Fangirl Down is the first novel in the Big Shots series. This is a new Tessa Bailey sports romance series that explores the grumpy/sunshine trope. This type of romance can be very hit or miss, so I was very excited to see Bailey’s take. The story follows golfer Wells Whitaker, who is struggling to become a rising star again. When he finds out that his number one fan who is always cheering him on from the sidelines, Josephine Doyle, needs some cash, he decides to strike a deal with her. She will try to help turn his game around while he will pay her to act as his caddy. The two travel and work together as they begin to get to know each other.

Josephine has Type 1 diabetes, which was a nice inclusion as, so far, I have never read another story that included it despite it being fairly common among the population. I liked that this did not become Josephine’s defining trait and instead was just a part of her. The one element about Josephine that I did not enjoy, however, was her “not like other girls” tendencies. This type of character is not enjoyable to me, so there were a few moments where I wasn’t a huge fan. Since the timeline of the novel is a little shorter (a few months), there is a little insta-love and a lot of focus on the smut. There are some moments where it seems the smut takes over when it could have been reduced and had the same impact. While there were some flaws, this story was a very fun read. There is some great character development and I love how Bailey incorporated her signature style. Overall, there are some changes that I would prefer to make it feel more balanced, but I still look forward to reading more Bailey novels in the future.

**I give a special thank you to Netgalley and the publisher, Avon, for the opportunity to read this entertaining novel. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.**

Ok, Tessa Dare is an auto-buy author for me, and no matter what she writes, there's a very good chance I'll read it. That said, while this was a pretty decent book. it missed the mark on a few things.

Short summary: Wells is a professional golfer who is on the decline (he's a bad-boy golfer, which just sounds funny to me). Josephine runs a family golf store, and she's his biggest fan. After he basically gives up on his career, he asks Josephine to caddy for him and offers her much-needed money in return. Of course, sparks fly and there is a swoon HEA.

Here are where I had some issues:

1. This story/plot would have been excellent with another sport. I'm not hating on golf. It just didn't fit to me. If it had been basketball or football or hockey, but golf? It just felt weird. I absolutely love the "fangirl" plot, but the fact that it was golf was something I couldn't relate to in the slightest.

2. Don't get me wrong: I liked Josephine, but something about her reminded me of Hailey from Secretly Yours and she is the worst Tessa Bailey FMC ever. I'm kinda tired of grown women acting kinda...immature.

Here are some of the things I liked:

1. Wells is a perfect Bailey MMC. Dirty-talking, hot, alpha--he's pretty much the whole package.

2. The bargain they struck up was interesting. I thought it lent some believability to the plot.


Once again, this book would've been 5 stars if it wasn't for the golf element of the story. I was hoping Tessa could make me care about it, but it just felt....off.

**A big thank-you to NetGalley and Avon Books for a copy of this book to read and review.**

There is not much Tessa Bailey could right that I WOULDNT enjoy. I wasn’t so sure going into this one because a. I’m not a huge sports romance fan, and b. I hate golf. But I should have trusted Tessa would deliver. This feels like a deep dive into some of her older work, but with a more advanced and honed in writing style. I loved every single steamy second. No one dirty talks like a TB book boyfriend. NOBODY. I’m so ready to read more in this series.

I have never enjoyed watching (or playing) golf, but I’ll be honest: if there were players like Wells I would be an avid fan. I love Tessa Bailey’s characters in that they always walk the line between charmingly comedic and gut wrenchingly deep. Without reading this book, it would be easy to write off the plot as silly and uninteresting (I know many woman like myself are not a fan of golf). However, I adored that this book showed off a sport that has overwhelmingly shunned women and explored a character fighting for her place in it while keeping to a beautiful love story.

Also, I love how they handled their “boss/employee” relationship (a common trope in romance) and showed that while Josephine had been his #1 fan, it was truly for him as an athlete and not that she was thirsting over him sexually/romantically. The power balance was completely appropriate, especially for a celebrity/“commoner” trope.

I have read Tessa Bailey books in the past and enjoyed them, but this one just hit differently and in the BEST way.

These characters grabbed me from the beginning. I often struggle with Grumpy/Sunshine stories because I tend to find the Sunshine characters annoying. This DID NOT happen with Josephine. She used her sunshine qualities to be more determined and focused. Wells was grumpy without being an asshole. At least not to Josephine.

I will say that there were some aspects of the story where I had to ignore what I thought would happen in reality and just enjoy the story. The characters made it extremely easy to do this. I was so invested in their story and where they were going that I didn't really concern myself with how we got there.

If you love golf or are really too invested in any sport stars love life, you’ll enjoy this book! When Wells Whitaker’s career went from hottest rising star to disappointment, he realized he had no one left in his life. His one fan is Josephine Doyle, who runs a golf club in Florida. When her golf club is destroyed by a hurricane, he offers her the chance to be his caddy. He just has to swallow his pride and try to resurrect the promising career he once had. Josephine Doyle is always optimistic, but when faced with the chance of the lifetime, will she be able to help Wells, keep up her health, and save her family’s golf club?

