This book starts off with a bang. Almost literally. Amber's in jail for arson. She's accused of starting a fire at her ex's parents home.
Amber's got a surly, snarky abrasive attitude. Which came first, the attitude or the fire?
The next pages told me. Amber told me. This is first person POV. Amber's inner monologue is very funny. This is her story to tell.
Then Ethan appears to save the day. Tall and hunky Ethan. He's not a criminal attorney but gets her referred to one that can help her.
I haven't (yet) read book 1- Wrecking Ball. I just realized I own it. Amber's bff Camilla was the h in book 1. Book 1 H, Calvin is Ethan's best friend.
I didn't feel lost at all. I do know that I want to go back & read Cam & Calvin's book too.
The author's phrasing and humor was very entertaining. I cracked up throughout the story.
Ethan is a sports attorney for several professional football players. He's very GQ on the outside, but Amber soon discovers that Ethan is really a great guy on the inside.
I found Amber to be on the defensive-a lot. She kept expecting her relationships to end.
She had a few good reasons why she thought and acted that way. Amber's mom was very neglectful. Amber's maternal grandmother is an advanced stage of Alzheimer's. Amber's steps in to visit her grandma in the nursing home and make sure that she is well cared for.
Amber is a struggling actress, but her day job (at night) is as a bartender.
This was a slow burn romance. Amber spends more time worrying about not being worthy and pushing men away.
Ethan is very patient with Amber. She even thinks, "He's too good to be true".
There are some great romantic scenes a little later in the book than I'm used ot. I was surprised to uncover Ethan's vulnerability. Without his POV, I learned about Ethan right along with Amber. I was surprised that she wasn't more sensitive to his struggles with his health and self esteem.
A couple of reviews mentioned the slow middle. I did notice it too. Up until 40% or so, the story was moving right along. Amber had a lot of growing up to do. She needed to think of Ethan too. He gave a lot of himself.
I enjoyed the writing style. A lot. This was an ARC from Netgalley, so there were minor typos and misspelled words.
I recommend this book. I will go back and read book 1. I already have it, so yay.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC

There is nothing I hate more in a book than when the main character is annoying. In this book
my problems was with the main character, Amber Jones. She is an adult who acts and speaks like a 13 year old.

The plot for me was thin. My dislike of Amber didn't help me along with the book. I skimmed most of it to see where it ended. It wasn't for me.

P Dangelico has a great writing style and she’s become an auto-buy author for me. This is book 2 in the ‘Hard to Love’ series. I loved book 1, Wrecking Ball, and gave it a very rare [for me] 5 star rating. While I didn’t quite get into this one as much as Wrecking Ball, it’s still definitely a very entertaining read. I sometimes find that humor in books doesn’t come across funny to me, but this had definite LOL moments and yet at times was also very touching. I think what took away a bit of my rating was I found Amber’s character to be a wee bit OTT at times. Other than that it had a great storyline with slow-burning romance. I recommend it as it was overall a very enjoyable book and I look forward to what P. Dangelico comes out with next.

Well, it's official...
I'm a fan of Ms. Paola Dangelico and her delicious weaving of a slow-burn tale.

Ethan is a hawt as hell with muscles to spare sports attorney with a serious alpha-male, protective streak. Be still my heart.

He's pressed and proper and definitely hangs on the "all work, no play" side of life. He's so perfect, in fact, that Amber has officially named him Fancy McButterpants. Imagine how thrilled she is when she finds herself in a jail cell on New Year's Eve with only Fancy to save the day. And, to make life just a pinch peachier... the judge lessens her bail on the condition that she becomes a ward of Fancy McButterpants until her court date in 3 months. Well, my, my, my...

It's a recipe for an enemies to friends to lovers romance, folks... and IT. IS. GOOOOOOD!

That being said... the angst toward the end of this book knocked it down a bit for me. I love some serious angst in a story, but this was a tad too frustrating for my liking. For a bit, I was just pissed off at both of the MCs. Of course, it all worked out in the end and we get our HEA.

This book is a well executed slow-burn told solely from the heroine's POV. It's steamy hot, full of sexual tension, loaded with wit, with well fleshed out characters and the added bonus of catching up with beloved characters from the last book in this series. I can't wait to read more of this fantastic series by Ms. Dangelico!

