The league's toughest defenseman meets his toughest match.
He’s the league’s most dangerous defenseman. She’s the specialist sent to determine whether he’s too broken to save. Neither of them is prepared for what happens when the truth hits back.
Locke Donovan has a reputation carved in blood and penalty minutes. The league’s most dangerous defenseman, he’s an angry, unapproachable loner who fights harder and refuses to let anyone in. The Portland Wildfire only took him because no one else would, and Locke seems determined to prove every rumor true. He doesn’t do teammates. He doesn’t do relationships. He barely does conversation.
Dr. Livia Cross is quiet, brilliant and controlled. Officially, she’s the Wildfire’s new high-performance consultant. Unofficially, she’s been embedded by the league to evaluate one player.
One risk. Locke.
Her job is simple: observe him, test him, and determine whether he’s safe to stay on the ice, or too volatile to keep playing. But the man she finds beneath the scowl and silence isn’t what she expected. He’s sharp. Watching. Walled off for a reason. And when sparks ignite where there should only be professionalism, Livia’s carefully built boundaries start to crack.
Locke doesn’t trust easily yet he lets Livia closer than he ever intended, long before he learns she isn’t who he thinks she is. And when the truth comes out, it won’t just shatter their fragile connection… it might end his career.
Dark, emotional, and electric with slow-burn chemistry, LOCKE delivers a gripping workplace romance between a guarded enforcer and the woman sent to evaluate him—until desire becomes danger, and the lines between loyalty and love blur beyond recognition.
Read Chapter One
Chapter 1
Locke
I know before I even throw a punch that I’m going to get ejected from the game.
No one is going to want to hear a justification because there isn’t one. There’s no heat of the moment and there’s nothing instinctual. I simply see Morrow coming off the boards with that annoying curl to his lip, disdain for anyone in his way, and heading straight for me.
Christ, he fucking pisses me off.
Nashville’s agitator Leo Morrow is their team’s designated problem-maker, and we’ve played against each other enough to know the other’s secret tool kit. The elbow on the cycle or the slash across the back of the knee when the refs’ eyes are elsewhere. We’ve been chirping at each other the entire game, quiet enough that nobody else heard it. It’s a given that we’re going to drop the gloves. I should probably wait for him to instigate but fuck it.
I feel like fighting now because yeah… I don’t like that curl to his lip.
It’s the third period and the game is tied at two. The Portland Wildfire fans are going crazy, the arena practically shaking from the rafters downward. It’s been loud from the drop of the opening puck—new franchise, new arena, fans who are getting a team of their very own. They’re all here for the violence mixed within the sport, or at least that’s part of my justification for what I’m about to do. These fans aren’t generational loyalists who inherited the team because it’s who their father, and their father before them, rooted for. These people are on the inaugural ride of this crazy train and I’m about to deliver.
Morrow tries to circle past me, but I don’t let him. I ram my shoulder into him, knocking him off balance, and before he can even turn to give me that What the fuck look, I’m throwing my gloves to the ice.
The crowd roars with approval, the desire for blood whipping them into a frenzy. I let that fuel me—a reasonable justification even Coach would have a hard time arguing with—and I have one hand on his jersey, the other balled into a fist that connects with the side of his helmet before he can even get his gloves off.
Morrow’s good, just as big as me, and he strikes back with a vengeance. His knuckles clip my jaw, snapping my head sideways, and I taste the copper tang of blood.
Delicious.
Twenty-two thousand people who came here tonight to watch something happen are getting exactly what they wanted. Some might say I’m a fucking hero.
I manage to tuck in and drive my fist upward, catching the bottom of his chin and popping his head back. Morrow grunts but before he can retaliate, the linesmen get between us.
“That’s enough. Break it up.”
I don’t listen, trying to get my hands free to throw one more punch. The crowd screams out its approval.
“Enough, Donovan,” the official bellows. Morrow is trying to pull loose but I’m not letting him go.
“Jesus, you fucking psychopath,” Morrow snarls as I push hard against all of them.
Unfortunately, my skates slip out from under me and the momentum has me falling. Morrow somehow twists us and he lands on top of me, knocking the air from my lungs.
And then he’s gone, both linesmen pulling him off. He’s skating away from me before I can even get back upright.
“You fucking pussy,” I call out to the retreating Badger.
“Enough, Donovan,” a ref says as he skates up to me, laying a hand on my shoulder.
I shrug it off violently, pulling out my mouth guard out so he can hear me loud and clear. “I’ve played in front of better officials at a peewee tournament, you worthless piece of shit.”
His face mottles red and he points to the door that leads to the locker rooms. “That’s it… you’re out of here.”
“Peewee tournaments,” I snap back, pointing at him. “I’m sure you were fire there.”
The ref ignores me and skates to the glass where officials are eagerly awaiting the call. “At 12:34 of the third period, to Portland, number 18—five-minute major penalty for fighting. Number 18 also receives a two-minute minor penalty for instigating. And a game misconduct for abuse of officials.”
The crowd boos its disapproval, calling the refs blind and biased, although the language is a lot more colorful. I appreciate their devotion to me, but no doubt I deserve the penalties.
I slowly skate across the ice, taking my time. The crowd continues to jeer the refs. I glance up at the center-hung scoreboard—a massive four-sided video board that drops from the ceiling and makes you feel like you’re inside the play. I watch the replay of me attacking Morrow. LED ribbons running the full circumference of the lower bowl pulse in the team colors of burnt orange and forest green while rock music blares, indicating they’re cutting to a commercial.
