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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I just loved this second chance story about a lovely, sexy couple who were married for years and suffered from the wearing out of the years and his obsession of his hockey career.
Jim and Ella have been high school sweethearts, they have a teenager daughter and through the year’s hockey got the best of them. Now, after the separation Jim Steele is ready to fight for his wife and family, he is ready to put them first this time.
I think Sawyer Bennett has a way of writing that is so fluid and modern, she is a great author that create these characters that are so human. I loved this story and how it is written.
Loved it!
I received a free ARC copy of this book from the author prior to release and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This story was so GOOD I absolutely adored it. Its one I have wanted to read because its about a married couple, Jim and his separated wife, Ella and their daughter Lucy. If you love this series, you will adore this story as you watch Jim tries to win his family back, as his wife dates another guy. He gets advice from his teammates and that was just such a fun part of the book as he has to learn how to romance the woman he has been married to for over 13 years.
Ella is a pretty great character and I loved getting into her head and seeing how she finally got fed up with Jim’s antics and fought for her and her daughters future. I absolutely adored how nervous she was as she started to get to know the wives and girlfriends that are inn this series.
If you love guys who learn from their past and love hard, you will adore this story.
A second chance romance that is all about forgiveness, redemption and finding love again. Filled with romantic overtures, kisses that sizzle and all the little things thrown in for good measure. This was perfection!
When James “Steele” see his wife out on a date it shakes him to his core, although she has every right since they are separated. But he also realizes that he still loves her and wants her, so he sets out to win her back.
Ella Steele is finally moving on with her life and starting to date again. Maybe she will finally get the attention that she never did in her marriage, since her husband was married to his hockey team more than her. But then after seeing her out on a date he suddenly wants her back, she doesn’t think so! He will have to step it up big time to get her back.
This was seriously addicting to read. Steele and Ella were great character that I loved. There was so much tension and animosity between them but this crazy attraction and chemistry as well still. I loved learning their history and what happened between them. I loved Steele, I was rooting for him right from the beginning. I liked Ella a lot and understood where she was coming from and why she made the choices she made. The thing is for as much as they frustrated me with their choices, I loved the build of all the tension and angst as they work through their problems. I loved the soft teasing, that is delicious and deliberate, as well as the absolutely adorable romantic gestures that are so sincere. This couple captured my heart.
Provocative, sensual and utterly addictive STEELE once again proves that Sawyer Bennett is a master of romance.
Received an early copy for an honest review.
Steele is perhaps my favorite book in Sawyer Bennett’s Arizona Vengeance series and let me explain why.
I am a lover of hockey romances. They are my kryptonite and no one writes sexy hockey players like Sawyer. They are tall, well built, alpha as puck men, who will win you over with their skills both on and off the ice. What I’m not a huge fan of is second chance romances which this book is. But, Sawyer delivers a beautiful love story that is relatable to all us married women out there.
Steele and his wife are separated. They love each other very much but things are not okay. Steele is working hard at staying on top of his career at the expense of his marriage. He dedicates little time to his wife and their home and this neglect, although not intentional is what breaks up his marriage. To say that he is thrown for a loop, confused, lost, is putting it mildly, but eventually he gets his head out of his a** and realizes he’s not willing to give up on his family.
Watching Steele become the man and husband his wife deserves made this an unputdownable romance read. I started and finished it in one evening and fell head over kind for Steele.
TBR this fantastic second chance, hockey romance read and enjoy!
I really enjoyed this one. It was a second chance romance with a couple who had split but never made it official. We found out in the previous book that Steele wanted to get his wife back and in this one he realizes everything he did wrong in regards to his wife and daughter. The book takes us through all the work he does to win Ella back and to win back the trust of his daughter Lucy. Along with some twists and turns are thrown in for good measure, this book was straightforward and really well written. I would suggest it to anyone.
*I received an ARC for an honest review*
You know when somethings appear in your life at the right moment? Sigh…I don’t have word to describe how awesome this book turned out to be for me. I’ve been in a funk in my relationship lately and I could relate on so many levels with Ella. All the feelings she was feeling I was feeling with her.
It’s strange when you have a everything you could ever want but still feel alone. And it gave me so much joy to see Jim seeing his mistakes and trying so hard to correct them. But what I liked the most is that at the end of the day it takes two to build a relationship so I was beyond happy that they managed to find a way to navigate this hard thing that is called marriage.
