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jomoriello's review
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
dianapiskor's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
THE AU PAIR AFFAIR was a great follow up to Fangirl Down and continues to show why Tessa Bailey is an incredible romance author. This story had a lot of heart, incredible side characters, and the banter that this author is known for and makes you laugh out loud. While I struggled with Tallulah’s, the FMC, handling of her relationship with and Burgess, the MMC, towards the end, I think this book is worth the read.
The Au Pair Affair was one of my most anticipated reads for the summer and the story showcases that I was right to want to read this book. While an emotional read in some parts, the vulnerability Tallulah shows and how Burgess constantly respects and honors Tallulah makes him my new book boyfriend. The side characters are interesting and engaging in their own right and add levity to the story. I am so curious about if Bailey will continue writing in this world, as some of the side characters feel like they need their own story! And the banter, per usual, is superb and make the story funny and enjoyable to read.
I would say that the only thing I struggled with in this story was how hot and cold Tallullah was throughout in her relationship with Burgess. Her hesitancy is completely understandable when given the backstory (I won’t ruin it here in the review), but that hesitancy, in some ways, began to feel unfair to Burgess and their relationship. And when he would respect her wishes, she would want to be with him again. It felt disingenuous in some aspects, especially toward the end and took me out of the story a bit.
Overall, this book is a great edition to Bailey’s already impressive list of titles and is perfect for a summer vacation read.
Thank you to Avon Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
The Au Pair Affair was one of my most anticipated reads for the summer and the story showcases that I was right to want to read this book. While an emotional read in some parts, the vulnerability Tallulah shows and how Burgess constantly respects and honors Tallulah makes him my new book boyfriend. The side characters are interesting and engaging in their own right and add levity to the story. I am so curious about if Bailey will continue writing in this world, as some of the side characters feel like they need their own story! And the banter, per usual, is superb and make the story funny and enjoyable to read.
I would say that the only thing I struggled with in this story was how hot and cold Tallullah was throughout in her relationship with Burgess. Her hesitancy is completely understandable when given the backstory (I won’t ruin it here in the review), but that hesitancy, in some ways, began to feel unfair to Burgess and their relationship. And when he would respect her wishes, she would want to be with him again. It felt disingenuous in some aspects, especially toward the end and took me out of the story a bit.
Overall, this book is a great edition to Bailey’s already impressive list of titles and is perfect for a summer vacation read.
Thank you to Avon Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
deathdayparty's review
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
This book continues to prove my theory that you can either do smut well or a plot, but never both. I am not quite sure why that is when both started quite strong. The character development or Burgess and Tallulah is very good in the first half of the book. I would have liked for a little bit more apprehension from both as to whether or not they would get together, but that’s just me. I like how Tallulah is introduced into this plot and just kind of slips into everyone’s daily life. The smut is quite good. Better than expected. Where I get lost is the conflict, which does not actually come to fruition until 89% into the book. It feels rushed, like the characters should not come back from it, and yet it is wrapped up quickly. Why not move it earlier in the book and then actually have time to flush out a resolution. Kind of a disappointing end.
jehntooch's review
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Sports Romance - Hockey
Age gap (11 years)
Dad/Au Pair
Forced Proximity
Setting: Boston
Mean Daddy aka Burgess fell instantly for Tallulah when he met her in Book 1. She’s back from Antarctica, and steps right into his life and connecting with his 12 year old daughter, Lissa, while also studying for her masters degree.
Tallulah has a traumatic backstory that was hard to read through, and Burgess shows up for her and supports her through her character growth, but I found him too overbearing and possessive. They seemed to happen quickly while the story progress was slow. I didn’t feel their connection always, it was a bit 2D for me.
I normally love everything Tessa publishes, but I didn’t love their story. I wanted to love it; Book 1 in this series, Fan Girl Down, was so good. We love a possessive MMC, but Burgess didn’t do it for me. I loved getting to see Wells and Josephine from Book 1 (and they take us to Costa Rica for their wedding!), and the set up of Sig and Chloe for Book 3… I am here for Taboo Tessa!!!
