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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A heartbreaking yet sweet story about second chances, forgiveness and letting go of regrets. Make sure you have tissues because you will need them for this one!
I was living my dream until one phone call changed everything.
As the second line center for the Arizona Vengeance, my mind has been on one thing—helping my team bring home a championship. But that all changed when I found out my dad had cancer and only months to 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.
Loved Rafe and Callie’s story. It was heart warming to go through the experience with Rafe with his father, there were tender moments that were totally realistic. Their story was heartfelt and I loved every single page!
This is an emotional read. A second chance romance, but also a man dealing with his dying father while rekindling his romance with his childhood sweetheart. Each moment was handled with care in this book.
Rafe’s story is a crossover between the Arizona Vengeance and the Cold Fury series, a novella that definitely had me wanting more…..much, much more! Rafe’s story was an emotional ride I couldn’t devour fast enough and one that pulled at the heartstrings you couldn’t help but feel his pain of losing his dad. While it was a book of loss it was also a second chance romance with his first love and the only woman he’s ever loved. Prepare for one heartbreakingly beautiful story of loss and love!
This book has it all, loss, second chance love and a HEA. Another grand slam by Sawyer Bennett. I absolutely loved Rafe….this book hit me in the heart and pulled out all the emotions. I laughed (pond scum is funny), I cried ( closure to old disappointments) and then the big sigh ( little box bended knee)….so good.
Rafe Simmons isn’t prepared for what and who he sees when he arrives home after asking Dominik Carlson to get him traded. He wasn’t sure if it could be pulled off but when he is traded to the Cold Fury he is awe of Dominik and so are WE !! Dominik would move heaven and earth for any player to make sure family sticks together because that is the type of man Dominik Carlson is a family man. Rafe needs to be home because his dad is Ill and the first person he sees when he arrives will bring him to his knees.
Calliope Ramirez was the last person Rafe expected to see but when his mom needed to stay with his dad, Calliope was the next choice and a choice she didn’t want to make. But she would do anything for Mr and Mrs Simmons even if Rafe broke and stomped on her heart, little does she know he did it all for her. Can they be friends after all of these years and heart ache ?? Will a illness bring this family back together and will it bring friends to lovers again ??
The ups, downs, happiness and tears will have you grabbing at your heart string at every turn of a page .. she should be mad, he did it for her, he loves his dad, his dad it proud of him .. and so on and so on !!
Can Rafe make it work with his new team, with Poppy, with his dad ?? I wish this was a whole book because this sexy, hot, strong man will make you want more and more .. his look, smile and good nature will make you want more !!
* A review copy was provided by the author *
Rafe is a novella within the Arizona Vengeance series, but it also connects the Arizona Vengeance and Cold Fury Hockey teams together.
This novella is a standalone story that is told in Dual POV. You don’t have to read any other book to enjoy this book. I will say this was more of an emotional book for me to read. The subject matter hit close to home for me, so at times I struggled to continue to read. But that is not to say I didn’t like this book, I truly did, just brought back some memories. I also thought this book was kind of a downer compared to the other books in this series. I missed the levity that some of the other characters bring to this series. I think some levity could’ve taken away from the heaviness of the storyline. That’s just my opinion.
This book is a second chance romance between 2 high school sweethearts who are brought back together 8 years later. I thought the flow and pace of the story worked well. I will warn you, you might want to have some tissues handy while reading this book. I was glad to see that even though this is a sad subject, I ended with a smile on my face.
This book follows Rafe and Calliope’s story. Like I said they were high school sweethearts and had their future all planned out until Rafe left for the NHL and left Calliope behind. Completely heartbroken Calliope was not happy to hear Rafe was coming home to take care of his ailing father. I really LOVED Rafe’s character. Calliope on the other hand was not my favorite in this series. I thought she held onto the past for too long. I am all about groveling and making things right, but once that was done she still had trouble letting go.
I will say I loved seeing the Cold Fury players again. It was great to reconnect with them and see them take Rafe under their wing.
If you love a hockey themed romance and you love Sawyer Bennett’s books, then this is one you should read.
A beautiful heartfelt second chance romance with a incredibly touching story of loss and second chances.
Rafe and Calliope are charmingly irresistible!
I devoured Rafe. This sexy hockey hunk made me swoon and oh my heart went out to him when he requested a trade to Cold Fury from the Arizona Vengeance, so he could be close to his dying father in Dominik. So I knew this was going to be emotional but…what I didn’t know is, what else was there when he got home. Rafe left his best friend since birth, his first kiss, his first girlfriend his first everything. And she was and still is Pissed!
Calliope Ramirez has been close to Rafe’s family her whole life. After Rafe left her behind eight years ago to pursue his hockey career, she went on to pursue her dreams of becoming a nurse. Callie has been helping Rafe’s parents deal with his cancer. And although she has hated Rafe since he dumped her all those years ago, she is there to also help him understand what to expect and what is going on.
