This was so not what I was hoping for. I’ve been reading this series since the start and Riggs is a character that’s intrigued me, but the romance was lackluster at best. I need to give a few spoilers to explain what didn’t work for me, so that’s your warning. The biggest issue? Riggs sleeps with another woman (off the page) after his first kiss with the heroine, and I’m not sure that was the only time. They have a sex-only relationship for the vast majority of the book, and it’s only in the final scenes that monogamy or feelings are even mentioned. I don’t know about you, but when I’m reading a romance, the *ahem* romance is important to me. And that was the biggest problem in this book.
The story follows Riggs, a pro hockey player who is a bit of a mystery to his teammates. He’s the primary caregiver to his sister and his family life is a mess, so relationships are nowhere on his radar. When Riggs meets a sexy and infuriating divorcee, Veronica, sparks fly. It’s not long before things are heating up between them, but neither one is interested in more. But as they spend time together, things begin to shift.
I was actually really looking forward to Riggs’ book, so it’s disappointing that it was so lame. I’m not even going to pretend that it wasn’t. For such a short book, Riggs and Veronica actually spend very little time on the page together – this advances the series more than it does anything else, with some big revelations and character updates that promise to shake things up in future books. As to the romance itself, it just wasn’t good. Finding out that Riggs sleeps with someone else halfway through the book pretty much extinguished any enjoyment for me, and it wasn’t that high to begin with. Plus, most of the scenes that would’ve actually showcased the romance are completely omitted. There are a couple of time jumps that are jarring and it’s not until VERY late in the book that any conversations happen between our couple. If you’re reading this because you love the series, it’s definitely an important read. As a standalone, no thanks. I appreciated receiving an early copy and am voluntarily leaving a review of this sports romance, but this wasn’t a win for me.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3jTApHZ
Blurb:
Known as the team loner, Riggs Nadeau gives his all on the ice, but nothing extra off it. A beautiful stranger is about to cause chaos in his very structured world.
As a professional hockey player, people think I live a charmed life. On the surface, I do. But they don’t know the horrors of my childhood, or the real reason that I have custody of my seventeen-year-old sister, Janelle. And that’s exactly the way I like it. They may think I’m a prick because I don’t like to share, but that’s fine. They don’t know me, and they don’t need to.
In an effort to help Janelle get settled in Phoenix and stay out of trouble at school, I set her up with a job at Clarke’s Corner, the local bookstore owned by the girlfriend of a teammate. It’s there that she makes friends with Veronica Woodley, the extremely annoying, arrogant, money-hungry divorcee who I don’t want anywhere near my sister. Janelle insists I’m completely wrong about Veronica, but I refuse to accept that. I have to keep reminding myself that that the gorgeous blond with legs for days is off limits.
Through a series of events, I start to see Veronica for what she really is—an amazing woman who has survived her own hell to come out even stronger. I have to admit, we’re more alike than not and the attraction between us burns hot.
Maybe I was all wrong about my ability to love and commit, but when the past comes back to haunt me, can I be the man that Veronica, and Janelle, deserve?
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3jTApHZ
About the Author:
New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling author Sawyer Bennett uses real life experience to create relatable stories that appeal to a wide array of readers. From contemporary romance, fantasy romance, and both women’s and general fiction, Sawyer writes something for just about everyone.
A former trial lawyer from North Carolina, when she is not bringing fiction to life, Sawyer is a chauffeur, stylist, chef, maid, and personal assistant to her very adorable daughter, as well as full-time servant to her wonderfully naughty dogs.
If you’d like to receive a notification when Sawyer releases a new book, sign up for her newsletter (sawyerbennett.com/signup).
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