I was extremely excited about book two of the Big Shots series by Tessa Bailey. Thank you so much to Avon books for sending me a copy to add to my collection!


We got a glimpse of the main characters in book one, Fangirl Down. Tallulah is a marine biologist who has been traveling all over and is ready to settle down and go to grad school. She receives the perfect opportunity to be a nanny for one of the most famous hockey players in the nation, so she will not have to worry about housing and will be able to make a little money on the side as well.

Burgess is excited to have Tallulah as his nanny. His daughter really connected with her when they met and she seems like a great person. Sure, he is physically attracted to her, but he wouldn’t let that get in the way of his arrangement. He is a hardcore hockey player with a good head on his shoulders, nothing can rattle him. Although his fear of his retirement is weighing heavily on him.

Review
I had a lot of feelings about this book. Although this book felt very insta-loveish, the spice was a great speed for me. Everything else felt very slow. The plot dragged on a bit even though it was a short window of time and I did not love the third act break-up, which I usually do not mind.

Burgess was a great MMC with golden retriever energy, which I loved. I just wish it had been over a longer period of time and that there was more build up. By the time we got to the relationship portion, they were breaking up a few chapters later.

You should definitely check out this series and let me know YOUR thoughts! I would love to know!

Will post review on Pubdate

“I want to be important to you.”

SWOON ALERT!!! The Au Pair Affair by Tessa Bailey – the second book in the Big Shots Series – is sure to melt your heart (and maybe make you look for Au Pair positions for hot dad’s if you are single!). Tallulah is in Boston for her master’s degree and takes an Au Pair job for Boston’s finest professional hockey player, Sir Savage himself, Burgess. While Tallulah has a scary past, she at first is worried about Burgess’s mean, hockey persona. Burgess, who is recently divorced, has a pre-teen that he can’t quite communicate properly with, and prefers staying inside. Together, both decide to help each other get out of their comfort zones and go on adventures - and as a live-in nanny, what happens when Lissa goes and spends the weekends with her mother?

Bailey is a top-notch romance writer, and while you can predict the ending, the anticipation of how the story will play out is well done. There were some good lessons along the way too – for instance, I loved the Dickinson quote: “Forever is composed of nows” which I have never heard before. Yes, there are tropes here (Boss / Nanny, Older / Younger, Man feeling the need to protect the young Female) but they all work in this novel making it a very enjoyable read.

This is the second book in this series, but you do not have to read the first one to read this one – there are enough hints about the first novel to tie in perfectly here, with Burgess and Tallulah fully being their own story. And warning - you WILL blush while reading this!

This is a novel about love, self-worth, and getting out of your own head to experience life. With the underlying sports theme, it made it that much more enjoyable for me (I started reading this prior to game seven of the Stanley Cup Finals rooting for the Panthers!). I did like that the man fell first, and that Tallulah makes him grovel (I’m not necessarily sure everything is believable – but it makes for a great story that you can easily get lost in). 4 stars!

Thank you so much to NetGalley for this delicious arc; all opinions are my own!

“Happiness didn’t just appear out of thin air, a man had to search for it, cultivate it, and guard it with their life.”

I am obsessed with anything Tessa Bailey writes, but her recent series is just so good! He’s a single dad, she’s the live in nanny. Both characters are fighting off their chemistry to no avail. I love the tropes of him falling first and the grumpy/sunshine dynamic. The perfect summer read!

I unfortunately did not vibe with this book, and I love a good Tessa Bailey book and even love hockey romances more than any other trope. I felt that the MMC (Burgess) was so controlling and toxic. The insta-love he had for Tallulah (FMC) was an instant turn off for me. I didn't absolutely hate this book, I did really like Tallulah, Chloe and Sig (hoping they get a book, pretty please), Wes and Josephine's life after Fan Girl Down, and Lissa (the daughter). It was just Burgess's actions and words that I didn't like, but I think other people would find this book really good especially if they love Tessa Bailey's writing style. People have different tastes in books but this will be one I could recommend to people.