But when Rafe returns and sees Callie, his Pro hockey career fades, along with all the women he dated, and all the money he has made becomes unimportant. It time for him to not take a single moment for granted. Because the truth is he has carried a torch for her all these years. But when he wants to build a relationship with her, Callie isn’t willing to put her heart on the line again.
And Wow, what hurt and lost time for these two who had loved each other since they were young. When you read it your heart will literally drop and you will get so angry. But there’s hope for these two as the love, the chemistry, that hot, panty-dropping heat is still there and I was literally flying through the pages because I just couldn’t get enough of them. Will they fall in love again? Grab this book to find out.
Received an early copy in exchange for an honest review.
This is a quick read but packs such an emotional punch! ALL.OF.THE.FEELS ladies! I loved every second of it. It is a best friends to lovers, second-chance romance. It made me laugh, cry, swoon, and melt.
Eight years after Rafe ended their relationship, leaving Calliope devastated, unfortunate and tragic circumstances bring them together. Their parting wasn’t on good terms and Calliope has never forgiven him for the way it ended. She is willing to put all of that aside and be a medium for him and his family while they navigate Rafe’s father’s mortality.
This was such a beautifully written love story. I can’t believe how full this story is in such brief chapters. Sawyer Bennett does a wonderful job of writing a beautiful story about love, tragedy, regrets, family, friends, forgiveness, and loss. The plot is perfection. It has a ton of feels, the heavy subject matter is tastefully written, and I won’t soon forget it. I loved the characters. Rafe and Poppy have a beautiful, albeit complicated love story. Their chemistry is off the charts but their loyalty to one another is unrivaled even after the hurt. I highly recommend reading this book. It will stay with me for some time to come. This book does end with a HEA.
***ARC generously provided in exchange for an honest review.***
Rafe is an all-new second chance romance in the Arizona Vengeance series by Sawyer Bennett which is written in the first-person point of view.
Rafe is an extremely emotional ride that is full of second chances and forgiveness. Sawyer Bennett really knows how to tug at your heartstrings and her depiction of Rafe’s struggles are felt so strongly that you feel like you are right there with him and want to hug and comfort him. With the heaviness of this novel, I was glad that it shows that even in tough times there is still light at the end of the tunnel and second chances are possible. This was the perfect novel to give you just enough of a taste of both the Carolina Cold Fury and the Arizona Vengeance series. I can not wait for the next Arizona Vengeance novel as both of these series are my favourite, go-to hockey romances.
*ARC was generously provided in exchange for my honest review*
Rafe…we want/need more!
So this is a great introduction if you haven’t read Sawyer’s Arizona Vengeance series – even if Rafe now plays for the Carolina Fury – that’s a fantabulous series!
This was a quick, but heartfelt read. Sawyer captures the pain of a parent’s illness and the hope for a second chance with a first love. And the important lessons these experiences teach us.
Quick story that will leave you wanting more Rafe and Calliope in the future!! And this makes me clamor for Wylde, the next Arizona Vengeance installment even more!!
I voluntarily requested and read an advance reader copy.
This was a quick, well written visit to Sawyer Bennett’s hockey worlds. Rafe is a character that we have met briefly in the Arizona Vengeance series and due to family issues he is now with the Carolina Cold Fury.
His return home also reunites Rafe with his first love Calliope. It was a pleasure to see these two reconnect, first as friends, then as more. I appreciated that Calliope was willing to be Rafe’s friend even when she was still angry with him. The message that friendship outweighs everything and to not waste chances resonated in the story.
If you have followed both series, you will recognize many of the names that pop up. New readers can easily pick up this book because Rafe’s story is independent of what’s come before. Due to the length of the book, previous series stars really do just pop in, but there is a bit more of a tease for Wylde who will have a book soon.
This was the perfect read for me right now. I’ve been in a bit of a funk and Ms Bennett has me looking forward to reading again.
GAH…. how does this woman make me feel so damn much with every book! *happy sigh*
I definitely needed my tissue box for this one. From previous books in the Vengeance series we know what Rafe is going thru. But to experience it first hand is something else.
This is a great novella for the Arizona Vengeance series. Rafe and Calliope burn up the pages with their chemistry.
I can’t wait for more! 5 stars!
Rafe is a part of the Arizona Vengeance series. As the team is about to enter hockey playoffs, Rafe finds out that his dad is dying of cancer and has only months to live. The team’s owner works out a deal to trade him so that he can be home with his dad. If this wasn’t bad enough, when he arrives home, he’s greeted at the airport by Calliope.
Calliope is his high school sweetheart. They were ready to begin their lives together when Rafe got drafted but instead, Rafe got drafted and left her behind. Little does she know, that Rafe left his heart with her too.
Read to find out what happens to his dad, Calliope and his new team. Such a beautifully written story.
