A second chance may be just what James Steele needs… I might be one of the older players on the Arizona Vengeance, but I like to think that also makes me one of the wisest. Or at least I used to.Turns out, I’ve been a bit selfish. I’ve been married to hockey and my team for years, which hasn’t left much time for my actual wife, Ella. Now I’m juggling a separation I never wanted, the pressure of … of being a single dad to our teenage daughter, and the career I sacrificed it all for. While my game on the ice might be on fire, the game in my personal life is clearly lacking, as evidenced by the fact I just saw my wife on a date with another man. If I have any hope of saving the family I love, I need to re-prioritize, and fast. So it’s time for me to get back to fundamentals, just like I did when I learned how to play hockey. I’ve never backed down from a challenge, and romancing my wife is a challenge I am very much looking forward to. Time to put on my game face, because I’m in it to win it.
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Steele is the ninth book in the Arizona Vengeance series–Sawyer Bennett’s ongoing hockey romance series. I love this series and I’ve read every single book so I’ve grown quite attached to the characters. But, each book can be read as a standalone book. Reading the previous books in the series is not necessary, and the author does a good job giving quick rundown of other characters’ backstory (as a longtime reader of the series, it helps me too because nine books in I don’t always remember who is who).
Anyway, Steele is about James “Jim” Steele and his quest to woo his estranged wife, Ella, to giving him a second chance. Jim and Ella married young and have a teenaged daughter together. But, Jim had always prioritized his hockey career over his family and Ella has had enough. They separated about a year prior to the start of Steele, and Jim had moved out of their house. In the previous book, Kane, Jim had a reality check when he saw his wife on a date with another man and he realized he needed to do something before it’s too late and he loses the love of his life who he still very much love.
Steele is one of my top favorites in the entire series. I absolutely LOVE the second-chance romance plot about estranged spouses falling in love again. I’d read everything with that plot, and Steele checked all my boxes. I love Jim and Ella individually and together. I rooted for them to find love again, and work through their issues. I really enjoyed their journey back to love. I also like how Steele and his daughter’s relationship evolved too, because he’s had to rebuild that relationship too.
I read Steele entirely via audiobook, and I highly recommend it! The audiobook was casted perfectly–Brian Pallino’s voice was perfect for Jim–it embodied his character and it was excellent. Jill Redfield is one of my favorite narrators and she did an amazing job as Ella–I always love her performances.
If you’re looking for a quick, sexy second-chance read to while away the afternoon, look no further than Steele.
I’m a sucker for a second chance storyline and I really enjoyed this one. Steele and Ella have all the chemistry. Add in an alpha male that doesn’t give up and I’m sold. The narration added an elevated element to this book. Absolutely worth the listen.
Narrators are excellent! Both the male and female narrator, Brian Pallino and Jill Redfield, gave quality performances, and fit the characters well. Great listening experience.
This is a second chance romance for a separated wife, Ella, and her hockey husband, Steele; he focused too much on hockey and didn’t give her enough attention, so she asked for a separation. They’ve been separated for months and Ella starts dating someone else, Steele wants his wife back and let’s her know it. Loved the passion and connection between them! Steele is a really great guy. I liked Ella okay; I do think she was a bit selfish at times, but I could understand where she was coming from. Just some of her actions weren’t the greatest, and I didn’t feel like she truly appreciated how wonderful Steele is and how much he was trying. Despite that, they are a good couple, and they have a lovely daughter. Overall, this is a sweet and sexy romance! Also, love seeing what some of the previous couples are up to! Great series!
I listened to Steele in one sitting today! I was very curious to see what was going to happen with Steele and his wife Ella after our taste of them in Kane. I love that their story is not only unique in the series, but in general in the romance world. I enjoyed seeing Steele realize what was going wrong in their marriage before and what he was missing. Their bond is still so strong and they do work so well together, but all relationships still take work to keep them that way. It was also enjoyable to see his relationship with Lucy their daughter. We also got to see a lot of the other characters in the series and that always make me happy! I really enjoyed Steele so much and this Vengeance world never disappoints!
