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.
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Gahhhhh I love this series by Sawyer so much! This is the one story I was waiting for and OMG Sawyer does not disappoint! You will fall in love with Tacker if you haven’t already! 5 blazing hockey pucks for this one, as well as a Gordie Howe hat trick! She nailed it all in this one! You will get all the feels for Tacker as well as when you meet and hear Nora’s story!
Great story Sawyer! If you haven’t started this series yet, what are you waiting for? There are 4 other hockey hunks in the Arizona Vengeance series! Catch up now!
Where to start and what to say that will do this emotional read justice ….I guess I just lay it on the line and tell as it is and let you all know how this amazing read made me feel.
Tacker is the man I’m been waiting for since the start of the Arizona Vengeance Series, I knew his story would probably blow me away and I knew he needed a very special lady to break down his walls that he has built around himself for protection and Nora Wade is certainly a special lady and Tacker’s story certainly blew me away…..
This book ticked all my boxes , it’s an emotional roller coaster that at times left me in tears as my heart broke for Tacker and his past but I also had a fair few laughs and lots of smiles as the banter between the Arizona Vengeance teammates flowed. Oh and let’s not forget the very special Nora a kind caring soul who is so very good at what she does, she is an alternative therapist working out of her horse ranch where she also allows underprivileged children the chance to ride. This story will stay with me, it stole a piece of my heart and I’m not sure I will ever get it back so all I’m going to leave you with is please one click this must read for all romance lovers. As 2019 comes to an end and we start looking back on our best reads of the year I need to say Tacker will be topping my list for sure.
This series has been my be-all and end-all since the very beginning. I have loved each and every story and each and every character but there was always one player that stood out from the crowd crying for his story to be told. That character is Tacker. He is the dysfunctional but loveable team-mate who tragically lost his fiancee when the plane he was flying crashed. Until now we did not know the full story, just the tragic conclusion from what should have been the build-up to Tacker’s happiest day of his life.
With Tacker practically reaching the pinnacle of his self-destructive actions, his team and friends step in with an ultimatum. He has to speak to a counsellor, something Tacker has always avoided not wishing to re-live those fateful and incredibly painful moments again, or he is off the team. As expected, Tacker’s first experience of talking to a counsellor doesn’t go well and it’s not long before he’s back in team owner Dominik Carlson’s office asking for another recommendation. It’s at that point that Dominik suggests Nora Wayne.
Nora runs an alternative therapy service which focuses on healing and recovery. Working out of her ranch, Nora uses horses alongside her therapist skills mainly on children to encourage them to heal and re-engage with society rather than, in some cases, ending up in juvenile detention.
When Tacker arrives at Nora’s ranch, he immediately comes across a scuffed cowboy boot-wearing woman who is working with a young boy. Watching them together, Tacker is immediately intrigued by this mysterious woman and despite knowing that she may not be able to help him, finds himself attracted by what she has to offer.
Tacker finds Nora’s therapy style bluntly honest yet refreshing. Nora’s right-hand man, Raul, whilst gruff in demeanour, also starts to warm to Tacker until he realises that Tacker and Nora start to have feelings for one another. Between the two of them, Nora and Raul give Tacker what he needs and that is a distraction from his own life and unending thoughts of his fiancee.
When Tacker finds out that Nora’s business needs all the help it can get, the team immediately steps in and does what it can to assist by both providing labour and also much-needed funds and before long, Nora is one firmly one of the Vengeance family.
Not without her own problems and tragic past, Nora opens up to Tacker about her own upbringing and the path she took to become the woman she is today. It’s by revealing how she recovered from incredible pain that Tacker comes to realise that maybe Nora does understand what he is going through and the pair soon become close.
Tacker, as expected, struggles to come to terms with his growing feelings for Nora. Ranging between anger and guilt, he finds himself facing a new battle but this time it’s a battle that he can win, with time.
This story is so brutally honest and painful it literally hurts to read it. The story is wounded by its own conscience and yet refreshingly thought-provoking. Heartstrings are stretched to capacity and just when you think they will snap, you find them being gently caressed back to life with the heart-warming story that is borne from the tragedy of Tacker’s accident.
