She’s my friend’s little sister.Off limits.But I’ve ached for her for years…and I won’t be denied.What does the star center for the Minnesota Caribou professional hockey team do in the face of the ultimate betrayal?Right, I’ve sworn off women because I caught my fiancée with my brother.Now, they’re both dead to me. They represent an ache so deep I might never recover.I’ve never known a goal I … I might never recover.
I’ve never known a goal I couldn’t score – or a girl I couldn’t score with.
Until I see her curled up in a sexy ball in my hospital room.
Julia Wales is lush, smart, more determined than I am, and one hundred percent taboo.
For the first time in my life, I want someone I can’t have.
She’s the successful business owner who obeys every rule. I’m the guy who breaks them.
Not since my injury have I shown a woman my scars.
Until now… and there’s no going back.
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An entertaining read that introduces you to Adam and Julia and the romance that grows between them. Their story is filled with strong emotions and a ton (and I do mean A TON) of drama. With shocking betrayals, stunning lies, underhanded plots and a whole mess of crazy stands in the way of these two getting their HEA. A very good read.
Benched
Colleen Charles
For a while, I was so upset with the trails and tribulations in this story and with the author. How much can these two go through?
So many horrible adversaries causing problems.
Will they ever get their HEA that Adam and Julia deserve?
Well, you’ll just need to read “Benched” to find out.
I ended up liking the story so much and loved Adam, he lived his life trying to do what’s right. Julia was the same. She did jump to conclusions a lot, still likable, though. Her bestie, Sue-Ann, was the best. So fun and funny.
I gave the story ’s!
They were well deserved.
(I was on the fence all through the story. I couldn’t decide between 3 and 4 stars, leaning to three stars.)
The last few chapters solidified the ’s.
Stick with it, you won’t be disappointed.
I love hockey romances so I was excited to find a new to me author. I thought Julia and Adam were great together. Her love of hockey was endearing, and Adam was an all around good guy. I was a little thrown off by the number of characters thrown in. I’m not sure if this series is meant to build off of characters from previous books or not, but I felt like some of the key players were missing backstory. There’s Adam’s ex, Heather, who is his polar opposite. I can’t picture them ever being together. Adam’s brother Mark went from bad guy to kind of good guy, but he was just an accessory to Heather’s crazy. The reporter ended up being a key character in the end, but I felt like I knew nothing about her or why she would save the day. The plot definitely nearly kept my attention, Adam and Julia had to work double time to find their HEA. The lengths Heather and friends went to sabotage their relationship was borderline insane. It seemed like they just couldn’t catch a break. I’m glad I stuck it out though, it all worked out in the end.
Such a good read. Adam and Julia are relatable and likable characters. The chemistry between them is palpable. The storyline kept me intrigued and turning the pages to find out what would happen next. It’s a wonderfully written story and one I enjoyed immensely.
Charles makes the heart work to find it’s happy ending. Benched is a stroll through life’s emotional rollercoaster. For Adam and Julia, it is a tale of hard knocks, missed chances and hateful people. Somewhere along the way I lost sight of all the negativity and started rooting for an elusive rainbow. Once I caught sight of that bright light I refused to step back into the heartache. (3.5 stars)
.5 star
This was a decent book. I think I was just a little overwhelmed by all the drama. I mean I get that there are horrible people out there who try to manipulate other people for their advantage. But holy $#$% that was a lot. Both Julia and Adam never seemed to catch a break! It was especially hard to see everything Julia had to deal with. Though she did frustrate me for not completely trusting Adam. She let her insecurities get the better of her. Adam seemed like a decent guy. However I wish he had been more assertive with Heather and removed her from his life sooner. I would have loved this book more if it focused on their relationship more and less dramatic.
*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book for my honest and unbiased review*
Benched is a fabulous Hockey read. I loved every moment of this one. You feel for Adam and Julia with what they are put through. Adam is strong and I love how he bounces back and finally sees Julia. Julia is sweet and your heart goes out to her with everything Heather and Carter put her through. I love how she didn’t give up on everything when things were falling apart. There is such a wonderful connection between Julia and Adam. I couldn’t get enough. I cannot wait to read more in the Minnesota Caribou series.
Adam comes home early to find his fiance sleeping with his brother. He tells them both that they are dead to him and proceeds to drown his sorrows with four shots of Jim Beam then drive to the neighbor’s house to get his dog because he really needs his dog at that exact moment. He gets into a car accident with a truck hauling corn that lands him in the hospital. Corn guy is fine but Adam not so much. He wakes the next morning to find Julia sleeping in a chair in his room. Julia the girl he has had a crush on for years and years but could never have because it was his friend’s little sister. Never mind that he had a girlfriend who later became his fiance – it was Julia he always wanted and fantasized about. But now that his fiance is out of the picture he is going to make Julia his.
