The Au Pair Affair is the second book in the Big Shots series by Tessa Bailey and while you probably don't have to read the first book in order to read this one, you should. The mc's from that book come up in this one (they are best friends) and plus, it's a good book.

If you did read the first book, you'll recall that Tallulah agreed to be an au pair for Burgess (a professional hockey player) and this book picks up on the day she is supposed to move in and start her new job. Unfortunately, she is having second thoughts. She just happened to catch a clip of Burgess taking out someone from the other team and other than the fact that he's single and attractive, Tallulah knows nothing about him. So when she calls him from the smoothie shop from across the street (just as he happens to be walking in) she has an opportunity to let him know her decision in person.

Burgess has no understanding of how to connect with his daughter, Lissa and when he offered the au pair position to Tallulah he knew this would be a good way to have someone in his house who could connect with her. Only now she doesn't want the job and he feels responsible for her because she clearly can't afford to live in what he would consider a safe area of Boston. When his plan to help Tallulah out goes awry and she ends up taking the job anyway, things start to get very interesting. As Burgess struggles to stay on top of his game, as the oldest player on the team, he also struggles with trying to keep it professional with Tallulah.

I loved these two together. Burgess was so protective of Tallulah - even when he didn't need to be (e.g. the apartment thing) and he was nothing but respectful of her wishes. And Tallulah challenged Burgess - she pushed him out of his comfort zone and forced him to consider things from a different perspective. Of course, one of the challenges here is Lissa. She is sure that her parents are going to get back together and when they are "caught", Tallulah takes a step back to give Burgess space to handle it. But he's not ready to let her go.

Now, that's not the last of their challenges though because as I mentioned, Burgess is getting up there in hockey years and he's feeling it. When something happens (I won't say what) Burgess takes his anger and frustration out on Tallulah and does the unthinkable by throwing her past in her face. And when I say unthinkable, it's unforgivable in Tallulah's mind.

As Burgess works to figure out how to fix himself and them and Tallulah works to move ahead with her life, they both know they will be together for their friend's wedding and the question is, will be an opportunity to fix what's broken or an opportunity to have a final goodbye. I'm not going to tell you - you'll have to read the book to find out.

I love this series and I hope the next book is about a certain couple that made an appearance throughout this book. That said, if you're looking for a new contemporary romance with some spice, consider picking this one up. As you may know, I'm not a huge contemporary reader but these books have won me over and I'll continue to grab them the minute I can.

This was even a little over the top for this author and I was upset about it! I loved these characters but some of this was just not romantic. The daddy stuff was bad. I loved these stories and I love steam but that was a little icky.

I wanted to like this book as I have enjoyed most of her other books. This one wasn’t great, some dialogue during the spicy scenes was so cringe and the backstory of the female main character was a departure from Bailey’s usual style and didn’t seem to fit the overall story.

Just when I think I’ve nailed down which Tessa Bailey book is my favorite (the answer is all of them), she releases a new one that completely blows me away. “The Au Pair Affair” is no exception!

“The Au Pair Affair” follows Burgess Abraham, a battle-scarred hockey veteran, and Tallulah Aydin, an aspiring marine biologist, after she agrees to be his live-in nanny. But as boundaries are slowly crossed, Burgess finds himself himselfpulled between his tween daughter, who wants her parents back together, and his insane chemistry with Tallulah.

From their very first interaction in “Fangirl Down”, I knew Tallulah and Burgess belonged together. Their chemistry radiates off the page with Burgess’ surliness perfectly complimenting Tallulah’s quirkiness. With the two of them living under one roof, they begin to open up, confide in, and lean on each other. I love how Burgess was respectful of Tallulah’s boundaries when he learned that her trauma left her feeling uncomfortable around men. He did everything in his power to help her feel safe and did not begin to pursue her until she gave him the ok. Burgess is very protective of her (*swoons*) and I really enjoyed watching Tallulah’s character go from being fearful of letting go to a courageous adventurer with him at her side to give her endless support.