Whilst I was desperate for Tacker’s story, I am so pleased to see that there is so much more to come from the Arizona Vengeance team and especially it’s enigmatic owner, Dominik Carlson. Will the man who has everything be able to win the battle for the one thing he desires, Willow Monahan. Only time will tell.
Release date: 5th November 2019
I just knew Tacker’s story was going to blow me away! I love the guys on this team and we’ve been getting bits and pieces of Tacker for a while now and we knew how badly he was hurting and how much he needed help. I honestly loved every moment of this book from the first word to the last. So much so that I listened to the Audiobook too. The narrators did a great job of bringing Tacker and Nora to life and getting their emotions across. I enjoyed the listen as much as the read!!
I felt so many emotions reading this story because it is just full to the brim with heart, soul, pain, truth, healing, friendship and love. It is overflowing with all the goodness Sawyer Bennett puts into her writing. She has given us another amazing hero to fall in love with and the incredible woman who helps to heal him. Tacker & Nora are amazing together as they find a way to heal each other while falling in love. I absolutely loved this book and Tacker!!!!!This series has been nothing short of fantastic so far and I count the days for more of the Arizona Vengeance men and the women who tame them!!!
Tacker by Sawyer Bennett is part of The Arizona Vengeance series and can be read as a stand-alone.
It tells the story of Tacker whose fiance died in a plane crash where Tanner was the pilot. He drinks to deal with the memories and the demons, and unfortunately also acquires a DUI and injures himself in a car crash. As a stipulation to stay on the hockey team, he must be in therapy and through that process he meets Nora, who owns a therapeutic equine center.
Nora is the owner of the equine center and has been through her own unspeakable trauma, which she reveals to Tacker to get him to open up and trust her. His anger begins to dissipate shortly after working with Nora.
Unfortunately, an attraction between the two develops and it raises ethical issues related to Nora’s position as his therapist. Where will their relationship lead? You will have to read Tacker in order to find out, but it is worth your while and he finally gets his HEA.
The rest of the team is prevalent in the story, especially Dominick, the team owner. I have been waiting for his story and am excited to say that it will be released next. I cannot wait!
After losing his fiancé in a horrible plane crash, Tacker now faces losing the only thing that has gotten him through, his hockey career. When MJ died he closed himself off from everything. Family and close friends. The only place where there was no pain was on the ice. Now after his drunken car crash he now faces losing that. If he wants to stay on the team he has to agree to seeing a therapist among other things. The first one doesn’t really work for him so the team owner puts him in touch with a different type of therapy.
Unbeknownst to Tacker Nora herself has suffered great loss. Through their losses a connection begins. Nora brings him out of his dark place and into the light so to speak. Tacker can now see that it is okay to grieve and to let go of the guilt.
A bond forms between them that Tacker has never felt before. He will never forget MJ, but with Nora he can go on with life.
Tacker was truly an emotional story that will have tears running down. Happy tears, sad tears and everything in between. A story full of love, not only between Nora and Tacker but love and understanding from his hockey family. I couldn’t wait for Tacker’s story from the first book of the series and once again it is beyond all of my expectations. Another winner from one of the most amazing authors.
AUDIO REVIEW:
Narrated by Stephen Dexter and Lucy Rivers, I found myself listening well into the night. I knew going into reading Tacker that this was going to be an emotional roller coaster of a story and Sawyer Bennett did not disappoint. In fact even though I read the e-book, I still wasn’t prepared for how much more intense it would be and how my emotions would be affected when listening to the story.
I was absolutely hooked on this book from the first to the last chapter and couldn’t put it down. I have been waiting for Tacker’s story since he was first introduced in the Arizona Vengeance series and I knew that the woman who he would eventually open up and fall in love with would need to be someone very special; Nora Wayne is certainly that woman.
The emotions that were pulled from me as I listened to this book had me in tears at times. My heart just about broke for Tacker and all that he he has been through, his pain and guilt was palpable. The narrators did an amazing job in conveying the heartache and emotions of both Tacker and Nora.
