When it comes to the Arizona Vengeance, other than Baden, I have been most curious about Riggs as of late. Since he’s come to the team, he has really kept to himself. Riggs has even gone so far as to discourage his teammates from engaging in conversation with him. On top of that, his teenage sister lives with him. I knew there had to be a heartbreaking story behind it all. Turns out he not only has a rough past, but he’s such a great guy that he doesn’t share any of it in order to protect his little sister. Problem is, it’s not working out so great for either of them to keep themselves apart and bottle everything inside.

If you’ve been reading along with this series, you’ve already met Veronica. She first showed up in Wylde as she’s Clarke’s best friend. She works at Clarke’s bookstore part time, but there is a lot in her past that she needs to overcome, too. Veronica is a very proud woman and doesn’t like to show her weaknesses, especially because she feels her weaknesses kept her down in the past. Because Veronica was married to a rich man and has the clothes and accessories that she received while living that lifestyle, Riggs doesn’t have a great view of her. In fact, he’s a bit rude to her and she doesn’t correct his assumptions so things have spiraled to a place where these two don’t have much respect for each other. She views him as an uncaring jerk and he thinks she’s a gold digging shrew.

Enter Riggs’ sister Janelle and the fact that she not only gets a job at the bookstore, but she becomes fast friends with Veronica. And while Riggs isn’t necessarily great with this outcome, he trusts that his teammates wouldn’t put him or his sister in a bad place by suggesting Janelle work there or that it’s okay for her to be supervised by Veronica. This change brings about Riggs finally, very slowly, opening up that door to being an actual part of the team and letting others in. It also helps Veronica learn to trust again, because above all she cares about Janelle and needs to interact with Riggs in order to help the girl through some struggles.

This is a wonderfully fun enemies to lovers story. The chemistry between Veronica and Riggs is spot on and cannot be denied, even while they’re still hating on each other. The care and attention both the MCs give to Janelle and her needs is touching and inspiring. I absolutely love the relationship Riggs and Baden have developed and the fact that Baden doesn’t let him wallow in his BS and calls him out for his shunning of the camaraderie that is needed to be part of a winning team.

I will warn you, there are some upsetting and stunning events that happen at the end of this story. It’s not a cliffhanger, as this story is fully done and wrapped up with a wonderful HEA. It’s setting up another series with a hockey team in Pittsburgh. We’ll finally get Baden’s HEA in book one of that series and I cannot wait. But it’s only fair to warn you that while it’s an HEA for Veronica and Riggs, there are some sad times ahead from some of their loved ones.

Update after reading audiobook version March 2025:
Whew! I forgot how much of a gut-punch the end of this book was. I also forgot how much of a jerk Riggs is to Veronica all through the beginning of the story. I knew he wasn't nice, but man he's something else. I'm glad Veronica is forgiving and patient. I love this couple and this book. I gave it 4 stars the first time I read it, I think I'd give it 4.5 now.