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.
more
I absolutely adored Kane’s story!
Childhood friends Kane and Mollie are so not what I expected. Their story was so organic and authentic, real and still magical.
Kane, a professional hockey player finally got the chance of a lifetime, at his best friend Mollie.
Neither of them expected to fall in love, but I was so glad to be able to be a figurative fly on the wall and watch(read) it happen.
Kane is an absolute good guy. He’s kind, sweet and thoughtful.
Mollie is the ultimate girl next door and a traveller at heart ( SAME, GIRL, SAME!).
I enjoyed reading Kane and seeing old favourites from the Arizona Vengeance team, along with new, furry characters, that might have stolen my heart completely.
4 Finally Seeing Stars
* * * * Spoiler Free
I have followed all of the series Sawyer Bennett has done with hockey teams. I have loved all of the books and there is a comfort in reading them. Oh, there will be chemistry, hot times, sexy hockey players, and most importantly, women who have strength, a sure mind, and the ability to live on their own. It is the coming together of these couples and how they recognize their feelings that capture our hearts.
Many of the past books had couples with serious issues to overcome. There were also books that had lighter stories but just as engaging. I think Kane falls into this category.
Kane is a new member of the Arizona Vengeance. He transferred from another team and is getting his “feet” so to speak. He is here in Arizona, waiting for the new season/training to start. Kane is friendly with the ladies…but more like he has his “Friends” that they have an unwritten understanding…fantastic sex when they see each other but not a “Relationship”.
There is only one person he would say he has any type of relationship with and that is a Bestie Friendship with Molly.
Yes, Molly is a girl and he has known her since college.
No, there is nothing going on at all…
Well, they did have that thing oh, so long ago, but…
No, Molly has been this person who he has had all the respect in the world. She is a travel blogger and has lived all over the world, off the grid, practically. She has legends of Instagram followers and her blog is huge. Independence is her middle name and she does difficult in her sleep.
No, these were Best Friends for the last 10 years. Always there for each other, no matter what. So when Molly arrives at Kane’s door, two weeks before she said she was coming, his radar goes off, and knows something is up. Kane has that type of relationship with Molly where they both can look at each other and KNOW.
Know when they are hurting or confused or maybe, just maybe, finally figuring out the one person they have loved as a friend, is actually the one person they should love for the rest of their lives.
This was just the right read for these times. It read easy and light with all of the feels I wanted.
We also got glimpses of past hockey friends and couples so there was that bonus too.
We do have another Arizona Vengeance coming up with Steele.
A gifted copy was provided by author/publisher for an honest review.
The second line from the hockey team the Arizona Vengeance is starting to fall in love. The first from the second line is Kane. This is a new team and he is one of the newer players. Vengeance won the Stanley Cup last year and they are making a run for it again this year. Kane has a great life and he is very happy. His only wish is that he could see his best friend Mollie more. But Mollie is a travel blogger and she drives around in her customized van with her four legged friend Samson. They only get to see each other a few times a year at best. That is until one day Mollie shows up unannounced at Kane’s home. Kane and Mollie have such a great relationship. The two of them know what each other is thinking just by the expression on their face. No one believes that they are only friends because of how they act with each other. So when Kane opens the door and sees Mollie he knows something is wrong. He just doesn’t know what.
Mollie decides she wants to hang out at Kane’s home and to spend some time with him. She even meets some of his teammates. One ask her out on a date and she says yes. But this irritates Kane and he decides if Mollie has an itch that needs to be scratched than he will be the scratching post not his teammate. They both wonder if they get involved sexually if they will still be able to be friends when it ends. The only way to know is to jump in with both feet.
Mollie wants to give their relationship a real chance but the call of the road might be to great. Plus she still has to deal with her ex. Kane wants to blend both of the lives together but doesn’t know how. Time will tell if they can go the distance.
There are two cons for me with this book. One is there is an event that takes place. We aren’t told any real details just that it was bad. Without knowing what really happened it is hard for me to know what the situation really was. Also, I wished the book was longer. I recommend giving this book a read.
I love each one of these Vengeance Players!
Kane is my new favorite! His best friend Mollie has always been there for him and he for her. They live completely different lives. She is a travel blogger and has no roots to call her own. Kane on the other hand has his family, his hockey family and Mollie. He is safe and settled. So, when Mollie shows up at his doorstep, he knows she needs him.
