This is a great book; this is the first book in the Hard to Love series written by P. Dangelico. This is a great book with a wonderful story and well developed characters. This book will keep you reading long into the night and you will not want to put this book down until you finish. This was such a great read and full of surprises. I am looking forward to reading the next book by this great author.

I loved everything about this book, the slow building relationship, the witty dialogue and banter, the engaging characters, the flawless writing and storytelling. This book left me with a huge smile and warmth in my heart, definitely the mark of a great romance!

Cam DeSantis is trying to piece her life together after her husband’s death, but she is tired and disappointed. Her husband embezzled millions in a Ponzi scheme and it seems to her that her married life has been a lie. She has lost her lover and best friend, her home and her job of teacher. Desperately looking for a new job, she is offered a position of live-in teacher and caretaker for Calvin Shaw’s young nephew Sam. Calvin is one of the biggest sports stars in the country, the celebrated starting quarterback of the NY Titans. He is also lonely, difficult and closed-off since his divorce. Although their first interaction is a disaster, Cam accepts to work for Calvin, because she likes Sam and wants to help him. Everything about Calvin makes her uncomfortable, though, from his gruff demeanor to his distant and bossy attitude. I loved this heroine, she has been going through a lot of hardship, but she is a survivor. She has a sweet, easygoing personality, apparently in contrast to Cal’s single mindedness and intensity.

I loved their dynamics and the way their relationship shifted from animosity to friendship, and finally to love. Cal slowly starts to open up to Cam, and she is irresistibly drawn to him. She has come to trust and respect him. These characters are honest, likeable and yet flawed. They both need emotional healing to overcome their fears and insecurities. The author took the time needed to unfold their story in a realistic way. I loved how they grew together, learning to trust again.

Wrecking Ball pulled me in from the get-go, and I was so happy to read this gem of a story, with a perfect balance of humor, emotions and chemistry. I highly recommend it!

'Wrecking Ball' by P. Dangelico is book One in the "Hard To Love" series. This is the story of Cam DeSantis and Calvin Shaw. I must confess that I usually don't like sports related romance (I not a sports person) so I tend to stay away from them but I can't stay away from Ms. Dangelico writing! So I had to read this book and I am so glad I did! I truly loved it! It has the silent, brooding, Alpha male along with the strong, funny female stories I like.
Cam lost her husband about three years ago but in addition to that she found that he had been taking money that wasn't his. So now she is having to start all over because of his stealing she has lost her job and any money they had. Cam has moved back in with her parents and has started looking for a new job. Cam answers and add for a live in teacher..there she meets Cal. We find that Cal's sister is in rehab and that he is taking care of his nephew for three months and needs help. Cam learns that all the other women that have been hired up and left do to Cal's temper...which Cam sees on their first meeting. I loved 'watching' how their love grew and how the deal with their past sorrows. I loved how Ms. Dangelico build up to their relationship so it didn't seem hurried. Ms. Dangelico also put the 'Cherry on Top' by giving us and Epilogue!
Can't wait for more stories by Ms. Dangelico! "My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read."

Fans of The Wall of Winnipeg and Me by Mariana Zapata will likely thoroughly enjoy this one, folks. Cal was the intense, brooding, gentle giant NFL quarterback who doesn’t realize what he’s been missing until Cam comes along and knocks down the walls he’s built around his heart. She’s still struggling with the guilt by association label many people want branded on her thanks to her beloved but dearly departed husband’s criminal business practices. Ironically, Cam is the one who ultimately has to start putting up walls of her own when she realizes she has fallen for this reluctant to commit hero.

No, Cal was certainly not perfect. His reaction to a big reveal caused him to have a “shouldn’t have said that” moment that is pretty hard to forgive. The plus side is it leads to a groveling hero who realizes he can’t live without his girl.

Cam did truly love her husband, folks, and he reciprocated those feelings. She’s had three years to deal with the aftermath of his death and shock over what happened. There is a clever twist where he contacts Cam beyond the grave, and it helps give her some very painful but necessary closure.

With writing that flows, a sweet/sassy/feisty resilient heroine that keeps the hero on his toes, I hated to see this book end. Here’s to hoping book 2, Sledgehammer, will be as equally entertaining.

Title: Wrecking Ball, Series: Hard to Love (Book 1), Author: P. Dangelico, Pages: 271, stand-alone but part of a series, no cheating, no love triangle, no OW/OM drama, reluctant to commit football hero who is not a manho, slow burn, sassy heroine, shouldn’t have said that moment, groveling hero, celibate hero and heroine.