Once I’m in the tunnel, the sound of the arena muffles and it’s an entirely different world. I lumber to the dressing room, by far the nicest in the league. The team’s owner, Patrick Rowe, was obsessive in the care and attention to detail for the comforts he put into it. The room opens into a wide horseshoe of dark wood cubicles, the configuration designed to make sure you can see every face in the room whether you want to or not. I remember hearing Coach once say that it was to help foster camaraderie. I want no part of that.
Above every stall sits a digital screen with the player’s team photo and number. I give mine a glance, noting the particularly dead look in my eyes despite the photographer trying her damnedest to get me to smile.
I throw my gloves into the stall and let my stick fall to the floor. I have no clue what’s going on in the game, even though there are TVs along the walls I could watch if I were interested. We’re defending a penalty right now and it might cost us the win.
Even though I project an attitude that I don’t give a shit about such things, I actually do care about winning. I mean, I want my team to win and there will be guilt if this stunt costs us the W. But right now, I can’t watch. I just want to go home.
The only person in the room is one of the equipment attendants, a kid in his early twenties who I’ve never spoken a single word to. He’s at the far end with a tray of sharpening equipment.
He looks up quickly, then averts his eyes again.
I sit on the bench and methodically strip off my gear, working through the same sequence I’ve been doing since I was a kid. They’re mindless motions, which is good, because the part of my brain that handles thought is preoccupied with tomorrow.
The headlines that will spotlight my reckless behavior. The same chatter that has followed my name around for years, no matter where I go, no matter how many organizations I move through, no matter how thoroughly I refuse to discuss it with anyone who asks.
I know I’m an enigma, but I don’t give a shit if people don’t understand me. They’re going to think what they want about me and the version that makes the rounds is never near the truth. I accepted that a long time ago and I don’t have the energy to say otherwise. The true version lives only in my head now and I’m okay with being the villain.
I peel off my elbow pads and set them in the compartment.
The anger is still there because it never leaves—a low simmer that’s an inherent part of me. I stopped pretending otherwise around the time I realized that pretending doesn’t make it go away.
If anything, it makes it burn hotter.
Yeah… it’s better to know where it lives. I don’t need to ruminate on the why because that’s a part of my life I’d just as soon forget. I merely need to accept it’s who I am.
The door opens but I don’t look up, assuming it’s one of the trainers coming to have a look at whatever damage Morrow’s knuckles did to my jaw, which is throbbing like a son of a bitch.
“Sam.”
That’s Patrick Rowe’s voice, quiet and commanding.
My head jerks up, as I have no clue who Sam is. I find Patrick standing there, looking over at the equipment guy, who’s staring back at him with wide eyes. “Mind giving me the room?” he asks.
“Yes, Mr. Rowe,” he says, even offering an awkward, bobbing bow.
“Just five minutes,” Rowe says, his hands casually tucked into his pockets. He offers the kid a reassuring smile and only after he’s gone does he turn his attention to me.
Rowe is a powerful man. He’s tall, broad through the shoulders, and carries an undeniably commanding presence wherever he goes. He’s a forty-eight-year-old, fiercely ambitious mogul who doesn’t impress me at all. He stands there in his immaculate suit with vivid blue eyes that are clearly sizing me up.
I note he doesn’t look angry, but that doesn’t surprise me. Over the past several weeks, I’ve never heard the man raise yell at anyone, but I also know he’s no pushover.
Which kind of sucks. Anger would be easier. Anger, I can work with. Instead, he looks like a man who has made up his mind but is here as a courtesy to fill me in on the game plan. The thought of it raises my hackles.
I keep working on my gear, ignoring my ultimate boss. The man who can make or break me.
Rowe moves into my peripheral vision and takes up a position standing a few feet from me. He doesn’t say anything right away, so I keep working on my gear.
He sighs, a sign of annoyance, and that actually makes me happy.
“You want to tell me what happened out there?” he finally says.
I bend over to unlace a skate. “Morrow ran his mouth. I responded.”
“Morrow runs his mouth at everyone. That’s his job. He does it every game and he’s been doing it for years.”
I have nothing to say to that.
“Third period,” Rowe says. “Tied game.”
And that strikes deep, a sizzle of guilt burning in my gut. “I’m aware of the score.”
“Good. Then you’re also aware, Locke, that we’re currently on the penalty kill because you’re sitting in here instead of being on the ice.”
I freeze, more off-kilter that he called me by my first name. It’s personal and I don’t like it. “Penalties are part of the game.”
“When they’re tactical,” he says bluntly.
“Like I said, just doing my job.”
“Is it really your job to put your team in jeopardy?” he asks.
It isn’t the question that gets me but rather the simple accuracy of it—the way he identified the precise thing I can’t argue with, and he did so without yelling or theatrics.
I really don’t like him.
I have no answer, which shouldn’t come as a shock since I’m a quiet guy. I keep to myself, don’t normally engage in pointless conversation, and I find this to be tedious and dull.
The exception is the pure game of hockey, and I never seem to be at a shortage of things to discuss in that respect. Give me video, give me strategy, give me a breakdown of why a defensive pair isn’t working, and I’ll give you back useful strategy. I can talk hockey all day and it’s usually the one place I’m never without an answer.
He’s asking me a simple question about the sport… about why I took the penalty. He’s giving me a platform to defend myself, and I could probably sell it if I tried.
But I have nothing because I didn’t pick a fight with Morrow for strategy, for optics, or even to give the crowd a thrill.
