From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Sawyer Bennett comes a new story in her Arizona Vengeance series… live. In that moment, nothing mattered more than getting home to North Carolina to be by his side. That meant asking for the unthinkable—a trade to the Carolina Cold Fury.
Now I’m home and when I’m not on the ice with my new team, I’m helping care for my dad. And in the midst of my grief, I find comfort from the one person I never expected.
Calliope Ramirez stole my heart at a very young age. The beautiful, smart, headstrong girl next door, she was my first… everything. She has never forgiven me for leaving her, believing that I chose hockey over a future together. What she doesn’t understand is that every decision I made was for her, and I’ve never given up hope that one day we’d be together again.
Watching my dad slip away is a harsh reminder of how short life can be, and having Callie by my side makes me realize I was a damn fool before. That changes starting right now. Calliope Ramirez is mine and I’m not going to waste the second chance that I’ve been given.
Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you’ll enjoy each one as much as we do.
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The Arizona Vengeance series is one of my top favourites and I wait with bated breath for each new book to come out! Rafe did not disappoint, except for the fact that it was a novella – so it was just too short!
Rafe Simmons plays for the Arizona Vengeance until he gets a call that his dad is dying from cancer. He is able to arrange a trade to the Carolina Cold Fury (another fave series) so he can be home with his dad during his last days. Calliope Ramirez is his first love, and he broke her heart when he left to start his hockey career 8 years ago. But she is close with his parents, so there is no avoiding her – not that he wants to avoid her. Just seeing her makes him realize that he’s been carrying a torch for her for 8 long years.
She harbours some very hard feelings for Rafe, but her love for his family means she wants to help ease all their pain. So she encourages Rafe to lean on her for support. And she realizes that underneath her anger at Rafe, there are still strong feelings.
This book’s central theme is forgiveness. Calliope has to forgive Rafe for the way he hurt her, and Rafe needs to forgive his dad for being sort of absent while he was growing up because he worked so much.
I cried my eyes out with this book, but it really was so so good. Rafe learns to not waste one single moment with the people he loves, and Calliope learns to forgive and allows herself to love again.
SO SO Good. Just too short!! But Rafe really whet my appetite for Wylde – the next Arizona Vengeance book – releasing in May! Can’t Wait!!
I love Sawyer Bennett’s hockey series but I have no patience so when I had to wait for the next book in the series I kind of put them down and forgot to go back to them. But I know when I do I’ll binge my way through the whole series. So when I saw this 1001 dark nights novella i just had to read it and have the best of both worlds.
And I have really strong mixed feelings about the story. I have a love hate relationship with second chance. If someone was at fault for the breakup I need a really solid reason for that and a lot of groveling. And in this one I got neither. But then I felt so much sympathy for Rafe I couldn’t hate him. Ok so I didn’t like him for a page or two, but then damn him, my sympathy kicked in.
Calliope was a lot more forgiving than I could have been. I wanted to scream at her to run away but I also felt so much sympathy for her. She was also losing a loved one and on top of that she was confronting her past.
So while I felt Rafe needed a swift kick in the boys and a so long sucker wave, I can understand why Calliope went the other way. Overall the story really flowed. It was a quick and easy book to read. And I felt a load of emotions and cried a little. So I guess it’s a 3.5 for now.
Sawyer Bennett has a game-winner with Rafe (Arizona Vengeance #6.5/ 1001 Dark Nights #122) In this story; Rafe Simmons request a trade from the Arizona Vengeance to the Carolina Cold Fury after discovering that his father is dying. There he is reunited with the love of his life Calliope Ramirez. This second-chance sports romance is suitable for adult readers.
Sawyer Bennett does a noteworthy job with this story. The characters are going through a difficult time. Bennett does a fantastic job making the reader understand their struggles and emotions. Rafe and Calliope (Poppy) were childhood friends turned teenage sweethearts. They broke up after Rafe was drafted. A mistake that Rafe regrets and Poppy struggled to forgive.
Having lost my father, I felt that there are excellent examples of dealing with grief and advice for spending your last days with a loved one. Rafe was skillfully written and realistic. It was a heartfelt read that had me embracing the characters. This book did a nice job combining the characters of the Arizona Vengeance and Carolina Cold Fury series. Followers of both series would enjoy this book. I recommend Rafe to people who enjoy hockey romance/second chance romances. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
Sweet, heartbreaking romance…
This novella, set in the Cold Fury/Arizona Vengeance hockey world, was a bittersweet one. Rafe and Calliope seemed destined to be together, childhood sweethearts, “glued at the hip”. A misplaced decision meant they would go their separate ways and now, everything had changed… Or did it?
