The Arizona Vengeance is killing it on the ice. But one player can’t seem to keep his eye on the puck—all thanks to the woman he just married to save her life. “Find your next hockey hero in Sawyer Bennett’s Arizona Vengeance series.”—New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis My name is Dax Monahan and hockey is my passion. And if you want to succeed in this sport you have to bust your ass … you want to succeed in this sport you have to bust your ass 24/7. I’ve never had a hard time focusing on my career, but when my past comes knocking, no amount of training can prepare me for what lies on the other side of the door.
Regan Miles was always like a sister to me. When a shared tragedy brings us face to face after several years, I’m shocked to see just how much she’s changed. Gone is the shy, awkward little girl that always used to chase me and her brother around. Instead, I’m faced with a gorgeous woman who makes it damn hard to concentrate on anything but her.
Turns out, she’s in trouble, and the only way out is to get married.
I surprise myself when I tell her to marry me. Order her, actually. And most shocking of all, she doesn’t even hesitate before saying yes.
So it’s settled. We’re getting hitched and she’s moving to Arizona with me. All platonic, of course.
The catch?
I never knew I’d fall so hard for my best friend’s little sister.
The Arizona Vengeance series from New York Times bestselling author Sawyer Bennett can be read together or separately:
BISHOP
ERIK
LEGEND
DAX
And don’t miss her Carolina Cold Fury novels:
ALEX
GARRETT
ZACK
RYKER
HAWKE
MAX
ROMAN
LUCAS
VAN
REED
MAREK
more
***Edited to add audiobook thoughts***
I was so excited to read more about Dax after his heartbreaking news in the last book, Legend. This story picks up months after the senseless death of his best friend Lance, in a random mugging. He learns more shocking news about Lance’s younger sister, Regan, and feels compelled to take care of her. Dax is a take action kind of guy and decides the best way to save her life is for them to secretly get married. Regan is a strong woman and is determined to be independent. She and Dax have always been close friends, but they never imaged it would grow into so much more. They both struggle with the fear, guilt, an passion of their new reality and how to move forward. I really loved Dax and Regan, and the way they worked thru their relationship with respect, patience, and love. They were both strong, thoughtful, and fun and their chemistry was palpable. We also get to know more about Tacker, Dominik, and Dax’s sister, Willow, as well as seeing more of past characters we have grown to care about. I especially loved the scenes with Willow, she was so entertaining as she helped Regan come out of her shell and found ways to drive both Dax and Dom crazy for totally different reasons! I can’t wait to read more about her. Another thing that I love, is how this series includes many of these swoony hockey players, weaving in their story at the same time. Each story gives us a new perspective on events from past books while pulling us in deeper to this intriguing team and the women who challenge and love them. All this was performed flawlessly by narrators, Aiden Snow, and Virginia Rose. They expertly brought these characters to life, making Dax, and Regan feel so real and honest. I was lost to their story telling, as they immersing me in this world and made me laugh, fret, and sigh from beginning to end. This is a fun, emotional, sexy and passionate story and I can’t wait for Tacker’s story next!
An ARC was generously provided by the author!
Dax. Swoon.
Dax and Regan know each other a long time already, as her brother Lance was Dax’ best friend. Unfortunately he died, which we found out in a previous book. Dax visits Regan and finds out that she’s sick and has no health care, so he offers to marry her.
It’s so sweet to watch these two fall in love! How Regan opens up Tacker (I am so excited for his story already, and will need tons of tissues), and just slowly crawls in everyone’s heart!
I simply love books by Sawyer Bennett. She has a way to grip and pull you into a story! Thank you for another wonderful journey in the Vengeance world! Until next time
There are so many different tropes that this dual POV book can fall into. We have Brothers Best Friend, Sports Romance, Marriage of Convenience and I love them all. Sawyer Bennett does a lot of things right, and one of my most cherished things from her are the sports romance. She has two hockey series and this one is fast becoming my favourite.