Their friendship is perfect. I loved Kane’s overprotective, alpha, green eyed monster that all come out when Mollie is around. It has taken them ten years, but here they are, ready to take the plunge into “more than friends” area.
I enjoyed catching up with other Vengeance players and I loved being teased by what I hope will be future characters and their stories. I feel that this can be read as a standalone if this is, you are a Sawyer Bennett virgin, but I would pick up the entire series if I were you.
4.5 Stars
I am a huge fan of hockey romances. Sawyer Bennett is one of my favorite hockey romance authors. Her Cold Fury and Arizona Vengeance series are my kryptonite. Kane is the latest addition to the AV series and it is exactly what I needed at this moment in time.
I went into Kane blind. I had not read the blurb because honestly when it comes to Sawyer, I am a one click kind of girl. Imagine my surprise when the secondary trope was friends to lovers, my least favorite. I gotta say, Sawyer killed it and managed to get me to change my tune – when done right, friends to lovers romances are in my wheelhouse. Thank you for that Sawyer!
Kane and Mollie are best friends in every sense of the word. Their closeness is evident from the get go and their love, acceptance and support of each other, is a beautiful thing. The best part of their relationship is their total lack of judgment. They understand each other and accept each other’s faults without hesitation or question. The foundation of their friendship is so strong that falling in love with each other was the natural progression of their relationship. They do so, beautifully and drama free which won me over.
This book is such a sexy, sweet read that even if your not a fan of either sports or friends to lovers romances, you’ll read it with pleasure.
TBR and Enjoy!
Sawyer Bennett once again delivers a beautiful romance with heart,heat and delightful characters!
Kane and Mollie’s story is a love story built on the foundation of friendship that after ten long years becomes something more. It’s beautifully written with just enough intrigue and intense emotions to keep you hooked! Love all the men and their woman of the Arizona Vengeance!
3.5 – 4 stars! Kane is the next installment of the Arizona Vengeance series. The books are interconnected standalones, which I love. Each book can be read on its own, but the previous couples are always present in the current story and there are awesome teases of future books!
This is a friends to lovers story. Kane and Mollie have been best friends since college. They had one night together but then decided at the time, they were better off as friends. This seemed to work well for them for a long time. There is a situation that pushes them together and brings forward some long hidden feelings. Their transition to lovers is very seamless. There is little drama and a lot of steam. A quick and easy read.
Sawyer Bennett is a favorite author and is a master of writing many different types of romance novels and then she is able to weave those worlds together.
*ARC generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Friends to lovers is one of my favorite sub-tropes in a romance, and I absolutely loved the story of Kane and Mollie. They had known each other for a very long time, and apart from one night where they crossed a line in college, they’ve been best friends. Telling each other about their SOs and sharing every important thing in their life.
Then, something happens to Mollie, and she shows up on Kane’s doorstep. And they both feel a little bit different this time. Not only because they’re both single, but because there are some very deep feelings between them.
I loved that Mollie usually traveled alone in a minivan as a travel blogger. She was an independent woman in so man ways, and she enjoyed being on her own with her dog. However, she could still see that there was something more she might want from life, and that she just might get that with Kane.
I loved everything about this novel! The chemistry between Kane and Mollie was sizzling. Of course, the hockey was top notch, and the friendships between the players, their significant others, and then Mollie was so heartfelt.
Definite rec from me!
This has been one of my favourite reads from this series so far. It was a friends to lovers story with a nice side of suspense thrown in. I read this book in one sitting as it engaged me so much. I though Mollie and Kane had fantastic chemistry and I really liked both characters. This was a great addition to the series and I can’t wait for more to come.
In a friends to lover book, Mollie And Kane has been best friends since college, but when Mollie feels unsafe she runs for Kane. One stalker, a life changing proposition and some greathackey make for a fantastic book that I couldn’t put down. Can’t wait for Steele.
LOVED THIS ONE! When you fall for your best friend and don’t realize it until they arrive on your doorstep after an assault. This brings out all the possessive and protective tendencies and when your teammate asks her out on a date that seals the deal. Kane and Mollie have been best friends since college and when Kane settled into the NHL and professional hockey as his life, Mollie outfitted a van and set out on the open road with her dog. After more than a decade of traveling and documenting the travels through her blog and Instagram and through several travel articles she was assaulted and then comes to Kane to regroup. What they don’t expect was the feelings that arise. This was the typical friends to lovers story and it was full of so many feels it was surprising it could be contained in this story. Love where this one went and I am loving this team! Cannot wait for more of their team members and what they get up to.