Book 1 - Wrecking Ball (Cam & Calvin), 1/19/17
Book 2 - Sledgehammer, details not available yet

(This review is based on advanced reader copy provided via NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased, fair review. No compensation was provided to this reviewer, nor is there any affiliation between the reviewer and author/publisher/NetGalley. It will be posted on Amazon, Goodreads, NetGalley, and Barnes & Noble.)

Very very good book. Read it in one day! I want more. Romance, passion,family mixed up.

I really enjoyed this novel! What a great read! I'm a sucker for the beauty and the beast story line and this is a really fun take on it. Cam was such an interesting heroine - very sassy with a strong personality and interesting voice. It was wonderful to see such a strong woman heroine in a romance. They aren't as common as I'd like, honestly. And Calvin (the hero) really grew on me over time. He is certainly a challenging character although you grow to understand exactly why as time goes on. The story unfolds a little slowly but I was never bored. In fact, I was fully engaged the whole time. The relationship between Cam and Calvin really grew over time which I think was fantastic ... it wasn't just a love at first sight sort of story line. It took awhile to build their relationship. I loved the addition of the nephew and how he was so integral to the development of their relationship. I loved Cam's bestie and I really hope she gets her own book one day! All in all, this was a really enjoyable romance read!

Loved it! Such a great story! So much feeling and such chemistry. The pull between these two is intense and perfect. They are so cute together with this beauty and the beast kind of feel to it. Watching their relationship unfold was wonderful. There were definitely some unexpected parts to it but they were great. This was my first book by this author and I hope it won't be my last.

I'm between 3.75 and 4 stars on this one. I didn't read it and think throughout "OMG I love this" but writing this review I remember the slow burn and slow development of the relationship and how it just worked for me.

Ponzi scheme, wife has no clue, wife loses husband, money, job, everything. Cam goes back home to live with her parents and lick her proverbial wounds. Offered a short-term job being the nanny/teacher for a young boy under the temporary care of his uncle, Calvin.

Cam makes me laugh. She's angry and bitter (understandable but not over the top miserable) but she's a fighter and won't back down from life or grumpy Calvin. She loves teaching and her interactions with Sam are what a great teacher is. A strong heroine not afraid of life but a little wary yet hopeful of the future.

Calvin. What's not to like about a star QB whose sexy and who takes care of his sister's son when she has to go to rehab. Calvin is the proverbial rock for his family since childhood and continues that role. He's also one of the grumpiest heroes you'll read about. If anybody deserved a kick in the ass by a heroine multiple times it was Calvin. Sexy but not a nice guy and a bit of a tool to be honest.

Slowly the iceberg that is Calvin starts melting and starts shifting toward Cam (and Sam who he's kept at an emotional distance). No insta love craziness here but a slow development of a tenuous friendship. Slowly start adding in some chemistry and emotional bonding and it's a nice romantic read. I almost forget what a d*ck Calvin was when he first met Cam. It's nice to see the layers peeled back from a hero and watch him slowly fall in love with his family and a woman.

4.5 Stars
I loved this book! This is a new to me author, and I couldn't be more thrilled to discover her. A grumpy alpha male, a strong heroine, and a slow burn....does it get any better? This book ticked all the boxes for me, but it also gave me all the feels. I giggled, I fumed, I teared up. I loved Calvin, and I loved watching the push and pull as their relationship grew. This book totally did it for me, and I was disappointed to see it end. I will definitely be on the lookout for other books by this author.

Genre: – Cont. Romance
Series: – Stand Alone
Love triangle? – No
Cheating? – No
HEA? – Yes
Would I read more by this author/or in this series? – Yes
Rating – 4.5 stars

★Review★


You know when you are reading a book, then you finish it, and wish you had not read it at all to begin with, JUST so you can go back and read it all brand new for the very first time again!

Well that was this book. As I was reading it, I was loving it and loving moving on in the story, but at the same time, looking at my kindle, and thinking “ok, I am 40% through, I still have 60% of good book to go”……..or “right, I am 70% though, that is still 30% of book left, 30 is a lot”

That was this book.

We all know, grumpy, sulky mean guys, yet hiding a secret pain are my faves!! Especially when they have no issue with stripping down!

It was a slow burn, from dislike to friendship to love, and it just worked so so beautifully.

I loved the heroine, she was a strong character and stood up for herself. Adored her best friend, hope she gets a book.

And the hero, as i said above, I love a grumpy hero and watching the big lumbering grumps fall in love.

For the story itself between the main characters, it was better than 5 stars. It was well paced and heartwarming and beautiful to read.

