Stone

A Pittsburgh Titans Novel

By: Sawyer Bennett

Narrated by: Jason Clarke, Ava Erickson

Minor league player Stone Dumelin lost his younger brother when the Titans’ team plane went down. He never expected the phone call that followed.

After a shoulder injury put my NHL career on ice, I resigned myself to the fact I’d never see my way out of the minor league again. As my career faded, my estranged brother’s star shot into orbit as the first-line left winger for the Pittsburgh Titans. But when the team’s plane crashed returning home one night, his light was snuffed out, and I was given the opportunity of a lifetime. Now I’m in Pittsburgh, playing for the Titans, and face-to-face with my dead brother’s ghost at every turn. His locker, his legacy, his persistent and annoyingly gorgeous attorney who won’t stop contacting me about his estate, even though I’ve demanded she leave me alone.

Harlow Alston would be extremely appealing if she wasn’t so aggravating. Only...that’s a complete lie. She pushes all the right buttons for me, and as much as I want her to quit pestering me about Brooks’ estate, I find myself intrigued by the fiery redhead who can’t take no for an answer. And the more I learn about Harlow, the more I find she might be the key to understanding who Brooks really was and who I want to be.

I’ve got a second shot at a career I thought I’d lost and the opportunity to build something real with Harlow, but can I find strength to move forward, or will my past dictate my future?

©2022 Sawyer Bennett (P)2022 Sawyer Bennett

Stone

Pitted between their parents Stone never felt like he was close to his brother Brooks and when he dies and he doesn’t get the chance to mend that relationship.
Harlow was Brooks friend and entrusted her to his estate, Stone wants nothing to do with it but Brooks has very specific instructions.
In his grief he learns more about his brother than he ever could have thought. I think it was healing as well.
Harlow and Stone have that chemistry that can’t be denied. I loved the back and forth and how Stone needs to make amends for how they got off on the wrong foot. But he tried and it’s the thought that counts.
Great narration Jason Clarke and Ava Erickson nailed it!

Always Better With Audio.

I couldn’t wait for this book to be released on audio, I just knew it would be amazing. Both narrators did each character justice. They bought Stone and Harlow alive for me. I’m pretty’s sure I’ll be revisiting this book again and listening with glee.

There is something about this series that has me mesmerised. They still have the familiar SB brawn, steam and humor, but these are deeper. Not angsty, but a more enrichment to the stories. Everyone deals with a tragedy differently, and each story so far shows that. This book is even more touching because the main characters lost someone they loved on that plane. For Stone, it was his brother and Harlow, her closest friend - they both miss Brooks deeply. And even though Stone wasn't in touch with Brooks for a while, that brotherly bond is strong.

One thing I am learning in my old age, is that there is nothing wrong with vulnerability, it is not a sign of weakness. It is totally the opposite, in both genders, that being vulnerable is actually an asset. It shows you have empathy and compassion, and that you have good heart. Nothing is more apt for both Harlow and Stone. Each have demons from their past that could control their life completely, but Harlow learns well before Stone that they are both stronger than their weakness. Each of them are going through their sorrow but they still have a softheartedness towards others and their own battles. I kept having this overwhelming feeling of sadness for Stone and his loss, and how it was piling up on him but it opened up his mind and allowed him to have a meaningful connection with Harlow.

There are some great secondary characters as well - also some sleazy ones, but you'll know who they are when you get to them. The two I want to talk about are Bonita and Odin. Bonita is Harlow's right hand gal in the office and she is a hoot! I loved her sharp wit and her heart of gold. But the one that stole the show for me was Odin, that big mutt! Being a dog lover, and having had a boxer, I could relate to all the dog antics, which had me giggling all the time. It bought back such good memories.

As with all SB book series, there were crumbs of what is to come in the following books. Gage is up next, and he seems like a very upstanding hero. After that, it is Coen, and you just know that one is going to hurt, big time before he gets his HEA.

