I didn’t mean to kidnap the groom.It was an accident.Mostly…At least I didn’t take much time to plan it. It was more of a spur of the moment kidnapping. Does that count?One minute, the town’s bad boy is standing at the altar about to marry the world’s most evil kindergarten teacher. The next, he’s passed out in my Vespa sidecar with his bride hot on our tail.But I didn’t have a choice! I … tail.
But I didn’t have a choice! I couldn’t stand by and watch Jace O’Dell be blackmailed into a loveless marriage. And besides, what’s a little kidnapping between friends?
Okay, so maybe we’re not just friends…
And maybe I can’t quit thinking about that night at his bar when he closed up early and had me on the rocks.
And maybe this crazy stunt is going to blow up in both of our faces.
If it does, I’m blaming the moonshine.
Even though the only thing I’m hammered on when it comes to Jace is love—straight up, no chaser.
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I’m a huge Pippa Grant fan. This is a fun second collaboration between Pippa and Lili Valente picking up with many of the characters from Hosed. Olivia Moonbeam is a sweet heroine who falls in love with Jace O’Dell after a one night hookup in his bar, the Wild Hog. Jace was broken up with his longtime on/off manipulative girlfriend Ginger. Ginger tells Jace the very next morning that she is pregnant with his baby, so Jace tells Olivia he is going to be a father and do right by his baby. Olivia makes an effort to leave Jace alone despite running into him all over town.
On the day of his rushed nuptials, Olivia accidentally kidnaps the groom. The next day both Olivia and Jace wake up to a wild scenario that is straight out wild and hilarious – pure Pippa Grant/Lili Valente gold.
I’m keeping my fingers crossed for another Pippa/Lili collaboration to visit the sparks that Hope/Blake are generating!
I received an ARC from the authors and am willingly leaving an honest review.
This time we took a trip back to happy cat to find a not so happy situation. Pippa walks you though this HEA with well thought out plot twists. It emboldens one to never accept things the way they are.
I only wish the book was longer, as always lol
I love the combo of Pippa and Lili’s writing prowess. This book was hilarious and touching and I can’t wait for the next book in the series!
Well-written, great characters, wonderful animals, lots of fun! Plus one of the worst villains in book history. Another lovely couple, an entertaining read.
4 stars
Hammered is the second completely adorable collaboration between Pippa Grant and Lili Valente! Even though I haven’t read the first book (which I’m fixing now!) I thoroughly enjoyed the story and the crazy eccentric characters! It was a little too “out there” in some aspects for me but it just made me grin harder. From a menagerie of animals to naked moonbathing, it was unexpected and unique. Jace and Olivia are polar opposites but really were cuteness on another level. There’s a twist about 1/3 of the way through that I didn’t expect and kept me turning the page. Can’t wait for more from these talented authors!
AnnMarie – Alphas Do It Better Book Blog
This was a really cute rom-com with a cute romance, a strange heroine that you can’t help but love, crazy animals and great secondary characters. This is my first book by this author duo and I have to say it won’t be my last. I was drawn in from the start and was able to binge read it from start to finish. It was a lighting read with some drama but it wasn’t high in the angst factor which was great. Sometimes you need a book like this to be a pallet cleanser. I can’t wait to go and read Hosed and meet these characters again. 4 stars #2OCCJD
After reading and adoring the first book in this series, Hosed, I was super excited to get my hands on this second book. Not only do we get a little bit more of all the players from Hosed, and of course a lot more of Olivia and Jace, but we get some new critters to love in the form of a hedgehog and an alpaca. As expected, the laughs are plentiful, making this a great romantic comedy. On the flip side, this is also a horror story because it contains an abandoned, creepy-as-all-get-out clown college. And psycho Ginger. And rat-b**tard Chester. So, yeah, these authors can both add “horror” to the list of genres that they write. Hmm…maybe this is a whole new genre: rom-hor-com? horromedy? I bet Pippa can come up with a good name for it.
A sincere thank you to the authors for providing an ARC for review.
Hammered is the second book in the Happy Cat series by Pippa Grant & Lili Valente. It can be read as standalone but I do recommend reading Hosed since it’s hilarious. The fireman got his happily ever after and now it was time for his brother, the bar owner to get his.