At the same time Tallulah is there to uplift Burgess when he feels insecure about where he is at in his hockey career. She catches on to the pain he masks to avoid being benched or forced into retirement and she reassures him that he does not need to shoulder his fears alone. Tallulah is nothing if not persistent and convinces Burgess (in a way that made my heart pound more than is probably healthy) to seek out medical attention and show him that he is valued by his teammates.

Bailey does such a great job making their connection feel palpable and creating a conflict that had the two of them fighting for the love that blossomed between them without losing sight of Lissa’s needs. This is a story about healing, finding your happily ever after, and discovering your self-worth. It has consumed my every waking thought since I picked it up and I know I will be obsessing over it for a long time!

Really fun and simple! Talullah and Burgess were fun to read about, giving the signature TessaBailey character traits that make it easy to fall in love and root for the characters to work. At times some of the details including Burgess’s daughter and his job of being a hockey player seemed to be pushed to the side, becoming details as opposed to pieces of a story, but I enjoyed seeing the two of them come together once more.

This romance was so cute! (And spicy--I mean, it's Tessa Bailey) She's the absolute master of a spicy rom-com. A lot of authors can't really pull it off. They either go too heavy on the spice or too happy as a rom-com to have any character or story arcs. But Bailey is so good at this. She does an excellent job of blending the two.

Here are some things I liked about this book:

1. I love Tallulah being a grad student in marine biology. That was a really fun take on the "au pair" trope.

2. Competency kink is big for me. I like grown adults with adult problems. I like watching them navigate through realistic situations.

3. Obviously, the spice and dirty talk. Tessa is the Queen.


Now, I liked Burgess, don't get me wrong, but didn't really feel a connection to him. He felt kinda generic (but still sexy and sweet) I think I may like Wells from the first book better. Hockey player romances, in my opinion, have to be pretty unique to be good, and while I liked this one, it didn't blow my socks off. If you like Tessa's rom-coms, you won't be disappointed. I'm just starting to wish for a little more from her.

So freaking good!!! I loved Fangirl and was so curious about the friend mentioned in it but to meet her is to love her and now I just want to read both books again as comfort reads to make my soul happy. So much love for anything Tessa Bailey writes and this is definitely another home run oh wait that’s baseball … hat trick is hockey but it’s only book 2?!? I’m mixing my sports metaphors but really this book is outstanding.

Let me start this by saying, I love a big overprotective MMC and I love that the FMC was portrayed as strong but yet not afraid to show her weaknesses. I love that he put in the work to make her feel safe around him. What I didn’t particularly like about the story was the spice. I don’t mind spice, but there almost seemed to be more spice than plot which I didn’t care for. I found myself trying to push through this one at times just for the sake of getting through it,

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

I love when we have a pining male main character, and this book did not disappoint!

This book can be read and a stand alone, but I think you’ll have more fun if you start with Fan Girl Down!

This book definitely grabbed me right from the start, I had a smile on my face. The writing was great and the characters just clicked for me.

As usually Tessa Bailey brings the spice, and a dirty talking hero. This is an age gap romance, with the FMC in her mid 20s and the MMC in his mid 30s. Forced proximity is a give, with and single dad nanny trope that was done super well.

I’m definitely looking forward to the next book in this series!

I so wanted to love this one as much as I loved Fangirl Down but unfortunately, I didn't. It had all the makings for an amazing romance: single dad, grumpy vs sunshine, he falls first, "who did this", nanny/close proximity, but the reason I think it didn't hit the mark is because it kind of over did it in some respects. Burgess is your typical grumpy, hockey is my whole life, MMC and while I found his grumpy nature at times to be amusing, especially in contrast to Tallulah's sunny disposition, most of the time I didn't. His protectiveness over Tallulah verged a little too much into the possessiveness category which is a hard no for me. Also, there is an 11 year age gap between Tallulah and Burgess and while I love a good age gap romance, the differences in maturity levels was way too apparent which made for a weird dynamic, in my opinion.

What I did find interesting about this book is that compared to other Tessa Bailey books, this one had a dark, trauma aspect to it. Some may like the additional depth that that story line adds to this book but others may be more interested in one of Tessa Bailey's light hearted, with a little bit of drama, stories instead.

