I was looking forward to Burgess & Tallulah’s book since seeing them in Fangirl Down, I was so happy to get approved for this! The Au Pair Affair is an age gap, hockey playing single dad / live in nanny romance and I was hooked with this story from the beginning! This was a slow burn but still a fast paced read! I loved how Burgess was portrayed as this grumpy huge man and yet he was so sweet and good with Tallulah, he was down bad for her and would do anything to make her feel comfortable and I loved that! Getting to see Wells and Josephine cameos was the best, too! I always enjoy Tessa’s writing and this was another great read by her!

“Forever is composed of nows.”
(Emily Dickinson)

Spicy and swoony with a touch of adorable!

Second book in the Big Shots series, this one about a 37 year old single dad hockey player, Burgess (known to hockey fans as Sir Savage) and his 26 year old au pair, Tallulah. They strike a deal to help each other live outside of their comfort zones and find they work better together.

This series (Big Shots) is hysterical! The books are about these Neanderthal sports heroes with big hearts who are extremely protective of the women in their lives. Burgess comes across as a bear (kinda a cross between a grizzly bear and a teddy bear). Also loving the secondary characters in this book of Sig (hockey teammate) and Chloe (Sephora and açaí loving harpist) who are about to be step siblings and give off non-sibling vibes. I hope to see them return in another book… maybe even have the hockey team rookies return for some more comic relief!

“I want to be important to you.”

“This moment is for you. Be in the moment.”

“This woman had come into his life and flooded it with light.”

Thank you NetGalley for the fabulous ARC!!!

Not as good as the first in the series but still fun and enjoyable.

The parent/nanny trope doesn't always work for me and there were some times here I was uncomfortable but overall it worked. Tallulah and Burgess are attracted to each other BEFORE she takes the job as his nanny so it didn't feel predatory like it can sometimes. And the daughter was a great character.

I loved all the hocky in this book. Burgess is aging out of the stport and his issues with his age and body felt realistic.

Highly recommend. Would love more in this series.

4.5 stars

The Au Pair Affair was such a fun read! Burgess is a 37-year old ice hockey captain of the Boston Bearcats and Tallulah is a 26-year old graduate student studying marine biology. Their story is an age-gap nanny/boss story. At their friend’s wedding (in Fangirl Down) they had an agreement where Tallulah would be the nanny for Burgess’ daughter, Lissa. We learn that Tallulah has a traumatic childhood that causes her to back out of their agreement but Burgess is able to change her mind which then starts their journey.

On the outside Burgess may seem rough around the edges, he’s even called Sir Savage by the masses. But since he’s met Tallulah and learned of her trauma, he is immediately smitten goes directly to protection mode. He is patient with her and tries not to move too fast. Don’t get me wrong we still get that dirty mouth that we all love so much from this author!

Overall, a great story! I am definitely looking forward to the next couple!

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book. All opinions are my own.

Tessa Bailey is back with another spicy romance, and a sports romance at that. For those of you who don't know, hockey romances are my favorite sports romances so I am very picky about which ones I like. But this one is a lovely single dad story about a hockey captain who is a little past his prime and his young new nanny who is in the middle of hers.

Burgess is smitten with Tallulah from the second he sees her, and Tallulah makes it clear she's not in it for something serious (re: she's got a bad history with a man who has left her scarred forever). Tallulah is terrified Burgess might be as bad as his reputation would make it seem, and Burgess is scared he's ruining Tallulah's life before it can even begin by trying to tie her down.

Burgess and Tallulah navigate what a relationship between them could be all while dealing with a temperamental teenager, a hockey career possibly on the brink of ending, and a destination wedding for their best friends where they both serve as maid of honor and best man.

This was better than Fangirl Down imo! Usually, I'm not a fan of nanny/single dad romance books so I was a bit hesitant to start this one but frankly there wasn't much nanny-stuff on page and Burgess' daughter Lissa was in her preteens.⁣
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It was definitely a he-falls-first scenario with Burgess as he's head over heels for Tallulah right from the start while she was somewhat hesitant to trust others. There was so much tension between them and it was a bit more drawn out when compared to Tessa's other books. And there's lots of dirty talk as usual 😂 I found the third act breakup a bit annoying but I've come to expect it in these books, though sometimes the characters and their actions were a bit exaggerated! I'm quite excited for Sig & Chloe's story in the next book - I do love a stepbrother romance😆

Tessa Bailey does it again! She continues to be my favorite, go-to romcom author, delivering heart, spice, and laughter with every book. I've been anticipating her foray into Hockey romance for so long and I am so glad I wasn't disappointed! You will absolutely love this book!

