Renegade Ruin

The Draft #1

by Hayden Locke

Fate brought us together. Life ripped us apart. Tragedy made us impossible.

Willow York could’ve been my future.

Now in the aftermath of a crash that devastates the Major League Baseball world, she’s my new boss.

Which is a problem because she’s the only person who can keep me from drowning in grief.

The pieces aren’t fitting the way they did before. And I’m haunted by the ghosts of my teammates as I struggle to accept the players drafted to replace them.

Desperate to find my way back to the man I was, I propose a deal that can only end in heartbreak—hers or mine.

I’m willing to risk it all if it means I can breathe again.

But can a love born from tragedy last?

Genres: Sports, Sports Romance, Baseball, Romance, Second Chance, Found Family, Mental Health

524 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 23, 2024

Reviews

[theshadyivy · Rating 5 out of 5]

General: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🫦🫦🫦🫦🫦

Tropes:
⚾️ Baseball
⚾️ Second chance
⚾️ Fuck the grief away
⚾️ Angst for days
⚾️ Teamowner & Player
⚾️ Toys
⚾️ Found family
⚾️ Jacobs ladder

This book leaves me with a big smile on my face and I’m really curious who is next in the Draft series.

The MCs Hayden created for her first book in the Draft series couldn’t be more different. The FMC is a strong woman who fights for her legacy in a men’s world. Despite that she suffered a lot, she wants the best for her team as well as the MMC.
He struggles with his faith and is spiraling down after his big loss. They try to deal with their grief in their own way, but in the end they find something much better.
In between this heart wrenching story, Hayden managed to put so much spice - you will get really hot and steamy.

So if you like a good baseball romance with lots of smut and inspiration for yourself, don’t hesitate to check this book out.

The first book in The Draft series Renegade ruin by Hayden Locke was released May 23rd.

Quotes:
"Mmmhmm." Her whimpers are a symphony, and when I tap the top barbell on the underside of my cock against her clit, she jerks her hips up to meet me.

Fingertips brush my nipple, causing a ripple of pleasure at the same time as the hand in my hair tugs until I feel that delicious sting of pain.

Bishop pushes the destroyed blouse over my shoulders and unclasps my bra with a flick of his fingers. His eyes go wide as the lacey white fabric falls away. "Jesus, your tits give me fucking life."

"Why did you stop?"
Chest heaving, his eyes trail down my body, lingering on the wet spot between my legs. "If you're going to come, it's going to be on my face where I can taste what I've done to you."

"I live for those fucking sounds.
They are the fuel for every one-handed fantasy I've had for the last year."

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

“You’ve been it for me for longer than I care to admit. You’ve taken care of my heart all this time, and I was reckless with yours. That ends now. I need you to hear me when I say this. I am on my knees for you. Only you.”

Oh Bishop and Willow truly wrecked me in the best way possible. I was already captivated by them after reading the prequel Midnight Renegade but this book took it to another level. One plane crash changes the course of both of their lives. Bishop loses his entire team while Willow loses her dad making her the new owner of the Renegades and Bishop’s boss. Bishop spirals out of control and it’s up to Willow to pull him out of it.

Man do these two go through it with their grief. Hayden does a beautiful job describing how differently they each go through their journey with grief. There were so many moments that had me crying because I felt their pain. Willow and Bishop both understand each other and help each other out to help ease their pain in a physical sense. While they both agree to keep their feelings out of it, it’s clear that it’s impossible. It’s beautiful to read how both Willow and Bishop become new versions of themselves after loss.

This book really takes you through all the emotions you could think of. It has beautiful highs and emotional lows but it’s so beautiful and so well done. I definitely recommend reading the prequel novella first to get the full experience of Willow and Bishop.

I can’t wait to see what Hayden has in store for us with this series.

✨Thank you Hayden Locke for this ARC. My thoughts are my own✨

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spice: 4

Tropes:
baseball romance
team owner x player
secret relationship
second chance
found family
grief
mental health rep
Dual POV

Wow. Renegade Ruin was the baseball romance I didn't know I needed. Actually... it's more than just a romance. I felt so many emotions reading this story, the largest being grief. As someone who knows what that feels like, Hayden Locke did an amazing job accurately describing what/how we feel and deal with that emotion. It definitely hits you in the feels regardless if you can relate to that aspect of the story or not. But the romance side.... it was beautiful too. This was a story of a story of second chances, found family, acceptance, loss, love, and I loved how full of depth it had.

