Usually, I would pass right over a book called Baby Maker, but I enjoyed P. Dangelico’s first two books, especially Wrecking Ball, so I took a chance on it despite the goofy name. There were parts of Baby Maker I enjoyed, but I can’t say it wowed me.

Too really get into any book I need to connect with the characters, and that goes double for a slow burn. Unfortunately, especially at the beginning, I didn’t connect to either Stella or Dane. She was unbelievably buttoned up and came off as a bit snobby and prudish. Dane was the exact opposite. He seemed to go out of his way to shock people, even though it’s stated over and over how smart he was. Between his attitude and his constant OTT comments, I just didn’t see any sign of intelligence especially after some of his more bone-headed actions.

Fortunately, they both got more likable as the book wore on. Their banter was funny, and their inner thoughts were hilarious at times. From the beginning, it was obvious how these two were going to fall despite themselves. As they went from enemies to a weird kind of business associates, to actual friends, they grew on me just a bit.

Even with the funny bits, I skimmed through big parts of the second half. I found myself more enamored with Levi, Dane’s unofficially adopted brother than I did Dane. It was the same with Stella’s friend, Delia. In fact, in the midst of a sex scene between Stella and Dane, I found myself imagining a story where Levi causes Delia to give up her man-eating ways. I knew then, as much as I wanted to love this book, it wasn’t going to happen.

The writing was excellent, there were lots of laughable moments, but even though they did get better as the book went on, I never fully connected with either main character. Most are going to love this book, but in a definite case of “It’s me, not you” I found it just okay.

Rating: 3 It Had Some Funny Moments Stars

Buy this book!

Financial whiz Stella Donovan wants a baby and since she doesn’t have a man in her life she decides to go at it alone. She checks into co-parenting with no luck when her friend Ethan introduces her to retired football player Dane Wylder who also wants a child without a relationship.

Stella and Dane’s relationship has a lot of give and take and they slowly fall in love which makes the story very much worth reading. Baby Maker is slightly related to the author’s Hard to Love series where several characters in those stories make appearances which made me want to reread the series to make sure.

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Okay, so 'Baby Maker' is the first book that I have read by P. Dangelico. And it was a very pleasant surprise for me to become so engaged in a book from the first few pages. Stella and Dane are complete polar opposites as people and their personalities go. But they have something in common. Both want a child without the ties of marriage. So in this context, the title is pretty self-explanatory.

The path to achieving their goal is the highlight of this book. Dane's pursuit of Stella, to take a chance on him and the way they eventually get under each other's skin is a great adventure of laughs and romantic moments.

I was so impressed by this author's writing that I went and downloaded as many books of hers that I could get my hands on.

ahhh i really enjoyed this one. this is actually my first book by this author, which i regret after reading it because a few characters show up from her other books and i would have preferred to read them first. that's my fault considering i have most of them on my kindle already...

i really liked dane and stella. i loved how their relationship progressed. definitely an opposites attract kind of thing. i laughed SO hard at the foghorn leghorn thing. good lord.

i loved Delia. i hope she gets a book one day.

the ending, that epilogue. so freaking adorable i wanted to squeeze their cheeks.

i don't really have much else to say about this one - it was cute, funny, sweet and sexy. i loved the build up and when they finally got together. definitely recommend.

4 “Have a baby with me” Stars

ARC via NetGalley

Thank you!!!

After reading three books by P. Dangelico, I can absolutely say I'm a fan and I need more.

Baby Maker brings the same SLOOOOW burn, awesome main characters and sizzling chemistry that made me fall in love with her other books, so it's no surprise I read this in one day and loved it.

One thing I can always count on when it comes to P. Dangelico's romances are strong female characters. All her MC's are independent women who face their problems head on and make the men know they're the bosses.
In this case, the boss is Stella Donovan, a successful financial manager who despises the idea of marriage, but is more than ready to have a baby. She doesn't want a husband, but she wants her kids to have a present father, so she's looking into the idea of co-parenting (a concept I wasn't familiar with) and looking for the perfect candidate. Easier said than done, but Stella isn't willing to give up.