However, overall, a couple of little things just stopped it shy of 5 stars overall. The situation with the nephew – to start it felt like it was being strongly implied he came from a rather abusive background, the heroine falls in love with the kid, and yet, his mom comes back, and despite how the hero has talked about her, or to her on the phone, or even how he was with the nephew to begin, they apparently have a really strong loving sisterly/brotherly bond. It just jarred a bit, given how it had been up till then. And once they are gone, pretty much no mention is made of the kid again despite the heroine apparently having loved him so much. And overall the ending felt rushed.

However, this is a book I can see re reading again and again, and of you are a fan of slow burns, then it is one of the better ones!!

Wrecking Ball by P. Dangelico
Hard to Love #1

Wow! This book is a keeper and one I know I will read again! Loved it from beginning to end and could not put it down!

Camilla “Cam” De Santis Blake has had a rough few years. When her husband died she realized he was not the man she thought he was and the secret he kept left her devastated both emotionally and financially. With a black cloud hanging over her, the loss of her job, husband and just about everything else she is offered a job that pays well but she chooses to forego due to something she overhears while still on the site of her interview.

Calvin “Cal” Shaw is in dire need of someone to teach and care for his young nephew. He knows he blew it when Cam came for her interview and no matter what he does to make amends she seems less than willing to take on the job he is offering. He is first string quarterback for the Titans and has his own demons and past to deal with that tend to impact his interactions with both Cam and his nephew Sam.

This was a slow building, charming, wonderful, delightful read. It had me smiling and feeling and caring and hoping and wanting a HEA for Cam and Sam. I wasn’t sure how the major problems would be overcome but definitely hoped they would be. I LOVED this book and know that though this is the first book I have read by this author it will not be my last. This series has so much potential! I can’t wait to read whatever comes next in this series!

Thank you to the author who bequeathed a copy of this marvelous ARC to me through NetGalley. This is my honest review.

5 Stars

First read from this author, thank you for the opportunity to read it prior to set release date. When written well, a slow burn love story can make your skin tingle, keep you engaged the entire story and leave you wanting more. This was one I definitely didn't want to end. Looking forward to the 2nd book that looks appears to be coming later this year!!

Cam DeSantis’ life is a hot, steaming pile. How else would you describe losing your husband, your job, and your money all at once? Desperate times call for desperate measures, so when salvation comes in the form of one intolerable a-hole, who just happens to be the starting quarterback for the vaunted NY Titans, she has no choice but to accept his offer as a live-in nanny slash teacher for his eight year old nephew. Now all she has to do is find a safe place in her mind to hide whenever she feels the need to throat punch him into tomorrow…which is often.

Calvin Shaw has zero interest in women. Wait, wait––let me rephrase that. He loves women, he just doesn’t want anything to do with ‘um. Not since his wife, presently ex-wife, got knocked up by the guy she was cheating on him with. Problem is––there’s one living in his house. And he doesn’t know what’s worse, that he promised to be civil, or that he’s attracted to her.

OMG this book had me laughing from the get go. I wanted to be in this book, I wanted to be their third friend. I can't tell you how much I wanted to crawl into the writing and be like "hey y'all know me and I'm just tagging along cause I'm a freak like that." I wanted to inhale it but yet I wanted to savor it and I'm basing everyone's book I read after by Ms. Dangelico. That's not fair but that's just life y'all!! Seriously, I loved Cam, but I loved her best friend Amber even more. When Amber offered to cut the hero up into tiny pieces and put him into several Coleman coolers and spread him throughout the river...I just about peed my pants. How many times have we thought this about our friends, husbands, boyfriends or people we just don't like? I have...it's disturbing, I know. Some of the things that she said - I admit that at one time or another I've thought it or I might have said it. I'm really hoping that Amber has a story because Gawd she needs one.

Cam, bless her heart she is one of those characters who is funny in her own right. She takes no crap and if she's having that crap thrown at her - you best believe she's going to chuck it at the person who is dishing it. I love she was a strong person even after her deceased husband totally decimated her life by bringing her down in a Ponzi scheme. She doesn't give up, she eats her Ben and Jerry's and gets back up on the proverbial horse and keeps going. Her charge, Sam, is Calvin Shaw's nephew and God Bless that boy.

Calvin is a complicated character, he doesn't trust people and he makes it quite known. He tries to make himself not recognizable to people so women won't approach him. I love how at one part his own fellow players ask him if his stylist is the "grand wizard of the klan" because he looks like a reject from Duck Dynasty with his beard growing out his face. Your heart breaks for him though when you find out why he is the way he is. Why he doesn't want kids or why he doesn't want to be in the spotlight. He just wants to play football and be the best at what he does but he didn't plan on Cam coming in and wrecking that with her snarky comments and the way she treats his nephew.

