While P. Dangelico is typically one of my go-to authors, Wrecking Ball didn't quite fit with me. I enjoyed it, but it didn't leave a lasting impression, nor am I inclined to revisit it. I look forward to other books written by this author because she is one of the rare ones who knows how to keep my interest.

Cam DeSantis lost everything. Her husband had a ponzi scheme and now her husband is gone. Everything she believed in was gone, house, belongings even her car. Now she is back with her parents and still struggling to find her way back. She has been hounded by victims and she has been fired from her job. Now she is jobless and desperate need of a job and when home school job opportunity came along she went to the interview. But that interview wasn't what she thought. She was called horrible names so she wouldn't sell her pride so she left.
Calvin Shaw, NFL quarterback is in desperate need of nanny/homeschool teacher. Ever since his divorce, he has been difficult to be around. But now he has nephew to take care of and he won't open up to him. No one will stay long enough to work with him and his nephew. When he heard Cam was only one his nephew open up to, he went to Cam until she would accept his job offer.
Cam needed money desperately to help out her parents since they have been taking care of her with her legal fees. What Calvin was offering was tempting but she wasn't sure if she could work with him. When he begs for her forgiveness and offers bigger amount, she couldn't just refuse. Now she will have to live under his roof and avoid him at all cost.
Cam and Calvin started as enemy but lines get blurred when he propose a fake relationship. Now they will have to play a part however, Cam worries it could open her past up. Calvin seems cold and arrogant but Cam is slowly changing him as well. Will they wreck their relationship when time is over or will keep it
It was enemy to lovers story with little more twist and angst. I did enjoy their banter.
This was first book I read from this author and I can't wait to get into other books by her.
Thanks to Netgalley and author for ARC in exchange for honest review.

I really enjoyed reading this book! It wasn’t an insta-love story that needed time to build between each character that had several layers.

Loved it!

I like the chemistry between the first two characters. I like that she's a strong woman and trying to carve out her own place. Definitely solid character development.

This is a great read!! Wrecking Ball is the first book I've read by P. Dangelico but it won't be my last. I loved how the author created such real characters & made the book about so much more that just the typical romance (not that I have anything against those books ;))

I think I fell a little in love with Calvin & Cam is just amazing. Watching them put their pasts behind them & create a new path together was amazing. Loved these two so much.

I can't wait to read the next in the series- Cam's best friend is such a fun character & I can't wait to see her fall in love.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

YES YES YES YES!!!!

This book was nothing short of amazing!!! Cam and Cal's characters are so relatable and easy to connect to. But it doesn't end there! All the characters are so well developed that you feel like you're getting to know each one as you get to know the main characters!

I love the humor mixed with the seriousness of the book. In the beginning I just could not see or understand how Cal and Cam ended up together. I mean they hate each other's guts! But, the author does it and without even realizing it you're watching their walls slowly come tumbling down.

Amazing! Can't wait to read more in this series!

Ladies and Gentleman, may I present to you: Camilla, the perfect female lead.
There are so many authors out there who may have the right intention of creating a strong and willful heroine, but end up making her bitchy and obstinate instead. Not Paola Dangelico, though.
Camilla was truly amazing. Proud, mature, sarcastic, vulnerable and affectionate, all mixed up in a perfect blend. I've developed a serious girl-crush on her and I'm not ashamed to admit so!
But, I digress.

Let me tell you, this series's name doesn't fit at all. For me, this book was impossible not to love, since it has...
...a great heroine (already established that)

I give a single shit who pays my salary. As long as he isn't a white supremacist, pedophile, who likes to kick puppies in the head for fun, and has ties to ISIS, I am good to go.


...a sexy-as-sin alpha hero who takes the silent brooding thing on a whole new level

Now more at ease, Calvin nods and smiles at me. Yes, smiles. No teeth, but it's definitely a smile. It's like a sighting of Bigfoot. I'm momentarily stunned.


