3,5 stars

Still a very good story by Dangelico but th ARC provided by the author via Netgalley. The slow burn romance really did it for me, though.

I wasn't keen on he main character, he is such a serial dater, not dating anyone for longer than 3 months. I didn't like his attitude, the fact that he's proud of it. The heroine is a match for him and she talks straight to him, not falling for his charm.
But I didn't like him, it put me off the story. I did like him in the end and he did change but his attitude was bleh.

I received a copy of this book in exchange of an honest review.

I will be honest with you all I didn’t even read the synopsis before requesting this book. This decision was purely driven by the fact that I absolutely loved the author previous books and really like her style. But this also means that I have pretty much no idea what the book is going to be about. Still it captured me with the first chapter.

Okay, so the concept of the plot sounds a bit ridiculous if you ask me, especially in the beginning, because this whole contractual co-parenting thing doesn’t have a lot of chance to work at least if you do it like they did in the book. Alas find a complete stranger and after a couple of brief conversations go ahead. But really the story was focused more on the characters and their change than the actual baby-making scheme. After my problems with the books in the beginning (because of the characters) kinda resolved I really enjoyed the story. It was funny, sweet and a bit emotional here and there.

Well, the characters irritated the heck out of me, mainly in the first 20% of the book. Both of them have such radical and storng personality and on top of that they are kind of the blend of every bad stereotype. I mean there is Stella, the girl who grew up poor and without a father; alas she is cold, high strung, control freak with series issues and focus on money. Then there is Dane, the quintessential playboy with the stupid dating rules and the dumb, annoying jock façade. The only common ground with them was that neither of them believed in love. Their thinking and interactions in the beginning of the story was soooo irritating and the only thing that kept me reading was the magnetism of the writing style. Don’t even let me start on their view of rising children. However as they are the opposite ends of a spectrum a they spent more and more time together they started to balance each other out and when I reach around 40% of the story I actually started to love it. It was an interesting transformation, peppered with strong sexual tension and a couple of verbal battles but it has a great conclusion.

I enjoyed hearing about characters from previous books of the author as the story takes place in the same universe, city as her other ones. However sometimes even the new characters were introduced like I already should know them from somewhere, at least it felt like that for me.

Over all I loved this story and looking back I understand why the author chooses to start out her characters in such a way because it had a purpose. It is a great romance book without any over the top drama or a complicating conflict, it’s simple and sweet, a quick read.

I loved loved this book! Dane and Stella were complete opposites who led completely different lives, but they had one thing in common...they wanted a baby without the strings of a romantic relationship. This was completely untraditional contractual agreement, but it definitely wasn’t a smooth process in the beginning for Stella.

I loved the way they interacted with each other and the way their friendship grew was so cute. There was never a dull moment and I enjoyed Dane’s moment of cavemaniness ;)

I didn’t want this book to end, but I do want to know more Alex, Delia, Lexi and their parents.

Better than a Hallmark Movie
New Adult (NA) is not my first go-to when selecting a romance; however, Ms. Dangelico really drew me in with this one. It was the best Hallmark movie with steam added for good measure – and I love Hallmark movies. Whenever I wasn’t reading this novel and thought about different passages, it always made me smile. I loved the friendly banter as well as the heated exchanges. Stella’s mother was my favorite secondary character. Favorite line: “We did it for the polar bears.”

This novel is what a romance should be, with supportive friends and family, obstacles to overcome, characters who are both likeable and believable, and of course, an HEA (happily ever after).

A thoroughly enjoyable story I wouldn’t mind reading again.

Despite having Dangelico's WRECKING BALL on my kindle (shame shame..) this is actually my first read by the author. I was already excited to read her from the recommendations of trusted buddies and though this wasn't a total winner for me, my excitement for her <i>Hard to Love</i> series has not diminished.

"<i>How are you having a baby with no husband?</i>"
"<b>It's 2018. I need sperm, not a husband.</b>"

BABY MAKER is a story about two marriage-averse individuals, on total opposite ends of the personality spectrum, who through a mutual friend end up writing up a baby-making-contract that will allow them to have the child they both want without any of the pesky love, marriage, or feelings mixed in to muck it all up.

Stella Donovan is a thirty-three year old financial analyst who has only one goal : to make money. And, well, now a baby. She came from a poor household and has ensured, through hard work and determination, that she will never be in the same financial straits her mother was in after her father, faithless and flighty, left them. And then there's Dane Wylder. A recently retired football player who has a three-month date-'em-then-leave-'em rule as a result of years of watching his mother string his father along. He has no faith in women in any longterm sense and yet longs for a son, or child, of his own to have the same bond and relationship as he has with his own father.