I did it because I felt like hitting someone.
Rowe seems to accept the silence and starts to turn away. I’m almost ready to let loose a breath of relief when he says, “I want you in my office tomorrow morning,” he says. “Eight o’clock.”
“For what?” I ask, my hackles rising again. “Because if you want to yell at me for what I did, I’m right here.”
“Eight o’clock,” he says again.
Like I haven’t spoken, he’s already moving toward the door.
I consider pointing out that I’m not the only one on this roster with penalty problems, that I’m not the only one who gets into it with opponents, that my numbers on the ice—the actual defensive numbers, the ones that determine whether this team can hold a lead—are better than anyone Rowe could have found in the expansion draft for the contract he paid.
I think about all of it, but I hold my tongue.
Because none of it touches the question he asked: Is it really your job to put your team in jeopardy?
The door closes and I sit in the quiet of the dressing room with one skate unlaced and the muffled sound of the game continuing without me in it.
I don’t think about what Rowe wants. Typically, when a player isn’t living up to expectations, that’s handled at the coaching level, and I’m sure Coach Monahan will have plenty to say after the game. If my job’s in danger, that would involve the general manager, but I haven’t spoken to Oliver Kemp since I signed my contract.
I brush those worries aside and refuse to think about Morrow or the fight or the blood I can still taste in my mouth. I don’t think about the score.
I bend over and work on my other skate, closing it all out and sealing myself off.
I’m a professional at that.
Important! Refund policy - please read prior to purchase
Digital items (ebooks and audiobooks): Because digital items are delivered immediately, no refunds will be given for these products. If you experience technical difficulties downloading/accessing your ebook or audiobook, please contact help@bookfunnel.com.
In the event of a duplicate purchase, please email sawyer@sawyerbennett.com for a refund.
Paperback/Hardcover books: Due to the personalized nature of these products, signed paperbacks and hardcovers are non-returnable. If your shipment is damaged upon arrival, please contact sawyer@sawyerbennett.com to discuss exchange/replacement options.
Digital Purchase Delivery
Complete your e-book purchase.
Check your email! BookFunnel will send directions on how to get your book(s).
Send e-books to the e-reader of your choice and start reading!
If you experience issues with the delivery of your e-books to your device, please contact help@bookfunnel.com for assistance.
Nobody writes broody, conflicted, smoldering hot hockey hunks like Sawyer Bennett and LOCKE is absolute proof of that. Locke Donovan is the league’s most dangerous enforcer, a man built on power, pain, control and barely restrained chaos. He is intense, guarded and impossible to look away from.
Dr. Livia Cross is the specialist sent to evaluate him and she is exactly the kind of heroine that I like to read about. Sawyer Bennett’s heroines always have backbones of steel and Livia is no exception. Smart, strong, steady and unafraid to stand toe to toe with Locke, she brings a fierce confidence that is incredibly sexy. She does not crumble under his reputation. She challenges him, sees through him and holds her own in every charged moment between them.
This book delivers everything Sawyer Bennett does best. Hockey intensity, sizzling chemistry, emotional conflict and characters with real bite. LOCKE gets the judy.ann.loves.books stamp of approval, TBR and Enjoy!
Andrea R.5/5
Awesome!
Locke is the second book in Sawyer Bennett’s Portland Wildfire Hockey Series, and if I thought the first one (Crosby) was really good, Locke’s story is even better!
Locke is the loner on the team, who’s not big into bonding or building relationships with his teammates. He’s a superior defensive lineman, however, he is volatile on the ice which has been getting him noticed but not in a good way. The owner of the Portland Wildfire, Patrick Rowe, warns him that the penalties and the uncalled-for fighting during games needs to stop or Locke could end up forcing Patrick’s hand.
Patrick’s recent hire, Livia Cross, is the Director of Human Performance. She’s tasked with evaluating the players and helping them to find “gaps” in their physical & mental focus while on the ice. (It’s described waaaay better in the book than that!) Since Locke is so closed off and has these penalty issues, he is one of the first players Patrick wants Livia to work with.
So, needless to say, Livia has her work cut out for her. Locke is adamant that he’s not going to give anything to Livia because he doesn’t share anything from his past with anyone. Can Livia get through to help Locke? Will he acquiesce and let her try & help him or will he continue to shut everyone out? I WILL say that Locke is a man of VERY few words.
This series is wonderful! The characters are richly written with interesting backstories that fuel their personalities, while the secondary characters are just fantastic! I loved everything about this book and cannot wait for Arch’s book!
Karin D.5/5
Locke is angry and withdrawn. This book was amazing and fast paced and I loved every minute of it. Livia was his downfall and I was there for it. She wormed under his hard shell and got to the gooey goodness that was Locke. These two and their HEA was magic that only sawyer could tell.
Lynne S.5/5
Such a great series! I love Locke’s turmoil and Livia having the key to controlling his rage on the ice (and dare we hope, the key to his heart?). A little damsel in distress also puts things in perspective.
5 stars!!
Erin O.5/5
I LOVED Locke and Livia! Locke is the ultimate grumpy, damaged hero with serious trust issues. Livia is confident and smart. Their chemistry was fire and on point. what I loved most was watching them grow into the best version of themselves together. Their relationship felt honest and natural, even when things got crazy.
I finished this book in hours because I could not put it down. the Wildfires crew added so much fun to the story I can’t wait for the next wine. Sawyer Bennett never disappoints and her hockey stories are great and incite fun.
