I am not okay.Fifteen months ago, my life was turned upside down when the plane I was piloting went down. Injured and trapped in the wreckage, I had to watch my fiancée die a painfully slow death, which is something that can really mess with your head. Since that day, I’ve had little desire to do much of anything. Except play hockey, that is. Because that is the one place where the bad memories … the bad memories are banished and I can escape my pain.
But off the ice, I’m spiraling out of control. Losing the grip on my life and putting myself and my career in danger. Now, thanks to a string of bad decisions, I’ve been ordered to complete therapy in order to stay on the team.
The problem? Nora Wayne, my beautiful and somewhat unconventional therapist. I can’t buy into the brand of happy clappy crap this woman is feeding me. What could she possibly understand about the type of loss that I’ve suffered? How does she know anything about finding happiness after losing the most important person in your life?
Turns out, I’ve got a lot to learn, and she’s just the person I need to break through those walls I’ve erected.
I am not okay.
But for the first time in a long time, I know that I will be.
more
Audio Review: Tacker (Arizona Vengeance, #5) by Sawyer Bennett (Author), Stephen Dexter (Narrator), Lucy Rivers (Narrator)
I would love to say that Tacker had me at hello, but that would not be true. Tacker took some getting used to. Bennett is one author that can get inside your heart rather fast. Her characters are a feast for the senses, but that buffet starts at the heart. Tacker made his mark on my heart. However, I got to know Tacker through an audio and vocally he took the long route to my emotions. Rough around the edges, gruff around the heart, Tacker is a tad hard to get to know, but well worth the fight in the end.
I loved Tacker before this book began. My heart just broke for him and everything he has been through. I love this story of how with his team and Nora’s help he found his life again. I love this whole hockey team……Loved it!! I loved Tacker before this book began. My heart just broke for him and everything he has been through. I love this story of how with his team and Nora’s help he found his life again. I love this whole hockey team……Loved it!!
Wow, wow….what an emotional journey!
This book picks up just as Dax’s story is finishing up (although you don’t have to have read/listened to Dax to jump in Tacker). Tacker has lost his way after losing his fiance, and he knows it. What he doesn’t know is how to find his way back to the land of the living. Enter Nora, a sweet, caring therapist with a troubled past of her own.
Bennett leads these two down an incredibly emotional road of figuring out just who they are – to themselves and each other as they deal with coming back from tragedy. You can’t help but love Tacker and Nora, and root for each of them throughout this.
Stephen Dexter and Lucy Rovers nailed the narration! They brought these characters to life so well and really made you feel every single emotion Tacker and Nora have. 5+ stars on every level!
Didn’t know if I wanted to read tragic beginning, but the story line moves into one of the most interesting.
Here’s the thing…like any avid reader of Sawyer Bennett’s Arizona Vengeance series, I was so ready for Tacker to get his second chance…at love, at life, at healing the parts of him that he thought might not ever get better after MJ’s death. But I also knew that I needed to be patient. I knew Tacker needed to work on himself…work through his pain, his guilt, his grief, and that it wasn’t going to be easy or quick…not when someone has spiraled so far out of control that he wants it all to end and is willing to make that happen.
What I loved most about the way that Bennett crafted Tacker and Nora’s story is that she didn’t add any unnecessary drama or move too quickly or too slowly when it came to Tacker’s progress or Nora and Tacker sifting their way through their individual fear and pain to become something they both never thought they’d have again.
Nora is an amazing heroine who has her own share of pain, but, somehow, she’s turned her raw and heartbreaking emotions into a safe place for anyone struggling and in need of a specialized therapy. She puts her full heart and soul in her Equine Therapy Ranch and works tirelessly to help all those who come to her ranch, even an incredibly handsome man who is a little too tight-lipped for her kind of help to work. Raul is the perfect father-figure for Nora and the way that he protects her, at all costs, proves just how much she means to him and she gives that love back to him.
The fact that Tacker’s teammates don’t give up on him, even when he wouldn’t stop pushing them away, speaks to the camaraderie of the Vengeance and what they’re willing to do to bring back, to maybe even save, one of their own, and the team’s owner, Dominik, plays a huge role in getting Tacker the help he needs, and throughout the entire story, he proves time and time again that he is so not a hands-off kind of owner, which is exactly what his team needs him to be.
I knew that I needed to listen to Tacker’s story; I needed his perspective to be narrated by a male to completely immerse myself into his thoughts and feelings, and Stephen Dexter does an amazing job of bringing every single one of Tacker’s emotions to the forefront…of demonstrating how he works through all the negative in order to push through to the positive. And Lucy Rivers narrates Nora’s voice flawlessly, truly bringing to life just how special of a woman, a therapist, a human being she is.
Sawyer Bennett did such a tremendous job with Tacker’s story. It was everything I wanted it to be and so much more, which is exactly why she’s always been one of my faves.
