Atlas

Pittsburgh Titans #19

by Sawyer Bennett

As a star left-winger for the Pittsburgh Titans, Atlas Karolak thrives on the ice but keeps his personal life uncomplicated. That all changes when tragedy strikes, pushing him into an unlikely partnership that tests his patience, challenges his heart, and threatens to rewrite everything he thought he knew about love and family.

Playing professional hockey wasn’t just a dream, it was the only one that ever mattered. I’ve worked my whole life for this career, and now that I’m playing for the Pittsburgh Titans, I’m exactly where I want to be. My life feels complete.

Until the day it doesn’t.

Losing my best friend to cancer shatters me in ways I didn’t see coming. And as I’m trying to figure out how to say goodbye, I’m blindsided again—because he’s named me and Maddie St. James as joint guardians of his daughter.

Maddie and I… we’re not friends. We’re barely acquaintances. If I’m oil, she’s water, and we’ve never managed to mix without friction. But for the sake of a little girl who’s already lost too much, we need to find neutral ground and figure out how to co-parent.

Are we capable? I’d like to think so. Are we scared out of our minds? Without a doubt. Can we put our differences aside and work together? Honestly, it depends on the day. But when stress turns into stolen glances, which turn into nights we can’t take back, our partnership gets a whole lot more complicated.

Because what started as obligation is starting to feel a lot like forever.

Genres: Enemies To Lovers, Romance, Forced Proximity, Audiobook, Found Family, Slow Burn, Hockey

271 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 13, 2026

About the author

New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling author Sawyer Bennett uses real life experience to create relatable stories that appeal to a wide array of readers. From contemporary romance, fantasy romance, and both women’s and general fiction, Sawyer writes something for just about everyone.

A former trial lawyer from North Carolina, when she is not bringing fiction to life, Sawyer is a chauffeur, stylist, chef, maid, and personal assistant to her very adorable daughter, as well as full-time servant to her wonderfully naughty dogs.

If you’d like to receive a notification when Sawyer releases a new book, sign up for her newsletter (sawyerbennett.com/signup).

Reviews

[Mick C · Rating 4 out of 5]

When your past teaches you not to trust, only to thrust one of the hardest relationship situations permanently into your future. What will you decide to do run or stay?

[Anas Attic Book Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Atlas: A Pittsburgh Titans Novel by Sawyer Bennett
Stands well alone, but it’s book 19 in the Pittsburgh Titans Series. Hockey romance.
I received this audiobook early from the author for review. I do some PA work for Sawyer, and while I believe I remain neutral, there may be some unconscious bias. This post contains affiliate links.

The more I read from Sawyer, the more I appreciate how versatile she is. You’d think that 19 books into her third hockey series they would start to run together, but I haven’t seen any sign of that yet. Granted, Atlas is only my fourth in the series, but each book has been so wildly different that I’m confident this holds true all the way back to the beginning.

Atlas is emotional. You wouldn’t expect a death to hit this hard when it involves a character you don’t really know (not a spoiler), but you can feel the devastation of the people who loved Gray. Namely his childhood best friend Atlas, and Maddie, his college best friend and caretaker in his last days. He leaves behind his baby daughter, Grayce, whose mother is gone as well.

Atlas and Maddie have always shared a mutual dislike for each other. Whether it’s jealousy over the other’s friendship with Gray or simply being too similar, as Gray always claimed. They both assume Maddie will be Grayce’s sole guardian, until a letter and legal paperwork Gray left behind asks for Atlas and Maddie to share parental duties. This upends Maddie’s life even further, especially since she’s the one who has to move to Pittsburgh to be near Atlas.

Atlas tries so hard to welcome Maddie into his large home, preparing space for her and doing everything he can to make the transition easier, but she’s incredibly prickly. After all, she’s the one taking on the bulk of the responsibility and enduring all the change. Having grown up in foster care, Maddie has deep trust and attachment issues, and I’ll admit that at times I found her a little too resistant to Atlas’s charms.

“Trust is… complicated for me and I learned to never expect anything from anyone. It’s hard never having anyone to depend on. You shield yourself from possibility.”

What I really loved in this story is how the WAGs and teammates step up and welcome Maddie into the Titans family. It made me want to go back and read some of the earlier books so I could experience all of their stories, but it never felt necessary. Atlas truly stands on its own.

Likes:

•How each of the last four books I’ve read in this series are completely different.
•The team camaraderie.
•Seeing previous players and WAGs.
•How the wives and girlfriends lighten the story when it’s needed most.
•Gray was right. Maddie and Atlas are more alike than they realize.
•The slow burn is timed just right.
•Watching Atlas become such a great dad.
•Maddie’s growth throughout the story.

Dislikes:

•Maddie makes things difficult for just a little too long and takes a while to warm up.

The Narration:

Kirsten Leigh and Jeremy York are a great pairing for Atlas. There’s a lot of emotion in this story, and they both absolutely nail the delivery. They’re perfectly suited to their roles, and I highly recommend the audiobook.

The Down & Dirty:

Atlas, the 19th book in the Pittsburgh Titans series of standalones, delivers all the emotions. Two people who dislike each other being forced to raise their best friend’s baby together could have been a disaster, but Sawyer excels at building the story and letting the characters develop naturally. Atlas seems to be one of the most emotional Pittsburgh Titans stories yet, with a slow burn that completely earns its payoff. I couldn’t help but fall in love with this one.

Rating: 4.5 Stars, 2.5 Heat, 4.5 Narration

Purchase Atlas: A Pittsburgh Titans Novel by Sawyer Bennett
Kindle | Paperback | Audible

See the Pittsburgh Titans Series Order

[Darcy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was tough. Started out tough for Atlas as he faced the death of his friend, the one who centered him since he was 5 years old. Then add in the BFF's daughter and what was asked of him...it was a lot. Sure Maddie was there, Gray's other best friend, but she and Atlas rubbed each other wrong for years. So despite their common BFF dying, there wasn't comfort given to each other.

I thought Gray made an interesting choice, sure it was best for Grace, but would Atlas and Maddie be able to let go of their animosity for each other to benefit Grace. It wasn't each for either of them, for different reasons that were sort of similar. But once they talked things through, things became easier. I'm glad that Maddie took a leap, glad that Atlas was honest with her on where he was. It was nice to see how things ended for them. Loved the video they watched together, it was a great way to take a horrible situation and find a silver cloud of a sorts.

[Tiffani · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ 🌶️🌶️
Atlas and Maddie are forced to live together and co-parent 11mo Grace after her dad and their best friend dies. The problem? Atlas and Maddie do NOT get along. They never have! As they learn to work together to give Grace a supportive, loving home they learn about each other’s pasts and heavy baggage they both carry. They both slowly fall head over heels for each other, but Maddie struggles with the ultimate form of love… trust.
Sawyer Bennett is becoming an instant but author for me. This is the first book I have read in the Pittsburgh Titans series and I will be going back and starting from book 1! This book can totally be read as a standalone, but I can see how the past books all tie in with close nit community and family the hockey teams forms.
Jeremy York and Kristen Leigh are great narrating Atlas and Maddie! They both bring such emotion into the story. I finished this audiobook in 1 day!

