I have yet to read the first book in this series, but I was excited to dive into 'The Au Pair Affair'. The book turned out to be heavier than I expected, addressing some substantial traumatic and emotional topics.

I enjoy a good nanny romance, and the chemistry between Burgess and Talulah was spot on. However, in true Tessa Bailey style, it leaned heavily into "insta-lust." The characters undergo noticeable growth and change throughout the story, which I appreciate. However, the issues haunting the heroine from her past could have been explored more thoroughly. They were initially touched on but didn't resurface until the end. The female main character went from being fearful and locking her door to suddenly being unable to get enough of him.

While I liked 'The Au Pair Affair', I deducted a star from my rating because the heroine manipulates the hero using sex despite him clearly setting boundaries about their physical relationship. Additionally, the frequent use of sex scenes didn't contribute to the story in the way I hoped.

Overall, The Au Pair Affair is a great book with a few issues that most readers can overlook.

𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
𝗦𝗣𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗟𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗟: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Rated R
𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗦: past abduction by a romantic stalker

I received an eArc of this title from Netgalley and Harper Collins Publishing. However, my thoughts and opinions are my own.

I was a huge fan of the Big Shots debut Fan Girl Down so The Au Pair Affair was eagerly anticipated read for me! I remember Tessa’s Tik Tok when she was watching golf and having a perv and the idea was born! Genius! What is more impressive is that she got me (sooo not a sports girly) absolutely enthralled by sports romance and I was so keen to emersed my self in Burgess and Tullulah’s story. I love a smart, witty and independent FMC and there is something about a gruff older guy who melts like butter for the right woman. Tessa in insta buy for me and the Au Pair Affair exceeded my expectations. Thank you Tessa Bailey, HarperCollins Publishers Australia and NetGalley for providing an arc for an honest review.

I read a Tessa Bailey book last year that I really enjoyed, so I picked this one up because I was interested in the 'single dad trope'...unfortunately it was not for me, however, I think it will likely be a favourite for a lot of other readers who are not as picky as I am.

Beginning with things I was happy about, the age gap. I was concerned at the beginning before I knew their ages given that the male main charcter is a single dad of a 12 year old, and the female main character is a college student. Those of you who don't like an 'icky' age gap will be pleased to know that the younger of the characters was over 25, which is my personal rule for if I deem an age gap to be morally okay...if both characters have a fully developed prefrontal cortex, then I think the age gap is acceptable, but that's just me.

Unfortunately, I'm not a fan of a romance book that is entirely romance and spicy scenes, which is what this was. I usually like to have more depth to the story and the characters. This book did attempt this by having the female character have some trauma (relating to kidnapping and stalking) that she was working on, but in my opinion it was thrown in, rather than weaved into her character and story. The topic was not treated with care or a delicate nature AT ALL!

I also didn't really feel the chemistry between the characters, although this is just my personal opinion. I don't want to be told how much they're sexually attracted to each other, I want to see and feel it. Which didn't happen here for me.

Lastly, the single dad trope wasn't working for me. How was he a single father of a 12 year old, but he had no idea how to cook or care for her? There was one part where this was mentioned, after he merely ACKNOWLEDGED his daughter had spoken to him, and from the FMC we get: "Now she had the nonsensical urge to reward him for it in some way, which was so ridiculous. Why should she reward him for being an attentive dad? That wasn't her job. His attentiveness should be a given! Yet she was already rising to her feet, making excuses for the sudden need to make sure he knew how much he'd made an impact with one little sentence."
Sorry, but I'm not into congratulating men for doing the bare minimum.

He was a walking red flag, and then at the third act breakup he chucks the biggest man baby tantrum of all time!!!

Also, this may be wrong, but I was confused why at the end he referred to the FMC as his co-parent...I was under the impression that this term was for the biological parents who are separated and parenting their shared child together, not for a parent and step-parent sharing household duties...however I could be wrong.

I'm sorry this didn't work for me...however don't let this discourage you from picking up this book. If you haven't been mistreated by toxic men, had them want applause for doing the bare minimum, and you enjoy a book that is almost entirely spice...then I would suggest picking one up.