My hats off to Sawyer for writing another great book. If you are unsure of reading a hockey romance because sports aren’t your thing let me put your mind at ease. Yes, this book is based around hockey but there isn’t a hole lot of it in this book. This book is based on love and romance. The kind of romance every woman wants.
Jim Steele is married to Ella and they have a wonderful daughter Lucy. Jim loves hockey so much he eats, sleeps, and breaths it. It isn’t until Ella asks him to move out of his family home that he realizes maybe hockey took up to much of his life. Jim is okay with the separation from Ella at first. It isn’t until he finds out that she is dating another man that lights a fire under him. He always thought that they would get back together. While Ella’s on a date with her knew boyfriend he spies on her. He sees her laugh and seems she is enjoying herself. Jim starts to think back when the last time he saw her do that with him. Then it dawns on him what a mess he has made. Not only as a husband but as a father. Jim realizes he needs to step up his game. He tries the normal routes, you know the cave man kind. As time goes on her notices that it doesn’t change anything. Jim decides he needs to woo Ella and Lucy. Woo he does.
I could go on and on about how great their romance is but that would give away to much of the book. Let’s just say I wish my partner would do half the things Jim does for his family. The only downside to this book is that it had to end!
I liked this one on how it took for James Steele to do anything to get his wife Ella back. The ending was really sweet. I loved how this one had a different tone/storyline then the rest in the series.
Narrators Brian Pallino and Jill Redfield did a great job.
I received this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I loved Steele’s story! I loved that this was different from your typical romance. The couple are already married and still in love with each other, but going through a separation.
Steele is determined to get his wife, Ella, back, especially after seeing her out on a date with another man. A fire was lit inside of him and he is more determined than ever to get his wife back and prove to her that he is a changed man.
I love Steele and Ella. They have amazing chemistry. They have been separated for six months but there is still so much love between them. However, throughout the course of their marriage, Steele became too comfortable, he focused more on his career and his family seemed more like a second thought. Ella realized this and she wasn’t going to feel invisible anymore. Steele pulled out all the stops when it came to proving to Ella that she and their daughter, Lucy, were his number one priority and that he was always thinking of them. The things he did had me swoony and they were so sweet and romantic.
I loved this addition to the Arizona Vengeance series. I loved seeing Steele with all the guys and Ella easily connect with all the other wives.
If you love hockey romances that is a little different this one is MUST READ!
I loved this story of Steele and Ella and Lucy. Seeing this second chance family work out was great. I couldn’t help but root for them to get back together. Sawyer Bennett did not disappoint and as always you get to see some of the characters fro. Other books and now waiting for Jetts book. Arizona Vengence is a great series and cannot put any of the books down.
Jim Steele, pro hockey player, good guy…loves his wife & daughter, loves playing on the NHL expansion team, Arizona Vengeance, and has a good time doing all things hockey. Life is great…until his wife asks him to leave…WTH!! When Jim sees his wife on a date, he finally wakes up and decides to fight for the love that he has taken for granted…if it isn’t too late.
The story emphasizes the importance of communicating and not taking love/significant other for granted. Great HEA. This is one of the final narrations by a favorite male narrator, Brian Pallino, and to say that the narration is excellent is putting it mildly. Brian brought out Jim Steele’s raw emotions and you hurt/laugh along with him. Jill Redfield does an equally impressive job with Ella’s character…so good that I wanted to shake some sense into Ella…lol. I’m glad that Steele got his HEA…even with an angsty teen and foster pup in the mix.
I accepted a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
~~ 4.5 TEAM STEELE STARS! ~~
“I’m playing to win.“
Marriage in Crisis romances make my heart skip a beat —and are a rarity in this industry—so when I learned that the next Arizona Vengeance book had that trope I was positively giddy with anticipation! And holy wowza did Sawyer Bennet hit a huge goalie with STEELE!