My heart broke for Rafe, the situation with his dad meant his entire family, his career, his life was being blown apart. Seeing Calliope again after all these years, in this situation, meant he had to re-evaluate all his relationships. And make them right… Calliope was going to see him through this horrible time but she wasn’t going to risk her heart again, she wouldn’t survive it. It seemed their hearts were going to be battered no matter what… Even through all the sorrow and grief, Rafe’s devotion, Callipe’s support and love, shone through…
I loved this bite-sized treasure from a much-loved series. Glimpses of new and old teammates meant re-visiting much loved characters while getting to know Rafe at long last with some tears but lots of love to balance it out…
*Reviewed for 1-Click Addict Support Group
Having read both of Ms. Bennett’s hockey series I’ve come to think of all the characters inhabiting the worlds of the Cold Fury and the Arizona Vengeance as family. And it’s that idea of family that drives this novella and pulled at my heartstrings a time or two as a star player returns home to be with his dying father. Returning home is fraught with pain though as he has to address the issues simmering between him and his father as well as spending hours with the girl he left behind eight years ago to pursue his hockey dream.
Though this is a novella it’s never short on emotions and I ached for all that Rafe Simmons went through with his father. His father was not the most expressive when it came to how he felt about his son and it led to years of him feeling inadequate. With time ticking away they finally get the chance to say how they really feel and the realistically depicted interludes between father and son brought a tear to my eye. The lone bright spot during his time home was reuniting with his former teenage love, Calliope “Poppy” Ramirez. These two were inseparable as children and as they grew older their relationship took a more steamy turn. They were each other’s firsts at everything and neither could see a future without the other in it…at least until Rafe made assumptions that had him leaving Poppy behind with a broken heart and tons of questions and doubts. The years since led him to the top of the hockey world but he’s never forgotten her and has regretted his decision every day. Seeing her gives him the chance to make amends, explain his actions, and hope for forgiveness. She may be angry when seeing him again…and rightly so…but Poppy’s too kindhearted to make him suffer for long. Despite her early anger she was a silent support to him while guiding him through his father’s journey as her nursing background has him soon relying on her. Their renewed friendship soon added sensual benefits that gave him a few hours of forgetting the harsh reality of his father’s upcoming death as their encounters burned up the pages. Fun and steamy encounters were quickly balanced with heartbreaking truths as his father’s journey was inevitable, and with each turn of the page I became more and more invested in these two very likable characters.
Rafe’s a delicious hero who’s determined to do things right this time. He sees the mistakes he made in the past and is bent on not wasting another moment. With his father he made sure to remember the good times, never made his father feel emasculated despite his weakening state, and never shied away from sharing a hug or tears. His reason for leaving Poppy was a bit silly but at the time it felt like the truth. He can now admit how wrong he was back then and by relying on her strength now he can finally prove himself to her. Poppy’s an appealing heroine who grew up as Rafe’s neighbor before becoming his everything. She loved their time growing up together, cherished each encounter, which is why her heart was broken by his leaving. It was a betrayal that made her feel inadequate and has festered in her for years. She’s a strong-willed person but his leaving broke her and she hated how low his leaving took her. Being a nurse though speaks to having a kind heart and when Rafe needs her most she’s there once again in a heartwarming journey to HEA. Ultimately this was a story light on angst but deep when it came to emotions and I applaud Ms. Bennett for all that she packed into this novella. Readers looking for a sweet and sexy story will definitely want to add this tale of second chances to their bookshelves!
Rafe is second chance romance at its best and the perfect addition to the Arizona Vengeance Series. Don’t be fooled by this story being a novella because it still packs a mighty punch, it still has characters you will fall for big time for and it will captivate you from the first page to the last line.
Rafe and Calliope have a history and now Rafe is back in his home town to spend time with his dying father he realises just how much he misses the girl he walked away from. Calliope has never forgotten or forgiven that Rafe walked away when he chose the NFL over her will he be able to convince her the timing is right for them to put the past behind them and try again…..
This book ticked all my boxes, I smiled, I cried and fell in love, the chemistry is sizzling and Rafe and Calliope journey is an emotional one but it’s one I’m sure you will all love so please one click this gem.
Loved this & the entire series!!!
In this novella, Rafe a former member of the Arizona Vengeance.has to deal with some real-life situations. His father is seriously ill, and he returns home to North Carolina, courtesy of a trade to the Carolina Cold Fury team. Readers of the Arizona Vengeance series met Rafe during the transaction and now get to see Rafe in his new environment.
As if dealing with his dying father and all the emotions that come with that situation, he is also facd with dealing the girl her left behind when he became a professional hockey player. Callie has a heart of gold and she’s the one who’s there for Rafe’s parents, and for Rafe too.