After Olivia almost accidental killed someone she needed a stiff drink. That night was not the only stiff thing she got. She found her kindred penis in the process. Jace O’Dell. Town bad boy with a big heart. And that heart wanted her. Only it couldn’t have her.
After years of an on and off relationship with his ex girlfriend he was starting over. He was moving on. He was happy. One night with Olivia made him feel so damn good. Then he woke up the next day totally fucked. His life had started over but not the way he was picturing it. Miserable and getting married to his ex.
Olivia couldn’t let it happen. She just couldn’t. She had to save him. So she did the only thing she could. She stole the groom from his wedding. With the help from her hedgehog. Even Princess could see it was the right thing to do. She understood Jace wanted to do the right thing but at what cost? Forever married to someone he didn’t love.
I can’t really say more than that but I will say that is full of laughter, heat, crazy animals, family, and love. I enjoyed every minute of the craziness. It was so much fun and beautiful at the same time. I will also say that I wanted to slap some fools on more than one occasion. That really only means that I was invested.
P.S. Make sure to get the bonus with the link at the end of the book!
Quotes:
“I’m gonna fucking deserve you,” I promise. “Deserve this.”
“You already do deserve it,” she says.
“You don’t really believe George talks to me, do you?” she asks, searching my face.
“Well…no, I don’t,” I say, unable to lie to her. “But I like that you believe it.”
“I love your smile,” I whisper. “It lights up my entire world.”
This book made me so helpless. Because I couldn’t help myself as I laughed, hard and loud.
It’s all the animals’ fault, really. The cute little hedgehog and the sneaky racoon band together with more creatures from a shelter to provide a hilarious support to his star-crossed couple of sweet lovers. Almost like a second-chance romance, Jace and Olivia start off with a shot at passion only to be hampered by fate and stopped in their tracks to get a happily ever after.
I missed them being together more, yet the chemistry is there right along the longing as they try to be responsible and resist the universe pulling them together. The dialogues are pure magic in the laughing department and I was happily entertained by animal crusades while Jace sorted out his messy life, Olivia explored her detective skills to help him, and a bizarre, crazy and quirky chaos exploded before they finally reached a beautifully romantic and totally unorthodox dream life.
This couple’s story is unlike anything I’ve ever read. It’s adorably loony and has the cutest little critters and the characters are all huggable. I want to live in this town and meet them all! 😀
Can Happy Cat be a real place…please??!!
I need to start by saying that if Happy Cat was real, I would be looking for a job there asap. Every time these authors bring me within the city limits, I start laughing immediately. I mean, where else do you hear about a raccoon named George Cooney that walks around town wearing a rainbow clown costume? Or a place where it is acceptable to ride a scooter with a porcupine riding shotgun?
And then there are Jace and Olivia. *sigh* I just adore them. While it is frustrating as a reader that they aren’t together, when they ultimately find their way together (after Olivia’s kidnapping attempt!), any reader will certainly rejoice!
If you are looking for a story that will make you laugh til you cry while also melting your heart, then this is certainly the story for you!
Hammered is book two in the Happy Cat series by Pippa Grant and Lili Valente. This is a sweet, silly and a bit steamy romantic comedy. It can be read as a stand alone but the characters from the first book are also present in this one.
Jace O’Dell is the younger brother of Ryan whom we met in the first book. Jace owns the bar, The Wild Hog, in Happy Cat. Jace views himself as kind of the town screw up. He was a bit wild when he was younger and has gotten himself into his share of trouble. Now, as an adult, he tries to keep himself out of trouble but the town cop has it in for him and is always waiting for him to do something wrong.
Jace has had an on again, off again relationship with Ginger for years. At one time, Jace had hopes of them ending up together. Their on again times were happy. But not anymore. They’ve been off for over two months now and he knows it’s finished. Jace has had a bit of a crush on Olivia since the first time she came into his bar. It seemed like sunshine followed her everywhere. Then that night happened, when they had a little bit too much to drink and stared into each other’s eyes. And somehow ended up on the floor in the moonlight. It was the best night of their lives. Jace could finally see a future that he never dreamed possible. Until Ginger came back into his life and ruined it all.