***Review copy requested and reviewed on behalf of OMGReads Blog***
4.5 Second Chance Stars!
I absolutely loved this second chance at love romance! This ninth book in Bennett’s Arizona Vengeance series is so touching, fun and sexy! This story is about Jim & Ella Steele and their 13 year old daughter, Lucy. They were high school sweethearts and have been married for 14 years. Hockey was always Jim’s main priority, never considering that because they had explosive chemistry, Ella would need more of a connection from him. When Ella asked Jim to move out, she thought that would be enough for him to want to change. When nothing happened, Ella was ready to move on. It took seeing her with another man to kickstart his determination to do whatever it takes to show Ella, and Lucy that he is a better man. To do that, he needs to earn their trust, and prove to Ella that they were always meant to be together. I loved this exploration into the relationship of a married couple and family. They love each other so much, but after so many broken promises and heartbreak, they had lost their ability to really communicate and appreciate each other. Their journey back to each other and as a family was so much fun, moving, and heartfelt. Lucy was a sweet young teen who wore her heart on her sleeve. Jim’s relationship with Lucy felt very honest and genuine. Ella is the type of heroine I love to read who is kind, loyal and strong. I loved how Jim took ownership of his mistakes and fought hard to make up for it and be a better man. Of course the chemistry between Jim and Ella stayed fiery and passionate and they both loved that his caveman ways in the bedroom never changed. I am a huge fan of the camaraderie, and family feel of all the team members and the women who challenge and love them.
Brian Pallino, and Jill Redfield’s narration was amazing as they brought these characters and story to life. They have great chemistry as Pallino made me swoon over Jim working to bring his family back together and Redfield made Ella so relatable. They really made this heartwarming, sweet and sexy romance even better! I never tire of this series and am very excited for Jett’s story next!
4.5 stars
Jim Steele is not a new professional hockey player, despite his fairly new status among the Vengeance team. His focus has been his hockey career, in the hopes that the financial stability he provides will take care of his family. But he doesn’t see that Ella has felt invisible and unnecessary while he has focused on hockey. Since she asked for a separation, he hasn’t known what to do, but when he discovers she is dating, jealousy and regret spur him to fight for what he wants: his wife and his family whole again.
Jim was rather clueless about what it really took to be family, and even Ella’s initial request for a separation didn’t change his actions. He just wanted her happy, but wasn’t really sure what he was missing in order to make her happy, so whatever she asked for, he gave her. He didn’t realize what she really wanted was time and attention, not things or even the separation she asked for.
Jim is one of those characters that is hard not to like, even as he is making mistakes in his marriage. None of his mistakes are conscious (and he is completely faithful to his wife, even during separation), he just wants his family back but doesn’t see the little changes that will make the world of difference. His determination to win Ella back is based on his love for her and the history they have together.
Ella didn’t fall out of love with Jim, but she did grow tired of being an afterthought to him. She didn’t know how to get him to change his focus and hoped that skiing for a separation would cause him to start working on the family. When it didn’t she tried to find what she was looking for, even as she still loved him.
This was a second chance romance between an established couple. I loved the change of pace – rather than getting to know each other it is all about fixing the relationship that was broken. Though we knew Jim wasn’t happy with the separation from what was shown in the background of previous Vengeance stories, seeing it from Jim & Ella’s eyes gave new light to their story.
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Steele is the latest release in the Arizona Vengeance Series and I must say this man stole my heart. After years of marriage Steele and his wife Ella have separated, she asked him to leave and he didn’t put up a fight he just left without really knowing what was wrong. It takes seeing his wife out with another man to wake him up and fight for what he wants.
Jim Steele learns its not good to get to complacent in his marriage, now he’s pulling out all the stops to win his wife, Ella, back. I’m sure complacency has ended a bunch of marriages because who wants to be the one that is put last so when he realizes that this is what he has done with his wife all bets are off and he will do what ever it takes to win her back.
Steele is super romantic while wooing Ella, I love seeing the softer side of this rugged hockey player. This story has a lot of ooh and aah moments that turned him into a big teddy bear for me and I loved it. Steele didn’t just have to win his wife back though he had to make things right again with his daughter, Lucy, and I loved the way they worked together once she realized he wanted his family back.
This was a swoon intensive read so be ready for that, I haven’t come across a man this romantic in a LOOOOOONNNNNGGGG time and I loved it!
