on. The spice was *chefs kiss*!

I can’t wait to continue reading through the Big Shot series!

“Forever is composed of nows.”

A hot, single Dad, who is seemingly at the end of his hockey career hires a live in nanny he can’t stop thinking about to help him & his Daughter with their day to day.. This premise alone makes the book enticing enough to read. But then we get into the complexities of these two characters.. Tallulah with her past trauma and Burgess with his fear of the present and future looming over his head.

“Hockey is safe. I know hockey.”
“Maybe it’s time to feel unsafe. Maybe it’s okay for the both of us to start reaching for.. more.”

I loved watching these two pull the best out of one another. By the end of the book, they are both better having known one another and I think that’s what everyone asks for re: character development. I was also turned into a puddle of mush over each of their relationship’s with his daughter, Lissa. Navigating divorce and co-parenting isn’t easy and this book reveals those complexities.

“One hurdle at a time, though — and tonight was a big one. Six-foot-three to be exact.”

But my favorite part of this book? THE SEXUAL TENSION. My god.. it was off the charts. This hulking, hockey defenseman holding on by the proverbial thread when it came to taking his time with her. I think I was stunned the entirety of chapter 17.

This book had all the best tropes:
✨ Forbidden Romance
✨ He Falls First
✨ Hockey Romance
✨ Grumpy x Sunshine
✨ Age Gap
✨ Single Dad

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the opportunity to read an ARC of "The Au Pair Affair" by Tessa Bailey, publication date July 16, 2024 in exchange for an honest review.

"The Au Pair Affair" is the second book in the "Fangirl Down" series, but it can certainly be read as a standalone - I have not read the first book and had no issue following anything. The main characters of the first appear as side characters in this one.

We meet Tallulah, a broke grad student moving to Boston, who plans to take a job as a live-in nanny for the preteen daughter of a veteran professional hockey player, Burgess. Tallulah has a history of a pretty traumatic experience and is very very cautious around men, but is trying to overcome her fears. Burgess is a divorced dad with a no BS persona, who is known for being unapologetically rough on the ice, but has a hard time bonding with his daughter. Cue these two characters latching on to each other's issues and helping the other overcome. Tessa Bailey hits the following tropes in "The Au Pair Affair": Age gap (he is late 30s and she is early 20s), Nanny x Single dad, Roommates to Lovers, Grumpy (him) and Sunshine (her).

The first quarter of the book was actually what I would deem a pretty well written rom-com, and seems similar to other Tessa Bailey books that I've enjoyed. There is humorous and witty banter, plus great sexual tension between Tallulah and Burgess brewing. However, once Tallulah and Burgess start acting on their desires, I was immediately annoyed. There is a difference between a man being protective and being possessive, and Burgess takes a sharp turn into creepy-cringey-controlling-caveman that apparently works for Tallulah but does not for me. It's difficult to really love a romance novel when the main man is constantly making you roll your eyes. I thought the pacing was kind of off as the book went on, and unfortunately, I couldn't wait for it to be over. It's been a while since I've read a Tessa Bailey, but I feel like her books are getting even dirtier. Which is fine! This one veered a little too far into book porn for me.

Seeing what happened with Tallulah & Burgess after seeing a glimpse of them in Fangirl Down made me SO happy. I don’t think I can ever hear “down bad” ever again and not want Burgess to be my book boyfriend… and I’m happily married lol. This was an instalove, slow burn, single dad X nanny, grumpy X sunshine (my favorite trope!) story that I can’t wait to recommend at work 👍🏽🧡🏒🥅 This was definite 5 ⭐️ read for me and the spice level was 👩🏽‍🍳💋 I’d say it was a 4🌶️ because of the waterfall scene and the study “interruption” 😉🫠

I also have to give an honorable mention to the rookies & their matching sweatshirts and to Sig & Chloe ‘cause I gotta know what happens next! Au Pair Affair will be released this summer on July 16th with a special edition from Barnes & Noble (which I’ll be getting because bookseller lol) and I can’t wait to finally have a copy of this! Also this was a great to read while the hubster and I wait for the next season of Shoresy to come out.

Fun story, likable characters. The adventures were a good addition to read, but there was a lot going on in the story and would have preferred a little more depth and development. The characters seemed to change their minds without much thought as to why. Overall, I really enjoy this author and would recommend!

2.5 rounded up. Tessa Bailey’s books are so easy to read, but I tend to forget the little quirks of her characters that I don’t love quite as much. Even though this wasn’t my particular cup of tea, I do think Tessa Bailey diehards will love it!

Thank you Tessa Bailey and NetGalley for the chance to read this arc.

I LOVED this story and the characters. This is my first Tessa Bailey book, but it will not be my last.

The spice was spicing. The romance was romancing.
Tropes :
single dad 🤤
he falls first ❤️
age gap

I love the instant connection between the characters, I felt their feelings at points and some moments hurt me, but their love was amazing… did I mention the spice? 🥵🥵


Only reason I gave it 4 stars is because of small errors that made me second guess myself while reading and had me unfocused and going back to question to my sanity… but I’m sure will be fixed by final printing since this is an arc.

The Au Pair Affair was an enjoyable, light romance that’s a great pallet cleanser. Tallulah and Burgess were a fun couple to read about and their banter compliments one another so well. The longing, tension, and witty comments were superb. Tessa Bailey does it again with another great romantic comedy!

This is the second book in the Big Shots series, though it can be read as a standalone. I love it when authors write a romance series that follows different couples throughout different professions, but there continue to be little snippets of previous couples’ books sprinkled in. 

Some of the tropes featured:
- He Falls First
- Roommates
- Age gap
- Grumpy x sunshine
- Hockey Romance
- Nanny x Single Dad

Thank you to the publisher; Avon and Harper Voyager, the author; Tessa Bailey, and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this ARC. This is my unbiased opinion and is given with free will.