Are you ready for Kane Bellan’s story? I have a problem. Potential problem? I’m not really sure. Here’s the deal. There’s this girl—isn’t that how it always starts?—and her name is Mollie. I like her. I mean really like her. I hope that doesn’t make me seem less manly than my professional hockey player persona implies. But here’s the issue—she’s my best friend. The one person I can count on for … for everything, who’s been there with me for all the moments, big and small. When Mollie shows up at my door, travel weary and scared following an incident with an ex, my instinct to protect her goes into overdrive. It’s then that I know she’s more than just my best friend and the skates are swept out from under me when I find out she feels the same way.Our transition from friends to lovers to potentially something more is seamless, the Arizona Vengeance is back on the ice looking for a repeat championship, and my life has never been better. Just when I think I’ve got it all figured out, the realities of us both having careers which keep us on the road put our blossoming relationship on ice.It feels like the game just went into overtime and I’m on the verge of either the biggest win or most disappointing loss of my life. And losing is never an option.
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Sawyer Bennett, has done an excellent job with this series.
The characters are so well developed, that you feel as if they are family.
Mollie Callister, is a travel blogger, who drives around the country in a van, with her dog Sampson.
When she is attacked, she runs straight to the person who has always been there for her and who she feels safe with.
Kane Bellan, plays center for the second line, on the Arizona Vengeance, a newly formed expansion team. A team who will be defending there first Stanley cup.
When Mollie ends up on his front door, he can tell something is wrong. They are best friends, after all and tell each other everything.
When she ends up going on a date, with his teammate, he realizes that he doesn’t want to be just best friends anymore, but will she feel the same and what will it do to their friendship?
This book is so hot you can be sure that the ice was melting at the Vengeance arena.
A happy-ever-after with all the feels you can handle.
This is such a great series, that I don’t ever want it to end.
3.5/5 — friends to lovers is a trope that I usually struggle with, so I was already a little nervous to get into this one. A big part of it is how the transition goes from being friends and then into a relationship. I wasn’t sure what way I wanted it to go, but it felt a little a bit easy for me.
The one thing I do love about this trope is the friendship history that the main characters have and these two definitely have the best friendship. You can definitely understand the reasons why, they never took that next step.
There is a little bit of a suspense element dealing with Mollie’s ex and I think Bennett tackled that balance effortlessly.
I’m a huge fan of this series and have absolutely enjoyed reading everyone’s story, I love that we get to see characters from the previous books AND all the possibilities for the next book.
This one didn’t quite hit home with me, but still an enjoyable read!
**AN ADVANCED COPY WAS PROVIDED IN EXCHANGE FOR A REVIEW**
Gahhhh!!! Kane and Mollie were explosive!! Such a warm and loving book!! Sawyer Bennett transports you to the world of Kane!! Friendship turns to love and difficult decisions were made! A glimpse into future, which has me ecstatic about what to come!! Such an awesome book!! As in the words of Kane, written by Sawyer, ” It was fucking stupendous and you know it!!! And it was!!
KANE & MOLLIE!
Kane is pretty new in Arizona but he likes it there.
Then there’s Mollie. She’s been his best friend since college.
She’s a travel blogger and currently living in his guest room with her dog Samson.
Something happened on her travels and she needs a place to relax for a bit.
They’ve only ever been friends …
LET THE FUN TIMES BEGIN…
Another adorable and funny and slightly heartbreaking story in this great hockey series.
I really enjoyed reading it.
I loved that we don’t have this typical back and forth of dating and whatnot. They’ve known each other for ten years and bam they’re in love. It was really cute. But also a bit too easy. Then we have that little bit of excitement with her ex and then a tiny bit of excitement at the very end. Which was cleared up way too easily and stupidly for my tastes. But I really enjoyed reading it and seeing all the other players and wives again.
Can we please get a Sawyer Bennett Hockey Netflix series??
Another tiny thing that bothered me – other than Sawyer’s overuse of the word AS … there was a ‘prayer-circle’ thing happening and I wanted to throw my kindle out the next window! That shouldn’t have happened in a sports romance – that’s for christian romances!
KANE was another cute little love story in this great hockey series! Run to your nearest amazon for your own KANE – this one is MINE!
