Take one outspoken actress, put her under the same roof with an overworked lawyer, and watch the slow burn bring down the house. A standalone novel. Each book in this series can be read separately and out of order. … read separately and out of order.
Amber Jones is in a world of trouble.
She knew she shouldn’t have gone to her ex’s New Year’s Eve party. And she reeeaally didn’t mean to almost burn down his house.
Now she needs a good lawyer, stat. But where to find one?
Ethan Vaughn is a very busy man.
As the most sought after lawyer in professional football, he should be focused on representing his NFL clients–not an accident-prone, struggling actress who is now living in his house.
The woman is a walking talking disaster. And considering his track record, he needs to stay as far away from this one as possible.
Problem is, he’s finally met the one he’s willing to risk it all for.
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This was such a delicious slow burn! I mean – no real sexy times until 70% or so, but it was okay because the build up was SO GOOD! Sledgehammer was everything I love about Contemporary Romance: it was fun, sweet, sexy, and just the perfect amount of emotional depth. I immediately loved the characters, Amber and Ethan. They met in the previous book, Wrecking Ball (which I must read ASAP), since they are the best friends of the leads in that book. The situation that throws them together is one that I have not personally encountered in books (though it is vaguely reminiscent of something from a Seinfeld episode), so the original plot, endearing characters, and amazing chemistry made this a total page-turner for me – I literally couldn’t do anything else until I finished the book (much to the chagrin of my family, but they’ll get over it). I loved it so so much. The way that P. Dangelico built her characters – Amber (and her “dragon”) and Ethan (and his “little v”) were so well fleshed out and real and the epilogue was EVERYTHING. There were bits a pieces that I wish were expounded upon a bit more and I do wish we got more sexy times, but all in all, I just really really enjoyed this book. 4.5 out of 5 wine glasses.
The first book I read of this author ‘ Wrecking ball’ was great. But this one is even better!
I had already pre-ordered the book, when I saw the ARC on Netgalley and I never clicked the request button faster.
Amber is the best friend of Camilla (bk 1) and when she lands in jail on New Year’s Eve she is not really happy to find Camilla has sent Ethan Vaughn to bail her out (Ethan being a lawyer and her husband’s best friend). Amber is being released in Ethan’s personal custody so she moves in with him for the next couple of months. They develop a friendship but there is an obvious slowburn (love slowburn). I had to wait for over 70% in for the sexy times 🙂 but it was worth it!
At first I did not know what to make of Amber, but I soon realized how deep her mother’s rejection when she was a child has affected her. Ethan Vaughn is not a real alpha male. He is hot and sexy and I loved the obvious clues that he is into Amber. I enjoyed the storyline and never got bored. And let me tell you: I LOVED the end (sucker for grand gestures ha ha ha). First my heart was ripped out and then everything was so good I felt the butterflies.
This ends up on my favorite shelf! I highly recommend. (2017)
This series just keeps getting better and better!! Sledgehammer (Hard To Love #2) is another hilarious, five star book by P. Dangelico that I couldn’t put down. I was so excited to read Amber’s book and I absolutely loved her character as Camille’s best friend in Wrecking Ball. Although these two strong and no nonsense friends are quite similar, I have to admit that Amber is even funnier than Camille. She’s relatable, down to earth, with a tough exterior and a romantic at heart. Everyone needs an Amber in their life especially the charming and debonair, Ethan aka Fancy McButterpants (loved the nickname she gave him as it was quite fitting). Amber manages to get herself involved in some legal troubles and as an attorney, of course Ethan is the perfect person to help her out. Only problem is, she has to remain under his supervision and live with him for the next three months. I was immediately hooked, I knew I was going to be in for one hell of a ride and I was not disappointed.
This enemies to lovers romance is SO good, well written, entertaining and it had me in stitches. Ethan and Amber couldn’t be more opposite yet they are exactly what each other needed. It’s a slow burn romance and when they finally get down to the GET DOWN…those scenes had me fanning myself!! Sledgehammer is a definite must read!!
