by Tessa Bailey
#1 New York Times bestselling author Tessa Bailey returns with an all-new sports rom-com about a burly, surly, single dad who falls head-over-hockey-stick for his quirky live-in nanny...
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.
#1 New York Times bestselling author Tessa Bailey returns with an all-new sports rom-com about a burly, surly, single dad who falls head-over-hockey-stick for his quirky live-in nanny...
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.
Reviews-
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May 13, 2024
Bestseller Bailey brings her signature blend of heat and sweet to her delightful second Big Shots romance (after Fangirl Down). Graduate student Tallulah Aydin is having second thoughts about agreeing to be a live-in nanny for the tween daughter of Boston Bearcats hockey player Burgess Abraham, aka Sir Savage, after seeing some scary YouTube clips of him facing off against opponents on the ice. Tallulah, 11 years Burgess’s junior and traumatized by a past relationship, is trying to hide away from the world and, despite having accepted the job, feels a frisson of fear about living under the same roof as the formidable hockey player. She soon learns, however, that, underneath his intimidating appearance, Burgess is as gentle as a kitten with the people he cares about. Through bonding with him and his daughter, Lissa, she finds the courage to face the world. But when Burgess lashes out after a devastating injury, his outbursts cut Tallulah to the core—and may doom their relationship. Bailey creates flawed but endearing characters that readers will fall head over heels for. Her nimble plotting captivates from the first page, and a strong supporting cast—especially precocious Lissa and Tallulah’s friend Chloe, who seems poised to be the heroine of book three—add dimension to the romance. This is another winner from Bailey. -
Narrator Callie Dalton brings the steam to the second Big Shots title. Tallulah accepts a live-in nanny job for Boston hockey star Burgess's daughter even though a traumatic past experience makes cohabitating difficult for her. The audio starts off a little stiffly, and Tallulah and Burgess are difficult to differentiate in conversation during the introductory chapters. Once Tallulah and Burgess start surrendering to their feelings, Dalton's strengths become apparent, and the audio is worth the listen. Her husky voice and comedic timing anchor the principals' bedroom attraction as she digs into the defense mechanisms that threaten to derail it. Burgess's daughter and Tallulah's friend, Chloe, have appropriately differentiated voices. Overall, Dalton creates an emotionally moving, sensual listening experience. C.A. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine
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January 1, 2025
With this second installment in her "Big Shots" sports romance series (following the series opener, Fangirl Down), Bailey offers a steamy, grumpy/sunshine, age-gap, forced-proximity love story that will steal listeners' hearts. Tallulah Aydin is a broke, single marine biology grad student in need of affordable housing. Pro hockey player Burgess Abraham, a.k.a. Sir Savage, who is 11 years Tallulah's senior, needs a live-in nanny to care for his 12-year-old daughter, Lissa, when he is on the road. A mutually beneficial arrangement follows, with both Tallulah and Burgess fighting their electric attraction for each other. There is also sensitive treatment of mental illness, as Burgess helps Tallulah begin to address her PTSD from a kidnapping episode in her past that has made her wary of trusting anyone. Narrator Callie Dalton does a wonderful job voicing both the main characters, enhancing the story's emotional depth with her nuanced tone and layered characterizations. VERDICT This is not to be missed for fans of sports romances and authors like Elle Kennedy or Meghan Quinn.--Shannon O'Connor
Copyright 2025 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