...awesome secondary characters (I can't tell you how excited I am that the next book in this series will be about Amber and Fancy McButterPants)

"If he hurts you so help me God they'll find him floating on the Hudson river in five separate coolers."
That's Amber for you. Girlfriend always has my Back.


...a torturously slow-moving romance with so much tension it'll make your head spin

Slay me now. Just put me out of my misery. It feels like I just stepped on a land mine called Calvin Shaw and he's blown my poor tender heart to smithereens.


... hilarious banter

"You don't like my beard."
"I'm sure the vermin that call it home luv it."


...and, to top it all off, an engaging style of writing.

So yeah, guess I'm a fan girl now.

I absolutely love this book. It had everything I love in a book: a nice paced romantic build, a swoon-worthy hero, a cute kid, and no crazy unbelievable drama. Camilla, is a widow to a man who ran a Ponzi Scheme and, unfortunately, she was left with the aftermath of his actions after he died. Calvin, is pro football player who is taking care of his nephew while his sister is in rehab. Camilla and Calvin are not interested in romantic relationships and form a great friendship, but as they grow closer they realize they may want more than just friendship. However, Camilla has always wanted one particular thing in her life but it's the one thing Calvin doesn't want. Can Cam and Cal have a future together when neither can compromise on this one issue?

Wrecking Ball (5 Stars)
What’s one of the best things about reading? Reading that book that was nothing like you expected and floored you completely and that’s exactly what Wrecking Ball did for me.
I’ve never read a P. Danagelico book before but if the rest are anything like this one…then I’m a fan.
To say Camilia DeSantis’ life if less than desirable right now is an understatement; She’s widowed, she’s broke, She’s pretty much jobless, She’s hated by millions and she’s currently living back at home with her parents. After her husband’s death she finds out that he basically ran a Ponzi scheme cheating people out of millions. For her is simply guilt by association, her name and face have been plastered all over tabloids and TV and people who know nothing about her hate her. She’s so down on her luck that no one will even hire her so when she’s offered to homeschool and serve as a live-in nanny for a young boy, she has no choice but to accept the position. Unfortunately for her, the boy’s guardian who happens to be the starting quarterback for NY team is a complete ASS. Never mind he’s hotter than hell he’s an ASS.
Calvin Shaw hasn’t had the best luck himself lately. His wife left him, his sister’s in rehab and he’s now the guardian for his nephew who doesn’t seem to respond to anyone, that is anyone except this woman the agency sent over. Cal has no choice but to hire her but that doesn’t mean he has to like her. And he does like her, too much. Cam doesn’t scare easily, the Jersey Girl has no problem calling his bluff and letting him have it when she feels the need. This just makes him more and more attracted to her and the last thing Cal ever intended or wants is to get involved romantically.
This is one of those rare books that grabs you from the beginning and before you know it your halfway through and starting to panic because you don’t want it to be over.
In the spirit of Beck Anderson, P. Dangelico has proved that you don’t need a bunch of sex to sell a sexy romance. The sexual chemistry between these two was amazing; but what was more amazing was the fact that this was a book or story or progression. You watched (or in this case read) as Cam and Cal struggled to find their footing around each other, build a friendship and ultimately fall in love with each other. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, it was sexy, funny, sweet and heartbreaking and I was sad when it was over. Cam had so much spunk, I just loved her (this could also be that I’m biased to Jersey Girls since I’m one myself; and Cal, he was the epitome of a gentle giant, he could steal my carbs any time he wanted. Since this appears to be the first book in a Series, I can’t wait to read the next book. There are a few other characters in this book that I’d love to get to know.

***4,5 "Boobear" stars***

This was a very refreshing reading!!! And I enjoyed it way too much...
I had such a long time to feel that way while I was reading a book....
It was captivating, funny, full of angst and soooo sexy in a not sexy way!!!!
Am I confusing you???
Let me take the things from the beginning...