This is a good read with an HEA, about a Stanley cup winning hockey player and his travel blog writing best friend… a friendship that was true and steadfast, from the beginning… flash forward ten years and said best friend has an emergency and flees for the safety and protection of said hockey player…
Kane would do anything for Mollie, and vise versa… but when Mollie is staying with Kane (till the world is safe again) and one of his teammates takes Mollie out on a date, his overprotective side climbs to unknown heights. But is it overprotectiveness or good ol’ jealousy… Kane takes a chance and tells Mollie what he’s feeling… and to his delight, she is fully on board. The story takes you through their journey of friends to lovers, while having guards up for a stalker that has evaded law enforcement. With her job as a travel blogger, can their relationship endure her wanderlust and his professional hockey career? And we can’t forget Samson, what a great dog!
Even though this is a stand alone, it is still part of a series, where you see a lot of characters continuing on with their lives, as well as meet new characters, like Riggs…. I really want to read his story next, such an enigma!
Just another great story from a great writer!
OMG !! WHAT A STORY !! I love Best Friend stories and there’s is extraordinary just like them. An Ice Hockey Player and a Travel Extraordinaire couldn’t be more opposite but with there history of over 10 years you know deep in your heart there story will be one to make it OR will the road call Mollie back ??
Kane and Mollie have been friend’s since freshman year .. she looked out for him and he looked out for her, from crazy girls to boys that think they can take what they see .. BUT it only took one drunkin night to maybe make them question there friendship BUT at that point they both knew FRIENDS we should stay. BUT you know that little linger bug was always around ..
When Mollie comes to stay with Kane jealousy starts to rear its ugly head and he knows for himself that she is it for him .. friend’s be dammed !! Can he get her to agree to try this thing out they BOTH feel.. it has always been there so why not take a shot or they will always regret it ??
With the help of the other players wives Mollie now has a group of friends and family she can count on BUT the ROAD IS STILL CALLING HER ?? Can her new found love keep her with Kane or will his grooling travel schedule make her think .. just 1 more trip .. 1 more year ??
Seeing these two come from friends to lovers will have your heart strings pulling !! Tragedy does crazy things to you !!
It was great seeing what everyone was up to and can’t wait for MORE !!
This story is a friends to lovers romance. It has slow build but then takes off running with the intrigue.
OMG Kane and Molly are awesome together. Kane is our hot hockey player (yum) and Molly a travel blogger. They have been friends since college.
Molly comes to stay with Kane after being attacked. I won’t give anymore details on the specifics other than you get some characters from her Security Series. Wink so good.
What makes this story extra special is getting updated with all the other characters in this hockey series. Color me intrigued because Ms Bennett set up nicely for a couple future reads. In this book we get a closer look into the culture of hockey. We see the unity/family of hockey but we also see the things hockey players have to give up. SO GOOD.
Molly and Kane’s story take you on a bit of a roller coaster ride after it picks up speed. Plan for all kinds of emotions. Wink. Nice HEA in this read but with the feeling of more story to tell about other players. Wink wink.
Happy Reading Everyone.
Sawyer never disappoints when it comes to these Arizona Vengeance players!!! Each book in this series has been explosive with chemistry and this story was no exception. Kane and Mollie’s story was a fun, sexy read with a side of suspense but captured your attention from beginning to end. If you love a great bestfriends to lovers read then you’ll definitely want to grab this book! Plus it’s always great to catch up with all your favorite Vengeance players and a side of your favorite Jameson Force Security team.
Sometimes when I’ve read a lot of books by the same author, I start to feel like they just don’t fit me anymore. I’m not sure if I get tired of their writing, or I feel like their plots have stagnated, but for whatever reason, I tend to read them less and less. THAT NEVER HAPPENS when I read a Sawyer Bennett book. Her writing stays fresh, her plots are not recycled and when I sit down to read one of her books, I know I am going to have an enjoyable read. I loved Kane and Mollie. I could totally relate to their being friends for so many years before recognizing that they have more than just friend feeling because I had the same relationship with my husband . We were just friends for years before becoming more, and it must be pretty good because we have been married for a long time. Having loved all the Vengeance books, it was fun getting to see couples from previous books, and I even loved how she snuck in the Jameson Security guys. A fun, wonderful read, as always.