Their time together during Rafe’s father’s illness bring them together and remind them of what they had before Rafe blew it all to hell. He’s got to be the one to put the pieces of their life together back in place, but it’s going to take some time to convince Callie he’s not going to hurt her again.
I really do like the 1001 Dark Nights series. It’s a great way to experience new authors. Rafe is a sweet tale of second chances, both between Rafe and his father and between Rafe and Callie. I really liked that about this story. It captures so many of the emotions that have to do with parents and leaving our younger selves behind. While the subject matter is a bit sad, there is also much hope there with Rafe being able to right a wrong he did years ago, even if it was with the best intentions.
If you are looking for a sports related romance that deals with the good that sometimes comes out of a terrible situation, you just might like Rafe.
So glad we got Rafe’s story! Getting to know a little of his story in the last book, I was so happy Sawyer decided to give us his story, picking up on where he left off in the last one. Returning home because of his father’s terminal diagnosis, Rafe is struggling to deal with his feelings and the realization that change is imminent. In addition to his father, Rafe also has to face Calliope, the girl he ran from eight years ago thanks to true caveman fashion. Never wanting to see Rafe again, Calliope is dealing with seeing him after so long because she’s still close to his parents, and is struggling herself with his father’s diagnosis. Trying to help them and the situation, they end up working through what happened all those years ago, and try to build a new relationship while getting to know each other. All the feels in this book in the end, where heartbreak combines with happiness and second chances start for these two. Can’t wait for the next Vengeance story!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Read: 5/1/2020
Rafe by Sawyer Bennett was An Arizona Vengeance novella.
Rafe Simmons was a second line Center and vital part of the Arizona Vengeance NHL team success. We learned previously that Rafe’s father was sick with pancreatic cancer, had only days or weeks to live and Rafe requested a trade to the Carolina Cold Fury. It was trade him or he was out, either way, he was going home. He was at the highlight of his NHL career and the Vengeance were on track for a Stanley Cup run, so timing sucked but his focus was off and he needed to go home. No spoilers as that was all part of Dominik, book six.
Calliope Ramirez was Rafe’s ex that he dumped eight years ago when he went into the NHL. She grew up with Rafe and her parents still lived next door to Rafe’s parents. She was now a nurse and was helping his parents navigate through these murky waters. She loved his parents but her anger towards Rafe was still solid and strong. Again, no spoilers as most of this was in the description.
Now on to the plot…Rafe was told with a double POV. It was a second chance theme on several fronts, a lost love and a father/son. I loved the depth of father son. Bennett’s portrayal was both emotional and realistic. For Rafe and Calliope, I enjoyed it but wanted more depth. It was written well, but as a novella, I always want more and this was no exception.
I loved the hockey details. It was accurate and detailed. At the time of this review, we were still in quarantine from Covid19 and I missed hockey. Bennett took me away from real life and back into hockey for a bit. And even better, it was right in the middle of a Stanley Cup – just like we would have been had the world not been put on hold. So the timing was perfect and I looked forward to hockey again soon.
Bennett also set the stage for the next book of the series, Wylde. He was definitely a wild one, so I look forward to his fall.
I knew going into this book it would be a hard one for me to get through because of the subject matter, Rafe’s father is dying and he has been traded from the Arizona Vengeance to the Carolina Cold Fury so that he can spend his last days with him. If you have read Dominik’s story you know how the trade went down to get Rafe home, this story touches on that and runs parallel in the time frame.
Losing a parent isn’t easy, now throw in the fact that you have uprooted your life so that you can be by their side, you have a new job that demands your top performance, and…AND the girl you left behind is there. The one that you never forgot, the one that has always been in your heart, the one no one has ever compared to…and she hates you.
Now that is a lot for anyone to handle but Rafe and Calliope’s story is one of forgiveness, love, loss, and second chances. I will admit to putting this book down a few times to compose myself because the emotions were to overwhelming, this novella really packs a punch so be prepared, but it really pulled me in and I wanted more of Rafe and Calliope.
1,001 Dark Nights novellas are a great way for readers to be introduced to a new author a new series by an author. This novella brings us both the Arizona Vengeance and the Carolina Cold Fury Series. For readers of either series you’ll see familiar faces, some we haven’t seen in a while so it was nice to revisit them, and for new readers it’s a great intro to both series and I recommend each of them.
Happy Reading!!!
This was an incredible second chance romance, I had to read it in one sitting! I was swooning so hard! it was perfection!
Sawyer Bennett has such a way with gut-wrenching emotion! With her latest novella, Bennett brings her A game and leads her Arizona Vengeance fans through a bittersweet ending in RAFE. With a heavy heart, we accompany Rafe home to North Carolina to have that most important time with his father, and watch as an emotional reunion with his first and only love unravel. It was short, but satisfying … in particular if you had read the previous book in the series that set up why he was leaving and the emotions of the team in letting him go.
