Kim Law’s new series Deep in the Heart is very different from The Wildes of Birch Bay series her last series. It is still a great read with Hardheaded as the introductory book. The in-depth character study of complex characters who have flaws is still right on the mark.

Family, made not born, abandonment issues, anger management and out of date perception that can still prevail in male dominated work environments. All are handled deftly by the author could make these all go away easily since this is fiction. However, this book mirrors real life with its sorrow, miscommunication and misconceptions but its joy and goodness, too.

For those who enjoy reality shows especially those into the ever popular construction makeovers will love this stories as exs compete against each other. Those who enjoy second chance romance will find this one a humdinger as the characters face off both on and off the screen.

An ARC of the book was given to me by the publisher through Net Galley.

This story is one of those where you just cheer for one character and then another. And another. They are written that great! This one includes a second chance romance with the chance for several stories at once.

Jill Sadler was raised in a loving home with several other foster children and started a construction/repair business with two of them. Aunt Blu, their foster mother, had taught them life skills as well as practical ones that they had turned into a business. But no one was taking them seriously – based on the fact that ex boyfriend Cal Reynolds’ company always outbid them so all they got were small jobs. Among the latest were female versions of the ‘man cave’ that were affectionately called ‘she sheds’.

A reality show had contacted them about refurbishing a local home in a contest and they took the challenge as a way to show the town that they could do bigger and better things even though they worked with all women crews. The opponent turned out to be no other than her ex. And she was on a mission to prove something. She hadn’t spoken to him in years and wasn’t about to now.

Cal knew exactly what he was getting into with the reality show. He had his own mission and didn’t intend to lose either! Jill would talk to him one way or another.

A funny, warm love story that will have you laughing out loud and punching your fist in the air while you cheer them both on to victory!

I received an ARC from the publisher for an honest and unbiased review. No compensation was promised or received for this review.

I am a big fan of Kim Law and have read all of her books that I can get ahold of both in print and eBook. Hardheaded took me awhile to get into the book. The story begins with Jill Sadler and her two foster sisters posing for pictures in front of what they call She Sheds. They want to be taken seriously in the construction field but are finding themselves pigeonholed. Their foster mother signs them up to contestants on the TV show, Texas Dream Home.

Unbeknownst to Jill, her ex husband, Cal Reynolds who owns We Nail It Contractors, has been signed up to be their competition on the show. Jill hasn’t spoken to Cal since their twenty-four hour marriage took place eleven years ago, even though they have lived in the same town for the last five years. The show has set it up to see sparks.

I spent time wondering what happened to the two of them, since they had been so close before the marriage. What caused them to only be married for 24 hours? This is touched upon sporadically throughout the beginning and never really covered. It just felt off.

Once the competition starts, Jill starts to lose some of her anger at Cal and you begin to see what their relationship was before and the hope that it will be again.

This is where I started to get into the book more. The writing felt more like what I have read in the past with Kim Law. Jill’s character gained more depth and became more likeable. You start to see Cal and Jill’s relationship for how it was when they were young and the connection they still have. They just have to get past both of their issues.

While the story started slow, I am excited to read the next in the series (I hope!)

I received a free, advance copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased review.

The premise of three foster sisters, Jill, Trenton and Heather, owning and working in a construction company drew my attention.

However, it took me awhile to get into the book. It starts out really slow. There are a lot of interactions between the foster sisters in the beginning. I suppose it was necessary to show how close they are. And that definitely comes through. These three girls ended up on foster mom Aunt Blu’s doorstep after tragedies in their lives. The three are within a year’s age of each other. Once eighteen, they flew the coop to find their own way. They failed in their individual quests, came back home to Aunt Blu, and established Bluebonnet Construction.

Cal Reynolds took over his uncle’s construction company, We Nail It Contractors. It is very successful in Red Oak Falls, the small town they live in, and big competition for Bluebonnet Construction. Cal is also Jill’s ex. It took a long time to get the back story on these two, and it comes out in bits and pieces.

Aunt Blu enters Bluebonnet Construction in a house renovating contest. And their competition is none other than We Nail It Contractors. Lots of interaction between the film crew with Cal and Jill individually and between Cal and his uncle.

