*Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for providing this book, with my honest review below*

I’ve enjoyed Tessa Bailey’s books in the past and was glad to find that Fangirl Down is another wonderful contribution. While I’m not a fan of golf, it’s testament to the author’s talents that I enjoyed the setting of the book and was able to easily follow along with my lack of golf knowledge posing no challenge. Getting to know Wells and Josephine was delightful, they were both charming and quirky and had great chemistry!

The plot was also great, not a canned romance but interesting and with some nuance so that it wasn’t cringey. And as usual, Tessa knows how to write a steamy scenes which in general don’t drive the story but compliment it. I’d recommend this to any reader who wants a light romance that will keep you turning pages to see how everything turns out!

This might be my new favorite Tessa Bailey book. It is a unique sports romance (who knew golf could be so hot?) with a romance to die for. Wells Whitaker is a perfect man. He falls first and harder. He secretly calls her parents to get tips of helping her manage her diabetes. What else is there to say? Such a good book, one of the best for 2024 already!

Who knew I needed a golf romance in my life? Apparently, Tessa Bailey is really looking out for a girl! Growing up around golf and literally living on a golf course, this brought back so many memories along with all of the laughs! I could not have loved the two main characters more. If you're looking for a quirky, cute golf themed rom-com (or just a quirky, cute rom-com if you aren't a golf fan) you have to pick up this new release from Tessa Bailey!

This is Tessa Bailey's best book: charming, yet heartfelt, steamy, but the characters are sparking and fun. I loved every second of it and can't wait for the next one in this unusual sports series. Who knew that a golfer and his caddy would be the characters of one of the most fun romances for me. There's witty banter and high steam, but also very tender and heartwarming moments, I honestly can't recommend this story more.

There wasn't anything I disliked about this book! I enjoyed the characters. I loved Wells's personality and how he was very protective of Josephine. And then I liked how well Josephine's character complimented Wells. They had great banter. I loved the beginning where Tessa talks about the butt stuff. It seriously had me laughing and looking forward to reading all about it. This book goes through all the emotions and it was such a fun rollercoaster ride (or should I say golf cart ride), to go on. My favorite part of this story was that the characters both grew so much. I've been finding less and less character development in the books I've been reading lately, but Tessa Bailey knows how to write a character with really good development over the book. This is definitely a book that Tessa Bailey fans will enjoy.

I was enthralled while reading this one. I mean, I don't even like golf, it's never caught my attention but Wells was the perfect golfer. I loved all of his snarkiness and how he just melted for Josephine. I thought the smut was top-tier, I mean I was eating it up and left absolutely zero crumbs. I adored all of Wells and Josephine's interactions, even when he was being a jerk and she was shutting it down. It was an absolute joy to read this one! I can't wait for the world to read it!

Loved this sports romance. I don’t even like golf, but this book has me hooked to every word. Spicy scenes were A+.

Tessa Bailey fans will love this. It isn’t appropriate for my high school patrons, and for me personally, it isn’t my cup of tea. I love a strong female and a caring, consensual male. Some of these scenes made me cringe with their vulgarity and overpowering male pushing sex (and somehow the girl liking it). I tried… I just couldn’t get past it. I do thank netgalley for the arc!

Yet again, Tessa Bailey has sucked me into her brilliant mind and I binged her book.

I grew up with a family who loved golf. Uncle owned a pro shop, family was always golfing no matter where we were. But I hated it. And let me tell you, this book may have made me a golf fan finally. 🫣 and maybe a bubble butt fan. 😂

I loved Wells so much. The man is a perfect blend of “touch her and die” and romantic. He’s adorable!
Josephine is strong and independent and knows golf better than people expect.

They’re a classic grumpy sunshine couple with a bit of a hero and close proximity tropes mixed in.

You won’t regret reading this book. The spice is next level and makes golf exciting for once!

I have liked some of Tessa Bailey’s books in the past and so I was excited about this one! Sports romances aren’t usually my thing but she made it feel fresh and funny! I was very entertained and I thought the main characters had really fun banter and chemistry. There were some parts that made me cringe a little but that is expected with this genre and more often those scenes made me laugh as well. It is just a fun easy to read book and well written!

This is hands down one of the best books of 2024 and now my favorite Tessa Bailey book!

Where to start about this book? I’ll just start by saying it’s already got a spot on my best romance novels of 2024 list and Wells is my new favorite book boyfriend. Hands down.

But I’ll start by saying that this book is why I read romance. It has everything that I love about the genre. I had to read it in one sitting because I completely and utterly fell in love with the main characters, the story, and just everything about it. It is perfection.

Tessa Bailey has become one of my favorite romance book authors for a reason. She churns out romcom after romcom, and makes it seem so effortless and yet each story is so unique, characters so genuine, and the writing flawless. I absolutely adored the Bellinger Sisters series, both It Happened One Summer and Hook, Line and Sinker. I honestly didn’t think she’d ever be able to top those books but I can honestly say that Fangirl Down is now my favorite Tessa Bailey book. Who would’ve thought I totally fall for a romance about a pro golfer?!

