Thank you NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for an ARC copy of The Au Pair Affair by Tessa Bailey. I don't think this book was for me. I really didn't enjoy it much. Tallulah is a master student in marine biology. She went through a terrible event with her ex-boyfriend. Her best friend lines up an Au Pair job for her with Burgess, an ice hockey player. I'm not sure what to say, but I think I'm giving up on smut books. They just aren't for me. This book would have benefited from more heart felt scenes with Burgess' daughter, Lissa. Also, the third act break up was terrible and I thought an unforgivable moment. I am rating this book as three stars because even though it wasn't for me, writing a book is a challenge and deserves some credit.

Burgess might be one of the most down-bad mmc's I've ever read, and I loved every second of it. This man wanted a relationship with Tallulah and was unafraid to show it. I've read Tessa Bailey's books before and I'm happy to say she's never disappointed me yet.

I've been in a terrible reading slump so finishing this felt like a personal celebration. I'm always someone who will be seated for a single dad romance and this did not disappoint. The chemistry between Burgess and Tallulah was insane and my only big critique was how Tallulah and Burgess would quite literally do everything with each other except sealing the final deed. I understood Tallulah's character and her hesitancy when it came to Burgess but I couldn't help feeling frustrated with her at times. Sometimes her actions made her feel younger than her character was. Luckily my issue with that aspect of the book didn't overshadow my enjoyment for this.

I'm super excited to check out the next book in the series and if Sig is anything like Burgess (Which I think he might be!) I know I'll have so much fun. This is a great book if you want a nice romance with a man who makes sure everybody knows how much he loves his girl.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Tessa Bailey does it again with this fast paced steamy romance. One of my favorite books of the year. Will definitely be recommending this to everyone.

I really enjoyed The Au Pair Affair by Tessa Bailey. This couple was so fun with great chemistry and the story kept me interested. I couldn’t put it down.

I read this one in less than a day and loved every page!! Tessa Bailey never disappoints and this series has been one of my all time favorites from her.

The Au Pair Affair is
- a pro hockey player and his au pair
- forced proximity/roommates
- age gap
- protective hero (her best kind)
- grumpy/sunshine

As always, Tessa lives up to her title of the Queen of Dirty Talk:

“When you’re ready to call me your man, I’m going to spit on this hot little cunt and call it mine before I fuck it. Go ahead. Lie and tell me you don’t want that.”

She's just a gift that never stops giving and I'm here for all of it.

Absolutely obsessed with Tessa Bailey.

I swooned, laughed, and fanned myself throughout this entire book. It truly had me giggling and kicking my feet.

A broody MMC will do it for me EVERY time.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

5 STARS

Tessa Bailey delivers again! The Au Pair Affair was an absolute delight from start to finish, with characters so endearing you can't help but root for them. The witty banter and laugh-out-loud moments kept me hooked, making it nearly impossible to put down. There were moments that will certainly make you blush as well, so you've been warned! The chemistry between the leads was electric, and their hilarious misadventures made for a perfect mix of romance and comedy. I found myself completely immersed in their world, eagerly turning pages to see how it all played out. Without a doubt, this one deserves a 5-star rating—it’s the perfect feel-good escape!

Tessa Bailey you have written another winner with The Au Pair Affair (Big Shots #2). Tallullah is a marine biology student who is going to nanny for recently single dad, Burgess, and his tween daughter, Lissa, thanks to her bestie Josephine. While she has some past trauma that has her hesitant to put herself in a live in nanny situation with a hockey player whose recent violent outburst on the ice goes viral, a home cooked meal and his daughters warmth towards her has her changing her tune. I’m still dreaming of that rooftop garden.

This was cute! I’m still more of a fan of the first book, but the sequel was lovely and who doesn’t love a single dad!

I've read quite a few Tessa Bailey books and they never disappoint. Quick reads with great characters, good spice, and a reliable happy ending!

I am an absolute sucker for a single father trope. Add in that he falls first? Yeah. I'm sold. I absolutely loved this book, Tessa really redeemed herself from the first book in this series.