Second Chance Romance, Sports Romance, Contemporary Romance, if any of these interest you grab this book now I promise you wont be disappointed.
Happy Reading!!!
***4.5 Stars***
After that little tease at the end of Kane’s book with Steele trying to be sneaky and spy on Ella’s date, I was all in to see just what he would do to get his relationship with her, and with Lucy, back on track and I gotta say, I was not disappointed in any way. It was sweet, swoon worthy, smexy and simply an all around fun read.
I loved Steele and Ella. Steele is a good man with a good heart who’s been a little oblivious to what his marriage has become. Ella is strong, sweet and knows what she wants, even if it may break her heart. I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed watching them reconnect. Things didn’t become angsty and they acted like the friends, lovers and parents they were. They listened to each other and both stepped up to the plate to get their relationship, and family, back on track.
Steele is a great addition to the series. I like that this was about a couple who were already a couple, but who’s relationship had gone sideways and they needed to reconnect. The fact that they had a teenager definitely made things more interesting. Lucy was a lot of fun and I loved what she brought to the story. But as I’ve said in practically every review, I simply love getting to spend time with the Vengeance crew. They are family, even when some of them don’t want to be “family” and I love catching up with everyone. Now, while I’m looking forward to Jett’s book ~ because I really want to see that man brought to his knees…I cannot deny that I really want to know more about Baden and Riggs. Baden because how can I not considering all that he is going through. Riggs, well, I do have a thing for the broody, gruff, stand-offish ones (Tacker anyone??) so I am doing my best to practice patience and crossing my toes hard in hopes that we’ll be getting one or both of their books sooner rather than later.
~ Copy provided by the author & voluntarily reviewed ~
Steele has my heart!
We have met Steele in the Arizona Vengeance series. His story was worth the wait. Steele’s wife, Ella, is done. She has asked her husband to move out and are separated. She is done being second to Steele’s career. These two have been together since they were teens and after all these years, she is ready to move on with her life. They share a beautiful daughter and put her first. Steele finds out Ella is going forward in her life and he is green with envy when he sees her with another man. He is ready to fight for his wife, daughter, and marriage.
This couple is a true example of fighting for each other. Steele does it right. And, oh my heart, Lucy is adorable and just as much of a fighter for her parents. She needs her own story. We are treated to the Vengeance family and updated on their lives. I love the series and this hockey family and look forward to more.
I love my catch ups with the Arizona Vengeance and Steele is a perfect addition to this great series, if you love sports romances in particular Hockey this book should certainly be on your radar.
I was captivated with story from the first page to the last line and I really didn’t want this book to end because I have come to look at this team and their partners as friends.
James (Jim)Steele is out with teammates when he sees his estranged wife our with a man and that’s just the jolt he needs to make him realise he not only wants his family back, he needs them back…..
Jim has spent so much of his life putting his career and hockey first that he forgot his wife Ella and their daughter’s needs and it’s only now he sees the error of his ways so will Ella give him a second chance and will Jim change and put his family before the career he loves…..
This is a heartfelt romance that touched me on so many levels, I swooned over Jim as I watched him fight for the woman and daughter he loves, I smiled and at times I held my breath because I really wasn’t sure this book would turn out how I wanted it too, I loved Jim and Ella and as always I loved catching up with the rest of the team. This is the perfect addition to this wonderful series.
5 star Review Steele (Arizona Vengeance #9) by Sawyer Bennett
Every time I read a book in the Arizona Vengeance series, it feels like I am coming home to family. Steele is a great addition to what is one of my favorite series from Sawyer Bennett.
From the first to the last chapter I was riveted to the story that Sawyer Bennett wove and couldn’t put down. This is James (Jim) Steele’s second chance at love story with his estranged wife, Ella that drew me in and had me captivated from the first to the last word.
Jim has spent so much time concentrating on his hockey career that he has left his wife and their relationship behind. Now separated, Jim is a single dad to their teenage daughter and struggling.
Shocked to see his wife dating another man, Jim knows he needs to make changes in his life before he loses Ella forever. This was such a an emotional story that I feared at times that the happily ever after might be beyond reach. Jim is so swoon worthy that you cannot help but fall for him and it was heartwarming as he worked so determinedly to bring the love back into his marriage.