Theresa K.5/5
I LOVED this book, it’s definitely my favorite of the series so far.
Locke and Livia gave me all the feels and honestly was just a great read! It has everything you’d want in a great book, steam, twists and turns, great flow, amazing banter, laughs and a HEA. Can’t wait for more from this series.
Judy H.5/5
This was a great story that draws you in and yet it's a slow burn but with all the emotions. Locke has been picked up by the expansion team the Portland Wildfire. Patrick Rowe is the owner and he's spared no expense in creating a winning environment from state of the art facilities to the way the athletes fly to the people and coaches available to help them through any obstacle they may face.
Locke is a very closed off person not really talking to or making any friends on the team. He wasn't always like this though. He will get in a fight almost every game and sometimes it will cost the team the win. Patrick won't tolerate this. He gives Locke a chance to work with Livia Cross who was brought in as the team's high performance consultant. Locke doesn't believe in her job skills but he's given no choice and has to work with her.
Livia was also a competitive athlete and loves to work with these athletes to help them get better. She quickly realizes that it's not going to be easy getting Locke to open up but she's up for the challenge.
I don't want to give too much away but let's just say that Locke brings about so many emotions and it was such a great read to watch them both fall. Locke became such an amazing person by the end of this story. A wonderful read!
Jean K.5/5
Locke and Livia were so good! I really liked Locke. He wasn't standoffish, just careful. After what he went through, I dont blame him one bit. I would love to see some resolution with that whole situation. He was dealt a bad hand with that.
Livia was also great. I liked that she wasnt a pushover for her ex and didnt stick around making excuses for him.
Sarah G.5/5
Absolutely enjoyed book 2 in the Portland Wildfire series!
Locke is on the verge of getting fired from his team so now he needs to play by the rules, with the help from Livia, the new Human Performance Director for the team. Locke is not amused and is trying to avoid Livia and her questions at all costs. But she's determined and doesn't let his grumpiness falter her. So the more time they spend together, the more sparks fly. Especially when Livia's Ex shows up at an away game and puts his hands on her...
I loved how Livia found a way to get under Locke's thick skin! Layer by Layer she peeled everything away, until she saw the raw Locke.
Enjoyed the narrators, nice voices, both were new to me but I really liked them.
Nadine S.5/5
Locke was an enjoyable read! The concept was interesting. I liked Livia right away, she's easy to like. Locke on the other hand is harder to like. He's very closed off and just does his own thing. He makes some bad decisions along the way that get him in some hot water. In comes Livia to save the day. She helps him realize he can open up to his teammates and it's okay to trust people. Their relationship develops pretty quickly, at least in the physical department. I liked seeing them become closer and Locke open up to Livia. Livia's story also added even more to the story. It was a good book overall! *I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.*
Katie K.4/5
This is the second book in this series and i devoured this book and audio.
I imersively read this book while listening to the audio and these narrators did a fantastic job at bringing this story to life. Highly recommended
Sarah P.4/5
Locke is book 2 in the Portland Wildfire series. Locke has anger issues on the ice and the team owner makes him see the team’s new director of human performance, Livia. The slowly build trust, then friendship and finally hook up. I liked seeing their progression and how other players interacted with Livia. I also loved seeing Van again as a coach. The only issue I had was that I thought Locke’s issue was brushed over and didn’t have a solid conclusion. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
April S.4/5
I was so excited to dive into another Sawyer Bennett book because her hockey romances never disappoint, and Locke was no exception.
From the very beginning, Locke Donovan was exactly the kind of hero I love to unravel; gruff, guarded and carrying far more beneath the surface than anyone realises. Livia Cross was the perfect counterbalance. Intelligent, compassionate and quietly determined. Their slow-burn chemistry was exquisite, with every interaction building the tension until it became impossible not to root for them.
I loved that this wasn't just a romance. The emotional depth, the vulnerability hidden beneath Locke's tough exterior and the ethical conflict surrounding Livia's secret mission added real weight to the story. Watching trust slowly develop between two people who both had so much to lose made their journey all the more rewarding.
Sawyer Bennett has once again delivered an engaging, heartfelt and emotional hockey romance filled with fantastic characters, plenty of angst and just the right amount of heat. The Portland Wildfire series is quickly becoming another favourite of mine, and I already can't wait to see which player gets his story next.
Janey C.4/5
Ooh. I just love Locke Donovan and Livia Cross, the closed off enforcer for the Portland Wildfire, and the newly appointed Director of Human Performance for the team. Sparks fly from the moment they meet, but Liv isn’t there for romance, she’s come to fix the team. Starting with Locke. Something’s eating at Locke, he’s a closed book, he doesn’t socialise, he doesn’t open up to anyone, at all, ever, and it’s Liv’s job to find out what his problem is. Yep, good luck with that Liv. Locke has a lot of anger inside and lashing out on the ice seems to be his outlet, but management is not happy about his penalty minutes and if he doesn’t improve, his days on the Portland Wildfire could be numbered. Liv uses the threat of his position on the team (and a little bit of blackmail) to break down his walls. That and their explosive chemistry all add to the start of a passionate and forbidden fling - I purposefully didn’t call it romance, because neither of them want a romantic relationship. Who are they kidding? Of course it’s more, they’re just not willing to admit it. Liv also has a personal issue of her own causing problems, a cheating and abusive ex who refuses to let go. With the help of the Wildfire family (and what a family they are), things can only get better. A little bit emotional at times, I really did feel sorry for Locke, he didn’t have the best of upbringings. Liv handled him extremely well and the fact that they could read each other so well was a testament to both their personalities. Some wonderful characters in and amongst, and the fact that I also listened to the audiobook alongside reading the e-book ensured I was kept entertained throughout the day no matter what I was doing (out and about walking or simply relaxing in the garden). Both Alistair Haynesbridge & Samantha Summers are new to me narraters, and I have to say I was impressed with their performances, they really nailed it. I received an advanced copy of both the audio book and the e-book, this is my honest review.
