Baden

A Pittsburgh Titans Novel, Book 1

By: Sawyer Bennett

Narrated by: Aiden Snow, Lessa Lamb

Length: 8 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

After suffering a horrific injury that threatens to end his career, Baden Oulett is about to learn that sometimes a fresh start is just what the doctor ordered.

I worked my whole life to achieve one goal - play professional hockey. As part of the defending Cup champion Arizona Vengeance, I was living my dream - until one split-second decision destroyed it all. Instead of lacing up my skates and hitting the ice, I’ve spent my days in rehab and physical therapy just so I could walk again. When a coaching opportunity with the Pittsburgh Titans is presented to me, I find myself with a career I had never considered but which allows me to continue being part of the sport that I love.

While my injuries are physical, the same can’t be said for the woman I rescued. Suffering from wounds that can’t be seen, Sophie Winters has withdrawn from the world in fear and guilt. I didn’t know Sophie before that fateful night and have only met her once since, but I refuse to let her face her demons alone. Determined to be a friend, I support Sophie in the only way I know how: by simply being there.

Through our shared trauma, Sophie and I begin to find peace within one another. As we grow closer, what started as friendship becomes more intimate - until our broken pieces become one. But can a love born of anguish endure, or will the pain of our past prove too much to overcome?

©2021 Sawyer Bennett (P)2021 Sawyer Bennett

A great start to a new Hockey series!

This is planned to be a more emotional series and book 1 did not disappoint. Baden was attacked while being a good Samaritan and saving Sophie from getting mugged and worse. He is recovering, but it is unlikely he will be able to continue as a hockey goalie. Turns out the Pittsburgh Titans has been hit by tragedy and offer for Baden to become their new goalie coach. Coincidentally Sophie lives in Pittsburgh so when he arrives for his new job he checks up on her. She is still struggling with her recovery and Baden takes on the role of her protector to help her get her life back. A very sweet story and well read in dual narration. For me it seemes like the female parts were read at a faster pace than the male portion which was a bit distracting, bit otherwise it was a great audio book.
#MSBB

Healing from the past

Absolutely brilliant start to the series! Baden and Sophie are a slap shot straight to your heart. A story of healing after a tragic meeting brings a brighter future and leaving the pain of the past firmly behind them. The Pittsburgh Titans series shows the perseverance and strength are tackled one day at a time.

This was an interesting read.

I wasn't prepared for how the book starts off. The central conflict deep. I appreciated the warning from the author in the beginning. This was much more than about hockey. A traumatic event brings our two main characters together. They help each other in their new stations in life... I enjoyed the way their relationship evolved. Although they shared a horrible experience that tied them together, they started off forming a friendship before attraction and deeper feelings developed.

Spectacular Start to New Series

Sawyer Bennett has once again weaved a story to pull on the heartstrings and keep you enthralled in the story from beginning to the happiest of happily ever afters.

This was the perfect start to the new Pittsburgh Titans series. Baden has been on my mind for a while ever since he was introduced in the Vengeance series. This man has overcome so much and is a walking miracle. He gives the new meaning to hope. Sophie has been through just as much but is having a harder time to overcome her demons. These two will lean on each other to give the other strength to face the demons of their past.

This story will give you all the feels. You'll follow along as two people who come together from their joined tragic event to find their strength and happily ever after. It's emotional and heartbreaking with a mix of triumph and hope. It's sweet and sexy and make your heart full romance.

Aiden Snow brought Baden to life with his deep timbre and smooth voice. He had the right tone at the right time. Lessa Lamb is a new female narrator to me and she was fabulous. She voiced Sophie with just the right amount of emotion she needed. She brought her to life amazingly.

A phenomenal start to thus new series and I look forward to more troubled hockey stars.

Exceptional! Emotional! Great start to a new series!

Baden, book one in the Pittsburgh Titans series is going to run you through a whole series of emotions from heartbreak at the tragedy that took down an entire hockey team and all the emotions that the players are having to work through in order to rebuild the team to the violent event that put Baden and Sofie in each other’s lives.
The heartwarming moments of perseverance and hope are the best part of this story as Baden, Sofie and the entire Titans team rise from the ashes to make a new future for themselves.
There still may be challenges for the team and I am sure we will experience these through the upcoming books in the series, but for Baden and Sofie, they have healed emotionally and physically and are right where they are supposed to be.
I had the benefit of listening to the audio version of this story and the narrators definitely added to my enjoyment of the characters as they walked through this emotional journey.

loved the story and narration!!

I loved this book, like loved it. It's definitely a bit on the slow burn side and heavy in the emotional department. Sawyer Bennett wasn't kidding when she said she wanted this new series to be more on the emotional side... it is. I found myself hugging onto these characters for all they are worth. Baden is an insanely strong man and I loved his strength and his ability to put everything out on the line for a new life. He went all in. I so appreciated the fact that we got to see him being vulnerable and have a weak moment as well. It made the story seem more real. Sophie is strong as well. She has so much inner strength and the longer the book goes on the more you see her come into her own.

