Add a successful woman, in her thirties, with the biological clock firing alarms, join a famous, charming and rich man, mix the mutual desire to have a child, put some lack of commitment, everything purely contractual, no romantic connection, wait nine months and voilà: a baby is ready. Easy recipe to achieve the desired result and avoid problems, right? As for Stella and Dane, apparently not.
Stella wants a baby. After an epiphany brought on by a family tragedy, she realizes that the years are ticking by, and her chance of giving birth to a child is falling behind. But relationships are not part of her vocabulary, she simply does not trust the male sex, her life is her work. So she decides to have a child with a shared guard, that is, an agreement in which both parties are responsible for the expenses and education, two people who want to have a child sign a contract.
Dane is a former NFL player. His name is synonymous with fame, money and women. But he never had a serious relationship. He does not trust women, thanks to his mother, but he wants a son to share the same moments he lived with his father. Stella’s solution seems to be a good one. What he did not expect was that the unthinkable happened: he developed feelings for the mother of his kid.
Dane is hilarious. It was the perfect counterbalance in Stella’s austere personality. His jokes at the worst possible times made the book light and fun. Stella is a tight character. Her obsession to make money, while justifiable at the time when facts from her past come to light, have made her a hard person, she does not take any chances, she does not allow herself to relax and be happy for a second.
Both characters have confidence issues in the opposite sex. Both Stella’s father and Dane’s mother have marked them since childhood, and this hurt interferes in the present, with both adults. This fact of not having a relationship is an inheritance of the behavior of their parents. I find this valid, I understand how afraid she is to be abandoned, and he is afraid to love someone as deeply as his father loved his mother and be used. This kind of trauma I imagine would really affect a person.
The whole plot of the pregnancy, from medical appointments, the day of insemination to pregnancy confirmation will make the reader have a good laugh. Dane’s enthusiasm is contagious. The moment he realizes he likes Stella is the best of the book. That bon vivant man realizing that he fell in love, and in return his friends disbelieving at the fact, made the situation funnier than it already was. From the moment he accepts the fact of loving Stella, he departs to conquer her. Which, will be hard work.
Stella was the character with whom I had some problems. She also falls in love with Dane, but she does not accept it at all, she’s sure it will not last, that sooner or later he’ll leave. As I said, I understand, but at no time does he show that he is joking, on the contrary, the baby for him is very serious. She spends much of the book fantasizing with him, so when she finally gets to have him, she runs away and pushes him away.
All the “fiction” they staged for Dane’s father, soon or later would be discovered. But it served to show both of them what they really could have if they’d stopped being stubborn.
Overall it’s a good book, funny, cute, sweet and romantic. Where the great lesson is that there is no formula for happiness, you must grab opportunities and live. A good reading
Author
sweetredreader
3 years ago
I don’t know why I’m amazed at how much I LOVED this book. Especially considering how much I loved Sledgehammer. These characters, these stories, the feelings they evoke – they’re amazing. P. Dangelico is officially a “one-click” author for me and now I have to have the books on my shelves as well. Dane was so much more than meets the eye and Stella was the perfect woman for him. The backstories behind their mutual aversion to commitment made them two sides of the same coin and the way their relationship unfolded was such a glorious slow burn. I can’t wait to read this book again and again – yes, it’s that good! 5 out of 5 wine glasses.
Author
valeenrobertson
3 years ago
Baby Maker is a slow burn, kind of sweet, kind of sexy, romance.