We first met Willow and Bishop in the prequel novella Midnight Renegade and watched them spend a beautiful night together. It's been almost a year later at the start of Renegade Ruin and the most devastating accident in the MLB world has occurred... leaving Bishop as the lone survivor and Willow as the new owner of the Renegades team. Life won't be the same... it isn't the same.

I loved this story. I felt so many emotions for Bishop as he navigated losing his teammates, his best friends, and having to accept a new team. I can't imagine what that was like. Willow, who loses her father in this accident, now has to navigate the world of baseball politics, a mask she wishes she could avoid at all costs. Can Bishop and Willow lean on each other while navigating this grief and changes? Or will it solidify the divide between them for good?

Willow and Bishop are end game for me. They've a rocky road and things are said that definitely need some groveling afterwards, but I love them so much. I loved getting to know the new Renegades and I can't wait to see more of them in the future. But I do have one question....... What about Jackson?? I need more! I'm off to book 2!

[Amanda Mercedes · Rating 4 out of 5]

The premise of this one was really sad but I think it set the foundation for a lot of character growth and also the start of a found family. It’s a baseball romance, forbidden romance, office romance and healing from grief.
They lose themselves in each other, physically, to work with the grief and then succumb emotionally. It’s a bit of trauma bonding but they also had met and come together before the tragedy happened so they already had a baseline. It’s also survivors guilt and learning to adapt to the new roles and world that they now have to take the reins of in the absence of their predecessors and former community. So it’s a lot. But they make it through :)

Thank you to the author for the copy for review!

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been waiting for what feels like a lifetime to get my hands on this book after reading Midnight Renegade (highly recommend) The way immediately started reading when I got my hands on Renegade Ruin 😍

Let me tell you Hayden starts this book off with a punch straight to the gut. I was in tears right off that bat! This book is emotional and covers the topics of grief and healing. Bishop was heartbreaking in this book. You could tell he was lost and the guilt he felt. Slowly he starts to realize he doesn't want to live like this anymore. Willow
Is grieving just as much but doesn't have the luxury of openly grieving when she has a legacy to create.

This book encompasses everything I love in a baseball romance. Highly recommend!

Thank you Hayden for the gifted e arc

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazingly fresh take on baseball romance! I read the prequel novella, Midnight Renegade, back in November - where Willow and Bishop meet - and have been anxiously awaiting this one since. I didn’t ever think Hayden would take readers where she did with this one, but truly, it was a genius decision.

A disaster draft is a plan developed by professional sports leagues to rebuild a team's roster if many players are disabled or killed. Yea. She goes there. And then Bishop and Willow need to find a way to rebuild and learn to live in the face of tragedy. She’s the new team owner. He’s the only remaining player left. And just when they think they may have the chance to be together, it’s ripped away from them.

The mental health rep in this book is among the best I’ve read - if not the best. The way Willow and Bishop help heal one another is perfection. The rebuilding of the team/family is so well written. And jfc the spice is spicing. There is an entire chapter of spicy texting that was inferno level hot.

Read it. Just read it. You won’t regret it. And I need a Carson book, a Jackson book, and a Luca book as soon as possible!

[Donna McEachran · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading the prequel, Midnight Renegade, I was very excited for this book. I loved Bishop and couldn't wait to see how things worked out between him and Willow after New Year's Eve. But, I could never have envisaged what would happen in the opening chapters of this book and the change this bought out in Bishop. This book broke my heart and kept stealing parts of it. I loved Willow and her determination but felt for her in the constant fights she faced. Can't wait for further books, hopefully more about Leigh and Luca (need to know that secret!!).

[Tiffany Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s no crying in baseball…..until you lose your whole team.

Just WOW!!!! An outstanding story that hurts hard as it takes you on a journey of grief filled all the feelings BUT it will also put you back together again beautifully and heal your heart right along with the characters. Pro tip...bring the tissues for this one! And don't worry, in between the tears, there will be lots of heat as the spice is scorching between them.

⚾️Baseball Romance
🏟️Team Owner/Player
💔Grief & Healing
🧠Mental Health Rep
✌🏻Second Chance
🤫Secret Relationship
🫂Found Family

📖Willow, is the owner’s daughter for the NY Renegades baseball team and Bishop, is the star catcher who she had a one night stand with on NYE. Almost a year later, Bishop is ready to get a new start with Willow but then tragedy strikes taking the lives of the team and Willow’s father. She becomes the new owner which means off limits for Bishop. Now they are both dealing with the loss while Willow is trying to rebuild a team. (If you haven't read the prequel novella, Midnight Renegade, I highly recommend reading that first to see how they met and the one night stand!)