ARC received from author for an honest review
Now that my beloved Canes are out of the Cup finals, I need to get my hockey fix through my books.
And Ms Bennett’s hockey hotties are some of the best out there.
I love all a friends-to-lovers story, and when besties Kane and Mollie take that step it is all very cute, and maybe this is just my thing, but maybe things were just a little toooo easy? Gah, who know what I am thinking. I know they have known each other for a decade so that takes out all the getting to know you stage of dating, so who knows what I really wanted lol
We do have a couple of bits of drama throughout their tale, so it isn’t all easy peasy for them. But they are so cute and lovely and adorable.
I adored getting more of the couples from the previous books in the series. The whole Vengeance crew are one big happy family, and I love the way they are there for each other.
Also, fingers crossed, we got a little bit of set up for Braden’s story? Oh please, I need to know more there.
I love that there are always comings and goings to the team, so I want this series to go on forever and ever.
Please make this happen Ms Bennett!
Kane and Mollie
Kane is the next book in the Arizona Vengeance series and yes I’m playing catch up as another AZ book just came out and I’m diligently working my way through so I can get to it
That said, I really enjoy this author’s work as she sets the scenes so beautifully and really makes her characters work for their HEAsKane and Mollie have been best friends for years, until she shows up on his doorstep and suddenly they go from best friends to lovers
A very enjoyable read and I’m intrigued to find out how Steele is going to win his wife’s affections back in the next one
First off, I am really sorry for taking forever to write this review. It wasn’t because I didn’t have time to read it (I read it twice already) but life got in the way. I love the Arizona Vengeance series and always looking forward to getting my hands on the next book of the series. Why? Because there are too many hotties in the Arizona Vengeance team 🙂 Kane is the eight book of the series but you can also read it as a standalone.
Kane Bellan is one of the newest additions to Arizona Vengeance. If you are a fan of the series you might remember, he was traded from Cold Fury to replace Rafe. He is still trying to get used to Phoenix and his new team. Even though, most of the things in his life changed, his stance on relationships did not. He still doesn’t do a relationship and there is only one girl who is constant in his life, his best friend Mollie Callister. Mollie is a travel blogger and she is always on the road chasing new adventures with her cute companion Samson. She visits Kane a couple of times a year and her arrival is always planned and announced. So, when she shows up at Kane’s door earlier than planned, Kane knows something is wrong. Since they know each for ten years, Kane knows to give her space for a day or two and then push for the issue. For Mollie, Kane always has been her rock and safe place so when her stalker-ex attacks her, the first thing that comes to her mind is being with Kane. When she shares the news about her attack, Kane’s protective side kicks in. Mollie is either with Kane or with amazing other halves of the Vengeance players. Other than Kane, Mollie doesn’t have too many close friends thanks to being on the road most of the time but thanks to the ladies, she feels like she is part of the group. Kane and Mollie have an amazing friendship since college and other than one drunken night in college, they never acknowledge and/or pursuit the attraction they feel for each other. I loved how their fears didn’t stop them from taking a risk. Thank you, Jett, for inducing Kane with a little bit of jealousy and pushing him to act 🙂 I loved how protective and supportive Kane was. He is the #1 fan of Mollie’s work and any chance he gets; he shows her blog and social media pictures to everyone. I really enjoyed watching them explore their relationship and finding their happily ever after.
So next in the series is Jim Steele and his wife, soon to be ex – hopefully not :), Ella’s story. And then there is also Jett Olson, the Casanova, Bain Hillridge, and newest member of Vengeance team mysterious Riggs Nadeau, these three I would really like to read more about. However, there is Baden Oullett, the backup goalie who got injured while trying to save a woman from gang members attack. On my Wylde review, I wrote ‘‘I am looking forward to reading the next book of the series but mostly I am dying to know what happens to Baden next because if his story ends like this, I will be heartbroken.’’ This hasn’t changed but the good news is I am pretty sure soon we will get his story and I won’t be heartbroken 🙂 If you are looking for a sweet, swoony, friends-to-lovers page-turner, Kane might be the book for you.
Would I recommend this book: Yes
Would I re-read this book: Done already
Would I read future books by this author: Yes
I have a problem. Potential problem? I’m not really sure. Here’s the deal.