I can't imagine what struggling with PTSD must be like but from everything I've read or heard on the news, Bennett gives us a real look at what it's like to deal with PTSD. Bennett definitely met her own requirements when she wanted to make a more emotional series. I loved that we got a deeper look into the characters. Now the narration of this story was just amazing. Lessa Lamb and Aiden Snow did a fabulous job bringing these characters to life. Lamb really showcased the inner turmoil Sophie dealt with. I loved that I could hear her emotions in her voice. Snow also showcased Baden's emotions flawlessly.

Beautiful and emotional

I really enjoyed reading Baden and honestly if it was possible to take this story to another level, Aiden Snow and Lessa Lamb did exactly that with their wonderful narration.

Where to start and what to say that will do Baden justice.
Ms Bennett has taken hockey romance to another level with her new Pittsburgh Titans Series and if Baden is anything to go by she will certainly have another hit series on her hands and with that being said I have to say this book will certainly be on my best reads of 2022.
This is not a just story this is a journey and it’s one emotional roller coaster that you will be joining as you get to know Baden and Sophie so I urge you to take notice of the “Dear Reader” advice because it will give you an insight on the ride you are about to join. Baden didn’t realise how his life was going change the night he came to Sophie Winter’s rescue but he would do it all over again if he had too, only now he finds himself unable to play the game he loves so when he is offered a coaching job with Pittsburgh Titans he sees it as a chance to still be involved with game he loves and it will also mean he will be close to Sophie. Sophie is struggling with guilt and PTSD, she is terrified of life since the attack but the bond she shares with Baden will hopefully help her to find the strength to look to the future. So will this couple become stronger together and will their love be strong enough to navigate the bumpy road they find themselves on…..
This book touched me on so many levels and I highly recommend this amazing love story to all romance lovers but be warned, you will fall in love with Baden and Sophie, you will cry as you become involved with their journey and you won’t forget this very special read. Baden and Sophie have stayed with me long after reading the final words of this book and I’m so excited to get to know the rest of the Pittsburg Titans Team.

Loved this emotional ride

Wow! When the author warns you that she is about to rip your heart out, then proceeds to do it and you love it, you know the story is credit worthy! I was impressed with the intro from the author. The way Baden and Sophie just clicked and were so good for each other pulled all the heart strings. I was so team Sophie, cheering for every victory no matter how small.

Aiden Snow and Lessa Lamb were fantastic narrating Baden. Aiden made Baden pop out of the earpods in to life. Lessa made the soft sweet survivor of Sophie real and heart wrenching.

While Baden started in the Vengeance, you don't need to have listened too those first.

Yay! Baden’s story!

Good narration by both narrators! Enjoyed that there was a female and male narrator; each fit the characters well, and they have nice tones to their voices. Enjoyed the listen!

I’ve been anticipating Baden’s story for awhile now, so I was excited that Baden’s story was finally here! After reading about what happened to Baden in the Arizona Vengeance series; he saved a woman from being brutally attacked, only to be brutally attacked himself, I wanted to read about Baden getting his happiness! After the Pittsburgh Titans hockey team has the majority of its team killed in an accident, Baden is offered an opportunity to be the goalie coach for the Titans, who are trying to bring together a new team. Pittsburgh just so happens to be where the woman he saved, Sophie, lives, so these two have the opportunity to get to know each other better. Sophie has some serious PTSD after the incident; she has trouble leaving her house and feeling safe, and it’s affecting her life. Luckily, Baden is really there for Sophie. Love the premise of Baden finding a new way of life, and the idea of falling in love with the woman he saved. Baden is a wonderful guy! Sophie has a sweet heart. I would’ve liked a bit more passion between them; a very slow burn going on in this story, but I enjoyed reading about them falling love.

I also really enjoy the premise of trying to bring the hockey franchise back to life after the devastation they’ve suffered. I’m not totally loving some of the elements for the characters that will have their own books in this series, but I am interested in reading about the female owner, who knows little about hockey, but now runs the hockey team after her brother was one of the ones that died in the accident. Overall though, I’m excited to see how this series progresses!

A story to remember

Baden's story was one of strength, healing, teaching and so much more. To live through a tragic moment made Baden into a different person. The anger, the hurt and pain built him to become not only a mentor to his old and new team but to Sophie.

Sophie was in distress when he rescued her. She suffered more than what he or she would know, The mental toll almost being hurt took on her was hard. She didn't know good from bad anymore and the world she once loved became an evil labyrinth. Would her life continue to stall her into "nothing"?

Baden had a decision that he made not only for the new team that was created but also for himself. He needed to be on and near the ice. He thought it was all taken away but things started to look up in his world. The confidence that he gained and gave to other was incredible. He took something that wanted to break him and made it his stepping stones to become better. Baden was a hero to so many but more of hero to himself and he couldn't see it until Sophie.

Sophie and Baden's story was sad but uplifting. It showed how perseverance would always win! The love that grew and made them grow was perfect! I can't wait to see the next story in this series. I know it is going to be fantastic!!