Willow and Bishop. Whew. These two go through the trenches and back with a hard fought journey to love but every step of their progression towards love is so realistic and needed. It is full of angst but also lots of heat as they use each other to deal with what is happening in their lives.

The mental health representation showcased in this book is absolutely phenomenal!!! Dealing with grief is also not one size fits all which Hayden showcased eloquently in this story as both Bishop & Willow are coping in separate ways. I also LOVED the multiple therapy sessions shown on page as well.

Overall, I am just in awe at Hayden’s writing in this book!! It’s a powerful story with phenomenal character development while also incorporating hard topics, baseball, healing, heart, and heat! I am already looking to quite a few characters already!!!!

[Meka 🌸 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Renegade Ruin was very well written. The characters were easy to get attached to and the spice was amazing.

Willow and Bishop have my heart 🥰

Overall

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

[Madison Rusnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐️
4 🌶️

Guys!! If I wasn't fanning myself during the spicy scenes I was crying! THIS BOOK! Rips your heart right out and then thrusts it back into your chest! If you need some raw emotion with your sports romance, this book is for you. The pain Bishop and Willow display on these pages is palpable and their chemistry together is crazy hot! Read this book!

[Trine ||| danereadingromance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bishop Lawson is meant to be a phoenix rising from the ashes. And when he does, he'll be something more - something hardened by grief - but still the fierce protector he's always been.

All out amazing!
This was heavy and so much more than I anticipated after the prequel novella…
It is angsty, heartbreaking, emotional, a complete trauma dump, but it is also a story about grief and healing and love. It’s inspirational, life affirming and so damn beautiful - and also very steamy!

"Words, Willow, I need you to tell me you understand what you're asking for."
"I want one night. Forget everything else with me."

Genre: Contemporary romance
Tropes: Baseball, second chance, forbidden (team owner x player), workplace, shared trauma, angsty, mental health rep.
Content warnings: Grief and PTSD.

Grief breaks everyone differently. The only constant is when she sinks her tendrils into your soul, you become her mistress. Something both of us know all too well.

ARC review:
Wheeew, this was a roller coaster of emotions and I was totally enthralled and all up in my feels. The magnificence of the grief was overwhelming and very raw and I really liked that I got to experience it all with Bishop and Willow, even though it broke my heart too.

"I know it seems impossible, but you were you before them. You will be you after them. You just need to give yourself a chance."

I haven't read a story like this before, and I wasn't sure if I could handle it, but wow was I surprised and soooo happy. The trauma-bonding and all the spice was such a great addition, and it really showed a lot of different ways to grieve, to learn to live again and to find 'the new you'.
The healing wasn't linear, it wasn't easy, and at times I was very frustrated with Bishop and his actions - even though I understood his behavior… He really made up for it, and found a way to be his lovable, loyal, über protective and caring self again, just in a new (and improved) version!
Willow is amazing! A total boss-babe and so incredibly strong. She chose another way to handle the grief than Bishop, but no less impactful, and seeing her suffering, feeling her grief and getting her POVs was so great (and heartbreaking).

"Have I told you how sexy it is that you now voice what you want?"

Bishop and Willow had history (read the prequel, it is very good and sets up their story very well), but they also had so many obstacles in their way. Bishop had just chosen to pursue more with Willow when tragedy struck, and in a lot of ways him and his grief is his own worst enemy. There were also some other challenges - especially Willow suddenly becoming Bishop's boss.
Another challenge and huge frustration were all the 'men' leading the team that suddenly fought they were in charge and knew better than Willow just because they were men… Seriously, they (and one in particular) can just go f- themselves…

"You've always been a tease, Bishop Lawson, but come on, play ball with me."
"Oh, I'm ready to play kitten."

Even amidst all the challenges, the grief, the PTSD, Willow and Bishop grew closer and had such a beautiful relationship. The love was evident from the beginning, and only grew and became clearer as the story progressed. Also, the SPICE! Man, was it HOTTTT! It might not be the most common way of dealing, but I loved it so much. It was very real and very them!
Also the therapy aspect was a huge deal and very important, and I really liked seeing it be a big feature in the grief process.

"You really know how to turn a girl on."
"My girl. Only mine. No one else matters."

I loved the found family, the close friendships, the new team-bonding and eventual family vibes and Jackson's daughter so much! I can't wait for more of these baseball guys - and with Willow in charge I'm sure they will succeed professionally while also become a big and loving family personally.

[Fatma · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

ARC Review

Check TWs

I don't know how else to describe my feelings towards this book other than, it feels like I left my soul in this book. I've haven't seen grief described so perfectly before or even so beautifully.

