Kane

An Arizona Vengeance Novel

By: Sawyer Bennett

Narrated by: Jeremy York, Lessa Lamb

Length: 7 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's Summary

Are you ready for Kane Bellan’s story?  

I have a problem. Potential problem? I’m not really sure. Here’s the deal. There’s this girl - isn’t that how it always starts? - and her name is Mollie. I like her. I mean really like her. I hope that doesn’t make me seem less manly than my professional hockey player persona implies. But here’s the issue - she’s my best friend. The one person I can count on for everything, who’s been there with me for all the moments, big and small.  

When Mollie shows up at my door, travel-weary and scared following an incident with an ex, my instinct to protect her goes into overdrive. It’s then that I know she’s more than just my best friend, and the skates are swept out from under me when I find out she feels the same way.  

Our transition from friends to lovers to potentially something more is seamless, the Arizona Vengeance is back on the ice looking for a repeat championship, and my life has never been better. Just when I think I’ve got it all figured out, the realities of us both having careers that keep us on the road put our blossoming relationship on ice.  

It feels like the game just went into overtime and I’m on the verge of either the biggest win or most disappointing loss of my life. And losing is never an option.

©2020 Sawyer Bennett (P)2020 Sawyer Bennett

Love is a Marathon

Friends to lovers is my catnip and I couldn't wait for Kane and Mollie's story. I really enjoyed this mix of sports romance and a bit of romantic suspense. It was great to see the crossover between this series and the Jameson Force series. I loved how well Kane and Mollie knew and understood one another. They have been best friends for 10 years and it was such a natural progression for them into something more. The story was a bit predictable, but the low drama and high heat was just what my heart needed. I'm definitely intrigued by the rest of the Vengeance's second line now, especially Riggs and Jett, and am looking forward to Jim Steele's second chance romance next!

Lessa Lamb is a new to me narrator and I thought she was really wonderful as Mollie. Her male and female voices were great and she had good range/variety as she voiced the different characters. I've listened to a few other titles by Jeremy York and he always gives a solid performance. I'm not sure he truly fit Kane's carefree personality, but it was still an enjoyable listen.

Kane is book 8 in the Arizona Vengeance series, but can be enjoyed as a standalone. Characters from the previous books do appear throughout though and the series runs on a continuous/concurrent timeline.

Friends to lovers with a twist

I have loved listening to this series and could not wait to get my ears on Kane. The guys and gals of the Arizona Vengeance Series have all been great characters and I love how each new book keeps us posted on the previous characters we love so much. This is Kane and Mollie's story for love but it's so much more. They have been best friends for years. In college they tried for more but wasn't willing to risk their friendship so that has been they way it has been for the last ten years, that is until she shows up and he realizes he wants so much more.

This book is a fast track to love that took a long time to get there. It has some danger that they wind up getting help from Jameson Force Security to resolve so we get a cross over of another great series. We get a glimpse into two new characters that I hope have books coming up and lots of love. This book is well written and keeps your attention and keeps you guessing at times as well.

Jeremy York and Lessa Lamb did a great job as Kane and Mollie. I enjoyed listening to them from start to finish.

I loved this book and highly recommend it. It is part of a series but it is a stand alone as well. You do not have to have read or listened to the previous books but they are all good too so I hope you do.

Phenomenal BFF to Lovers Story!!!

Let me start off by saying I freaking LOVED Kane. The story is an awesome, phenomenal best friends to lovers story. I can NEVER wait for any book in this series to hit my Kindle. This series is just that great. Who am I kidding? ALL Sawyer Bennett’s books are phenomenal, and Kane is definitely NOT the exception. This story has all the feels, all the emotions, funny, serious, romantic, and DEFINITELY HOT!!! There is even one part that pissed me the heck off. I refuse to give any spoilers, but I wanted to punch one of the characters sooooo much!!! I was gifted with an early copy of this wonderful book. Since I received my copy, I have read it three times, and as of today, listened to it once, trying to get my head around this scene, and write my review without giving anything away. If you want to know what scene I am writing about, you will NEEEED to read this stupendous book for yourself.
• Yes, I have listened to the Audible version of this book as well. And I love this book and characters even more after listening to it! Yes, even the character I still sort of want to punch!! Kane is narrated by Jeremy York , Lessa Lamb. Mr. York and Ms. Lamb have become some of my favorite narrators over the years. They both just have that extra oomph that brings the books that they are performing more to life for me.

