Callum

A Pittsburgh Titans Novel

By: Sawyer Bennett

Narrated by: Jason Clarke, Lessa Lamb

Callum Derringer was hired by the Pittsburgh Titans to help rebuild the organization after a devastating plane crash left its future unknown. Now that he’s got the team back on track, it’s time to put some effort into his own life.

When I accepted the job of general manager with the Titans, it was just the opportunity I needed to prove myself to the sports world. Unfortunately, my career isn’t the only area in which I’ve previously made mistakes and the past is about to come back in a big way.

Juniper Ryan is…complicated. Smart, funny and insanely gorgeous, she was my first love and my first heartbreak. But my loss was my stepbrother’s gain and she’s been his wife for five years now. I’ve done a decent job of putting her out of my mind but when Juniper breaks down and calls me for help, I know it’s bad. I’m gutted to learn that she was pushed into the arms of a monster.

Vowing to put our past aside, I learn dark truths about my brother and his marriage to my first love. And to make matters worse, I’m beginning to realize the feelings I once had for Juniper aren’t tucked quite as far away as I had hoped.

When things take a dangerous turn, I’m willing to put myself in the line of fire to keep my girl safe. I was a fool to walk away from Juniper the first time and I’m a man who knows better than to make the same mistake twice.

©2024 Sawyer Bennett (P)2024 Sawyer Bennett

Wait. Whaat?

Story is great and narration is awesome, but whaaaaat? It’s totally unfinished. Why did you leave it like that, Sawyer? When does the rest of the story come?

What?!?! 5 stars until the lack of an ending

Why did you leave it like that?!!
I’m left completely unsatisfied with the ending of this book.
Narration was great, blah, blah, blah…but the ending?! 😬 the story had me engage from the start and I didn’t want to put it down.

Hockey GM assists former girlfriend from abusive husband

Interesting but predictable. Titan Queens are always entertaining. Callum behaved was inconsiderate and harsh when young but maturity improved him. Girlfriend Juniper was naive and impatient when young and paid for it by marrying an abusive psycho. Her reason for why she didn’t leave was pretty dumb. Clearly Callum was not that concerned for years about his mom or Juniper but he finally opens his eyes. The story is fairly fast paced. Jason Clarke was great but Lessa Lamb has a terrible male voice and was only passible for the rest. A good addition to the series but a better female narrator was needed. Worth a credit for those who like the series.

Just OK

The female narrator about drove me nuts, very whiny and hard to pay attention to, but I’d like to mail narrator, and he made up some for her decent story

Pure torture!!

I cannot believe we are left hanging!! Im so frustrated!! Please tell me we don’t have to wait long for the next part!

Callum and Juniper

A dramatically captivating, sweetly adorable and highly entertaining second chance romance. Callum and Juniper are certainly two people who are clearly meant to be together. I found them to be endearing and honestly heartfelt. Their chemistry is palpable, their banter is charming but what drew me in even more is the deep connection they have. I enjoyed every single moment of this story.

Story was good but FMC narration’s tone was wrong.

A second chance romance that was interesting but had holes. Juniper was in a DV marriage for 15-years but never reached out to the one person who might’ve been able to help her. I understood her reasoning but in a matter of 2-days Callum was able to change her whole life once he knew the truth. She was able to stand-up to Callum because she knew he would never physically hurt her and she didn’t stand up to Joshua because he was a monster-psychopath. She dumb decisions especially towards the end when she wanted to live in a delusion that her husband just went home after him coming all the way to PA. It was clear as day he was crazy and he whined about needing to live a normal life. That sentiment is said by DV victims right before they are killed by the spouse. For crying out loud when will they learn fear is a good thing and there to protect you. You don’t have to hide but carry a gun, hire security, do what you have to for you and others around you to be safe. They almost died because of her idiotic desire to live normal.

The end leaves open-ended questions. Not cliffhangers but storylines that weren’t wrapped up. Since Cohen’s storyline is wrapped up, for now, in this book with him and Tilley going to NY maybe the author will give some conclusion in the next book. Don’t know if I’m eager to read the next one.

Narration: Jason Clarke was amazing, that voice. Yum! He does a great job at both male and female, and this one he could’ve done solo. Jessa Lamb’s narration was off. At the beginning her tone was completely wrong. Your in a situation as serious as DV and she sounded young, breezy and like it was just another Tuesday when her husband beat the crap out of her and the FIL walked in and didn’t stop it but advised his son to do it in private. Her voice just conveyed a nonchalant tone to everything that was happening. Also, the character was 39 years old and the narrator sounded like she was early 20’s. She had no strength or gravitas in her tone they conveyed she was resigned to her lot in life and there was no way out. Not defeated but the light at the end of the tunnel was light years away.

Callum’s mother was a non-entity. Her injuries brought him home and back into Juniper’s life but she was no help and was barely mentioned after the first couple chapters. My point is the FMC was weak but I seriously question her decision making and intelligence to survive on her own. The other spouses of the team seem to have more strength and wisdom than Juniper. I hate weak female characters who can’t thing their way out of paper bag.

Cliffhanger

So glad that this series continues but leaving us hanging is cruel! Looking forward to what is next!!

Second Chance

Callum and Juniper get a second chance for their love. They were very much in love until Callum wanted his career settled before he made a commitment to Juniper. What happened in the fifteen years since, shouldn't have happened but Callum is determined to make things right and win Juniper's love again.
The end was pretty intense but it also showed that the Titans are family. The narration was great by Jason Clare and Lessa Lamb. I'm looking forward to the next book.

Narration was painful

IMO this book would have been better if Jason Clarke had narrated the entire book. If he had, I would have rated narration with 5 stars. Jason Clarke earned 5 stars. Audible’s rating system should allow separate rating for each narrator.