There’s this girl—isn’t that how it always starts?—and her name is Mollie. I like her. I mean really like her. I’m not sure what it was but I just couldn’t get into this book, the story line was interesting but the characters for me were pretty boring with no chemistry at all, even the sex was Meh! and I just couldn’t connect with them, but this will not stop me from reading the next one.
4.5 stars
Gotta love a good friends to lovers story. What makes this one extra touching is that the story doesn’t have one of the characters holding a candle for the other over years and years. While Kane and Mollie definitely have chemistry, even before they start their romantic/sexual relationship, they have both tamped down any feelings that aren’t strictly friendship. So there’s none of the typical unrequited love and uneven distribution of feelings in this story, and I loved it.
There was a bit of time where I thought Mollie may make some bad decisions and not share things with Kane. But, for the most part, these two are very open with their communication. At least up to a certain point. I’m sure that comes from the many years of being best friends and confidantes.
When things start to crumble in this relationship, I got so mad at Mollie. Yet I was also somehow understanding her position. Then I got mad at Kane, although I totally saw things from his position even better. It was a tug of war of my feelings and I just wanted these two to work it all out and be happy.
As always, I adore the group of players and their significant others in this series. With some newcomers, and others that have been biding their time on the periphery, I can only imagine there are many more stories to come and many more opportunities to catch up with this crew.
Kane (Arizona Vengeance, #8) was a great read by Sawyer Bennett. Mollie, Kane’s best friend, show’s up at his door exhausted and scared. She had an incident with her ex and needs someone to protect her. Although they are just friends, Kane will do anything to protect her. Kane is getting ready to start the new hockey season but they decide to start a relationship. I really enjoyed Kane and Mollie’s story and can’t wait to read more by Sawyer Bennett.
Audio Review: Kane (Arizona Vengeance, #8) by Sawyer Bennett, Narrated by Jeremy York & Lessa Lamb
Bennett has done it again. Kane and Mollie came out the gate swinging and scored a knockout punch to my heart. York and Lamb take you inside of friendship full of surprise twists and heartbreaking longing. Friends for life, reevaluate the danger of falling in love. An age old tale with a breathtaking finish.
***** AUDIOBOOK REVIEW *****
Sawyer Bennett takes us back to the Arizona Vengeance hockey team with their newest teammate, Kane. Kane’s enjoying his life. He loves hockey and definitely enjoys the perks of being on the road and meeting many beautiful fans. He isn’t lonely but he never gets close. Unless you count his bestie, Mollie, since college. They have a special bond and he’s seriously protective of her which gets a bit worse after an incident with her ex. Sometimes situations like that make you realize what you have in front of you may be more than you ever thought.
This was a fabulous friends to lovers romance. Mollie has always enjoyed her carefree life but the recent problem has shaken her and she needs her friend. She might be carefree in life but she’s terrified of ruining the friendship her and Kane have. It’s everything but it’s getting harder and harder to control her feelings. It’s time they figure out whether to risk it all for the possibility of something that she’s always secretly wished for or if it was never meant.
Jeremy York and Lessa Lamb did an amazing job as Kane and Mollie. I really like Jeremy York’s voice. I’m not sure why but I always feel like a hockey player needs a good deep voice and York hits right on how I thought Kane would sound. I always enjoy his performances. Really, it’s the same for Lessa Lamb. Mollie is a bit more dynamic. She has a range of emotions from scared and emotional to fierce and ready to take on the world. Great story and narration!
~~ 4 “CRAZY FOR KANE” STARS! ~~
I can’t resist a combustible best friends to lovers sports romance, and KANE by Sawyer Bennett totally satiated my craving!
PREMISE:
Kane Bellan is a footloose and fancy-free hockey player who was recently traded to the Arizona Vengeance team and helped them score their Stanley Cup win. He’s focused on his career, acclimating to life in Arizona, and while he enjoys an occasional booty call, he’s not into commitment or love. In fact, the only girl who owns a piece of his heart is his best friend, Mollie Callister. They’ve been thick as thieves since college and have stayed in constant touch even as their busy, demanding careers have taken them on separate paths. There’s nothing he won’t do for “Noodle” so when the pretty travel blogger shows up on his doorstep, emotionally exhausted and in a very vulnerable state, he offers his favorite girl sanctuary—at his place—so she can rest and regroup. But deep down he knows she’s hiding something. And when she confesses that she running from a scorned former flame, Kane’s primal caveman instincts come ROARING to the surface!
