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.

Wow, this book is one of my favorite books of the year. It has spice, love, a fabulous ending. It is a book that I will be recommending to my book club, my friends, and random people I meet in the bookstore. It was a delightful romance.

Burgess is IT!!!! Every complaint I was going to have about this book, it went out the window every time because Tessa just wrapped up everything so beautifully, amazing “redemption arcs”/forgiveness done so thoughtfully, no just for the sake of coming back together.

This book had me from the beginning. I might be biased because I EAT THESE TROPES UP. Like age gap is EVERYTHING! There were moments I was so frustrated with the MMC and thought him UNFORGIVABLE but Tessa did a thorough job at showing the complexity and difficulty that comes with having a relationship with someone who has survived abuse and faces trust issues.

Burgess stepped up in huge ways. Giving Talullah confidence and space while being just close enough to give support while she worked through years of trauma. This book was immaculate.

What I loved:
- VERY deep and thoughtful plot for such a “short” romance book
- very tactfully discussed physical/emotional partner abuse
- extremely well-developed MMC and FMC personalities as individual
- such natural chemistry between the characters
- GUT WRENCHING third act break up
- hockey wasn’t just slapped on the book to call it sports romance but was a vital part of the MMCs personal character development
- perfected character development for both MMC and FMC


Would I recommend this book? A resounding YES!



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

There isn't a book that Tessa Bailey writes that I would not dive head first into without a second thought. I live for her little synopsis ideas she posts occasionally, so a full book about an older single dad who falls first and hard for his au pair, I couldn't have opened this one faster.

Tallulah, a professional academic who struggles to connect with people and suffers from some PTSD, comes to work with Burgess. He's 10 years her senior and at the tail end of his very successful hockey career. Grumpy "mean daddy" Sir Savage is struggling with his aging body in an extreme sport and his intense and immediate attraction to his smart nanny. Tallulah is trying to venture back out into the world after a real scary experience. Who better to make her feel safe than a giant hockey god.

Seriously, this one was so good. Tessa knows how to write a love story. I can't wait for the third in this series. Cause Tessa loves to set up a sequel.

ARC received through NetGalley, Avon Books, Harper Voyager in exchange for an honest review.

I have been looking forward to this story. I loved the first Big Shots book and found Tallulah so engaging that I couldn't wait until she was the main character. So I am so glad to say how much I enjoyed this book. Tallulah remained smart, witty, and fun, but with the revelation of a part of her past, there was an added depth that was unexpected and welcomed. Now Burgess was just a giant marshmallow parading as a man(until he wasn't, but isn't that always the way!). I loved that he fell first and so hard, but still had room to grow as a partner in a relationship. I do wish they had communicated better, but I guess that is also part and parcel of a real relationship. Their story felt real and I came close to tears towards the end. On top of all this emotion and romance, this was a very steamy story, and the dirty talk was on point, Oh my! Much like the first book in this series, after borrowing from the library I had to go buy the book, I fear this book will be just the same, I will have to have a copy. I did receive an early copy of this book for an honest review.

I don't think I can accurately describe how excited I was to receive this eARC! Tessa is a definite favorite.

That being said, I don't usually seek out age gap or single-dad romances, but if I was going to go on that journey, I trusted Tessa to make it worth my while. She didn't disappoint.

After finishing Fangirl Down, we knew we were gearing up for this. Burgess is the epitome of "he falls first" and an MMC being all in.

We. Love. To. See. It.

Burgess is a dad trying to figure out how to raise his tween daughter. He understands hockey and certainly does not understand tween girls. Tallulah is a marine biology grad student and the au pair to Burgess' daughter. What could go wrong? Well, considering Tallulah and Burgess are immediately hot for each other? The answer is a lot.

I enjoyed reading about these 2 figuring it out and finding their forever. The 3rd act conflict took a bit of wind out of my sails, but I still loved it overall. The side characters were delightful, and I'm super curious about where things are going with Sig and Chloe because that's definitely a thing.

Thanks to Tessa, the publisher, and NetGalley for an eARC of this book for an honest review.

I have been eagerly awaiting Burgess and Tallulah's story and boy did it deliver! Bailey has done it again and this time with a memorable bang. I mean, who can resist a hockey daddy!

I loved this story so much. Along with Bailey's iconic steam we also get insecurities, family drama dynamics, and a whole hecka lot of vulnerability. I have read many of Bailey's work, if not all, and this is definitely going to be a treasure of rereads.

Thank you Avon for the advanced reader's copy! It was a gem. All thoughts are my own!

Super cute! Love Tessa Bailey. This one was no different and I flew through it in a day! Thank you NetGalley for this ARC