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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Best friends to lovers….. this book was swoontastic!!!
Kane and Mollie have been best friends since college. Their careers took them in opposite directions but they still remained the best of friends. When Mollie unexpectedly shows up on his doorstep with a problem Kane’s protective instincts kick in. The sparks they’ve tried to avoid for years start igniting and there’s no stopping the flame once it’s lit.
Kane and Mollie are absolutely adorable together. This story pulled at my heartstrings. I mean who wouldn’t want to fall in love with their gorgeous best friend? Kane is darn close the the perfect man. I can’t say enough good things about this book. Be prepared to swoon hard for Kane Bellan and all his awesomeness.
4.5 stars! I love friends to lovers romances!
Kane and Mollie have been friends since college. While they may have thought of each other as more than friends…other than that one time…they’ve been steadfast best friends. However, that changes when Mollie shows up on Kane’s doorstep after a run-in with her ex and feelings start to develop.
Their transition to lovers was so sweet. Their stubbornness about their careers was so NOT. They drove me crazy towards the end, but determination will win the day. The reunion was very sweet!!
This series has been so fun to read and I absolutely cannot wait until Steele’s book – second chances are my jam! I really like how we get glimpses into the next book and how the storylines have progressed for previous characters with each story. It’s a standalone yet provides deeper meaning for those that have been with this series from the beginning.
I voluntarily requested and read an advance reader copy.
I have loved every one of this series so far and I loved Kane and Mollie. It is not one of my favorites, I don’t know what it is about it but I wasn’t pulled into their story as I was the others.
Kane is part of the Arizona Vengeance and the next one the “who is going to fall in love” list. There is no list but with each book and each story, another team member falls in love. Kane has been in love with his best friend for the last 10 years but he doesn’t know how to tell her how he feels because she is living her dreams.
Mollie is a world traveler, she is a travel blogger living in her van with her dog. Enjoying life and loving it. Until her ex threatens her and she ends up on her best friend’s doorsteps. It is funny when Kane tells her how he feels because she feels the same way.
Can they catch her ex before he comes after her again? Is there a chance for her and Kane to have a future together? Will their careers end things before they really begin?
As I said, I loved this story but it is not one of my favorites. You still have Kane’s teammates and some hockey games but it seemed to have the usual Vengeance vigor missing, for me at least. Anyway, I hope you read this one and fall in love with Kane and Mollie.
**Copy provided by the author and this is my honest review**
Kane is a relatively new member of the Arizona Vengeance but in his short time there he has gotten to know his teammates pretty well and is fearful that there is something in the water because they are all starting to drop….I mean settle down. I found this rather hysterical because some women think that when their friends start becoming pregnant so it was rather funny that he thought this when his friends started getting into serious relationships.
Mollie is a travel blogger and has been best friends with Kane since they met her freshman year of College, about ten years ago. No one believes that a guy and a girl can be just friends but that’s what Mollie and Kane are, actually they are best friends so when Mollie has a problem on her travels and needs a safe place to take some time for her self she goes straight to Kane’s and he welcome’s her with open arms.
I’m a sucker for friends to lovers romances especially when they are done well and this one was done perfectly. I loved the chemistry they had not only with their romance but more importantly with their friendship.
Mollie and Kane’s story is a sweet and steamy romance that is low on angst, at just over 300 pages it can be read over the weekend and you’ll be glad you dove in. Not only do we get this delicious friends-to-lovers but we get caught up on all the previous couples and we meet a new member of the team.
Happy Reading!!!
Kane Bellan was a last minute trade last year, but ended up helping them win the Stanley Cup. He is now a valued member of the Arizona Vengeance and has made new friends on his team. He has not had time for real relationships due to hockey and just settles with inconsistent hookups.
When his best friend, Mollie Callister unexpectedly shows up on his doorstep needing a place to stay, he is excited, surprised, and concerned. And his concern only grows when he finds out why she is hiding out with him instead of being on the open road enjoying her life as a travel blogger.
They have been best friends for ten years and only one in college did they take it a step further. But now that they are sharing space and Kane is seeing others vying for her attention, unresolved feelings are starting to surface. When he comes up with an idea to take care of any needs she has, things move fast for these two. Their friendship gives them a great foundation and just makes all of the new discoveries even better. They have history, a strong bond, understanding, chemistry, and feelings. Things are looking good for them…
But she still has pressing issues to deal with. This part of the storyline brings in a suspense component and I enjoyed some crossover cameos. And the other complication is the way they have been living their lives and their careers could take them in opposite directions. They both travel but in completely different ways and schedules. I have to admit although for the most part I liked Mollie, she really frustrated me at times too. I loved Kane and I felt bad for him, but he was not always perfect either.