Pam L.5/5
Loved it! If you like slow burns this is for you.
Locke is the hothead on the team. A bad childhood and a betrayal from a friend has him just not caring about anyone or any thing.
Livia is the new Human Performance Director and her job is to work with the players on bettering themselves on and off the ice. Her main focus is Locke and he shuts her down at every turn.
When he offers her three sessions, he doesn't expect her to take it to the level she does. As they learn more about each other, they also develop feelings.
When she crosses a line, will Locke shut down again and shut her out?
Jackie Z.5/5
Locke Donovan is one of the best defenseman in the league, but he has anger issues. However, the team’s owner has hired an expert in Livia Cross, she is the team Director of human performance to try and solve Locke’s issues. What started out has a professional arrangement will soon become something more. This man has trust issues that are buried deep and his unwillingness to open up may put his career in jeopardy as well as his relationships with his teamates. A story of betrayal and neglect that has left this man broken, but the perseverance of one woman can change everythin
Jo-ann F.4/5
As much as I want to read Arch’s book, I’m glad Locke was the second out of the gate on this series. He seems so violent and aggressive, but that’s all because he’s such a good guy. He doesn’t know how to handle the neglect and abandonment he had in the past, so he makes sure nobody can get close to him. Enter Livia.
I found Livia’s job to be interesting. She’s not a psychologist, psychiatrist, or even a counselor. But she is great at her job as Director of Human Performance. As Locke said, what the hell is that? It’s explained as her optimizing player performance, both physically and psychologically, by getting to know them and seeing what is needed. Figuring out what will unlock each player. Certain drills, meditation, a particular playlist, etc. There’s no one fix, and she’s there to figure out what will work best for each individual. That means she works very closely with the teams and the players. She’s there for games, practice, road trips, and everything else.
Of course, Locke and his unpredictable nature are her top priority. Locke hates the idea, but knows he has to go along with it to keep his place on the roster. And because Livia is good at reading people, she approaches Locke in an unconventional way. Their sessions are more like dates, and soon the feelings are too much to deny.
When it comes to the way the relationship between Locke and Livia grows, I was all in. They have great chemistry and, as is often the case with great people who have tough outer shells, he’s different with Livia. His walls start to crack, and soon he is unable to keep his secrets all in. He knows he will lose her if he keeps pushing her away, so he leaves the door open a crack. The problems arise when he lets her blow the door the rest of the way open, and neither is truly prepared for the fallout.
As for the thing that holds Locke back, I was starting to get tired of the secret. When it’s first person, and the secret is kept from the reader, it can be odd. Obviously, Locke is thinking about his past and what happened to mold him into a loner. Yet we only get him glancing away from the issue, even while in his head. I was glad when it finally was revealed. I understand the reason Livia and others couldn’t know until later in the book, but I didn’t feel it necessary for the reader to be in the dark, too.
I still loved this story, and loved the connections Livia made with the rest of the team. As much as I want to see Arch, the team owner, and even the coach, get their HEA, I’m really hoping for a story about Miller eventually.
Cheri C.4/5
Locke is a mystery wrapped in an enigma at first glance. At second and subsequent ones he is more of an onion with many layers of protection. Actions proverbially speak louder than words, and it takes some big actions to get this one talking. Sometimes it takes just the right person to unlock those words.
A most enjoyable hockey read.
Casey L.5/5
I loved this 2nd book in the Portland Wildfire series, and I cannot wait for the next story!
Locke is a defenseman who mostly sticks to himself on his new expansion team. He is a great player, who’s known to defend his teammates but has a short fuse.
When team owner Patrick Rowe brings in Dr Livia Cross, a sports performance coach, he does not mandate the team to meet with her, with the exception of Locke. Livia knows from the start that Locke is going to be a challenge for her, so she chooses some unconventional ways of getting to know him. As these special sessions progress, Livia realizes that there is a lot more to the reclusive defenseman, and the story is heartbreaking. With Livia’s help Locke starts to open up to his teammates, and show her the side of a man she easily starts to fall for.
This is a great story and I cannot wait for more.
Carissa R.5/5
Locke
Portland Wildfire Book two
By Sawyer Bennett
Defensive player Locke leaves everything on the ice. He's part of the new expansion team The Wildfire. Yes, he comes with penalties and issues. Hockey is his one focus, he doesn't make friends, he doesn't hang with the team. And he's about to face the consequences of his actions.
Livia is excited about her new role with The Wildfire. She's made a name for herself and she's ready for the challenge. She's getting more than she bargained for with the closed off Locke. Getting to the bottom of his anger is going to be a delicate process. Even with his position at risk, Locke isn't prepared to open up. But he also can't ignore the attraction. Can they keep the personal and the professional separate?
Jeanne B.4/5
I loved Locke so much! Because he was the closed-off player, the one who was not only stand-offish, but angry, and never interacted with the other guys on the team. But Livia's job was to help him - on and off the ice, only that came with its own complications when they fell for each other.