Stella is a successful money manager who has no time or inclination for love or marriage, but she does desperately want a baby. When her friend Ethan hooks her up with one of his friends who also wants a baby, but has no desire for a relationship or love, you’d think they’d hit it off and it would be all systems go. But nope, Dane does not impress Stella at all with his arrogant, womanizing ways, and she rejects him out of hand. It’s not until he shows her a little of himself, a little vulnerability, that she decides she wants to have a baby with him, so off they go to the doctor for the IVF. Yep, IVF. They don’t do it the traditional (sexy) way, and this contributes to the really slow burn of this relationship. They become somewhat friends that don’t honestly develop any kind of real feelings for each other for the longest time. And when they do develop feelings, do they handle them in a mature way befitting their 35 and 33 years of age? Well, Stella does, but Dane goes off the rails. Sigh…
I ended up liking Baby Maker. It’s not what I was expecting, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. I like that the two take the time to become friends before diving into the bedroom. I like how sweet Dane ended up truly being, and how Stella slowly warmed up. I never quite connected to her, she was far too distant for that for most of the story, but I like that she became human toward the end once she realized how she felt about Dane. And I like the good ole trope of playboy brought to his knees by a special woman. I also like the glimpses of past characters like Ethan (my favorite character in all of P. Dangelico land), Cal and Cam, and I fell in love with Dane’s father and his best friends.
I admit I wanted a bit more heat between Dane and Stella, and I wanted their relationship to be more intense, but for a friends to lovers story, Baby Maker is pretty damn good. It’s got a whole cast of great characters, Dane is truly a sweetheart, Stella is smart and strong, and the secondary characters make me want to know their stories. If you like your romances to be the slow burn type, with giant, sexy retired football players and smart, successful heroines, then 1-click Baby Maker today, you will not regret it!
Author
schmexygirlbookblog
3 years ago
P. Dangelico is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. After discovering Wrecking Ball and Sledgehammer this year, Baby Maker was one of my most anticipated reads!!!
The promise of this book is a little different, unorthodox some may say. Stella Donovan wants to be a mother. But she wants to do it without being a wife or really being in a relationship at all. She needs more than just a sperm donor.
Enter Ex NFL football player Dane “omg he is so hot I want to lick him” Wylder. He isn’t interested in a relationship either. But ready to be a father without being committed to one woman.
This is where “Communal parenting” come in to play. It’s a thing people.
Omg as soon as these two meet SPARKS FLY!!
At first Stella is a HELL NO, she is not too keen on Mr. Smirky Charm-the-Panties-off-all-females-within-a-one-mile-radius. Dane is a player for sure and has never heard the word no. Stella’s initial hesitation really just means that Dane needs to try harder. They are total opposites in every sense of the word. Stella is a Financial Manager, a planner and a workaholic. Dane is carefree, cocky and charming. A male Adonis. But as they slowly start to communicate and open up about their past and upbringing, we learn so much about them. The walls they built are slowly coming down and it’s GLORIOUS to experience. I loved their banter and their comebacks. It’s witty and fun. His innuendos are non stop and let’s face it Stella didn’t have a chance.
“This is a kiss for the sake of a kiss. It feels as if everything has been leading up to this moment, this terrifying, beautiful, imperfect moment.”
What I really love about P. Dangelico’s stories are the slow burn. She is an expert when it comes to building up these INCREDIBLE CONNECTIONS. You will literally chew your nails off waiting for that first kiss, the first real touch. Don’t even get me started when it’s finally sexy time. You’ll need a cigarette after the deed is done.
These two have so much baggage they collected growing up, they need time to learn about each other but most importantly to learn about themselves.
I FLOVED all the characters from previous books popping up. Truly I can’t get enough. I want to climb into these books and become part of their adventures. P. Dangelico pretty please?!?!?!?!
If you looking for the perfect romance THIS IS IT. It’s funny, witty, slow and sexy. Just enough angst to keep you wanting to turn the pages till the very end.
Author
jeannine
3 years ago
This was a fun one! This was my first book by this author and I was totally entertained from start to finish. I really liked Stella, she’s such a badass and Dane was just killing me! First his ego was pretty out there, but that man was cracking me up. Stella is a saint for putting up with that man. Those two had some wicked banter and great chemistry together. It really is a great story and I will definitely check out other books by this author!