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Altas’s best friend dies and he’s been asked to raise his daughter with his other best friend Maddie. While Gray and Maddie were close, Atlas can’t stand her and vice versa.

Maddie decides to follow Gray’s wishes even though she does not like Atlas. As the story goes on, they realize they really didn’t know each other and that gray knew before they did that they were perfect for each other.

[Theresa L · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐️ 2🌶 4🎧

[Stacie Christensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a star left-winger for the Pittsburgh Titans, Atlas Karolak thrives on the ice but keeps his personal life uncomplicated. That all changes when tragedy strikes, pushing him into an unlikely partnership that tests his patience, challenges his heart, and threatens to rewrite everything he thought he knew about love and family.

Playing professional hockey wasn’t just a dream, it was the only one that ever mattered. I’ve worked my whole life for this career, and now that I’m playing for the Pittsburgh Titans, I’m exactly where I want to be. My life feels complete.

Losing my best friend to cancer shatters me in ways I didn’t see coming. And as I’m trying to figure out how to say goodbye, I’m blindsided again—because he’s named me and Maddie St. James as joint guardians of his daughter.

Maddie and I… we’re not friends. We’re barely acquaintances. If I’m oil, she’s water, and we’ve never managed to mix without friction. But for the sake of a little girl who’s already lost too much, we need to find neutral ground and figure out how to co-parent.

Are we capable? I’d like to think so. Are we scared out of our minds? Without a doubt. Can we put our differences aside and work together? Honestly, it depends on the day. But when stress turns into stolen glances, which turn into nights we can’t take back, our partnership gets a whole lot more complicated.

Because what started as obligation is starting to feel a lot like forever.

Loved Maddie and Atlas’s story. I was hooked from the very first pages and couldn’t put it down. Their journey isn’t easy—emotionally or personally—but that’s what makes it so compelling and heartfelt. The mix of grief, responsibility, and slow-building romance felt genuine and deeply moving. Absolutely worth the read.

[Three Chicks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review by Trinette Dungee

This latest installment of the Pittsburgh Titans was a quick read with a feel-good vibe despite tragedy.

Thrown together by a tragedy, Atlas and Madison must learn to move away from their disdain for one another to honor the request to raise the daughter of their deceased friend.

When Gray Donovan’s request in his will is for Atlas and Madison to raise his daughter Grayce, it comes as a complete shock to them both. Not because he chose either of them, but because he chose both. Not only has Grayce been left in their care, Gray wants them to adopt Grayce and be her mom and dad. Doing this will require major changes in both of their lives.

Gray and Atlas have been best friends since childhood. They’ve always been there for one another and have been each other’s constant. Adulthood and careers have them living miles away from each, but their bond remained strong. Being a professional hockey player for the Pittsburgh Titans doesn’t allow Atlas as much physical time with Gray and his daughter, but he’s always been just a phone call away. Not being physically there as much as liked during his friend’s final days, Atlas is determined to honor his friend most important last wish/request. Atlas must now learn to juggle being a dad with being a professional hockey player, and learn to get along with Maddie, not just for Gray, but for Grayce. Having parents that were never there, he was making it his personal mission that Grayce never felt neglected.

Maddie has led a very closed off life. Other than Gray, she has no other true friends. Since meeting in college Gray has been her family. Being there for him and Grayce during his illness, she always knew Grayce would be hers. What she wasn’t expecting was to have to share her with Atlas. In her opinion Atlas isn’t prepared to be a full time dad. His lifestyle has done nothing to prepare him for this responsibility, and she’s not convinced he won’t decide to one day abandon this responsibility. Growing up in foster care, she understood what it was like to not have security, and she was determined that Grayce would never have that experience.

I am not a fan of high angst or that dreaded third act breakup, and this story had the potential for both, so I braced myself. Color me surprised that there was neither in this book. This book was truly about two people coming together under the worst circumstances possible, committing to the same cause and learning to navigate their new lives and along the way, learning more about each other and discovering parts of themselves they never knew. I thoroughly enjoyed these characters. They each showed up knowing who they were and what they needed to work on to make the situation work. While Maddie was definitely the harder sell for this new life, her backstory completely justified her hesitation.

I appreciated how Atlas did things to assure Maddie once learning her background and how Maddie eventually gave Atlas the berth to acclimate himself with Grayce; once learning his experience growing with his parents. What I appreciated most was the communication between the two. There weren’t huge “misunderstandings” that led to unnecessary tension. It was obvious that each was jealous of the other’s relationship with Gray that fueled their dislike for one another, but once they realized they played different parts in his life and could give insight on Gray at different times in his life, these two really liked each other. Banter is always a win for me and theirs was great. This all made the inevitable falling in love, seamless.

I love how Gray was just as much a part of this story as Atlas and Maddie, but not in a heartbreaking way.

[Luisa Rivas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author is usually my go‑to for comfort reads—the kind of stories that wrap around you like a soft blanket and leave you smiling. But this time? She shattered me. I cried more than once, and not the cute, misty‑eyed kind of crying. Full‑body, heart‑in‑my-throat crying. And somehow, I loved every second of it.

At the center of this story is Gray—Atlas’s best friend, a devoted single father, and the kind of man who deserved a lifetime he didn’t get. Stage‑four lung cancer, despite never smoking a day in his life. Aggressive. Unfair. Cruel. And from the moment the diagnosis hits, you feel the countdown ticking. Gray’s love for his baby girl, Grayce, is so pure it hurts. He stepped into fatherhood without hesitation, rearranged his entire life, and became the kind of dad who changes diapers like a champ and sings lullabies at 3 a.m. Atlas admires him deeply, and honestly, so did I.

Atlas visits whenever he can, but as a Titans player, his time isn’t his own. Maddie—Gray’s other best friend—drops everything to care for Gray and Grayce. She’s prickly, defensive, and armored in ways that make perfect sense once you learn her history. She and Atlas clash instantly. Oil and vinegar. Sparks, but the sharp kind.

And then Gray dies.

Even though you know it’s coming, it still guts you. The simplicity of his arrangements, the quiet dignity of it, the letter he leaves behind… it all lands like a punch. Maddie thinks she’ll be Grayce’s sole parent, but Gray had other plans: he wants Atlas to be Grayce’s dad, with Maddie as her mom. Legal papers already drawn. His last wish.

Atlas takes a day to think, but let’s be honest—there was never really a choice. His heart already knew.

What follows is messy, uncomfortable, and so painfully human. Maddie and Grayce move to Pittsburgh. Maddie hates it. Atlas tries so hard to make her feel at home—emptying rooms, hiring movers, coordinating everything so she and Grayce walk into a fully set‑up space. And still, Maddie bristles. Snaps. Retreats behind her titanium walls.

But slowly—slowly—she softens. She sees Atlas’s sincerity, his respect for her role as Grayce’s mom, his desire to be included rather than take over. She watches him fall in love with fatherhood, with Grayce, with the life they’re building. And she lets herself laugh. Accept help. Trust. It’s a transformation that feels earned, tender, and so deeply moving.

