litloulou's review
2.0
I am big fan of Sawyer Bennett’s Hockey novels but I have to say vengeance is really losing me. Admittedly there is something about the Carolina Cold Fury being in NC thatI love, but I thought it was great she was ready to start a new team in the same world. Problem is for one reason or another I am not feeling the stories. So here is my justification for the low stars here...
PPD is super serious and I hated that Legend was off the hook and didn’t have to examine himself about his harsh treatment of Lida. I saw the story progressing in this way, and oh the drama, but I just didn’t love the way a serious mental illness was portrayed here. Don’t get me wrong I am not excusing abandoning your baby without caring for its basic needs... but I just didn’t like that the MC was vindicated and didn’t have to grow.
I also didn’t like the switch that flipped to make Pepper and Legend all of a sudden lovers. Don’t get me wrong I love an enemies to lovers trope! I didn’t love how quickly their relationship progressed at the end either
Lucy was a non character and should have had more going on in the story.
I didn’t like the odd set up with Dax from the previous stories but do look forward to his stories.
Admittedly I looked forward to the parts of the story with Tacker. His story line has been repetitive and he just needs his own already. I am curious how his issues will play out and hope Bennett does a better job with his mental state that she did with Lida.
I love men and kids, but I almost resented him for taking in a baby out of no where and so easily saying yep, this is super easy I got this... maybe the secret is in the Nanny? This has nothing to do with my rating but a little struggle would make him human and still a great dad.
PPD is super serious and I hated that Legend was off the hook and didn’t have to examine himself about his harsh treatment of Lida. I saw the story progressing in this way, and oh the drama, but I just didn’t love the way a serious mental illness was portrayed here. Don’t get me wrong I am not excusing abandoning your baby without caring for its basic needs... but I just didn’t like that the MC was vindicated and didn’t have to grow.
I also didn’t like the switch that flipped to make Pepper and Legend all of a sudden lovers. Don’t get me wrong I love an enemies to lovers trope! I didn’t love how quickly their relationship progressed at the end either
Lucy was a non character and should have had more going on in the story.
I didn’t like the odd set up with Dax from the previous stories but do look forward to his stories.
Admittedly I looked forward to the parts of the story with Tacker. His story line has been repetitive and he just needs his own already. I am curious how his issues will play out and hope Bennett does a better job with his mental state that she did with Lida.
I love men and kids, but I almost resented him for taking in a baby out of no where and so easily saying yep, this is super easy I got this... maybe the secret is in the Nanny? This has nothing to do with my rating but a little struggle would make him human and still a great dad.
alisonb's review
4.0
This series may not have scenes of hockey players actually playing hockey, but it has plenty of steam, drama, and two lovely main characters.
This was just what I needed with some angst and sweet moments between Pepper and Legend as he navigates fatherhood on the fly.
This was just what I needed with some angst and sweet moments between Pepper and Legend as he navigates fatherhood on the fly.
selinalowther's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
rek216's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
michellesantiago's review against another edition
4.0
I am absolutely LOVING Sawyer Bennett's Arizona Vengeance series, and, three books in, it is now definitely one of my favorite hockey romance series!
I'm so happy I finally got to Legend's book. I listened to the audiobook, and I love Andi Arndt as Pepper! I thought she captured Pepper's voice well. Joe Arden as Legend was fantastic too! The audiobook was definitely well-casted, and both narrator's voice added to the story.
We saw in the last book that Legend, the Arizona Vengeance's goalie, was highly annoyed with his new neighbor Pepper, children's book author and illustrator and lover of pink plastic flamingos and other crazy lawn ornaments, which exasperate Legend to no end. But, when Legend finds an abandoned baby on his doorstep, Pepper was there to help him out.
Legend was this more straight and narrow guy while Pepper was a more carefree chick, which caused them to clash at first, but their relationship quickly took a turn to the hot and steamy side and their chemistry leaps off the page. All the while Legend was having to figure out how to take care of his baby girl and dealing with the baby's mother--a one-time hook-up.
My favorite part of Legend, apart from the romance, was how Legend quickly took to being a dad and how he embraced his new role fully. It's so adorable how much he cared for his baby girl--I swooned!
My only issue was how the Legend's baby mama was completely villainized in such an over-the-top way, especially because she was suffering from something very serious. I just felt sorry for her character, and I wish she'd been treated more sensitively.
Overall, I think Legend was a great addition to the series! While it wasn't my favorite (Erik is still my #1 fave!), I very much enjoyed it. I can't wait to read Dax's book next! Also, I highly recommend this series be read via audiobook--each book has a different narrator for both the hero and heroine and they definitely add to the story. You really feel for the characters more because it's like they're speaking to you via audio and telling you their story--basically, the audiobooks are fantastic and I highly recommend!
I'm so happy I finally got to Legend's book. I listened to the audiobook, and I love Andi Arndt as Pepper! I thought she captured Pepper's voice well. Joe Arden as Legend was fantastic too! The audiobook was definitely well-casted, and both narrator's voice added to the story.
We saw in the last book that Legend, the Arizona Vengeance's goalie, was highly annoyed with his new neighbor Pepper, children's book author and illustrator and lover of pink plastic flamingos and other crazy lawn ornaments, which exasperate Legend to no end. But, when Legend finds an abandoned baby on his doorstep, Pepper was there to help him out.
Legend was this more straight and narrow guy while Pepper was a more carefree chick, which caused them to clash at first, but their relationship quickly took a turn to the hot and steamy side and their chemistry leaps off the page. All the while Legend was having to figure out how to take care of his baby girl and dealing with the baby's mother--a one-time hook-up.
My favorite part of Legend, apart from the romance, was how Legend quickly took to being a dad and how he embraced his new role fully. It's so adorable how much he cared for his baby girl--I swooned!
My only issue was how the Legend's baby mama was completely villainized in such an over-the-top way, especially because she was suffering from something very serious. I just felt sorry for her character, and I wish she'd been treated more sensitively.
Overall, I think Legend was a great addition to the series! While it wasn't my favorite (Erik is still my #1 fave!), I very much enjoyed it. I can't wait to read Dax's book next! Also, I highly recommend this series be read via audiobook--each book has a different narrator for both the hero and heroine and they definitely add to the story. You really feel for the characters more because it's like they're speaking to you via audio and telling you their story--basically, the audiobooks are fantastic and I highly recommend!
dfwsusie's review against another edition
Erik (Book #2) didn't work well for me, which made Legend (Book #3) a pleasant surprise. The romance remains the main story, but the secondary storyline provides intrigue and lets us see more deeply into the characters.
If you aren't a completionist, I might recommend starting here and testing the series waters – although you do have the nature of this main couple's enemy portion of ETL set up in Erik's book.
Tropes: surprise baby, sports romance, hockey romance, enemies to lovers
Spice:
If you aren't a completionist, I might recommend starting here and testing the series waters – although you do have the nature of this main couple's enemy portion of ETL set up in Erik's book.
Tropes: surprise baby, sports romance, hockey romance, enemies to lovers
Spice:
liraz644's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
reading_with_2_book_lovers's review against another edition
4.0
I devoured this story with in a couple of days. I lived these characters highly recommend this story