It’s a Tessa Bailey book. It was fine up until the conflict. The resolution was too abrupt, and it felt rushed. I wish the daughter was more involved.

This was a light, breezy romcom that has a little bit of hockey and a lot of romance, just the way I like it. Tessa Bailey has some tried-and-trues that she put to good use here: a growly, strong-and-silent hero, though a little softer around the edges because he's also a dad, a bright, vivacious heroine who's juuuust a little bit of a brat, and of course, everyone being super horny for the size difference.

Tessa's not trying to reinvent the wheel with this book, but there are a couple specific things I appreciated: First the au pair part— Tallulah's charge, Burgess's daughter Lissa is a tween, older than a lot of kids in nanny romances, so it doesn't feel icky in that way where young women are dropped into ready-made families and IMMEDIATELY assume a maternal role— Tallulah is more of a big-sister to Lissa, and even that comes with time. And Lissa isn't weirdly precocious or used as a prop to bring the couple together; she's dealing with her own issues at school and actually functions as an obstacle for Burgess and Tallulah's romance.

There's also the age gap stuff: There's an 11 year age difference between Tallulah and Burgess but she's 26 and he's 37, and I thought it was treated with the right level of maturity, like, Burgess isn't freaking out about how she's *so young* because she isn't; Instead, he acknowledges that they're in different places life-wise, especially because she has her own career dreams, and he's divorced and has a daughter. Which are all valid things to consider, but the age gap itself isn't super harped on. He also treats Tallulah with a lot of care because of her past trauma related to a man she trusted, but again, he acknowledges that she's an adult who knows her own mind.

And that's something that impacts their early relationship; Burgess proves himself as a trustworthy person before Tallulah starts to fall for him, no matter how physically attracted she was right off the bat. There is a third act breakup, but I was actually surprised by what prompted it: it's less about external pressure and lot of it has to do with Burgess feeling like a has-been, and believing that he has no identity outside professional hockey. So there is a grovel and a fairly drawn-out one at that, something I thought was necessary and done well.

The sex:

Here's what you can expect: classic Tessa Bailey dirty talk, allegedly-platonic massages, a very hot mutual masturbation moment that also functions as emotional edging (which, I love), and some dry-humping action. Burgess does another classic Tessa Bailey thing where he refuses to go all the way until Tallulah is willing to commit and won't regret being with him afterwards (leading to the aforementioned edging). And Tallulah is a size queen, because of course she is.

Overall:

Like I said earlier, Tessa isn't trying to reinvent the wheel with this book, but what we do get is solid; it's light and fun, a great beach read with just the right amount of growly possessiveness and sexy shenanigans we expect from this author.

Thank you to Avon Books and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Rating: 4/5
Heat Level: 3.5/5
Publication Date: July 16th

Thank you Netgalley and Avon Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Ok! I will say this feels out of Tessa Bailey's element. Like right off the bat. I'm diving into the bad. It feels so unnatural to see her writing these types of sport romance novels. This just might be me though. However I feel like as just a romance story it works really well. She knows what she is writing and how to go about it. It's a good romance but a sports romance it just feels unnatural.

Tessa Bailey fans are going to love The Au Pair Affair! It is EXTRA spicy, full of angst, happy ending(s), and set up for another book! I recommend this - and most Tessa Bailey books- to those readers looking for gritty more erotic romance with open-door explicit scenes. However, there is a sweetness as the characters deal with strong feelings and personal trauma.

I loved this book like I love all of Tesss Baileys! Tallullah and Burgess are opposites and in completely different parts of their lives. But maybe that’s what’s drawing them together?

Some of it is cheesy like all rom coms but it’s a sweet love story with a fiercely protective bear of a man and an intelligent brave woman.

What a sweet romance.
-Age Gap
-Single Dad
-Grumpy x Sunshine
If you enjoy Tessa Bailey's other books you will love this one! I enjoyed seeing Tallulah and Burgess explore their feelings for one another.