Dax Monahan is on the Arizona Vengeance team and his life is full of anything and everything hockey. He is still grieving from losing his best friend Lance who he grew up with. Regan Miles is Lance’s little sister who is now all alone and very much in trouble. Dax would move the world to help her and tries his best at it.
I adored Dax. He was sweet, confident and a little dominant but so very swoon worthy. Regan was a smidge sassy, totally fetching and fascinating. What started out as a life saving decision for Regan bought about something entire of the radar for both of them. I enjoyed reading how this couple finally reached their HEA.
I was also excited to read the excerpt of Tackers tale at the end of this book. What gave me a gasp though was discovering the Vengeance owner, Dominik Carlson, will be getting his own book! Excellent! If you haven’t started this series yet, I highly recommend you do.
4.5 stars
I am loving this series- it seems like each story just keeps getting better than the previous one!
In Dax’s story, we have a hockey hottie who is living life just the way he wants to: with freedom to have a whole lot of fun. As his friends and teammates are starting to pair off around him, he starts to wonder who will be next never suspecting that it will be him.
Regan is devastated after the loss of her brother Lance, and she is at a loss for how to move forward with the enormity of the decisions that lay before her. Dax’s family became their own when Regan and Lance’s parents died, so when Dax arrives to help she finally let’s the dam break to spill her sorrow and problems. Being the guy that he is, he doesn’t hesitate to be her knight in shining armor. She just never expected a marriage of convenience to be on the table as an option.
And let the fun begin! Fake marriage stories are hit or miss for me but this one is definitely a hit. Dax and Regan already have a solid foundation of friendship but the attraction factor is definitely new! And that presents a little challenge. Dax wrestles with bro code that says hands off his best friend’s little sister but knows that Lance would want him to take care of Regan. For her part, she is not the most experienced person out there so she is a little bit intimidated by Dax but she is also a girl who knows what she wants. She knows firsthand that life is precious and you have to seize opportunities when they present themselves, so after a few misfires and miscommunications they finally get it right… and Dax realizes what he has been missing.
Regan’s initial problems that prompted their marriage still loom though, and team issues give them a reality check too. Throw in Dax’s wild and free spirited sister Willow showing up and catching the eye of someone important in Dax’s life and there’s a lot going on! All in all I loved this book- but it is Tacker’s story that I am looking forward to now. I have a feeling that man is going to wreck us all emotionally so I am stockpiling the tissues now.
A bit of a twist on a mix between the brothers best friend and the marriage of convenience tropes, this was a sweet, easy read. I enjoyed both of the main characters and especially loved the insight into some future couples we may get to see!
Really enjoying this series and can’t wait for Tacker’s book!
*4 Stars*
ARC kindly received in exchange for an honest review.
I love this series, and I get really excited when I learn that we’re getting close each time a new book is coming out for these boys. Of course we have met Dax in the previous books, so I was keen to jump in and see what his story would be. If you remember the previous books, you’ll remember he had a phone call and had to fly off because something serious had happened with his friend.
The start of Dax’s book overlaps with the end of the previous one, so we get his POV for the events that happened and then as things continue on, which is an interesting way to learn about him. He’s a very alpha character, so if you love your alpha men, you’ll really like Dax.
Regan is our female lead, and I will leave you to find out who she is and how she comes into it, but she’s a pretty cool female lead, with a lot of strength for what she has been through. Seeing Regan and Dax butt heads is quite entertaining, and you can understand, from a readers POV, both perspectives.
Whilst theirs is an usual and unconventional start to their relationship, I do really love the two of them together when they just relax, and watching things play out and them realising the depth of their feelings is great.
We also get our glimpses of our other fave characters from this series, and there is definitely more intrigue for Tacker, and I am really really keen to read his book next. And we also get a glimpse of what I believe Dominik’s book will be about too. Loved reading about Dax, and can’t wait to get my hands on the rest of this series as the books release.
