Review: Stone by Sawyer Bennett

STONE

by Sawyer Bennett

Series: Pittsburgh Titans #2

Publication date: 3/1/2022

Format: Kindle

Source: Overdrive

4.5 Stars

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’s 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?

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Stone Dumelin’s career has floundered. An injury sent him from the NHL to the minor league just as his brother’s star was rising as a member of the Pittsburgh Titans. Then tragedy struck when the team plane crashed, killing all on board, including his brother, Brooks. When Stone is called up to join the fledgling rebuilt team, it’s with mixed emotions. He’s being given the opportunity of a lifetime, but at the cost of his brother’s life. Adding to his distress are the repeated calls and emails from the attorney handling his brother’s estate, even though he wants no part of it. When he finally caves and shows up at her office… things don’t go well. He’s angry, he breaks an antique chair, and her dog almost eats him. But when he learns that Harlow seemed to know his brother better than he ever did, he’s willing to listen and learn. And as much as he’s learning about his brother, he’s also discovering that Harlow could be the one thing in his life that he needs more than hockey.

Oh boy, Stone was a hot mess at first. His grief often manifested as anger but when he lashed out at Harlow she wasn’t having it. The more I learned about Stone’s family, the dynamics between the father and sons— it explained a lot, and it hurt my heart. The lack of unconditional love and true support in Stone’s life was crushing.

Harlow was Brooks’ best friend and they kept each other’s secrets. When he appointed her the trustee of his estate, she had an uphill battle to get Stone to hear out his brother’s wishes. I loved her support of Stone and her determination to do right by both brothers. The relationship between Harlow and Stone developed so naturally. Stone’s issues (abandonment issues, imposter syndrome) meant there were some bumps along the way, but Harlow’s patience and acceptance, and Stone’s newfound acceptance of the past and understanding of his own worth, were worth everything.

I loved the development of Stone’s character, and the continued development of the team dynamics. I am so hooked on this world that Sawyer Bennett has created. Watching these characters grow and heal and find love gave me all the feels, and after just two books I don’t want the series to end. ★★★★.5

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