It took until almost halfway into the book for these two to let down their walls and begin interacting. Jill carries around a lot of anger and Cal uses his charm to get around answering too many questions. There were many issues between these two and communication wasn’t their forte for most of the book.

I have mixed feelings about this book. Definitely not my favorite from this author. I am curious about the other two women and I want to see how Cal and Jill are able to make it work.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC provided by NetGalley and the author.

This was a very enjoyable story about a TV competition between two construction companies renovating a house each to win the best house prize, and a second chance at a lost love.

Jill owns Bluebonnet Construction, along with her two foster sisters, Trenton and Heather. Their foster Mother, Blu, entered them for the Texas Dream Home contest without them knowing, and they actually get picked! Unfortunately they then find out the competition is We Nail It Contractors, owned and run by Jill's ex-husband, Cal. Jill and Cal were only married 24 hours before he left her and came home. Jill then went off to LA for 6 years, eventually coming home, where she proceeded to completely ignore Cal since then.

Of course the production crew were waiting for tempers to fly between hot-headed Jill and Call all the time, and being in such close proximity it certainly wasn't dull! I really liked the setting for the story, a Texas town, and the foster sister back story - there was even a really lovely story about a ghost in one of the houses. Very entertaining, easy-reading book. I look forward to reading all about Heather and Trenton's stories in the future.

This book was so much fun to read! Jill and Cal are amazing characters and their past was intriguing as it revealed throughout the story. This is a great small town romance with a nice touch of HGTV thrown in.

The going is tough for the all woman construction firm of Bluebonnet Construction but it looks like things are looking up when they are selected for a reality show pitting them against another firm in a renovation contest. Things really heat up when it turns out the company they are competing turns out to be Jill's ex-husband Cal's firm We Nail It! Let the real fun begin.

This one is a must read for anyone who enjoys small town romances. I highly recommend it.

Talk about a second chance romance! This is a terrific start to a new series featuring three foster sisters who have formed an all female construction company. Aunt Blu did a good job. Jill and Cal were married for 24 hours and now haven't spoken in 12 years but they're in a reality tv show competition. Talk about topical :). These two are wonderfully fleshed out characters, down to their insecurities and foibles. You know how things are going to work out, don't you, but you'll find yourself enjoying this as much as I did. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. I'm really looking forward to reading books focused on Heather and Trenton.

I really like Jill and her foster sisters. Jill has always had a temper and that is one of the things that attracted Cal to her. He really likes seeing her in a temper. Jill hasn't spoken to Cal in a long time and he is trying his best to make up for the hurt he caused her when he divorced her after being married for 24 hours. Now Jill and Cal are competing on a renovation show and she will have to talk to him at some point, won't she? It seems they just hurt each other instead of getting over the past. As they try to find their way back to at least being friends, they have some help from their friends, family and even a ghost.

Take a stubborn woman, a tough Alpha man, throw in some personal history, add some head to head competition & stand back! Jill Sadler is one third of Bluebonnet Construction. Along with her foster sisters Heather & Trenton, Jill has moved back to the town she grew up in. They accidentally gained a reputation for building she-sheds, a tiny house mets man cave idea. They want to start getting bigger & more important jobs so Aunt Blu, their foster mother, enters them into a contest remodeling a house. One the first day of filming, Jill finds out her competition is her ex-husband. The one she'd been married to for less than 24 hours & has stubbornly refused to talk to since. How's she going to survive this?

Calhoun "Cal" Reynolds is the owner of We Nail It Contractors & is Jill's ex-husband. When the producers of the reality show asked him to be part of the show, he wasn't sure whether to agree or not. He was tired of Jill ignoring him so he decided to do it. He didn't realize how it was going to make him feel though. Can he get through to Jill? Does he want to?

Hardheaded is a tale of two people that have to learn to compromise, listen & see the other persons side. Cal & Jill's marriage didn't last because they were both immature, didn't listen & thought everything had to be their way. The characters in the story are well developed & each add dimension to the story. They are unpredictable too. Cal's interactions with his cat Lily & with the ghost Mrs. W are hilarious! The picture of this sexy, rugged Alpha male conversing with a cat or believing in ghosts is unexpected. Kim Law develops characters that elicit reactions from you whether good or bad. I can't wait to see what she gives us for Heather or Trenton's stories!