On the day that was supposed to be the greatest and liberating day of his life Bishop lost almost his whole team in a plane crash and found out the women he loves just became his boss.

When she learns that her father along with his team were in a plane crash, her first instinct is to go and support Bishop, but when they find out she's now the new owner of the Renegades, Bishop leaves her in the middle of the street.

Let me say this, you will hate Bishop in the beginning. You will be frustrated with him, but at the same time you will feel sorry for him. The way he treated not only Willow, but everyone around him was heartbreaking.

My poor Willow. She's incredibly strong and has a heart of gold. She's the person that will drop everything to help the one's she cares about. She could see through Bishop's hurt and did everything in her power to help him and push him towards healing. I was so happy when Bishop finally got himself together and saw that Willow need as as much help as he did!She literally had to run a while baseball team with little to no experience! And add a old close minded all male executive board to the mix, our girl needed major help!

When both need a distraction from their grief to help handle their high stress daily lives, they agree to a with benefits relationship that had an end date. Willow knows she loves Bishop and is willing to have her heart broken in order to help Bishop which will end up saving their team. She'll take whatever she can get from Bishop, even if it's just the broken parts of him.

Bishop's acceptance of his feeling took longer, but when he was all in, he was all in. The way he protected Willow and stood by her🫠🫠. The way the whole team stood by both of them😭😭😭

“I need you, not a distraction.”
“You have me. All of me.”

Hayden does an amazing job at protraying the characters' emotions throughout the story. I'm mesmerized. Bishop's anger, but also the guilt that comes with healing from grief was on point.

I have so many theories for the future books! I'm so excited for what's to come for this amazing team!!

[Sian Rice · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a heartbreaking situation the plot was formed around.

A plane containing almost the entire Renegade baseball team crashes with only one survivor. One team member though wasn’t even on the flight to begin with and the survivor’s guilt is 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭 for poor Bishop.

Also on the plane was the team’s owner - Willow’s dad. And in his will, he left the team to her. Much to the horror of the misogynistic fuckfaces on the board and management team. Yes, I have big feelings about this because it rings so true, it infuriates me that even in this day and age, women are still viewed as less-than by a large part of society.

But I digress.

Willow and Bishop met - and hooked up - a couple of times before the catastrophic start of this book. They always had a connection but weren’t ready to be more than that at the time.

They do find comfort in each other though. In the physical sense. Using each other to distract from the devastation of their lives. But as much as they claim to want to keep their feelings out of it, there was no real hope of that considering they both started falling from the first moment they met.

My heart just broke for both of them and what they were going through. And although I did get frustrated with how each of them reacted to certain things, I also get it. Grief affects everyone differently. It isn’t linear and can create irrational fears where none existed before.

The healing process was raw and realistic, and the side characters were great. I loved the guys and how they slowly but surely started to cohesively mesh into a real team. And I can’t wait to read more stories surrounding them all! But mostly I loved Willow and Bishop’s story of love and healing…and the spice was on point!

ARC kindly provided in exchange for my honest review.

[meena · Rating 5 out of 5]

~Bishop & Willow~ 
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

⚾️ Professional baseball player x team owner 
🐈‍⬛ Second chance/Right person, wrong time   
⚾️ Grief/therapy rep 
🐈‍⬛ Found family 
⚾️ Secret relationship

"He just needs to realize it's okay to not be the white knight. Pristine and perfect. Sometimes it's the dark knight--hardened and damaged, but still honorable--who gets the girl." 

Bishop and Willow are the perfect match. Just when they think the stars have aligned for them to be together--the unthinkable happens; Bishop's entire baseball team, including Willow's father/team owner, die in a plane crash. Willow then becomes Bishop's boss and he spirals out of control. As Bishop is haunted by his teammates and the possibility of "what could have been" with Willow, he strikes up a deal that is either going to ruin him or help him heal. 

Mannnn, this one HURT but it was just so so good. I was obsessed with the prequel novella so when I read the plane crash chapter, my jaw DROPPED (I was also binging Yellow Jackets at the time so I was really not expecting that one). While a lot of books address grief, I have never seen it done so perfectly. Willow and Bishop both grieve completely differently but they are both equally understandable. I loved both the past and current players and I already have hopes for future books/couples. 

Note: This couple does have a prequel novella (Midnight Renegade; it's currently FREE on kindle!). While it is not required to read the novella, I HIGHLY recommend it. Not only is it helpful background information, but it was also one of my top novella reads of 2023 ◡̈

[Aly · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW

4.5 stars

⚾️ “Renegades protect what’s ours.”⚾️

There is a difference prequel to this story called Midnight Ruin, you can continue with this book without reading it. There is a brief description to get you caught up. But I fell in love with these characters and will for sure be going back.