I think this is one of my favorite hockey stories by Sawyer Bennett, it had all the hockey and training stuff I enjoy, but the relationship here was something I felt even deeper than the other stories in the series and the spin-offs.
Livia is a strong, confident woman, and she thinks before she speaks. When she has to deal with Locke first in a professional capacity, she's all in, and she sees him as a puzzle she needs to solve. Locke, however doesn't really want to be solved, he's good being the outlier, the one who only shows up to play, sometimes fight, and that's it.
I can't wait to get my hands on the next book in this series, because I really enjoy this team, and I also really love the female leads and their friends that I have 'met' so far.
Linda L.5/5
4.5 stars - strong characters.
Although it’s only Book 2 of the Portland Wildfire series, I think I’m going to love these guys and this one will be a fave.
I really enjoyed the dynamic of Locke and Livia. Book 1 already established that getting involved with a hockey player was acceptable under the right circumstances, so that took that part of the drama out of it other than Livia’s understandable guilt.
Locke is a troubled guy who has let a past betrayal affect his life, his non-relationships, and his actions on the ice. Livia is hired to get the best out of these hockey players, so she knows she has to dig deep to break through Locke’s barriers.
I enjoyed how their relationship evolved and there was plenty of steam as well.
The 3rd act drama was necessary to fully understand what was going on with Locke and his feelings about it were completely understandable. In the end, true love wins out.
I hope I am right about the next couple.
Overall an entertaining series that I am looking forward to more.
I voluntarily requested and read an advance reader copy.
Kara S.4/5
Nothing better than a bad boy hockey player who has walls so high you would think he was ten feet tall falling for the one person who can get under his skin and jump over those walls. Livia needs to get Locke to adhere to the rules the owner of the team sets, but in order to do that she needs to get him to open up about his past. What she wasn't expecting was that each and every interaction brought them closer and once the sparks flew they we both along for a wild ride. Loved the connection, loved the backstory and loved watching a unlovable man fall in love.
Nicki H.4/5
Locke Donovan is the league's most dangerous enforcer and is now on the Portland Wildfire, the NHL's newest expansion team. Locke doesn’t do teammates...doesn’t do relationships....and he barely will have a conversation. Locke may be the best but he also has anger issues that owner Patrick Rowe would like to get to the bottom of and fix.
Dr. Livia Cross has recently been hired as the Portland Wildfire's new Director of Human Performance, which is a someone who can optimize performance in elite athletes. Livia was thrilled for the job since it brings her back to her hometown and away from a past mistake.
Of course Locke wants nothing to do with Livia, even if he is attracted to her, but once another incident happens on the ice, Patrick forces the issue. The more time Livia and Locke spend together, the more they both realize what they assumed of the other was way different than reality. Pretty soon these two are spending more time together and Locke starts opening up.
When Livia's past shows up threatening her, Locke comes to her rescue and their relationship turns from professional to personal. They both realize that what is happening between them is something real. Just when it looks like these two are getting their happy ever after, both of their pasts come barrelling back into their lives causing everything to blow up. In the end some deep internal searching of their personal issues happens and then these two finally get their happy ending.
I just adored this hockey romance. Locke had so many demons in his past you couldn't help but want to root for him. Livia was just the perfect person to help Locke with his past. I loved how she didn't give up on him. Another fun addition to this series.
Sue G.5/5
This one just generally made me feel good. Locke has a past that no one can seem to unlock. He’s abrasive, keeps teammates at a distance, will find any reason (sometimes none) to pick a fight on the ice, and just generally skates through life with no attachments.
Patrick Rowe has left no stone unturned with his new expansion team of the Portland Wildfires so he pulls the best of the best & hires Livia Cross as the high performance consultant. Locke thinks she’s just a fancy version of a therapist but she’s so much more.
As an athlete herself, she’s able to understand what often makes an athlete tick but her schooling & training take that to the next level. She knows she can get through to Locke Donovan but she never anticipated falling for him in the process.
Their fall is sweet but their growth is the icing on the cake for this story. I love walking away after reading a story that just makes you feel light and happy. And while Locke has some dark moments to work through, he came out the best version of himself on the other end. Definitely recommend Locke & Livia’s story.
Denise H.5/5
Locke is latest book of the Portland Wildfire series but can be read as a standalone book. Locke is a player picked up for the expansion team. He has good stats and gets the job done if he could just not get the penalties. Penalties that cost games just to satisfy something in him. The rage that burns hot. Locke with all of his pro seasons and experience he never once bonded with the team. No hanging out, small talk, or even acknowledgement of his other teammates. Ties that bind are never formed for one reason. Locke doesn't seem to care about anything but himself. That is until he comes face to face with the owner and has to meet with the new high-performance consultant, Livia. Livia is good at her job, and she is excited to put herself to good use. Although her first task is to try and figure out what makes Locke tick. Try to and change his mind set and stop costing the team games.
Jennifer F.4/5
Locke is another enjoyable entry in Sawyer Bennett's Portland Wildfire series and can easily be read as a standalone. This story pairs NHL player Locke with Livia, the team's new high-performance consultant, and their relationship delivers a good mix of chemistry, emotional growth, and workplace tension.
At first glance, Locke comes across as distant, gruff, and notoriously difficult to approach. He has built a reputation for keeping people at arm's length, projecting a hard exterior that makes him seem perpetually irritated and uninterested in forming connections. Many of his teammates have learned to accept his guarded nature, but Livia sees beyond the defensive walls he has carefully constructed. As their interactions increase, it becomes clear that beneath his prickly demeanor is a man carrying far more emotional weight than anyone realizes.
