Penn by Sawyer Bennett

Narrated by Sean Masters and Lucy Rivers

17th in a series but can stand alone

Gifted copy. Affiliate links.

I’m Sawyer’s PA, so I fully admit this review might be a little biased—but I can promise you this: if I didn’t absolutely love the book, I wouldn’t be reviewing it at all. I started the Pittsburgh Titans series with North (book 16), and while I really enjoyed his story, it was Penn who intrigued me the most. After North, I couldn’t wait to get Penn in my hands.

Let me tell you, Penn completely lived up to—and even surpassed—my expectations. I can only imagine how much more satisfying this book would be for someone who’s been following the series from the beginning.

Penn is the best player in the league, but you wouldn’t know it from his demeanor. He’s angry, guarded, and keeps everyone at arm’s length. His teammates know there’s a story behind the walls he’s built, but he never opens up. Still, they respect him—and when the past comes knocking, they show up for him.

That “knock” is Mila, a woman from Penn’s past who approaches the team after a game, desperate to get in touch. The guys call Penn, but he makes it crystal clear he wants nothing to do with her. That doesn’t stop North from intentionally leaving his contact info open on his phone, giving Mila just enough access to find Penn on her own. (If you’ve read North, you’ll remember this moment—it’s recapped here too.)

At first, Penn sends her away. She’s a painful reminder of a past he’s tried to forget. But when he realizes Mila is receiving the same kind of anonymous threats that have been haunting him, his protective instincts kick in. He brings her into his home—his gated, alarmed, fortress of a home—to keep her safe.

Watching Penn’s emotional walls come down was my favorite part of the book. Penn is broody, closed-off, and hiding a past that finally catches up to him—and watching him let someone in for the first time is everything I hoped it would be. He even asks his teammates for help, something he’s never done before. If you’re a fan of the Jameson Force Security series, you’ll love the crossover as the elite protection team steps in to assist.

As a big romantic suspense fan, this hockey romance checked all the right boxes for me. It’s got just enough darkness to add depth, but what really stuck with me was the emotional payoff—seeing both Penn and Mila find light again after so many years living in the shadows. And even though I haven’t read all of the Pittsburgh Titans books, the team dynamic still pulled me in. If you have been following the series and waiting to unravel the mystery of Penn, I think his book will be even more rewarding for you.

The Narration: Chef’s kiss. Sean Masters and Lucy Rivers were absolutely perfect for these roles. They brought the characters to life in a way that added so much emotion to the story. I truly think the narration made the book even better.

I usually avoid reading other reviews before writing my own, but since I work for Sawyer, I’ve read quite a few for quote-pulling purposes—and I can say with confidence, readers are loving Penn. That said, I want to be transparent that there could be a little unconscious bias here. Still, this book hit me in all the right places, and I’m giving it 5 enthusiastic stars.