I honestly didn't think I liked sports romances until I picked up Tessa Bailey's Fangirl Down and so I had high expectations for the second book in the Big Shots companion series. The Au Pair Affair exceeded every one. I really loved reading the single parent trope with a sassy tween and seeing the relationships develop between her and both of the protagonists. The age difference was handled so tactfully and even though I wasn't expecting Tallulah's traumatic backstory, it added so much to her and Burgess's romance. I especially appreciated how they worked through it together, allowing for boundaries to be respected and then changed as needed, and how important continued consent was to them both.

I loved this one and maybe my fav Tessa book to date! It was an easy read and lots of fun. I really enjoyed their chemistry and the building tension between them. I’m also a sucker for ‘he falls first and hard’.

I was sold when I saw she was the Nanny of a hockey playing, single dad that’s much older.

I’ve seen a few who didn’t love the third act breakup, but I enjoyed the slow burn of it, he’s grovelling and the phone call with his daughter got me right in the feels 🥺

🌟🌟🌟🌟

*The Au Pair Affair* by Tessa Bailey is a delightful mix of sizzling chemistry and heartfelt moments! The story had me grinning from ear to ear with its witty banter and the irresistibly charming romance between the characters. Tessa Bailey knows how to create tension that keeps you hooked, and this book was no exception. I loved the playful dynamics and unexpected twists that made the journey so much fun. It's the perfect escape when you need a little bit of swoon-worthy drama in your life!

❤️Single Dad
❤️Pro Hockey Player
❤️He Falls First

Sign me up!! Everything I love in a romance book.

The Au Pair Affair is book 2 in the Big Shots series. I read Fangirl Down earlier in the year and loved it. Tessa Bailey just keeps getting better and better with every book she brings out and of course she is the queen of spice.

I loved Burgess and Tallulah but…..I still have a special spot in my heart for for Wells and Josephine.

Thank you to @harpercollinsaustralia and @netgalley for my #gifted eARC.

I don’t know if it was the typos in this ARC but I struggled to settle into reading this. It’s a good book it just didn’t make me excited to pick it up every day.

As soon as I finished Book 1 in this series, Fangirl Down - I was absolutely desperate to get my hands on this book and it did not disappoint! The chemistry between Burgess and Tallulah is both delightful and delicious in terms of spice. Tessa Bailey knows how to create depth, make you laugh and bring the chilli peppers!

Oh my gosh this one was so freaking good. The slow burn but with instant chemistry was so steamy to read. Tallulah kind of frustrated me in the beginning with all her freak outs about people but you definitely understand her reactions after you find out more about her. Burgess was also such an amazingly supportive partner to Tallulah. I really enjoyed the dynamic between the two of them and the forbidden but just so irresistible chemistry between them was awesome. All of their encounters had such great build up them it was incredible. I enjoyed the progression of the story too, I didn’t find myself getting stuck in any areas feeling like it dragged on at all which was great. I enjoyed how supportive they were towards each other too like they was their relationship progressed and how they come together at the end was done in a very healthy and inspiring manner. The spice of have to say is about a 3/5, they don’t start till about half ish through, there is definitely a lot spice talk from the beginning but the actual spice doesn’t start till then. The scenes become spackled through the second half in a good amount, not too overpowering but still wonderfully frequent. Overall, I really liked it, it was a great spicy romcom read and I’d put it at a 4/5 star read. I’d recommend it to anyone looking for something like this.

Can Tessa Bailey ever go wrong? Not in any of the books I've read!
Tallulah is a 26yr old student studying to be a Marine Biologist in Boston. When a friend of a friend, pro Hockey Player Burgess offers her a gig as a live in nanny for his tween daughter she can't resist the offer.
Problem is that they are both super attracted to each other and his protective side comes out when it comes to Tallulah.

This book fits in well to the live-in romance trope and despite the Nanny thing and the age difference between them it's tackled fairly well.
I did really enjoy it and I was rooting for them to overcome their adversity to get their HEA.