What to expect
⚾️ Team owner x Player
💼 Secret Relationship
⚾️ Second Chance
💼Found Family
⚾️Toys As Teammates
💼Angst
⚾️ Fancy Peen


“If I were any man, I’d instantly be the hero rebuilding an empire, but because I’ve got a X chromosome, both the MLB and the greater public believe I couldn’t possibly do a better job than the man in front of me.”

💼 Willow is such an easy loved FMC. Her support through the tragic events that take place during this book, and how she steps up to the plate is truly amazing.

“Nothing about us is detached like we planned. That ever since we met on that balcony in New York I’ve wanted to know what it would be like to call her mine.”

⚾️ Bishop goes through so much trauma, along with loads of grief as many of these characters do. His development throughout this story is top tier.

This book totally took me by surprise, it gives all things baseball, with a badass FMC who is really defying odds in the male dominated industry. It has so much trauma and grief, and really touches on lots of healthy outlets on therapy and dealing with those things. And the spicy, it was a home-run. This is a new to me author and I really enjoyed this one, and can’t wait to read more Renegades. ⚾️

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Not a distraction, sweetheart, a lifeline. An anchor in the storm.”
Renegade Ruin is the first full length book of The Draft Series. We met Willow and Bishop in the novella Midnight Renegade but now we see them after tragedy strikes. A plane crash has taken the lives of the Renegade’s baseball team, Bishop is the one of the only survivors since he was not on the plane that day. Willow’s father, the owner of the team, was on that plane and with his passing left the team to Willow.

Willow and Bishop have had to deal with so much tragedy. They handle their grief in vastly different ways. Willow throws herself into her work while Bishop spends his days drinking and causing chaos. But when the two decide to cling to each other everything changes.
“So, what are you asking me for?”  “I’m asking you to make my days easier.”

Willow and Bishop were perfect once they accepted they were each other’s aisle seat. Watching the two grow from their grief and become the new versions of themselves was amazing to watch. I also loved getting to know the new Renegades and I have picked the players I want to read about! I’m so excited for this series to continue!

“Now here we are, survivors of tragedy, building a life neither of us could have imagined. We don’t need luck on our side. We made this all on our own and will continue to do so every day for the rest of our lives.”
Thank you @hayden_locke_author for the ARC!
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🔥: “Get me ready for you, Kitten.”

[Chelsea (2_girls_bookin_it) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished this book a couple days ago (at 1 AM because I couldn't put it down) and my mind is still processing just how good this book was. I feel like I'm doing this book a disservice because I can't put my love for it into words that I feel adequately describe it. But I'll try.

I read Midnight Renegade (the prequel) when it came out and fell in love with Bishop and Willow. I was so excited to read more about their relationship (and their smutty scenes), but then Hayden Locke ripped my heart out within the first chapter. I was not expecting this book to take this kind of turn, but my goodness was it good.

While Hayden destroys your heart, she also patches it back up right alongside the characters'. And I think that really just immerses you in their story. While this is not the typical light-hearted sports romance, it's a book I think anyone who really wants to connect with the characters should read.

[Maddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Renegade Ruin?! more like... Maddy is ruined. No, but in all seriousness this book ROCKED my world. It broke me and healed me all in one sitting, because I could NOT put it down.

This was genuinely so much more than a sports romance and I loved every second of it. The way I was not expecting half of the stuff that happens in this book to happen and I was gasping. I loved every single second of Willow and Bishop's story and I really enjoyed their separate healing journeys as well.

I went into this book completely blind and could not have been happier. The storyline was freaking incredible and the emotions were felt soul deep for me. I loved the mental health rep in this book and how much emphasis there was on the process of grief and healing.

I could not be happier that I read this book and can't wait for book 2!

⚾️Baseball Romance
⚾️F**k the Grief Away
⚾️Teamowner & Player
⚾️Found Family
⚾️Forbidden Relationship
⚾️Second Chance Vibes

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was everything!! This book has so much to the story and I loved every bit of it. It’s raw, beautiful, emotional, painful story but by the end I felt better. Hayden has a way to really pull you into these characters- I felt every bit of their grief, pain, loss they were dealing with. And at the end- I felt hope, love, courage and like a new beginning. The romance, the chemistry and spice in this book was chefs kiss.

You know what I really loved the most? The baseball talk- the plays, the game, spring training. I don’t know how this romance book with all that it included had space and room for including more than a few lines about baseball!