I was in a book slump before picking up this book, and I was just so giddy right from chapter 1, recognizing that this was definitely going to be a five star read and already one of my favorites for 2024.

It’s a book that once you start reading, you don’t want to put down because every page is better and better and you don’t want it to end. Josephine and Wells are two of my most favorite characters. I loved that Tessa Bailey used her own child’s diagnosis of type one diabetes as one of the characteristics for this woman. I can completely understand how Josephine’s parents would be full of worry and totally hover over her and yet she was constantly pushing back to prove that she wasn’t weak because of her health condition and could easily stand on her own two feet.

Despite being her complete opposite and such a grump, Wells was the perfect man for her because he didn’t treat her with kid gloves. And Wells is one of those heroes with a wounded heart who never felt worthy of love or sticking around for yet Josephine was his fan girl, through and throu, no matter what. She not only believed in him when he was at the lowest point of his career, but was able to help him look at things differently without being all preachy, though he would mock her for trying to sound all Zen-like.

I think what I loved most is that this book was just a great mix of humor, steam and intriguing storyline without unnecessary dramatics, without miscommunication or noncommunication, and without overly depressing back stories. There was no third act breakup. Even the moment of conflict was just so endearing given the place where it was coming from.

This was just a really great good romcom with heart and did I already mention the steam? Oh my gosh this book was so hot and Wells was one amazing dirty talker. I have so many sections highlighted in this book that I’m going to be rereading over and over again they are so good!

This is definitely one of those books where I feel like my review is inadequate for just how much I love it. I’m so glad I gave a sports romance about a pro golfer a shot, but I shouldn’t have been worried with Tessa Bailey at the helm. I absolutely adored this book and cannot recommend it enough. I cannot wait for book two in the series which got such a great setup in this one as well.

*Thank you to Netgalley for the advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.

I'm too queer for this incredibly hetero romance, in that parts made me 🙄 instead of 😍, but honestly, it was fine–good even–if you're all about women "saving" friendless men who need therapy. It was lighter on the golf than expected, but a couple lines made me laugh out loud ("Unhappy Gilmore," 😆) and it kept me reading till the end.

“Ask me to walk on broken glass next. Watch me not even hesitate.” - Wells

“We. Are bigger. Than a game.”- Wells

It’s not secret that Tessa Bailey is one of my favorite authors. And I have been known to say that I would read anything she writes even her grocery list. But I’m not going to lie I didn’t know how she was going to make a romance out of a golfer or make golf sexy but damn if she didn’t do it.

Wells Whitaker is a “bad boy” in the golf world. Loves to curse and break clubs and piss off the press. But he is on a losing streak and can’t get out of his own way. In fact, he is down to his last fan, Josephine Doyle.

Josephine loves golf and owns a golf shop passed down through generations. Unfortunately, a hurricane messes up her shop and doesn’t have the insurance money to fix it. Until Wells comes and offers her an opportunity to be his caddy.

I can’t tell you how many times I cackled, got teary eyed and fanned my face in this book. So many emotions! I loved every second of it! I can’t wait for The Au Pair Affair!

Thank you NetGalley, Tessa Bailey, and HarperCollins for an ARC of this!

I actually really enjoyed this read, even though it was a golf romance, lol. I didn't think I would like it a lot but it was fun! The characters are likeable enough and it had me giggling (I still can't decipher if some were cringe or genuine). It's not necessarily Bailey's best, but if there's one thing that woman can do, it's write a spice scene. I was kind of annoyed at how many there were here, and the obsession of Wells with sex. That was kind of weird. Fun story, kind of cringey, kind of funny. I give it 2.75 stars. I'd recommend for a quick romcom.

THIS is Tessa Bailey at her best! 5-stars for this sports romance!

I am a giant fan of this book. The fact that TESSA WROTE A SPORTS ROMANE IS STILL KILLING ME. And also with a diabetes rep, so much ooey, gooey goodness we've come to expect from Tessa, a little dirty stuff too, MATCHING FREAKING OUTFITS, and so much more!

Holy hell, Wells Belle is the highlight. From the sign to the nail polish to Wells nicknaming her "belle" nearly from the beginning, I adored this story.

Joey is such a pure, loving, independent leading lady. She's been coddled her whole life by her parents, and one mistake leads to her say yes to her former favorite golfer, Wells, who has quickly sabotaged his professional golf career with bad behavior and decisions. When Wells randomly shows up at her golf pro shop immediately following a hurricane, these two's relationship blossoms from fangirl and professional golfer to something so much better.

Joey sees Wells and she also sees through all his drama, media coverage, and behavior to the heart of the man he really is. Wells being seen by Josephine transforms his life into something he's never experienced until her. He falls fast and hard and protects her at all costs, and IT'S THE BEST.

While there is the typical Tessa spice, there's also so much more to this story. Joey's got diabetes, and through that piece of her, Joey's able to reach through and show Wells how much she trusts him. And that brings out a whole other side to Wells that helps him see the main he could be, if he stopped setting his life on fire.

