Meet the Arizona Vengeance, hockey’s hottest new team. They’re burning up the ice—until a one-night-stand with the coach’s daughter freezes one player in his skates.

Bishop Scott, co-captain. Not too shabby, huh? It’s all part of my fresh start with the NHL’s latest expansion team, and that means new teammates, a new coach, a new city, and a big new contract. Basically, I cannot f***ing wait to show my old squad what they’re missing.

But first, I decide to check out the town before the grind begins. Turns out Arizona chicks are totally smokin’, and I’m fortunate enough to meet one who’s looking for the same thing I am: a night of anonymous, unforgettable, no-strings-attached sex.

Fast forward to the Vengeance arena. It’s the last place I expect to see her again—let alone in her own office. Then bells go off and I finally realize who this girl is: Brooke Perron. My new coach’s daughter. All of a sudden, we’re picking up right where we left off, which means our hands are all over each other. That’s when her dad—my boss—walks in. And before I can get a word out, Brooke’s introducing me as her fiancé.

Sure, she just saved my ass. So why do I get the feeling Brooke’s going to turn my world upside down? Maybe it’s because this fake relationship feels way too real. . . .

New City: Phoenix. 

New Team: Arizona Vengeance. 

New Men...starting with Bishop's story.

Bishop Scott was traded to the new expansion team from New York along with his best friend and room mate, Dax. He is charismatic, handsome, and funny, but he is also a bit alpha and a dirty-talker. What he has not been is relationship material and is usually a one-and-done kind of guy.

But one night he meets Brooke Perron in a bar and is drawn to her. After an explosive night, he took off as per his usual, but was actually happy to see her again the next day. And that second meeting would totally change their lives. 

Brooke is smart, sweet, caring, witty, and is going to be one big complication in Bishop's life. But with some quick thinking and talking they might be able to salvage the situation and pull off their own tactical maneuver. But as they are spending time together as needed to deal with the situation they created, things seem to keep changing. I liked their banter, dynamic, and chemistry.

But are they changing for both of them or is someone bound to get hurt?

This has a similar feel and vibe to the Cold Fury series and brings us a whole new group of guys...Dax, Erik, Legend, and my personal fave, Tacker.  I certainly hope he might be getting his own book since his story was more appealing to me.  I even liked the higher ups in the organization, the GM, Christian, and team owner, Dominik. But coming up next are Erik and Legend.

Honestly, I felt like the conflict and drama in this one was a bit predictable and kind of superficial. Although I liked how things were handled, I also felt like the ending was a bit rushed. I would have liked to have seen another chapter or an epilogue, but I am sure we will get more with them as the series continues. I guess I just wish we got deeper in with the characters and that there were a bit more layers to it. But with that being said it is not full of a bunch or relationship angst and communication issues either which is a nice change sometimes. It is a fun, easy, sexy, hockey read, and I did like the whole new cast of characters.

I received this book for free from netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

All Bishop was looking for was a one night stand to help him settle into his new city before the start of a new season. He didn’t move by choice, preferring to stay with his North Carolina Fury teammates, but when he is not put on a short list of players off limits to selection in the forming of the new team, he wasn’t surprised when he is selected to go to Arizona. What does surprise him is finding his one night stand in the team offices the next day. They had great chemistry and he was already regretting not getting her contact information, so things are looking up. At least they are until her father, the Vengeance head coach, catches them in a compromising position in her office. Suddenly, Bishop is introduced as her fiance and they find themselves in a ruse that keeps getting bigger.

These two have great chemistry from the beginning. They just click together and even before they think there could be something more, they find themselves in easy conversation, thinking about the other when they aren’t together.

The fake engagement drives much of the drama between them, but the overall drama level is low, all things considered. There were times the story felt a little on the predictable side and I wished there was something more to the story. Despite that, I was interested in the characters, the development of the new team, and some of the backstories of teammates sprinkled along the way.

The first in a new hockey series from Sawyer Bennett, Bishop introduces not only a new couple but a completely new team as well. This was a fun introduction to a new team and new region and set of characters. I look forward to learning more about several of Bishop’s teammates, as well as hopefully getting more glimpses of Bishop and Brooke as their relationship continues to develop.

ERIK

(Arizona Vengeance #2): 

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(releasing November 6, 2018) 

 LEGEND

(Arizona Vengeance #3): 

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(releasing February 5, 2019) 

SAWYER BENNETT
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