I am so invested into this team, characters, I need more of this series!

[Michelle C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be ready to ugly cry, at least I know I did. I absolutely love this book and the story, WOW. A different take on a baseball story. Willow and Bishop love the, both. They each have different ways to cope with their grief but come together to help each other. You just have to read this book.
Don’t miss reading Midnight Renegade first to give you some background. All the characters in this book, both big and small, are a very important piece of the story. You will fall in love with many. Thank you

[noushting · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the baseball, loved the spice. But if I read one more furrowed brow or hear another ghostly pep talk, I might need a helmet myself. Still, addictive as hell.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

The spice in this book is just 🤌🏻❤️‍🔥 all while tugging on your heart with so many emotions! Highly recommend reading the prequel before this!

[Jillian Dexter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cue the tears.

The raw and realistic journey this takes us on is so beautifully tragic. Both Willow and Bishop are completely and utterly broken.. and for good reason.

This book takes us on an extremely emotional ride as they work to put themselves back together and eventually find their way back to each other.

The pain. The hurt. The highs. The lows. The healing.

It was all so REAL and relatable.

Bravo Hayden for having the courage to take us on this beautiful ride.

Love love loved it.

[Brooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

The most unrealistic sports romance of them all. It’s also a hopeful romance.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

"This is about forgetting, and I'm not about to let reality seep in. Not after a spiritual moment like that. Reality can wait."~Bishop Lawson😵😈

This was sooo unexpected. I had not forgotten the prequel, Midnight Renegade, that's such a good book by the way ❤️❤️❤️, and the tantalizing connection of baseball player Bishop and the shy beauty that is Willow York. Oh no! They made an impression on me and I wanted more of their world and undeniable chemistry. I waited to finally get here with this story, and it was so worth it!!! This is a sad one. Heartbreaking.😥 But it's real in the sense of grief and pain. What do you do when you lose close people who are like family to you? How do you pick up the pieces? Where would you start? You don't necessarily have to read the prequel to get into this book, however, I do recommend that you do. That way you can get a better understanding of this main couple. It lays the foundation of their early attraction and secret relationship.

Here we are in the face of a tragedy. Bishop was not on board that plane that his teammates were on, or Willow's Dad, owner of the team, that day. He was getting his divorce finalized. But he never forgot Willow. She's still beautiful. More so. And seeing her again with this news, tore him apart. Learning that she's the owner now, upset him even further. He is angry at everyone and everything in the world.🤬 He's bitter. Full of anguish and he doesn't know what to do with it. He wants out of this hurt and distrust. And Willow isn't making it easy. He wants to reach out and touch her, to forget everything, but he pushes her away. There are times I got annoyed with the cruel things Bishop would say to her. But like Willow, I remember he's lashing out because of his pain. He's hurting.💔💔 And she's trying!! His best friend Jackson did survive, but he's in a coma.

Willow is also dealing with her own grief. She's hurting too. Her Dad is gone. She's the owner of a baseball team and she's getting backlash from many around her. Ughh!! Really. Don't you have better things to do then bully her.😒🤨 But gone is that shy and intimidated woman from the prequel. She's standing tall, dealing with everything, trying to be strong, even with Bishop who is spiraling in front of her and accusing her of unfair things. She's patient. Supportive. I love her for it.🙌🏻 And she certainly has not forgotten Bishop Lawson or that night they shared months back. So she then purposes a way to deal. Is it a smart choice? Who can say. Is it the healthiest method to deal with this situation. Probably not. Does it help?? Nahh. I can't tell you that.🤐 But Kitten here has offered a desperate man an alternative. And she needs him to focus as she does her best in honoring her Dad with rebuilding and carrying on this team for him, for Bishop, and for herself. No pressure, right.

"You want to *blank* the feelings away."😳🤯😝 She went there. Yes sir, she sure as heck did. What do you think this man responded with? Take a guess. Prepare yourself reader. You might just blush. Let the dirty talk ensue. On both sides. Holy cow!!!😘🤭🥵🔥🔥🔥 I can't tell you what happens on this journey or how it ends. Go read and experience it for yourself. You bet I recommend this book. Happy reading!!!❤️‍🩹❣️🏟️❣️❤️‍🩹 Great book cover.

⚾🧢Thank you to Ms Locke and Bookfunnel for the privilege to read an early book. This is my honest opinion on the story I read. Now... go get your book.🧢⚾

[Emmi (bookish_redpanda) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Format: 📱 eBook 📱
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.75
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5

Whilst this is book one of the series and can be read from here, you'll get more of an understanding of Willow and Bishop's past if you read the prequel novella, Midnight Renegade.