Now, if you are looking for a spice filled book, look no further! After about 25% of the book, you can't get more than a chapter or so without some pretty detailed and explicit spicy scenes.

I will always be a Tessa Bailey fan and will continue to read everything she publishes, this one just won't be at the top of my favorites list.

Will Tallulah and Burgess get their HEA?

Tallulah Aydin had signed a contract to be an au pair for hockey player Burgess Abraham while she was in graduate school for marine biology. But now she was having second thoughts about moving in with him and his daughter Lissa because of her attraction to Burgess.

Burgess Abraham thought he was too old for Tallulah but there was something about her especially her bond with Lissa. His hopes get a wrench in them when Tallulah ends their relationship because Lissa thinks her parents might get back together.

The Au Pair Affair is a very good sports romance with an age gap but Burgess needs to show Tallulah how much he loves her in the end.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the author and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager for my ARC in exchange for my honest review. This story follows a single dad/hockey player, Burgess who hires Tallulah, a graduate student to be his au pair. Tallulah struggles from a traumatic past and slowly but surely learns to trust Burgess, despite his reputation for being a hot headed hockey player. I love the grumpy sunshine romance and the storyline was overall very fun! The spice was crazy in a good way, but definitely one of the more spicy Tessa Bailey books that I’ve read!

The Au Pair Affair, a novel by Tessa Bailey, available July 16, 2024!

We got sprouts of the blooming attraction of hockey defenseman Burgess “Sir Savage” Abraham and biology grad student Tallulah in Fangirl Down, and this follow-up did not disappoint. Burgess asks Tallulah to work for him as his daughter Lissa’s au pair to help give her a place to live and some income while attending Boston University. But Tallulah has her reservations based on a traumatic experience, not only physically but emotionally. She’s grappling with learning to trust on so many levels, and Burgess is intent on breaking them down, but with complete and utter cinnamon roll ooey-gooey goodness. He’s also unsure of his future in hockey and what his purpose is in life outside of being a father who is a bit out of touch. Tallulah is like magic for this relationship and helps him be a better person on and off the ice. Also, he says that she makes him feel “immortal,” and I about lost my damn mind.

These MCs were down bad for each other the whole book. The pining and banter was phenomenal, and the spice and dirty talk is what one would expect from the master herself, Tessa Bailey. Plus, you know they will *ahem* in public – I always can’t wait for that scene! I was pulled into this book from the beginning. The will-they-won’t-they had me rooting for them the whole book. I laughed out loud several times… “I only need one hand to drive this car,” and calling Burgess with his shirt off a “flesh fest,” not to mention the utter gut-wrenching third act. This is one not to miss! (P.S. bonus points for being set in Boston ❤️)

Also, we know TB has the Big Shots series planned for at least three more books, including Sig and Chloe. I cannot wait to learn more about this forbidden stepsibling hockey player meets harpist prodigy obsessed with skin care. Waiting until February is going to be torture!

Thank you so much to Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read an advanced (e-)reader copy and a chance to rate and review this book!

4.5 ⭐️ 2 🌶

The Au Pair Affair is the second book in Tessa Bailey’s Big Shot series and follows Burgess and Tallulah.

I flew through this book because I could not stop turning the pages. This story grabs you from the first page and doesn’t let you go.

Tessa’s ability to craft a world in which you want to be a part of is unparalleled. Her characters are interesting and layered. I want to go on adventures with Tallulah. I want to sit rinkside and watch Burgess in all his growly glory. The way they grow on their journeys of healing and self-discovery is an inspiration. Leave it to Tessa to take a book written in 3rd POV (not my favorite POV) and make it one of my favorite books of the year.

The Au Pair Affair felt like one of Ms. Bailey's more raw books; Tallulah is dealing with stuff much heavier than other FMCs in the past. I'm a hockey fan, so it was fun to read about that from her perspective and see how much of Burgess's life revolved around it (aka entirely). I never understood how people couldn't separate the player from the person (who he is on the ice vs. off it), but that's a me thing and not anything I'm holding against the book. I can respect both characters and their decisions and hesitations when jumping into a relationship together (especially Tallulah). They each respected and admired each other, and it was fun to watch them blossom into something more and extend that to Lissa to form a cute little family unit. The spicy scenes were hottt and felt different from her other books, so I am totally here for it. I did not see the direction the book was heading (setting and sub-plot wise), which made me want to go back and reread a particular other book. I enjoyed this book; it was a much-needed pick-me-up for summer!

