i love the concept but the execution was really not it. i don’t really care about the smut i care about the romance developing and her relationship with his daughter. i think i need to take a break from tessa bailey for a while

Tessa Bailey + hockey romance is everything I've ever wanted. This novel is spicy, heartfelt, laugh out loud funny, and tackles real issues and trauma. If you liked Fangirl Down, you'll love the Au Pair Affair!
Tallulah is the new au pair for Sir Savage, the hockey sensation known for his aggressive play on the ice -- also known as Burgess Abraham, a single dad in desperate need of some help with his 11-year-old daughter. As Tallulah becomes more entrenched in their family unit, she also works her way into Burgess's heart. The two develop an insatiable attraction, but Tallulah's past trauma prevents their heat from turning into anything more.
This book's tropes include forced proximity, he falls first, Mean Daddy, grumpy x sunshine, age gap, single dad, and an HEA. There was also a fun cross-over with Wells and Josephine and I AM PRAYING another book in this world for Sid and Chloe (whom I already love and would sell my soul to see more of).
5⭐
4🌶️

Quick Summary: An age gap, sports romance

My Review: The Au Pair Affair by Tessa Bailey is book #2 in the Big Shots series.

About the Book: Hockey player and single parent dad, Burgess, employs graduate student, Tallulah, as his daughter's au pair. While living together under a new and unfamiliar arrangement, the three learn how to become more to each other.

My Final Say: There were quite a few serious issues associated with this contemporary story. With that said, there was also humor, loyalty, spice, friendship, and love. Burgess and Tallulah had an interesting dynamic between them. I liked how they helped each other to see beyond their experiences.

Other: I'm looking forward to reading the next story in this series. I really liked the team members.

Rating: 3.75/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Status/Level: 💛🌶
Triggers: Assault/kidnapping, fear/trauma, divorce
Series: Yes

Appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (Avon and Harper Voyager | Avon), and to NetGalley. Thank you for the opportunity to review a digital ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review. The words I have voluntarily shared are my own.

My favorite things about this book were the hockey and the Boston setting. The author actually did her research and featured a lot of real places/people in a way that felt authentic and was only sometimes cheesy.

A feel good romcom with some harder background storylines but an overall HEA that will leave you satisfied.

Thanks to Avon and NetGalley for the ARC.

I have to say there was something incredibly beautiful about reading a book where the man is the definition of this alpha male, incredibly aggressive hockey player yet he falls first head over heels for the nanny and he becomes just this big old teddy bear.

Tallulah is studying to become a marine biologist when she takes the job to become the nanny for a hockey player's tween daughter. She brings to their household a lot of light, sunshine and a new perspective on life.

Burgess is a very jaded professional hockey player. He has some things in his past and doesn't really seem to want to move on from them in any sort of happy way.

When the two of them really start connecting, he becomes absolutely smitten with her and it was adorable. I freaking loved the relationship.

I think Tessa Bailey is turning me into a sports romance fan and I am 100% on board with this new journey.

Tessa does it again this is the perfect sequel to fangirl down I absolutely loved seeing the characters grow! 10/10 recommend this story I loved the MMC so much more than the fmc simply because at times she seemed just soo childish and her choices made me more angry than I would've liked. I was not prepared for the trauma share in this book so I really wish there would have been a warning however the story itself and would read it again and again.

Tessa Bailey does it again! Another top read I just want to shake in everyone’s face to read asap! Like here you go please buy and read asap, thank you! She’s such a fave and never disappoints.

As always, Tessa Bailey manages to create lovable characters that jump off the page with witty banter and depth. This addition to her repertoire is no different. With a guaranteed happily ever after for the couples and an endearing story along the way, you can't go wrong with any of her titles. I'm a long-standing fan of Bailey's, and this novel did not disappoint! For those following the hockey craze and lovers of Ted Lasso's Roy Kent, this is the summer romance for you!