The story takes place over a few short weeks, but their connection is strong and their desire to keep pushing forward for each other proves their love.

Loved it, loved it, loved it. Can't wait for the world to meet Wells and Josephine in just a couple of weeks!

Thank you, Avon and Harper Voyager, for early access to this one via NetGalley, and for Jesse and Ali on Booksta @exercise_read_repeat for the physical ARC giveaway win! These are my honest thoughts!

4.5 star rating!

You can call me Well's Belle now!!!!

I really loved this new book from Tessa Bailey! It was the perfect rom-com that we know and love her for, while mixing in some unique dynamics and character choices that were definitely experimental but stuck the landing. We follow Wells and Josephine in what feels like the perfect mix of fanfiction and traditionally published romance, allowing all the fangirls in every area to feel seen and understood for their devotion and commitment.

I knocked off half of a star from my rating because this book was heavy on the technical golf terms with very little explanation behind the actual sport. Thankfully I (willingly) watched a lot of golf growing up, so that didn't bother me but I can see it being hard to understand for someone that is unfamiliar with the mechanics and terminology in the sport.

Fangirl Down is the newest book by Tessa Bailey. It is the first in the new Big Shot sports themed series. I have to admit that I know absolutely nothing about golf and have zero interest, but I was absolutely charmed by Wells and all of his golf skills.

Josephine is Wells last remaining fan. She's the only former member of the "Wells Belles" who show up at his golf match (or is it a golf meet? I know nothing about golf.😂.) He has lost passion for the sport and is ready to give up but doesn't feel like he can as long as a Belle keeps showing up. He ultimately is rude to her and feels guilty about it. He shows up at her family store the morning after a hurricane hits and gives her a proposition. Caddy for him during the next few tournaments and she can earn the money needed to repair the shops hurricane damage. Wells quickly learns he needs her just as much as she needs him.

I love a sports romance but admittedly read mostly hockey or baseball ones. This book has made me wish their were more golf romances. We've come to expect that Tessa's heroes are dirty talkers and Wells did not disappoint. Josephine was also a firecracker that was very relatable trying to balance everything in her life and not worry her parents. I'm pretty sure she's just as obsessed with bathtubs as I am. I was excited to figure out who the next book characters would be in the series. Their setup was so fun. I'm not very familiar with Type 1 diabetes but Josephine's feelings surrounding managing her condition seemed believable. The trust she put in Wells to be able to track her blood sugars was tugging at my heartstrings. This is my first 5 star review of 2024 and it shouldn't have come as a surprise. Tessa Bailey strikes the perfect balance of spice, humor, and endearing moments.

Read this if you love: Sports romance, grumpy/sunshine, boss/employee, diabetic heroine, dirty talking hero, instalove, forced proximity, lots of bathtubs, hate everyone but you, Happy Gilmore references, strong snarky heroines, a comeback story, golf "bad boy" vibes, hero has a special nickname for the heroine, a side character obsessed with reptiles, oops wrong hotel room

Thank you to Tessa Bailey, NetGalley, and Avon Harper Voyager for this eARC. All opinions expressed are my own. #netgalley #TessaBailey #AvonHarperVoyager #FangirlDown #BigShotSeries

Such a cute story. The storyline was unique and fun to read. Fun characters, and a plot that kept you turning the pages.

FINALLY. A book by Tessa that I could tolerate! By no means did I love this book but I was invested enough in the plot that I wanted to push through the cringy (& spicy!) parts to finish it. You should know I am notorious for not finishing Tessa Bailey books.

First off, I LOVED that we got a golf romance. I’m honestly quite tired of all the hockey romances so a new sport that we don’t see often was genius in my opinion. I also loved how our main character, Josephine was EVEN BETTER at the sport than PGA golf star Wells Whitaker. I love a female character that slays the sport just as much as her man!

The plot basically followed Josephine as her family proshop was destroyed by a hurricane. Being Wells Whitaker’s biggest fangirl, Wells was worried about her when he heard of the bad weather and ran to make sure she was okay. After finding out that she had no insurance to fix the proshop as well as no health insurance to help with her diabetes, he hired her on the spot to be his caddy. She would earn the money fair and square to fix the shop and put her health first.

When Josephine became Wells caddy, he did considerably better and later went on to win the Masters.

Another thing I loved about this book was how considerate grumpy man Wells actually was. He cared so much about Josephine (his belle). He had her blood sugar hooked to his phone so he could be sure she was safe at all times. It was such a minimal yet endearing thing to do.

I wanted to be done with this book so badly but the plot kept me intrigued and I will be on the lookout for book two with Wells’ single-dad, hockey player friend (yup, another hockey romance). Be sure to grab this book when it releases on February 13.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this early eArc of this book! By far one of my favorite Tessa Bailey books, just call me a golf fan now! This book follows Wells Whitaker and Josephine as she becomes his caddie as his former #1 fan. This was some of my favorite banter I have read. Wells and “wells belle” aka Josephine and my new favorite couple they have so much love for it each other! I can’t wait for the second book in this series!