The chemistry between Tacker and Nora is off the charts and I loved the banter and humour that flowed between them as they came to know one another. I also loved the dynamic between Tacker and the other members of the team, they certainly have one another’s backs.
This is a story that will touch you to the very depths of your soul. I have no words to do it justice. All I can say is one click this book and be prepared for one heck of a listening experience….
I’ve been anticipating Tacker’s story since he first showed up in the series because I just knew his story would be a beautiful journey no matter how heart-wrenching it would be. Tacker has seen and experienced tragedy that left him broken and ready to give up until he meets a kindred soul. He begins a journey of self discovery and realizes along the way that he can still feel, love and hold onto the memories of his first love. Tacker’s story gave me ALL THE FEELS! Sawyer gave us a beautiful heart-wrenching love story that will leave you blown way.
* A review copy was provided by the author *
I have been dying for Tacker’s story since we met him in the first book of this series. I knew his story was going to be an emotional one and it was. This book was all I wanted it to be. I loved Nora and Tacker. They truly are made for each other.
Tacker was such a tortured soul. My heart went out to him from the very beginning. I have been rooting for him to get his HEA this whole time.
I loved this book. I think it might actually be my favorite of this series so far. Tacker is the 5th book in this series and can be read as a standalone, but I wouldn’t recommend that. I think this series needs to be read in order, so when you get to Tacker’s story you get the whole picture of who Tacker is. I thought the flow and pace of this story worked perfectly for Tacker and Nora. As with all of the books in this series, Sawyer gives us the perfect mix of emotion, hockey and sexy times.
If you are a sports romance lover, than the Arizona Vengeance is a team you want to meet. I have to say I am loving these Vengeance Players better than her Cold Fury. There is just something about these characters that suck me in and I feel connected to them. I love their bond with each other also. And let me tell you that bond is front and center in Tacker’s book. I loved how all the guys and the women they love all pull together to help Tacker become a better man and face his demons.
In this book we follow Tacker and Nora’s story. We first meet Tacker in the beginning of this series. He has been traded to Arizona following a tragic accident. He is some what a recluse and keeps to himself. He has shut everyone out since losing his fiancé. But the final straw is when he drives his truck into a cement block….the owner of the Vengeance has told him to stay on the team he has to undergo therapy. Little did he know that meeting Nora would change his life. Nora was a surprise for me. I didn’t expect her backstory to be such an emotional one either. But I am glad it was, I think Tacker needed someone who understood what he was going through and feeling. Nora’s background gave them the connection they needed to help Tacker move on and find happiness again.
I loved watching Tacker grow and change throughout this book. His transformation into the man he wanted to be was great. I felt his story was really believable. I thought Carly did a great job showing what people go through after experience a life altering accident.
Again we got to see all the Vengeance players and the women they love in this story. I thought they were all an amazing support system for Tacker, to help him heal. I loved the bond they all have and what they were willing to do to help Tacker and keep him on the team. I also liked we got to meet Aaron Wylde (Tacker’s best friend) I am really excited to read the next two books in this series….Dominik and Wylde!!!
If you are a fan of Carly Phillips books, you want to read this book/series. This is the perfect series for any sports romance lover to read. You will totally get swept up in their stories and lives.
Phenomenal story
I’ve been waiting for Tacker’s story since Sawyer first introduced this new series for the hockey team Arizona Vengeance. I knew it would be emotional because we all know what Tacker’s been through but suffice to say Sawyer approaches the topic of grief with a graceful and beautiful aplombSuffice to say it took an approach I wasn’t expecting but it was phenomenal and I couldn’t put it down I laughed, I cried and I laughed some more as Nora unravels the Tacker onion
A not to be missed story and I’m absolutely super excited to read Dominik’s story next. The tension between him and Dax, whilst trying to find out more about Willow is tangible Thank you to Sawyer for my advanced copy that I won in an FB competition and I voluntarily leave my honest review
I have been waiting for Tacker to get a book! It doesn’t disappoint either. He is a sweetheart who had something tragic happen to him. It is unfortunate but it was so great to see how he comes out of his shell and have some happiness again. A great read.