Thank you, Ms. Bennett for sharing your phenomenal writing talents with your readers. I know without a shadow of a doubt that when I pick up one of your books that I will definitely be lead into the world of what ever book I am reading, letting me escape from my sometimes, this year, ALWAYS, hectic life. For this, I am eternally grateful.
Thank you for reading my review. Do not wait, hit that purchase button!! You will not be disappointed.

Fun, heartfelt, sexy, friends to lovers romance!

I loved this latest fun, heartfelt, sexy, friends to lovers romance in Bennett's Arizona Vengeance series. It felt like a fresh start as she moves to the second line of these sexy hockey players. This is Kane, and his best friend since college, Mollie's story. Mollie has an adventurous spirit as she explores the country with her dog writing about her travels, and experiences, on her travel blog. When she is attacked by a stalker, she goes to the only place she feels safe. Kane has enjoyed his life as a successful sexy single athlete, but when his best friend needs him, he instantly changes into protection mode. They reconnect and soon realize their feelings have grown into more. They decide to take a chance, and their chemistry is explosive! They are so cute and sweet together and Kane is so swoony as he stands up to the light ribbing he gets from his teammates and brothers. They accept her immediately along with the women who have grown close from previous stories. I love the camaraderie, and family feel of all these past and new characters. But when as Kane makes permanent plans, can Mollie put down roots when she has a free and adventurous spirit? This story also sets up other stories about Kane's friends and teammates. I am especially excited to find out more about Jim!
I loved the performances by narrators Jeremy York, and Lessa Lamb. They portray each character with a perfect balance between fun & flirty, heartbreaking emotion, and sizzling passion flawlessly. They work so well together, conveying so much emotion in their performances, that they make this fun, sexy, and passionate story even more captivating. This series doesn't get old to me, I can't get enough of these sexy hockey players, and the women who challenge and love them!

Best Friends to So Much More...

I really enjoyed Kane and Molly's story as they navigated going from best friends to more. I loved Kane's protectiveness of Molly and I loved how well Molly fit in with the Vengeance crowd. I love all of the characters in this series and how welcoming everyone is. Kane and Molly had some serious chemistry!!! I really enjoyed Jeremy York and Lessa Lamb as the narrators and would definitely check out more of their work in the future.

Another great friends to lovers story

Kane Bellan was a last minute trade to the Arizona Vengeance before the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Rafe Simmons asked for a last minute trade to the Carolina Fury because his father was dying of cancer.

“It feels like the game just went into overtime and I’m on the verge of the biggest win or most disappointing loss of my life. And losing is never an option.”

The books starts off in the summer, right before training camp starts. The Vengeance are Stanley Cup champions so the pressure is on to win again and be back to back champs. Mollie is Kane’s best friend for the last ten years. The two met in college and developed a fast friendship. Mollie is travel blogger who came to Phoenix to spend time with her best friend. However, we learn that Mollie returns because she was attacked while on the road.

Friends to lovers is always an instant download for me. I love when you fall in love with your best friend. I have read all of Sawyer Bennett’s hockey romance books but this is the first one that I listened to as an audiobook. Narrated by Jeremy York and Lessa Lamb. I love duel narration and both of their voices sucked me right into the story.

Hot Hockey Friends to Lovers Romance

Starting the stories of the second line of this fun team does not mean we don’t have plenty of old friends from the earlier group. Lots of beginning to introduce the new line while weaving a surprisingly drama free tale of a pair of friends who rather quickly realize that they are ready for their 10 year friendship to flourish into something more. Sure there is a pesky stalker which helps set the stage and adds some excitement, plus allows for a little crossover work with Jamison Security. But aside from a spat towards the end from lack of communicating and not fully thinking out priorities before speaking, this couple is amazingly in tune with each other. It will be interesting to see if that remains since Mollie seems still a bit unsettled as to how to fill her days after her short term goals are met. Also Kane is so easy going the the fight at the end was really out of character but very understandable given his previous thoughtfulness and expectations. So different from some of the others that had egos and bad attitudes even if they had reasons.
The narration was excellent. The new female narrator, Lessa Lamb did a great job with male and female voices and complemented Jeremy York. Worth a credit if you like the series. Maybe someday it will be a bundle.

LaGina

It took me a few tries to get this book finished. It was a good story but I just couldn't get into the main characters. I also tries listening to it on audibles to see if maybe it would be able help me get into and it just wasnt happening for this book.

Another great story

Kane and Mollie have been best friends for a long time. Mollie is a blogger and travels all over the world. She is very good at what she does and he calm and nice demeanor draws everyone in. Although Kane's focus is on hockey and being somewhat of newbie to the Vengeance, he still finds time to keep in touch with Mollie.