Author
sloane
3 years ago
This was a very cute Have My Baby Romance. It also crosses over into opposites attract. I liked how thought out the story was with why Dane and Stella entered the baby plan and never wanted to marry. I could also see them falling for each other slowly, like many relationships progress. This is a slow burn and not like other Have My Baby books where the couple conceives the “natural” way and fall in love while having sex. It takes a whole for them to finally get together.
Author
mistyredsromancereviews
3 years ago
Stella Donovan has caught a serious case of baby fever and she really wants to have one of her own, but as we all know you need a man for part of the deal, and she is not in the market for a man. So, she does what any woman in her case would do and hits up her guy friends, who all tell her their not the right fit for her plan, but then a her friend does her a solid and sets her up a meeting with one of his friends. Problem is her first impression of the self proclaimed ladies man isn’t so good, he’s obnoxious, slightly vulgar, and the moment he opens his mouth he expects her to be at his mercy like every woman to come before her, and well, she just isn’t seeing what all of the fuss is about. She’d prefer someone who didn’t look at life with such a lackadaisical approach, she is more of a planner herself, she wants someone who takes things a little more seriously. So she tells him no thanks… but he isn’t quite ready to let walk away, they both want the same thing, and he is determined to make her dream of being a mother a reality.
Dane Wylder has just closed the chapter on his football career, and now he is ready to move onto something else, something that involves a lot more effort, and a little less carefree lifestyle; he wants to be a father. The problem with that is he doesn’t have the other part of the baby making component, a woman willing to carry his child, one that won’t require a ring on her finger first preferably. Dane doesn’t do love, he watched it take it’s toll on his parents marriage, and it’s just not something he is comfortable signing himself up for. So, when his buddy tells him he has a friend in the same boat that he is, he is willing to meet her, and see if she might be the perfect component for his plan… but after one meeting things don’t go quite so well. She tells him no and walks away, but Dane is certain she is the right fit so he ups the anti and decides to convince her to change her mind… and winds up getting far more than he bargained for!!
Baby Maker is a highly entertaining tale of an opposites attract couple who decide to become parents the unconventional way, and wind up finding a whole lot more in the process. Neither planned on finding love, but fate had other plans for their little journey together, and I have to say it was so much fun to watch it all play out! This was a first time read for me, and I have to say this author definitely made a good first impression with her well crafted tale, it made me smile, made me swoon, and was good for the heart… and all around hit in my book! I highly recommend you give this one a try, it will surprise you, move you, make you blush, and leave you with a smile!!
Author
jgrayland
3 years ago
Stella Donovan’s biological clock is a ticking time bomb.
The 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 contract. I really liked this book, the story line was simple and funny, the slow burning chemistry between the characters was lovely and their comedic banter was hilarious this was a really surprising wonderful read.
Author
tlsmitsky
3 years ago
P. Dangelico’s bantering main couples really put a smile on my face. This story was light, humorous, and really fun.
Author
janet
3 years ago
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…. 🙂
‘Foghorn 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. (2018)
Author
viki
3 years ago
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.
Author
chrisreads31
3 years ago
I really enjoyed this book. The cover isn’t too bad either. This was my first book by this author but it won’t be my last.
Author
lisahines
3 years ago
Baby Maker by P. Dangelico is the first book in a brand new series of standalones. A story told in dual POV of two singularly different people who both ultimately want the same thing. A child. No partner, no strings, but to be a parent.
Stella’s biological clock is ticking and the last person she expects to help her have a baby is Dane Wilder. Retired football player and all around charming guy. But when a mutual friend suggests him to her she takes a chance.
The relationship between these two starts off extremely rocky but through various events in each of their lives they build a strong bond of friendship with a chance for more, if they open themselves up to it.
Well-written and well-paced this was a fabulous read with ups and downs, angst and love, family bonds and friendship that beautifully transitions into love. Enjoy!
Author
dianeab63
3 years ago
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.
Author
hhlee03
3 years ago
ARC – I voluntarily offered to review this book with no obligations and my opinions are hones
Stella wants a baby, but she does not want a relationship
Dane wants a baby, but he also does not want a relationship.