Tacker!!! I’ve been anticipating this book for quite some time! And boy did Sawyer outdo herself!! Such an emotional rollercoaster!! It was like watching a flower bloom, slowly! And boy did it turn into a full bouquet!! Heartwarming with a touch of humor, that will have you smiling from ear to ear!! Such an incredible journey with a glimpse into the team and future experiences to come!! Gahhh!! I can’t wait for more Arizona Vengeance!!
*I received a free copy of Tacker. This has in no way influenced my voluntary review which is honest and unbiased.*
Finally we get the whole story of Tacker and why he’s so walled off from everyone and everything – apart from hockey. And it was a very tough and sad story indeed. However, Nora had her own difficult past, but she was still able to see light and love in her life.
I have been waiting for Tacker’s book since the beginning of this series and my interest has only grown in each book as he spiraled out of control. I was both excited and a bit scared to read this one, but it did not disappoint. I actually read it a bit slower since I wanted to stay with the characters longer and did not want it to be over. The author did a good job explaining all of the pertinent information and past events so that you would not be lost if you read it as a standalone.
Tacker Hall is a mess. Fifteen months ago he lost his fiancee’ in a private plane crash and has been drowning in grief, guilt, self-loathing, anger, and hopelessness ever since. His demons keep coming after him causing him to be depressed and is only really living for his time on the ice. But his attitude and recent behavior have now caused the team to give him an ultimatum: get help or lose his spot on the team.
Nora Wayne is a therapist who runs a ranch and also does equine therapy. She is used to challenging cases. Despite her current optimism and sunshiney personality, she has also suffered terribly in her life, but she found a way to persevere with the help of some special people.
Nora is the only person that seems to find a way to tap into the inner Tacker. These two sharing their pasts and their pain is so poignant. I loved seeing them develop a sense of trust, friendship, and an unexpected connection. And the slow burn attraction and feelings, progressive healing, and finding hope again was beautiful to see. I loved seeing Tacker start to emerge from his hard shell and show his true personality. He is such a generous, caring, and loving man who was paralyzed by hopelessness and guilt. But Nora is like a light that draws him and begins to infiltrate his soul. I just adored these two together. But I was also scared of possible setbacks or emotional turmoil.
This is a slow burn, emotional, heartwarming romance with a forbidden element and characters with a lot of baggage. This is a book about two survivors still working on how to handle challenges while finding their inner strength and internalizing available support. I loved seeing Tacker build his relationships with the team, the coaches and Dominik, her friend, Raul, and the arrival of his old best friend, Wylde. He is opening himself up to actually living life again. This is not just about Tacker finding love and romance with a woman. It is about him finding himself again, and his own passion and self-love. And also sharing with his friends and teammates and gaining an appreciation for having a support system.
This book made my heart happy. I did not want it to end. And I cannot wait for both Dominik and Wylde’s stories.
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review
I can’t believe we are already at book #5 in this series and every book has been brilliant. I just adore a sports romance and Sawyer Bennett knows her hockey men!
If you have been following the series, you will know little snippets of Tacker’s story. He was flying a plane that had equipment failure and consequently crashed causing a fatality, Tacker’s fiancé Mary Jane. He has been in a downward spiral for the last 15 months and it’s plain as day from the cover of this novel. It’s hard to think that anything could pull Tacker back from the brink, especially after his car accident but when you meet Nora, you will understand why she works miracles. She is not only the horse whisperer but she has a way with dealing and healing humans as well. She has the gentlest demeanor and compassion that can only come from experience. But don’t mistake her kindest as a her only winning trait, she is also a strong and confident business woman. And as much as I loved her, because I did, I adored Tacker more. I had been waiting impatiently to know more about him and needed to know that he finds happiness again. He may have come across as gruff in the previous books, but Tacker is one of the most loyal and generous men Sawyer has written. Because of his personality, I feel it’s why he is in so much turmoil over MJ’s death. His recovery through therapy is tough and takes him through all the emotions which I felt along with him.