Enter retired NFL player, Dane Wylder, a man who wants the same thing as Stella: a child, but no wife. They seem perfect for each other. Except Stella pretty much hates his guts--and it's all his fault. But just like Stella, Dane isn't willing to give up on his mission to prove that he's the perfect candidate to make a baby with her.

If you're familiar with this author's work, you know what follows: despise turns into companionship that turns into friendship that turns into mutual attraction that turns into flames that finally turns into romance. Slow, slow and slow, and exactly how I like it. And when it happens.... You guys!!! The begging got me like nothing else did.

I also have to give extra points for all the scenes with characters from her previous books. I love Ethan Freaking Vaughn, so I'm always happy to see my baby. Cam and Calvin also made an appearance, since Stella's mom is Calvin's trusted housekeeper.

So, what I'm saying is: Go read this book. Go read Baby Maker, Wrecking Ball and Sledgehammer. Go read whatever P. Dangelico wrote before those books, and keep an eye on what she'll write next. You can thank me later.

Stella is thirty-three and she can hear her biological clock is running out. The house, the husband, the 2.5 kids and the dog ... yeah, she wants everything, except the husband. She doesn't believe in love PERIOD. Dane is the good looking retired football star who has everything he wants except the son to follow in his footsteps ... no wife, just a son. So when their mutual friend introduces them, it is a match made in heaven. They will sign a contract so they can co-parent their child ... it's a win win ... right?

I laughed so hard throughout this book, that there were tears running down my cheeks. This is the first book that I have read by this author ... and it won't be my last! The banter between Stella and Dane was just so ... WOW, I don't even have a word for it. Even though they are total opposites, you can just feel the sexual tension between them. And throughout the book other characters are introduced that you just know there's a story behind them that just waiting to get out ... Dane's dad and Stella's mom, for one! And then there's Levi, Noah, Delia just to name a few. If you are look for a fun, sexy romance ... I highly recommend this book. You won't regret it!

I received an ARC courtesy of the author through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.

Funny because Stella’s plan is part of my options and I know a friend who’s considering this course of action as well.

When I read the synopsis of this book, even though the book cover is a turn off for me, I really wanted to see how Stella’s story will go. I haven’t yet to read a contemporary romance with an Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)/In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) plot. I am intrigued and want to see a fiction’s take on that scenario. I went in the book knowing there will be a happy ending, this is romance I’m reading so that’s a given.

I didn’t mind how convenient their situation was, I expected that too. I appreciated Stella being fully capable of taking care of her pregnancy and being a single mother, that she knows what she wants and is very detailed about it. She is as prepared as any woman who chooses this path can be. I could be her. My friend could be her. She, in some sense, is relatable.

Dane is an amusing character, he’s almost comical. He balances the seriousness of Stella with his happy personality. It took me longer than expected to read this book because I read some of his scenes more than once, he is that entertaining. Minus them both being very rich, I can see their story happening somewhere in the world in real life. This is a very good example of a contemporary fiction, an interesting story to read for ladies on their late 20s to early 30s.

Baby Maker was a fun romance hat I didn’t want to put down. Dane wanted a baby but didn’t believe in love. Stella’s biological clock was ticking but she didn’t believe in marriage so the baby contract was a great idea for them, no love was needed between them to co-parent their child. That is until their feelings and emotions get involved. Dane is such a gentle giant who would do anything for Stella and slowly he knocks down her wall around her heart. Stella is amazed on how Dane can get to her and I loved Dane when he finally realized that he was in love with Stella. What an enjoyable read.

I loved the whole idea of the book, it’s slow burn romance and some swoon worthy moments. I especially enjoyed the fact that Stella and Dane develop a good friendship and mutual trust before they fall in love or move onto a sexual relationship. But there was just something missing for me. I couldn’t connect with the characters a lot. It’s still an enjoyable read when in need of a light breezy romance.

Oh, no! A P. Dangelico book I didn't love? What's wrong with me?
Good news: I didn't dislike it either.

