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

Tessa Bailey hits a romantic hole-in-one with Fan Girl Down, the first book in her Big Shots series. If you’re a fan of steamy banter, sizzling chemistry, and lovable characters, this rom-com will have you swooning from the first chapter to the final kiss.

Plot & Characters: Golf, Comebacks, and Second Chances

You’ll meet Wells Whitaker, a once-promising professional golfer whose self-destructive habits have sidelined his career. Enter Josephine “Wells’s Belle” Doyle, his lifelong and fiercely loyal fan, who surprises everyone when she becomes his caddie to help rebuild both of their lives. Their partnership begins as a professional arrangement but quickly evolves into something far more compelling. 

Josephine is not only endearing in her optimistic sunshiney and gritty personality, but she also faces real-world challenges, such as running her family’s struggling pro shop and managing Type 1 diabetes. Bailey handles her condition with realism and sensitivity, making Josephine feel authentically strong and nuanced.

Meanwhile, Wells’s journey from grump to caring partner unfolds naturally through dual point-of-views that balance emotional growth and romantic tension.

Banter & Flirtation: Electric and Unfiltered

If you live for witty and romantic tension, this book delivers. The back-and-forth banter between Josephine and Wells is razor-sharp, equal parts superfan sass and reluctant attraction. Their dynamic is grumpy-meets-sunshine done right, minus most of the typical miscommunication drama. Bailey keeps the pace tight, focused, and fun. 

Spice and Emotional Depth

Tessa Bailey doesn’t hold back on the heat, and this story is no exception. Their steamy encounters, balanced with emotional intimacy, feel earned and integral to their evolving bond. Every scene contributes to the layered storytelling rather than just serving as filler.

Why This Golf Romance Stands Out

You’d think golf might feel dull or technical, but here it’s central to the story’s stakes and emotional arc. Bailey transforms tournament prep and pressure into metaphor, for personal healing and teamwork. Even golf skeptics will find themselves cheering at Wells’s putts.

Final Thoughts

Fan Girl Down is Big Shots series brilliance wrapped in a sweet, spicy, and emotionally satisfying package. With witty banter, meaningful character arcs, and a fresh take on the sports-romance genre, it’s a five-heart winner from start to finish.

And let me be clear: I know absolutely nothing about golf… and I don’t even care for it. But I still loved this book. That’s how strong the writing, characters, and emotional depth are. The romance completely stole the show, and Wells and Belle will stay with me long after the last page.