Outstanding Story!!
I loved this Best Friends-to-Lovers Story! Kane & Mollie have been best friends since College. They can talk to each other about anything & everything, even the people they’re currently seeing. They did hook up once but the next day they it felt really awkward, so they decided to forget it and just remain friends. Kane is part of the 2nd Line of the Arizona Vengeance Hockey Team, while Mollie followed her dream of living out of a van with her dog, while traveling around the world as a Travel Blogger.
As Kane is saying goodbye to one of his regular “hook-ups,” Mollie just shows up unannounced at Kane’s door. Kane, shocked but thrilled, let’s Mollie in but can sense something’s immediately wrong. Mollie’s not ready to share what that is yet and just wants a safe place to stay with someone she loves for awhile. Kane is there for her & tells her that his place is hers and to stay as long as she likes.
Mollie finally tells Kane the reason for her unexpected visit (which was due to a horrible experience with her ex-boyfriend), which puts him in full on protector-mode. As Mollie is settling in, meeting Kane’s teammates & their wives/girlfriends, she finds herself fitting into Kane’s life seamlessly. Will this lead them to take another chance at being together or just stay friends? Will she want to leave the career she loves behind to be with Kane? Can they agree on a compromise that will make them both happy?
This book was really well-written and I loved all the characters (the new as well as the old!) in this story. It’s a book I did not put down until I was done! Thank you, Sawyer, for writing yet another fabulous addition to this series!!
There is magic in the stories that Sawyer Bennett tells. While this is book #8 in her Arizona Vengeance Hockey series each one has their own spin on a true love story that will grab you from the first word to the last. This story shows you sometimes a relationship needs a solid foundation to be able to truly develop into what it is meant to be. Good communication, a lot of caring and an unbreakable friendship that has been building for years. Sometimes “home” is the person you run to when you seek safety. That is exactly what Kane is for Mollie, he is her home. She is the safe place she lands when life happens. Kane and Mollie have gone from best friends to lovers.
While they have this amazing foundation and know each other better than anyone in the world. For them it is the matter of their careers and their passion. For Kane that is Hockey. He will always give priority to the team and the demands it sets on his life. The team is a mistress that demands most of his time. Mollie’s mistress is wanderlust. She feels the call to explore and to be out in the world. There are places she hasn’t been yet. Like a siren calling to her she feels the need to keep moving and have new experiences. The questions for Mollie and Kane are how to find a life together with such demanding mistresses. Can Mollie’s wanderlust be quelled and can she stay in one place with Kane. Can Kane find balance with a personal life and hockey?
This was a 4/5 read for me. Mollie and Kane being best friends makes for a nice and simple read. There is drama surrounding Mollie from an experience on the road. This leads to a little glimpse of some old friends. But over all it was a charming and effortless read.
Kane Bellan is the center on the second-line of the Arizona Vengeance professional hockey team. He has casually hooked up with woman but never anything serious. That is because he’s in love with his best friend, Mollie Callister, whom he met freshman year at Boston College. Problem is, is that Mollie is a travel blogger and is constantly on the move. When an altercation happens with her ex, Mollie shows up at Kane’s door, frightened and with her dog Samson in tow. Kane is determined to protect Mollie from her crazy ex. He is also determined to make Mollie see how good they are together and that maybe that should cross that line from best friends into something more.
Just when it looks like Kane and Mollie are going to get their perfect happy ending, nerves get in the way and everything blows up. After their big blow up, the path to happiness is now clear and they will get the ending they deserve.
I really liked this great friends to lovers story. I can’t imagine waiting ten years to get to your happy ending but it seemed to work for Kane and Mollie. I loved how all of our favorite Vengeance teammates are mentioned throughout the story. I even loved the tie-in with the Jameson Force Security gang. Overall this was another great addition to this series.
I love these hockey romance stories! Kane has been friends with Mollie for many years and after one failed attempt at romance, they decided to remain friends. She is a travel blogger and one day she lands on his doorstep to stay awhile. Something happened on her travels and she needs this down time with her bestie and his protection. Being this close together in the same environment soon will change their dynamic. Can they have a future? Can she finally put down some roots at one place? So many questions? You will also get a glimpse at what’s in store for us fans of Sawyer Bennett and the Arizona Vengeance players!!! I volunteered to review this story.