And then there’s the romance. Yes, it’s sexy and sweet and full of chemistry, but for me, the heart of the book is the grief and the healing. Two people broken open by loss, choosing to build something beautiful for a little girl who deserved the world. Gray’s presence lingers through the videos he left—birthday messages, songs, advice, love poured into every pixel. Those scenes destroyed me in the best way.

And Maddie’s journey? From isolated, feral, and fiercely self‑reliant to someone who lets herself be loved—not just by Atlas, but by the Titans family, the WAGS, the girlfriends who drag her to brunch and refuse to let her hide? I loved it! She becomes brighter, softer, still herself but finally supported.

This book is heartbreaking and uplifting all at once. It made me laugh, cry, ache, and swoon. It’s about grief, found family, unexpected parenthood, and the kind of love that grows in the cracks left behind by loss. And yes, the sexy times were delicious, but it was Grayce—their precious little girl—and the legacy Gray left behind that made this story unforgettable for me.

A comfort read? Not this time. But a beautiful one? Absolutely.

[Franci N (Franci's Fabulous Reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 People are Good and Love Can Be Kind Stars!!

I was taken completely off guard in the first few pages of this book. I wasn’t expecting to be a bawling mess that’s for sure! But leave it to Ms. Bennett to tear everything down as Maddie and Atlas experience a loss that is so profound that it changes everything not only for them, but for Grayce, their best friend Gray’s little baby girl.

For both of them this loss affects them in different ways; Maddie has grown up in a world that has taught her not to trust and love. But Gray was her cornerstone and basically all she had after they met while in college. While Atlas had a different upbringing, his connection to Gray was his strength growing up and he was always there for him and now it was his turn to be there for Gray as he leaves both him and Maddie his entire world which is his daughter Grayce.

The minute everything happens I knew I needed to buckle up because these two have always been like and oil and water so having them raise Grayce seems unfathomable especially to Maddie as she’s the one that has to uproot her life to move to Pittsburgh so Atlas could get back to hockey with the Titans. This man tried everything possible to make Maddie understand that he’s not the enemy.

My heart hurt so much for Maddie. Her world for the last several months revolved around Gray and Grayce and she wasn’t interested in anything Atlas said or did. She really doesn’t want his help so the battle of wills was on. As we get to know Maddie, it’s understanding why she is the way she is and her walls were built so high, Atlas needs more than a ladder to scale them. I really was torn about how I felt with her and her stubbornness. I understood it, but I really just wanted her to let go and realize that Atlas isn’t the enemy and that together they would be a formidable power as Grayce’s parents.

What was surprising to both of them, was their attraction to each other. It’s almost impossible to ignore given their constant proximity to each other since they’re living together in Atlas’ house sharing parenting of Grayce. One night everything changes, but will they be able to embrace what it means or will Maddie add to her wall…

“Trust is…. Complicated for me and I learned to never expect anything from anyone. It’s hard never having anyone to depend on. You shield yourself from possibility.”

I loved how patient Atlas was with Maddie. He understood that to get what he ultimately wanted, he has to give her space but also show her that he’s trustworthy and will add so much to her life not detract from it. Along the way, they can have some amazing sexy times, even if that’s all it is… for Maddie.

The Titans organization plays an integral part in the healing Maddie experiences as she’s brought into the fold with the wives and girlfriends of Atlas’s closest teammates. These women are people we all want in our corner. Bless them for not listening to Maddie and continued to show up and offer her a solidarity that Maddie’s never experienced. Her healing and learning to trust was truly beautiful. Opening her heart and receiving words from Gray from beyond that she wasn’t expecting changed everything. I actually had a huge smile on my face at this point because I knew that these two were on the path to a forever neither of them saw coming or thought was even possible proving that family is so much more than blood.

[Nahal TC · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC/ALC Review – Atlas (Book 19 of the Pittsburgh Titans Series)
"A tender, grief-filled story with a slow burn and a hopeful ending"
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 overall
🎧 Narrated by Jeremy York & Kirsten Leigh

After falling in love with the previous book which was lighthearted with a charming vibe, I was really curious to learn more about Atlas—especially his background and the mysterious friend whose illness had clearly left its mark. Let’s just say this book is a complete emotional shift from the last one.

The opening chapters are heavy, heartbreaking, and deeply tragic. If you’re planning to read this, please take a moment to check the trigger warnings—they’re important. After a devastating event, Atlas and Maddie are left to navigate grief, responsibility, and the challenges of co-parenting their late friend’s baby. The story follows their reluctant partnership and a slow-burn romance that develops as they come to terms with their shared loss.

Atlas is a charming, easy-going, funny Jock—and absolutely adorable with the baby. In contrast, Maddie is closed off, defensive, and initially quite hostile, which made her harder to connect with in the first third of the book. Her treatment of Atlas (being distrustful, defensive and taking out her pent up frustration of her childhood upbringing on him)—who was nothing but kind and supportive—felt a bit excessive and drawn out. However, once Maddie finally let her guard down, their banter was so cute and genuinely charming. I just wish there had been more of those lighter moments earlier on to better balance the heaviness of the story.

Their chemistry felt a little underdeveloped, and while the emotional payoff does come, it’s very late in the book. A few extra chapters to build on that connection might have made the romance feel stronger and the slow burn more satisfying.

That said, Atlas is still a deep, emotionally layered read about healing, found family, and learning to move forward. It's one of the more somber installments in the series, but still rewarding in its own way.

🎙️ Narration:
Jeremy York and Kirsten Leigh were truly a highlight of this ALC. Jeremy captured Atlas’s gentle charm, humor, and emotional vulnerability with ease—his voice brought a real warmth to the character that made him instantly likable. Kirsten Leigh delivered an equally strong performance, skillfully portraying Maddie’s complex emotional journey, from guarded and grieving to softening and opening up. She brought just the right balance of strength and sensitivity to the role. Together, they handled the heavier emotional scenes with care, and their performances added a layer of intimacy and depth that made the listening experience even more engaging.

📚 One thing I continue to love about this series is how each book brings something completely different—some are suspenseful, others light and funny, and some (like this one) lean into more tragic territory. But they all offer emotional depth, compelling characters, and a guaranteed HEA.

📊 Breakdown:

Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Character Development: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice: ⭐️⭐️
Narration: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

✨ I received an ARC and ALC and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily and all thoughts are my own.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 overall – a tender, grief-filled story with a slow burn, a hopeful ending, and a sweet dynamic that I just wish we’d seen more of.

[Linda Ketter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Atlas is book 18 in the Pittsburgh Titans series and as we approach the end of the series, we see personal struggles lead to personal happiness.

Atlas has known his best friend, Gray, since they were kids. Until Atlas went off to play hockey, they were inseparable. Although they did not go to college together, they maintained their friendship and kept in touch when they were able.

Maddie grew up in foster care. She never unpacked knowing at any time she could be moved to another home. She met Gray in college and they became best friends. She did not replace Atlas, she just supplemented Gray's circle of confidantes.

