Why Tessa Bailey’s The Au Pair Affair Will Melt Your Heart: A Hockey Romance Review

If you thought Fan Girl Down was addictive, The Au Pair Affair (Big Shots Series #2) is here to melt the ice. As a self-proclaimed hockey lover, this one made my puck bunny heart so happy. Tessa Bailey blends her signature banter, off-the-charts chemistry, grumpy/sunshine trope, and heartfelt emotion with the gritty world of professional hockey, and I couldn’t put it down. I finished the book in three days.

4.5 Hearts — A Hat Trick of Heat, Humor, and Heart

I’m giving The Au Pair Affair 4.5 out of 5 hearts for the magnetic pairing of a grumpy single dad and his nanny, the laugh-out-loud banter, and a romance that’s as hard-hitting as a slap shot.

Plot and Characters

Marine biology grad student Tallulah Aydin is smart, spunky, and in need of a paycheck. Enter Burgess Abraham, nicknamed Sir Savage thanks to his brutal, take-no-prisoners style as a pro hockey defenseman (swoon). He’s also a devoted single dad to his introverted tween daughter, Lissa.

When Tallulah takes the live-in nanny job, the sparks are immediate, but it’s the slow build, emotional honesty, and stolen moments that really score. Burgess is protective (swoon) yet vulnerable, Tallulah is warm but fiercely independent, and their connection feels as inevitable as overtime in the playoffs.

Banter, Chemistry & Cameos

The grumpy-sunshine dynamic is perfection here. Burgess’s dry wit and Tallulah’s sass had me grinning constantly. And for fans of Fan Girl Down? You’ll be delighted to know Wells and Josephine pop up multiple times, which I loved because they’re still one of my favorite Bailey couples.

Themes That Score Big

• Sports romance done right — realistic hockey details without bogging down the story.
• Single parent struggles — balancing love, life, and fatherhood.
• Healing and trust — Tallulah’s backstory adds real emotional weight.
• Found family vibes — the Burgess–Tallulah–Lissa bond is equivalent to a Stanley Cup win.

Final Thoughts

This is grumpy-sunshine romance with just the right amount of grit. The hockey setting adds an extra layer of tension and excitement, and Burgess’s “Sir Savage” persona makes the slow-burn moments even sweeter. Add in a heroine who challenges him at every turn, cameos from Fan Girl Down, and that signature Tessa Bailey steam, and you’ve got yourself a power play of a romance.

Whether you’re a diehard hockey fan or just here for the swoon, The Au Pair Affair will win you over.

Quick Facts

• Title: The Au Pair Affair (Big Shots #2)
• Author: Tessa Bailey
• Rating: 4.5/5 Hearts
• Tropes: Grumpy-sunshine, single dad, age-gap romance, sports romance, forced proximity
• Perfect For: Readers who love banter-filled, emotional, and sizzling sports romances