Livia is a wonderful counterpart to Locke. As a psychologist and high-performance consultant, she's insightful, compassionate, and confident enough not to be intimidated by his tough exterior. Rather than trying to change him, she takes the time to understand him, which allows their connection to develop in a believable and meaningful way.
I especially enjoyed watching Locke gradually let down his guard. His character growth felt authentic, and the romance was strengthened by the trust and vulnerability they built together. Bennett does a great job balancing the hockey aspects with the emotional journey, and the team dynamics continue to add fun and depth to the story.
While some of the plot developments were fairly predictable, the strong character work and emotional payoff kept me invested throughout. Overall, Locke is a heartfelt hockey romance featuring a seemingly unapproachable hero, a strong and intelligent heroine, and a satisfying love story that proves first impressions aren't always accurate.
Pfl4/5
It always amazes me that Sawyer Bennett can come up with such interesting reads after so many hockey stories, but she takes the same premise with each book and makes it unique. I really enjoyed Locke’s and Livvy’s story, a grumpy guy and a very smart lady who are on the same hockey team. He is one of the stars of the team but has major anger issues. Livvy is a Sports Performance Manager and is tasked with helping Locke with those anger issues or risk him losing his place on the team. A wonderful creative story that kept me totally engaged til the very end.
Bobbie C.5/5
Locke is Dr Livia Cross and NHL player Locke Donovan’s entertaining, emotional and at times dark journey. It’s book two in the Portland Wildfire Series and it didn’t take me long to become invested in this couple and their story. From the first chapter to the last line I was captivated and as I closed the final page I still wanted more.
Livia is hired as the new high-performance consultant for the Wildfire NHL team and her first job is to observe and evaluate why Locke is shut off from his team and why he is so volatile on and off the ice. Problem is Locke has no intention to open up his past to anyone………
Locke keeps his private life private and he feels he doesn’t need to be buddies with his teammates to do his job. But when Livia starts getting close he finds himself unraveling his past and opening up to woman he was determined was not going to pity him. So what happens when this couple realise they have a connection, it may be fragile but it’s the first connection he has had in a long time………
This story touched me on so many levels, I fell hard and fast for Locke and my heart broke as he showed his vulnerability and I want the strong and sassy Livia in my corner but what took this book to the next level was watching this couple dance around the feelings that had even when they weren’t sure if it was love or loyalty. I loved this book so big.
Jackie W.5/5
He’s the league’s most dangerous enforcer. She’s the specialist sent to determine whether he’s too broken to save. Neither of them is prepared for what happens when the truth hits back.
Donovan Locke has a reputation carved in blood and penalty minutes. The league’s most dangerous enforcer, he’s an angry, unapproachable loner who fights harder and refuses to let anyone in. The Portland Wildfire only took him because no one else would, and Locke seems determined to prove every rumor true. He doesn’t do teammates. He doesn’t do relationships. He barely does conversation.
Dr. Livia Cross is quiet, brilliant and controlled. Officially, she’s the Wildfire’s new high-performance consultant. Unofficially, she’s been embedded by the league to evaluate one player.
One risk.
Locke.
Her job is simple: observe him, test him, and determine whether he’s safe to stay on the ice, or too volatile to keep playing. But the man she finds beneath the scowl and silence isn’t what she expected. He’s sharp. Watching. Walled off for a reason. And when sparks ignite where there should only be professionalism, Livia’s carefully built boundaries start to crack.
Locke doesn’t trust easily yet he lets Livia closer than he ever intended, long before he learns she isn’t who he thinks she is. And when the truth comes out, it won’t just shatter their fragile connection… it might end his career.
Dark, emotional, and electric with slow-burn chemistry, LOCKE delivers a gripping workplace romance between a guarded enforcer and the woman sent to evaluate him—until desire becomes danger, and the lines between loyalty and love blur beyond recognition.
I loved Locke and Livia's story! I was hooked within the first few pages and couldn't put it down.
The slow-burn chemistry was fantastic, and I really enjoyed watching Locke's walls come down as his relationship with Livia developed. The emotional depth, tension, and secrets kept me turning the pages until the very end.
If you love hockey romances with angst, heart, and unforgettable characters, this one is definitely worth reading.
Stacie C.5/5
I loved this one. Locke had this complicated and closed off vibe. But he was surprising. He could comfortably ease into the group dynamic, he just needed to want it. And I loved that for such a hard shell to crack, the perfect woman is so intuitive and observant. Reading the book felt like taking a challenge to get to the truth. And it was very satisfying as each character revealed just a little more of that truth. A little softness.
Dimaris R.5/5
Locke was an emotionally charged story. So many ups and downs with facing past experiences and bonding through them. The warmth portrayed was a gentle care that gave me such a fuzzy feeling. But on the other hand, it had me on edge with danger in the background. Sports, suspense and love, all in one. Excellent!
Kim W.5/5
Still loving the Wildfire!
I don't know how Sawyer keeps coming up with new twists on hockey romance but I hope she never stops. These 2 were not a case of instalove and not really enemies to lovers. But they were a simmering pot that eventually boiled over in the best way.
Locke's hardened heart and high walls were always meant to melt and crumble for Livia.
Shannon4/5
Awesome new series. This is book two and the brooding Locke Donovan is the man who needs some serious therapy to find the reason behind all that anger he has on the ice. He’s one of the best players but his penalties are costing the team and owner Patrick Rowe isn’t having it any longer.