Thank you for allowing me to read this ARC!

Thanks to HarperCollins for sharing the ARC with me.

The Au Pair Affairs is the 2nd book in Tessa Bailey's Big Shots series. In this book, the MC is a famous Boston Hockey player who is a divorced dad with a pre-teen daughter. The FC is a grad student who needs a safe place to live when she moves to Boston. Sparks flew when these two briefly met in the Fangirl Down (they are each best friends with the main characters in the 1st Big Shots book). So the MC hires FC to be his daughter's live-in nanny. And the sparks continue to fly once they move in together. If you enjoy Bailey's books, this one will not disappoint.

As much as I love all things Tessa Bailey, this book felt a little… stale. Maybe because I feel like I know her writing so well after reading so many of her books, but there was nothing new in Burgess and Tallulah’s story. Even the alpha male/baby girl spice left me feeling… okay. I still enjoyed the story and can’t wait for more in the series. Hopefully this was a singular occurrence for me.

Thank you for giving me the chance to read this amazing book! I will be posting a review soon on my instagram

I absolutely loved it. Hearing that Tallulah is a past trauma survivor really helped me to connect with her character.

Burgess was literally a sweetheart off the ice, and I loved that about him, but on the ice he is a real savage!

I love how the relationship blossoms between the two.

Let me just start by saying that anything Tessa Bailey writes, I will be OBSESSED with!

This book was amazing! Following Tallulah’s story of getting over trauma and Burgess trying to help her while also falling in love was beautiful. There was no much au pairing being done in this book which is funny considering the title. The spice was as impeccably written as per usual. It was so HOT 🥵. I really liked this books a lot. I love books where he falls first and this one did not disappoint! It was sweet and cute and just everything you would expect from a hockey romance and I love that Tessa is so diverse with her stories and that every story is different. I also can’t wait to read Sig and Chloe’s book….I also loved Wells and Josephine’s pop ups in this book. Highly recommend!

Thank you @harpercollins for the ARC!

Ah, yes. Another Tessa Bailey book I read nearly all of in one sitting!

Lately it feels like every Tessa book I read is my new favorite, and this is no different! I feel so hard for both Tallulah and Burgess. They bring out the best in eachother, and their chemistry is flawless and full of tension. Tallulah enters Burgess’ life when she is overcoming a pretty major trauma, and she’s not sure whether she’ll ever be able to trust a man fully again, let alone one who is known for being aggressive in his hockey games. However, she learns incredibly fast that Burgess is a gentle giant, and also one who is fiercely invested in becoming better for his daughter.

This brings me to something I’ve learned about myself from this book: I love, and I mean LOVE, a man who doesn’t let his ego get in the way of self-improvement. From the very first moment that Tallulah suggests that something he’s doing might not be working, he doesn’t hesitate to not only seriously consider the possibility, but also to put it into action. This made me fall for him harder than ever, grumpy demeanor and all.

I just have nothing but good things to say about this. We also got a nice little bonus follow up with Josephine and Wells from Fangirl Down, which made my heart incredibly happy. There is some family drama that crops up, but it is quick and well handled. In the third act, Burgess does mess up pretty big, but I actually found myself understanding it and rooting for him afterward (knowing that Burgess groveling will be the best groveling there could be.. and oh man was I right). All this thrown together with: hockey romance, classic TB spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️, laugh out loud humor, an adorable father-daughter relationship (and blended family!), as well as Easter eggs for the probably next story and I am just completely in love.

Thank you to Avon & Harper Voyager & NetGalley for this eArc!

4.5 stars

The Au Pair Affair is yet another example of Tessa Bailey’s romantic supremacy. A worthy and satisfying follow-up to Fangirl Down, this novel focuses on Tallulah and Burgess, who bring their own unique grumpy/sunshine dynamic to the page.