That is how they signed a contract to have a baby together without the hassle of a relationship.
How wrong were they ?
I loved the storytelling + the characters
The storytelling + the character’s build were awesome!
By pdangelico
Add a successful woman, in her thirties, with the biological clock firing alarms, join a famous, charming and rich man, mix the mutual desire to have a child, put some lack of commitment, everything purely contractual, no romantic connection, wait nine months and voilà: a baby is ready. Easy recipe to achieve the desired result and avoid problems, right? As for Stella and Dane, apparently not.
Stella wants a baby. After an epiphany brought on by a family tragedy, she realizes that the years are ticking by, and her chance of giving birth to a child is falling behind. But relationships are not part of her vocabulary, she simply does not trust the male sex, her life is her work. So she decides to have a child with a shared guard, that is, an agreement in which both parties are responsible for the expenses and education, two people who want to have a child sign a contract.
Dane is a former NFL player. His name is synonymous with fame, money and women. But he never had a serious relationship. He does not trust women, thanks to his mother, but he wants a son to share the same moments he lived with his father. Stella’s solution seems to be a good one. What he did not expect was that the unthinkable happened: he developed feelings for the mother of his kid.
Dane is hilarious. It was the perfect counterbalance in Stella’s austere personality. His jokes at the worst possible times made the book light and fun. Stella is a tight character. Her obsession to make money, while justifiable at the time when facts from her past come to light, have made her a hard person, she does not take any chances, she does not allow herself to relax and be happy for a second.
Both characters have confidence issues in the opposite sex. Both Stella’s father and Dane’s mother have marked them since childhood, and this hurt interferes in the present, with both adults. This fact of not having a relationship is an inheritance of the behavior of their parents. I find this valid, I understand how afraid she is to be abandoned, and he is afraid to love someone as deeply as his father loved his mother and be used. This kind of trauma I imagine would really affect a person.
The whole plot of the pregnancy, from medical appointments, the day of insemination to pregnancy confirmation will make the reader have a good laugh. Dane’s enthusiasm is contagious. The moment he realizes he likes Stella is the best of the book. That bon vivant man realizing that he fell in love, and in return his friends disbelieving at the fact, made the situation funnier than it already was. From the moment he accepts the fact of loving Stella, he departs to conquer her. Which, will be hard work.
Stella was the character with whom I had some problems. She also falls in love with Dane, but she does not accept it at all, she’s sure it will not last, that sooner or later he’ll leave. As I said, I understand, but at no time does he show that he is joking, on the contrary, the baby for him is very serious. She spends much of the book fantasizing with him, so when she finally gets to have him, she runs away and pushes him away.
All the “fiction” they staged for Dane’s father, soon or later would be discovered. But it served to show both of them what they really could have if they’d stopped being stubborn.
Overall it’s a good book, funny, cute, sweet and romantic. Where the great lesson is that there is no formula for happiness, you must grab opportunities and live. A good reading
I don’t know why I’m amazed at how much I LOVED this book. Especially considering how much I loved Sledgehammer. These characters, these stories, the feelings they evoke – they’re amazing. P. Dangelico is officially a “one-click” author for me and now I have to have the books on my shelves as well. Dane was so much more than meets the eye and Stella was the perfect woman for him. The backstories behind their mutual aversion to commitment made them two sides of the same coin and the way their relationship unfolded was such a glorious slow burn. I can’t wait to read this book again and again – yes, it’s that good! 5 out of 5 wine glasses.
Baby Maker is a slow burn, kind of sweet, kind of sexy, romance.