Were they better off as friends or will they be able to make a real relationship work? And if not will it end their decade long closeness?
This is a sweet and sexy, best-friends-to-lovers story with a suspense subcomponent. This brings back many of the Vengeance and their significant others and introduces some intriguing new characters as well. I am looking forward to more in this series. I am excited for Steele’s book next since he was featured in this one and I love his storyline. But I am also very interested in Baden and Riggs. I hope they get their own books too.
4 stars!
Kane Bellan is the newest addition to the Arizona Vengeance Hockey team. He was traded to the team last season and was a part of getting the team to the Stanley Cup in the previous season. He is now a valued new player. He is settling into his new life in Arizona. He as been focused on his new team, and getting to know his teammates and building friendships with them. He has had very little time for relationships. He may hookup with the odd woman but doesn’t get in the habit of forming an emotional connection or relationship with them.
Mollie Callister is a travel blogger. She is also Kane’s best friend. They have been friends for over 10 years. She turns to Kane after a terrible run in with an ex-boyfriend as she feels safe and secure with Kane. They have a beautiful friendship. Both secretly had feelings for the other but would never admit or act on them except for once in college. Now that Mollie is staying at his place their attraction is getting harder to ignore.
This was a sweet, and sexy friends to lovers romance. It is low angst, lots of steam and a bit of suspense. I LOVE when Sawyer crosses this series with my other favourite series of hers, the Jameson Force Security Team. There were a few parts of this story that were problematic. They jumped quickly from friends to lovers and I felt the romance could have been slightly more developed. I will admit this wasn’t my favourite of all the Vengeance men but I still enjoyed it and I am still in love with the series. I adore all that Sawyer Bennett writes. The way she weaves family and friendship into every story line is beautiful. There is always emotion and suspense and heart at the end and I am excited for Steele’s story next.
*ARC received in exchange of an honest review.
Best friends to lovers…
Arizona Vengeance is back! Let the cheering begin! This family of players and their partners never fails to provide a ‘forget the world’ read and Kane and Mollie did just that…
This is one of my favourite tropes and their besties to lovers’ journey/ hockey romance had a bit of suspense thrown in as well. Kane was a pro hockey player but stayed grounded, in part, with Mollie’s help. They could talk about anything and weathered all the storms. They ‘got’ each other. So when Mollie crashed at his place, hurting and hiding, he of course stepped in.
These characters were so wonderfully normal! There was drama, of course, but this author knows how to write the unexpected in a way that feels natural. They talked, they shared, they dated. All the stuff lovers do and it was revealing, steamy and full of laughter and love. With danger stalking them, and family all over their new relationship (in a good way!) their courtship was anything but calm…
Another great read in the series!
*Reviewed for 1-Click Addict Support Group
How can one woman write so many books and I’ve loved every one I read so far. This was seriously great best friend to lovers story.
Everything was brilliantly written – Kane and Molly both respected and loved each other. It was shown in every aspect of the relationship. From the way their friendship worked to the way it progressed to lovers. This really was a great example of how every relationship should be. It’s about give and take in equal measure and that is really what makes a relationship work.
AMAZING BOOK!!!
***Review copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads Blog***
Kane is the eighth book in the Arizona Vengeance series by Sawyer Bennett. Each book can be read as a standalone but I do recommend reading the whole series since it’s one of my favorite hockey series’. Each couple is unique in their own way and I just love them all. Kane was introduced in the last book as a new transfer but he fit right in from the start.
Kane and Mollie have been best friends since their freshmen year in college. It’s been ten years of the best kind of friendship. She had been on the road traveling for her travel blog. They see each other whenever they can and text daily. And now, she was in Arizona on a surprise trip. Kane knew from the moment he saw her that something was wrong. She was never tired of the road. She never slept for days. So, when he finds out the reason for the impromptu trip, his protectiveness towards his best friend goes up a notch. He will not let anything happen to her. Her ex will not get near her. What they both don’t expect is for their relationship to go to the next level…
It happened once back during Sophomore year. One time. They went back to best friends the next morning. Since then it’s been all about the friendship. But, after one kiss, it’s on. It’s time to give this a try that everyone else saw coming. The trust is already there along with love, loyalty, and support but is it enough? Mollie’s life has been traveling the open road for six years. Can she settle down in one place even if it was with her best friend and lover?
These two are friendship-lovers goals. But they have so much to tackle. To stay safe. To stay or to go. I loved every minute of it. I would totally be Mollie’s traveling buddy. I would also be Kane’s friend. They are both so sweet, beautiful inside and out, and so much fun.
Quotes:
“I have a digital map I mark with every place you’ve been to,” he says. There’s such pride in his voice I feel a lump in my throat. “You do?” I ask in awe.