While overall I did enjoy this story and it definitely had its swoonworthy moments, I had a hard time connecting with the characters, Stella in particular, and feeling the connection between them.
Still, this was a sweet and entertaining slow-burn, full of love and your typical Dangelico banter.

4.5⭐
I really enjoyed Baby Maker. Even though I did find it a little hard to get into. But after a few chapters I was soon hooked and it stayed that way throughout. As this was a real slow burn of a story. That was very engaging, sweet, angsty and at times funny. And the two main characters Dane and Stellar were very likable; and I loved the relationship that developed between them as this story progressed. Not to mention there were plenty of likable secondary characters, including some from P Dangelico's previous books. And anyone who is a fan of those stories, or loves a great slow burn romance. Is sure to enjoy Baby Maker too.

Light, easy, predictable read that I truly loved. The story is nothing original, nor are the characters, but it’s written beautifully, the characters have passion, there is plenty of humour to lighten some of the more serious issues that are touched on. Dane Wylder, despite his womanising ways is quite the book boyfriend, I fell for him, hook, line and sinker. Stella Donovan is the quintessential planner, everything gets worked out with a spreadsheet, feelings are not taken into consideration. They both want a baby, no strings, no relationship, nothing, just a baby to call their own, on their designated days, shared custody and all set out in a contract. Of course there wouldn’t be a story if they didn’t mix things up a little. Super chemistry, a few misunderstandings and lots of funny moments. I’m so looking forward to more in this series. I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is my honest review.

Having captured my imagination and investment in the characters from the first page, I would have happily stayed in Dane and Stella land long after the story ended, demonstrateing Ms Dangelico's gift for writing.

The author created such believable, multi-dimensional and relatable characters who were filled with humor and heart; then added an intelligent and often wry dialog. There was definitely a subtle and underlying theme of self awareness and emotional growth that was weaved throughout the story...but done in such a way that you couldn't help but have your heart fill with warmth for the journey that Dane and Stella embarked upon on their way to their very unexpected HEA.

This ARC book was complimentary, provided by the Publisher and NetGalley. I am voluntarily providing my honest review.

I’m sad to say that I never heard or read any of this author’s stories until Baby Maker. I saw it on Netgalley and loved the enticing blurb so I figured why not give it a try. Well let me tell you that this is an AMAZING 6 star story.

Dane wants a baby without the wife, Stella wants a baby without the husband. So they make a deal. Co-parenting. Both in their 30’s and have never been or even believe in love. The jokes on them.

I didn’t know what to expect from this author, not knowing her writing style. Well the jokes on me because I was so captivated by this story that I basically read it in a day. An unique storyline that held me captive until the very last page. I was sucked in so deep in the heart of these wonderful characters that nothing else mattered around me. What I look for in the stories I read are the characters. These ones were perfectly created for this story, they stood out among thousands of characters I’ve encountered in the past.

This story had everything to make it a perfect 6 star. Dane was a retired football player with a potty mouth that made me laugh so much. Alpha, protective, loyal and selfless. Stella was married to her work but wanted a baby. The uptight, serious woman was at the same time insecure. Both held on to parents that have abandoned them.

It was lighthearted, funny but at the same time it was heartbreaking. If I even get to shed one tear while reading a story, it deserves all the stars in the sky. There was never a dull moment. It was not overly dramatic but just enough for my likes. Perfectly written with a seamless plot that flowed well. Bottomline is this is a must read and one that I will be thinking about for a while.

Standalone told in a dual POV with an HEA that had me laughing. I STRONGLY recommend this story. This is one author that will stay on my radar. I will be checking out her previous reads.

4.5 stars.
Sweet and funny slow-burn romance. 3rd book that I have read I by this author and I LOVED it.
Looking at this title and book cover you might expect a silly, slightly superficial or possibly smutty read but this is really not the case here.

Stella Donovan is a successful financial manager who loathes the idea of marriage but doesn't want to wait any longer to have a baby. Even though she doesn't want a husband she still wants her child to have a father present in their life.
When she discovers there is an option of co-parenting, she immediately begins a search for the perfect candidate. This turns out to be much harder than Stella thought but she isn't a quitter.
Enter Dane Wylder, recently retired NFL tight end and future Hall of Famer, with similar aspirations as Stella, he wants a child but no wife.