This Tessa Bailey fangirl, for one, is down and out for the count.

Read if you like:
- Tessa Bailey
- grumpy ML/sunshine FL
- dual POV with the simpiest simp of a ML
- disability rep (FL has type 1 diabetes)
- fangirl wish fulfillment to the extreme
- ML putting in the WORK to better himself

And don't let the golf scare you away. Is there golf content? Yes. Is it boring? No--proving Bailey's genius yet again.

This was the most delightful book I've read in a while. The hero and nrrelone were phenomenal. They were both so real and lived in. Their banter was wonderful and the love at first sight was believable which is exceedingly rare to read. I ended this book with a smile on my face

Thank you NetGalley, Tessa Bailey, and Avon for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! This is one of my favorite romances I’ve read lately and is one of my favorites from Tessa Bailey. It follows Josephine Doyle, a former fangirl for golfer Wells Whitaker, as they meet after he quits the game. She becomes his new caddy and helps him rediscover what he liked about the game. The romance in this one is so cute and the spice was amazing! I loved the setting because I’ve never read a golf romance book before. I can’t wait for the second book - we get a peek of the main characters in this one and it made me even more excited for it. Romance fans, pick this one up!

Tessa Bailey books can be hit or miss for me, but I did enjoy Fangirl Down. I liked the grumpy/sunshine opposite-attracts dynamic between Josephine and Wells, but I always have an issue with the somewhat insta-love in Bailey's books. Individually, I loved Josephine and her confidence - she knew her talent and knowledge, and she was able to hold her own. Wells was grumpy and had abandoned all hope for his future, until Josephine came into the picture.

I liked that this book featured mental health awareness (particularly for men in sports) and chronic illness representation. Both characters had a fair amount of character growth over the book - both growing with each other and individually.

Josephine and Wells had great chemistry and banter, and there was certainly a lot of spice. I just was not a fan of the dirty talk in this book. Again, another hit or miss for me in Bailey's books.

Overall, a fun read - and I am looking forward to the next book in The Big Shots series!

Star Rating:
3.5 / 5

Spice Rating:
3.5 / 5

Thank you to Avon & NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. All thoughts & opinions are my own.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and thought it was a cute romance story. I was thrown off at the beginning on why Wells showed up to Josephine’s pro shop when he didn’t even really know her, but once I got over this it was a great story. However, I loved the representation of Josephine's diabetes and how this plays into how she lives her life. I also loved the character development of Wells learning to care for other people and that he is worthy of being cared about.

3.5 stars

I have to admit, when I consider the wide world of sports in the context of “sports romance”, golf really isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. But I am a simple woman, so give me a growly, tattooed golf player with emotional baggage and I will at lesat check it out.

Tessa Bailey’s Fangirl Down follows Josie, a diehard golf enthusiast, part-time coachand the biggest (read: only remaining) fan of Wells Whittaker, a once-great golfer who is past his prime - not in age, but just in effort he’s willing to put into the game. A tense encounter with Josie causes the superfan to wash her hands of him, causing Wells to first try and apologize, and then eventually offer the cash-strapped Josie a job as his caddy.

A pro athlete hiring and then falling for a super fan is something that would probably give me pause if it happened in real life, but in the realm of romance novels and fiction is the kind of thing fantasies are made of. And their romance is really sweet - especially given they both have the very mature approach of talking out their feelings, and not just suppressing them until they explode. I will say, I wish that initial tension between the two of them had lasted just a little longer. I understand that narratively we had to clear the hurdle of Wells being a huge asshole to Josie right at the outset fast enough to believe their romance, but it was cleared so quickly that it made that initial blow-up feel very abrupt.

I did, however, enjoy the exploration of what it means for Josie in particular once news of their personal relationship begins to leak to the public. As well-meaning and respectful as Wells is, and as much as they enter their professional partnership as equals, the optics in the public eye are never in favor of the superfan-turned-employee now suddenly in a relationship with her boss whose star is on the rise. It was intriguing watching them navigate that knowing there really isn’t an easy solution here, and things can’t be solved with one conversation or grand gesture (don’t worry, HEA fans, they do still get solved!)

Fangirl Down hits shelves on February 13. Special thank you to Avon Books for the advance copy for review purposes.

Tessa never disappoints! This was such a fun sports romance and I loved the way it shined a light on golf’s growing popularity. Tessa’s wit and humor are always a step above and we will absolutely be recommending this one!

ugh loved this book! golf romances are not very popular, but this one definitely will be! such a great grumpy sunshine, rom com, forced proximity read. tessa bailey never disappoints! i loved that she shed light on type 1 diabetes as i know it’s not a common thing to include in romance novels. well done!

Thank you Avon & NetGalley for this AMAZING ARC!