“She’s the right in a world that’s always felt a little bit wrong.”
Olivia Moonbeam is a bit of a free spirit. She drives around town in a Vespa and believes in auras and crystals and all the woo woo stuff. People may think of Olivia as a bit ditzy and maybe they are right. But of one thing she is sure, she and Jace are meant for each other. But when Ginger comes back into Jace’s life, she tries to do the right thing and forget about him. Try as she might, though, she just can’t. Olivia has a tiny, adorable pet hedgehog named Princess who has been abandoned and is a bit traumatized so she just needs to concentrate on taking care of her. Fate keeps putting Jace in her path, though. How are they supposed to be strong when every time their eyes meet, that connection just seems to grow.
“She makes me feel worthy. And I want to prove I am.”
First, I want to say that this was so sweet. These two really were adorable. But this is where I have to say that I think the problem is completely mine. They were just a bit too adorable. I had trouble connecting at all with Olivia. She was just a bit too out there for me. And Jace just seemed clueless at times. But, I have to give these authors credit that they surprised me. There was a very unexpected twist I would say about the last thirty five percent. I was so surprised.
All in all, this was a fun book. Just for me, that’s all it was is fun. I didn’t get any feels out of it. As I mentioned, though, once I hit the last section, I had to keep reading to see what happens next.
I was looking forward to this book, but it was not what I was expecting. Jace is a sweet, great guy although was a wild teenager. Everyone thinks he is still that same boy, but he has grown up. I love the quirky ways Olivia is & how loving she is to everything she comes into contact with. These two together are sweet & so different that is a wonderful romantic story. I just wanted more of the laugh out loud moments that Hosed had. This book seemed to have odd parts that were more strange & odd than funny. Was a good story with a hea. I recommend this book. Told in dual POV.
A whimsical heroine combined with a reformed bad boy equals combustion! Olivia is a free spirit, she’s a whimsical girl who sees good in people and situations, she loves living (and non living) things, she’s sweet and quirky in all the best ways and she’s brave! Jace is the town bad boy, the local law enforcement has it out for him. Jase has flourished despite his reputation and is a business owner, Olivia is his lobster and he realizes this but, a big bomb is dropped to change everything and capers ensue. This story combine with some very adorable side kicks make for very fun escape from everyday life!
I very happily received an arc of this book. Pippa Grant and Lili Valente are a match made in rom-com heaven. Hammered is the second book in a series though it is a standalone book. It takes place in a magical crazy town called Happy Cat. This book is full of wonderful quirky people, equally quirky animals, and of course a great love story. It will make you grin til your face hurts, laugh out loud at unexpected moments, boo the villain out loud, and sob at the beautiful hearts and words of the main characters. What more could you ask for in a great book.
4 Raccoons, Hedgehogs and Alpacas Oh My Stars!!!
While this is the second book in this series, this is my first book by Ms. Grant and Ms. Valente as a writing duo. And I thoroughly enjoyed myself while reading this quirky, sassy and sweet romance. Don’t get me wrong, there’s some definite heat in this book but the story itself centers around Jace O’Dell and Olivia Moonbeam and how they fall in love in between the machinations of his crazy on and off girlfriend, a deputy sheriff and the menagerie of all the animals that play pivotal roles in this story.
I loved how these two just kind of gravitated towards each other and even though Jace is kind of dating someone he just can’t help himself one late evening when Olivia is in his bar lamenting into her very watered down drinks and well things get all kinds of sexy!
I found myself laughing and snort laughing at different parts of this book, generally when one of the animals that have piece of everyone’s hearts especially when they’re saving lives. There’s George Cooney the Raccoon, Princess von Spooksalot and Chewpaca the Alpaca that’s basically in love with Olivia!! I’m not sure how the authors managed to keep this from being too cheesy but they did and they did it magnificently!!
Jace knows who he wants to be with but he’s doing the right thing….at least he thinks he is and this is where all the shenanigans come in. Let’s just say there are some people in this little town of Happy Cat that aren’t huge fans of our H/h and they’ll stop at nothing to make their lives miserable.
