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.

like I said with fangirl down we LOVE an obsessed man!!! I don’t know what it is about this dynamic that I will just eat up every single time!!!

I so so appreciate that neither the au pair affair nor fangirl down were built on miscommunication. I love that tallulah and burgess communicated so honestly with each other and they really just had to work through their own demons to find their way to each other.

thank you so much to NetGalley and Avon for this digital ARC!

I really enjoyed Fan Girl Down so I had high hopes for this one. I’m happy to say that it met my expectations! I enjoyed Burgess and Tallulah’s chemistry and their growth through the story. There were a few minor editing issues but they did not detract from the overall story, I’m looking forward to the next installment in the series about Chloe and Sig!

This was my first ever sports rom com and it didn’t disappoint! I can see why people love these books and per usual the queen Tessa Bailey knocked it out of the park. I loved the characters, the romance, the spice, the banter. It was such a fun time

When Tallulah agrees to be the au pair for hockey legend Burgess, she doesn't know exactly what she's getting into.

This was a good new one from queen Tessa Bailey. Here's what I liked:

Burgess. This man was smitten immediately and I liked seeing how he would handle his feelings and trying to get Tallulah to see him as more than just her boss. He's so sweet but also rough in all the right places. Loved him.

The Spice. Bailey is the romcom spice queen and that shines in this one! There were many well placed spicy scenes that were top tier.

Old friends. I adored Fangirl Down and Loved seeing Wells and Josephine again. I also liked meeting Sig and Chloe who I know will be the next book in the series!

All in all, this was a good sports romcom!

Thank you to the author and publisher for the gifted copy!

By far my favorite Tessa Bailey book I’ve read. The plot is cliched but Bailey writes characters that are so relatable and intriguing that you don’t care. A perfect summer beach read.

Tessa Bailey does it again with a fun-filled romp through the blossoming romance of a hockey player and his nanny. Great summer read.

Thank you to NetGalley, Avon/Harper Voyager, and Ms. Bailey for the opportunity to read an ARC of this title. An honest review was requested but not required.

OK, it's official, I'm adding myself to Tessa Bailey's autobuy queue. Seriously. I would buy toilet paper if she wrote on it. While this one didn't have the startlingly, devastatingly sexy shock factor of a HOT GOLF ROMANCE (I mean, for real, I am still completely astonished months later by how Ms. Bailey managed to make khakis SEXY) it was nonetheless amazing. At this point I give up, Ms. Bailey writes my kryptonite, just take my money already.

Burgess, single dad, aging hockey star, has the hots for Tallulah, biology grad student, friend of Josephine from Fangirl Down, and daughter's new au pair. But Burgess isn't looking for a fling, and Tallulah isn't in search of an instafamily and a commitment. These obstacles are pretty solid, and that's before Burgess' struggles with imminent retirement and health issues, Tallulah's resistance to their age gap and her traumatic history with men, and Burgess's twelve year old daughter who desperately wants her parents to get back together. The angst was well done and the slow burn was very rewarding. Frankly despite knowing full well how these things end I sort of thought their third act breakup would stick - on paper these two just had a LOT of obstacles and some pretty serious issues to overcome. It was so realistically miserable that I felt my joy in the romance slip a little bit. Because it was SO heavy and emotionally draining I don't think this is a book I would re-read.

All the same overall I loved the book and would certainly recommend it. 4 stars.