The story plays out well. We get to know all the details of what happened that fateful day and we also learn so much about Nora as well. Their joint experiences and loss only strengthens their bond. The way they both connect with each other is a delight and we see the softer side of Tacker appear. There is no epilogue as such in the book, but it ends in a good place. You can sign up for a bonus scene, which I feel is the complete conclusion.
*5 Stars*
ARC kindly received in exchange for an honest review.
Tacker is the one story in this series that we have all been waiting. His story has been set up from the very first book, giving us glimpses of the tragic past he has endured recently.
Needless to say, I was very very excited to finally get my hands on this book, and learn all about this mysterious man. It was an emotional ride, but it wasn’t as bad as I was expecting.
Tacker meets Nora, his therapist, as part of his conditions to stay on the Vengeance team, and from there they really open up to each other. It truly does start out as a therapist and patient relationship, with maybe a little bit of friendship growing in there as well. A few nosy sods from the team put voice to things and eventually they begin to see if they can explore each other in a more serious way, without there being any issues because of how they met.
We get all our fave characters from the Vengeance team, along with a new one in Wylder as well, and let me tell you, I sure hope we get a book about him soon too. I love the way this team truly acts like a family, and so whilst Tacker is getting help and moving on with things by getting assistance from Nora, his team are right along there with him.
There are lots of really fun moments in this book, and it focusses on the positives, whilst dealing with the negative’s and tragedies in a respectful way. Nora has a layers as well, so it was great to experience both hers, and Tackers stories in this one.
I really loved both of them as main characters, and I devoured this book so fast. Another fabulous instalment in this series, and I cannot wait for more!
Well Hell! I’m loving the Arizona Vengeance series, and I’ve been desperate for Tacker’s story, and it did not disappoint. There was so much more to Tacker than I could have anticipated. Inside the broken, shell of a man, was a strong, honest, scared, determined man, with a heart of gold. He is generous, giving and so full of compassion, and Nora was the perfect match for him. Nora is probably the strongest and most open and loving woman I can imagine, and together they have the ability to heal each other. Both Nora and Tacker have faced tragedy and are working to overcome it, together. Excellent writing, a wonderful story, sweet and sensitive, with wonderful characters. I love the Vengeance family so so much, oh, and that includes Raul, he was fantabulous. The epilogue is perfect, oh, and the bonus scene (make sure you sign up for it), is truly delightful. I cannot praise Tacker enough. I loved it. 5 truly therapeutic stars. I received an advanced copy of this book from the author. This is my honest review.
Tacker’s story has been so anticipated and when you turn the pages of his story the anticipation was so well worth it.
Tacker Hall is an Amazing Hockey Player for the Arizona Vengeance but he is also a man who has been through the unthinkable losing the love of his life. Tacker has struggled for months and he is given an ultimatum either seek help or lose the one thing he needs and that’s hockey, but what he never expects is Nora Wayne.
Nora Wayne is a woman who has also seen and lived through her own demons, but she has come through that by helping others by becoming an amazing therapist. She also runs her own ranch that she uses to help others overcome some of their own pain.
When Tacker & Nora are brought together what neither of them realized that they would truly help one another. As their story unfolds you will feel so many emotions, their will be heartbreaking ones, heartwarming ones, some angst and maybe even some love but what you know is that these two incredible people deserve happiness for overcoming all that they have gone through in their lives.
I’ve been eagerly anticipating Tacker’s book since this series began and I was not disappointed. Whilst this story had a lot of heartbreak and emotional moments, the relationship that was built between Nora and Tacker was beautiful. I really enjoyed it and couldn’t put it down.
Finally Tacker gets his story!
This was such a beautiful emotionally charged romance, once started I couldn’t put it down !
Tacker and Nora’s story is a roller coaster of emotions from heartbreaking grief to finding those first stirrings of something new and exciting, to sexy and undeniably sweet, Tacker has it all!