Read if you like: sports romance, single dad+age gape tropes, nanny romances, steamy chemistry, character growth

📚 Dive into the world of hockey veteran Burgess and vivacious marine biology student Tallulah in "The Au Pair Affair" by Tessa Bailey. When Tallulah becomes the live-in nanny for Burgess's tween daughter Lissa, sparks fly, boundaries blur, and hearts are put to the test.

👨‍👧 Burgess is a rugged, battle-scarred single dad, struggling with the physical aches of an aging athlete on the brink of retirement. He's also grappling with understanding his ever-growing daughter, Lissa. Enter Tallulah, a quirky, adventurous 26-year-old, who brings a fresh wave of energy and support to his life. Their relationship is further complicated by Lissa's hope that her parents will reunite.

💞 The chemistry between Burgess and Tallulah is electric, and their journey from employer and nanny to something much more is filled with steamy moments and heartfelt challenges. Their love story is intense, with boundaries crossed and emotions running high.

👧 Lissa, Burgess's introverted daughter, adds depth to the story. Her desire for her parents to reconcile and her evolving bond with Tallulah add layers to the narrative. The dynamic between all three characters creates a compelling and emotionally rich storyline.

✍️ Tessa Bailey expertly handles the emotional baggage and growth of her characters, making their development feel genuine and engaging. However, some readers might find certain scenes, where the heroine manipulates the hero with sex, problematic.

🌟 "The Au Pair Affair" is a captivating read that offers a steamy romance and engaging character development. Its dynamic chemistry and the characters' growth make it a great choice for fans of nanny romances and sports-themed love stories.

📲 QOTD: What's your favorite romance trope and why?**👇

#BookReview #NannyRomance #SportsRomance #SingleDadRomance #TessaBailey #RomanceReads #SteamyBooks #CharacterGrowth #Bookstagram #BookLovers #HockeyRomance

Tallulah has agreed to be a live in nanny for famous Boston hockey star, Burgess Abraham. She has trust issues stemming from a traumatic past but feels safe with Burgess’s protective nature. However, neither of them are able to fight their growing attraction to each other. Can they put their many differences aside and make it work?

I am a sucker for a Tessa Bailey book, and her sports romance series is so much fun! This book is the follow up to Fangirl Down, which I highly recommend checking out first since the characters do reappear (although you could read each as a stand-alone).

I know that when I pick up a Tessa Bailey book, I am going to be in for a good time, quirky characters, funny moments, spice, and the best men who are completely gone for their women. Tessa knows how to write these men without making them traitors to feminism and I don’t know how she does it. I loved the single dad/nanny trope, the grumpy sunshine, and the forced proximity here. Really I am here for this series and I can’t wait for the next book! It seems like we met the characters in this book and they will be fun to read about.

Thank you to Tessa Bailey, Avon, and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I love Tessa Bailey books and this did not disappoint!

This is a grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity, age difference book.

Tallulah is a strong FMC who is overcoming past trauma and learning how to trust and find adventure while Burgess is the single dad, hunky hockey player who is learning to love, parent and live outside of hockey. Both characters learn and grow and are well developed. Burgess makes mistakes and has to truly earn Tallulah back. She becomes strong enough on her own to realize her worth and that was amazing.

It has the right amount of spice like any Tessa book does. It is a fantastic summer read.

Burgess Abraham is a recently divorced single father and veteran hockey defenseman. His divorce has shaken his confidence in himself, he can't seem to relate to his preteen daughter, and he's become jaded with the sport he loves. When Tallulah, a beautiful yet broke friend of a friend, needs a place to stay while attending college, he offers her a position as a live in nanny for the upcoming hockey season.
This nanny position seems too good to be true and it makes her nervous. After a traumatic incident in her past, she's not as trusting as she used to be and living with a strange man is already pushing her limits. When she sees a disturbing clip of the famous defenseman on the ice on the day she arrives, she's ready to back out. But off the ice, this intimidating man is all heart and she starts to trust him. Until a weak moment forces him to push her away, believing he'll never be good enough for her. Will he ever win back her trust?
I love this author and I was so excited to get an early copy of this book. She has a way of writing such wonderfully flawed realistic characters so that you feel their emotions like your own. Burgess is a cocky and confident hockey player but inside he has so many doubts and insecurities. Tallulah is happy and adventurous but she's recovering mentally from a trauma that changed her world. Together, they bring out the best in each other. And of course, the spice and tension this author writes is some of the best!
Thanks to Avon and Harper Voyager through Netgalley for the advance copy of this book. The opinions in this review are my own and given voluntarily.