This book. I think this is up there with one of the most emotional reads I've had this year. This is about a journey through grief and healing and all that it brings with it, as seen through two characters affected by the same accident. I'm actually struggling to put into words how much I loved this book; loved the healing journey Bishop and Willow went through, both individually and together. I loved seeing their relationship bloom, seeing them extend their trust and their growth as a couple. My heart broke multiple times reading this, but then it was put back together as our MC's learned to piece their own back to being whole.

Willow is a beautiful, relatable FMC. She just wants to get by in life, and now thrown into being the owner of the Renegades, she's definitely feeling like a fish out of water. But I loved that despite those feelings, she still pushed for what she wanted, and believed in her plans and dreams for the team. She was strong in fighting back the nay-sayers, even if it took her some time to find that strength, and watching her grow from the girl who lost her dad into the leader she became was beautiful. Seeing her put all her trust into Bishop, allowing herself to fall in love with him fully? Gah, I was (and still am) a sucker for their romance.

Bishop. Oh, my goodness, my heart just kept breaking for this man. He truly felt the impact of the accident, especially when it turned one of the happier days of his life bad. His connection to his team was everything, and I loved the ongoing "talks" between him and those he lost, as if they were guiding him through life. Whilst initially I thought his deal with Willow was one heck of an unhealthy coping mechanism, it worked for him and brought him back to life, almost; and it made him recognise and acknowledge those feelings for the new owner of the team. With that dirty mouth - and mind - to boot, he's such a complex character to read about, and I honestly couldn't get enough of his story.

An emotional read, filled with characters you can't help but love, top-notch spice, growth of characters and a well fought for happily ever after, this book is definitely a home run.

Thank you to the author for the eARC opportunity.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

*4.75⭐️
Since Midnight Renegade was one of my top books of last year, I was so excited for the continuation of Willow and Bishop’s story! I then became cautiously optimistic just because of what the plot of this book ended being (CHECK TRIGGER WARNINGS). Well, Hayden Locke gave them a beautiful (and heart wrenching) story!

The story of the crash was unexpected in a very realistic way. It makes you contemplate how short and unpredictable life can be. As a character who I won’t name due to spoilers says, “‘life’s too short not to experience every ounce of what love has to offer,’” and the book really lived up to that statement!

The portrayal of grief and how it can change a person was so well done! The change in Bishop’s character from Midnight Renegade to this story was done so well because it felt like the same character, but one hardened and possibly destroyed by his grief. He was almost like a completely different character at the beginning of the book, but by the end, I could tell it was the same guy I had loved in the novella. While this book would be very very very difficult for anyone actively going through grief to read, I also think that watching Bishop’s journey to find himself could help someone see that there is a way to move on and keep living in the midst of tragedy. On the flip side, it was fascinating to see Willow deal with her grief using the Taylor Swift method of “I Can Do It With A Broken Heart!” Willow’s approach to grief was just a valid and realistic as Bishop’s and that was beautiful in itself to see.

I also just loved their romance! I already had loved them and their chemistry in the novella, but watching their relationship grow out of their grief in this book was genuinely beautiful. They each pushed the other to grow in the midst of the grief and I could really sense their love. How they cared for one another was really sweet. I also kind of liked the forbiddeness of their relationship because it felt very on-brand for them.

I’m really excited to see where Hayden Locke takes these characters, as there were many options for future stories in the book with the friends and teammates. We shall see! I just know I can’t wait to read them!

Thank you so much to Hayden Locke for dm’ing me all those months ago for Midnight Renegade! And thank you for this book’s ARC as well!

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

“What if you could not feel it? Even for just one night?”

✨️MLB Baseball
✨️Team Owner x Player
✨️Secret Relationship
✨️Second Chance
✨️F*ck the Grief Away
✨️Mental Health Rep
✨️Found Family
✨️HEA

Bishop Lawson is the sole player remaining on the Renegades following the plane crash that took the lives of his former teammates. Struggling with soul-crushing grief, drowning in guilt and anger, he feels unable to move on. So he enters into a situationship, a no strings arrangement, with Willow York, the new team owner and the woman he shared a night with the year before. Two lost souls just trying to forget and survive their pain, letting go and learning how to live again.

Bishop absolutely wrecked me, wrapping himself around my heart and eliciting a whirlwind of emotions inside me. The crash took away a piece of him and I wanted nothing more than for him to conquer his demons and find his way towards healing, to realize that it's worth the risk of losing someone to get to experience the love of a lifetime. I loved how Bishop let his guard down with Willow and how he protected and took care of her, how they challenged each other to be better and how they never gave up.