I loved, loved, loved Wrecking Ball, the first book I read from P. Dangelico and the first book in this series. So when I saw this available as an ARC from NetGalley, I jumped right on it. And let me tell you, this book was all I expected and it lived up to the hype in my mind! ❤️

The MC's in this book are the best friends of the 2 MC's from book 1. Amber is Cam's the loud, feisty and sassy BFF. Ethan is the hottie lawyer pal of Calvin. They are dynamite together. Their chemistry was fun and hot. I couldn't stop reading. And gah, the epilogue. Sigh. Swoon.

I freaking loved Ethan. OMG. As in, OMG. He is such a sweetie, swoony, and awwwwww-type of boyfriend. And Amber --- she had me laughing my head off.

For fans of slow-burn romances, you gotta add this series to your shelves. In fact, I want to read books 1 and 2 all over again.

4.5 “Slow burning me” Stars

ARC via NetGalley

Thank you!!!!

Last year, I was going through a reading slump when I started Wrecking Ball, the first book in the Hard to Love series (P.S.: the series title is wrong, because these books are nothing if easy to love). The same thing was happening when I decided to start Sledgehammer. The result was the same: I’m now cured.

I was going to wait to start this book until next week because I have other ARCs that needed my immediate attention due to their release dates, but all the books I’ve read for the past few days have failed to WOW me. Some I liked more, others less, but nothing stuck with me, even though other people have loved them.

That’s the thing about this reading business: subjectivity rules. Sometimes I have a hard time explaining why a story didn’t work for me. All the elements were there, but nothing did it for me. Other times, a simply story has this extra sparkle and I’m done for. Sledgehammer fits in this last category.

If you haven’t figured it out by now I am absolutely, irrevocably in love with this book.

To be completely honest, I went into this knowing I’d probably enjoy the heck out of it. The blurb is great. The first book was amazing. P. Dangelico has a whole Mariana Zapata vibe with her slow burn romances. So, yeah, it was a recipe for success. But the thing is, I didn’t just like it. I inhaled, breathed, lived and died with it. It gave me all the FEELS, to the point I had to take a break because I was hyperventilating. And I’ll tell you this. Although I loved, loved, looovveeedddd Amber, the guilty party here is Ethan Vaughn.

Ethan Freaking Vaughn.

Book boyfriend Ethan Vaughn was amazing. A-mazing. Everything I needed and a little more. The angst was alive and real and making my chest burn because this dude, the things this dude did, the way he spoke, the dirty talk, the proclamation of love…. Every-freaking-thing was perfection. I don’t care if you disagree. I don’t. He was it for me.

I don’t even care that the whole “I’ll post her bail and let her live with me” thing sounded a little weird. Does that even happen in real life? I’m not sure, but who cares? Because that landed them exactly where I needed them to be. Together. Living under the same roof. Getting to know each other, and OMG the slow burn. The “we don’t like each other” to the “we’re friends” to the “we can’t get enough of each other” gave me life. Slow burn is my thing. The more I read authors like P. Dangelico and Mariana Zapata, the more I’m convinced I want, need and will give all my money for hot, real and well-done slow burn.

Now, Amber… This chick was awesome. I knew I’d love her when I highlighted the first paragraph and wrote: “YES!!! VOIIIICEEE!” I know the concept of voice is a little hard to grasp (at least I have a hard time explaining it), but when it’s there, you just can’t miss it. It sort of hits you in the face and gives you pause. It happened here. I read one paragraph and I knew I’d love Amber because her voice got me. She was funny AF, loyal and smart. She was also surprisingly down to Earth considering everything that she had gone through. I couldn’t have asked for a better narrator for this story.

I don’t even know what to say about the romance without getting a little spoiler-y. I’ll just say that it developed exactly the way I’d hoped it would. There were tons of bantering, tons of heat, and it went through the three stages that will make a romance extra special for me: a little bit of animosity >> friendship >> love. And I also got a little The Hating Game by Sally Thorne vibe when it came to Ethan, so it was real perfection.

Aside from Ethan, Amber and their romance, I also loved the whole NFL vibe (I’m a fan) and all the side characters. I loved seeing Cam and Calvin living their happy ever after, getting a little bit more of Justin and meeting Amber’s little sis. I even teared up with a minor side character: the driver Ethan hired who’d been out of work for two years. Dude, that got me right in the feels.

This entire book got me right in the feels. It was fabulous. It was everything I wanted, and more than I needed. It’s the reason I’m going to be stalking this author until she releases her next book. P. Dangelico, get back to your computer and start writing your next story because I need it. Right now.