PREMISE:
As one of the oldest Arizona Vengeance players, hocky legend Jim Steele realized one of his lifelong dreams when his team won the Stanley Cup the prior season. But oftentimes pursing one’s passions comes with immense sacrifices. And while Ella, his high school sweetheart, and beloved wife for over a decade, has always been his one true love, and he adores his 13-year-old daughter Lucy to the moon and back, putting his career before his loved ones came at the ultimate cost. His family. And he had no choice but to abide by Ella’s wishes when she reached the end of her rope and kicked him to the curb.
Their separation took a toll on his whole family. And as time went by the divide between Jim and Ella became wider than ever, and his relationship with his moody teenage daughter was no walk in the park either. Which had the down in the dumps hockey dad pretty much resigning himself to his fate…and taking full responsibility for the sad state of affairs. But when he spotted Ella on a date–with ANOTHER dude– it was a gamechanger! Just the mere thought of anyone other than himself ever putting his hands on his wife drove him CRAAAAZY! But now the reality of her actually moving on with her life—and possibly falling in love with “Mr. Ordinary”–was a HUGE wakeup call. Consumed with hurt and envy, he puts a plan on motion to woo his wife and win back his daughter’s respect. But while he and Ella always had a burning hot chemistry—and their attraction for each other is still as thermal as ever–reconciliation is fraught with challenges. For Ella can’t forget how her own husband treated her like an afterthought.
Can Jim finally prioritize his life, repair his broken family and put his wife and daughter’s needs first? My lips are sealed on that front but lemme just say that Jim is IN IT TO WIN IT. And once Lucy jumps on the #reuniteMomand Dad bandwagon, luck just might be on his side! But when a golden opportunity strikes, will history repeat itself…or will true love finally prevail?
MY MUSINGS:
Oh my!! In this 9th incredibly heartfelt and mega hot installment in the ARIZONA VENGEANCE series, there are sparks and steamy hot interludes and swoony feels galore. And I was enamored with this tantalizingly tumultuous reunion romance from page one! One of my favorite aspects of a marriage in crisis tales is that there’s always such a rich history, intimate familiarity and deep, intense level of love between the MCs, that the couple has INSTANT ROOTING VALUE. And the emotional and physical bond between Ella and Jim is UNDENIABLE! The painstaking journey that this estranged duo embark on to try and recapture what they once lost is brimming with passion and heartache, hope and healing and so many warm fuzzy moments I was beside myself with joy!
Jim and Ella always had that once in a lifetime love and thought nothing could ever tear them asunder. UNTIL IT DID. You know how they say that sometimes we don’t realize how special something is until it slips out of our grasp? Well, that’s exactly what happened in Jim and Ella’s case. The hockey hottie took their love for granted and assumed she would always be his rock of Gibraltar but their love needed nurturing and he’d fallen down badly on the job!
But alas, true love is always worth fighting for, and forgiveness and atonement are within reach. If you want it badly enough. While juggling his hockey duties and his burning mission to reclaim his family are no easy feat, Jim is a man on a mission. And no matter what it takes he is determined to romance his wife—as she deserved—and show her and his daughter in every way possible that they –NOT HOCKEY—are the center of his world! I love that not only is this a beautifully and heartwarming second chance at love story in which a couple rolls up their sleeves to mend one another’s hearts and rebuild their shattered trust, but it’s also a tale that really explores the transformative power of love. And I relished every single moment of it. Both these characters totally captured my heart—and crushed it as well. And, for me, fully fleshed out, and achingly human protagonists who make me emphasize with their plight is the hallmark of an engrossing love story that’s guaranteed to leave a lasting impression!
As always, the steamy sexcapades melted my Kindle and it goes without saying that the hockey backdrop was the bomb! Not only did I love the action sequences on the field and the camaraderie with Steele’s AV family and the team wives, but it was a pure delight to get recaps on our favorite couples. And I would remiss not to give a shoutout to Lucy and her stinking cute foster puppy, Brody, who really infused this story with so many feel good moments! Not to mention that the daddy/daughter bonding scenes between Jim and his “Lucy Goosey” had my ovaries combusting!