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I have read several different books by Kim Law.

I really enjoyed this book and the back and forth drama between Jill and Cal. The part I liked the least and what kept me from giving it 5 stars was that which included Mrs W. I would've liked the book much better without the paranormal/after life aspect. I did enjoy meeting JJ. Near the end of the story.
At one point I felt like this story was ripped right from the current headlines with Jill's experience in Hollywood and the Harvey Weinstein accusations.

You can never go wrong with a book written by Kim Law, and this one proves that point.
Hard Headed is the start of a new series that promises to be a very good one.
Jill Sadler, is one of three foster sisters that own a construction company. They end up chosen to be one of two competing companies for a TV show titled Texas Dream Home. The other competitor is Cal Reynolds and his company. A man that was her husband for a day. These two have a truckload of issues between themselves and by themselves.
For the 6 years Jill has been back in town. She has not spoken to Cal but this show changes all that . The anger she is known for and her perspective of their past also changes.
Both had abandonment issues as kids and these issues have molded them into the individuals they are today. 
Will they be able to heal and find each other again, or will they miss their second chance at love?
The author gives us a well developed plot, complex main characters and secondary characters that are not only interesting but potentially will have a story of their own. Looking forward to them.
I was gifted this copy by Netgalley. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

Great read! I love the three female characters and their foster mother, Blu. This story centers around Jill and Cal. Competitors in a construction contest and ex’s ( having had a 24 hr marriage). Lots of fun dialogue and painful, but compelling history. Hope Ms Law shares the other ladies stories with us soon!

ARC Kindle Copy for Review

I received a free, advance copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is my unbiased and voluntary review.

Reality TV has hit a small town as it takes no prisoners and former spouses w againgho have known to have anger issues; especially , with each other.

Their marriage lasted two-four hours as they rang off to Vegas on her eighteen birthday.He returned home and she went to California and refused to speak to him again even after she rturned home several years ago.

Finding themselves compositing against each other in the construction business that she does know he is her competition. It becomes a man vs female in this construction battle as each prove to themselves that they are good enough despite their less than perfect childhood.

What will the ultimate outcome be?

This book is a fantastic second chance love story. Heardheaded by Kim Law is a very well written book with humor and love and everything I look for in a good book. The characters and story are unique and well developed.

Hardheaded is second chance love story. It is a really good written story about two stubborn persons Jill and Cal. Both of them have made many mistakes in the past and faith is making them do a second chance. A very emotional story with amusing parts that made me laugh, a little a bit of paranormal activity in between and a story which show us that past should be left in the past and not letting it control your present life. I liked both Jill and Cal they are both well develop and likable especially when you really get to know them with all their secrets and insecurities. I liked that the story was not predictable there are some things that I did not see coming. And I loved how did the attraction escalate in too a really hot burning the sheets down hot.
I volunteered to review an ARC of this book for Netgelly

I'm so glad that I started reading Kim Law. I've found that I've been really enjoying her books. Of the ones that I've read, I haven't found one that I didn't like.

Hard Headed is the start of a new series. I think you are just going to love the story line. I know I did. Not a huge fan of second chance romances and I've found that many of the authors I've been reading lately have book doing them. Because I enjoy so many of those authors I kinda had no choice but to try the stories.

Right away the author had me hooked when I found out that the characters were going to be on a home make-over reality show! What fun!!! I couldn't wait to see what was going to happen. I kinda have a thing for these kinds of shows so I was all for it. Plus the all female owned business of construction workers called to me. Then add two people on apposing teams that don't like each other!

Oh boy were we in for it!

You quickly realize that there is something between Jill and Cal. Did I mention that I often don't read blurbs? I like to go into a story cold. Since I didn't read it I didn't know much about the characters, which means I truly was enjoying it as it happened.