“I always have my eye on you, Mollie,” he replies, but his voice has a hard edge.
“That’s right… If that’s what you need, Mollie, I’m offering it right now.”
“Pinky promise that no matter what, you’ll always be my best friend,” she demands, shoving her hand toward me.
Mollie needs a place to land as she sorts out what her next steps are after her long term relationship imploded in a huge way. She knows she could go to her parents, but running to Kane feels safer. He has always been her best friend and right now she needs to hide somewhere not connected to family.
Kane is a newer member of the Arizona Vengeance but has settled into his place on the team. His life is hockey, with little time for relationships, which works for him. When Mollie shows up earlier than expected, he welcomes her with open arms. They don’t have secrets from each other, and she knows all about his extracurricular schedule. But the longer they spend in close quarters, the harder it is to ignore the growing attraction between them.
This was such a fun, easy friends to lovers story even with an element of suspense hanging in the background. Mollie has reason to question what she is going to do next, but I loved that she felt like Kane was her safe place from the beginning. Their friendship formed the basis for everything their relationship grew into throughout the book. I did find myself frustrated by their lack of communication at times, especially with as strongly as they both clung to their original friendship. But they each had their own reasons for reacting in the ways they did, and I loved what they were working for all along.
There are some really fun cameos as part of this story – I enjoyed the little crossover peak during 1 particularly pivotal scene. But there is also a lot from Kane’s teammates and their partners and I am already anticipating more from the Vengeance crew.
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Sawyer Bennett delivers another excellent read in the Arizona Vengeance series with Kane.
Kane is a character that we have met briefly before, but don’t know very well before this book. It was fun to watch him reconnect and fall in love with his best friend of ten years, Mollie.
This is what I would call the “dreaded transition book” of a long running series. It’s the book whose purpose, along with telling the story of the main characters, is to tie up the loose ends of series part 1 and introduce the characters of series part 2. Ms Bennett does an excellent job of keeping Kane and Mollie front in center of the action while also doing the needed world building for the series to continue. It never felt like our main characters got lost in the shuffle and that is something I consider the hallmark of an excellent story teller.
Loyal Bennett readers will also see some fun cameo appearances, but you have to read to find out who. Kane was a sweet read and I truly enjoyed getting to see his relationship with Mollie blossom. I am looking forward to getting the know the rest of the Vengeance second line better.
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 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.
Loved Kane and Mollie’s story. It was beautifully written and loved every page of their story. Their journey wasn’t necessarily an easy one in the beginning but oh so worth it. This was another great read in the Vengeance series!
Kane is book 8 in the Arizona Vengeance series. It is a friends to lovers romance, one of my favorite tropes. Kane and Mollie have been best friends since freshmen year of college. Mollie has a travel blog and while on her travels, she has an incident with an ex that sends her back to Kane for support. She ends up staying with him and they discover how they really feel about each other. I loved this book. It was cute, fun, had some serious moments but was altogether entertaining. I can’t wait for the next book in the series.
Miss Bennett outdid herself with Kane, this book was funny, extremely sexy and simply amazing, I couldn’t put it down, I had to read it in one sitting!
An exhilarating friends-to-lovers match up! With book eight in her always endearing Arizona Vengeance series Sawyer Bennett brings the awe factor with KANE’s story. He’s a professional hockey player on the rise, she’s a highly anticipated travel blogger … they’ve been best friends for years, but a life-altering mishap calls the future into place and makes them have to face up to the more than friendly love they each have been hiding.
Kane Bellan is adorable! He’s focused and intent on the ice, but sweet and comforting with Mollie. I really loved watching this side of him come to life.
Mollie Callister brings the wow factor of having someone you can truly be vulnerable with to the forefront in this book. She’s strong and able on her own, but when the occasion calls for it she knows she has open arms waiting for her to fall into.
I highly recommend this book and the entire series to anyone who loves hockey romance with a whole lot of heart. A close-knit group of teammates and friends make for a great back drop as player after player finds their one true love.
I love my visits to Arizona and I love meeting new players and catching up with old favourites from the Arizona Vengeance Hockey Team, this is book 8 and it’s Kane Bellam and Mollie Callister’s story.
Kane is the Centre on the second line for the Vengeance and Hockey has always taken first place in his life, firstly because he loves the game and secondly because he has secretly been in love with his best friend Mollie who he has known since college. Mollie is a travel blogger and spends her life travelling the globe but when she turns up on his doorstep after her ex has threatened her, Kane goes into protective mode and there is no way the crazy ex is going to get close to the girl he loves. Kane knows he has to be on his A game if he is going to convince Mollie that they could have a future so will this couple cross the line of friendship…..guess you need to read the book to find that out.