BOTTOM LINE:
STEELE satiated me on every level, the HEA was pitch perfect—and had me blinking back tears—and now I CANNOT WAIT for the book 10!
Highly Recommend!
This is the ninth book in the Arizona Vengeance Series, a Sports Romance. This is another great addition to the Series. Ella and James’s story is beautifully written, romantic, and heartwarming. I loved to follow them in their beautiful second chance to love. They are perfect together, and they share a strong and sizzling chemistry. Lucy, their teenage daughter, is smart, and fun. The supporting characters are great. I love the ending. Brian Pallino and Jill Redfield did an amazing job with the narration. If you like Sports Romance, this Series is definitely for you.
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Steele wants to go back to the way things used to be. But there are times when you can’t. It’s a goal to have as long as you don’t repeating past mistakes. Ella knows that her life is going to be a little confusing/crazy for a little while.
Our author creates some scenes where things felt so realistic. She’ll make you feel as if you are in the background watching things as they unfold. She’s also very good at showing how different men and women think. Sometimes crazy ideas can form when suggestions are made. But once in a while something good can come out it that will get you thinking – some things are just worth fighting for.
What lengths are you willing to go to in order to right a wrong? Are you willing to meet someone half way? These are questions that also lend to a sense of realism where the characters are concerned. It shows that even though some men have an unconventional profession, that doesn’t mean they can’t be very smart – a little slow maybe but smart all the same.
There are times when I might suggest setting some ambiance as you read. But this is not the year to follow that thought. For this year, it might be better to either use your imagination or watch some hockey on TV.
You may not realize it at the time but the author sets the reader up for the next book in the series. By the time you have that light bulb moment, she’ll have you on tenterhooks until next year. But you can never go wrong in checking out some of her other series.
I was not compensated nor was I required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
Steele (Arizona Vengeance #9) was another great read by Sawyer Bennett. Jim is hoping to get the second chance at love with his wife that he wants. He is one of the older players on the Vengeance but he ruined everything with his wife due to his selfishness. He now is separated from Ella and doesn’t like seeing her dating a new man. He is having a hard time juggling all the new changes and wants nothing more than to have Ella and his teenage daughter together as a family. I really enjoyed reading Steele and Ella’s story and can’t wait to read more by Sawyer Bennett.
Jim Steele knows he is in for the fight of his life to win back his wife. They started dating in high school and she was with him as he became a professional player. Like so many marriages, things become routine. Ella feels like he doesn’t see her. Jim knows that she is all that he sees and he won’t stop until he has her back.
This was a good story of a marriage on the rocks and how to fight to save it. Life gets busy and routine and marriage takes work. It is a partnership. This story reminded me of all of the things that we take for granted and how to remember to keep things romantic. I thought it was a really good story and so glad that these two could reconnect.
Loved this.
Love that it was a long term marriage that hit the skids. Primarily due to negligence. Stayed true to this.
2nd chance sports romance! Hockey, swoon!
Teenage daughter was a trip!
A man who recognizes what he lost.
A woman willing to compromise and realize what she have up!
I genuinely loved this story and adore the Vengeance books as a whole. Solid addition to the series! Loved it!
Sawyer Bennett
I loved it! This series is one of my all time favorites! Especially right now when this are crazy in the world this series has offered me an escape that I can get totally wrapped up in and this new book, Steele, did not disappoint! I found the storyline and plot to be so original, which each book is, but I am so excited while listening due to how fresh and new this story is. I love that it is a married couple and we get a look at how things can change and then eventually continue to evolve and grow! The writing of this book drew me in! The characters grabbed my heart. I absolutely loved everything, including the narrators. Brian Pallino has the perfect voice for Steele and I love the deep raspy sound. He’s great at pulling off different emotions and personality. And I really enjoyed Jill Redfield performance as Ella.
