This book was 200+ pages of foreplay! I never realized a slow build could be so much fun. Such a uniquely original concept, Michelle Angelle brings the thrill of HGTV with a hilarious behind the scenes take in Hammer My Heart.

For those of you who are fans of reality competition shows, this book is right up your alley. Max and Sam have aced their interviews and won the right to compete on Go Hard or Go Home – a show that will allow the winner to walk away with a (new to them) home! Sam believes she has this in the bag! Having learned everything she knows about woodwork and construction from her father, she can’t wait to dominate the competition. She doesn’t realize that simple statement is a double entendre until see lays eyes on Max. Max may have his own ace in the hole to get ahead but this competition is more than about beating Sam, it is about redeeming himself and putting right a huge mistake from his past. The true question is, how far are they willing to go in order to win?

What I liked about this book: Hammer My Heart was side splitting funny! I have read a few books that have kept me in stitches and this is one of them. I lost count of the laugh out loud moments (and the awkward looks I received because of them)! The banter between Sam and Max is pure gold. They play off each other so well and the alternating first person point of view just makes it even better. This was such a quick read but you get so sucked into the “show” and the overall competition that you are done before you even realize it. While the authors do keep the story PG-13 which a toe dip into R, the build up scenes are still steamy and chemistry between Max and Sam is palpable.

What I loved about the book: The story concept was so unique! As a romantic comedy, you can predict it will be a happily ever after ending (and even that was original and super sweet) but the journey there was unexplored. I didn’t know what was going to happen next but I loved how all the characters were an essential part of the story – from the make-up artist, to the cameraman, to the building crew. Even the spectators’ comments and actions added to humor!

What I am indifferent about but feel I should mention: This book is an intense, hot and heavy build up between Max and Sam. When they finally do connect, I felt like the build up was more intense than the actual union. That moment of connection was a little lackluster by comparison. With that much tension, I expected the pages to literally melt when they finally slept together.

Making you truly question what happens when the cameras are off, Hammer My Heart is a quick, fun, and insanely hilarious take on reality TV and the antics they are willing to endure in the name of competition.