Amber is amazing!!
I don’t know what it is about this series but I luv the woman. In it I thought Cami was brilliant in the first book Wrecking Ball but Amber is even better. She cracked me up laughing throughout the whole book. Her witty movie quotes and just the way she carried herself is brilliant. Life hasn’t been great but she has tried to live her life. But she hasn’t put herself first in a long time. Her grandmother meant everything to get but she wasn’t well and it was getting harder to see her like that. Her relationship with her family wasn’t great but she has Cami and her parents they were all she needed. Luv has never been great for her either she hasn’t been treated well by men. So she was giving up on men and thinking about herself. Until Fancy Pants Ethan Vaughan comes to get rescue.
Ethan isn’t used to woman like Amber. She will call him out on his crap is loud and says things without thinking. The woman around him everyday are gorgeous intelligent know what to say. Don’t get my wrong Amber is gorgeous and intelligent but she just thinks out out she is unique and just amazing. Things haven’t been easy for Ethan so both of them have there walls built high. Plus there relationship doesn’t start great and is a lil strained. But Amber being Amber made the best of the situation. They can’t be together anyway no matter if feelings get involved. So they both end up fighting them and sexual tension gets stronger and stronger.
This book was really good but like the first book. The male pov was missing. I was DYING to know what was going on in Ethan’s head. But at the same time I needed everything from Amber. She is one of the best heroines I’ve read in a long time. I luvd this story and I did get really sad in parts and had a lump in my throat. I became protective of Amber in a way so when things got a lil hard I just want her to get hurt. Ethan is a great and I really like him. He is what Amber needs and they are great together. They both deserve there HEA. The ending to this book was perfect as well. I would highly recommend this book.
Second book in this series.
This is amber and ethan’s Story who we met in book 1 -wrecking ball. Amber is Camilla’s outgoing actress/bartender best friend and Ethan is Calvin’s Agent/manager/lawyer.
It was apparent in book one that something was going to happen between these two and #drmahgawd…DID IT EVER! The slow steady burn of this story was absolutely fantastic!
I loved their opposite attract love story… two of the most different people thrown together that became one of the most sweet and touching romance stories that I have ever read! And my gosh their chemistry was
I found myself reading paragraphs over and over because I adore how this author writes… her discriptions when she describes her characters mannerisms absolutely blow my mind and leave me all fluttery and sighing like a girl in happiness
I loved Ethan’s character he was a wonderful mix of ‘nice guy/confident guy/lost boy’ and I adored amber… she was sassy and strong with a softness that she let very few people see…Ethan sees her, even the parts she hides.
I was gutted when this book ended…I wanted more!
I want Amber as my bestie. I love her so much. She’s your ride-or-die friend that you definitely want in your corner. The banter between her and Ethan was fantastic. I really, really, really enjoyed the hell outta this one. Getting to see more of Cal with his baby boy…dead.
I have to admit that I was a tad bit conflicted on how to rate Sledgehammer. I liked it, but didn’t love it. Normally I’m all for slow burn romances, especially ones with sassy, feisty heroines and hot, sweet guys, but…the slow burn in Sledgehammer went on far too long. They didn’t even get together until I think past 50%, and it wasn’t intended for it to be anything other than scratching their itch. That’s what it was supposed to be but of course things never work out like that.
It was inevitable that these two would fall for each other. Of course! They were in forced cohabitation. She’s vulnerable. He’s hot and a really sweet guy, contrary to the opinion she had of him prior. He rescued her. He gave her a place to stay. Their sex, when they FINALLY had it, was smokin’ hot. I like that they were friends, actual friends, before they jumped into bed with each other. No insta-love here, thank God. So yeah, I knew for certain from the beginning they’d fall for each other. I wish it hadn’t taken so long, though, because the middle of the story lagged a bit and I started to skim a little.