I never get tired of this series! Definitely worthy of purchase!
Jim Steele is a professional hockey player with the Arizona Vengeance. In a previous book, we learned about Jim’s separation from his wife.
This is truly a wonderful story about a man trying to win back his wife after taking her for granted for so long. When she begins to date, he begs her to give him a chance to win her back. Steele must dig deep to right his wrongs to prove to Ella that his family is the most important thing in his life, even above his hockey career. When his efforts begin to pay off, will Ella fully trust that the new and improved Jim Steele is here to stay or will he revert back to his old ways.
I’m not usually one to enjoy a romance where the main characters are husband and wife. I really enjoy the meeting, the relationship dance and the moment where one or both of them makes a mistake that almost drives them apart. But I have to tell you, Sawyer Bennet just changed my mind. Steele (Jim) and his wife, Ella burned up the pages! Because he’s trying to win her back, there’s still the dance and there’s still a moment where someone screws up. And the heat is absolutely there.
If they were all written like this, I’d be a true convert. 5 stars!!!
Wonderful Story & Narration Steele is all Heart!
Steele
Arizona Vengeance, Book 9
By: Sawyer Bennett
Narrated by: Brian Pallino, Jill Redfield
Sawyer Bennett pens another wonderful novel in her “Arizona Vengeance” series. I love the characters and storylines she has created for them, each book featuring another player on the team. This book is Jim Steele’s story, he and his wife Ella have separated, she felt he lost interest in her when all he focused on was his career. At the time he just left did not even put up a fight. They share custody of their teenage daughter, Lucy, and are cordial to each other. When he sees her starting to move up he realizes he still wants her and is ready to battle to win her heart back. I loved how everything plays out in this book, Jim finally realizes his mistake of taking her for granted and instead of assuming she knows he loves her he is ready to show her. But is she too far gone, is it too late for them to work out. I loved how everything plays out in this book, the story contains a lot of heart and is beautifully plotted. Their daughter was a bit bratty at first but he teen-attitude calmed down a bit and she wound up being a good ally to Jim. This is a wonderful second chance sports romance, there is drama, a touch of angst, plenty of heartfelt and emotional moments and some hot, sexy times. It was great to see some of characters from earlier books, team players and their significant others. Sawyer Bennett, thank you for another wonderful story and emotional rollercoaster ride.
I listened to the Audible edition, Brian Pallino and Jill Redfield did an awesome job portraying the characters, humanizing them, giving each their own voice and personality. Brian Pallino played the perfect Jim, he captured every one of his emotions and made the role his own. Jill Redfield did the same for Ally, completely grasping her persona and playing her role with perfection. Both were great performing the roles of the secondary characters as well. Thank you for the wonderfully pleasurable listen
Steele
Arizona Vengeance, Book 9
By: Sawyer Bennett
Narrated by: Brian Pallino, Jill Redfield
This hockey team is one of the best I have gotten to know. And now with this 9th book in the series, you would think we have a good handle on each of them. Sawyer Bennett continues to bring a fresh story to each one, and this one is amazing. I think because we all understand being too comfortable and become complacent, we can understand the trouble Jim and Ella’s story. Ella is tired of being low on the totem pole to Steele’s life. When she takes a stand and they separate, he still doesn’t quite get it. But when he sees her with another man, things get real. Now on a mission to revitalize, understand and get his wife back, we see just how much he loves her. But is he too late? Has she moved on? Visited by players we love, puppies and romance, we get to see if he can win her back. It’s sweet, spicy and extremely romantic. Loved every minute of this one!
Jill Redfield and Brian Pallino bring this story to life. Redfield is a perfect fit for Ella. She is hurt and standoffish and Redfield finds the tone to portray it. We can even feel the annoyance at times! Fantastic! Pallino is Steele. He pulls out the stops and you feel his motivation and love through his voice. This is a wonderful listen and one you don’t want to miss.
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