Fighting for Love

It's not often that I come across romances featuring a marriage in crisis. I find them really intriguing because it's a glimpse beyond the typical happily ever after. I love that these two characters are fighting to get back to each other. The obstacles and hurt feelings are all too relatable and that vulnerability really hits me in all the feels. Steele is book 9 in the Arizona Vengeance series, but can be enjoyed as a standalone. Previous characters do appear, but the author does a fantastic job introducing them to readers who haven't had a chance to read the prior books. One of the things I love about marriage in crisis romances is that the characters are all in. Yes, there might be some minor OW/OM drama for a bit, but for the most part, the characters only have eyes for each other. This was definitely the case for Jim and Ella. I loved that they were childhood sweethearts and had weathered so much together. It was easy to understand how both became complacent and also upset with the progression of their marriage. There wasn't a ton of drama in this one and I liked that it focused on the two of them finding their way back. Brian Pallino and Jill Redfield were wonderful as Jim and Ella! I read this book first and it was great to revisit the story through audiobook. Brian Pallino was perfect as Steele and was just the right amount of alpha and sweet. I definitely need to listen to more of his performances. I didn't have any trouble differentiating between characters and both narrators did a fantastic job bringing these characters to life. The next book, featuring Jett, was set up very well and I'm looking forward to his story next. Overall 4 stars Performance 4.5 stars Story 4 stars

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Separated hockey player trys to win back his wife

Not the usual plot. This one is about a man who ignores his wife of 15 years to the point that she asks for a divorce. The key is they still love each other but she just can't take his behavior any longer. He goes through a lot of growth from denial to anger, to wanting her back but not having a clue how to change, to finally growing up and taking responsibility as a couple. She also has to learn to forgive and also learn haw to communicate what is more of the priority and what can be excused as genuine bad timing or missed events that aren't his fault. It is interesting but a little boring and their kid is a young teen so not even cute. A nice story but slow. Part of a series but there wasn't much forward movement in the greater narrative of the team. OK for fans of the series but not the most interesting.

Best book to date from Sawyer Bennett

There was something about this book which resonated with me more than the regular romance book. I loved the premise of a married couple who had somehow lost each other along the way finding their way back to each other. The emotions and feels in this book were all too relatable and left me with baited breath hoping and hoping they would be able to find each other again. The characters were beautifully written and filled with so much passion for each other and their family unit. As to the narration - there couldn't have been two better picks to bring these characters to life. Their voices were soothing, passionate, emotional and so realistic. I think my favorite part about this series is how they are all built upon each other and characters from the other books make appearances.

Steele

“Because I’ve been sitting on your front porch for two hours, and my ass is hurting. I got tired of waiting for you to come home, so I stalked you here.” Steele is a second chance hockey romance in the Arizona Vengeance series. Jim Steele was loving his life and hockey career until his wife asked him to move out. Ella was feeling neglected and as if she was second to Steele’s hockey. After seeing Ella on a date with another guy, Steele made it his mission to win back his wife. I have read and loved all of Sawyer Bennett’s hockey books but this one just did not do it for me. I did not like Ella and felt that she had too much of a “poor me” attitude especially since she knew what she was getting into all the way back in high school. I did love Steele and his daughters relationship. I am still looking forward to more from the Vengeance in the future.

A second chance

Steele is the ninth book in the Arizona Vengeance series but is most definitely be read or listened to without having read the prior books. Just be aware that there may be spoilers to those books but you do not need those books to understand what is going on in Steele’s life. I did find this book didn’t focus as much on the team and the other players as the prior books in the series so I was missing getting to catch up with what is going on with them. This book focused on Steele and his marriage. It had its ups and downs and was more of a mellow book with not much in the way of twist or turns. That small shock or major drama didn’t occur which was different and a surprise to this listener. Don’t get me wrong, things happen in the book and you will be yelling at the characters for what they are or are not doing. I also enjoyed what I am assuming will be the next player on the team to have his own story. Both narrators are new to me and it did take a few chapters to get into their narration but they did a great job in bringing the characters to life. They are narrators I will listen to again.

Steele

I listen to this on audio , and I have listened to every book in this series , and I love all of them but Steele moved into my 1 spot!!!!! It’s a great book about a couple working on their marriage, it’s sweet , funny, and all around good book! Give it a try , you will love Steele and Ella !

Another great story

Steele is a true team player. He gave 150% to his team and at times only 50% to his family. The love he felt for both was unconditional but there was a defect somewhere to make things a little hard. Ella gave demands and at times they were met but not to the extent they should. When Steele saw the women who made his heart beat and his child who was the first true love of his life move on in a way that would destroy him and them. he stepped up. He knew what he needed to do and how he needed to do it. I loved the fight Steele had while working and the fight for his family. His loss of what was number one became clear and yes there was obstacles but it didn't matter. Steele was not only up for the challenge but he wanted to defeat it and show his family who they were in his life. His work family never gave up on his family. The women are always the heart of the Vengeance and this story is no different! Brian Pallino and Jill Redfield did a great job portraying these characters. At times I felt I was there looking in hoping for the best.

My favorite book of 2020

I have been waiting for this book for a long time, and it beyond exceeded my expectations. After his wife asks him to leave, Arizona Vegeance's James Steele just leaves, but as time goes by he realizes that he was not the best husband to his wife, and not the best father to his daughter Lucy. Then he decides that he is not letting his family go without a fight. James plays to win, and he will stop at nothing to win his girls back. I loved this story because it was a real reminder of the power of love and the importance of showing that love to those most important to you. The narration was fantastic, and made the book really come to life.

An amazing second chance romance

An amazing second chance romance for a married couple that grew apart. I usually dont like second chance romance, but this was amazing. They were high school sweethearts that were thrust into the NHL and as they grew up they also grew apart and Jim just didnt see his wife and what she needed, though he always loved her. I loved how he wooed her back. Their daughter is adorable. I love how they didn't just get back together right away and how they were very conscience about her and how their relationship affects her. I listened to the audiobook and it was amazing. The narrators did a wonderful job conveying emotions and carrying the storyline. This book can be read as a stand alone. You get all the information that you need. However you will more know more about the secondary characters if you had read the previous books in the series. You have almost met the main couple before if you read the previous books.

Second chance love

I absolutely love this series and this one just warmed my heart in so many ways. This book is about Jim Steele and his wife Ella and their daughter Lucy and how being a pro hockey player has effected their family. We have seen Steele in previous books and knew he and Ella had been separated for months but when he sees his wife out with another man he decides he is willing to fight for his family and he pulls out all the stops. It was great seeing them struggle with real life issues and get to the other side. There is also the dynamics of their teenage daughter that adds to the story. I loved this real life love story that shows what love can be. Brian Pallino and Jill Redfield were both so good narrating this book. Loved listening to them. This series are all stand along books that intertwine the characters throughout. You don't have to have read/listened to the others to enjoy Steele but I have loved them all and recommend them to you. I loved this book and it was 5 stars for me.