Rafe is a novella in the Arizona Vengeance series by Sawyer Bennett. It’s also part of the 1001 Dark Nights series of books and even a bit of a crossover into the Cold Fury series! On top of that it can be read as STANDALONE. I will say that it will make you want to read one or both of the hockey series’, I know I want to read Cold Fury since I am already reading the Arizona Vengeance series.
Eight years. Its been eight years since Rafe walked away from Calliope, his childhood turned high school sweetheart. And now he was home to be with his dying father. To spend time with him before he passes away from cancer. He was also traded to Cold Fury so he could be there for his parents during this difficult time. Rafe knew he would see Calliope since she was still close with his parents. They haven’t spoken for years so he didn’t know what to expect when they reunited. Did she still hate him for what he did? Can she forgive him after all theses years?
Friends. They were always the best of friends and right now Calliope knows he needs one. But she also knew she had to protect herself. She was devastated when he left and she couldn’t go through that again. She told him he was off-limits. Will he listen?
Of course not!!
Awe!! I loved this one. I waited this book so bad after reading Dominik. I knew there was going to be sadness but I had a feeling there was a second chance coming and I love them!
Quotes:
Hell, even his gorgeous looks piss me off, and I turn back to the road.
She points a finger my way, wags it as if she’s chastising a small child. “Oh, no, you don’t. Don’t you dare call me Poppy. You don’t get to do that anymore.”
“You’re a strange one, Calliope Ramirez. I guess it’s why I adore you so much.”
4.5 stars
Rafe’s story is a rather emotional one where he moves back home for his Dad.
What unfolds in this book is a story of love, support, friendship and family! Reconnecting with someone from your past and trying to look to the future all while playing hockey for another team.
I loved how he felt, how he opened up and how forgiveness truly helps someone move ahead in life!! How does he react to seeing Calliope so many years later?? I admired her strength and her caring way towards Rafe’s parents. Can these two let the past go?
This was a great addition to the Arizona Vengeance series and a good look into Rafe’s life and how it shaped who he is today
I am so glad that Rafe got a story! After getting a little bit of information about him in Dominik’s story I wanted to know more about him and see what happened for him after his was traded to the Carolina Cold Fury. Rafe’s story was emotional, heartbreaking and a beautiful second chance at love. I loved every single moment of this book. It was a fairly quick read and I do wish there was more because I fell in love with Rafe, his family and Calliope.
Rafe’s father is dying from cancer and things are progressing quickly, which is why Rafe ends up back in North Carolina during the middle of playoffs. He wants to be there for his father, spend time with him and of course, be there for his mother. The one person he didn’t expect was Calliope. His best friend growing up, his first love and the girl he left when he went pro. Calliope, I love her. Despite being heartbroken, she never left his family. She is there for them and helps when she can. You can feel the love she has for Rafe’s family and how much she cares.
The chemistry between Rafe and Calliope was fantastic. Despite what happened in the past there is still something there. They are drawn to each other, the feel each other, there is still so much there between them. They are each other’s rocks. She is someone that Rafe needs for support and love during this time.
Rafe is an emotional and heartbreaking story that had my ugly crying. This story is also beautiful. When life gives you a reality check and a second chance, you should take it. A MUST READ!
RAFE by Sawyer Bennett is novella 6.5 in the author’s contemporary, adult ARIZONA VENGEANCE erotic, romance hockey series,and the latest instalment in the multi-authored 1001 Dark Nights series. This is twenty six year olds, former Arizona Vengeance center Rafe Simmons, and nurse Calliope Ramirez’ story line. RAFE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.
Told from dual first person perspectives (Rafe and Calliope) RAFE follows Rafe as he asks for a late season trade to the Carolina Cold Fury, in the aftermath of his father’s end stage cancer. A return home means facing the woman he has never stopped loving, the woman whose heart he destroyed years before. Enter twenty six year old Calliope Ramirez. What ensues is the rebuilding romance between Calliope and Rafe, and the potential fall-out as Rafe wants more than Calliope is willing to give.
Calliope Ramirez was destroyed eight years earlier when the man that she loved left as he embarked on his professional career. Fast forward to present day wherein Calliope struggles to forgive the man that broke her heart. Rafe Simmons never expected to come face to face with the woman he left behind but Calliope will become a bigger part of his life when she reveals she is helping his father in his final days.
The relationship between Calliope and Rafe is one of second chances; a rekindling romance between two people who never stopped loving one another but whose futures went in opposite directions. Calliope never understood why the man that she loved left her behind, and eight years later Rafe is hoping to begin where they left off. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
We are re- introduced to several of the Carolina Cold Fury whom we met in the previous series, as well as welcoming Rafes parents Brenda and Jim, and Calliopes parents Mateo and Danielle.
RAFE is a story of family and grief; second chances and love. The character driven premise mainly focuses on the rekindling romance and Rafes history with a man who is going to die. The premise is engaging and real; the romance is seductive; the characters are colorful and proud.