Things take a turn for Mollie and she has shows up on Kane's door. Trying to keep things away from him but failing, Mollies fills Kane in on what is really going on in her life. The rollercoaster ride they will not embark truly test their friendship and where things need and should go. Kane and Mollie choose to allow those feelings they have been fighting for so long to be set free.

I loved hearing Jeremy York and Lessa Lamb bring this story to life. They were great narrators and I can't wait for more stories from Sawyer and the Vengeance crew!

Friends + Lovers + Suspense = Great Listen

Sawyer Bennett's Arizona Vengeance series is one of my favorite Hockey series that i've been listening to. While friends to lovers isn't normally a favorite genre of mine, this was a well written and acted audio and it just sucked me right in.
I was sick when I first downloaded this book and I fell asleep many times while trying to finish it, so it took me awhile to get it completed.
I really enjoyed Kane and Mollie's story, I also appreciate the blending of Sawyer's other series Jameson Force security into this book. The added suspense elements really upped the story and enriched it to create a fully developed storyline.

The suspense and romance were the right mix to keep you engaged and satisfied during through the whole book with no slowness that some books suffer from in the middle sections.

The narrators Jeremy York and Jessa Lamb did an outstanding job, Jeremy's voice is so yummy it really adds to any book he narrates. I'm looking forward to the next installment in the series..

Love these Vengeance guys!

Sawyer Bennett takes us back to the Arizona Vengeance hockey team with their newest teammate, Kane. Kane's enjoying his life. He loves hockey and definitely enjoys the perks of being on the road and meeting many beautiful fans. He isn't lonely but he never gets close. Unless you count his bestie, Mollie, since college. They have a special bond and he's seriously protective of her which gets a bit worse after an incident with her ex. Sometimes situations like that make you realize what you have in front of you may be more than you ever thought.

This was a fabulous friends to lovers romance. Mollie has always enjoyed her carefree life but the recent problem has shaken her and she needs her friend. She might be carefree in life but she's terrified of ruining the friendship her and Kane have. It's everything but it's getting harder and harder to control her feelings. It's time they figure out whether to risk it all for the possibility of something that she's always secretly wished for or if it was never meant.

Jeremy York and Lessa Lamb did an amazing job as Kane and Mollie. I really like Jeremy York's voice. I'm not sure why but I always feel like a hockey player needs a good deep voice and York hits right on how I thought Kane would sound. I always enjoy his performances. Really, it's the same for Lessa Lamb. Mollie is a bit more dynamic. She has a range of emotions from scared and emotional to fierce and ready to take on the world. Great story and narration!

Kane & Mollie

As with the other books in the Arizona Vengeance series, this one did not disappoint! Best friends-to-lovers is one of my favorite tropes and I love it when characters from another series I enjoy (in this case the Jameson Force Security series) crosses over to another.

I love getting updates on the couples in the previous books and how welcoming everyone is to new members.

Jeremy York and Lessa Lamb were great as Kane and Mollie.

Kane is a best friends-to-lovers contemporary sports romance written in dual first-person POV and performed in dual narration. It's a standalone that ends with a HFN and deals with sensitive subjects some may find triggering. No cliffhanger, no cheating.

I received this book at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review.

I love a good friends to lovers romance so much!

Kane and Molly have been best friends since college, through thick and thin, always cheering each other on from wherever he played hockey and she was travelling at that time.

When they get together, it was just a tad too "oh well, that's done now" for me. I don't love constant back and forth, but there seemed to be nothing, no awkwardness or anything over changing it all.

I really enjoyed them finding out what they want out of life and how it can fit with what the other one wanted. The backstory element served nicely to join with another series of Bennett's, but was also somehow gotten over a bit fast for me. I would have liked it all to have some more stewing time.

The narration was fabulous, York and Lab gel well together and delivered a great performance.

Score

This is one of my favorites in this series. Although Legend will forever be my favorite Kane and Mollie are up there, plus friends to lovers are always a good trope. Seeing the chemistry and love grow was so great. I could not put this down and I am now waiting for Jim’s book. Sawyer Bennett has made this series one of the best.

New narrators and I could not stop listening. Great way to work out is listening to great reads/listens.

3 stars

This one was just ok for me. I actually like their friends to lovers trope, but the conflict of Mollie's background to me felt thrown in there due to just having a conflict in the story. It just felt uneventful for me. I did like seeing some of the side characters to flush out their stories or to see of what is to come next in the series. I still look forward to what's next.