Livia Cross is back in her home town with a new start and new job working for the Portland Wildfire. When she is tasked with uncovering what it is that makes Locke so angry, she gets to work trying to unravel the tightly wound strings he holds so close. What she doesn’t expect is to fall for the quiet man and do everything she can to help him.
Great characters and such an interesting story. I loved the first book and highly recommend it too as each book is standalone but they build on each other. I really enjoyed this book and hope you do too.
Terri5/5
I love with authors add things to their books that have me learn something new. I never knew that Livia's job was a thing in hockey, and as a fan of the sport I really should learn more about the outer workings that help the players tick. Livia pushes Locke's buttons in all the right ways until he has to face his past and figure out why she pushed the way she did. Throw in a ex that Livia tries so hard to escape and you have book two of the Portland Wildfire. Also we get to see Cherry and Miller again, and she still seems like she's as flighty as ever. This book kept me engaged I wish there was more between Adam and Locke to help the closure become full circle, that being said Livia does make up for it and Locke loosens up to not lose his job in the process.
Terren H.5/5
I love the way this new Portland Wildfire series is taking off. Locke and Livia's story is so beautiful, heartfelt, and moving. Donovan Locke is a talented hockey player but has a troubled reputaion. He has been burned in the past so keeps his distance from his new teammates. Dr. Livia Cross is an accomplished performance consultant, brought to the Wildfire to work with not only the team but to break down the barrier Locke is hiding behind. Locke is ready to push back at Livia's attempts to work with him, but he is surprised by how easy she is to be with. She slowly convinces him to interact with his teammates, and with her. The more time they spend together, the harder it is to ignore their attraction. Just as Locke is finding success on the ice and comfort in Livia, she crosses a line that pushes him away, breaking both their hearts. I loved Locke and Livia together and the slow-burn build to their incredible relationship. I loved Livia's confidence, selflessness, and caring, and the way she helped Locke find his way back to the man he really was. My heart broke for Locke as he struggled with forgiveness and learning to trust, and love again. I am enjoying getting to know all the Wildfire players, and the growing pains of a new team on the rise and becoming a found family. This is a beautiful, and hopeful romance about letting go of the past, forgiveness, believing in second chances, and finding that forever love.
Karen G.5/5
Locke, the second book in the Portland Wildfire series, is one that I absolutely enjoyed!
Locke is there to play hockey and that is all he cares to do. He doesn't want to socialize or bond with his teammates and he is constantly getting penalties and is in danger of being sanctioned because of it. The team decides to bring in a high performance consultant to the team and Livia Cross is the one that is going to have to figure out how to reach the very distant hockey player.
While Livia works with all of the players, her focus becomes Locke. They don't see eye to eye at the beginning and Livia strikes a deal with the defenseman to try to make inroads with him. Whether she will be successful will be another story, but one thing for certain is there are definite sparks between the two. They continue to grow closer and Locke lets her in more than anyone before, but will that end up being the demise of their connection?
I am enjoying everything about the Portland Wildfire series and the group of players we've met so far. This was full of emotion, heat and heart!
Heather F.4/5
4.5⭐️
An all of the feels, fight to you can’t fight your emotions any longer romance that brings Locke and Livia a winding, twisting path of the unknown. Can Livia get Locke to open up, can Locke ever trust anyone again or do they both lose what has become the best thing that has ever happened to them?
Grab this heartbreaking journey of learning to trust and finding love along the way. ❤️❤️❤️
Nancyk5/5
Locke, the second installment in Sawyer Bennett’s Portland Wildfire series, is a compelling, fast paced read that fully deserves a solid 4.5 stars. Having experienced this via immersive dual media - simultaneously reading and listening - I was completely hooked from the start. Locke is an intensely intriguing, complex hero; playing defense for the new expansion team, he keeps to himself, fiercely dedicated to hockey and sporting amazing stats, yet harbors an explosive volatility on the ice that he struggles to contain. The sparks fly immediately when he’s forced to work with Livia Cross, the team’s sharp new director of human performance. They butt heads from their very first interaction…she pushes his boundaries while he digs in his heels, utterly refusing to participate in her process. However, their friction quickly evolves into undeniable chemistry and a explosive physical attraction. What begins as a strictly casual arrangement inevitably deepens into something far more meaningful, revealing that behind Locke’s surly exterior lies a man who deep down just wants to belong, while Livia proves to be the ultimate feisty counterpart who can effortlessly go toe-to-toe with Locke and the rest of the roster.
The audiobook narration elevates the entire experience to another level. Samantha Summers and Alastair Haynesbridge deliver a superb performance, perfectly capturing the push-and-pull dynamics, the underlying emotional tension, and the raw heat between the lead characters. Beyond the core romance, Bennett does a fantastic job expanding the Portland Wildfire world, offering deeper insight into the inner workings of the expansion team and its captivating roster and staff. A highlight for longtime fans is the welcome presence of Van Turner, a beloved face from the Cold Fury and Pittsburgh Titans series, whose inclusion adds a wonderful layer of continuity. Heart-pounding, emotional, and satisfyingly swoon-worthy, Locke is a standout hockey romance that shines in both print and audio.
Fi L.5/5
NEW SERIES!
The Bluegrass Empires
Set among the rolling hills of Kentucky horse farms and bourbon distilleries, these seductive tales are steeped in bloodline feuds that run deep and without forgiveness.