4.5 Poison Apples
Love hockey romance
Wow what a book! This is just my sort of catnip! Available now from Sawyer Bennett!
He’s a professional hockey player spiraling following the death of his fiancee
She’s the team-appointed therapist tasked with helping him move forward
A forbidden love
A second chance at happiness
Will Tacker overcome his demons and help lead the Vengeance to victory, or will his personal losses put his career on ice?
3.5 stars
As I’m sure is the case for all Arizona Vengeance fans, I’ve been looking forward to reading Tacker’s story. And a beautiful story it is. While I felt I knew all the reasons Tacker was closed off, the level of his guilt was different that I had actually expected. It’s not just about him piloting the aircraft that led to his fiancée’s death.
Of course, Nora ends up being the perfect person to get him to open up and join the world around him. She’s had her own tragedies and can understand his situation in a way not many can. It also helps Tacker to see that there are worse things that can happen than what happened to him. As Tacker continues to open up, he remembers how much he likes to help others. And as he helps out on Nora’s ranch and they spend time together outside of his therapy sessions, their feelings start to deepen and grow. Which can be problematic for a therapist.
The connection Nora and Tacker have is beautiful and actually quite sweet. Their chemistry is great and Nora fits in well with the other hockey girlfriends/wives. Yet, I felt this story wasn’t quite as deep as the others. I can’t lay my finger on any particular reason. There is so much to love about this book. It’s just not quite up to the same level as the previous books in this series. Wonderful, hot, sexy, sweet, fun, and more. So still an extremely good book worth the read. My standards are just super high with this author as she has written many of my favorite books.
https://allingoodtimeblog.wordpress.com/2019/11/14/tacker-arizona-vengeance/
Loved this story Tacker is a broken man he’s story is emotional and beautiful. He lost his fiancée in a plane crash that he was the pilot of and lead him down the wrong path and he now has stipulations off he’s like to remain on the Arizona Vengeance otherwise he’ll be cut from the team. Part of his stipulation is going to counseling and he is determined to go even if it’s the last thing in the world he wants to talk to anyone about anything but remaining closed off got him in the current situation and something has to change. I loved this book it was amazing and beautiful and gave the reader all the feels!
For the audio –
I loved the gruff Tacker when he was first introduced in previous Vengeance stories. This was such a rich and heart-warming story. Two people finding their way into back into life and love along the way. All of the characters were wonderful and written with such depth. They surrounded Tacker and Nora creating a family that really cared.
Warning, do not listen to the end of this if you are driving to work, or need to get out of a PTO bake sale, or any other excuse where tears come in handy! The end while perfect will cause a gal to need the tissues.
Stephen Dexter and Lucy Rivers were a wonderful team switching chapters between Tacker and Nora. Nora was supposed to have a bit of an accent when nervous. I was glad that the accent was only tried once as it was a little odd when Stephen first introduced the accent. Overall, I was happy with the story. Another credit worthy listen!
4.5 Brilliant Stars!!
I absolutely loved and enjoyed this unforgettable page-turner that will bring you to tears, that will have you wishing for Tacker and Nora’s HEA.
Tacker is beautifully well-written, and evokes such emotion, that makes you feel as if you’re part of the story. OMG, that really was such a heartbreaking story that will touch your soul in so many ways. Tacker and Nora’s journery was absolutely outstanding, and worth following.
Nevertheless, I recommend that you listen to this amazing story. Stephen Dexter did such an extraordinary work bringing Tacker to life, and performing both male and female voices. He was just freaking brilliant. Lucy Rivers, is equally amazing, however, I couldn’t got used to her male perfomance. Still, I did enjoy her performance. She still is one of my top favorite narrators.
Read: 11/13/19
Tacker was the fifth book in Sawyer Bennett’s Arizona Vengeance NHL series.
Wow! We met Tacker previously and I knew it would be an emotional roller coaster and it was! Tacker was an emotional mess having lost the love of his life two weeks before their wedding in a plane crash that he had piloted. He was barely surviving and hockey was his only functioning activity.
Nora was a therapist and had experienced her own horrific tragedy as a child. She survived and was tasked with helping Tacker.
I loved how Bennett progressed the storyline. It wasn’t the typical or predictable path seen in other books with similar storylines. Everything about it was authentic, raw and real. I also loved the conversations between Nora and Tacker. Again, authentic and real.
No spoilers so no elaboration but it was a journey of healing, hope, forgiveness, love and joyful living. It was well written, well developed and I was hooked from beginning to end. My only complaint, if you can call it a complaint, it ended too abruptly. I could have read so much more!
True to form, Bennett continued developing other Vengeance characters, providing additional depth, dimension and intrigue. Dominik is up next and I totally can’t wait!
Available now from Sawyer Bennett!