Narrators Jeremy York and Lessa Lamb were good for their characters. I'm really starting to enjoy Lessa.

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.

Sweet!!

I'm not really a fan of sports romance but the Arizona Vengeance never disappoints. Yes it centers around hockey but it's more about the relationships with all the team mates and their woman than about the actual sport. The men have strong male bonds more like family than friendship. The women find comfort in the other women involved in the sport. The relationship between Kane and Molly was a sweet simmer from friendship into more. And then when it was more it was everything - sweet, loving, caring, protective, and accepting. I listened via audible and I loved the narration - it helped bring the characters to life.

Outstanding 🎧📚🎧 Loving the Vengeance Series!

Sawyer Bennett delivers another awesome novel to her “Arizona Vengeance” series. This is his is an excellent friends to lovers sports romance! Ms. Bennett is a master at hockey romances, we met the first line of the Arizona Vengeance Hockey team in the earlier books, it is time to meet the second line players, this book is Kane and Mollie’s story. Kane is fairly new member of the team he came the way of the Cold Fury. Mollie has been his best friend for years, sure there was on slip up where they had a drunken one night stand but they decided to put it behind them and not risk their wonderful friendship. When Mollie shows up at his apartment he picks up that something is not right, when she opens up and tells him what happened to her he was livid. He told her she could stay as long as she needed. Kane gets an awakening after seeing one of his teammates interested in her, his awakening is he wants to be more than just friends. I loved everything plays out in this book, the story is beautifully plotted and there is never a dull moment. There is plenty of drama, heartfelt and emotional moments and a wonderful romance. Great cameo from Kynan and his security to help capture Mathew, great to see some of the other members and their awesome ladies from the Vengeance too. Mollie fit right in with the ladies. Sawyer Bennett, thank you for another awesome, enjoyable and entertaining story, I love how much heart you put into your characters and books.

Lessa Lamb and Jeremy York are fabulous narrators and voice artists. They were perfectly casted to bring these characters to life. They did an awesome job portraying the characters, giving each their own voice and personality. Lessa Lamb’s take on Mollie was spot on, as was Jeremy York’s take on Kane, sounding just as I pictured them to sound. They set the perfect tone for the story, captured the characters emotions and projected them into their performance. They are entertaining storytellers and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for another fantastic listen🎧

Kane & Mollie!

Hockey and romance, you know you have to love it! This series is one of the best sports romance series I have had the pleasure to listen to. Each book is amazing. This one features Kane and his best friend Mollie. As a travel blogger, she and Kane speak and text regularly. But now that she has a stalker, she needs to feel safe and for her that is with Kane. Kane, like the others has his share of good times on the road, but now that Mollie needs him, he is there for her. With a little jealousy to jump start things, these two realize their true feelings. But with their vastly different jobs and a stalker on the loose, will they find their happily ever after? I love these two. Kane is warm and loving, willing to do just about anything to keep Mollie happy. Mollie is a free spirit, hard to tie down, but her feelings run deep for Kane. I love how their history as friends has melded into a warm and loving relationship. The real draw for me with this series though, is the community. Bennett keeps all of her characters alive, weaving them into the story. From Dax to Tacker to even Jamison Security, we get to visit with our favorites. It makes the series feel like we truly know all the characters. This friends to lovers story is one you definitely do not want to miss!

Jeremy York and Lessa Lamb are fantastic as Kane and Mollie. York has such a warmth to his voice that it's easy to hear Kane's heart. Lamb is fast becoming a favorite, each voice she has is well cast to the personality of her character and she perfects Mollie! These two storytellers enhance the story and are pure entertainment.

I want the Kane..

Kane, the newly traded professional hockey player to join the Arizona Vengeance! One and done, and when comes to the ladies. He's not known to be the relationship guy until his best friend Molly turns up on his door out of the blue.

Molly, the free-spirited, travel blogging Influencer, has been on the road for 6 years, and life couldn't have been more perfect! With her trusted dog Sampson at her heel, the open road and the ability to share her experiences of travelling the world, giving tips and tricks to people also suffering from Wunderlust while making a living is her dream, so why has she turned up in Arizona to be with her best friend all of a sudden?

I loved the fun and flirty relationship between Kane and Molly and although the subject matter is a serious one, I think, it was just another addition confirming the deep love they established over years and years.
The latest instalment of the Vengence series is sexy, funny and full of suspense! If ever I wanted to see a book series turned into a tv series, it would be this one!
Narrators Jeremy York and Lessa Lamb were fantastic! Great casting for the roles!