Tallulah quotes Dickens with “Forever is composed of nows.” This quote is weaved in through the story. But I am really looking forward to Book 3: Sig and Chloe!
Thank you NetGalley and Harper Collins for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
babeygrape's review
3.75
Tallulah Aydin is relearning to embrace her adventurous spirit when she returns to school in Boston and takes on the au pair gig offered up by Burgess Abraham, professional hockey player and father to a moody tween. The sexual tension between Tallulah and Burgess is off the charts as they relentlessly flirt with one another and unavoidably become romantically attracted to one another once Tallulah recruits Burgess to help her with her own version of a bucket list.
Tallulah and Burgess's relationship was deliciously steamy. Burgess's way of supporting Tallulah quietly from figurative sidelines and Tallulah supporting Burgess loudly from literal sidelines, the two reflected love and encouragement. Both of their growth from their own separate traumas was touching to read, although I wish we got to see more of Burgess and Tallulah relying on their friends as those were some of my favorite moments in this book! I particularly missed Tallulah and Josephine's friendship.
Tessa Bailey continues her reign as the queen of writing men who 1. admit they are in love first and 2. are ready to propose marriage after a week.
Thank you to Tessa Bailey for hot single dads dedicated to orgasm donations and to Avon and NetGalley for the eARC.
Tallulah and Burgess's relationship was deliciously steamy. Burgess's way of supporting Tallulah quietly from figurative sidelines and Tallulah supporting Burgess loudly from literal sidelines, the two reflected love and encouragement. Both of their growth from their own separate traumas was touching to read, although I wish we got to see more of Burgess and Tallulah relying on their friends as those were some of my favorite moments in this book! I particularly missed Tallulah and Josephine's friendship.
Tessa Bailey continues her reign as the queen of writing men who 1. admit they are in love first and 2. are ready to propose marriage after a week.
Thank you to Tessa Bailey for hot single dads dedicated to orgasm donations and to Avon and NetGalley for the eARC.
ceebee07's review
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
mjlo1020's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Burgess is IT!!!! Every complaint I was going to have about this book, it went out the window every time because Tessa just wrapped up everything so beautifully, amazing “redemption arcs”/forgiveness done so thoughtfully, no just for the sake of coming back together.
This book had me from the beginning. I might be biased because I EAT THESE TROPES UP. Like age gap is EVERYTHING! There were moments I was so frustrated with the MMC and thought him UNFORGIVABLE but Tessa did a thorough job at showing the complexity and difficulty that comes with having a relationship with someone who has survived abuse and faces trust issues.
Burgess stepped up in huge ways. Giving Talullah confidence and space while being just close enough to give support while she worked through years of trauma. This book was immaculate.
What I loved:
- VERY deep and thoughtful plot for such a “short” romance book
- very tactfully discussed physical/emotional partner abuse
- extremely well-developed MMC and FMC personalities as individual
- such natural chemistry between the characters
- GUT WRENCHING third act break up
- hockey wasn’t just slapped on the book to call it sports romance but was a vital part of the MMCs personal character development
- perfected character development for both MMC and FMC
Would I recommend this book? A resounding YES!
Thank you to NetGalley for supplying this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book had me from the beginning. I might be biased because I EAT THESE TROPES UP. Like age gap is EVERYTHING! There were moments I was so frustrated with the MMC and thought him UNFORGIVABLE but Tessa did a thorough job at showing the complexity and difficulty that comes with having a relationship with someone who has survived abuse and faces trust issues.
Burgess stepped up in huge ways. Giving Talullah confidence and space while being just close enough to give support while she worked through years of trauma. This book was immaculate.
What I loved:
- VERY deep and thoughtful plot for such a “short” romance book
- very tactfully discussed physical/emotional partner abuse
- extremely well-developed MMC and FMC personalities as individual
- such natural chemistry between the characters
- GUT WRENCHING third act break up
- hockey wasn’t just slapped on the book to call it sports romance but was a vital part of the MMCs personal character development
- perfected character development for both MMC and FMC
Would I recommend this book? A resounding YES!
