Reviews with content warning for Kidnapping - The Au Pair Affair

Reviews tagging 'Kidnapping'

The Au Pair Affair by Tessa Bailey

12 reviews

hdabru's review

adventurous emotional funny inspiring lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

As always, Tessa Bailey delivers.
She churns out book after book, and as many contemporary romances do, they all sort of follow the same formula. But throw in a new combo of tropes and some issues the couple has to overcome and you’re good. But some authors can throw together a bunch of tropes and leave you feel like it was just cheesy and contrived. Bailey absolutely crushes it at writing believable main characters with relatable issues and, as is her forte, extremely hot smut scenes.
I found Tallulah’s ptsd extremely relatable, though I thought she came to trust Burgess a little too soon. Given her history, his possessive nature seemed like it would scare her rather than endear her. Further, I thought he compromised on his own convictions a little too quickly. I enjoyed the various adventures the book took us on, but I don’t think he repented enough for what he did in the third act breakup to make her feel safe enough to get back together with him. So I’m conflicted as to whether to give this 3.5 stars or 4, which means I’ll round up to 4 with the caveat that some parts felt weak compared to her other books, including the first one in this series.

Content Warnings

chemistryreads's review against another edition

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medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No

2.0

Tessa Bailey has been a hit or miss author for me. This one was a miss. However, positives first. I think Tallulah is a really interesting character. She is trying to get through past trauma and has had amazing experiences working around animals and is studying to earn her masters degree in marine biology. Super impressive. She’s an inspiration to Lissa, who she is a au pair for, and offers really good parenting advice. I wanted more on how amazing Tallulah was and showcasing her intelligence and other experiences. From the book description, I thought that would be the case. However, this quickly fell into being just about how obsessed with her Burgess was and how he was so good at protecting and taking care of her. This didn’t match the description of the book and I was really bothered by the lack of content warnings and the sexism shown throughout the book. Here’s my rant: This book has some disturbing stalking/kidnapping material and since I read an ARC, perhaps it wasn’t added in yet, but it needs to be added. In romance novels there is a fine line between pushing the boundaries of what is protective and romantic and what is just sexist. This book crosses into the sexist line too many times, again with no content warning. As somewhat who has been on the receiving end of sexual harassment during graduate studies in the sciences (like the FMC!!!), I would have appreciated knowing it would be so prevalent in this novel. The book basically excuses “locker room talk” as a normal part of sports and makes a joke of players wearing “orgasm donor” sweatshirts. The MMC constantly has sexual thoughts about his au pair and they aren’t romantic, they come off as perverse since she is his employee. Again, even though he acknowledges it’s wrong because of the power dynamic, it doesn’t stop the thoughts or later action. I’m disappointed about the lack of depth or real storyline especially when it’s replaced with content that basically glorifies sexualizing women. If there were appropriate labels and someone knew what they were getting into - to each their own. I’m not against people making the choice to read this and enjoy it for themselves if that’s what they like. However, this book is seeming advertised as a somewhat smutty romance when it’s actually being an unsafe romance. This book has a cute and colorful cover and would be so easy for a teen girl to pick up. If a teen girl read this, she could assume it’s okay to date someone 11 years older because he’s being “protective” (possessive) and has incredibly lusty thoughts for her. That isn’t okay behavior. Romance should be speaking positively about women and whatever their sexual choices are and this book is just too far opposite. Due to crossing these lines way too many times, I may just be done with Tessa Bailey. 2⭐️, 4🌶

Content Warnings

beckyremillard's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful medium-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

Tallulah is looking for a new adventure. She’s trying to get out of her shell after a traumatic experience but is not looking for a relationship. Burgess is looking for someone to watch after his daughter while he’s out of town playing hockey. Their friends decide they can help each other out, so Tallulah becomes Burgess’ au pair.

It’s dual pov, age gap, he falls first, grumpy sunshine, protective MMC, and so many other great troupes.

I went into this pretty open minded. I really enjoy Tessa Bailey’s books, but they’re not all 5 stars for me. This one started uncertain. It felt almost cheesy for a chapter or two but wow I got into this quickly. This was one that made me want to kick my feet and not want to stop reading. I devoured this book.

I want to fully disclosed that I did not read the first book before reading this one. I’m definitely going to, but it’s still on hold at the library and I just couldn’t wait to read this one.

Definitely give this one a chance if you like any of Tessa Bailey’s books!

Am I the only one who thought they were going to get locked in the closet together when they were doing the rehearsal? I’m glad they didn’t because I think too many set ups by Wells and Josephine would have been overkill, but I thought that’s where that was going. We also didn’t get their actual wedding, I’m wondering if that comes up in Sig and Chloe’s story. Can’t wait for that!

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for a chance to read and review this eARC!

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beaniebookcorner's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings

kelzurs's review

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emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I’d just like to start out by saying the things I liked about this book. Tessa Bailey really nails the romantic aspect of her books and this one was no exception. I loved the relationship between Burgess and Tallulah, and I felt like their relationship seemed realistic at most points, and when it didn’t, I was willing to suspend my disbelief at some points because the rest was so strong. I also liked how Bailey acknowledged the age gap but didn’t make it super problematic (mc is in late 20s). Now with the stuff I didn’t like.

This book is full of cringe moments and unrealistic descriptions (such as felt it in his Adam’s Apple) which would take me out of the book instantly and I would have to take a second before diving back in. There were so many cringey lines and this was definitely my least favorite part of this book. I also thought that the third act breakup was such a cop out- Burgess says many times throughout the book that he is mature and knows what he wants- that at his age he’s already made his mistakes… then makes a really stupid mistake that causes them to breakup. I also thought that Tallulah’s kidnapping reveal should’ve been saved for a little later in the book and it also felt a little weird the way it was referenced. Burgess’ protectiveness gets a little much at times and feels unnecessary in most instances.

Overall, I did really enjoy this book. Bailey has a way of pulling you into her universe of characters and making you eat up every word (even the cringey ones). I think this book is worth picking up!
Thanks to netgalley for the arc!

Content Warnings

hellowildflower's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted sad 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

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

☆ Single dad/nanny

☆ Forced proximity

☆ He falls first

☆ Hockey romance

☆ Opposites attract

I have been dying to read this book since I read Fangirl Down a few months ago.

I instantly fell in love with Burgess and Tallulah in that book and desperately wanted to read their story.

I read this book so fast. I didn’t want to stop. From page one I was in it and just needed to know what happened next.

Super fun story and relatable characters. I really hope we’ll be getting Sig’s story next!

Content Warnings

kelseylikesbooks's review against another edition

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adventurous funny lighthearted tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No

3.0

This book might be for some people, but it was unfortunately not for me.

Burgess, a professional hockey player, is in need of an au pair for his twelve year old daughter. Tallulah is a graduate student, in need of a job and a place to live. Seems like a match made in heaven right? Well you’re wrong!

Burgess is one of the most toxic characters I have ever read! First he basically forces Tallulah to take the au pair job. Creepily hits on her and is overly protective WAY too soon (not in a cute he’s her boss kinda way). Then he uses her trauma against her, and then gaslights her.

Also there should be trigger warnings for this book, and I didn’t see any so that’s not cool.

The best part about this book was Chloe and Sig, I hope we get a book about them.

Thank you Netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Tropes
-Single Dad
-Nanny
-Insta Love
-Hockey Romance

Content Warnings