When Gray got some devastating news, he contacted both Maddie and Atlas. Maddie moved in with him to take care of him and his infant daughter, Grace. Atlas was not able to due to playing hockey. But he made every effort to get to Chicago to see him as often as he could.

When things take a turn for the worse for Gray, Atlas makes a trip to Chicago, before an upcoming game in the city. He is shocked to see his best friend in the state he is in. It is heartbreaking.

Gray makes him promise to try to be nice to Maddie. That is easier said than done.

But when Gray's will is read, both Maddie and Atlas are thrown for a loop. Gray never mentioned some changes he made and now these two must learn how to coexist and coparent.

Since Maddie has the most flexible situation, she uproots her life and moves to Pittsburgh. She is not happy about it, or about the situation that Gray put her in. But she loves Grace and does not want her to go through what she did as a child in foster care. So she will do what it takes to keep this little girl.

As time passes, Maddie starts to open up to Atlas about her childhood and how she and Gray became friends. Atlas is shocked. But his story is not that dissimilar from hers.

When Maddie meets the Titans girl brigade, she is a little standoffish. She has learned not to build relationships since they can be taken away at any time. She does not open up about herself because she does not want anyone's pity. But these girls are determined to bring her in to the fold and what they want, they get.

But when things start to change between her and Atlas, she is scared. Gray is the only man she has ever loved, but in a very different way. He was her best friend and she would do anything for him. But could Atlas be more? And is she willing to let him in and risk being hurt?

I do not believe Maddie is a bad person. I believe her childhood has taught her to be cautious. She does not build meaningful relationships for fear of losing that person. The one person, Gray, who she built something with was taken away from her.

Atlas sees all of his teammates settling down. It is something he has been thinking about. But he and Maddie are like oil and water. They just do not mesh. But what if he tries to be more kind? Could he maybe thaw out some of the ice queen? And what did Gray mean when he said they were more alike and they should try to be friends?

These two carry a lot of baggage. They both need to talk to each other. And probably a therapist. Both have experienced different forms of loss and need to figure out how to deal with the emotional toll it took on them.

It has been some time since I have listened to Jeremy York narrate a book so I enjoyed his voice and how he handled Atlas. His strength and vulnerability are extreme characteristics that were handled very well. Kirsten Leigh is a new to me narrator. I loved her as Maddie. The pain, fear, anger. love and desire were all delivered flawlessly.

[Sandy S · Rating 4 out of 5]

ATLAS is the nineteenth instalment in Sawyer Bennett’s contemporary, adult PITTSBURGH TITANS erotic, hockey romance series focusing on the players and management of the Pittsburgh Titan’s professional hockey team. This is winger Atlas Karolak, and social worker Maddie St. James’ storyline. ATLAS can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

SOME BACKGROUND: A couple of years earlier, a devastating plane crashed claimed all but three members of the Pittsburgh Titans hockey team including owners, coaches and staff. Rebuilding the team, owner Brienne Norcross, offered positions to one-time professional and semi-pro players. These are their stories.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Maddie and Atlas) ATLAS follows in the wake of the death of his best friend Gray Duncan, and the discovery that he has been given co-parental rights, along with Gray’s other best friend Maddie St. James, of Gray’s one year old daughter Grayce. Grayce’s mother died in childbirth, and Maddie has been the only mother Grayce has ever known but pairing Maddie and Atlas together is the proverbial oil and water, neither one expecting their current life predicament. Working together for the love of the child, Maddie struggles to let go, while Atlas battles between head and heart knowing Maddie’s past plays a role in her need for control.

The world building focuses on the embattled relationship between Maddie and Atlas, a relationship wherein Maddie struggles to let go. Unable to trust the man she barely knows, Maddie’s need to protect Grayce becomes paramount in the wake of the death of the little girl’s father. As Atlas prepares for the playoffs, Maddie sees a man who is often gone.

The relationship between Maddie and Atlas begins acrimoniously but our couple is forced to work together in an effort to raise the little girl who has lost the only parent she has ever known. Moving in together pushes our couple together, a move that sees Maddie struggling with the upheaval in her life, she never expected. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, familiar and dynamic secondary and supporting characters including the return of several members of the Pittsburgh Titans Hockey club: own Brienne Norcross and her husband Drake McGinn, Lucky and Winnie, Coach West, Goalie Kace Elliott, as well as the short but heart breaking introduction of Gray Duncan. Kace Elliott’s story line is next.

ATLAS is a story of grief and loss, family and relationships, acceptance and love. The character driven premise is emotional, dramatic and intense; the characters are determined and charismatic- Maddie St. James pushed all of my buttons. The romance is seductive and fated.

copy supplied for review

[Bette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb Story & Narration🎧 Compelling & Emotional!

Atlas
Pittsburgh Titans, Book 19
By: Sawyer Bennett
Narrated by: Kirsten Leigh, Jeremy York

I loved spending time in the amazing world Sawyer Bennett created with the equally amazing team she built, the Pittsburgh Titans. Each book in the series features a different team member, and their story is just as fabulous as the last, and this one, Atlas and Maddie’s story, hits you hard in the heart, bringing out all your feels. Atlas and Maddie never got along, but they shared a friend, Gray Donovan, whom they both loved like a brother. After Gray lost his battle with lung cancer, his last wish was for Atlas and Maddie to take care of his infant daughter, Grace, to be her parents. It did not thrill Maddie to have to co-parent with Atlas, since she intended to do it on her own, but figured Atlas wouldn’t want to do it. Atlas was not ready for this, and after a heart-to-heart talk with Lucky, who had encouraging words for him and he knew he was all in honoring Gray’s wishes. After moving both Maddie and Grace to his place in Pittsburgh, it was a slow go to find their new normal, but they eventually warmed up to one another. Growing up in foster care was difficult for Maddie, and it left scars on her heart and with trust issues. Experiencing the Titans family was all new to her, and she was hesitant to accept the open invites from the significant others and their friendships, but they didn’t give up on her, kudos to the Titan ladies!! Gray mentioned that Atlas and Maddie were more alike than they knew and he was right in asking them to co-parent and maybe he had a little match-making in mind or thought they were perfect for one another, I thought that too. This book captivated my attention and tugged at my heartstrings the entire time. I loved all the layers of the story and how it all played out, with the perfect balance of drama, angst, heartwarming moments, heartfelt emotions and a slow burn, but so worth the wait romance. As always, Bennett’s writing, plot and world building are fantastic, as are the character growth and development. Thank you for another wonderful story and emotional rollercoaster ride.

🎧📚🎧 Kirsten Leigh and Jeremy York were a great pairing and cast to bring these characters to life, giving each a voice that was fitting and believable. Both embodied their character completely, showcasing their personalities perfectly, with Leigh nailing it as Maddie, from her insecurities to her strength and determination, and York did the same for Atlas, nailing it in the role being just as fabulous, too. Listening to these two perform was a pleasure; they’re entertaining storytellers who hold your attention with their captivating performance.

[Dali · Rating 5 out of 5]

🏒💔 When the game you trained for your whole life suddenly isn’t the hardest thing you’ll face.