I usually like the hero more then the heroine (shocking right?) but in this case I didn't. I kinda couldn't stand him at first. I think it was because you knew something had happened between them but the author at first kept it hidden. I need to get into the story more to learn what it was but from Cal's thoughts he was turning me off a little.

As the story went on and I learned more about the two main characters I found my first impressions changing. I stopped thinking that Cal was a dick and learned that there was two sides of every story. This is why I love reading romances. So much going on!

In the end I was so happy that I read Hard Headed and can't wait for the next stories in the series. You'll love both Heather, Trenton and aunt Blu. I have a feeling there is more fun to come!

I must admit, I am a bit of a remodeling show geek. Maybe that’s why this book grabbed my attention. I really liked the idea of two companies going head to head in a competition. How would I judge something like that? The fact that one of the companies is all women just added another layer to the story. And I hadn’t even met the players yet!

Let’s just say that Cal and Jill are combustible. They have a past, they hate each other (sorta), and they are both as stubborn as mules. Throw in some needy, quirky relatives, a few great friends, a wise old aunt, and maybe even a ghost, and Kim Law has another winner here!

Grab this story and take a trip down to Texas. You won’t regret it!

4 1/2 Star Review.....

This was my first read by Kim Law, and so thoroughly enjoyable.

Great characters, a fabulous storyline and some exceptionally quirky parts that made me constantly chuckle out load. Cal’s conversations will Lily were one of the highlights for me, as you don’t often find a hard-working construction guy, who talks to his cat!

Jill is a take no prisoners’ type of gal, and her history with Cal was always destined to make fiery reading. I loved this story and can’t wait to read what comes next in the series. Basically, a great first book!

Well the title sure fits for both Jill and Cal. When Jill and her two foster sisters are invited to be on a TV show competition renovating a home in their town she is completely taken off guard to find out that her competition is none other than her ex-husband. What's interesting about this ex-husband is the fact that that were only married for 24 hours agree being childhood sweethearts and haven't spoken in over 12 years, 5 or more of those living in the same small town.

There were several things that bring this story together, anchoring it as the first in the series. We have Aunt Blu who had fostered girls and we have a first hand look at the amazing and strong bond between three of those women with Jill, Trenton and Heather. The love and strength in just this part of the book and upcoming series makes this book well with reading. Other parts include Cal's family relationship with his dad, uncle and grandmother; Jill's relationship with her mother.

Those don't even touch on the building and competition aspect of the story that gives us the wonderful story of Mrs. Wainwright. Loved this!

With all these other elements if the story no of those distract or lessen the love, tension and healing of Jill and Cal's romance.

Loved it and can't wait for the rest of this series.

Hardheaded, Deep in the Heart Book 1, Kim Law

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre: General fiction (adult), Romance

I usually love Montlake books, so it came as a bit of a shock that though I liked this book, that was all :-( 

Its a good story, has some terrific characters ( I especially liked Little and Big Red!), and the premise of the show added a different edge.
Its just that somehow for me the whole thing failed to really gel, I didn't really ever feel the settings of the characters were real. That's so important to me, I read to get lose in another world, to lose this life for a while and immerse myself in another.
Here though I just always felt like an onlooker, so though I enjoyed the story, when I reached the end I didn't feel sad, didn't miss characters I'd come to love, and I know its a story that's a one time read only for me. 

I can't really explain why I feel this way. Its possibly that all the characters were so nice, and I use that word deliberately. There wasn't any nastiness, jealousies, the closest it got was Marci ( I think that was her name ) calling Jill a two-bit orphan, or something along those lines.
With all these "good" characters there wasn't any friction, and for me that  makes a book.

I love it when sparks fly, I love some genuine temper. Though Jill flipped a couple of times it wasn't as if she didn't have provocation, and that's the only hint of any real drama I felt.
The issues between Jill and Cal were really storm-in-a-teacup, and I just couldn't see how they were so at odds about what the other wanted, how the other felt when they were supposed to be so close, so in love. Yes they were young when they married but did they ever actually talk to each other?
I just couldn't see things would play out as they did and it didn't feel right. 

Stars: Three, a decent read, but lacked real emotion and drama for me. 

ARC supplied for review purposes by Netgalley and Publishers