As always, it was great to catch up on the other couples of the Arizona Vengeance;I love getting updates on what is happening in their lives.
This is book #9, in the Arizona Vengeance series. This book can be read as a standalone novel. For reader understanding, and to avoid spoilers, I recommend reading this sexy series in order.
Steele wants to win his woman back. He thought his marriage was over until he sees her our in public….. with another man. Now he knows what he has to do.
Ella is afraid to be hurt again. Feeling like your own husband cannot see you when he is in the same room made her feel devastated. Can they repair the rift, or will they just stay friends?
Steele was so very hot, yet awesomely cool. I found the story to be real, and at a good pace. I loved the characters, and their daughter was a hoot! There was some sizzling scenes, family drama, and even some puppy love. I recommend this story since it was really good.
***This ARC copy was given in exchange for an honest review only.
This book is a second-chance romance at its absolute finest. Hands down, this is my all-time favorite book in the Vengeance series.
We got a little backstory into Jim Steele in the previous Vengeance book, we learned that he and his wife had separated, but he vows to win her back. He pulled out all of the stops in his story. I loved how determined Steele was to win Ella back. He was sweet and romantic, but he was also dominant at times. I also loved watching him come to certain realizations through conversations with Ella about why she asked him to leave and how his actions affected her. As for Ella, she wasn’t afraid to stand her ground, and she wouldn’t just let a few of Jim’s romantic gestures blind her to why she asked him to leave in the first place. She was such a strong female lead, and the back and forth between the two was the absolute perfect amount of sugar and spice.
Sawyer Bennett has once again created a story that was so easy to fall in love with. I really loved watching Jim and Ella fall back in love again, while not without complications, it was truly beautiful. I also love that we got to spend some time with the core women of the Vengeance, as well as their men! I swear the Arizona Vengeance books get better with every book. Just when I think she can’t top what she wrote last, Sawyer somehow manages to! I’m so excited to see what’s next for the Vengeance!
This book was everything I needed and more! I adored these two and was rooting for them since page 1! I can’t wait for the next book in the series!
I can always count on Sawyer to give me an emotionally-charged romance!
4.5 I really enjoyed Steele. I loved that it was different from other romances in the fact that Jim and Ella are already married. Therefore it wasn’t about them getting to know each other, it was about not becoming complacent and making each other their number one priority. Jim and Ella have to learn how to get back to the couple they used to be when they were both truly happy. It’s not an easy road for them, especially with Lucy being in the middle. Steele was funny, sweet, steamy, and a little emotional. I was hoping for even more about Baden, but I’ll eventually get more once his book comes. I’m excited for Jett’s book, I think it’s going to be quite funny! *I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.*
Goodness… let’s see…, there is so much to say but not enough space. Jim Steele will be forever one of my favorite heroes. His story is a tale of a love rekindled, and it is marvelous. Funny, sad, sweet, and of course lots of sparks and heat. I really enjoyed getting a peak into the life of Ella, Lucy and Jim Steele. Another remarkable Arizona Vengeance book. I hope that this series keeps going for a long time.
Steele lives for hockey and his family, and he is blindsided when his wife asks for separation. He didn’t realize how much he took for granted until she was gone. He misses his wife and daughter, and wants them back in his life. He has never stopped loving them. He goes from moping to motivated when he learns that his wife may try her hand at dating, and he will stop at nothing to get her back. This is one story that you do not want to miss.
The Arizona Vengeance series is a very good one and the addition of Steele, just strengthens it.
Jim and Ella Steele are high school sweethearts that have been married for more than a dozen years and they share a teenaged daughter, but they are currently enduring a separation. Ella asked Jim to leave about six months earlier because he seemed to be choosing everything else over her and their daughter, Lucy. To put it simply, he was being selfish.
Now that Jim has had time to reflect on what Ella has been telling him and also as he thinks back to his behavior, he realizes that she’s right and if he wants any chance to get her back, he’s going to have to make some changes. While Ella has taken steps to begin to move on, will Jim be able to change her mind and show her that their marriage is worth another try?
It’s rare you encounter a second-chance romance where the couple is married and fighting for their relationship, but I loved it. We saw the push and pull from both sides and how they both had to look inwardly to take stock of what they both wanted. I also liked how their daughter Lucy fit into the story, as well as the WAGs; they gave Ella some great advice.
Another great addition to this series!
**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title in exchange for an honest review**