Thank you to Avon & Harper Voyage for the advanced copy of this book.
I really loved this one by Tessa Bailey. It was smart, sexy, and deeper than your average RomCom.
I love forbidden love and falling for the nanny falls into this category. Tallulah is hired as an Au Pair for a big ole' hockey player, Burgess. Burgess is divorced and has preteen daughter. Tallulah is great with his daughter and helps to build a bridge of communication between the two.,
Burgess is nicknamed "mean daddy" and I am here for it. He is large and in charge and knows what he wants. What he wants is Tallulah. He falls hard and fast, while Tallulah has past trauma that takes her a bit longer to see what is right in front of her.
There is a third act breakup, but it worked in this story. I loved the banter between the two and the spice was great when mean daddy came out to play.
We get a visit from Josephine and Wells from 'Fangirl Down.' The side characters add so much to this story and I cannot wait for the next story in this universe.
It is a fast read with no lull moments. This is one of my favorites of Tessa Bailey so far.

Thank you to Avon for providing me with an eARC for Tessa Bailey’s The Au Pair Affair through NetGalley in return for my honest review.

This is the second book to the Big Shots series where we follow Josephine’s best friend, Tallulah, while she makes her way back to her oldself before a tragic event (check TW). She’s enrolled into grad school and has currently taken a nanny job with Well’s hockey friend Burgess (Josephine & Wells are both from Fangirl Down #1 in the Big Shots). Burgess is a single dad to a 12 year old, 11 years older than Tallulah, and struggling with his performance as a top athlete close to retirement. There is INSTANT attraction between the two, but also many obstacles they have to get through before taking any steps towards a relationship. It was a great build up to what’s meant to be a great relationship.

This book had a great mix of sweetness and smuttiness. The respect they had for each other’s boundaries and the communication is the type that can only be found in books. I really like both Tallulah and Burgess individually but together??? Even more.

Hey Alexa, play SZA’s “big boy”

ALSO, the side characters (I won’t name who to avoid spoilers), that’s another relationship I’d RACE to read about!!!

4.5/5. Gobbled it. It should come as no surprise that Tessa had knocked it out of the park again. I will forgive her for naming him “Burgess” because he is also a DILF, which does mean I think we could have used "daddy" more ;). . I really appreciate how even though it's a rom-com, there are still serious moments and Tallulah might be one of my favorite FMCs in a book recently because she is so confident and brave. I also normally don't love kids in books but Lissa is a firecracker and I honestly could have had more of her! This book does a good job of building off of Fangirl Down while still giving Tallulah and Burgess their own story. AND setting up the next one...

Thank you to Tessa Bailey and Avon via NetGalley for the eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

If you’re looking for a hockey romance that features a little bit of an age gap (I’m sorry 11 years isn’t a lot once you’re past 25), solid character growth, a single father, and likable lead heroine, then I highly recommend The Au Pair Affair.

I can’t say I loved it. I’m starting to realize that while I enjoy contemporary romances, I never end up loving them like fantasy romances. That being said, I think this is a solid book that people who do love contemporary romance will highly enjoy. I thought both the leads were well-developed, learned and grew throughout the story. I’ve found that a lot of romance ends up with the 3rd act conflict being full miscommunication or just one character is in the wrong. This conflict was nuanced because both of the characters had to realize their mistakes throughout the novel and fix the situation.

This is a fairly spicy book and I thought those parts were good. I will say that Tessa Bailey’s characters often say the most unhinged stuff doing these kinds of scenes. Sometimes to the point that I get fully out of the story.

This book is obviously leading up to a 3rd about a certain other couple. I’m very intrigued to see how Bailey handles that whole situation.

Fun, over the top, steamy hockey romance. I go into Tessa Bailey’s books knowing it will be a fun time and this was no exception. Was it the most realistic? Nope. But I read this kind of book for escape.