This book was kind of hard for me and found myself skimming just to get it over with because I have such a hard time DNFing. There was just way too much drama, too many people trying to ruin Adam and Julia’s relationship and careers that we never saw their relationship develop and grow. It was all just about the drama of keeping them apart. Then there was the whole brother’s friend being off limits that she brought up and all the references to what her brother would think but not once did he make an appearance not even at their wedding which really irked me. I just didn’t see or feel their connection. His dog that he had to have in that moment . . . never mentioned again. Repercussions for a DUI . . . never mentioned. Kind of a miss for me.
A man betrayed by love before willing to try again for the woman of his dreams.
Adam has been attracted to his best friend’s sister, Julia, since college. But considered her too smart, too beautiful, too out of his league. When this story starts he’s benched from his professional hockey team and engaged to be married. But coming home early one day is a decision that threatens everything he values. The only good thing is Julia. She is in his life again and this time he won’t let her get away. Julia has had a crush on her brother’s hockey teammate for years. But can she trust that Adam is really over his ex? There’s a lot going here – cheating, vengeful families, violence, small town rumors, loyal friends, heroics and simmering moments that lead to satisfying encounters. Told in alternating POV, “Benched” is an emotional, riveting, dramatic story about two people helping each other find the missing pieces to their HEA. Wonderful, well-written entertainment!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
this is a heartbreak romance
A betrayal
An accident
A loyal forbidden
A love unstoppable
Family conflicts
Friends to lovers
Emotional turmoil
Unconditional love
Forbidden temptation
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the 4th book I’ve read written by Colleen Charles; she has done a great job at writing a good book; I can’t wait to read more of her books.
The story line caught my attention at the very beginning and kept me interested throughout the entire book.
I loved the characters.
I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
Adam thought he had everything until he catches his fiance Heather the crazy girl with his brother in bed now he can’t stand either one and his career may be over after a car accident his only bright spot is Julie and shes off limits but he wants her and she’s had a crush on him for years. This book has plenty of chemistry and drama in it.
I was allowed to read and advance copy of this book via Booksprout and this is my honest review.
An intriguing story filled with so many emotions. The author gave this book many complicated aspects that worked well together. The deceit, malicious behavior, betrayal, revenge, heartbreak and finally love. The story was complex but also very entertaining.
This is the 1st book in the Minnesota caribou series. It is a second chance hockey romance. The story is full of betrayal drama conflict and suspense.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Adam has a break in his career due to an injury, makes a surprise visit home, but the surprise is on him – he finds his fiancee and brother together. He’s so upset that he gets drunk, tries to drive to the neighbor’s house, and crashes into a semi. When he wakes up in the hospital, Julia is there, concerned that he would be alone. Someone is out to destroy Julia’s reputation and her business, and also to derail Adam’s potential comeback to the NHL. There’s nothing better than a good hockey romance, and I loved this one. There’s a lot going on in this book, and yet it wasn’t difficult to keep the various story lines straight. Just about the time I was ready to close the book and go to bed – plot twist! – and I had to stay up a while longer. Julia – she’s gorgeous and curvy, successful, a terrific friend. Adam – hot and hunky, at loose ends with the possible loss of his dream career. The two of them are explosive together. Her best friend, SueAnn, is just terrific – supportive, great taste (she keeps sending Julia going-out clothes), always there when Julia needs her, knowing just how Julia thinks, and how to make it better. His ex fiancee, Heather – rich, spoiled, what a total piece of crap, refusing to take no for an answer from Adam, she just keeps hitting Adam and Julia where it hurts the most. I’m to glad to had read this book, and am looking forward to the next in this series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I enjoyed this steamy sports romance with a touch of the taboo; after all she is his friends sister. Adam and Julia’s story completely captured my attention and hooked me big time. It’s nicely developed and full of emotional depth. I love the characters and truly enjoyed every bit of their story.
Benched by Colleen Charles. This is the first book in the new series Minnesota Caribou and its loaded with sports drama, ex- drama, heat, passion, second chances, and strong yet troubled characters. I enjoyed this story – it pulls at your heartstrings and has you routing for a much deserved HEA. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I gotta say, this book was everything and nothing like I expected. I could not put it down once I started it and did not want it to end when I got there.
An emotionally charged and heartfelt story-line that grabs you right from the start, keeping you engrossed in the love aspect and on edge while you are rooting for the team at the same time!
I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book hooked me from the get go I just couldn’t put it down I fell in love with these characters and omg what a story just a perfect
I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I enjoyed this storyline. The characters are well developed and engaging and full of chemistry. I enjoyed the smooth flow of the storyline. Kudos to the author for delivering a great storyline.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.