BOOK REVIEW: The Au Pair Affair (Big Shots #2) by Tessa BaileyThe Au Pair Affair (Big Shots #2)
by Tessa Bailey
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Synopsis:

Tallulah is smart, vivacious, and studying to be a marine biologist. She’s also twenty-six and broke. So when Burgess, a battle-scarred hockey veteran and newly single dad, offers her a job as his live-in nanny, she jumps at the opportunity to get paid while living in a super fancy neighborhood and being around Lissa, his cool but introverted tween.

Her tween charge isn’t the only one who could use some help fitting in, though. According to…well, everyone except Burgess, he needs to get back on the dating scene, and adventurous Tallulah is just the girl to show him how. But as boundaries are slowly crossed and Burgess finds himself pulled between his daughter, who wants her parents back together, and his insane chemistry with Tallulah, a huge rift is formed, and Tallulah does the “right” thing—breaks her own heart and walks away.

Though Burgess knows it’s for the best—he’s too jaded, with too much baggage—a chance meeting, and a new push from his daughter, forces him to put everything on the line and fight to prove he learned his lessons well and is worthy of a happily ever after with Tallulah.

Review:

The Au Pair Affair was a single dad, forced proximity, age gap, adult romance.  My favorite thing about this book was watching Burgess slowly start to win Tallulah over.  From being his nanny, to friend, to more.  I loved watching the progression of their relationship.  This was a feel-good book that made me so happy!

God, this woman ruled his dick and she had absolutely no idea.  Maybe allowing her to move in was unethical.

Burgess was a professional hockey player, who was definitely starting to feel his age.  So, while he could be burly on the ice, he was thoughtful and sensitive when it came to his daughter and new nanny, Tallulah.  His honesty and intensity were two of the things that I loved most about him.  Like when he would state physically what he wanted from her eeps!

“You could say I’m old-fashioned, sure.”
“It’s very mean Daddy of you,” she whispered.
Burgess’s eyebrows shot to his hairline. It’s what?”
“Ooh.” She winced. “I shouldn’t have said that.”

Tallulah was a much-needed light in Burgess’s life.  The way she interacted with his daughter and helped Burgess and her talk warmed my heart.  Yet, Tallulah guarded her heart.  Her past was heartbreaking and I understood why she wanted to do her thing.  And not be tied down in a relationship.  Yet spending more and more time around Burgess, it was impossible for her not to fall for him.

“Give me a chance to show you that you’re safe with me.”

He was her boss.  She was his nanny.  Yet they both wanted each other desperately.  So, Burgess and Tallulah had heart quickening chemistry!  The tension between them simmered and when they crossed the line into more, it was scorching hot.  Also, I adored the found family within these pages.  Their best friends and his hockey team, also Chloe, added so much to this story!  It made me laugh when they would offer advice, I was dying!

“Is she giving you any signs?”
“She gave me a massage last night in the kitchen.”
“Then I’d say you’ve got a fucking chance, my man. Especially if it was a dick massage.”
“It was a back massage, shithead.  Jesus.”

If you’re looking for a beach read or a book to get lost in, I can’t recommend giving the Big Shot Series enough of a chance.  I loved the first book, about Burgess and Tallulah’s best friends.  And their own story was so much fun too.  I can’t wait to see whose story is next, I have a guess and my fingers are crossed!

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*