There is a big surprise that I didn't see coming. Usually, it's used so frequently that you're like whatever but in this it totally worked for me and I loved it!! I didn't want this book to end....I wanted to savor it and I would read a chapter instead of speed reading, set the kindle down, do something and then go back to it. It was that good.

It had alot of unnecessary language in it that I thought it could do without, but it's quite known that I'm not a fan of using the Lords name in vain. I think that it's something that doesn't have to be used. If not for that, I would say that this was an absolute unicorn of a book. The sex scenes weren't all that explicit. They were real to life and the slow burn and build up were awesome. Like I said....Big pink Unicorn!! I would recommend this to all of my girl posse and buy it for them to read:) I laughed so hard at one point and I'm not even going to say where that I had my mother asking me if I needed help. Seriously, everyone woman and guy who likes sports/romance needs to get this book when it comes out. If you don't - you will never see the unicorn that is P. Dangelico's greatest book yet. I am hoping that she writes a book on Amber's character and Ethan's character (who is Cal's lawyer) that I am so there!! Ethan is one of those characters who could have his own review in itself. He's just that yummified and glorious. Pre-Order this book, buy some Ben and Jerry's, get rid of distractions for the day and settle in to have an awesome read fest!! Like Nike...just do it. You will not be sorry.

I was given a copy of this ARC from the publisher on Netgalley for a honest review. All of the above comments are my express opinions and no one else's.

Loved it. Completely blown away. Never read books by this author before so I'll be looking out for her.

This was a slow-burn kind of love story. This story pulls you into it from page one. Their first meeting does not go well and one could say it is a complete disaster. The hero is a jerk and does not make a good first impression. Eventually, she starts to work for him, and their story officially starts. They do not get along at first, to the point that it is quite entertaining. These two trying to get along and be friends was funny. You see these small moments where you know they feel something for one another, but neither crosses the line. The sexual tension is there and when it can no longer be denied, it explodes off the pages. They have to deal with a few bumps in the road, but when they finally realize they love one another, they get their HEA. This story had me on a small roller coaster of emotions. This was a really good, could not put it down,kind of read. I cannot wait to read the next story. There are a few characters the next story could be. I recommend it!
I voluntarily reviewed and ARC of this book.

This is my first time reading anything by P. Dangelica but it won't be my last. Although the story line wasn't anything new, I was immediately drawn into this book and loved the characters in it.

I thought all the characters in the book were well written. Calvin, Camilla , her friend Amber , her parents etc. are all written with a bit of sweetness, wariness and snark. They were frank and direct , but not mean.

Calvin and Cami definitely started out as enemies. It took a lot of work and time before they crossed the threshold to friends. In between these relationship milestones were given glimpses of a stronger bond forming.

This couple worked with each other to become a stronger unit. You could see their emotional walls being removed the more you read their story. The unconditional love that grew for each other.

I was surprised how quickly the end of this book came. I was so absorbed in it and the characters that the end came faster than I wanted.

I'm hoping that this won't be the last we see Cami and Calvin , their friends and family

WRECKING BALL is a delightful surprise. What makes the story so good are the layered, complex characters. They have depth and are developed slowly and there are plenty of funny lines that had me laughing out loud. Along with the laughter, there is also emotion and heartache as the two main characters stumble through their lives trying recover from their pasts.

Calvin, a professional quarterback for the New York Titans, has given up on everything but football. Football is the one thing Calvin excels at and it has never disappointed him. He is recovering from a bad childhood and a wife who cheated on him and he prefers solitude and doesn't trust anyone.

Calvin and Cam are brought together when Cam is hired as a live in nanny to take care of Calvin’s nephew. From the moment they meet, Calvin and Cam disagree on everything. Calvin is used to being in charge and having everyone follow his orders. He can not believe Cam blatantly ignores him and what he tells her to do. Cam does not put up with Calvin’s surly attitude and she has Calvin tied up in knots. Cam is direct, honest and she doesn't care what Calvin thinks. In fact, Cam enjoys riling Calvin up. I love these two together. There is a push and pull between them and they are constantly bantering and bickering. Even though is a lot chemistry between them, their relationship builds slowly.

Cam’s former husband lied and cheated many people out of all their money. Cam is left with nothing but heartbreak and is trying to pick up the pieces of her life. She is a sweet and giving person and tries to see the good in everyone.