Read if you like: forced proximity · enemies-to-lovers · accidental parenthood · grumpy/grumpy · found family · slow burn hockey romance

📚 Atlas Karolak has everything he’s ever wanted—his dream job as a left-winger for the Pittsburgh Titans and a life carefully built around hockey. Then tragedy hits. Losing his best friend is devastating enough, but being named joint guardian of his daughter alongside Maddie St. James—someone he barely tolerates—turns Atlas’s world upside down. Bound by grief, obligation, and a little girl who needs stability, Atlas and Maddie must figure out how to co-parent… even when they can barely coexist.

👨‍👧 Atlas is all heart beneath the stoic exterior—loyal, protective, and deeply affected by loss. Maddie is fiercely independent, guarded, and prickly, shaped by a childhood that taught her never to rely on anyone. They’re very much “same flavor, different packaging,” even if it takes them a while (and a lot of friction) to see it. Maddie took longer to warm up to, but her growth is beautifully done.

💞 This is a true slow burn enemies-to-lovers romance. The attraction builds quietly, organically, and sometimes painfully as obligation turns into connection. Their chemistry doesn’t hit instantly—and that’s the point. Watching their relationship evolve alongside their new roles as co-guardians makes every emotional beat feel earned.

👧 The found family element shines here. The Pittsburgh Titans—and their partners—aren’t just background characters; they’re support, comfort, and proof that family doesn’t always come from blood. Seeing familiar faces again adds warmth and continuity that longtime series readers will appreciate.

✍️ Sawyer Bennett excels at blending emotional depth with sports romance. The grief, the parenting challenges, and the character development are handled with care and realism. The pacing allows space for healing, growth, and connection, making the payoff especially satisfying.

🌟 Atlas is a heartfelt, emotionally rich hockey romance about love born from loss, responsibility, and second chances. It was well worth the wait—tender, moving, and a standout addition to the Pittsburgh Titans series. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

📲 QOTD: Do you love accidental parenthood romances—or do you prefer couples who choose chaos all on their own?
Alternate QOTD (for non-romance readers): Do you enjoy stories centered around found family?

👇
#BookReview #Atlas #SawyerBennett #HockeyRomance #EnemiesToLovers #ForcedProximity #AccidentalParenthood #FoundFamily #SlowBurnRomance #SportsRomance #Bookstagram #RomanceBooks #ReadersOfInstagram #BookishLove #RomanceRecs #PittsburghTitansSeries

[Teresa Williams]

Atlas: A Pittsburgh Titans Novel by Sawyer Bennett tells an unlikely romance between Pittsburgh Titans NHL player Atlas Karolak and social worker Maddie St. James. They unite to care for orphaned one-year-old Grayce after their best friend, Gray Donovan, passes away from lung cancer. Atlas had been Gray’s childhood friend since age 5 and kept in touch regularly despite his hockey schedule. Meanwhile, Maddie and Gray became friends in college and have stayed close ever since. Maddie took on the role of Gray and Grayce’s caretaker when Gray became ill. Before Gray died, he asked Maddie to care for Grayce and also left a letter requesting that Maddie and Atlas co-parent Grayce. Atlas and Maddie didn’t get along at first, each secretly feeling jealous of the other’s bond with Gray, though they never directly addressed this. They both fully commit to co-parenting Grayce, and Atlas begins to embrace his role, while Maddie erects emotional barriers to shield herself from future hurt. Both carry emotional wounds from their childhoods—different circumstances, but similarly damaged. They hope to work together for Grayce’s sake, not expecting to develop feelings, let alone fall in love. One must learn to relinquish control, while the other must decide if they can fully commit despite their pasts. Sawyer Bennett’s Atlas: A Pittsburgh Titans Novel features a companion audiobook narrated by Kristen Lee and Jeremy York, capturing the passion, doubt, and slow burn of two people living close while finding love through caring for their friend's baby.
Mattie and Atlas co-parent Grayce, and they did not get along, as each secretly harbored jealousy of the other’s relationship with Grayce, but neither acknowledged this green-eyed malady as an issue. With Atlas deciding he was fully committed to co-parenting little Grayce, Maddie’s self-preservation walls were erected and encased in barbed wire to protect herself from possible future hurt. Both Maddie and Atlas carry emotional baggage from their childhood family lives. Different circumstances, but both were damaged, nonetheless. They just hope to get along for Grayce’s well-being, not expecting to be physically attracted to each other, much less fall in love. One needs to learn to regain control, while the other has to decide if they can fully commit to the other despite their pasts.
Sawyer Bennett’s Atlas: A Pittsburgh Titans Novel has a companion audiobook narrated by Kristen Lee and Jeremy York, bringing the story to life as a passionate romance. It explores doubts, desire, and the slow burn of two people living in close proximity who find love while caring for the baby of their dear friend Gray. Sawyer Bennett brings life to her words whenever she writes a book.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can read all of my reviews at Nerd Girl Loves Books.

Pro hockey player Atlas's best friend Gray dies, leaving him as guardian to his one-year old daughter Grayce. The catch? Gray appointed his other best friend, Maggie, to co-parent with him. Atlas and Maggie do not like each other. At all. Can they put their feelings aside to do right for their best friend's child?

This book will hit you with all the feels. Atlas and Maggie don't see it, but they are very similar. They both have issues with their parents. Atlas's ignored him and he basically raised himself. Maggie grew up in the foster system and learned early on that you can't rely on anyone else. They are both stubborn, refuse to ask for help even when they need it, and always have their guard up. Only their love for Gray and Grayce makes them try to overcome these obstacles to give Grayce all the love and stability they never had.

It was great to see the journey both MCs took to break down their walls and let people in. Maggie struggled with it the most, but she eventually let Atlas and others into her world and realized just how much she had been missing. Atlas, who had never been around babies, really stepped up and shared responsibilities in raising Gracye. They formed a routine for her care and settled into domestic life. I liked that once Atlas viewed Maggie in a different light, he was able to be more patient with her as he showed her he could be trusted and relied upon. Once they called a truce and decided to trust each other a bit, other feelings started slipping through the cracks in their walls. The attraction to each other woke up and before you know it, circumstances brought them together. Of course, nothing can go smoothly once it starts, so the couple hit several bumps along the way to the HEA.

I listened to the audio of this book and the narrators did a great job. The book was well paced and the narrators did a great job portraying the struggle each MC was going through with their abrupt life changes. You could feel the tension between the couple at the beginning of the book in their voices, but as the book progressed, you could feel their barriers melting in the change of the tone of their voices.

This book has great tropes - enemies to lovers, found family, and forced proximity. It's also a hockey romance, which is my favorite kind of sports romance. It's part of a series, but there is enough backstory on the characters that it can be read as a stand alone.

I received a complimentary audio of this book from The Author Agency. All opinions are my own.

[Trish- Late Knight Luna Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

**Audiobook Review**

The way this series has an emotional hold on me, I love each addition to the series. “Atlas” is an emotional, romantic and swoony enemies to lovers, found family hockey romance that was an amazing addition to the “Pittsburgh Titans” series.