Sawyer Bennett has become one of my go-to authors for a great read because I know that her stories will suck me in from the very first page. The men of the Arizona Vengeance are hot as sin and I’ve enjoyed all of their stories. But this series just keeps getting better and better. The author’s talent for combining blazing hot sex scenes with genuinely moving romance ensures that the story is as intense and sensual as it is emotional. And Dax’s story captured my heart.
I loved Dax and Regan’s sweet and emotional story that had me in tears at times, and swooning at others. Their relationship is full of sizzling hot chemistry, kindness, and loving moments. When Dax learns about Regan’s health problem, he is all in. Her knight in shining armor. She becomes his primary concern, as well as her husband, and the way he fights for her is so swoon worthy. I love it when they fall! Don’t miss this Beautiful Romance! Anxiously awaiting Tacker’s story next!!!!!
Thank you Ms. Bennett for the pleasure of reading your books.
Dax suggests marriage and gets more than he proposed
Dax has just recently lost his best friend when he’s killed in a mugging gone wrong. In an effort to move forward, he meets Regan, his best friend’s sister at his best friend’s apartment and is determined to uncover what she’s hiding. What she reveals isn’t something he ever expected. Knowing his deceased best friend would want him to look after Regan now that he’s not around, he proposes marriage to help her out. But it doesn’t go the way Dax expects.
Regan isn’t looking for a hand out but when Dax proposes they get married she flees, only for him to follow her and convince her of why it’s the right thing to doAn unconventional start to their marriage but as they learn more about each other and are more involved, emotions start changing
Loved this story and I can’t wait to read Tacker and Dominik next
Dax Monahan was shocked to learn of his best friend’s death. But he is even more shocked to learn that his best friend’s sister is struggling with more than just the grief from losing her brother. Dax’s first thought is to help her the only way he can think of: to marry her.
There is so much to love about this book. Dax is a protective man who just wants to help a friend out. He doesn’t think about the challenges that will come because of his quick move to marry his best friend’s sister, and I loved that about him. He worries about her, he does what he can to make things easier for her, and that is even before he realizes he is falling in love with her.
Regan is such a fierce fighter. She is an independent person, used to fending for herself while her brother traveled with his team. It takes them both some time to find a balance to make the platonic side of their arrangement work – and then they mix it up with the attraction that has always simmered between them.
I had fun reading this friends to lovers story. Dax and Regan have a history that made their hasty marriage believable while the more intimate relationship built slower. There were so many aspects to their relationship that had me wondering how they would handle – from the reason she needed his help in the first place, to how he would handle having someone depend on him, to how to maintain their independence through all of their challenges.
This is one of those series that has quickly become one of my steady, go-to favorites for solid stories. I can’t wait for more from the Arizona Vengeance!
I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
4.5 Stars!
Dax Monahan is a 27 yr. old bachelor who plays professional hockey in the NHL for the brand new expansion team, the Arizona Vengeance. He’s focused on his career, but then his entire world is turned upside down by an unexpected tragedy, and he comes face to face with someone he hasn’t seen in years. Regan Miles was always like a sister to him. Their families were close, and they grew up together. Now she’s in a bind, and needs help. The only solution to her problem he can come up with is for them to get married. He insists she comes home with him to Arizona, and he’s determined to fix things for her and make her feel safe. He’s committed to this, but the one thing he can’t control is their explosive chemistry. Little Regan is drop dead gorgeous, and all grown up, and before long he wants her, and is obsessing over her.
Regan Miles is a 22 yr. old nurse living in Southern California who feels empty and has no one. Then Dax swoops in and rescues her with a crazy plan she reluctantly agrees to. She’s known Dax her whole life, and trusts him completely. They share a friendship and bond that means something to her. The only issue is she’s no longer looking at him in a brotherly way. She’s accepted this marriage will have nothing to do with romance, but she’s still insanely attracted to him.