“Not a distraction, sweetheart, a lifeline. An anchor in the storm.”

Willow was a strong FMC, driven and determined to succeed in turning her father's legacy into something great despite all the obstacles thrown at her. She was the perfect calm to Bishop's storm. I loved how Bishop and Willow accepted all the broken pieces of each other and learned to persevere in the face of tragedy. How Willow helped Bishop overcome expectations and be the man he is now instead of trying to be who he was in the past.

Heartbreakingly sad and tragic, Renegade Ruin is a journey through grief and loss towards healing and hope for the future. How do you process grief? How do you move forward when your entire world shatters? Intensely emotional and angsty, it proves life’s too short not to let people in and experience everything love has to offer.

* Special thanks to author Hayden Locke for sending me this ARC to read and review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. Available May 23, 2024. *

[Raffaella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hero is baseball player and heroine is the owner’s daughter.
They hook up in the last months once or twice, he’s getting a divorce from his wife and she’s just found out her bf is cheating on her.
Months later the team and her father die in a plane crash.
The hero is shattered and broken, the heroine inherits the team.
He’s cruel and hurtful because he’s traumatized, the heroine tries to help him. She wants to rebuild a new team with his help.
They make an agreement:since they have great chemistry they will have sex without commitment.
Of course they’ll fall in love.
There is someone plotting against her because he wants the team, the hero tries will help the heroine.
So, the book is quite honest.
Safe, both haven’t been with anyone else during the year long separation.
The hero thinks he can’t have her because she’s the boss.
He’s also scarred by his recent loss and by his wife’s betrayal.
In the first part of the book he’s honestly hateful, but he’s hurt and struggling because he lost all his friends and teammates.
The heroine is quite strong and determined.
About the story, there’s a huge amount of sex, kinky sex, that I could have done without, because it’s ok for some time, maybe when the author tries to explain that there’s a great chemistry between them, but if it’s too much it risk to turn the book into an erotica and this one had so much more potential.
I skipped most of the scenes since I wasn’t interested.
In the end his one teammate and bff who was in a coma wakes up. He lost his wife in the accident but he’s alive and has his daughter.
It was an ok reading, with a lot of sport scenes and team logistics, and tons of sex. I liked it but I didn’t love it. Both characters are strong and sometimes stubborn, and the hero is not an unpleasant character. He’s no manwhore, and able to stay celibate.
He’s also supportive of the heroine after he manages to get out of his depressed and traumatized state.
The style was good, not much angst beside the loss of people they love, but between them there’s too much attraction and there was always the impression that they would be a couple.

[Veronica Pham · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨Swipe for tropes ✨
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/ 5

•Bishop & Willow
The Draft Series Book 1

*I was given an eARC of this book by the author and their promotion team

Willow York has spent the last 4 months putting on a brave face. When her father, owner of the NY Renegades baseball team, parishes in a tragic plane crash along with most of the team, she is named owner per her father’s will. She’s treading water, and faking it ‘til she makes it, but her biggest challenge isn’t finding a new team — it’s saving what left of the old team and his name is Bishop Lawson.

A day that was supposed to be one of the best of Bishop Lawson’s life, turned out to be one of the very worst. He’s finally free of his gold-digging, toxic, ex-wife, but in the same breath he’s lost his team and the teammates he considered brothers. When it all goes down, the one woman he’s wanted for over a year, but can’t have is there for him. When reality sets in, Bishop realizes she’s now his boss. In no world can they be together, and his world is falling apart, so he bolts…

Bishop and Willow spent one night together 1 year ago, but their stars never aligned. Now, they’re both grieving and she’s his boss. Bishop is drowning himself in alcohol and Willow has thrown herself into her work. When Bishop’s actions are jeopardizing his image and spot on the team, Willow makes it her mission to save his reputation—not for the team, but because of the feelings she’ll always have for him. 🥹

Bishop & Willows story was heartbreaking, but so healing and rewarding. The process of healing from the trauma they endured is so real and I want to commend @hayden_locke_author for writing it so well! At times I was frustrated and angry with the character’s decisions, but I understood and it made this story that much for relatable! I adored this couple and fell in love with Willow as the strong, independent, and bad ass FMC! Her loyalty and strength is so admirable!!

I hope we see more of these characters in coming books and I cannot wait to see what Hayden has in store for us as this series continues!! 🖤

*available on KU
*original post on instagram @veronica.reads.romance