Tessa Bailey has done it again! A great follow up to Fangirl Down. I usually am not a fan of single parent romances, but this wasn't over done and didn't have that "savior of the family" trope (which I appreciate). I will agree with some other reviewers that the 3rd act break up/resolution felt a little late in the book. I would have liked a little more story after the resolution, but I have a feeling we will see glimpses of them in book 3. Burgess was the perfect "love at first sight" MMC. The perfect blend of gruff and tender, always wanting to protect our FMC. Tallulah I liked for the most part. I did feel that at times she acted a bit younger than her age, but that could be because of some things in her backstory. She was wise beyond her years in some aspects as well, giving great insight and advice to Burgess.
Overall, I enjoyed this installment in the series. Tessa has struck gold with the Big Shots series!

This book hooked me in from the first chapter. I loved the character development and how the story progressed.

Loved this book! I’m always a suck for a book where he falls first. The banter in this book had me blushing and giggling. I’m usually not a fan of books where the main character has a kid but this one was very well written! Loved the Grumpy x sunshine elements. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who loves a good sports romance!

“𝙃𝙚’𝙙 𝙨𝙡𝙤𝙬𝙡𝙮 𝙠𝙣𝙞𝙩 𝙝𝙞𝙢𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙛 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛𝙖𝙗𝙧𝙞𝙘 𝙤𝙛 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙚𝙭𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚.”

Thank you Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC and the opportunity. This might be my favorite Tessa Bailey book yet. It was so so good I ate it up. The TENSION?! Yes please. I love hockey and I love hockey romances, so this was obviously amazing. Throw in an older overprotective man and I am all in.

“𝙄 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙𝙣’𝙩 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙜𝙚𝙩 𝙖 𝙛𝙪𝙘𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙪𝙩𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙞𝙛 𝙄 𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙙.”

Burgess and Tallulah have such an interesting relationship, and it was so fun to watch it play out. I loved the bickering, and the new adventures, the opening up and all of the in between.

“𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙚 𝙖𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙 𝘽𝙤𝙨𝙩𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚𝙨, 𝙜𝙤𝙤𝙙. 𝙇𝙚𝙩’𝙨 𝙜𝙤.” 𝙃𝙞𝙨 𝙛𝙖𝙘𝙚 𝙘𝙖𝙢𝙚 𝙘𝙡𝙤𝙨𝙚𝙧, 𝙘𝙡𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙚𝙣𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙩𝙤 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡 𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙢 𝙗𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙝 𝙥𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙢𝙤𝙪𝙩𝙝. “𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙚𝙩 𝙢𝙚 𝙠𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙢𝙮 𝙗𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢.”

Please read this either way, but especially if you like:

💙 ”hey we just made this idea to live together and didn’t really think about it”

💙 hockey players who are very overprotective

💙 insane tension 🌶

💙 found family

💙 peanut butter and espresso smoothies 😉

“𝙈𝙖𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙏𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙪𝙡𝙖𝙝 𝙡𝙖𝙪𝙜𝙝 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧 𝙞𝙣 𝙨𝙪𝙣𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙚.”

I could not connect with Tallulah or Burgess. She was just a little to much for me and Burgess was just so bland and awkward. Some of their interactions were just so cringey to me. I could not get over it to enjoy it. I really enjoyed the first book in the series but unfortunately this one just did not do it.

This was cute! I didn't love the Burgess being a jerk story line...that was a dark turn and a really horrible thing to say given who readers learn he is over the course of the book.

We were introduced to the characters of Tallulah and Burgess in the first book in this series, Fangirl Down (which was a solid 5 stars in my book!). I knew I was going to need to get my hands on the sequel ASAP.

I love that Burgess is older and a single dad. His life up to this point really plays into his character and you can tell there was a lot of thought and development that went into them both. Tallulah is hired to be Burgesses Au Pair and there, conflicts and passion arise.

The romance on the page is smoking hot (wow-we the dirty talk!) and makes for a quick page-turner and keeps you begging for more!

I was looking forward to this book after having thoroughly enjoyed “Fangirl Down”. However, I was sorely disappointed.

When Burgess and Tallulah were introduced in “Fangirl Down” I was excited to read their story. I figured we’d get a little grumpy/ sunshine action where he falls first with plenty of spice. The spice was definitely there, but I just couldn’t get into their dynamic.