I loved this book; love, love, LOVED it. This might be my new favorite Tessa Bailey book! This is the only time in my life where golf has EVER been hot. So fun & engaging, could barely put it down, and I loved the MCs; really great!!

I never knew I needed a romance book about golf before!

I was skeptical when I first heard about this book. A book revolving around a golfer and his fangirl? I thought for sure I wasn’t going to love it. Boy was I proven wrong (Tessa, you’re an absolute genius and I’m sorry I ever doubted you)!

If you’re looking for a grumpy sunshine, MMC obsessed, SPICEY romance, then this is a definite must read for you!

Favorite Tropes: grumpy/sunshine, bad boy MMC, he’s obsessed, she’s sassy
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5

*This is an ARC review. Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity.*

——

Description:

Wells Whitaker was once golf’s hottest rising star, but lately, all he has to show for his “promising” career is a killer hangover, a collection of broken clubs, and one remaining supporter. No matter how bad he plays, the beautiful, sunny redhead is always on the sidelines. He curses, she cheers. He scowls, she smiles. But when Wells quits in a blaze of glory and his fangirl finally goes home, he knows he made the greatest mistake of his life.

Josephine Doyle believed in the gorgeous, grumpy golfer, even when he didn’t believe in himself. Yet after he throws in the towel, she begins to wonder if her faith was misplaced. Then a determined Wells shows up at her door with a wild proposal: be his new caddy, help him turn his game around, and split the prize money. And considering Josephine’s professional and personal life is in shambles, she could really use the cash…

As they travel together, spending days on the green and nights in neighboring hotel rooms, sparks fly. Before long, they’re inseparable, Wells starts winning again, and Josephine is surprised to find a sweet, thoughtful guy underneath his gruff, growly exterior. This hot man wants to brush her hair, feed her snacks, and take bubble baths together? Is this real life? But Wells is technically her boss and an athlete falling for his fangirl would be ridiculous… right?

This was legit everything I could have ever wanted, wrapped up in a Tessa bow.

I love love loved Josephine and Wells. She's knowledgeable and confident and it was a damn delight reading her hold her own. Wells is the crunchiest grouch who is down and out. Together these two have chemistry and banter galore.

Plot wise, it was fantastic. I adored that he was borderline obsessed with her, not only in keeping her safe, but seemingly unable to stay away. The golf scenes were not repetitive annnnd thanks to their various bets, captivating. IYKYK.

Overall, this has taken the top spot as my favorite Tessa book and I never thought anything would knock IHOS out of first. It was so amazing that I immediately read it again once I finished and I know I'll be one I go back to again and again.

**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**

1 love love loved this. This book was funny and swoony. It was adorable and had me loving every miner of it. Wells and Josephine have some of the best banter and I love the way these two even each other out. Wells surly and grumpy attitude had me laughing so much and the way Josphine could give it back to him. The moments between these turned so swoony I loved every minute of Wells POV and watch him pining over her.

Slowly we get to see more of Wells and why he is the way he is and what Josephine brings out in him. Wells has always had a self destruction path but seeing her never give up on him and give him unconditional love he’s always felt lacking helps him feel more confident about himself and want he wants from himself. These two characters compliment each other perfectly and will definitely be added to a top grumpy x sunshine trope book list for me.

The plot of this story was fast paced and kept me interesting while also enjoying every minute of their romance.

4.5/5 ⭐️

I was thoroughly impressed with this new release by Tessa Bailey. A golf romance between a superfan and a down on his luck pro that work together to get his life back in shape so we can compete again in the Masters? Amazing. And the grumpy/sunshine dynamics of this book were spot on. I was absolutely gripped by this book, and thought that the story and the spice were written to perfection. A new favorite from Tessa Bailey, after falling in love with her Bellinger sisters series.

4.75 stars!!</b>

Wells Whitaker was once at the top of the golf world, hitting the scene and taking it by force. But lately, he’s been struggling— heck he has one remaining fan. So, when Wells quits mid tournament and demoralizes his one remaining fan everything should have been over for him.

Josephine Doyle lives, loves, and breathes golf. Any time her favorite golfer, Wells Whitaker, was playing nearby she was there cheering him on every step of the way. That is, until he rips her sign and tells her to go home.

When a hurricane hits Josephine’s golf pro-shop, which the insurance has lapsed on so she could afford the rising cost of her insulin, she believes her life is over. Then, Wells Whitaker shows up to check on her and she can’t believe her eyes. Wells gives her an offer she can’t refuse: caddy for him, help him turn his game back around, and split the prize money.

At their first tournament, Wells’ game starts turning around. As Josephine breathes new life into Wells’ game, and he learns more about her, he can’t help but realize she may be the one for him…


Gosh I loved this one so much! I am NOT a golf fan, but I was immediately drawn in when reading this book.

Read if you like:
• Grumpy/Sunshine
• Golf
• Strong-willed, independent women
• He falls first (and harder)
• Fan/athlete