Boone Rivers uses his fame and fortune as a professional hockey player to his advantage, but not in the way most people would think. Volunteering as often as his busy schedule will allow, Boone meets one brave young boy who turns his world upside down.
As a first-line right winger for the Pittsburgh Titans, I thrive on the thrill of the game. I live for the smell of the ice, the cheer of the crowd and the way my heart pounds whenever I step into the arena. But once I’m out of my skates, my focus is on giving back to the city of Pittsburgh.
It’s funny how life puts people in your path. I meet Aiden while visiting the children’s hospital and I’m struck by the strength and resilience of this 12-year-old kid fighting for his life. As my visits continue, we bond over video games and hockey until one day Aiden’s older sister walks into his room and I realize there might be a bigger purpose here.
Lilly Hoffman has the weight of the world resting on her slight shoulders. Aiden’s illness isn’t getting better, she’s at risk of losing her job and their father is looking for the answers to his prayers at the bottom of a liquor bottle. I find myself wanting to lessen Lilly’s burden and what starts as a simple act of friendship turns into so much more. As we grow closer, I can’t help but fall for this fiercely protective and independent woman with a tender heart and bruised but not yet broken spirit.
As we face a future of never-ending uncertainty, I vow to be Lilly’s source of strength and comfort. Lilly and Aiden have reaffirmed to me the importance of giving and receiving love unconditionally, even in the darkest of times. And no matter what happens next, no one can take that from us.
Boone contains subject matter that may be sensitive to some readers. If you would like additional details, please visit the book page for Boone on the author’s website.
Grab your copy of Boone directly from Sawyer by shopping the Sawyer Bennett Bookstore!
➜ E-Book and Audio (audio narrated by Jeremy York and Stella Hunter): https://bit.ly/STORE_Boone
➜ Signed paperback (available to US mailing addresses): https://bit.ly/Boone_PB
You can also get Boone at the following retailers:
➜ Amazon: https://bit.ly/42oOdP8
➜ Nook: https://bit.ly/3PSM1vX
➜ Apple: https://apple.co/42piMnC
➜ Google: https://bit.ly/43GQeHl
➜ Kobo: https://bit.ly/3MQJkZe
Not sure if you’re ready to commit to Boone? Sawyer’s got you covered!
➜ READ the first three chapters: https://bit.ly/Boone_Chapters
➜ HEAR the first chapter: https://bit.ly/Boone_Audio
Review:
Boone packs an emotional whallop–pay attention to where and how Boone and Lilly meet (it’s in the blurb) and if you think you might need a trigger warning to continue, you can find it on her site (here). Their romance is lovely, but if what is going to happen might be overly upsetting to you, it’s probably best just to skip it.
If you’re going to continue, have LOTS of tissues handy–you’re going to need them!
Though the romance in this book is absolutely lovely–it’s very easy to root for Lilly and Boone, who share wonderful chemistry on top of a mutual love for her younger brother–their romance isn’t really ever in question here. Once they meet, it’s pretty much a matter of when and not if. Instead, the main plot revolves around what is happening with Lilly’s family, how it will be resolved, and how they will continue on with their lives after.
Boone is described as a white knight at least once, and honestly, he pretty much is. I’m not sure he had any flaws at all–which was lovely for the story and the romance, but felt a teensy bit unrealistic. Still, it’s hard not to root for him and Lilly to get to their HEA in the end–it’s definitely earned, considering all they went through!
I listened to the audiobook, which was done with dual narration. They both did a lovely job, as always!
(Side note: here’s my only real complaint, though–WHY did Ms Bennett felt the need to once again make the Buffalo team into the bad guys? Honestly, couldn’t she at least have picked a city that isn’t quite as beleaguered when it comes to winning sports championships??? Not that I’m biased or anything, but I’ve sat through a home game there and feel *Boston* would make a much more convincing bunch of villains…
Though as I finished listening to this today, the Bills knocked the Steelers out of the playoffs; wrong sport, but it felt a little like vindication ;))
Callum’s up next; I can’t wait to see how his story unfolds!
Rating: 4 stars / A-
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
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).
Connect with Sawyer:
✦ Facebook: http://bit.ly/Sawyer_FB
✦ Reader group: http://bit.ly/Sawyer_NEP
✦ TikTok: https://bit.ly/Sawyer_TOK
✦ Instagram: http://bit.ly/Sawyer_IG
✦ Website: www.sawyerbennett.com
✦ BookBub: https://bit.ly/Sawyer_BB
✦ Goodreads: http://bit.ly/Sawyer_GR
✦ Newsletter: http://sawyerbennett.com/signup
Sawyer has FIVE signed paperbacks of Boone up for grabs on her website!
If you’d like your chance at a copy, visit: https://sawyerbennett.com/giveaways/boone/(ends 1/23/2024)