Legend by Sawyer Bennett

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Title: Legend
Author: Sawyer Bennett
Series: Arizona Vengeance #3
Published by: Indie
Release Date: February 5, 2019
Format: Audiobook
Narrator: Joe Arden, Andi Arndt
Length: 6 hours and 41 minutes
Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Sports Romance
Source: Chirp
Reading Challenges: Lenoreo's 2023 Audiobook Challenge, Lenoreo's 2023 Backlist Reader Challenge, Lenoreo's 2023 COYER Chapter 3
Find it: Goodreads ✩ Amazon ✩ B&N ✩ Google ✩ Kobo ✩ iTunes ✩ Libro.FM ✩ Chirp
My rating:

Blurb:

The Arizona Vengeance is hockey’s hottest new team. But hockey’s hottest goalie is learning that even the best players sometimes need an assist.

Everything is clicking for the Vengeance. We may be new, but we’re well on our way to winning the championship, and I’m having the time of my life headlining the sports media as the hottest goalie—hell, player—ever. I for one am going to live up to my name . . . because I am Legend Bay.

Dragging my ass home from the gym, I’m blinded by some gaudy, glowing holiday lights. As usual, my hot-as-hell neighbor Pepper Nantais has gone way over the top. But just as I’m about to tell her off, something else catches my eye . . . Seems like Santa left me a present, and not one I was expecting.

As life takes an unexpected turn, I realize that there’s much more to Pepper than meets the eye. Sure, she’s gorgeous. And exasperating. And her taste in decorating may be a bit . . . unique.

But beneath her carefree demeanor is a fierce determination and a heart of gold. And before I know it I’ve fallen for her. Hard . . .

Pepper is exactly the woman I never knew I needed.

My Review:

4 stars — It was fun to get back to these hockey books by Sawyer Bennett.  There are definitely elements that I love, and elements that I could do with less of, but regardless they are always entertaining and easy.

I was truly expecting this one to have more of the enemies to lovers aspect to it, especially given the glimpses in Erik’s book.  But that was basically completely absent.  So if that trope is your jam, understand that you’re not going to get what you’re looking for here.  Of course, that trope is actually not really my jam, so that was totally okay with me.  Though, I wouldn’t have minded a bit more fun teasing between Legend and Pepper over their differences, given the build up.

This one definitely had a lot more tension coming from outside forces than within the relationship…which isn’t a bad thing, just wasn’t what I was expecting.

I really enjoyed Pepper — she was adorable and fun and sunshiney and supportive.  Honestly, her side of the story was kind of light actually, but given that there was so much on the other side, I didn’t mind.  I appreciated that she was so grounded in her life and her decisions.  She really seemed to have a strong sense of self.  Perhaps a bit self-deprecating, but I could vibe with that too.  And thank you Ms. Bennett for finally giving me a short-haired heroine, and having the hero love it!  Man, that was refreshing.

Legend had his good moments and his not so good moments.  I loved his genuine reaction (fear) to finding the baby.  I loved his willingness to rely on people when things got tough.  I loved that he seemed to be aware of the emotions of the people in his life, and truly tried to do his best to support them however he could.  And I adored seeing him step up and fall in love with the curveball named Charlie.

I was less enamoured with his internal feelings towards Lita (Leta?)…or rather, the degree of those feelings.  I got where they stemmed from, I definitely understood his anger.  But honestly he sometimes made me uncomfortable with the ferocity.  I’m glad that the ending on that storyline was actually more measured than I was expecting.  I was definitely more in line with Pepper on her thoughts.

I enjoyed them together, but for some reason I enjoyed their other connections more than their steamy connections.  I don’t know why.  *shrugs*

So yeah.  Definitely an enjoyable addition to the series, and I’m still excited to read more, it’s just not 5 star wowness is all.