Both grieving, Dax and Regan’s shared loss only brings them closer together. They have a deep connection, and Dax realizes he’s loved her in some form or fashion her entire life. She’s growing more important to him every day, and she makes him happy. He’s found something so special he never expected, and nothing has ever felt more right. Things get complicated when he has to face he’s falling for his best friend’s little sister.
Dax (Arizona Vengeance, #4) by Sawyer Bennett is a fantastic best friend’s little sister/ friends to lovers sports romance. It’s my favorite in this series! It has so much emotion and heart. Dax will make you swoon throughout. He’s absolutely dreamy! I love this entire series, and can’t wait for Tacker’s book up next!!!
4.5 stars – Dax and Regan will worm their way into your heart!
“I get the distinct impression that despite my noble intentions, I’m shattering a dream instead.”
“She’s nowhere near ready for someone like me. And I really don’t think I’m ready for someone like her.”
“I think I just gave up something really f-ing good.”
So these are examples of the ups and downs of this great story. Dax swoops in to help out Regan in her time of need by offering an “in name only” marriage. Which quickly turns into a friends with benefits relationship which turns into something more.
Dax may be my favorite Vengeance player now and I’m really looking forward to seeing more of his sister, Willow and how she puts a certain hockey team owner through his paces.
This book was entertaining, sweet, romantic, with some drama over Regan’s illness and their ups and downs in regards to their feelings.
Thank goodness Dax is a stand-up kinda guy. Great series, great story!
I voluntarily requested and read an uncorrected advance reader copy.
Sawyer Bennet hits it in the net with DAX (Arizona Vengeance, Book #4). I have been looking forward to reading Dax’s story since he was brought up in book three, LEGEND. I was not disappointed. Dax Monahan’s best friend, Lance Miles, was murdered. Dax marries Lance’s little sister, Regan, to help her out of a bind. This contemporary sports romance is suitable for adult readers.
I loved this story. Dax is a good guy. Out of loyalty to his best friend, he wants to take care of Regan. Regan was like a sister to Dax growing up. He did not see her in years and is attracted to the women she has become. Regan has gone through a lot physically and emotionally. She is a likable and strong heroine. The two have great chemistry. I like that their relationship started out with them having a strong family-like bond that turned into more.
I enjoyed the plot. It was engaging and believable. There are relevant circumstances that affect their lives. The story is skillfully written and thought-provoking. DAX is a powerful addition to the Arizona Vengeance series. I’m looking forward to Tracker’s story next. I recommend this book to people who enjoy sports romances and/or best friend’s little sister romances. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
Oh my goodness, Dax did a thing! He up and married Regan when he found out she was sick and needed insurance. Seriously! Isn’t that something special. We knew he was a sweetheart but this beats all. Now they are trying to keep it quiet but, oops, alcohol helps to loosen up the inhibitions and kisses happen and then clothes are coming off but then the next morning happens and Dax steps on his own tongue when he can’t get out of his head and ends up apologizing. Crazy! Good thing his sister comes to visit and her naughtiness brings her and Regan to the rookie party and Dax goes all Alpha husband and lets it slip that he has every right to act that way because this is a new start for them. Now they need to learn to live together but will ever learn to get out of their own way and learn to love. Stay tuned, this was a great read and truly one not to miss. You could read this as a standalone but I will say about this one as I do all the others, WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO! THIS IS A GREAT SERIES THAT CANNOT BE MISSED!
Next up is Tacker and I already have a box of tissues waiting for that one! Bring it on!!!!
I absolutely love what Sawyer Bennett is doing with this series. I love how all the stories are woven together on the same timeline so we get peeks into what’s going on with the other characters over the courses of different books. It feels a little bit like a soap opera – these relationships, friendships, and life drama continually fleshed out and advancing with each new offering.
