Bulldozer

I once called P. Dangelico the new queen of the slow burn but now I just call her a magician. A sneaky, sly magician that makes you see one side of a character, then with a wave of her pen, she reveals so many hidden secrets.

Amanda left a bad taste in my mouth after her appearance in Wrecking Ball. A hot mess of a single mom, there seemed no way the spoiled Amanda who tried to come between her brother Cal and Cam could be one of P. Dangelico’s funny, flawed but strong heroines. Hence the author’s magic - I absolutely loved the real Amanda: a young woman struggling with insecurities, past mistakes, and the drive to make things right for her young son. The last thing Amanda thinks she needs is a surly, rude tenant in her brother’s beach house:
<blockquote>This unwanted houseguest is beginning to consume way too much of my already overtaxed brainpower. Too much strange behavior. Too many unanswered questions. Too much of a bad attitude. But most of all, too much nudity.</blockquote>

At first, Amanda is polite, even kind. But pro football player Grant piles on insult after insult, to the point that I was almost ready to DNF his rude self. Until Amanda finally gave into her inner Wonder Woman and blasts him with a pool hose:

<blockquote>“Go ahead and feel sorry for yourself. I don’t give a rat’s ass. Go ahead and watch porn to your hearts content. Booze it up all day long. Eat trash and neglect your physical therapy. No judgment––you’re a big boy. In theory. What you cannot do, however, is do it around my son. He’s been subjected to enough of that from me––well, I mean, except for the porn. The point is he will not be made to endure it from you. I’m calling my brother.”

With that, I throw the hose nozzle at him.</blockquote>

Go, Amanda! And just when I thought Grant was an unredeemable jerk, P. Dangelico waved her magic wand and made him the sweetest partner and support for Amanda. The way Grant is terrified of Amanda’s tears, the way he promises to buy her ten “Kimbles” when he breaks her e-reader, the way he tells her she’s a good mom to her son; heartmeltingly good.

The author’s formula revolves around redeeming cocky, arrogant, insufferable guys and it really works. Be prepared to love Amanda and hate Grant until you suddenly find yourself loving both of them.

4.5 stars

Note: I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC generously provided by NetGalley and the publisher.