I absolutely LOVED this book!!! I can always count on Tessa to write a swoon worthy man and an incredibly relatable beautiful lady.
This is equal parts cute, and touching, and romantic, and spicy as all hell.
I had such a blast reading it, I loved loved loved the dual perspectives, especially when it came to Burgess making it his life’s freaking mission to get that girl!!!!!!!! And I just loved Tallulah, I felt her anxiety and was so proud of her for growing as much as she did during the course of the book.

Thank you endlessly to Avon and Harper Voyager, to Netgalley, and to Tessa Bailey for the opportunity to read this arc.

Listen, I consider myself to be a Josephine-level superfan of Tessa Bailey’s books. She has her own shelf in my library. My coworkers know her name because I lovingly force them to read her books, too. I never get off of my soapbox talking about It Happened One Summer, and Fangirl Down, two of my absolute favorites, but THIS ONE. I swear, the entire ebook is highlighted.

This whole thing was a red lettered book that I absolutely couldn’t put down for a moment.

Friends, coworkers, bookstagram, prepare to hate me, because I won’t be shutting up anytime soon. There’s a gravelly, protective, hockey-playing male main character, and this book WASN’T supposed to send me into orbit? I had no shot here. Also, a female main character who’s passionate about marine biology? Who gets as excited about aquariums as I do? Yes! This book was everything.

Without giving too much away, the way Burgess TALKS literally had my jaw scraping the pavement. You’ll just have to see for yourself. From the very first chapter I was so excited to be able to see things from his point of view.

Lastly, I was really overly excited about two things: so much Wells time, and a reference to Ted Lasso. It made my heart happy.

Now, go get a copy of this book!!!!

This was such a fun and easy read. I absolutely loved Tallulah's infectious energy for her character. I definitely think this is more so a fun quick read, so if you are looking for something deep and overly emotional, then this may be not it for you. Nonetheless I enjoyed reading and absolutely the character chemistry. I also liked how the daughter had a more realistic reaction as a 12 year old towards her nanny and dad dating. Usually most single dad x nanny books I read have deadbeat mothers so the relationship between the nanny and the kid is easier. But in this case, they really had to work through it with the daughter as a huge part of the climax/resolution of the book. Overall a fun hockey romantic comedy!

I absolutely loved this book! The characters had great chemistry and were just easy to love and root for. I also really liked how she portrayed the family dynamics and how they worked through their issues together. Can't wait to read more!

Tallulah is a graduate student looking for a place to live and Burgess needs help with his tween daughter. He offers a place for her to live in exchange for help with his daughter. What could possibly happen? *smirks*

This is a Tessa Bailey book so I was expecting it to be incredibly fun but it surpassed my expectations. This book had me giggling and kicking my feet. I kept on being like "Burgess the man that you are!!" The way I blushed at some of the scenes, you guys it was so good! I absolutely recommend it.

Tropes: Grumpy/sunshine, hockey romance, age gap, and forced proximity.

Thank you to NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager | Avon, and Tessa Bailey for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

I. Loved. This. Book.
The tension was just amazing. Burgess is the perfect example of he falls first, but this man falls HARD. I loved seeing them grow together (even if it hurt me a little). It had the perfect amount of comedic moments which Tessa is an making at. I’m so excited for the next one! ( if there is a next one)

As an avid lover of Tessa Bailey and everything she writes, The Au Pair Affair continues her legacy as an amazing writer. Tallulah is wise beyond her age and an amazing influence on all the other characters in the book. Even though she went through a terrible experience and anxiety developed, in the end she did not let it stop her from living her life. Burgess, Sir Savage, grows drastically as a friend, father, person and eventually boyfriend, due to the influence Tallulah brings to the table. This books is an amazing journey of finding love, messing it up, and figuring out how to fix it, The perfect summer read if you love grumpy x sunshine romance.

"Because he had a date tonight with the woman he'd fallen in love with."

Mean Daddy vibes
Age-gap
He falls first
"Who did this to you"
Touch her and die
Single Father

Well, I have fallen in love with this book! I have read a few Tessa Bailey books and this one right here *aggressively points to the book* is by far my favorite. It's so easy to fall in love with the characters and thoroughly root for their journey of self-growth and love... and other things. This book grabbed me by the collar on the first page and did not let go until I finished the last page. Did I say I am in love with this book??