Camilla's life couldn't be nothing less than a train wreck...
She lost her husband, her job, her house and her dignity!!!
And that led her to work for Mr. Shaw, the QB of the Titans.... But believe me when I'm saying that it took many efforts and lots of funny moments for her and Calvin to come to an arrangement.... And why 's that???
Because of a very nasty comment that he did the first day that he saw her.... Yep, Camilla lost almost all her life, but she still had her pride and she couldn't tolerate from this caveman to talk about her like that!!!!

‘I’m offering you the job.’
‘Thanks, but no thanks.’
‘No? What do you mean no?’
‘No as in denial, refusal, an explicit rejection. If you’ve never heard the word before, let me be the one to introduce you.’

Calvin Shaw was antisocial and uncivilized.... something that is very strange in his position and with his fame!!!! He doesn't want to do anything with women since his ex wife betrayed him in an ugly way. The only thing he cared was his career and nothing more....
Unfortunately, his nephew is staying with him and he needs a tutor for the boy... But that tutor had to be tough for putting up with him and with his awful,crumpy attitude!!!
And this person came in the form of Camilla DeSantis and her sassy mouth...

“What exactly is your diabolical master plan?” I say, going on with a full-on scathing sarcasm.
“You come with me everywhere I go and pretend to be my girlfriend.”
“And I get?”
“Money and protection”
“I wasn’t aware I joined the Cosa Nostra.”

As you can realize, Camilla and Calvin had a tough start full of nasty and ugly moments (which was really funny for the reader!!!), but as the time is passing by, they are starting to get to know each other and to understand better....
The relation is being redeemed and it's becoming a friendship.... A friendship with too much sexual tension...
Both of them, doesn't need someone in their life, especially after their bad experiences, but how you can control the heart matters??? They can hit you like a wrecking ball!!!!

“Doesn’t matter. Everything south of the border is dead. My cooch is broken.”
Snorting, Amber replies, “Your cooch is not broken. It’s just…taking a refreshing nap, waiting for a hot as fudge babymaker to come along.”
“No thanks. Any kids that man manages to spawn will be mini Shreks.”
“Grumpy and cute?”
“Yup.”
“I like Shrek.”
With a huff, I grumble, “So do I.”

I loved Camilla very much....
She was a little bit crazy, very sassy and she could do anything that she put on her mind... I loved the way she got closer both to Sam and Calvin.
Honestly, she was so delightful when she was giving shit to Calvin!!!! I loved her raw honesty very much....
Cam had been betrayed in an ugly way and it was totally understandable that she had lost her faith to men... She knew what she wanted and she wasn't backing down to anything.

"I’m way too defeated and vulnerable to defend myself from his searching gaze. If he were to look into my eyes now he would read every thought I own.
That I’m lonely.
That I’m so grateful for him.
That I’m in serious danger of falling in love…God help me."

I also loved Calvin, even though the man was for many punches especially in the beginning...
He was like a wild animal and he wasn't thinking before he opened up his filthy mouth.
He was literally a wild beast, but then he opened up to Cam and i totally understand him, even though his stubborness was giving me a headache...
He didn't want anything to do with the opposite genre and that was a little bit... strange!!! LOL

“When I saw you that day staring back at me with those big brown eyes––you hit me like a wrecking ball…I panicked.”

Those two together were so hot and delightful...
The bickering between them was so fun to witness... Their hot moments were absolutely stunning and their real moments were so beautiful...
I loved the pace that the author choose to settle in here.... It felt more authentic!!!!
But i still have some objections and that's why i didn't put a 5 star rating... The things were moving in a very believable pace, but near to the end, the things were moving really, really fast.... Not so much between them, but between of what they wanted and what they were demanding from the other part and that messed it up a little bit for me...

"“You wreck me…every time I look at you.” He searches my face to see the effects of his words. The effect is that I can’t see the beginning or end of my love for him, it’s a constant never-ending thing. How did this happen? How did we get here? Not too long ago we were barely able to tolerate each other. He snuck up on me. This sex on a stick, six foot four, two hundred and thirty pound man, has snuck up on me and stole my heart."