I like Ethan, aka Fancy McButterpants, Butterpants, and my personal favorite – Tommy McPervertpants, actually, I love Ethan. I just wish we had gotten his POV, rather than only Amber’s, because I think it would have rounded this story out a lot. And I like Amber, she started out as funny, snarky and tough. But, she kind of dissolved a little toward the middle and I fell out of like with her for awhile until the end when she got her mojo back after finding out Ethan’s secret.
Still, even though I don’t love Sledgehammer, I can’t honestly give it less than 4 stars because it’s sweet, it’s sexy, and Fancy is is one dirty man disguised in expensive suits. Can’t wait for Grant’s story next (Bulldozer)!
Sledgehammer by P. Dangelico a simply divine five-star read. This is number two in the Hard to Love series, but you don’t need to have read it previously as they each focus on a different couple, this time it was Amber who shone like the flames she accidently created!! This was sweet and Amber just made me giggle so much, in a pickle is an understatement and she just can’t help herself. But she has the biggest of hearts. This had a slow burn angst to it, that just built and built to this amazing crescendo of words. I don’t want to spoil the story as its just simply divine, but the way Amber deals with the builder that just made me smile so much.
I love main characters who are a mess. I love stories about women finding Mr. Right after a bad break up. Especially when the hero is straight laced and doesn’t know how badly he needs the heroine in his life.
I really liked Ethan and Amber’s story. It was cute and quirky and I was completely invested in it. I have never read this author before, but I am definitely going to hunt more of her books up.
This book may just contain your next book boyfriend!
Really enjoyed the book. Whimsical. Definitely reading the wholes series. Excellent writing!
I loved this book so purchased all of the other books in the series
HIGHLY recommended! Also the other books
I would call this a complete tear-jerker, but it really pulled on the heart strings when she walked away from the relationship for the second time when you could feel his heart breaking. Would she be the one that got away? Good story line; couldn’t put it down.
Ethan and Amber was so much fun. A fabulous slow burn friends to lovers romance. Only the way P. Dangelico makes them. Amazing bantering and sizzling chemistry. The author knows how I want my slow burn. The dialogue between Amber and Ethan really showed how compatible they’re were and how well they worked together. Every scene with them was filled with that instant connection that proved that they’re the perfect match.
Amber was a hoot. Man she doesn’t hold back and just says what she thinks. Honest and loyal to the core. Ethan Ethan Ethan. The quiet lawyer and manager but damn when it comes to Amber he’s all man. He cares and protects. That delicious mouth of his took me by surprise.
Calvin and Camilla from Wrecking Ball made an appearance or two and it was so good to have them there.
Sledgehammer is just as fabulous as Wrecking Ball all because of some kick ass characters and terrific dialogue.
4 Fancy Pants Stars
I love a good slow burn and Sledgehammer by P. Dangelico did not disappoint. Ethan and Amber were complete opposites. Ethan is a serious buttoned up lawyer and Amber is doing her best to make it in the acting world while taking care of the people she loves. When Amber finds herself in need of a lawyer, Ethan does his best friend, Calvin, a favor and he finds himself living with the louder then life beauty. They both have their preconceived notions of one another, but once they are both able to let their guards down and open their hearts, they are finally able to see how amazing the other is. Fun enemies to lovers story.
I’m not sure who I loved most in this book, Fancy McButterpants or Princess Amber. Both had me snorting and swooning the whole way through. This is just as funny and sweet as the first book in the series. Amber’s quick wit is delightful as is Ethan’s stoic personality.
Amber is a tough cookie, or sledgehammer as some might say. She’s a force to be reckoned with. She is the type of woman a man holds with both hands and doesn’t let go. And Ethan sure doesn’t want to let her go, which might cost him everything in the process. Ethan comes from a strong family connection but Amber has had to rely mainly on herself growing up. So you could say it is an opposites attract flirtation but it is also a taboo and second chance romance.
I am looking forward to reading book three, especially if it is along the same tone as the first two novels. I think Amanda and Grant will be a hoot!