The Unputdownable Grumpy Sunshine Sports Romance That Left Me Absolutely Giddy!
Fangirl Down
Big Shots (Book 1)
Contemporary Romance, Romantic Comedy, Sports Romance
Avon
February 13. 2024
ebook, paperback, audiobook
384
#1 New York Times bestselling author Tessa Bailey launches a super sexy sports romance series with a rom-com about a bad boy professional athlete who falls for his biggest fan...
Wells Whitaker was once golf’s hottest rising star, but lately, all he has to show for his “promising” career is a killer hangover, a collection of broken clubs, and one remaining supporter. No matter how bad he plays, the beautiful, sunny redhead is always on the sidelines. He curses, she cheers. He scowls, she smiles. But when Wells quits in a blaze of glory and his fangirl finally goes home, he knows he made the greatest mistake of his life.
Josephine Doyle believed in the gorgeous, grumpy golfer, even when he didn’t believe in himself. Yet after he throws in the towel, she begins to wonder if her faith was misplaced. Then a determined Wells shows up at her door with a wild proposal: be his new caddy, help him turn his game around, and split the prize money. And considering Josephine’s professional and personal life is in shambles, she could really use the cash…
As they travel together, spending days on the green and nights in neighboring hotel rooms, sparks fly. Before long, they’re inseparable, Wells starts winning again, and Josephine is surprised to find a sweet, thoughtful guy underneath his gruff, growly exterior. This hot man wants to brush her hair, feed her snacks, and take bubble baths together? Is this real life? But Wells is technically her boss and an athlete falling for his fangirl would be ridiculous… right?
Glute strength gave a golfer driving power and Wells’ posterior was the one part of his career that remained a champion. Bounce a quarter off that thing? Nah. Try two silver dollars. They would rebound off his well-rounded booty and knock a fangirl out cold. And she’d go down smiling.
Here at the LitBuzz Hive, being able to win the lottery of reading an Advanced Reader Copy for one of Tessa Bailey’s romances is akin to finding a pot of gold under the rainbow. Might I suggest that you prepare yourself for my own level of fangirling as I attempt to tell you why I believe Fangirl Down is Tessa Bailey’s best romance yet.
Not only has Tessa Bailey taken on one of the (arguably) most boring sports (don’t come after me) to write into a romance (though the jokes are all ripe for the picking—practically low hanging fruit, honestly) she also writes succinctly about mental health struggles and has given readers a heroine with Type One Diabetes. The Author’s Note which gave reason to why Tessa Bailey chose to have a heroine with T1D truly touched my heart, and I believe that Josephine is one of the most endearing and honest characters that Tessa has written to date.
Funny, she always thought a man threatening violence on her behalf would be a turn off. Coming from Wells, it only made her feel embarrassingly giddy.
Readers meet Josephine as she stands on the sidelines watching her favorite golfer, Wells Whitaker single-handedly implode his golf career. Getting to know Josephine throughout Fangirl Down made me cheer for this impressive heroine even more than I wanted a Wells Whitaker comeback. Her longing to be treated as an equal regardless of her medical history is a struggle that will resonate with so many readers. Her unmitigated belief in Wells is a testament to her character, and her unwavering support truly showcases the caliber of her fortitude in the wake of all the pressure that comes with accepting the position of being a caddy on a professional golf tour for Well Whitaker.
What can I say about Wells Whitaker? The grumpier Tessa Bailey writes them, the more I swoon over them. Which means I was right there, shooing right alongside Josephine. Wells is a man who has flourished in a sport regardless of his background, some might argue his success is because of how he was raised, but I would tell them that Wells is successful despite of all the adversity and his bad boy persona. The fact that Josephine can see through his alpha-hole schtick to the true Wells should scare him, but in true fashion—he’s totally unphased on camera, yet completely besotted behind closed doors. I love that Josephine inspires Wells to be the better person, doing the right thing over and over again while his confidence on the green hinges on her support. Haven’t we all had those experiences? That until we find the right person nothing seems possible, but once we have the right person in our corner, nothing can stop us.
“I think I like flirting with you. I think you want to flirt back.” His expression was serious when he looked down at her. “And as long as you know your job is safe and I would literally cut off my own legs before wielding my power over you, maybe we need to just fucking flirt, belle.”
Between the banter (oh em gee the banter!) the attraction between Wells and Josephine practically burns up the pages, and yet the protective tenderness between them will have you swooning over the sweetness of it all. Fangirl Down could have easily been double the size and I still would have wanted more. I adore this romance. I will have to survive knowing that we get a nanny and single dad romance featuring Wells and Josephine’s best friends and their cameos may even soothe your heart as well.
Do yourselves a favor and do not miss out on this phenomenal romance. I can guarantee that you will love Fangirl Down as much as I do! Tessa Bailey, please (for the love of romance) give us more (and more and more and more).
Jes is a self-proclaimed bookworm, who recently moved from the PNW back to the Midwest. When her nose isn’t in a book, she’s spending time with her husband, two kids, and her three fur babies, or exploring the globe. She also firmly believes that you should start the day with coffee, and end the day in bed with a good book.