*Amazon review live*

To be completely honest, I went into this knowing I’d probably enjoy the heck out of it. The blurb is great. The first book was amazing. P. Dangelico has a whole Mariana Zapata vibe with her slow burn romances. So, yeah, it was a recipe for success. But the thing is, I didn’t just like it. I inhaled, breathed, lived and died with it. It gave me all the FEELS, to the point I had to take a break because I was hyperventilating. And I’ll tell you this. Although I loved, loved, looovveeedddd Amber, the guilty party here is Ethan Vaughn.

'Sledgehammer' P. Dangelico is book Two in the "Hard to Love" series. This is the story of Ethan Vaughn and Amber Jones. I have read the Previous Book"Wrecking Ball " but feel this is easily a standalone book.
Amber once believed in the childhood dream of true love and has been looking for it but gave up on it until Parker when he made her believe again. They were engaged three months after meeting and then he started to change. Anything she said, did or wore was not right. They ended up breaking up and then he starts calling asking her to meet him to talk. After asking her to come to a party at his parents house she learns that he getting married..they argue and she accidentally starts a fire.
When Amber ends up in jail she calls her best friend Camilla (main character in the first book)who asked her husband best friend, Ethan to help. Ethan is a lawyer who has met Amber a few times. Amber calls him Mr. Perfect in her head and knows he not attracted to her nor is she to him she tells herself. But the Judge has put her under Ethel's custody for possible the next three months or until the trial is over.
Amber and Ethan story was great! I loved the funny parts and how they interacted with each other!
Ms. Dangelico is becoming one of my favorite authors! I can't wait for more of her books!!
"My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read."
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It’s seems impossible not to love this new series by P. Dangelico, folks. I tore threw Wrecking Ball, book 1, leaving my rare 5 star review in its wake. Now I’ve moved on to the next stand-alone sequel, Sledgehammer, and can’t wait for book 3, Bulldozer, to plow through my romantic at heart, as well.

Amber has one feisty, sassy, sailor mouth on her, folks. It took some getting used to and may even cause you to raise an eyebrow a time or two. The girl openly admits she has no filter. What pops in her head tends to seconds later spring from her mouth. She isn’t one to hold anything back. When she does try, I can’t help but chuckle, because it’s like watching a volcano trying not to spew lava during a major eruption. This is all something handsome, quiet, reserved Ethan, the hero, can’t help but notice, along with her gorgeous face and other tantalizing attributes. She’s like a sledgehammer knocking down the walls of his quiet, controlled existence at the same time helping him mend his heart over some painful past family drama.

Ethan is equally unsettling to Amber. Who knew such a generous heart was hidden beneath those lady magnet, sexy designer suits of his. She soon finds herself jealous of the multitude of other women who notice, as well, and they do seem to be everywhere. This afraid to love heroine also tries to convince herself they could never have a future together. Oddly, it is Ethan who has his work cut out for him convincing her otherwise.

What’s the passion meter on this one? Well, it isn’t until well into it they go all the way. Once that happens we learn good boy Ethan is one naughty, dirty talking, bad boy in the bedroom. With some very graphically steamy scenes, they let loose and let their passion consume them. Relationship angst lingers throughout but really takes over near the end.

As long as you are ready to handle a hot tempered, saucy/sailor mouth heroine with some baggage of her own, you might want to give this opposite attracts main couple a try. The author’s writing style seems to always keep me on my toes and fully engaged the entire time.

Title: Sledgehammer, Series: Hard to Love (Book 2), Author: P. Dangelico, Pages: 319, stand-alone but part of a series, feisty/sassy/no filter gorgeous wants to be actress heroine, handsome/quiet/reserved/nice guy lawyer hero, VERY steamy scenes, lots of relationship angst/jealousy, mild OW drama.

Book 1 - Wrecking Ball (Cam & Calvin), 1/19/17, Pages: 271
Book 2 - Sledgehammer, (Amber & Ethan), 9/11/17, Pages: 319
Book 3 - Bulldozer (Amanda & Grant), no details available yet

(I received a free advanced reader copy provided via NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. No type of compensation was given to this reviewer. There is no relationship/affiliation between the reviewer and the author/publisher/NetGalley.)

I was so excited to get my hands on this book after reading Wrecking Ball by this author. For me it started a little slowly, and the characters weren't as likeable, however I'm glad I stuck it out, because by a third of the way I was hooked. Sure, the,setup required a huge,suspension of disbelief, and yes, she was kinda obnoxious, but both she and their relationship grew on me. And I was totally rooting for them. It didn't have the same slow burn as the first book, but it was still a fun read.

