The plan was simple. They wanted to be parents without that messy marriage part making it chaos…but it’s never that simple! Here’s our review for Baby Maker by P. Dangelico.
Stella Donovan’s biological clock is a ticking time bomb.
The successful financial manager has spent her adult life building a career and neglecting her personal life. Problem is, she doesn’t believe in marriage. Not after watching her mother be treated like garbage by her father. Nope, marriage is not for her. All she wants is a baby. All she needs is a man to agree to her terms.
Dane Wylder, recently retired NFL tight end and future Hall of Famer, wants a baby.
Naturally, marriage is off the table. He’s not the marrying type. Women are great––as long as they’re trying to get into his bed and not his heart. But after years of living only for himself, he’s ready to be a father.
Sparks fly when a successful financial manager and a legendary football player enter into a legal agreement to have a kid together. They planned on everything––they just didn’t plan on each other.
Baby Maker by P. Dangelico
RATING: 4 out of 5 STARS
{Mild Spoilers; Mature Content}
After a close friend experiences a horrible loss, Stella decides that she won’t be putting off having a baby any longer. She has never wanted to get married, so a man isn’t necessary, but she wants the baby’s father to be a part of the child’s life.
She goes through different channels to find other couple who want to co-parent with her, but she keeps getting turned down. Finally a mutual friend introduced her to Dane…
Dane has recently retired from the NFL and is looking to settle down. He’s not looking for marriage because he saw how it tore down his dad, but he really wants to have a child. After they get off to rocky start, Stella and Dane take the plunge together and start their non-conventional family…but those pesky feelings always find a way in.
This novel was sooooo freaking charming. Dane is adorable and a very happy-go-lucky guy. Stella is the exact opposite, very organized and pragmatic. They both come from broken homes and don’t believe in the institution of marriage.
Stella hasn’t had a relationship in several years, and Dane only sees someone for three months at a time before breaking it off. She’s thirty-three and he’s thirty-five and neither have ever been in love, but that’s all about to change!
One of the things I absolutely ADORED about this novel was that they didn’t fall in love and have sex which resulted in a baby, but they actually date, get to know each other, flirt, go through IVF together and share this really beautiful (at time frustrating) will they, won’t they.
I read some reviews were people really didn’t like their characterizations, but I loved the Stella and Dane. Sometimes Dane would slip into a super country accent, but Stella calls his bs lines out.
Their chemistry is on POINT, and I have to say when they finally get together, it’s HOT. They’re flirty and sweet and make me giggle.
There was a little angst here or there but it gets wrapped up quickly. Some of Dane’s lines could be considered insensitive, but they fit with his characterization.
All in all, I’d recommend this book as a quick, fun read and just what I was looking for recently! Check out this excerpt below and get a taste 😉
Grabbing the pot of freshly brewed coffee from the coffee maker, he stares into the pot then drinks from it. I don’t bother to tell him it’s decaf. Throat working as he swallows, he holds up his index finger.
I’ve got a finger for him, the middle one.
“I don’t know what’s gotten into you but I’ve had enough.” He continues drinking. “And word of caution, if you come back to New York and continue to treat me like I’m cattle, a possession, you will damage this friendship beyond repair.”
He places the pot down, his eyes downcast as he leans on the counter for support. “I’m sorry…I was a real asshole last night and––”
“Last night?!” I shout. “How about for the past week.”
“Well you’re not helpin’ the situation!” he shouts back, his eyes sparking, then winces again.
My jaw hangs in disbelief. He can’t be serious. Is he really blaming me?
“The hell are you talking about? You’re blaming me? Me?! You’ve been unbearable––when you’ve been around, that is. Usually you’re running in the opposite direction. But somehow in your twisted little male peanut sized brain, it’s my fault?!”
“Yes, goddamit! Dancin’––smilin’ at that fucking cowboy!” His hand slashes through the air as if he’s indicating to someone in the corner. The veins near his temple pop up. Eyes impossibly wide, he advances on me, stopping a mere foot away. “You never smile at me like that!”
Huh? “What does that have to do with anything?!”
“Because I’m jealous! Okay! And you’ve made it very clear you’re not attracted to me but all I can think about is this!”
He’s on me before I can blink, arms crushing me to him, kissing me like I hold the last breath of air on the planet and he means to steal it.
A beat later he stops. His lips against mine he murmurs, “Kiss me back…please kiss me back.”
