Wylde (Arizona Vengeance #7)

4.5 stars

I don’t know how Sawyer Bennett keeps writing men that constantly one-up the previous book in the series, but Aaron Wylde is amazing!! Dominik still sits at the top of the list right now but Wylde is a close second.

Wylde has certainly done his best to live up to his name since entering the league, and he is known as THE player of the Vengeance. But we quickly learn there is lot more to this man than his well deserved reputation. No one has really intrigued him enough to distract him or make him rethink his lifestyle until he makes a spur of the moment decision to meet a beautiful woman he glimpses through the window of a bookstore as he is out for a run.

Clarke had a very unwelcome 15 minutes of fame a few years ago, and she is still more than a little gun shy when it comes to good looking guys who seem too good to be true. She has finally realized her dream of opening a little independent bookstore and enjoys her days there even if her best friend Veronica is right when she tells Clarke to stop living in the shadows where it is safe and take a chance on life again. The gorgeous male specimen in running attire who just entered her shop is definitely setting off danger signals but she cant help engaging just a little bit. When he proposes a bet that will result in her being his date to two upcoming weddings, she is certain she will win until he shocks her with his knowledge. But she begrudgingly keeps up her end of the bargain at Veronicas urging, and life as Clarke knows it is about to change.

Aaron Wylde is well read, a romantic at heart or by instinct, protective and caring, funny and warm, and most of all determined to convince this woman to take a chance on getting to know him better. Clarke has been humiliated at the hands of a celebrity before so she wants to run screaming when she realizes Aaron is a professional athlete. In her mind celebrity= pain. For the past few years, she has been getting by dating the safe ones who wont make her care enough to really feel much one way or the other. With every effortlessly casual remark or action that bolsters her self-confidence, she realizes that she is starting to trust Aaron more and more though and that is the scariest prospect she has had in a long time.

As Tackers best friend, we got a glimpse of Aaron big heart, then even more so in Rafes story as he helped his former teammate navigate some emotional turmoil. Despite the fact he grew up in a home where love was not a freely given commodity, Aaron has amazing instincts and those years being Wylde have certainly ensured that Clarke will be a lucky woman!

Wylde and Clarke are set to slow burn for a good part of the story but it dials up to combustion once she is ready to face the fact that Aaron is nothing like the person who hurt her so badly in the past. She rekindles his love of reading while opening his heart, but she also has the power to break it if she cant let go of the past entirely and I have to admit to a few moments where I really did not like her all that much. Another reason this story endeared itself to me so much were the many beautiful moments with his teammates and their significant others that were showcased throughout the book even as we get to know a few of the other newer team members. I am definitely still savoring Wylde but I am looking forward to more from this series at the same time!

ARC received from author

Oh, how I love this series and all of the characters that Sawyer Bennett has introduced us to! Not only do we get the story of Wylde, but we get to see all of our favorite guys from the team and their significant others as well!

Aaron Wylde and the rest of his Arizona Vengeance teammates are having a great start to the off-season. He’s settling into his new summer routine which will consist of working out and likely also finding some willing bed partners. They don’t call him Wylde for nothing! When he takes a detour on one of his runs, he ends up spying a captivating red head through the window of a bookshop, so he decides he’s got to stop in.

Clarke Webber is the owner of Clarke’s Corner bookshop and to say she’s sworn off relationships is an understatement. She was burned badly years before and she is not willing to put herself through that again. Her focus is on her career and she’s got a great friend in Veronica who she relies on quite a bit.

When Aaron stops into the shop, let’s just say that he calls Clarke’s bluff, which ends up meaning she’s got to go on not one, but two dates with him. He’s got weddings coming up and he needs a plus one, not to mention he’s totally captivated by her, which a new thing for him. Will he be able to tear down the walls that she’s so carefully built or will she just continue to place more and more roadblocks in his way?

I really enjoyed how this story played out. I loved the evolution of Wylde and how even his teammates couldn’t believe what they were witnessing. I can understand the reticence on Clarke’s part due to her past, but I did like that she was open to listening to others when they gave her advice. As I mentioned at the top, I enjoyed getting to see the other Vengeance players and their significant others. It was a bit of a reunion and that was fantastic. I’m really looking forward to Kane’s story next!

Another hot hockey player off the market.
Clarke and Aaron (yes, with Clarke hes definitely Aaron, not Wylde). An opposites attract romance.
Wylde first showed up in Tackers book. Hes his best friend and newest acquisition to the Vengeance. He is the team player, the playboy. He doesnt date, and has no problem finding a willing bed partner anytime he wants. A little smile, and a crook of the finger is all its ever taken. Until Clarke.
Clarke is the sweet, slightly nerdy bookstore owner. Who has no idea who the handsome man is who has wandered into her store. He looks like a jock, and is sporting an expensive watch. Definitely not her type. She is very reserved when it comes to men. Staying away from anyone well known or famous.
I loved both of these characters.
Clarke did, at times, drive me nuts with her hangup about famous people. Yes, she was hurt and humiliated, but you dont lump an entire group of people into one bunch based on one bad experience. But I loved that she stood up to Aaron. Made him work for her attention. She was sweet and a little sassy. She soon discovered not all famous people are out to hurt her. And enjoys her time with him and his friends.
Aaron I really liked. Yes, he started out as a player, but once he meets Clarke hes all in. He was funny, spontaneous and still in his own way the wild man he once was, just toned down. He knows about what happened to her, and is very careful and patient with her.
They do eventually get to that happy ending. After a few bumps.
I loved catching up with all of the past couples. They were a large part of the story. Lots of weddings and news of babies.
Each book can be read as a standalone. But I highly recommend the series.
I look forward to the next one.

What a book. It was lovely to have Wylde court a woman and thats what he did with Clarke. She will certainly stand up to him when needed. Cant believe what happened to a fellow brother and hope we find out more about him in the next book.

I love, love, love this series.
OMG didn’t you just love Aaron and Clarke together. Wow they make a fantastic couple.
He truly is her knight in shining armour.
Love the whole Vengeance Family. The guys are just irresistible and their ladies are all so adorable including Clarke now too.

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