This book was so charming and though Stella and Dane end up conceiving a child together via IVF after resolving their initial differences, it is the slow burning romance simmering between them that makes this book so magical.

The successful financial manager has spent her adult life building a career and neglecting her personal life. Problem is, she doesn’t believe in marriage. Not after watching her mother be treated like garbage by her father. Nope, marriage is not for her. All she wants is a baby. All she needs is a man to agree to her terms.Dane Wylder, recently retired NFL tight end and future Hall of Famer, wants a baby.When I started reading I couldn't put it down I read the book i couldn't put it down. P. Dangelico is magnifysent writer.I cannot wait to read more of her books.Keep up the great work.You should definitely read this book.

This was a sweet and funny romance read that had a very unconventional start. I really enjoyed the characters ad I love reading a good slow burn romance. I enjoyed this book from start to finish.

Baby Maker is like a gasoline line leak. You cannot see the blurred element with your naked eye, but as soon as the chemical is fed an ignition it bursts into flames.

To wit P. Dangelico’s Wrecking Ball was a charming depiction of heartache and metamorphosis told in first person through a plainspoken writing style.

In contrast Baby Maker lacked the fluidity that I grew to expect from Dangelico’s pen. The transitions were not met with concision and because of that it was hard for me to connect to the characters.

Unexpectedly, drama would abound throughout the chapters in such a low-key pattern that I would figuratively scratch my mind in a did that really just happen? fashion.

Baby Maker offered a slowly animated love story that contained some eye-rolling moments that also led to some heart fluttering moments as well.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Awful title aside, I adored the goofy, tender, sweet, adorableness that was Dane trying to woo Stella without even knowing it. I loved how the slick, confident Dane crashed and burned after their disastrous first meeting and how badly he fumbled with his feelings for her. The barbecue scene gave me serious Mr. Darcy feels, which only added to my adoration of the "stupid country boy". Even before Dane realized how much he cared, I knew he would be amazing for the fiercely independent Stella.
I seem to always want to smile around this one. And the more prickly she gets, the more it makes me smile.
Stella was a bit harder to warm up to, but I enjoyed that Stella and Dane were both awkward and amateurish at communicating with each other. Dane's goofy run-on declarations and Stella's snippy put-downs were so much fun that when they finally did grow up and faced their fears, the true depths of their emotions left me a bit breathless.
That's what Dane has done for me. Slowly and gently, he's filled in my gaps, turned me into a better version of myself. Whatever happens with us, I have him to thank for that. His actions outweigh his lack of words, that much is true.
I called P. Dangelico the new Queen of Slow Burn Romances last year and I stand by that statement. Stella and Dane danced so long around each other that their misunderstandings and hurts were so poignantly painful but the emotional rush of their coming together was worth it.

There were some minor editing issues, but I am looking forward to more from P. Dangelico's world of clueless alphas and the women smart enough to love them.

Baby Maker is a book about two people who want a baby, but believe they do not want any of the relationship baggage that comes along with it. The characters are interesting and easy to get to know. This is the first book from P. Dangelico's brand new series It takes Two, and it can be enjoyed as a standalone.

Financial manager Stella Donovan wants to have a baby. She is in her mid-thirties and has enough money in the bank to feel financially secure. Through a friend, she is introduced to Dane Wylder, a well-known NFL superstar that recently retired. Dane wants a baby as well. Stella and Dane are perfect for each other because they don't want to get married, and the contract that they both signed spells out their co-parenting partnership. Of course nothing goes according to plan, and they fall for each in a really big way.

Stella and Dane are really great together. They are a hot couple who share deep passion for each other overtime. Dane has the uncanny ability to make any woman swoon and Stella is the lucky recipient of his sexual talents.

I enjoyed this engaging book. Ms. Dangelico's writing style is straightforward and easy to understand. Overall, a solid read.

Complimentary copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.