This was awesome! I loved Amber and Ethan! So so good together! I love their chemistry! This story was really good! This is the second book I've read by this author and I can just say she gets better with every book! I highly recommend it! I couldn't put it down!

Vaughn is as snarky as Amber is, “you’ve seen my mancard. Does it look like it can be revoked?” Vaughhn can be smart when he needs to be, “you’re laughing? I amuse you? You’re not gonna be laughing when I sock you in the coin purse.” He quickly covers his privates."
I can't tell you how much I enjoyed this book, the chemistry between Vaughn and Amber was off the charts, so much sexual tension!

After reading Wrecking Ball I wasn't sure if that could be topped. But boy was I wrong. Sledgehammer was even more then I thought it would be. I love Amber to pieces. Her zest for life and humor had me rolling with laughter. Ethan oh my I swooned hard core for him. What a match. Watching these two fight the attraction was worth it when they finally gave in. Though there was a few times I wanted to punch Ethan in the balls. Hey I'm just channeling my inner Amber with that one. But seriously this is an amazing read. I loved every single minute of this one. P Dangelico just got bumped to a must read author in my book. I can't wait to get my hands on more. You can't beat a book with loads of laughs and some love with some added sexiness.

3.5 Slow Burn Dance Stars
* * * 1/2 Spoiler Free
In January of 2017 I discovered P. Dangelico and it made me a very happy camper. She started my New Year off to a flying start, reading wise. In this series Hard to Love, she gave us people who were not the easiest... people who had flaws... and people who loved hard.

In Sledgehammer, she has stayed true to her concept. These two characters may not be the easiest to love, but when they love each other, it is hardcore through and through. This gives us a journey for both characters and journey we do.

We start in the middle of a huge crisis of circumstances for Amber Jones. She is an actress/bartender in NYC, has had horrific luck in romance and feels after all of her life experiences with it...it is right up there with the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus when it comes to reality...It just doesn't exist...

Well, in rare occasions, she will say it must...because her best friend found it in the unlikely person of Calvin Shaw, quarterback man mountain. But their love is a fluke of nature and if you look at it too closely, you will be sucked in the black hole of Happily Ever After.

Now, crazy, outlandish experiences are nothing if common for this gal. She has a personality that cannot be contained...and as an actress that is a good thing. She has a deep loyalty to her bestie and they share everything together. Her loyalty also extends to the grandmother who raised her.

Amber's home life was not hearts and flowers and when her mother decided she couldn't be one any more, Amber went to live with her grandmother. They developed a bond after much teenage trial and error and now with the dementia taking her away bit by bit...it kills Amber every time she visits the care facility she is in now. Amber has put her career on the back burner and not pursued her dream the way she should... she will not leave her grandmother to move to Los Angeles... Grannie was there for her when she needed it...and now it is her turn.

Ethan Vaughn is the one you want negotiating your contracts and deals if you are a sports star. He knows all the pitfalls and works to steer his clients, new and established, away from them. He is driven to be the best and someday be the general manager of one of the best football teams out there. He is on his way and by staying true to all the methods he has incorporated in his life... things should fall into place.

Well, that is until the Force that Shouldn't Call To You, Amber Jones...

You see these two met because Ethan manages Calvin and Amber is Calvin's wife's bestie...So when Amber first opened her door thinking it was someone else and saw this Man from GQ in front of her...she sort of had a Brain Freeze from all that sexiness, perfection standing in front of her...

And when she is in sweats, hair sticking out from God knows what thing she had wrapped around her head...She did what she always does when defensive... she becomes this sarcastic, lash out machine... quips galore...
Ethan just took it all in... which annoyed her even more and their relationship/friendship was off and running. She came up with nicknames to annoy him; he would look at her and handle them all. Neither would ever admit there might be something there... hahaha never.... and that was that.

Until right now...Because once again the forces of evil are aimed at our Amber. She had dropped her last ex... Mr. Wanta Be Director... he wooed her and then did everything he could to change her...

Sounds familiar? So, after all the doubt and emotional back bends Amber did in this relationship, Amber had had enough... cut him loose. Well, that wasn't how thing could end... so Mr. Ex dogs her into coming to his family's New Year's Eve party... and unfortunately Amber goes...

With the need to flaunt things in Amber's face, he sets her up to be once again emotionally hurt...and then Like Murphy's Law... everything goes haywire...somehow a kitchen fire happens, Amber is blamed and she is now in the pokey...hooskow... the big house...Yup she is in Jail!

Getting her one call, she reaches out to her bestie and who do you think she send... you got it... Ethan. Amber cannot believe this is happening...can things get any worse...well sort of...