Overall, I loved this book. The authors did an amazing job of making it seem like the things that happened in Happy Cat weren’t too quirky or crazy. I’m definitely going to go back and read book one because I need to spend more time in Happy Cat, Georgia!
Hammered is book two in the Happy Cat series. It can be read as a standalone. When I picked this one up, I didn’t realized it was part of a series but now I’m going to go back and read Ryan’s story. Hammered is Jace and Olivia’s story. It’s lighthearted and funny read with a little bit of crazy thrown in. Jace has the reputation of being the town screw up but he’s really a great guy. Olivia see him for who he is. Olivia is a little out there with her beliefs but she’s super sweet and nice. Jace has a crazy ex that pops back into his life and even though I didn’t like her Jace showed how much of a good guy he is when dealing with her. I loved these characters and their crazy town. This is one you should definitely one click.
Hammered by Pippa Grant & Lili Valente is the second book in their Happy Cat series and was just such a fun read. This was a laugh out loud romance that was charming, steamy, sexy and amusing. Though this is technically book 2 in the series, it can be read as a standalone, however, the first book is just as much fun to read.
Olivia Moonbeam just kidnapped a groom. A reluctant groom, but a groom none-the-less. You see, Jace O’Dell was set to marry his on-again/off-again ex. Though they had been off, she surprises him with unexpected news, and he wants to be the good guy for once. But the chemistry and connection Jace and Olive have is undeniable and Olivia is not ready to let him go just yet. I loved Olivia’s free spirit and carefree ways. She was sweet and caring. Jace saw himself as a screw-up but was such a good guy.
Hammered by Pippa Grant and Lili Valente was such an enjoyable romantic comedy. I could not stop the smile while I read. I loved the characters (all of them, good and bad) and the story so much. It was an adorable romance with all the best feels!
Read and reviewed for Reviews From the Heart.
Happy reading!
Lies, humor, action and love
Very good story that I loved: It is very well written, funny, hot with excellent characters whether they are friendly and tender like Olivia and Jace or the unbearable ones. The first part is sometimes annoying because of Ginger, the ex, but finally fiancée of Jace, although he loves Olivia. Like all of Pippa Grant’s romances, it’s both humorous but this time, with a hint of action. We must admit that Ginger is twisted in the wrong way and I loved hating her. I really liked to have news about the raccoon George Cooney too 😉
In short, I had a great time in the crowd of endearing characters encountered in previous stories.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
4 1/2 stars
The blurb for this story had me hooked straight away and I couldn’t wait to dive into the story..I can honestly tell you it was a good decision.
The humour in this story is hilarious and has you smiling and chuckling practically the whole way through the book. Expressions such as ‘pants pickle’ make very clear visuals but are fun and inoffensive. From the fun banter to the sometimes silly scenes, the comedic addiction is wonderful. Even when the drama heats up and the suspense deepens, there are lighter moments. That’s one of the main reasons I gave it the extra half a star because it truly is so entertaining.
Jace O’Dell and Olivia Moonbeam are both really likeable characters and you desperately want them to get together, knowing that they deserve each other..in a good way. Their chemistry is off the charts hot and they’re so well suited.
A couple of secondary characters need mentioning: Princess von Spooksalot and Sir Pendleton who were immediately adopted by Olivia and become the basis of many a humorous sentence or two as well as George Cooney. This raccoon is such a character all on his own he could almost have his own novella!
I totally recommend you read this sensational book.
Lili Valente and Pippa Grant come back at us again with Hammered. I loved this romcom! It was spitfire funny and there was a bit of drama added to the mix.
Jace is a sweetheart condemned by himself. He thinks his life should be about unhappiness. Not all things in his life need to be good. Until one night when he got a reprieve. But fate took a dirty turn towards his direction and he was back in the dark world.
Olivia is a whole lot of sunshine. I love her personality and she made me hoot with laughter. She is a free spirit that truly brings this story to life!
Hammered has the booze, the sexy, and the laughter you need. So sit back in your favorite seat and enjoy the ride!