Stella is a successful money manager who has no time or inclination for love or marriage, but she does desperately want a baby. When her friend Ethan hooks her up with one of his friends who also wants a baby, but has no desire for a relationship or love, you’d think they’d hit it off and it would be all systems go. But nope, Dane does not impress Stella at all with his arrogant, womanizing ways, and she rejects him out of hand. It’s not until he shows her a little of himself, a little vulnerability, that she decides she wants to have a baby with him, so off they go to the doctor for the IVF. Yep, IVF. They don’t do it the traditional (sexy) way, and this contributes to the really slow burn of this relationship. They become somewhat friends that don’t honestly develop any kind of real feelings for each other for the longest time. And when they do develop feelings, do they handle them in a mature way befitting their 35 and 33 years of age? Well, Stella does, but Dane goes off the rails. Sigh…
I ended up liking Baby Maker. It’s not what I was expecting, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. I like that the two take the time to become friends before diving into the bedroom. I like how sweet Dane ended up truly being, and how Stella slowly warmed up. I never quite connected to her, she was far too distant for that for most of the story, but I like that she became human toward the end once she realized how she felt about Dane. And I like the good ole trope of playboy brought to his knees by a special woman. I also like the glimpses of past characters like Ethan (my favorite character in all of P. Dangelico land), Cal and Cam, and I fell in love with Dane’s father and his best friends.
I admit I wanted a bit more heat between Dane and Stella, and I wanted their relationship to be more intense, but for a friends to lovers story, Baby Maker is pretty damn good. It’s got a whole cast of great characters, Dane is truly a sweetheart, Stella is smart and strong, and the secondary characters make me want to know their stories. If you like your romances to be the slow burn type, with giant, sexy retired football players and smart, successful heroines, then 1-click Baby Maker today, you will not regret it!
P. Dangelico is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. After discovering Wrecking Ball and Sledgehammer this year, Baby Maker was one of my most anticipated reads!!!
The promise of this book is a little different, unorthodox some may say. Stella Donovan wants to be a mother. But she wants to do it without being a wife or really being in a relationship at all. She needs more than just a sperm donor.
Enter Ex NFL football player Dane “omg he is so hot I want to lick him” Wylder. He isn’t interested in a relationship either. But ready to be a father without being committed to one woman.
This is where “Communal parenting” come in to play. It’s a thing people.
Omg as soon as these two meet SPARKS FLY!!
At first Stella is a HELL NO, she is not too keen on Mr. Smirky Charm-the-Panties-off-all-females-within-a-one-mile-radius. Dane is a player for sure and has never heard the word no. Stella’s initial hesitation really just means that Dane needs to try harder. They are total opposites in every sense of the word. Stella is a Financial Manager, a planner and a workaholic. Dane is carefree, cocky and charming. A male Adonis. But as they slowly start to communicate and open up about their past and upbringing, we learn so much about them. The walls they built are slowly coming down and it’s GLORIOUS to experience. I loved their banter and their comebacks. It’s witty and fun. His innuendos are non stop and let’s face it Stella didn’t have a chance.
“This is a kiss for the sake of a kiss. It feels as if everything has been leading up to this moment, this terrifying, beautiful, imperfect moment.”
What I really love about P. Dangelico’s stories are the slow burn. She is an expert when it comes to building up these INCREDIBLE CONNECTIONS. You will literally chew your nails off waiting for that first kiss, the first real touch. Don’t even get me started when it’s finally sexy time. You’ll need a cigarette after the deed is done.
These two have so much baggage they collected growing up, they need time to learn about each other but most importantly to learn about themselves.
I FLOVED all the characters from previous books popping up. Truly I can’t get enough. I want to climb into these books and become part of their adventures. P. Dangelico pretty please?!?!?!?!
If you looking for the perfect romance THIS IS IT. It’s funny, witty, slow and sexy. Just enough angst to keep you wanting to turn the pages till the very end.
This was a fun one! This was my first book by this author and I was totally entertained from start to finish. I really liked Stella, she’s such a badass and Dane was just killing me! First his ego was pretty out there, but that man was cracking me up. Stella is a saint for putting up with that man. Those two had some wicked banter and great chemistry together. It really is a great story and I will definitely check out other books by this author!