Atlas Karolak is at the top of his game and the Titans are heading back to the playoffs. And then he gets a call that forever changes his life. His childhood best friend, Grey, has passed away leaving behind a young daughter, Grace, and his last wish was for Atlas to adopt her. And also to co-parent with his college best friend, Maddie. Maddie had been living in Chicago and helping take care of Grey and Grace. Maddie is instantly on the defensive when she finds out Grey’s last wishes but agrees to move to Pittsburgh. Tensions are high as they find their new normal, raising a little girl and living together. But as they spend time together, walls start breaking down and both realize that there could be more than just co-parenting together.

This story grabbed on to me from the beginning and didn’t let go even after I finished. Atlas is genuine, smart and a great friend/teammate. When his best friend was dying, he was there for him as much as he could be. And when he was asked to adopt Grace after he passed, he took a minute to make sure he could be there for Grace the way he should be because that’s how much he cared about Grey and Grace. And when he was all in, he was all in for Grace. I loved how much he loved her and vowed to be there for her no matter what. Maddie is caring, independent, and values her friendships because of her rough childhood growing up in foster care. I loved how she stepped in to care for Grace and Grey in his last days without hesitation and agreed to move to Pittsburgh so Grace could have both of her new parents in her life. The tensions were high between them but I blame grief and their new parenthood on that. Once they settled in and spent time together, you could see how much they were meant to be. It was a slow burn to them giving into their feelings but worth the wait. The Titans are truly a family and stepped into help when they needed it. The emotional growth was great and I loved the ending.

Kirsten Leigh and Jeremy York narrated this audio and they did an amazing job bringing this story to life. Kristen’s narration was genuine and vulnerable just like Maddie and I loved listening to her. Jeremy was great as Atlas, he brought the protective and caring hockey player alive perfectly.

[MNHockeymomreads (Heather) · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know a book is going to break you when you are already crying on page #2. While Gray was not on page much it was so clear that he played such a huge role in both Maddie and Atlas’s lives. He most definitely was an anchor for both Atlas and Maddie. And my heart broke for him and Grayce.
On the surface one would think that Atlas has it all, he is a successful hockey player making millions of dollars and it doesn’t hurt that he is gorgeous. But deep down he craves the same thing that everyone wants, people that love him and a family. His family was always Gray. So when he loses his best friend in the midst of one of the most exciting times in his career, he did what he needed to do- he became the steady force that supported Grayce and Maddie.
Maddie is really good at being tough, putting her nose to the ground to get things done, and showing up for others. Most importantly Gray and Grayce. But the thought of losing the one person that always was there for her is breaking her. My heart hurt for Maddie- she definitely was just going through the motions staying busy and surviving because if she slowed down just enough she might have broken. Her story really resonated with me, she loves so hard and really wants to make a difference in the world, her hard exeter is her protection.
But then Atlas was there strong, steady, and he kept showing up doing what he said he was going to. These two took on the role of parents to Grayce with such ease and really learned to work as a team. But in the midst of it all they really saw one another as people outside of parents- they really saw what Gray saw in both of them.While this book was Atlas and Maddie finding their person and love it also was about two people building a family, loving a little girl so much their hearts burst, and building a life that they had always wanted for themselves and that is really what was the most beautiful part of this book for me. To say I loved this book is an understatement. It is hard for me to believe that this is the 19th book in the Titans series, it feels like we all just picked up and moved our hearts to Pittsburgh and found a new team to love and support. I have loved this series, but Atlas and Maddie (and Grayce) might be at the top (next to Stone, obviously!). This book is so beautifully written and I savored every word. Be prepared with kleenex and know you will want to ignore all responsibilities and just savor every word.

[✰ BJ's Book Blog ✰Janeane ✰ · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC received from author for an honest review.

I have not read any of the Pittsburgh Titan books since book 6 - say whaaat! But what a way to dive back in.

I loved that it is not just hockey bro dudes settling down.

Out of loss and sadness, Atlas and Maddie comes love and a lightness that neither of them had felt for a long time.

It was such a sad start to the story, and the reader feels Atlas and Maddie's grief right along with them. Add in a beautiful little girl, how can a heart not heal.

Yes, there is a bit of hockey stuff thrown in, but it is more about the family we lose, but more importantly of found family. I loved seeing the Titans and their people from the earlier books (even though there are lots I haven't met yet!)

I need to go back and read those ones that I have missed, as I want to know all of them.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Atlas by Sawyer Bennett is a profoundly moving addition to the Pittsburgh Titans series, offering an emotional journey through grief, resilience, and the beautiful unpredictability of found family. Narrated with incredible heart by Jeremy York and Kirsten Lee, this story centers on Atlas Karolak and Maddie St. James, two people who couldn’t be more different but are bound together by the devastating loss of their best friend, Gray. When Gray loses his battle with cancer, he leaves behind his young daughter, Grace, and a final wish that Atlas and Maddie serve as her joint guardians.

The transition from acquaintances who barely tolerate one another to co-parents is handled with such caring hands. Maddie, a social worker who grew up in the foster care system, is fiercely independent and guarded, having spent her life without a permanent safety net. Watching her walls slowly crumble as she uproots her life to move in with Atlas in Pittsburgh feels incredibly organic and earned. Atlas, a star left-winger who thought his life was complete with hockey, suddenly finds himself as the steady anchor Maddie and Grace never knew they needed.

Sawyer Bennett masterfully balances the heavy themes of PTSD and loss with an undeniable, explosive chemistry. What begins as a strained obligation—marked by "oil and water" friction and salty attitudes—gradually shifts through stolen glances and shared vulnerability. The natural progression from verbal sparring to a deep, restorative connection is both intensely spicy and emotionally healing. The narration perfectly elevates this transformation, capturing the raw strength of two people burdened by dark pasts trying to build a future together.

With the supportive Titans family as a backdrop, this book beautifully explores whether the scars we carry will break us or become the very thing that binds us together. It is a story full of heart and depth that I simply could not put down. Whether you are a longtime fan of the series or a newcomer looking for a stand-alone tale of healing and unexpected love, Atlas is a deeply satisfying read that will leave you smiling through tears. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and highly recommend grabbing it as soon as possible.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Another visit to Pittsburgh, Atlas is the story of the Titan’s wingman who is all focus on the ice and simple things off the ice. Until tragedy strikes and he finds himself with responsibility he didn’t expect but also can’t imagine letting go of. Balancing his career and raising his best friend’s daughter with someone he previously considered a foe throws a wedge in Atlas’s perfectly balanced world.

I loved getting to know Maddie. She held everything together for Gray and Grayce in the end and when she learns the plans Gray set in place (and didn’t fully explain to her) she feels like all her plans as she has to rearrange her life with Grayce at the same time she grieves the loss of her best friend. She is strong, resilient, and at her heart she just wants to belong in a way she didn’t feel when she was a child. I loved the way the Titan community pulled her in, even as she and Atlas were still fumbling through whatever they would be.

Together, they have to quickly figure out a way to live together, co-parent an infant, and balance their own needs. As they work through the initial bumps, they also learn that Gray may have had ulterior motives in pairing them up to co-parent. Gray was of the belief that they had more in common than they had let the other know.