Tallulah is a broke, 26-year-old grad student, studying to be a marine biologist with an apprehension of pretty much all men and most situations in which she is vulnerable to others. Burgess is a 37-year-old, hockey player as well as a single dad to his tween daughter Lissa. Tallulah needs a job and Burgess needs help with his daughter and navigating the psyche said tween daughter. So it's mutually beneficial for Tallulah to be the au pair for Lissa. It's a bonus that they find each other attractive. The Au Pair Affair is both angsty and sweet, funny and serious. Definitely a must-read!

The Au Pair Affair by Tessa Bailey

This is my 1st Tessa Bailey book. An age-gap, hockey romance, with forced proximity- this book has a lot of tropes romance readers love. It was instalove for Burgess and insta-chemistry for Tallulah which made the plot feel rushed to me. Both MCs are protective of each other with the “who hurt you?” line which was different! However, there were times when smut overpowered plot, he used her insecurities against her in a fight, there was no groveling after their fight, and it was hard to suspend disbelief in the success of their future relationship. The au pair part was done poorly since it wasn’t a slow-burn romance. The hockey and age gap were done well though. Despite my criticisms, this is a fast-paced contemporary romance that some readers will enjoy!

Star Rating: 3
Spice: 4
Pub Date: July 16th
#theaupairaffair #tessabailey #arcreview #comingsoon #sportsromance #readingreccomendations
This has been reviewed on StoryGraph, Instagram, and NetGalley.

Tessa Bailey really can do no wrong when it comes to her sports romance novels. Another fun, lighthearted rom com with a splash of hockey thrown in. I love the sassiness of Tallulah and how Burgess becomes that overprotective male we all crave. A fantastic addition to the T.B. romance line up!
Thank you to @netgalley and @avonandharper @voyager for this advanced copy. This title is due to be published in July, so be sure to add it to your TBR stat!

Burgess is the definition of obsessed- in the best way possible. Her smile, her heart, her story.. only issue is she’s the au pair who does not want a relationship.

There’s of course the age gap *chefs kiss*, burly hockey player *chefs kiss*, single dad x nanny trope *chefs kiss*. But there is the (spoiler alert!) dreaded third act break up. But then there is the (spoiler alert!) glorious groveling!

All in all my cup of tea!

Thank you netgalley for providing me with this e-arc!

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed this book. It's an adorable single-dad, nanny, hockey romcom that does have some serious elements to it. I haven't read the "golf" one but I didn't feel like I needed to, Tessa Bailey does a good job with her interconnected standalones to ensure it doesn't matter which book you pick up, you're going to know what's going on and you're going to be entertained.
This book provided the right amount of tension that kept you asking for more and a slow-ish burn that was just perfection. The character growth for both of the main characters was really fun to read about and see on page. Also, it was hot as hell.

Basically, I really enjoyed this book and can't wait for the next one, you definitely get a clue as to who the next couple is.

it's time to accept that tessa bailey is no longer the author for me. i loved 'it happened one summer' and since have been chasing that high in her other books, only for them to fall short.

this is probably one of the spicier tessa bailey books and... i don't like spice that much. if you like smut and spice, great, you'll love this! however, i didn't and all of the spice distracted me from the rest of the story.

i think this book wasn't just for me. i could see why someone would enjoy it-- the characters are easy to love, they have great chemistry, and had some emotional depth.

Tallulah impulsively accepted Burgess’s offer to nanny his 12 year old daughter and live rent free in his Boston penthouse while she went to graduate school. It seemed like a good (no great) idea until she realized she doesn’t really know this guy and not only that, but she’s very attracted to him.

This was a great book from a smut perspective. A bit contradictory from a plot perspective. I feel like the characters would think something one chapter and say something completely opposite the next. The characters also didn’t really seem to have anything in common aside from being very attractive, but it kept me coming back for more and overall I enjoyed it.