Boston’s star hockey player falls for his daughter’s au pair in this sporty rom-com.

I love reading Tessa Bailey when I need something quick and lighthearted. However, this one started out a little wobbly for me, so much so that I set it aside a few times because I was that uninterested. I eventually revisited and thoroughly enjoyed the middle portion of the book, only to get let down again by the drawn out third act.

Burgess is a lovely mmc, but I didn’t enjoy Tallulah’s character, as she’s indecisive and inauthentic. Her backstory, while devastating, seemed to be a detail haphazardly thrown together. The steam was also too much for me.

All that said, I didn’t enjoy this one as much as the first book in this series, but still had a fun time and am looking forward to the third installment.

I absolutely adored reading this book. Burgess is a single dad and a hockey star, who falls desperately in love with his nanny. (Because why not?!) I LOVE a good single dad and age gap trope, so this book really hit the spot for what ice been craving to read! I lived the sexual tension, the passion and the love for his daughter. It was overall such a good read! I'm in such a personal exploration of the kinds of books I’ve been loving and I just can’t get over this book. 🤍 I am definitely recommending it to anyone who loves a good romance book!

Gah this series is one of my faves. Reading how the two move and grow as they reflect on what each other have told one another, is my favorite part.

I laughed and cheered for them through the whole book!

Fantastic read by Tessa Bailey! It has everything you are looking for and the spice is hot! I can’t wait for the next book in this series. Tessa Bailey is on fire with this spicy sports series. Love the trope of single dad and younger love interest! Pick it up and see for yourself! So hot!

What can I say, I absolutely loved this one! The more I read, the more it sucked me in. This book has officially claimed the spot as my favorite Tessa Bailey read. It delivered all the spice and humor I expected, with an emotional depth I didn’t anticipate.

Burgess was the perfect broody single dad, and I loved seeing him navigate his relationship with his daughter while also connecting with, opening up to, and getting to know Tallulah. Tallulah’s journey as she worked through her trauma and built her confidence to feel safe was truly amazing.

We met Burgess and Tallulah in the first book in the series. She first struck me as flighty and maybe a little immature. However, my opinion changed very quickly in this book. Tallulah is tenacious and driven and still has such a good heart. I love that Burgess learns from her even as he and his daughter fall for her. I love me a good hockey romance. I do wish there had been a bit more hockey included, but the overprotective nature of Burgess made up for that. Mostly. Didn't hold my attention as tightly as the first book, but still a wonderful read.

I really enjoyed the first book in this series, Fan Girl Down, and was excited to see how this story continued with the great story, romance, and vibes. While it was still a feel good story filled with likeable characters and funny banter, I don’t think it matched or exceeded the fun that I had reading the first book. I am going to try the third book in the series, Dream Girl Drama, and give that one a try. Enjoyable in the moment, but it was just okay and not entirely memorable.

I enjoyed this for the most part. Tessa Bailey likes big overprotective he-men, and that definitely tracks here (we also have an age gap in this nanny-boss sitch.) This he-man works to change and be sensitive to everyone's needs so I am choosing to forgive things like spitting on the ladyparts to claim ownership of same, but it was a little unsettling. I may also be forgiving that because apart from the spitting/ownership declaration thing (which happens TWICE) the sex in this book is smoking. I liked the FMC Tallulah quite a bit, she was smart and interesting and protected her agency in the face of the hot caveman's desire to wrap her in cotton. I detested the secondary character, Chloe, who is clearly going to be the lead in the next book so that was a bummer. Look, Tessa Bailey is never going to win writing awards, and I have read some awful books from her, but when she gets it right the books are hot and swoony and fun and diverting, and that is often good enough for me.

The Au Pair Affair blends some of my favorite tropes; hockey, a single dad, and a charming nanny! Hockey player Burgess is in desperate need of help, and Tallulah is just the right person for the job. Her bright, sunshiny presence is exactly what both he and his daughter need… even if it throws him off balance. I absolutely loved this second book in Big Shots—a fun, lighthearted read that’s impossible to resist!