This had all the feels (and even though I knew what would happen in the beginning, I still broke down right beside the characters on page). I loved the journey these characters taken, as parents, as friends, and as partners. The Titans team and their significant others rally around the pair as they begin to adjust to the changes and send help and support each time there is a need. This is a fantastic example of a found family with the strongest bonds of connection.

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[Anna Theurer (Anna's Bookshelf) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Atlas is an emotionally charged, engaging enemies-to-lovers hockey romance with likable and relatable characters as well as an interesting plot line. I have read every single book in this author’s Pittsburgh Titans Series and I enjoy just how original each installment is.

The enemies to lovers aspect of this book was spot on. Maddie is used to doing things on her own and never needing nor requesting any help while Atlas is out there living his hockey career dream. At first, it appears that the overall disdain between them suggests cohabiting would be a disastrous idea. Atlas and Maddie have a lot in common, which is something that they both struggle to see early on in their partnership. Their best friend said it best - “same flavor, different packaging”. Yet what happens when they are both thrown together in the ultimate endgame of their lives?

Accidental parenthood isn’t a trope that one often sees in novels and the author excelled at illustrating how two very single people that don’t get a long must learn to navigate caring for a baby that is not their own. I immediately loved Atlas with his huge heart and of course him being a dedicated (and delectable) hockey player. Maddie took me longer to warm up to. She is rather prickly, has a lot to unpack, and the author skillfully shows just how her childhood affected her approach to relationships and life in general. I also did not feel the initial connection between them and that is most likely because it is an enemies-to-lovers romance which lends itself to being more of a slow burn. About halfway through the book, I found myself reveling at how well done Maddie’s character growth was as well as how beautifully their relationship evolved throughout the story.

I would be remiss if I didn’t gush about how much I love the found family aspect of this book and of this series in general. The various members of the Pittsburgh Titans team and their significant others play such impactful roles in the stories and I love how in Atlas, we are reunited with several of them. The Titans truly are a family! All in all, I absolutely enjoyed Atlas and I feel that his book was well worth the wait!

I voluntarily read an early version of this novel. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

[Cheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

I’ll warn you, this is a gut-wrenching story. While this book can be read as a standalone, if you’ve read the previous books, you know that Atlas’s best friend is dying and has a very young child. So, you know where this story is headed. From the tidbits we get about Gray in this story, he appears to be a great guy. A thinker and planner. That is even more evident once he’s gone, leaving Atlas and Maddie, his other best friend, to raise little Grayce. The problem is, Atlas and Maddie cannot stand each other.

Because of the nature of Atlas’s career, he cannot just up and move to Chicago, where Grayce and Maddie live. That means Maddie has to give up her job and move to Pittsburgh. Which makes her bad feelings toward Atlas deepen. I’ll admit, Maddie is a prickly one. She has good reason, though. Her upbringing means her trust is in the toilet. Gray had been the only person to ever break through the walls she’s put up, and she’s going to do everything in her power to make sure Grayce never feels abandoned or alone.

Even though Atlas is blindsided by becoming an insta-dad, he takes to the job like a natural. His parents may have been around, but they weren’t there for him in any sense of the world. He, like Maddie, is determined to give Grayce so much more than he had. Once they both reconcile how committed the other is to the raising of Grayce, the tensions ease a bit. Yet, Maddie bounces back and forth. It seems that would be something that would make it harder to like her, but the author writes her characters as very self-aware. With Maddie’s inner thoughts, you know she is just as frustrated with her responses to things as Atlas is. She is trying hard to change that instinct to protect herself at all costs; to let Atlas past that wall just as she had let Gray past the wall all those years ago.

Atlas and Maddie are two adults who take full responsibility for their actions. When they argue and fight, they are aware of their own hand in whatever that fight is about, and own up to it. It’s refreshing to see. I enjoyed watching their love grow, for each other and for Grayce. The beginning may have tore out my heart, but the ending is joyful and hopeful.

[Jessica Alcazar · Rating 5 out of 5]

🎧📚ARC/ALC Review📚🎧

Talk about #feels! I mean it’s not like I didn’t see the #feels coming, but nothing prepares you for a story with these circumstances, written by an author this talented. Nothing.

The sense of “found family” was strong with this one and it needed to be for the story to be as impactful as it did from the perspective of Maddie and man did my heart go out to this chic. Honestly, my heart didn’t stand a chance with any of this story. Atlas and Maddie both didn’t have the best of upbringings nor did they have the best connection, but the story never really centered on their negatives. That’s probably a weird way of phrasing it, but hopefully you’ll understand that I mean the story was uplifting even through its conflict. It had hope and heart at every corner and pivot. It had love in all manor of ways and I basically cried thru 83% of it all!

I think the part of this story that I’m most proud of is its lack of conflict between Maddie & Atlas aside from the inherent conflict that comes with the bombshell of their circumstance. Basically, nothing was thrown in at the last minute between them that didn’t make sense or that didn’t need to happen in order for the story to make an impact. The opposite actually occurred and I’m just proud about it. Too often authors fall into the trap of “last minute conflict” and it makes me beyond twitchy, especially when it’s unnecessary.

Sawyer, if you’re reading this, thank you for this story. I don’t know if you’ve sat next to a bed in your life, but I have, and you wrote an incredible story of life after… so, thank you!

I had the opportunity to do a read-along with my ALC and boy am I glad I had that opportunity with this story. Normally, I take advantage of doing both a read and a listen separately just to be able to review the narration and any impact it may have or not have on the experience. Well, I knew very quickly that wasn’t going to be the case with this story. Not because 🎤Jeremy York and 🎤Kristen Leigh aren’t excellent narrators and actually did an excellent job with their performances, but because this story is just “a lot” and doing it twice in a short amount of time wasn’t happening.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
Atlas and Maddie are like oil and water. They’ve hated each other and have been sarcastic and resentful as they shared a best friend, Gray, for many years. But with the loss of their friend, now they’re sharing the guardianship of his baby. So they’re going to have to look past their own grief and resentment in order to work together to mesh their lives for the good of this child.

Gray always told them they were more alike than they thought because they’re both stubborn, bossy, don't accept help, and think they always know what’s best. But they are also both loyal and devoted. As they are now in a forced proximity situation and having to communicate, they are starting to see both the other's good qualities as well as trying to learn to accept their help and be a team. Atlas has a whole Titan team behind him that has become his family, but Maddie‘s never had anybody but her best friend whom she’s now lost, so it’s going to take some adjustment for her.

I enjoyed seeing these two start to let down their claws and guards to try to build something that they could live with. And it was even more special as it started to become more, and it seemed like maybe Gray might have had several reasons for wanting these two to raise his daughter together.

This is a snarky, emotional, hurt-comfort, new guardians, finding-love-with-the-least-likely-person romance. It's about trust, found family, and trying to heal from grief and build a new future. I loved getting more with the newest members of the Titans and am looking forward to more in this series especially Kace.