Rafe Simmons is so easy to love. He had our heart from the second he put his success to the wayside and made his way home no matter what, but to watch him reconnect with his one true love was really sweet.
Calliope Ramirez was easy to like. Since this was a novella, we didn’t have the depth of getting her back story since Rafe left her to a great degree, but we got a good feel for the type of person she has become and the emotions she felt as he re-entered her life.
I highly recommend this novella as well as the entire two hockey series that this book spans (Arizona Vengeance and Carolina Cold Fury) to anyone who enjoys an emotional and action packed hockey romance with compelling characters and story lines.
Rafe is the latest Arizona Vengeance player to have his story told, but plot twist, he gets traded to the Carolina Cold Fury, so we get to see many of our favorite players again. It’s an emotional story for sure, a second chance, so have a few tissues for the end. The scene at the pond, Ack! I’ve fallen into a pond before and it’s grosssssss. If two people can be aroused, despite pond scum, you know it’s the real deal! This was a really good read and Sawyer Bennett is an amazing writer. To be able to write such an amazing and emotion evoking story, in such a short format is such talent. Another amazing story, that I could not put down!
I really enjoyed this novella. Rafe has been traded to the Arizona Vengeance from the Carolina Fury on his request. His father was diagnosed with cancer and did not have much time left. Rage ends u reconnecting with his former girlfriend Calliope. This was a very emotional book discussing a death of a parent and it did hit very close to my heart. I loved how Rafe came to terms with his father dying and reconnecting with his true love. I just wish this novella was longer, I didn’t want it to end.
RAFE by Sawyer Bennett is book 6 in the Arizona Vengeance Series. This is the story of Calliope ‘Callie’ Ramirez and Rafe Simmons. I haven’t yet read the previous books, so for me this was a standalone book. Rafe is a hockey player for the Arizona Vengeance but when he learns that his dad has cancer with a short time to live, he asked to be traded to the Caroline Cold Fury. This will allow Rafe to return home to North Carolina to help with his dad. Calliope too has returned home to North Carolina where she sees Rafe again. Rafe and Calliope once where friends on the verge of so much more but he went away to join the NHL leaving Calliope behind. Rafe felt at the time his decision to leave Calliope behind a solid decision but now he knows that he can’t go another day without her in his life for forever…but is it to late? Enjoyed their story and hope to read more from this author!
4.5 Amazing Stars!!
Rafe and Calliope journey is one that will touch your heart very deeply. Is heartbreaking, heartwarming, sexy, funny, and captivating.
This is a very inspiring story about pain, lost, love, hope and much more. Definitely a must read that will have you in tears, laughing, everything that comes with a memorable read.
I LOVED this book. I thought it was a GREAT add to the Arizona Vengeance series and a perfect way to get introduced to both the Arizona Vengeance and Cold Fury.
Rafe, a hockey player who needs to move home due to a family illness. He left home years ago to chase his dream and crushed his high school sweetheart in the process as he did not want her to give up her dreams, however we learn that he never even talked to her about why he was leaving without her. He would come face to face with her the second he arrived home because she and her family have lived next door for years, and their families are good friends. The stress of moving team during playoffs, a sick dad and an ex…… or will Poppy, his ex help relieve some of the stress and help him figure out what’s next?
It is a fun read, I even think it could have been more than a novella…..
I was sad to see Rafe leave Arizona but glad the Cold Fury took him in during his time of need. This second chance love story is great. My only thing is that from my experience, as a nurse, someone who has worked labor and delivery their whole career, like Calliope did, would not have had a great deal of knowledge and confidence in talking about cancer and hospice. While I understand it was just part of the story it was distracting to me.
I want more of Rafe and Calliope now!! I’m sure we’ll see them later!
Rafe: An Arizona Vengeance Novella is #6.5 in the Arizona Vengeance Series. This is a second chance romance.
You can read this novella as a standalone but for those that are reading this series, it is a bonus story. In Dominik, Rafe asked to be traded to Carolina Cold Fury. He needed to go home to be with his dying father.
This is Rafe Simmons & Calliope Ramirez’s story. I loved this story so much and would love to read more of their story, hint hint!
Rafe has never had a great relationship with his father. This is an emotional story and I cried hard!
When Rafe returns home he wasn’t thinking about seeing Calliope. So, it was a surprise, a pleasant one for him but not so much for Calliope!
Their story continues from there! I can’t believe how much in love I am with this sports romance. I am fully vested in these characters. I never thought I would say that! I think this book and this series are MUST reads they are just that good! 5 +++ STARS!!!! I can’t wait to read Wylde’s story!