Beyond Camilla and Calvin, i have to say that this book had many awesome secondary characters...
First of all, i loved Sam... He was such a sweetheart!!!
Ethan was a wonderful guy.... I need his story and i preffer to be with Amber who was such a kick ass chic!!!!
Also, the DeSantis parents were amazing people and the same goes for Mercedes....
Well, i can't wait to hold in my hands the next story of this series!!!!

***ARC kindly provided via NetGalley for the exchange of an honest review***

I really loved this book. It had such a beautiful story, even if the ending did frustrate me a bit, I absolutely loved it.

I really loved this book. You have to be a fan of a developed story line and a slow build romance, which I am if it is done correctly...and this is absolutely done correctly! Cam and Calvin have fantastic chemistry, even if believes it is only one sided. She has had a rather rough go of life lately, which I loved the uniqueness of her back story. Calvin is an absolute jerk to begin with, but he slowly begins to worm his way into both Cam and the reader's heart. I am so glad I found this author, and I can't wait for the next one in the series. She is a fantastic writer and I feel like although this is a slow building romance, it moves very well. Five Plus stars and she goes on my one click list.

Yes, if you are looking for a slow burn sports romance, this book is for you. If you loved The Wall of Winnepeg, this book is definitely for you. My problem, the slow burn!!!! Gosh, I was dying!

So this is the story of Camilla. She is struggling to survive after the death of her husband, her dignity, her job, friendships, bank account, etc. A scandal with her deceased husband has her sinking so low that she has no choice but to move back with her parents. She is hooked up through a temp agency to become a caretaker/teacher to Sam, the nephew of a famous NFL football player, Calvin Shaw. Talk about a total prick!! Damn, he was the grumpiest, meanest, moodiest man EVER!!! No doubt, he had his reasons I guess. Being burned in the past by his wife and having a non-existent childhood while raising his little brothers and sisters. But he obviously worked hard to get where he was, and after the damage done by his wife, he pretty much swore off women. Also, after playing parent to his siblings, he swore off having his own children also.

I did love the banter between Cam and Cal, but it just took so long for them to wake up! But Cal was honest about his future (no kids) and Cam was honest about hers (wanting a family). They were pretty honest with each other in that regard.

One thing I must say, Cal's reaction to a certain situation near the end almost made me hate him! How could he? I mean really? I wanted to slap and kick the crap out of him!

A little too quick of a wrap up in the end, but I did really love the storyline and the MCs. Looking forward to Amber's story, which I assume is next!

This book and the story was interesting enough to keep my attention and not bad for a new author, but I did have some issues with it. First of all, the heroine is a divorced woman, a teacher, and yet she talked with constant slang language and sometimes very immature - it didn't mesh with the character for me. Also, I can't handle things like intentionally misspelled/misused/slang words I'm writing, such as the repeated use of "jezus" and simlar words in this book. It's extremely distracting and also annoying to me. I found the premise a little too much of a copycat of Mariana Zapata's novels for me.

I enjoyed this book, found it to be funny. Also enjoyed the buildup of there relationship, it was not a jump in bed scenario, they actually did not get together till almost ending. The relationship of Cal and Cam was good, well it was difficult, he was a grump and she did not put up with crap. Good for her, to many heroines are doormats, I can not stand that.. And he had a previous relationship that had ended horribly so he does not really want one.. Enjoyable.

Overall Rating: 5/5 stars
Do I recommend it?: ABSOLUTELY! To anybody who loves a down-to-earth and realistic heroine, a strong male hero who’s NOT a man-whore, and LOL moments.
Genre: Contemporary
POV: Heroine [Cam]
Writing: 5/5 stars, the writing in this is brilliant, realistic with lots of heart and humor. A very easy yet well thought out characters and story line.
Story/Plot: 5/5 stars, a somewhat unique story [story’s been done before, but with a few believable twists], no unnecessary drama and limited sex scenes [which don’t detract from the story line at all]
Characters: Cam was totally real to me, loved her sense of humor, and believable attitude. Cal, well once you find out why he is the way he is, you totally root for him as well. No ‘big reveal’, this is parceled out in bits and pieces as Cam gets to know him.
Emotions: Perfection, a slow build to the love story itself, you truly get to know the characters.
Flow/pacing: Again, perfection, not too drawn out, definitely not too fast, just right.
Steam: When it’s necessary.
HEA: Yes
Will I read this author again?: DEFINITELY, will be reading her backlog and look forward to her new endeavors as well. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

Camilla's marriage ended badly, she's broke, living with her parents and when she gets an interview for a job it sounds too good to be true.