<i>This woman is exactly the kind I need to mother my child. There isn't a single chance she'll devlop any feelings for me. Except irritation, that is.</i>

The first few meetings between Stella and Dane do not go well. And that's putting it mildly. But Dane's persistence, and the glimpse he ends up showing Stella about the man behind the ego and the country aw-shucks charm, proves he's more than he seems on the outside.

"<i>Nice place.</i>"
"<b>Thanks.</b>"
"<i>Aside from the fact that this is very obviously where fun comes to die.</i>"

I really enjoyed the first half of BABY MAKER. The reluctant friendship, the back and forth teasing and joking that Dane would unleash on Stella, only for her to ice him out and be completely unmoved, though occasionally secretly amused, was hilarious to watch. There was little to no actual unrequited lust or attraction between them and it really was all about meshing their contradictory personalities in various situations as they took this journey together. But it was that same time spent together that turned the tides. They begin to warm to each other, to like each other, and attraction followed. Even as both knew the agreement between them didn't call for feelings.

<i>The last thing I need is for her to get upset at me because I get hard for her. We're having a baby together. My dick needs to stay outta this.</i>

But at the same time, it's when Dane is struggling to keep himself from giving away those same feelings, particularly his lust, and then shortly after as he comes to terms with the fact that, hey, all his friends <b>are</b> right and he <b>is</b> in love with her.. well. Dane turns into kind of a dumbass douchecanoe. I really didn't like his behaviour, I didn't like the things he would say, and while Stella doesn't put up with it, and even not-so-fondly recalls one of the <b>worst</b> things he says with a 'why the hell do I even like this guy' eyeroll, I was really disappointed. Because overall Dane was the total opposite of a douchecanoe. He was fond of cracking jokes and being lighthearted but he was a honestly sweet, caring, giving, person, and I didn't like the random moments where he just lost it and became someone else.

These two were great together when they finally got there, and were hilarious in the lead up at the beginning, but the middle was a struggle for me.

"<i>I'd remember him if I slept with him. You know I keep track of that stuff on my phone. I would've rated and shelved him and look -- see, it's in alphabetical order. He's not there.</i>"
"<b>Thank God for your organizational skills.</b>"

BABY MAKER might not have been a great overall read for this reviewer but I did have fun. I'm also so totally enamoured by both of the main characters' besties, Delia who had some of the best lines in the book, and Noah.. who I so hope gets his own book. I'll admit that there are a lot of background characters floating around with vague backstory explanations to the point that I had to wonder if they have their own standalone books floating around in Dangelico's backlist (and lo and behold they do.. the very books I've been procrastinating on, lolllllz forever!) but nonetheless there are enough details to flesh out their stories and how they fit in with Dane and Stella and I didn't feel the lack from not having yet read them.

<i>I'm not saying it's perfect, or that it's always gonna be this easy. It can inflict some serious damage, no doubt about it. Love is a beautiful double edged blade. It can ruin, wreck and destroy as easily as it can save you.</i>

Ultimately, if you're looking for an entertaining slow-burn romance and enjoy watching two people fall in love despite their best efforts, and all the sorta-angsty emotional gymnastics that happen along the way, I think you'll enjoy this book.

3.5 "maybe I am in love. I've always had a bad opinion of it so it makes sense that it should feel this godawful" stars

I'm so sad this book is over.

I loved everything about it but, most of all, I loved Dane and Stella. What a wonderful pair of smart, funny and just downright good characters.

This book was sweet and adorable and yes, so incredibly funny (lough out loud funny so becareful if you read it in public places because you won't be able to be quiet).

Babymaker was definitely an exceptional read, in a sea of uninspired and uninspiring same-old same-old romance novels.
If you love Susan ELizabeth Phillips you'll love P. Dangelico (and by the way, there was a little bit of Cal Bonner in Dane and NOT just because of the football thing, or so it felt like to me).

This is the first book I've read from this author and I enjoyed it a lot. The beginning started off a little bit slow for me but once I really got into the story I didn't want to put it down. I loved the back and forth banter between Stella and Dane. They had me laughing out loud a few times at their antics and I absolutely loved the chemistry and anticipation between the two. I was so happy that the author this make this an insta-love story and this is one story worth reading with a sweet ending. I definitely look forward to reading more books from this author in the future.

The books of Ms. Dangelico are a delight. I have loved both 'Wrecking ball' and 'Sledgehammer' and even though this is supposed to be the first of a new series we do meet the characters from the first 2 books of the Hard to Love-series.