Molls is a fiercely independent adventure-seeker who lives for the adrenaline rush, but she is scared and overwrought right now because her crazed ex’s stalking escalated into a violence attack which rattled her to the core. And she knows in her heart that leaning on Kane during this tumultuous time is the right thing to do. They have both secretly held a torch for each other for years, but aside from one drunken hookup, never acted on their feelings. However, living together under the same roof proves to be a GAME CHANGER, especially when the green monster strikes, causing Kane to passionately stake his claim in his Noodle. Succumbing to their pent up desire surpasses their wildest fantasies. But with danger still looming, and their divergent careers threatening to tear them apart yet again, will crossing the line from friends to lovers come at the ULTIMATE cost?
MY MUSINGS:
Sawyer Bennett never fails to leave me breathless with her Arizona Vengeance romances, and this 8th installment is a wonderful addition to the series! I seriously can’t resist these sinfully sexy hockey players who are rough and tough on the field but have such a soft spot for their ladies!
KANE has it all—sizzle and swoon, heart-tugging emotion, riveting hockey action and even a touch of nail-biting suspense! And I freaking LOVED it!
This passionate and poignant story about the unbreakable bonds of love and friendship stole my heart from page one. The connection between Mollie and Kane was just beautiful and I was rooting for these two from the onset! There is such rich history between these MCs –they have been besties for over ten years—and the level of caring and trust between these two, who have always been there for each other through thick and thin, was undeniable. As was their molten hot chemistry! And the manner in which they morph from friends to lovers was perfect!
Sighhh! I love me a dominant alpha male with a chivalrous streak and HOLY EFFIN SWOON do we get that with Kane. The dramatic urgency of Mollie’s situation really brought out his fiercely protective side. Yet, at the same time, our roguishly charming AV player retained his flirty, playful, good-natured personality too so we really got the best of both worlds with this scrumptious hero. Meanwhile, Mollie was just a heroine you can’t help but love! This free-spirited travel blogger enjoys taking risks and living on the edge but Kane has always been her soft place to fall, and now with a psychotic ex hot on her trail, she needs him more than ever. And there is not much resistance on her part when their friendship evolves into unbridled lust and true love. But seriously can we blame her? Kane is a drop dead gorgeous hockey star with a heart of gold who would move heaven and earth for his girl!
Like with most of the books in this series, this book is light on angst but there is plenty of juicy drama to keep things exciting! And Kane and Mollie do have some palpable obstacles to overcome enroute to their richly deserved HEA. Because in addition to the stalker threat, their careers are not conducive to a long-term relationship. Mollie’s job takes her far and wide on the open road whereas Kane’s place is in Phoenix with the AV. However, if any two people can beat the odds, it’s Molls and Kane! My only quibble in an otherwise TERRIFIC read was that the hero was left out of the action when the stalker plot came to a head. But I did enjoy how Mollie proved more than capable of standing on her own two feet, and how the Jameson Security hotties were woven into the high stakes sting!
In addition to the INTOXICATING ROMANCE, PULSE-POUNDING PERIL and STEAMY SEXCAPADES, another highlight of this captivating page turner was the interaction with the AV teammates. It’s always so entertaining when the players get together plus it’s uber gratifying to see updates on our fave past couples! The way Ms. Bennett melds the hockey storyline into each and every book never fails to blow me away, and she really nails it once again in this instance. The camaraderie, kinship and playful rivalry between the players is a pure delight! Plus, as with all the books in the series, it warmed my heart how the entire AV family rallies around Kane and Mollie when they hit some rough patches.
BOTTOM LINE:
Ultimately, Sawyer Bennett scored another huge win with KANE! This sweet and scintillating friends to lovers romance ended on a high note and left me with such a huge smile on my face. I am just soooo ridiculously addicted to the Arizona Vengeance series and cannot wait for STEELE, which is coming in December and guaranteed to be another crowd pleaser!!
