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chrynella's review
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Really enjoyed this book. Details following bc unsure what’s a spoiler.
I would have likely rated it a 5⭐️ if we had actual scenes at Wells and Josephine’s wedding and not just the rehearsal dinner. Probably one of my favourite third act break up’s because it was a 2 back « back together ». I will mention I cannot wait for what I assume is Chloe and Sigs book, it’s going to be amazing!
Content Warnings
Minor: Confinement and Kidnapping
Kidnapped, assault based on perceived unrequited love. Very minor and small mention of it.savvyrosereads's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Tallulah is nervous about living with a stranger when she’s hired as an au pair for the teenage daughter of hockey star Burgess Abraham—but her nerves quickly turn to butterflies as they start to get closer.
I loved FANGIRL DOWN so I had really high hopes for Tallulah and Burgess’s story, and for me, it absolutely delivered! The tropes here are some of my faves—hockey/sports romance, single parent/nanny, healing/recovery from trauma—and I was so engaged with the romance the entire time. Tallulah was a great FMC, and the way Burgess fell so hard so fast and was so fantastic at grand gestures…we love a man who goes out of his way!
I did feel like the conflict was pretty much spelled out in the synopsis (I’m a synopsis reader which is maybe a me problem!) and I would have liked a bit more ambiguity about what was to come. But, I thought the resolution of the third act conflict was one of the best I’ve read, and the Wells/Josephine cameos (and Sig/Chloe hints for book three) were SO good! Highly recommend, though as always I’d say start with book one and read FANGIRL first!
CW: Mentions of stalking/kidnapping; sexual harassment; violence
Tallulah is nervous about living with a stranger when she’s hired as an au pair for the teenage daughter of hockey star Burgess Abraham—but her nerves quickly turn to butterflies as they start to get closer.
I loved FANGIRL DOWN so I had really high hopes for Tallulah and Burgess’s story, and for me, it absolutely delivered! The tropes here are some of my faves—hockey/sports romance, single parent/nanny, healing/recovery from trauma—and I was so engaged with the romance the entire time. Tallulah was a great FMC, and the way Burgess fell so hard so fast and was so fantastic at grand gestures…we love a man who goes out of his way!
I did feel like the conflict was pretty much spelled out in the synopsis (I’m a synopsis reader which is maybe a me problem!) and I would have liked a bit more ambiguity about what was to come. But, I thought the resolution of the third act conflict was one of the best I’ve read, and the Wells/Josephine cameos (and Sig/Chloe hints for book three) were SO good! Highly recommend, though as always I’d say start with book one and read FANGIRL first!
CW: Mentions of stalking/kidnapping; sexual harassment; violence
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Violence, Kidnapping, and Sexual harassment
garbage_mcsmutly's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
Another excellent story from Tessa Bailey! If you like Tessa Bailey, this book has all the stuff we love from her. If you haven't read Tessa yet, what are you doing? Get! Her! Books!
📖 The FMC's backstory was an interesting and a bit surprising choice, but I think it ultimately worked as a good reason for why she acts irrationally at times (moreso than the average person might). I loved the growth we saw in both the FMC and MMC, and the love they both had for MMC's daughter.
🎧 The audio was good. I prefer dual narration when there's dual POV, but this single female narrator did a good job with both parts.
🌶️ There's lots of (vanilla) spicy scenes with plenty of dirty talk, and a slightly complicated power dynamic between the MCs that makes it feel slightly taboo.
💬And I can't wait for book 3 in this series! It was teased pretty heavily in this book so of course now I'm eagerly awaiting it (in 6+ months 😭).
📖 The FMC's backstory was an interesting and a bit surprising choice, but I think it ultimately worked as a good reason for why she acts irrationally at times (moreso than the average person might). I loved the growth we saw in both the FMC and MMC, and the love they both had for MMC's daughter.
🎧 The audio was good. I prefer dual narration when there's dual POV, but this single female narrator did a good job with both parts.
🌶️ There's lots of (vanilla) spicy scenes with plenty of dirty talk, and a slightly complicated power dynamic between the MCs that makes it feel slightly taboo.
💬And I can't wait for book 3 in this series! It was teased pretty heavily in this book so of course now I'm eagerly awaiting it (in 6+ months 😭).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Cursing, Sexual content, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Medical content
Minor: Confinement, Death, Violence, Kidnapping, Stalking, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
juanat77'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The Au Pair was a fun read. Though I didn’t enjoy it as much as It Happened One Summer, I was pleased by the single dad trope (which I do not see often in romance novels) with the slight age gap. I think that’s what drew me in. There is A LOT of smexy scenes and internal monologues in the book. If you read Tessa Bailey then you know what you are in for. For me, I felt like there was an excessive amount of those scenes but maybe I’m not the target audience. One of my friends would totally eat this up. Besides the spice I really liked the story. There were some serious undertones including PTSD, abduction and chronic pain that really built up the book for me. Alongside the serious issues there was humor thrown in which I always appreciate!!
Thank you NetGalley for providing an early eARC in exchange for an honest review!!
#NetGalley #tessabailey #theaupairaffair
Content Warnings
Moderate: Confinement, Cursing, Sexual content, Violence, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
booksbystevie's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
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 🌶
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Sexual content, Kidnapping, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing and Medical content
Minor: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Medical trauma
bananafreckles's review against another edition
emotional
funny
fast-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? It's complicated
4.0
Finally, a hockey romance where the author did their homework! I love how Tessa Bailey dove in and made her main character an actual hockey player where the sport majorly affects him as a character. The romance was great, the spice was mostly great. The ending felt a little rushed and kind of cringe, but overall I had a great time with this one!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Emotional abuse, and Kidnapping
sarahyjackson's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
tense
fast-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
4.25
The third/fourth act was a little bit uneven to me but I LOVED the spectrum of sexual activity/tension/foreplay.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement, Emotional abuse, and Stalking