Thank you to NetGalley for supplying this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
nelliereadsalot's review against another edition
4.0
I don't think I can accurately describe how excited I was to receive this eARC! Tessa is a definite favorite.
That being said, I don't usually seek out age gap or single-dad romances, but if I was going to go on that journey, I trusted Tessa to make it worth my while. She didn't disappoint.
After finishing Fangirl Down, we knew we were gearing up for this. Burgess is the epitome of "he falls first" and an MMC being all in.
We. Love. To. See. It.
Burgess is a dad trying to figure out how to raise his tween daughter. He understands hockey and certainly does not understand tween girls. Tallulah is a marine biology grad student and the au pair to Burgess' daughter. What could go wrong? Well, considering Tallulah and Burgess are immediately hot for each other? The answer is a lot.
I enjoyed reading about these 2 figuring it out and finding their forever. The 3rd act conflict took a bit of wind out of my sails, but I still loved it overall. The side characters were delightful, and I'm super curious about where things are going with Sig and Chloe because that's definitely a thing.
Thanks to Tessa, the publisher, and NetGalley for an eARC of this book for an honest review.
That being said, I don't usually seek out age gap or single-dad romances, but if I was going to go on that journey, I trusted Tessa to make it worth my while. She didn't disappoint.
After finishing Fangirl Down, we knew we were gearing up for this. Burgess is the epitome of "he falls first" and an MMC being all in.
We. Love. To. See. It.
Burgess is a dad trying to figure out how to raise his tween daughter. He understands hockey and certainly does not understand tween girls. Tallulah is a marine biology grad student and the au pair to Burgess' daughter. What could go wrong? Well, considering Tallulah and Burgess are immediately hot for each other? The answer is a lot.
I enjoyed reading about these 2 figuring it out and finding their forever. The 3rd act conflict took a bit of wind out of my sails, but I still loved it overall. The side characters were delightful, and I'm super curious about where things are going with Sig and Chloe because that's definitely a thing.
Thanks to Tessa, the publisher, and NetGalley for an eARC of this book for an honest review.
minnfinnfiction's review
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
jabberwockystories's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Thank you NetGalley for the eARC for an honest review!
I read The Au Pair Affair straight after finishing Fangirl Down and I was ecstatic we get to now follow Josephine's best friend Tallulah who now becomes the Au Pair for Wells' best friend and hockey player Burgess. Burgess is as fierce off the ice as he is on, and he is still adjusting to find a relationship with his daughter, Lissa. He hires Tallulah to come live with him and assist with helping out Lissa while she continues working towards her degree as a Marine Biologist.
I loved both of our main characters and how they brought out the best in each other. Tallulah warming up Burgess and showing him all those who look up to him and him giving her the confidence and protection to let go of her past inflictions.
This book does have a third-act break-up but it is still an HEA (though I am knocking .5 off the total because I was hoping for a longer resolvement and more closure in the end). I hope we do get to see more of Burgess and Tallulah in the future but I am also hoping for more light on Sig and Chloe!
I read The Au Pair Affair straight after finishing Fangirl Down and I was ecstatic we get to now follow Josephine's best friend Tallulah who now becomes the Au Pair for Wells' best friend and hockey player Burgess. Burgess is as fierce off the ice as he is on, and he is still adjusting to find a relationship with his daughter, Lissa. He hires Tallulah to come live with him and assist with helping out Lissa while she continues working towards her degree as a Marine Biologist.
I loved both of our main characters and how they brought out the best in each other. Tallulah warming up Burgess and showing him all those who look up to him and him giving her the confidence and protection to let go of her past inflictions.
This book does have a third-act break-up but it is still an HEA (though I am knocking .5 off the total because I was hoping for a longer resolvement and more closure in the end). I hope we do get to see more of Burgess and Tallulah in the future but I am also hoping for more light on Sig and Chloe!