And yet somehow, these still work as a standalone. It wouldn’t be my recommended way of reading them, because – as I mentioned – one of my favorite things is how these are all linked together. But if this was the first book you picked up, you likely would have no problem reading it and I feel like that accomplishment is some kind of genius in and of itself.
Anyway, I was more than excited to dive into Dax’s story, and it did not disappoint. Despite the fact that Dax and Regan’s story is framed by tragedy, the angst in this one is relatively low. Things do move quickly, but the story is packed full of emotional and physical chemistry in a way that didn’t make anything feel too fast for me. It maybe helped that Dax and Regan had a history that went beyond these pages, so a baseline of affection already existed. In any case, it was no challenge to love these characters and to buy into their love story. It somehow felt like a light and easy read, even though there were plenty of emotional issues packed within.
As always, I completely enjoyed the bromance between these Vengeance players. I daresay this team is something special, that their brotherhood maybe goes even deeper than the usual sports romance bromances. There’s a sweetness in the way they care for each other and some of the most rewarding scenes were those centered around the brotherhood. The set-up for the series going forward is beyond intriguing and my heart is already 1000% on board.
What else can I say? It was sweet and sexy and utterly unputdownable! Ms. Bennett has a gift for these alpha males with the irresistible soft underbellies and at this rate, I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of it!
DAX and Regan haven’t seen each other in a while but when tragedy strikes he is right there ready to help her in any way he can, but I can assure you he didn’t expect to propose marriage to her as a way of helping.
The chemistry is great between Dax and Regan and I enjoyed the inner turmoil Dax was going through when he was feeling things he thought he shouldn’t be feeling towards her. I wouldn’t say this was a fun read but it did have some fun moments, I felt it was a bit more on the serious side which I did enjoyed. I don’t want to give anything away but know that there are times that are hot and steamy and there were a couple of times I needed a tissue.
DAX is the fourth book in the Arizona Vengeance Series and while it can be read as a standalone I would suggest reading each of the stories in the order they have been released. The one thing I absolutely love about this series, besides the hot alpha males and the lovely women that bring them to their knees is that this series is taking place during the same time line so some of the stories overlap and it gives you a different perspective of events as they are happening.
Happy Reading!!!
I am completely addicted to the Arizona Vengeance and Dax is the fourth book in the series. The further we get into the series the more I fall in love with each character, both the previous and the current ones.
If you read Legend, there is some overlap to the story, but Dax can be read as a complete standalone without having read any of the previous stories.
Dax’s best friend and also another hockey player was killed in a mugging, leaving his younger sister behind and to fend for herself. They had lost their parents years prior. Dax felt protective of Regan and he knew she was hiding something from him. She has a rare and serious illness that costs a fortune to treat, with the loss of Lance, she has no insurance. Dax decides they should marry so she can have insurance. But will these two friends who grew up together be able to fight the growing chemistry between them?
I was so excited to read Dax’s story. I’ve love him from the very beginning and knowing that he was having to deal with the loss of his best friend broke my heart. Regan, that girl. I just wanted to hug her when she was explaining her illness to Dax and how much the treatments cost, but I LOVED that she didn’t let it get the best of her, she didn’t let it ruin her life. She lived her life to the fullest, she lived her life like everyone else. She is one strong woman.
There is no denying the instant chemistry between these two. Of course, they tried to fight it. I mean, Regan was practically a little sister to Dax growing up, however, once they both just let go and give into each other it was EXPLOSIVE. Dax was also super caring and supportive and you could feel how much he cared for Regan and worried about her.
I can’t wait for the next couple of books in this series, especially with the little bits and pieces we got throughout this story when it came to Tacker and his struggles, plus Dominick!
Another MUST READ book from Sawyer Bennett and a MUST for any fan of hockey sports romances!