Calvin and Cam slowly go through a transformation from the beginning of the story to the end. They are two lost, wounded souls and they help each other learn to enjoy life again. This is a beautiful, emotional, unexpected story and I am so glad I had the chance to read it. There are some fun secondary characters and I especially liked Cam’s best friend Amber, she is hilarious. I fell in love with Calvin right along with Cam. He is tough, stubborn, and vulnerable. I loved getting lost in this captivating story. The characters are endearing and unforgettable and I never wanted this story to end.

I want to thank P. Dangelico for giving me an advance copy of this book for my honest review.
Review By Stephanie
4.5 Stars
WOW.YAY I found a great series and at book number 1! I cannot wait to see how P. Dangelico develops the story and this amazing bunch of characters.
I love the slow build of this story. I was able to pace myself with this amazing book, every detail was needed and well written. Calvin is the sexy stud with a questionable past which makes him a wee of a heartless grump. Then there is Cam, she too had a crappy past, but in true female fashion she doesn’t let it turn her into a grump she lets it turn her into a take no shit warrior. I love her!
I am excited to see what happens in this series. P. Dangelico is an amazing story teller and I truly feel that this series will be one of my all-time favs!
I want to thank P. Dangelico for giving me an advance copy of this book for my honest review.
Review By Stephanie
4.5 Stars
WOW.YAY I found a great series and at book number 1! I cannot wait to see how P. Dangelico develops the story and this amazing bunch of characters.
I love the slow build of this story. I was able to pace myself with this amazing book, every detail was needed and well written. Calvin is the sexy stud with a questionable past which makes him a wee of a heartless grump. Then there is Cam, she too had a crappy past, but in true female fashion she doesn’t let it turn her into a grump she lets it turn her into a take no shit warrior. I love her!
I am excited to see what happens in this series. P. Dangelico is an amazing story teller and I truly feel that this series will be one of my all-time favs!

4 ‘My little wrecking ball’ stars.

Camilla DeSantis formally known as Blake has hit rock bottom. After losing her husband, her house, her friends, oh and her job after her husband pulled off some Ponzi scheme she has had to move back to in with her parents. She got to take her clothing and the one thing she didn’t want.

“You may take your cat and nothing else.” Frigging cat hates me. I’m taking him on principle alone.

Although being cleared by two government agencies that she wasn’t involved she still can’t find a job. Her last chance? Become a live in nanny/teacher for a recluse’s nephew. The interview doesn’t go entirely as planned.

Cal is looking for a live in nanny/teacher for his nephew to date he hasn’t found anyone “suitable” enough. Playing for the Titans be is busy. He is also rude, antisocial and has the social skills of a hamster. It’s hard for him to convey his feelings due to his past.

And then at the end of the interview with the lawyer ‘cowgate’ occurs.

Cal has to work magic and let’s face it he doesn’t have any. He is focused and lets nothing get in his way. So he resorts to stalking Cam at her job to get her to come and work for him. This is how the melodrama played out.

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

In the end Cam ends up caving. For two reasons. .1. His nephew Sam and 2. She needs the money to pay her parents back. Their relationship doesn’t improve at the beginning it actually gets worse for a while. But over time she realizes that it was so much easier to just hate him and on top of that she begins to reluctantly fall in love with him. Especially when he asks her to be his fake girlfriend to begin with. He doesn’t want to be molested by women. And Cam needs to improve her image

“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.”

They both have trust issues both have been married, one is divorced and the other is a widow. Cal broke my heart with his past and his actions spoke louder than words until he screwed up.

They are good together and I loved seeing them as a couple and how they worked out their differences and became friends and then how it developed into more.

This is one of my favorite scenes from the book:

“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 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”

This book has some of my favorite tropes which fitted right in with what I wanted.

Grumpy man – check – He’s like Shrek you need to peel back the layers
Nanny/teacher – check – close quarters of course something is going to happen.
Kids – check – although Sam is his nephew it still was incredible sweet.

This as a romance is a slow cooker read it is highly enjoyable and I adored all of the laugh out loud hilarious moments. But there was also some deep moments to the story as well. I love Ms. Dangelico’s writing style and can’t wait to read more. I love a Hero that is an all-round good guy and I wish more authors would give a take on a good guy romance Hero.

Those moments where I thought that they were gaining something I would then be utterly frustrated when nothing happened.
This has a strong resemblance and some similarities to another book that is a slow cooker romance that I loved.

It did get a bit tiring in places and I missed in the epilogue what happened to Sam even though he went back to his mother. But I consider that to be minor issue really. I look forward to the next books in the series as the secondary characters are just as well developed as the MC in the book.