This was a great continuation of the series. I loved Kane and Mollie together, and separately too. Their story is different in a way because there was no how do we do a relationship kind of drama. Zero of that. They had been best friends forever, now they made the decision together that they wanted to have a deeper relationship than that. And it worked so well. I loved their friendship, love and respect for each other from the get go. There was a tiny little drama at the very end, but even that felt natural and expected even. My only complaint is that the ending was so very abrupt. It didn’t feel like the end of a book but rather a chapter. And there was no epilogue!!! I love epilogues, so that part made me sad. The abrupt ending and no epilogue in sight seems to be the pattern for this series, and I’m not a fan of that. I feel like we’re getting an unfinished story with every book from it.
Kane made me Melt! Elizabeth @ Carolina Chic’s Read
I can’t describe how much I loved listening to Kane’s story. It was heartfelt, emotional with a lot of laughs. This series is knocking my socks off!
I need more books!
5 Stars
This is the eighth book in the Arizona Vengeance Series, a Sports Romance. I love this Series! Kane and Mollie’s story is a beautiful, and romantic Friends to Lovers. Kane is handsome, supporting and caring. Mollie is strong, independent, and smart. The storyline has a little suspense. I love the friendship in this story/series! Jeremy York and Lessa Lamb did an amazing job with the narration. I love their voices together. Looking forward to listen to the next book in the Series, Steele.
**Audio Review**
Let me first say that Jeremy York and Lessa Lamb were fabulous. This was the first I heard of them and they did a wonderful job bringing Kane and Mollie to life. They gave this listen a fun and flirty feel.
Sawyer Bennett once again gave us a fabulous story in the Arizona Vengeance series. Kane is another one of his teammates to fall and it was a sweet and swoony journey to watch him fall. Mollie was a spitfire and I think she balanced Kane out. Together they were on fire. The connection was years in the making and a cute friends to lovers story with a mix of mystery and suspense mixed in. I loved the cameos from some of my favorite security men.
I can’t get enough of these hockey hunks and look forward to see how Jim Steele grovels and wins his wife back next.
This is my favorite best friends to lovers story. For fans of the Arizona Vengeance series you already know Kane. If you haven’t read any of the prior books, don’t worry, the author has that covered as well. We have some catchup of the prior characters but with little recaps. One thing I found was that there was not as much with the other characters as Kane is in the 2nd line and the prior books were on the 1st line and owner of the team. So we get to meet the 2nd line and I can’t wait for their books as well. Kane and Mollie have a really special bond and their families thought they would become a couple but that didn’t happen. After an incident on her travels, Mollie needs a rest and who else to take that rest is with her best friend Kane. There are so many emotions and even mystery tied up in this book. The narrarators did such a wonderful job in bringing the characters to life that I find myself so often sneaking in extra listening time because I was so lost in the story and didn’t want to turn it off or end. I really loved the suspense in the story and the tie in with other series by the author. It was so cool with how flawlessly she was able to tie in the characters in unrelated series. I am looking forward to more from both the author and narrators.
Kane is the eighth book and another great addition to the Arizona Vengeance series. Kane and Mollie have been best friends for over ten years and when she shows up on his doorstep from her most recent travel expedition fearful for her life, thanks to her ex, Kane’s protective instincts go into overdrive and he will stop at nothing to keep Mollie safe. After Mollie goes on a date with one of Kane’s teammates, he realizes that he wants her for himself. Their relationship transitions easily from best friends to lovers. Once Mollie is feeling safe again she starts to itch to return to the road and when Kane proposes they start putting down roots their relationship becomes as cold as the ice he plays on.
Sawyer Bennett truly knows how to write a hockey romance. I enjoyed Kane and Mollie’s best friends to lovers story. They already had a great foundation that they built on nicely. I loved how Kane was willing to do whatever it took for him to make sure Mollie was safe but at the same time not take away from Mollie’s strong independence. I loved the cameo from the Jamieson boys and can not wait to dive back into their world. It was great to catch up with all of the Vengeance members and their lives as well as a glimpse into Steele’s book. I enjoyed Jeremy York and Lessa Lamb’s job of bringing the characters to life.
Kane and Mollie are fantastic best friends and even better lovers! I love the bond that they already have and it makes them such a stronger couple. They have the fun and caring relationship already in place and their romance feels so natural and they are a great pair. I really enjoyed seeing them thrive with their new relationship status. They made for a great feel good story and keep showing me why I love this series!