I always love reading about a gruff male main character who finally feels a feeling when he meets his person. And Bailey executes that energy to perfection with Burgess. Being in his POV as he tries to suss out his feelings is an utter delight. And Tallulah’s voice is similarly unique and engaging. You definitely know which perspective you’re reading and when.

Even though there are certain themes and tropes that are prevalent in Bailey’s work, they never feel trite or repetitive. Same with Bailey’s penchant for dirty talking heroes. Her skill is in creating an archetype that feels fresh and new every single time. Her characters leap off the page and feel as real as the people you know in real life.

I loved this book and this series (so far). And I’m hoping there are more stories from this universe yet to come!

I’ve read four Tessa Bailey novels so when I start one of these I know what I’m getting into and ya’ll they get me every time 😂.

This was so ridiculous and I had a good time. It’s a hockey novel so all the hockey rom com lovers this is FOR YOU. I think this is my first hockey rom com.

So this 37 year old divorced dad professional hockey player hires this 26 year old Marine Biologist grad student to live at his house and nanny his 12 year old daughter. Cooking isn’t part of the deal but she’s going to cook, don’t you worry about it.

The woman on her first day changes her mind about the job and is like maybe I shouldn’t live with this random man I don’t know, because I was STALKED AND KIDNAPPED ONE TIME AND KEPT IN A CLOSET FOR TWO DAYS AND THEN ESCAPED AND THE DUDE WAS ARRESTED AND ☠️ IN JAIL.

TESSA. BAILEY. MA’AM. Why isn’t this woman in therapy? 😂😂😂

So immediately my thriller brain starts running like, is the guy actually ☠️? Will he show up later? Did he escape prison, get plastic surgery, and turn into the classmate that’s started to creepily hitting on the woman, stalking her for revenge? Will this hockey player have to take out this potential murdururrr?!

But alas. No. Nothing comes of any of that really other than eventually she feels safe doing things alone even though hockey dude is weirdly overprotective.

Anyway, who the hell cares what I think. Tessa Bailey writes ‘em and the romance readers buy them and we all have a good time reading them cause we all know everyone is really just here for the spice 🔥. And this book is spicy 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥. So a win all around despite how weird the nanny trope is 😂. Also I think some dude was crushing on his future stepsister?? I don’t know where that was going, but maybe that’s the next book.

If you like Tessa Bailey novels, you know you’re gonna buy this, read it, and enjoy it. I laughed a few times and cringed a few times, but I breezed through this so fast, it made it all worth it. It was a fun time, aside from everything that was weird. 😂

Thank you @netgalley and @avonbooks for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Tessa Bailey brings her signature blend of humor, heart, and heat to "The Au Pair Affair," a delightful sports rom-com about a grumpy, single dad and his quirky live-in nanny. This story had me hooked from the start and kept me invested until the very end.

Tallulah is a vibrant and intelligent 26-year-old studying to be a marine biologist, but she’s also broke. Enter Burgess, a rugged, battle-scarred hockey veteran and newly single dad, who offers her a job as his live-in nanny. This setup promises not just a paycheck but a chance to live in a fancy neighborhood and spend time with his cool but introverted tween daughter, Lissa.

Burgess is a bit rough around the edges, more comfortable on the ice than in the dating scene. His chemistry with Tallulah is undeniable, but he’s torn between his daughter’s wish to see her parents back together and his growing feelings for Tallulah. This internal struggle adds depth to his character and makes their budding romance even more compelling.

Tallulah’s free spirit and adventurous nature make her the perfect foil for Burgess’s grumpy demeanor. Their interactions are filled with witty banter and genuine moments of connection. Tallulah’s efforts to help Burgess re-enter the dating scene lead to some hilarious and heartwarming situations, but it’s clear that their connection goes beyond mere attraction.

The story takes a turn when Tallulah decides to step back for the sake of Burgess’s daughter, leading to a rift that had me rooting for their reconciliation. The push and pull between them, along with some well-earned groveling, make their eventual reunion all the more satisfying.

