Bishop: An Arizona Vengeance Novel

I love sports romance, hockey in particular. I’ve read loved everyone of Sawyer Bennett’s Carolina Cold Fury series, and her new hockey series following new expansion team the Arizona Vengeance has started off with a fantastic story following Bishop Scott and Brooke Perron. I have been following the real life NHL expansion team the Vegas Golden Knights all year (who doesn’t love the underdog) and I’ve got to say I feel exactly the same way about the Arizona Vengeance, I just hope at the end of the season they manage to secure the Cup, I have a sneaky feeling they may be competing against Carolina Cold Fury. Bishop has moved to Phoenix from New York and the night before his first team meeting he meets Brooke, who as it happens has also relocated recently from New York, in a bar, one thing leads to another and they both end up having the best one night stand of their lives. Of course it turns out that they both work for Arizona Vengeance and when they get caught in Brooke’s office in an embrace, by the hockey coach, who also happens to be Brook’s dad, they end up getting themselves in rather a pickle. A wonderful storyline with some very unexpected twists, a little bit of drama and a lot of super sexy time. Going up there as one of my favourite reads this year, I can’t wait for more. I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is my honest review.

What a great start to the new Arizona Vengeance series! Bishop was an easy and entertaining sports romance that I devoured. The fake fiance trope is always fun, and Bishop and Brooke's story is no exception. What starts out as a one night stand, snowballs into a fake relationship, until the lines between make believe and reality blur. Bishop evolves a great deal through the book. He starts as the typical manwhore professional athlete (ugh), but what emerges as he spends more time with Brooke is someone much more sweet and thoughtful. Rest assured though that he still maintains his cocky attitude and is a pure alpha in the bedroom. I really liked Brooke and how loving and career driven she was, but I did wish that she wouldn't have been so naive when it came to her supposed "friends". I think what I liked best about the book though was that there was no unnecessary drama between Bishop and Brooke. All the angst was external and allowed Brooke and Bishop to not get caught up in misunderstandings or miscommunications. They were a united front. Yes, the main drama in the book seemed to just drop into the story, but it was still an entertaining and blood boiling addition. I just wish that there would have been more resolution to that part of the story. The book also ends a little abruptly, but since I know that more books are coming in the series, I wasn't too heartbroken to not see an epilogue. I'm really excited for all the stories to come from this new cast of characters. There were many personalities introduced in Bishop, from other Vengeance players (seasoned and rookies) to a few people off the ice as well. Honestly, I can't wait to find out more about Tacker's heartbreaking past, but I'm also equally intrigued by GM Christian Rutherford, owner Dominik Carlson, and Bishop's BFF Dax. It looks like it will be a while before I see those stories though (if they do get books) since it appears the next 2 books in the series will feature Erik and Legend. It's going to be a amazing ride! *I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this book*

If you liked The Cold Fury series, you will love this new series just as much! Bishop Scott used to play for the New York Vipers but when a new expansion team, The Arizona Vengeance, was formed, the Vipers didn't protect him and so now he is playing for the Vengeance. Before the season begins, Bishop decides to hit the town and see what the city has to offer. If he finds a hot female for the night, all the better. Brooke Perron is in Arizona for a new job. Sure, her dad may have gotten her the job, and sure she left her job she loved in New York for it, but she still worries about him since her mom passed away. While at a bar in town by herself just having a drink, she is approached by a man who has actually gotten her attention for a change. When she propositions him, Bishop can't believe his ears....this is too good to be true, and a perfect one night stand! Imagine Bishop's surprise when he shows up for the first day of training camp and who does he see.....Brooke....in an office....working for the Vengeance! Confronting her, things quickly turn sexy and guess who walks in.....her dad.....his boss.....Coach David Perron! So what does Brooke do....introduces him as her fiance! WHAT THE H***! She explains that she was just trying to help him so Coach doesn't take it out on him! So the two decide to be pretend fiances! As these two spend more time together, they both realize that maybe they are not really pretending. I loved this story! Both Brooke and Bishop were great characters. I always enjoy a fake engagement story and this one was no exception. It was fun watching how everything played out especially with Coach Perron. Awesome start to a new series!