He’s a professional hockey player spiraling following the death of his fiancee
She’s the team-appointed therapist tasked with helping him move forward
A forbidden love
A second chance at happiness
Will Tacker overcome his demons and help lead the Vengeance to victory, or will his personal losses put his career on ice?
For fans of the Arizona Vengeance, we know that Tacker is a player that is struggling with grief and tragedy. This may be the fifth book in the series and yes it can be read as a stand alone but this reader is going to recommend that you read the prior books in the series because it helps you understand Tacker even more than this book alone.
I have read the book as well as listened to the audio. I found listening to the audio so much more enjoyable and the narrators really brought the characters to life, so much more so than what I was able to imagine in my mind while reading.
For Tacker, being on the ice is all he has left, so when given an ultimatum he really doesn’t have an option other than take what is being offered to him, complete therapy. Not only show up to therapy but actually participate in it. How can a therapist know what pain he is going through?
Nora is the perfect therapist for Tacker and the things both have been through in their past are events that are not easy and the narrators really portrayed the emotions wonderfully, it was very easy to get lost in the story.
The author does a wonderful job of keeping you glued the book all the way to the very end and I was sad when the story ended, but I am sure we will get more of Tacker in future Arizona Vengeance books.
******** AUDIOBOOK REVIEW ********
I’ve been wanting Tacker’s story for so very long! I can’t imagine a character worthier than him of a happy ending! My lanta did Sawyer Bennett deliver! This story was EVERYTHING that I wanted!! You get Tacker’s tragic past, we see him fall apart and him starting to piece himself back together. I love all the guys there for him. This was such an emotional story… I found myself feeling everything. I cried, I smiled wistfully, I felt anger and hurt… Mrs. Bennett gave my heart a workout!! But Tacker got his story and I am so happy for it!!
The narration was beyond amazing! Seriously, like I said earlier, this audiobook runs through a gamut of emotions and Stephen Dexter and Lucy Rivers gave a narration of their lives! If you make it through this story mixed with this narration without tears, you are way stronger than I!! Dexter really showed his talent for narrating here. Perfection!!!
I’ve been waiting for Tacker’s story and what a great yet heartbreaking storyline. Two souls with broken pasts, find love again. Tacker and Nora’s chemistry is a slow burn but once ignited it burns hot. Stephen Dexter and Lucy Rivers’s narration is excellent and brought an added element to this story. It’s a definite must read/listen.
Tacker will wreck you.. in the best way! Elizabeth @ Carolina Chic’s Read
Tacker is gut clenching, angsty, steamy and emotional! This man deserves happiness after living thru tragedy. Nora is his therapist and certainly off limits, but the heart wants what it wants! These hearts want each other deeply.
I really cannot put my feelings into words with how much I loved this story.
4 1/2 STARS!
An emotional powerhouse! With the fifth book in her beloved Arizona Vengeance series, Sawyer Bennett brings us the most anticipated book yet in the series … TACKER. For fans of the series, we’ve been waiting for his story to unfold since the first moment he showed up on the page. A powerful hunk of a man who can do amazing things on the ice, but utterly broken spiritually.
Fifteen months ago a man at the highlight of his hockey career and two weeks away from marrying the woman of his dreams was devastated when an airplane crash took the love of his life from him … and he was the pilot.
Tacker has been coasting by on fumes as he tries to pick up his life and keep moving, but the guilt won’t let him. He screws up so badly that he’s given the choice … he can either go to therapy and work through his grief in a healthy way, or his career will virtually be over. He never expects the way Nora is going to change his life.
I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a heart-wrenching, emotional twist to their romance. The story is powerful and though I feel like one aspect of it all was glossed over a little too much, I was whole-heartedly invested in the story and pleased with how it all played out. Loving this series!
I knew Tacker’s story was going to hit me on all kind of levels. I have a loss very similar to Tacker’s and the grief and the way he dealt with it seems very similar to what I’ve seen with this type of loss. Therapy is such a key in finding your way back. Nora and Tacker connected on such a deep level. I loved watching the team banding together to help Tacker get through his incredible loss. I loved Nora’s character and how she could truly relate to Tacker since she had been through horrific things herself. This is a must read in this series!
I have been waiting for Tacker’s story since the Arizona Vengance series began. Sawyer Bennett does not disappoint. Not only has she carried his story from the beginning of this series, by intricately weaving it throughout each book, so you’re dying to know his side of his story, she creates a magnificent stand alone that grabs a hold of your heart and does not let go.
This book was perfect. I laughed, I cried, I felt every emotion imaginable. I loved the combustible chemistry and I seriously was sad to see it end.
Though, now I’m intrigued as to what will happen next for the Arizona Vengeance.
PS – Stephen Dexter and Lucy Rivers are a great addition to Sawyer Bennett’s story. I enjoyed the audio version as well.