The judge insists Amber be under a sort of house arrest until the trial and Ethan's home is where she is assigned. These two Oil/Water/Opposites will now be roomies and we get the benefit of it.

This book had a lot of charm and over the top sarcasm happening. Amber is a huge personality. She is like one of those friends that is an acquired taste... you know she is just so much fun yet you need to be in the right head space to always appreciate it. You also know sometimes she may be using it as a shield to keep herself protected....Her heart is huge, her ability to love bigger and when she allows herself to feel she is deserving and accepting of it from others... then you see the real person she is...

Ethan is a man who had to overcome a lot as a kid... he wasn't well and when he was finally able to control things... he went about making his body and mind equal... brilliant, beautiful and solid. He is ambitious...but also so slyly caring and giving... he has been hurt in his last relationship... over it and has a thing for Amber but will not cross the Attorney/Client line.

These two are hot together... before it happens, while it happens and continues to happen. They have their ups and downs... but when it all comes together ... we, again as I said... Benefit.

P. Dangelio has a solid voice, a distinct smart, sassy style and she gives fun hardcore. I will be curious who else is up her sleeve and Hard to Love...

Wrecking Ball (Hard to Love, #1) by P. Dangelico Wrecking Ball (Hard To Love #1)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

~~~~~ Before Reading ~~~~~
So excited to start this...
P. Dangelico bring it on... I am ready :DDD
●•●•●•●•●•●•●
January 2017
This next entry to the series is called Sledgehammer....
This is PERECT!

Because if this is about Abby and possibly a handsome, dashing attorney...
Then yup,
He will be the willing victim of Abby's...

Sledgehammer (Hard To Love #2)-Publishing 2017

A gifted copy was provided by author/publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.

Only 2.5 Stars. What can I say? This ain’t for me. Shocker. But I’m being benevolent and rounding it up.
Every epic love story starts with a grand gesture.
This is an okay read for me. Nothing to write home about if I’m being honest. It is funny, heartfelt in places and well written. I was at least tickled pink that it is well written but I have to say this is no Wrecking Ball. I know I’m in the minority here.
The author informs us in the blurb of the following:
This little heroine has a propensity for prolific profanity. Our girl's got a potty mouth and strong opinions. If you are easily offended, this book is not for you. If you have delicate nerves, this book is not for you.
And whereas I like all of the above in a heroine it took me the whole book to figure out what Amber Jones is.
She is self-absorbed. There I said it and I am not ashamed by it.
It is all about her and the apparent or not so apparent choices/mistakes she has made in life. She is selfish and only looking out for herself. She has a half-sister? Yeah she isn’t really interested. She doesn’t want to be like her mother? Well sweetheart you are on your best way of going there. I didn’t get her issues. I didn’t see her problems. I felt some sympathy for her but the shite she just spewed? Yeah oblivious to me. IMO I would have left her sorry arse to rot in jail.
Everybody is probably screaming at me that is her coping mechanism that may be but at the age of twenty something she should have realised that kind of shite hasn’t gotten her very far in life. Now she is being charged for arson and living in the house of the guy who bailed her out.
My advice to Ethan Vaughn will go unheard because dude you should run the fuck away. But no it is too late for that. He is everything a book boyfriend is meant to be and he saved the book pretty much for me. Oh, Cam and Cal helped as well.
But getting back to Ethan, E my man why? I’m pleading with you here man. She. Isn’t. Worth. It.
The funny moments and banter when she wasn’t being selfish kept me going admittedly I did skim in places. I enjoy slow burn but to date I have only found one author who can pull it off. I started it and hit the 8% and decided it wasn’t a book wasn’t in the mood for. So I stopped but I was in a strange mood and had no idea what to read so in the end I went back to reading it. My interested waned throughout the book.
It got to the point that I started watching Ninja Warrior and I rarely watch TV so you can see where I’m coming from here. I was fascinated by their muscles, holy smokes I was drooling.
To each their own. Please read it cause you know my opinion is to be taken with a pinch of salt.

AMAZING read!! I loved book 1 by this author, and as soon as I saw this available, I snatched it. It was great. It was funny, and Amber is 'me'.. How she portrays herself. me. LOVED IT! I can't wait for more from this author!!

Holy shit, this book was amazing! I love Amber, she is very funny and loveable, this girl has balls! And Ethan Vaughn, aka Fancy McButterpants, is just as great, I was curious about him in the first book, so to get to know him better in this installment was what I wanted and totally got. Together they are awesome and make this book so good.