Bailey excels at creating likable characters and relatable situations. The secondary characters, including Burgess’s teammates and Tallulah’s friends, add richness to the story without overshadowing the main couple. The romance is well-paced, with just the right amount of tension and resolution to keep readers engaged.

Overall, "The Au Pair Affair" is a delightful read that combines the charm of a sports romance with the warmth of a family drama. It’s a story about finding love in unexpected places and learning to open your heart, even when it seems easier to keep it closed. Tessa Bailey has crafted another winner with this one, and I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next.

Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for providing a digital review copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

The Au Pair Affair was so cute! It had some of my favorite tropes- hulky hockey player, age gap, grumpy sunshine, single day, protector MMC, obsessed/ he falls first MMC. Thank you so much Avon Books for the advanced copy of The Au Pair.

I was SO excited to read this after loving Will and Josephine's story in Fangirl Down. Safe to say, I think Tallulah and Burgess win. They were chef's kiss!!

Tallulah is a 26yo marine biologist who just moved back from abroad to get her masters degree in Boston. Burgess is a 37yo professional hockey play who desperately needs help with his 12yo daughter, Lissa. He longs for a connection with her, but he has no idea how. He then had an opportunity to hire Tallulah as Lissa's au pair and even though Tallulah was a bit apprehensive (Burgess can be brutal on the ice, and because she had past trauma she was concerned) she agreed to move in. This is where Burgess falls hard and fast!! He was SO protective of Tallulah and wanted to always make sure she was ok. Burgess is turning into one of my fave MMC ever, honestly. I also LOVED seeing Tallulah and Lissa get close, even though Lissa was holding out hope that her mom and dad would get back together. Their bond was super sweet!! Tallulah was able to help Lissa through the typical pre-teen drama in ways Burgess couldn't. Tallulah and Burgess both have things that make their story a bit complicated and I don't want to give too much away, but y'all-- this book is GOOD. I promise even the third act break up makes it all worth it too!! Tessa Bailey is Queen!!

This book has so much of everything and I was living for it!! It was such a sweet, spicy, insane chemistry filled book. These two had me turning the pages SO FAST!!
-Nanny/boss
-grumpy/sunshine
-age gap
-he falls first
-forced proximity
-single dad

Highly recommend this one. Many many thanks to Avon and Harper Voyager for this ARC!!!

sometimes books by this author seem a touch pat and quick to land, but this one was just right and I enjoyed seeing the update on previous characters from the same series.

Whew! Tessa Bailey does it again in this scorching hockey romance!

Burgess is definitely the "Mean Daddy" every sports romance lover will be wanting to call on in their time of need. This burly hockey player puts the grump in grumpy, and is known to all of Boston as Sir Savage. His daughter lives with him during the week, and he is in desperate help. Being a girl dad is hard when you don't handle emotions... or communicating well. Tallulah is our sunshine heroine, who loves to go out on adventures... and live life - conquering one fear at a time. Her gentle nature, and insightful observations make her the perfect Au Pair.

To Burgess... Tallulah is smart, beautiful, emotionally damaged, young, and now... his nanny. When they are together sparks fly. But, what happens when all consuming chemistry makes you feel like a feature of a cheesy adult feature film waiting to happen?

This laugh out loud romance will have you flipping the pages, eating up this hilarious duo - quicker than Sir Savage would love to become Sir Taken. With excellent side characters, drama that comes with having a co-parenting household, spicy romance scenes, and overcoming our biggest obstacles - theres a bit of everything for everyone!

Read if you love:

-Hockey Romance
-Grumpy/Sunshine
-Opposites Attract
-Forced Proximity
-Nanny/Boss
-Single Dad
-Miscommunication
-Age Gap
-Fun side character cameos
-Touch Her and Die vibes
-Alpha Heros
-"Screw it" moments

-- QUOTES --

"There was something about his energy that read... safe. Very safe. Protective."

