A review by jehntooch
The Au Pair Affair by Tessa Bailey

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.