Calvin is in desperate need of someone to help him with his nephew, and once he meets Camilla no one else will do.

I loved the back and forth between Camilla and Calvin. Camilla's thoughts and comments are hilarious, and her BFF just tops it all off. An absolute must read slow burn romance. This was the first book I have read by this author and it definitely won't be the last! I received a complimentary copy of this book for my unbiased review.

This is Book 1 in the "Hard To Love" series by P. Dangelico.

This is the story of Cam DeSantis and Calvin Shaw. Although this is a sports related book, the main plot is more about feelings, of conflicted pasts, old wounds and the building of a wonderful relationship and I absolutely loved it. Calvin is brooding, gorgeous, silent and kind of sad. Cam is an optimistic by nature but life has been hard on her and now she has another way of seeing things.

Cam lost her husband in an accident about three years ago but after his death she founds out that he was stealing money and the law makes her leave all her savings and possessions behind. Now she needs to find a job desperately. This is how she meets Cal.

The love between them grows slowly, oh so slowly but you follow them along the pages and their feelings seem so real that you root for them as if they were a real couple! Great read! Well written and fantastic characters! i cannot wait for Book 2!

I voluntarily reviewed a copy provided via Netgalley

5 stars

Wrecking Ball by P.Dangelico was such a wonderful read, loved it!

From the first few pages I knew this was going to be a winner for me. I loved the plot, the characters entertained me with their banter and witty comebacks and my interest was held from start to end.

I loved Calvin and Cam, they were well written characters that I easily connected with. They made me smile. they made me laugh, they made me swoon, they frustrated me and they made me cry. These two might have started off not liking each other but with time, communication and trust the mile high walls they had guarding their heart started coming down and what lay beneath was two good people who earned and deserved a second chance at a happily ever after.

It warmed my heart watching Calvin and Cam connect and fall in love. I had no doubt these two would have a passionate and happy life together.

Wrecking Ball is a great start to the Hard To Love series, and I highly recommend it.
Looking forward to the next book Sledgehammer.

Thank you to the author/publisher via Netgalley for the advance copy.*

Book given in exchange of an honest review on Netgalley,

I loved this book from the start! I found the characters hilarious and intense; and since the sex scenes are far into the book we get to know them pretty well before anything happens and that made the connection between them much stronger which definitely hooked us up!

Cam has been through A LOT, and it's not figurative speech, her life has been ruined, her husband died and now she has no job and no money.

Even though all of those things are happening to her, she is still strong enough to stand up for herself, and that made me love her from the start.

During our lives we may hit some rough patches and it's not about who suffers the most, it's about how we overcome this situations and she is a perfect example of that.

But she still needs a job, and there comes Calvin, he was such a weird moody character from the start, that I couldn't put my finger on what he wanted out of Cam.
But he starts to shed his outer self preservation coverage and bit by bit we start to see this really good man, who has had a hard time in life and is now guarded.

The fascinating part about this book is that there's a point in which you are so deep inside the story and so connected to the characters that you forget about how they were before. In that moment your mind knows that Calvin's eyes where always these expressive, and that Cam could never keep her hands of him.

Calvin surprised me the most, he was such a pure soul. He had been always a romantic, and that was hard to tell from our first impression, but then he uncovers little bits of himself that leave Cam speechless.

I really fell for this characters, the author did an amazing job in making them super relatable and so likeable that you can't stop yourself from crying alongside them and wanting to be Cam's best friend and help her in her bad moments.


A must read!