"Since I'm your dad, Corrigan, why don't you just ask your mom if I qualify?" (team bantering)

"Making Tallulah laugh was like taking a shower in sunshine."

"I want to get attached, Tallulah," he said on top of her mouth. "Nah, I'm already more than a little obsessed with you, aren't I? You start babbling my name while I spoon-feed you orgasms, I will get attached. Happily. Just like I'll happily knock out anyone else who tries. Be. Sure."

"Burgess like playing protector. Yet he still wanted to help Tallulah stand on her own two feet again. That said a lot about his character."

"I want to be important to you."

"Tallulah was endgame. He needed her to get that."

"Still, even at twenty-six, she knew this feeling wouldn't come around again. Nor would she find someone so caring and noble and steadfast. This man was a treasure and giving up would be something she regretted for a long time. Maybe even the rest of her life. So, she wouldn't. She physically couldn't. He'd slowly knit himself into the fabric of her existence."

"Happiness didn't just appear out of thin air, a man had to search for it, cultivate it, and guard it with their life."

The Au Pair Affair is the highly anticipated follow up to Tessa Bailey's golf romance, Fangirl Down. I loved the insta-chemistry between Burgess and Tallulah in Fangirl Down. Burgess offers Tallulah a place to live in exchange for working as a nanny. His teenager daughter is a great addition to the story and I loved the family element. Loved the hockey elements and side friendships. Bailey readers are going to love the chemistry and romance that heats up in this novel! There is a slow build with so much tension.

Personally, there was just something off for me in this book. It may have been the back stories or the work dynamics. Looking forward to the next!

Thank you so much #Netgalley and #Avon for the early read. All opinions are my own.

2/5 ⭐⭐

As a huge Tessa fan, this was a highly anticipated read for me. However, I have to be honest... might just let this one drift to that sad pit in my brain where the Land of the Forgotten Books go. I can't defend this one.

Burgess is just way too Alpha-beefy-possessive male. Some of the things he says to Tallulah, I didn't even want her to forgive him for. He is toxic.

Part of the reason I was so excited for this book in particular was the single dad/nanny trope, which is typically so heartwarming. You see the bonds and love start to grow not only between the love interests, but with the children as well. Here, we barely get to know/see Lissa much at all. It didn't feel like a single dad/nanny romance at all, they were just constantly lusting after one another and being problematic. And big. Did we mention how big he is?

I needed more Lissa, more kind-compassionate-dad Burgess, and definitely more intelligent-adventurous-biologist Tallulah.

Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC copy!

The Au Pair Affair by Tessa Bailey
Book two in Big Shots series.

I recommend reading the books in order as the characters from the first book are revisited.

This is a forbidden romance trope, obs if the title didn't clue you in.

We meet both Burgess and Tallulah in the previous book, this is their story. Burgess is a single dad just trying to connect with his daughter. He needs someone who can be there when he's traveling and such, as a professional hockey player he's on the road a considerable amount. Tallulah is working on her masters degree and has nanny experience, so this would be the perfect gig for her, if she wasn't equally scared of her new boss and attracted to him. She's working through issues, but opening herself up to be things is one of her promises, so she's doing the scary thing. Now, Burgess has to earn his way into her heart.

Hockey romance, rom-com with lots of banter, slow burn, age gap, spice... need I say more?! This was an ARC read for me, and also my first book I've read of Tessa Bailey, and I am a fan! I love her writing and her capability of ripping out my heart and putting it back together. Tallulah is a broken student who is offered a live-in nanny role for a single dad, Burgess, of a 12 year old daughter, who happens to not just be 11 years older, but a pro hockey player. Her rent is free while also getting paid to be the nanny. She is reluctant at first, but takes the job. Lissa loves her nanny but would love her parents to get back together. Tallulah adores Lissa and don't want to lose her job by blurring lines with her boss. She has trauma to recover from, but so does he. They cannot deny their growing attraction and things get spicy. Read the book for yourself to experience their love, heartbreak and happiness. 10/10!