I'll be honest, I found it really hard to get into this one. It did get more interesting before the end, and I do have to say that their first kiss was HOT af. Tessa does great spice.

Overall, I liked Tallulah and Burgess, both individually and as a couple. The way their love for Lissa was what drew them together was so lovely. Enjoyed this, but not as much as Fangirl Down.

I tried … I really did. I’ve had so many people recommend her books that I wanted to try one. The plot itself had a few cute elements although even early on there were situations that were so unrealistic that it fell flat.

I know so many people who love books by this author including this one, unfortunately it is just not for me. I won’t include this review on social media but am thankful to Netgalley for letting me read the advance copy

Thanks to NetGalley, Harper Collins Australia, and the author for the chance to read this book.

This is the 2nd book in the Big Shots series by Tessa Bailey. This time, the sport is hockey.

It's definitely a spicy novel, but it felt like there was no build-up. I get that it can't be completely relatable to real life in the timelines, but it honestly felt like they jumped in unbelievably fast, especially considering the trauma Tallulah had previously suffered. Also, if someone hires out an entire venue for just the 2 of you, would you seriously leave after 5 minutes because you got too horny!? Like seriously! 🤨

The way Tallulah helped Burgess regain his self-confidence and interacted with his daughter was sweet.

Overall, it was an OK book that didn't really delve deep but delivered on the spice level.

I wasn’t really sure how to review this book because I think you need to get Tessa Baileys humour to appreciate the ridiculousness of the storyline and dialogue. I remember a few people saying this when I read my first TB book (and cringed) telling me it’s just Baileys style - so please go into the book with an open heart.

I enjoyed the Fangirl Down (book1, 5⭐️), this one is also very binge worthy and worth the read but I only liked the character development of the MMC and frankly, I wasn’t shipping the couple so wouldn’t have minded if they broke it off in the end.

Book3 (Dream Girl Drama) sets up for an interesting premise with a step siblings-to-be relationship. Sig is coming thru to be another overprotective man while Chloe seems like Piper Bellinger (It Happened one Summer) - I’ll def be picking up the third book just to see what the deal is 😆

Overall, aside from the minor cover details not truly matching the character description (a pet hate), this book was still devour-able and I actually laughed out loud on many occasions.

The Au Pair Affair is the book every hockey romance lover needs to read.

Tallulah and Burgess chemistry is so natural and amazing. It is the perfect second book of the series and be well written. The tension between both characters is incredible and the tension between other characters was so well written it felt like it was happening right in front of me.

Tallulah is a 26 year old that is working hard to get her degree in Marine Biology. She pockets have started to run dry so when she gets the chance of a lifetime to be the live-in Nanny of hockey player, Burgess. She takes it. Burgess is struggling with the being a single dad and hockey player, so when he hires Tallulah, his hope is to help his tween daughter, Lissa.

This book is perfect for people who love;
- Hockey romance
- Nanny / Boss (Single Dad)
- Age gap
- He falls first
- Grumpy / Sunshine
- Groveling
- Close Proximity

This book is so amazing that I brought a physical copy and the audio when it came out. Thank you so much, NetGalley and Tessa for this wonderful book

An easy, fun and light read that will sure to delight fans of Tessa Bailey. Single dad who plays hockey, falls hard for the nanny in this fast paced romance.

I love these books so much! I was super excited to get my hands on this and absolutely loved it. Such a fantastic read for anyone who is into Tessa Bailey or sports romances.

Oh boy, I was so looking forward to this book and it left me disappointed. Instalust rarely works for me, and unfortunately that is all Tallullah and Burgess had. I’m sure newish readers to smut will love this but eventually, and I’m at this point, you want a little more substance with the shagging. I want to feel the emotional connection, feel the longing they have for each other. I couldn’t find an ounce of it. Perhaps Bailey succumbed to TikTok pressure and wrote a smutty good time, but I hope she goes back to writing couples with heat and heart.

I was unable to read this book properly as there was no option to send to kindle and the formatting was really difficult to read on my phone unfortunately. I would’ve really loved to read it!