This was very interesting from the very beginning. I absolutely loved the storyline that Sawyer gives you with this one. Dax is quite the character and you cant not love him. He seems to do everything for the right reasons. Regan just lost her brother, Dax’s best friend. She is not dealing with things to well and has been left struggling with things. Dax finds out about those things and tries to do the right thing and help her. But will helping her bring them closer together and tear their friendship apart? I love Regan and Dax together. There is just such great chemistry between these two. I absolutely loved the storyline and how well written it was. This was a great gripping book from beginning to end. I will be reading the rest in this series to see what happens to the other guys involved with Dax.
If you love hockey, hot alpha men and a sweet, sexy romance all in one book than Dax, book four in the Arizona Vengeance series is perfect for you!
And, if you love audiobooks then then you will be in for a treat with the wonderful narration performed by Aiden Snow and Virginia Rose!
We were treated to glimpses of Dax in some of the earlier Arizona Vengeance books and I am thrilled to finally read his story!
You never know when love might come knocking at your door and this is the case for both Dax and Regan, but when Dax comes to a crossroads in his relationship with Regan, Willow, his sister reminds him that “You have a Choice to make. Either you grab what might only be thirty minutes of wonderful and hang on tight for the ride, or you slug through a lifetime of nothing special.” He initially made the decision to help Regan because he was her brothers best friend, they all grew up together and their families were all friends and it just seemed natural for him to step up and help Regan. Slowly, their marriage on paper grew to become a true marriage between two hearts as the finally got to really know each other as adults. They had friendship and chemistry that naturally brought on those deep feelings of mutual love.
I highly recommend that you take a chance on this wonderful story with beautiful characters. I know you will love it!
Perfection…that’s the only word that comes to mind after finishing this amazing story.
I loved Dax and his relationship with Regan. This story was funny, with little drama and a whole lot of hot, steamy and lovey (not sure if this is a word but OK) moments. Together they made so much sense. I loved his way of looking out for her. As someone who has a disease that can suck all the fun out of life I could relate to Regan on so many levels and I loved Dax even more for wanting to do everything he could to keep her healthy.
I’m a newbie when it comes to Sawyer Bennett’s and I can’t believe it took me THIS long to start read her but that changes right now!! I absolutely loved these two and would highly recommend this book to anyone
****Review copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads Blog***
Sawyer Bennett has once again has delivered a perfect mix of sexy and swoony in Dax! Intense and heartbreaking moments came together with the sizzling hot chemistry. And we have a winner.
Dax is a combination of multiple genres. A contemporary sports romance with brother’s best friend trope and secret marriage trope. Dax, the star ice hockey player of Arizona Vengeance and Regan’s now expired brother Lance were best friends. But Lance has left her in dire financial state and she needs the insurance for her costly treatment as she is suffering from a rare life threatening Blood disorder. So Dax comes up with this genius ( and idiotic) plan of a marriage of convenience till she finishes her Nursing study and becomes financially independent. But there is a small problem. Dax , the commitmentphobe, for real is attracted to her beauty and heart. And Regan is hiding her feelings behind the walls of insecurity and hurt.
Dax is an amazing character. He is the right kind of arrogant and possessive and bossy. He can mess up but is not afraid to admit the mistakes and goes all in to rectify them. Of course he is mouthwatering gorgeous and nothing is more sexier than a caring and protective alpha man! Regan has awed me and surprised me. She is so resilient, determined and has this awesome never-back-down way of living life. She has been dealt a shitty hand but she makes the most of it! Their chemistry was absolutely sweet, hot and insane. They push and pull. Regan doesn’t want to get hurt like her previous relationships and Dax doesn’t want to hurt her in case he cannot commit to her or give her the happiness she deserves. They try to hold on to their best friend status and ignore the electrifying feelings but when the dam breaks it is so sultry, alluring and captivating! The story had just enough heart breaks to give it the brooding edge.
Dax by Sawyer Bennett is going to give you all the gratifying , seductive and moving feels. The beauty of true love comes out like sunshine after a rainy day. I loved and enjoyed every moment of it!
Received ARC for Honest Review