✨ARC Book Review✨
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The Au Pair Affair by Tessa Bailey
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC
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Rating: 4⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️
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Tropes: 🩷
Age gap
Boss x employee
Single dad
NHL hockey player
She’s the nanny
He falls first
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I’m a sucker for a hockey romance. Usually books not written in dual POV i struggle to read it get into it but this was so well written and Burgess is a big burly hockey and Tallulah is smart girl who’s studying to be a marine biologist. She’s just supposed to be taking care of his daughter but they cant deny the chemistry between them much longer oh and his daughter wants her mom and dad to get back together..

I found this book entertaining! I loved the relationships and characters in this book, I think Tallulah and Burgess had great chemistry! I really loved Tallulah, ever since we met her in Fangirl Down. I loved to see her journey as she became a confident woman, learning how to trust the world and herself again after her past. There were many tears shed!! I was so happy to see her happy ending.
After just reading Fangirl Down, I felt in comparison this one lacked some of the plot and action that Fangirl Down had. The pacing was much slower in my opinion. It would have been really great to have a bit more source of tension in the storyline. Overall, I had a good time and would recommend!

The Au Pair Affair, book 2 of the Big Shots series, by Tessa Bailey @tessabaileyisanauthor. First off, I am a fan of Tessa’s & this book was no different!

I absolutely loved this book about Tallulah & Burgess so much! If you like MF, Boss/Nanny, hockey, a FMC becoming strong & standing up for herself, an MMC groveling when he needs to, & a trip to Costa Rico with a 3rd act break up, then this book is for you!

✩4

✦What to Expect✦
•Nanny x Hockey player
•Single parent
•He calls her gorgeous
•”Massages”
•Age gap
•Revenge dresses
•Groveling

✦Characters✦
•Tallulah Aydin
•Burgess Abraham

✦Fav Quotes✦
“Yell at me all you want, gorgeous, just keep doing the thing.”

Making Tallulah laugh was like taking a shower in sunshine.

“I’m too old to play games, Tallulah.”
“I’m not,”
“I know.”

✦Thoughts✦
The instant attraction and chemistry between these two was soo good. But it also felt like a slow burn in a way, which I loved. The dirty talk on Burgess was so dang good as well. The conversations with his hockey teammates had me cracking up, I def hope there is more of that in the next book. Also, I am here for a groveling man. Loved these two together!

This had some of my absolute favorite tropes and it absolutely delivered.

I will 10000000% be reading the next book bc omg do I need more on the Sig & Chloe situation!!

THE AU PAIR AFFAIR – Tessa Bailey
Big Shots, Book 2
Avon
ISBN: 978-0063308435
July 16, 2024
Romantic Comedy

Boston – Present Day

A few months ago, Tallulah Aydin met pro hockey star Burgess Abraham through her best friend. She had hit it off with his daughter and they discussed her working for him as an au pair. Tallulah arrives in Boston for the job but meeting him again has her on edge. As she waits, she can’t help but see his last game on TV where he hits another player hard. With an aversion to overpowering men, she wonders if she has made a mistake. Sitting in the juice café trying to decide whether to go across the street to Burgess’s penthouse to meet him, she is shocked when he walks in.

Of course they connect in the juice café, but Tallulah lets Burgess know she has misgivings. He will let her out of the job and offer to help her find a place to stay in Boston as she will be attending college. One thing led to another and soon Tallulah is working for Burgess. She enjoys being around his daughter, Lyssa, even if she finds Burgess intimidating. Tallulah was frightened years ago by a stalker and it has left her afraid of men. It’s up to Burgess to convince her that he isn’t a bad person, even if his hockey nickname is Sir Savage. He tries to give her space, though the sparks fly hot and heavy between them. But getting involved with his daughter’s nanny would be a big mistake.

I won’t spill the details regarding Tallulah’s stalker but once readers hear them, they will understand why she is distrustful of not only men, but people in general. She is studying for a degree in marine biology and even spent time in Antarctica—just to get away from people. But Burgess’s offer for her to be Lyssa’s live-in nanny was a perfect way to make money while she attended college in Boston. After Burgess finally wins her trust and she moves in with him, now comes the even harder part: not giving in to the growing attraction between them. It doesn’t help that Lyssa thinks her parents are going to get back together even though her mother is engaged to another man. Besides, Burgess and Tallulah’s relationship is supposed to remain business only.

In THE AU PAIR AFFAIR, we meet Tallulah, who is more than a little jumpy as she goes toe to toe with Burgess, who is all no-nonsense and a brawny hockey player. After his divorce, he is not looking for love again. Besides, Lyssa is his top priority as is his career. Yet, Burgess takes the time to be gentle with Tallulah and not scare her. He becomes protective of her when a man comes on a little too strong for her. Readers will enjoy this protectiveness, even as Tallulah becomes more aware of her feelings for him. It is inevitable that they will soon be locking lips. But will it turn out to be a mistake? Readers will also enjoy the sexy banter and scenes between them. It’s clear they are connecting, but will it lead to nowhere? Or will readers win and see a happily ever after?

