Riggs (Arizona Vengeance, Book #11) Sawyer Bennett Release Date: October 26, 2021
Synopsis:
Known as the team loner, Riggs Nadeau gives his all on the ice, but nothing extra off it. A beautiful stranger is about to cause chaos in his very structured world. As a professional hockey player, people think I live a charmed life. On the surface, I do. But they don’t know the horrors of my childhood, or the real reason that I have custody of my seventeen-year-old sister, Janelle. And that’s exactly the way I like it. They may think I’m a prick because I don’t like to share, but that’s fine. They don’t know me, and they don’t need to. In an effort to help Janelle get settled in Phoenix and stay out of trouble at school, I set her up with a job at Clarke’s Corner, the local bookstore owned by the girlfriend of a teammate. It’s there that she makes friends with Veronica Woodley, the extremely annoying, arrogant, money-hungry divorcee who I don’t want anywhere near my sister. Janelle insists I’m completely wrong about Veronica, but I refuse to accept that. I have to keep reminding myself that that the gorgeous blond with legs for days is off limits. Through a series of events, I start to see Veronica for what she really is—an amazing woman who has survived her own hell to come out even stronger. I have to admit, we’re more alike than not and the attraction between us burns hot. Maybe I was all wrong about my ability to love and commit, but when the past comes back to haunt me, can I be the man that Veronica, and Janelle, deserve?
I growl, “We’re exclusive. If you’re fu#*ing me, you’re not seeing anybody else Not to fu#*, not to date. Got it?” she looks exasperated. “I don’t think..." I kiss her again. When I pull back, this time she’s smiling. Tipping he head so our eyes lock, she murmurs. “Fine. I got it.”
Riggs Nadeau’s life has taken a drastic turn in the last few months. One minute he was living the life playing with the San Francisco Renegades, and the next, he’s living in Arizona Playing for the Vengeance and on top of adjusting to a new team, he is now the guardian of his teenage sister. While Janelle is not a problem kid, he knows she’s been through a lot and he has to do his best to be the best guardian he can be and keep her safe. Riggs is a loner, but he really doesn’t want to be. With his former team he was social, he was friendly, he was a part of the “Team”. Now with his sister in his life full time opening himself to his new team is hard. Although they seem like a good group and they could be good for him and Janelle, he’s still very cautious of whom he lets in. When she befriends Veronica Woodley, an extremely wealthy divorcee who appears to be very materialistic and all about money his senses go on alert, because with their background that’s the last type of person he wants to have influence on his sister.
Veronica Woodley is a woman on a mission. She’s determined to distance herself from the life she once had with her ex. Finally, free from the stifling self-absorbed life, she has set her path to rediscover the person she once was, and the woman she knows she wants to be. Veronica’s marriage did a number on her. It stripped her of the person she used to be, to being judged, and thought of as high maintenance, self-absorbed and all about the money. It’s never really bothered her before because the people who know her, truly know who she is; however, Riggs’ snap judgment of her irks her to no end and if there’s one person she’d like to prove wrong is him. Especially since she really enjoys spending time with his sister Janelle.
Riggs’ and Veronica’s first encounter was a little less than polite to say the least, but the sexual tension was there in spades. After his little sister hands him his butt and explains how wrong he is about Veronica, Riggs finds himself more intrigued by her. Because they both care about Janelle and want to make her happy they try to be civil to each other, but the minute the two are in each other’s presence the snipping and snapping begins. Until that one day when one of them gives into that little thing called temptation.
Ooh, look at the fancy, rich lady using fancy, rich words.” Fancy? Rich words? “Listen, motherfucker- “That’s as much as I get out – an effort to show him I can be course-when his arms come to my shoulders and he snatches me again him. His mouth collides with mine, and there is no holding back the groan of pleasure that rips out of my throat from on his taste and touch. And, oh how, can the man kiss. “That was eye-opening. At least now I know how to shut you up”.
To say I laughed at Veronica’s response would be completely inaccurate, I HOLLERED! I wasn’t expecting it, but I damned sure enjoyed it. It’s one of the things I love about how Sawyer write’s her female characters, they have spunk and can be snarky as hell!!!!
Riggs and Veronica agree on a few things, one being they are most definitely sexually attracted to each other, neither is looking for anything serious or long term, and that they are both adults and can handle a strictly physical relationship without getting attached. As they move into this “physical relationship”, we learn that they are both much deeper people. Veronica is more than just her bank account, designer clothes, and a pretty face. She’s intelligent, caring, selfless and in need of love from a good guy. Riggs isn’t as closed off as he wants people to think, he’s a person who feels deep, and while he won’t admit it needs a circle, along with the love a good woman. Watching the relationship between these two unfold was the best. It just seemed to fall into place for the two of them. It was just so…. right. That’s not to say they didn’t hit a few snags here and there.
One would think with his past/up bringing that Riggs would be this hard-shelled person (and that’s what he’d like everyone to think), but he’s more in touch with his feelings/emotions that he though. He’s something of a romantic in an odd kind of way. On of my favorite lines from him…..
I try to reorganize my thoughts because I came in here thinking one thing, and one thing only. I would look back on my life one day and remember the exact moment I started to fall for Veronica Woodley. It was when Janelle told me what Veronica had done to protect her. And now it’s solidified. That was the very beginning, but after what Veronica just did for me, taking care of me when she was the one assaulted today while protecting my sister, I’m pretty sure I’ve fallen all the way.
From the first mention of both characters in previous books I’ve been interested in them. Especially Riggs and on some level, I knew I’d be a fan. I must admit, when I first encountered Veronica, I wasn’t too sure about her, but this book changed that. It wasn’t just Riggs and Veronica, I was a huge fan of Janelle's too.
In true Sawyer fashion, there’s always a sneak peek of what’s to come, and Baden's story is what’s coming up next. Although he has obstacles of his own being severely injured and getting through his recovery, he was instrumental in Riggs’ development. The last chapter in Riggs throws a curve ball that I don’t think Sawyer’s ever thrown before. It literally had me staring at the page like “what the hell did I just read”, so brace yourself for the ending of Riggs and prepare yourself for what Baden’s going to do to all of us!
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🎧 Audible (narrated by Connor Crais and Savannah Peachwood):
About the Author:
New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling author Sawyer Bennett uses real life experience to create relatable stories that appeal to a wide array of readers. From contemporary romance, fantasy romance, and both women’s and general fiction, Sawyer writes something for just about everyone.
A former trial lawyer from North Carolina, when she is not bringing fiction to life, Sawyer is a chauffeur, stylist, chef, maid, and personal assistant to her very adorable daughter, as well as full-time servant to her wonderfully naughty dogs.
If you’d like to receive a notification when Sawyer releases a new book, sign up for her newsletter (sawyerbennett.com/signup).
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