This book ticked all my boxes, it’s a sports romance with hunky swoon worthy players, it has a woman heroine we would all love in our corner, it has the perfect mix of passion, humour and suspense and it was great to have a connection to the Jameson Force Security guys as well as finding out how previous players are doing in lives. Great addition to a great series, another great read from the very talented Ms Bennett.
I’m a sucker for friends to lovers romances, throw in some hockey and I am in love already! Kane and Mollie’s story was the perfect mixture of hockey, steam, romance and suspense.
Kane is one of the newest members on the Arizona Vengeance and I love getting to know Kane and the rest of the second line throughout this story! His best friend, Mollie, is a travel blogger but after a bad run in with her ex she runs to her best friend for safety and support. I love Kane and Mollie’s friendship. They have known each other for ten years and they are supportive of each other.
I loved Kane and Mollie’s friendship, I love their chemistry and the easy going vibe they both have. There was minimal drama between them, some quick banter and a little drama towards the end, however, things are quickly cleared up. There is some drama when it comes to Mollie’s ex, as well.
I loved seeing couples from previous books. I loved seeing Kane interact with all the guys and Mollie quickly become friends with all the women.
Kane is a MUST READ for those who love hockey romances and friends to lovers romances.
KANE is the eighth instalment in Sawyer Bennett’s contemporary, adult ARIZONA VENGEANCE erotic, hockey romance series focusing on the members of the Arizona Vengeance professional hockey team. This is player Kane Bellan, and travel blogger Mollie Callister’s story line. KANE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalments is revealed where necessary.
NOTE: For fans of Sawyer Bennett, there is a slight cross over with the author’s Jameson Security Force series.
Told from dual first person perspectives (Mollie and Kane) KANE follows the best friends to lovers relationship between travel blogger Mollie Callister and professional hockey player Kane Bellan. Best friends since college, Mollie and Kane’s relationship had only ever crossed the line once but once was enough for our story line hero but when Mollie shows up unannounced at Kane’s door, Kane knows something is wrong and thinks of the worst. Always on the go, never one to settle down, Mollie is looking for some down time, time to reflect about her future and more but it is Mollie’s past that is threatening our heroine’s life, and in this, Kane calls in help from Jameson Force Security. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Kane and Mollie, and the potential fall-out as Mollie’s need to travel threatens her relationship with the man that she loves.
Mollie Callister has spent most of her adult life on the road but an attack by someone she once trusted threatens Mollie’s sense of security, a security she knows she has with Kane Bellan. Kane has been in love with his best friend since college but never acted on his attraction knowing Mollie never felt the same but with Mollie under the same roof, Kane takes their relationship to the next level, a level he is hoping to include marriage and more. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
Most of the previous story line couples play secondary and supporting characters, some by way of mention only. We are introduced to new teammate Riggs Nadeau, and watch from the sidelines as Jim Steele’s marriage is about to implode. Steele’s story line is next.
KANE is a best friends to lovers story line; an impassioned friendship that quickly turns into something more. The premise is captivating; the romance is seductive; the characters are numerous, energetic and dynamic.
4 to 4.5 stars
Now that the Vengeance first line and owner have all found their HEAs, it’s time to focus on the second line starting with Kane Bellan, a recent acquisition from the Cold Fury. I love that we are getting to know a whole new set of characters/ teammates while the original guys I fell in love with are still integrated into the story.
Despite one drunken night in college, Kane and Mollie have a solid foundation of friendship built over the course of the last ten years since they met. In this scenario, Mollie is the one with the case of wanderlust and potential fear of commitment rather than the player. She is a travel blogger who tours the country in her specially tricked out van and trusty furry companion Samson loving her life of independence until a dangerous encounter with an ex sends her running to the comfort and safety of Kane.
I loved how easily their relationship flowed and grew since they already had such a strong base of trust and friendship to build upon. But you always know that Mollie’s desire to travel will never permanently go away and have to wonder how that will play out. Frankly I was surprised that Willow wasn’t part of the Vengeance inner circle who adopted Mollie because her experiences would have provided valuable insight but that’s just my opinion. The other ladies were quick to bring her into their world and make her feel welcome. At the same time, I really enjoyed Kane’s interactions with his new line mates, especially Steele. Now that man’s story is going to be interesting for certain as he has a difficult path before him! But in the meantime, enjoy getting to know Kane and Mollie in this great friends to lovers story!
ARC received from author
Holy guacamole…sign me up for a best friend and love for life. Best friends make the best lovers but even they have a few hoops to jump thru (oops, wrong net…lol), angry, psychotic exes, doubts and insecurities but love is just right there waiting for them with open arms. Loved this book I volunteered an honest opinion for this book.