A fun, enjoyable tale that hits all the right notes, don’t miss THE AU PAIR AFFAIR.

Patti Fischer
Romance Reviews Today

A gripping, sexy, sporty, romance that reignited my love of hockey and romance books! This book has several tropes: single dad, age difference, close proximity, nanny/employer, etc. This is the second book in the Big Shots series but worked very well as a stand-alone book for me.

Tallulah is studying to be a Marine Biologist. She's low on funds and in need of a job. When Burgess, a single dad and Hockey player offers her a live in job as a nanny to his daughter, Tallulah happily accepts. Both characters are likeable and dynamic. Both are strong but also have issues and vulnerabilities. I enjoyed their complex and distinct personalities.

It's all about the journey with romance books and this was a highly enjoyable one. I loved the banters, the angst, the attraction, and the writing.

This is the first book that I have read by Tessa Bailey, but it will not be my last! I can't believe that it took me so long to read one of her books. I have several on my tbr list and will be making a point to get to them soon!

Gripping, sexy, entertaining, and fun!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️😘
The Au Pair Affair
By: Tessa Bailey
Publisher: Avon and Harper Voyager
Pub Date: 7/16/24
This is the second book in the Big Shots series.
This one was just spectacular as Fangirl Down was! The story starts in Fangirl and picks up again in The Au Pair Affair. Tallulah has been through it. A bad relationship has left her scared of everything. She’s a marine biologist who has just returned from a research trip when she agrees to move in with Burgess and his 12 year old daughter and be her nanny while going to grad school. Their attraction to each other is evident from the start but with Tullulah’s past trauma she’s not looking for a relationship.
Burgess is a pro hockey player known for being a beast, his nickname is Savage after all. That part alone has Tullulah questioning whether she should move in or not. Being the great guy he is, Burgess even has his teammate Sig’s soon to be step sister Chloe ask her to move in with her knowing he’s going to cover the rent she can’t afford in Boston.
When Tallulah realizes that’s what’s happening she moves in anyways and falls not only for his daughter but for Burgess as well. But when Burgess is hurt on the ice he doesn’t handle it well which has Tullulah running in the opposite direction. Will he be able to win her back?
I loved their story just as much as Will and Josephine’s but I’m just as excited to learn about Sig and his not yet step sister Chloe’s relationship! Can’t wait for the next book in the series!
Thanks to Avon and Harper Voyager, NetGalley and Of course the ever fabulous Tessa Bailey for this galley!

Tessa Bailey is an auto-buy author for me. I adored the first book in her new sports series (she made me care about golf, which is quite a feat!) so I was excited to get my hands on her hockey romance.

What I love most about Bailey's books is that the characters always have interesting (if exaggerated) backstories that inform their current behavior. For Tallulah, it was a dramatic kidnapping. For Burgess, it was childhood daddy issues and feeling like he was getting too old to do the thing he loves most, hockey.

Themes in this book include age gap (not enough to be icky), nanny/boss, single dad, grumpy/sunshine, he falls first, forced proximity, and opposites attract. I also really liked the character of Lissa, Burgess's daughter, and thought she was written very well for a 12 year old.

Bailey is so good at writing immediate chemistry with the characters fighting it as long as they can. This was not as smutty as some of her other books although there definitely were a few things that raised my eyebrows.

It took the characters AGES to get back together after the 3rd act breakup. Waiting months until Josephine and Wells's wedding to get them back together was pure torture. Though to be fair, this was also written as a slow burn, which is not typical for Bailey, so maybe having waited so long for the characters to get together is why I felt a little cheated it took them so long to reconcile.

I could already tell which side characters the next book will involve and WOW am I excited for that one!!! Tessa Bailey continues to be one of my favorites.

Despite already agreeing to it, Tallulah is hesitant to work for Burgess given his rough-and-tumble reputation on the ice. However, she really needs a place to stay while she finishes graduate school, and Burgess eventually convinces her it's safe to stay with him. However, as the two become friendly, their undeniable chemistry lands them in some hot water with Lissa, Burgess' daughter, who was holding out hope for her parent's getting back together (despite the fact that her mom is engaged to another man). After a devastating series of heartbreaks for both Tallulah and Burgess (some of them outside of their control, some of them inflicted by the other), they part ways on bad terms. How do you find your way back after heartbreak? And is the potential for more heartbreak worth the risk of happily ever after?

This wasn't the first and it won't be the last book I'll read by Tessa Bailey. She's great at crafting an interesting story and intermingling super spicy scenes. Burgess and Tallulah had great chemistry, and I loved how protective of each other they were. If you like hockey, grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity, single dads. and age gap romances, this is definitely the book for you!