Stone and Harlow

<strong>Stone and Harlow</strong>

This is book 2 and you should read book one first athough you do get some background in this story it does help.
Stone is the older brother of Brooks who died in plane crash with almost the whole team . He was in the minor league after an injury sent him down. He had a very strained relationship with his brother due to there over bearing father who was abusive/manipulative. He is offered a place on the team based on his talent and he takes his chance.but with it comes challenges as he learns more about his brother . He meet Harlow the lawyer his brother had his will sent to to give to him. At first he’s angry but then quickly realize how much he needed to have this stuff from his brother and Harlow.
Harlow is a lawyer smart beautiful and rich. She works to help people who have little but get in trouble. She was very close to Brooks and had one last wish to do for him after he died. .give his belonging and journals to his brother. But the stubborn man is not working with her.
The attraction of these two is amazing but it’s the way she helps him to find his way back from the pain and loss. Even when he didn’t realize he needed it. She knows who his brother truly was . This story is emotional and sweet . The dog is a fun spot as well .
The story is very well written and the audible is as well Jason Clark is wonderful as Stone and Ava Erickson is great Harlow.
I can not wait for the next book in the series. As this team works through the sorrow and trauma from the after math of the crash and making the team while they find love.

Another Winner by Sawyer Bennett

A,story of two people struggling with a great tragedy. One losing a brother. The other a dear friend. They are brought together by this tragedy. Loved the hilarious parts about Oden.

4.5 Stars!

Stone was so so good! I loved getting to know Stone more and getting to be in his head and learn more about him. He is so interesting and has a complicated life and past. I was really interested in seeing him work through his feelings about his brother and his passing. Harlow was just as interesting too. I love what she helps to bring out in Stone and how much she makes him better. They have met in such a unique situation and work through a lot together. I adored their friendship and then strong relationship. I adore these two together so much and I loved Stone!

Stone and Harlow

A heartbreakingly beautiful, sincere, sweet and endearing romance. Stone and Harlow embark on a journey of navigating through loss, grief and figuring out how to overcome. I absolutely loved and adored this story. Sawyer Bennett never ceases to amaze me.
Jason Clarke is always amazing but add in the sweet voice of Ava Erickson made this audiobook PERFECT!

Sawyers best work yet

I thought the Cold Fury series was hit or miss, some were great and some were terrible. I loved the Vengeance series and was excited for this new one. I lived Baden and I loved Stone even more! I would even say this series as a whole is Sawyer Bennetts best work.
I wouldn't call it hot or sizzling, its a slow burn but not in the way you would normally think. This is 3 love stories in one: Stone grows in love for himself, finding forgiveness and strength in himself and his friends; love for his brother, he learns his brothers true thoughts and feelings; and lastly almost not until the end he falls in love with Harlow.
I loved Harlow, she wasn't your typical strong female character. There was no self righteous indignation or annoying ranting/non whitty reporte. She's sure of herself, a rock in Stones storm. She teaches Stone, is kind and supportive. When stuff hits the fan she doesn't let him self sabotage.
Stones growth is mind blowing. I love, love, loved this book!

Full of emotion and heart

Oh man, I gotta admit this Pittsburgh Titans series is way more emotional than I expected and that’s with me knowing beforehand that Sawyer Bennett said, in advance, that this was going to be more emotionally impactful. It is. From the very first word uttered I was under Stone’s thumb. Stone lost his brother in that fateful plane crash and due to that, he’s now moved up to the NHL, something that was looking impossible before that crash, and is playing for the exact same team his brother was. Can you imagine? Staring at his locker and walking in those same steps? It gave me literal chills. Harlow is his brother’s attorney. She is determined to settle Brooks’ estate as he wished even if Stone is making it near impossible. Over time, they start to form a type of friendship and an inevitable attraction takes shape. All the while Stone struggles with feelings of walking in his brother’s shoes and if he can find happiness again…

The narration by Jason Clarke and Ava Erickson was done in dual narration and I couldn’t get enough. I know this would have been good in book form but listening to the narration brings this story to life. Clarke seems to really grasp Stone’s character and he just brings out the emotions and the struggle that Stone is struggling with. Erickson was remarkable as Harlow. Besides Erickson’s upbeat voice sounding pleasant against Clarke’s gruff voice, she brings a bit more sunshine to an emotionally charged story. Bennett really brought the feelings to this book. I found myself bouncing between the sorrow and the heat.

...a temptation of the highest regard.

Clarke and Erickson get to the heart. Sawyer Bennet has crafted a story that digs deep into the soul and bleeds the heart dry. Stone is a journey of what ifs, why mes and maybe this times. It's a tale of broken hearts, missed chances and determination that proves to be a temptation of the highest regard.

All the feels!

My favorite of this series so far. Harlow and Stone have something in common, grief…. This beautifully written story will captivate you from the beginning and will put you through all the feels. Outstanding narration. Definitely worth the listen.