Tallulah was given a backstory in which she went through something major that had her weary of men. Yet, she constantly contradicted herself. I understand that things don’t get better overnight, but she was incredibly wishy-washy and she kind of got on my nerves a lot.

Also, there wasn’t a lot of Au Pairing going on. The kid was kind of thrown in there as filler and occasional pre-teen angst. She of course wanted her parents to get back together so she was supposed to be a wrench in their plans. But Tallulah was truly the only thing stopping the relationship from being what it could be.

I still enjoy Tessa Bailey’s writing, but I wasn’t feeling the overprotectiveness and age gap trope in this one. And the foreshadowing of Sig and his future step-sister having a book is kind of ick to me. I’m sure it’s someone’s cup of tea, but not mine.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for releasing this arc to me in exchange for an honest review.

I love a book where the guy falls first & this book is good example of why age gaps are a fun trope. It has a little bit of hockey, a smart FMC, and revisits some characters from book 2. And lots of spicy scenes!

Tessa Bailey has done it again!!!!! She is a must read for me Everytime a new book comes out it goes to the top of my TBR. Such a fun read! I enjoyed every minute of it and would love to see what's in store next for some of the supporting cast!

The single father romance that is going to make this summer even hotter with what Burgess and his dirty mouth bring to this story...

When Tessa Bailey first introduced Burgess and Tallulah in Fangirl Down, my instant obsession of a single father/nanny romance kicked in and got me beyond hyped. And then when this puppy landed on my kindle one beautiful and even better Friday morning, I knew that I was going to have an incredible weekend. And my gosh did I devour this story in two days!

Burgess is a Boston hockey player, who is also a single father trying his very hardest to balance the life of a father and a famous hockey star. His career is coming to a near end, him being 37 years old has finally caught up to him physically. And the connection that he tries to have but does not know how with his 12 year old daughter, comes to a situation of dragging him emotionally as well. So when the opportunity arrises for Burgess to hire Tallulah as a live in nanny, he does it in a heartbeat. His instant attraction towards Tallulah is palpable through every page. When the time comes for her to officially move in with Burgess, her hesitation is one that I can truly understand. Tallulah at an instant seems to understand Burgess' daughter and her pre-teen ways. And adding that to his enamor attraction towards Tallulah, Burgess grows even more effatuated with her. But their personalities could not be any more different, especially with Tallulah's past as well as trying to find ways to change it, and Burgess' current present of being stuck in one place. Even so, these two characters make every page worth reading because of how obsessive they turn you as a reader. And that is the power of Tessa's writing.

And let's not forget about the most important part; the dirty talk. The scorching dirty talk that comes from this growly, surly of a man. Oh he knows what he is doing and much more. Combining that with how soft of a teddy bear he also is, and Tallulah's attention and ways of submitting to him is what makes these two one of the favorite couples of the year;
"Only had it once, but I remember this pussy like the back of my goddam hand. It's wet and tight and it's mine..."

This story brings to the table so much more than our daddy Burgess. It brings the best qualities if Tallulah and the battles that she has to fight on her own. But also the protective energy and ways that Burgess wants to give and show to her, even after knowing her past. This story will be a favorite for many! And just as one when I finished reading Fangirl Down, after finishing this one, Tessa already has me giggling and anticipating her next novel. The step-sibling trope is coming our way!

I received this as an advanced readers copy through NetGalley— Thank you!
Audience: Adult
Plot: 4/5
Characters: 4/5
Spice: 4/5
For me personally, this was my first time reading any of the author’s books. But I have seen all her books fly off the shelves, and I think this new novel will be no exception.
Overall, I think that the plot of the novel is very well crafted. Both of the main characters (Burgess and Tallulah) are well-rounded, dynamic, and have flaws, which makes them relatable. Throughout the novel they each work towards getting past those flaws, sometimes even together. I will say that the chemistry between the characters is hot and steamy. When a big event happens, it causes a major challenge. One that Burgess and Tallulah try to work through, but neither are certain if things will be as it was before, or could it possibly end up being something even better? Their romance is a big portion of the novel, so it is definitely for adult audiences. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys contemporary romance with spice.