This was a very cute Have My Baby Romance. It also crosses over into opposites attract. I liked how thought out the story was with why Dane and Stella entered the baby plan and never wanted to marry. I could also see them falling for each other slowly, like many relationships progress. This is a slow burn and not like other Have My Baby books where the couple conceives the “natural” way and fall in love while having sex. It takes a whole for them to finally get together.
Stella Donovan has caught a serious case of baby fever and she really wants to have one of her own, but as we all know you need a man for part of the deal, and she is not in the market for a man. So, she does what any woman in her case would do and hits up her guy friends, who all tell her their not the right fit for her plan, but then a her friend does her a solid and sets her up a meeting with one of his friends. Problem is her first impression of the self proclaimed ladies man isn’t so good, he’s obnoxious, slightly vulgar, and the moment he opens his mouth he expects her to be at his mercy like every woman to come before her, and well, she just isn’t seeing what all of the fuss is about. She’d prefer someone who didn’t look at life with such a lackadaisical approach, she is more of a planner herself, she wants someone who takes things a little more seriously. So she tells him no thanks… but he isn’t quite ready to let walk away, they both want the same thing, and he is determined to make her dream of being a mother a reality.
Dane Wylder has just closed the chapter on his football career, and now he is ready to move onto something else, something that involves a lot more effort, and a little less carefree lifestyle; he wants to be a father. The problem with that is he doesn’t have the other part of the baby making component, a woman willing to carry his child, one that won’t require a ring on her finger first preferably. Dane doesn’t do love, he watched it take it’s toll on his parents marriage, and it’s just not something he is comfortable signing himself up for. So, when his buddy tells him he has a friend in the same boat that he is, he is willing to meet her, and see if she might be the perfect component for his plan… but after one meeting things don’t go quite so well. She tells him no and walks away, but Dane is certain she is the right fit so he ups the anti and decides to convince her to change her mind… and winds up getting far more than he bargained for!!
Baby Maker is a highly entertaining tale of an opposites attract couple who decide to become parents the unconventional way, and wind up finding a whole lot more in the process. Neither planned on finding love, but fate had other plans for their little journey together, and I have to say it was so much fun to watch it all play out! This was a first time read for me, and I have to say this author definitely made a good first impression with her well crafted tale, it made me smile, made me swoon, and was good for the heart… and all around hit in my book! I highly recommend you give this one a try, it will surprise you, move you, make you blush, and leave you with a smile!!
Stella Donovan’s biological clock is a ticking time bomb.
The 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 contract. I really liked this book, the story line was simple and funny, the slow burning chemistry between the characters was lovely and their comedic banter was hilarious this was a really surprising wonderful read.
P. Dangelico’s bantering main couples really put a smile on my face. This story was light, humorous, and really fun.
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…. 🙂
‘Foghorn 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. (2018)
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 really enjoyed this book. The cover isn’t too bad either. This was my first book by this author but it won’t be my last.
Baby Maker by P. Dangelico is the first book in a brand new series of standalones. A story told in dual POV of two singularly different people who both ultimately want the same thing. A child. No partner, no strings, but to be a parent.
Stella’s biological clock is ticking and the last person she expects to help her have a baby is Dane Wilder. Retired football player and all around charming guy. But when a mutual friend suggests him to her she takes a chance.
The relationship between these two starts off extremely rocky but through various events in each of their lives they build a strong bond of friendship with a chance for more, if they open themselves up to it.
Well-written and well-paced this was a fabulous read with ups and downs, angst and love, family bonds and friendship that beautifully transitions into love. Enjoy!
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.
ARC – I voluntarily offered to review this book with no obligations and my opinions are hones
Stella wants a baby, but she does not want a relationship
Dane wants a baby, but he also does not want a relationship.
That is how they signed a contract to have a baby together without the hassle of a relationship.
How wrong were they ?
I loved the storytelling + the characters
The storytelling + the character’s build were awesome!