Stella is the daughter of Cal's housekeeper (he is the Hero of 'Wrecking ball') and after working hard to be financial secure she has decided she wants a baby. But not a man, as she has a very bad example in her own father. She hears about 'baby contracts' where people can co-parent and is set up with Dane Wylder via Ethan (from book 2). Dane is an ex NFL player and also decides he wants a family. But not a wife, as his mother was a bad example. So... they both have good reasons to keep it simple and according to contract.

At first, Stella is absolutely not convinced Dane is the right person to father her baby. Their meeting results in some harsh words.... :-)

'Forhorn Leghorn? A cartoon character? Hell no. Hellll no. This pintsized porcupine has gotten under my skin in the worst way'.

Dane has to work for it! And slowly they develop a friendship. But they also start having feelings they did not expect. Both confused and not sure how to proceed they dance around the subject.

I totally enjoyed this slow burn! Sometimes I wanted to smash their heads together as it would have been so easy to just admit their feelings. But I could also understand their reasoning for not owning up. When they travel to Oklahoma after his father has a heart attack they have to share a room and the UST reaches peak level.

Another great read by this author. I can't wait for the next as I think Dane's 'brother-from-another-mother' Levi would be a great hero. And there is also a story with his best friend Noah.

Four and a half stars.

Can I just say I lurve Ms Dangelico's books.

After a family problem Stella Donovan's biological clock goes off. A driven financial manager with a New York company she has no time for marriage or romance and her family history has led her to believe there is no such thing as love. So she decides to have a baby through some kind of donation. Having grown up with an absentee father Stella would like her baby's father to be involved in its life and so she decides to look at a co-parenting agreement.

Dane Wylder is an Oklahoma farm boy and a recently retired NFL tight end. His mother broke his father's heart repeatedly when Dane was a child and eventually left for good when Dane was a young boy. He too wants nothing to do with love or marriage but would like to have a son and enjoy the same close relationship that he has with his father. Dane and Stella are connected by their mutual friend Ethan (the lawyer from Sledgehammer) and it is instant loathing on Stella's part. For some reason the Mensa-level IQ Dane feels compelled to go all "aw shucks" around Stella and enjoys pushing all her buttons. For her part Stella can't understand how an half-Mexican/ half-Irish woman renowned for her even temperament and ability to rise above sexist name-calling in the workplace can get irritated beyond belief by a swaggering, womaniser like Dane.

What follows is a charming romance as Dane gradually whittles down Stella's barriers and they agree to have a baby together, but nothing more. This has all Ms Dangelico's trademark wit and humour as Dane and Stella are oblivious to the fact that everyone else can see - they are perfect for each other.

I absolutely devoured this book and I just can't wait for the next book she writes.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

I absolutely adored Wrecking Ball, the first of this series, so I was eager to get my hands on this book. I had a hard time getting into it, perhaps because of my high expectations. For me the first third of the book was, to be honest, irritating. And it was because I found Stella irritating. She was cold, closed off, judgemental and superior. But.....as I continued to read I started to get drawn in, and as her heart thawed, so did my feelings toward her. Half way in and I was rooting for them. And by the end I was smitten. These books are all about the slow burn, and that is true of both this book and my feelings for it. Another winner!

4,5 stars!
I loved this book! Retired football player, Dane Wylder, is looking for more out of life.... so he decides to have a baby. He doesn't want the family part of it. He is not looking for a wife, just a baby.

Stella Donovan wants to have a baby. She is smart and by the book. She doesn't need a man to have a baby. She was raised by a single mom. She knows the drill. When a friend puts her in touch with Dane, she is not impressed. But, Dane works his way into Stella's life and her heart. You know the saying, opposites attract, well in this case, it equals something both of them didn't know they were looking for.

Loved this one. Great story, great ending, it game me all the feels!

Stella's a successful financial advisor but her biological clock is ticking and she decides she wants to have a baby. However she doesn't trust men so she is not interested in marriage or going to a sperm bank. None of her male friends will help her out so she has to search for a suitable man to co-parent a child. Dane is a handsome retired Hall of Famer football player who has a 3 month rule when it comes to dating women. Not interested in settling down he makes sure any woman he's involved with knows the score. Dane and Stella meet through a mutual friend and it's dislike at first sight. Their encounters are hilarious and are probably my favorite part of the book. Dane can't believe that Stella doesn't find him irresistible and she won't accept his glib act. When they start learning more about each other their feelings change. Fun, sexy, romance read!