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[Lisa Spofford · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am voluntarily writing this honest review after listening to/reading a gifted ARC via The Author Agency. All opinions expressed are my own. ATLAS is the nineteenth book in the PITTSBURGH TITANS SERIES by Sawyer Bennett. “As a star left-winger for the Pittsburgh Titans, Atlas Karolak thrives on the ice but keeps his personal life uncomplicated. That all changes when tragedy strikes, pushing him into an unlikely partnership with Maddie St. James that tests his patience, challenges his heart, and threatens to rewrite everything he thought he knew about love and family.” This is a spicy, open door, first person, dual POV, contemporary sports romance with tropes including hockey romance, surprise baby, enemies to lovers, grief and loss, Forced Proximity, Newly appointed Co-Guardians, Grumpy/Grumpy, Found Family, Opposites Attract, and Slow Burn. I really enjoyed this audiobook. The narrators, Kirsten Leigh and Jeremy York, were great at bringing out the distinctive characters by voice and diction and made the listening a highly enjoyable eight and a half hours and sound quality remained good at various speeds. The book was 271 pages, a well organized, quick, easy read. I never felt the story lagged or was rushed. I loved the torrent of emotions that Atlas and Maddie had to cope with including grief and loss and high times of love and the joys of parenthood. They truly clashed at the beginning, unable to accept fate had brought them into close proximity. It was a joy to read as they learned to bury the hatchet, appreciate, and even love each other by the story’s end. You don’t run into romance novels like this one very often since a fully formed surprise baby that doesn’t share DNA is not a frequent trope, which made the plot really fresh for me. I always find that the team dynamic is one of the appealing parts of a sports romance. It is also impossible to resist a character who is less than a year old! I recommend this audiobook/book for listeners/readers who enjoy the writing of Helena Hunting, Kelly Jamieson, Ilsa Madden-Mills, and Sarina Bowen and enemies to lovers hockey romance.

[Ria Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Atlas & Maddie an emotional read

📖🎧ebook & audio review🎧📖

Wen the first few chapters of a story have me fighting back tears I know it's going to be an emotional read, and that's exactly what I found in ATLAS, Pitsburgh Titans #19. This slow burn romance is an opposites attract, forced proximity, found family story which is emotional, sweet and beautifully written.

The death of a close friend always has an impact, but for Atlas Karolak and Maddie St. James it was life changing. Two people who barely tolerate each other are given joint guardianship of their friend's baby. Atlas is the Titans' left winger, he's known for being laid back, fun, and loyal Maddie is a social worker who, due to her upbringing, is guarded, independent and very strong willed.

Maddie agrees to uproot her life and move herself and baby Grayce to Pittsburgh to live with Atlas. In every relationship there must be some give and take, but Maddie finds it hard to trust and give over some control to Atlas because of her childhood. Atlas has all the patience in the world with her, but wants to bring down the walls Maddie has built around herself, he would do anything for her and for Grayce if only she would let him. Slowly Maddie learns that Atlas is not the man she thought he was, will she able able to let him all the way in?

🎧Audio Review🎧

Jeremy York and Kristen Leigh's narration was sublime. Jeremy's voice could melt butter, perfectly capturing all the emotions, humour, charm, and protectiveness of Atlas. Kristen's arration was strong, steadfast, and brought out all of Maddie's vulnerabilities and insecurities. Together they brought Atlas and Maddies to life, ensuring listening to their narration was both enjoyable and entertaining.

ATLAS was another fabulous addition to the Titans series. I always enjoy these books as it's like catching up with family. This story pulled on so many heartstrings and I couldn't put it down.

Read and Reviewed for Reading Is Our Satisfaction

✨✨✨✨✨ FIVE STARS

[FionaBluesBookCafe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Atlas is the latest in the Pittsburgh Titans series by Sawyer Bennett, and I loved it. Atlas gave me all the feels. I laughed. I cried. I was left wanting more, and I can’t wait for Kace's story. Thank you for another fantastic read, Sawyer.

@sawyerbennett123 @theauthor.agency
~~~~~

Why you will love this book:
🔥Forced Proximity 
🔥Newly appointed Co-Guardians
🔥Enemies-to-Lovers
🔥Grumpy/Grumpy
🔥Unexpected Parenthood
🔥Hockey Romance
🔥Found Family
🔥Opposites Attract
🔥Slow Burn

As a star left-winger for the Pittsburgh Titans, Atlas Karolak thrives on the ice but keeps his personal life uncomplicated. That all changes when tragedy strikes, pushing him into an unlikely partnership that tests his patience, challenges his heart, and threatens to rewrite everything he thought he knew about love and family.

Playing professional hockey wasn’t just a dream, it was the only one that ever mattered. I’ve worked my whole life for this career, and now that I’m playing for the Pittsburgh Titans, I’m exactly where I want to be. My life feels complete.

Until the day it doesn’t.

Losing my best friend to cancer shatters me in ways I didn’t see coming. And as I’m trying to figure out how to say goodbye, I’m blindsided again—because he’s named me and Maddie St. James as joint guardians of his daughter.

Maddie and I… we’re not friends. We’re barely acquaintances. If I’m oil, she’s water, and we’ve never managed to mix without friction. But for the sake of a little girl who’s already lost too much, we need to find neutral ground and figure out how to co-parent.

Are we capable? I’d like to think so. Are we scared out of our minds? Without a doubt. Can we put our differences aside and work together? Honestly, it depends on the day. But when stress turns into stolen glances, which turn into nights we can’t take back, our partnership gets a whole lot more complicated.

Because what started as an obligation is starting to feel a lot like forever.

#theauthoragency #saywerbennett #hockeyromance #bookstagram #heatedrivalry

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Atlas is the next book in Sawyer Bennett's Pittsburgh Titans series and it was a great one!

Atlas Karolak loves being on the ice, but when it comes to life off the ice, he likes to keep it uncomplicated given things from his past. The one person who has always stood by him is his best friend Gray, but sadly he's been diagnosed with terminal cancer and has very little time left. Gray is leaving behind a young daughter and the woman who will be her guardian going forward is Gray's other best friend who Atlas has never seen eye to eye with.

Maddie has always depended only on herself. After the way she grew up, she never likes to ask for help and is not good at letting people lend her a hand in any way. When she met Gray in college, they became very close and she learned to trust him. When he was diagnosed with cancer, he handpicked her to be the mother to his daughter once he lost his battle. What she wasn't expecting was the curveball that the paperwork Gray left contained.

Atlas and Maddie find themselves in a situation neither of them could have ever expected given Gray's wishes, but beyond that, the two have a lot more in common than they ever could have imagined. While they have always felt like oil and water to one another, the truth is they really are more alike than not. Will these two be able to form a relationship that will not only support Gray's daughter, but change their lives going forward as well?

I enjoyed both Atlas and Maddie and while it took me some time to warm up to Maddie, I understood why she was the way she was. I loved how Gray was kept alive not only for his little girl, but also for Atlas and Maddie. The Titans family also played such a big role in this story, which I loved. The found family aspect of these books is so great! This whole series is worth the read for sure!

**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title in exchange for an honest review**