Some books grab you with a twisty plot; others stick with you because of the people inside them. The really great ones do both. They don’t just tell a story—they live through the characters, letting their choices, risks, wins, and losses drive everything forward.
John Havas’s Winning Benjamin–Finding Annie falls into that rare category. It’s a story built around three unforgettable characters: Halsey Taylor, Annie Jones, and Benjamin Berman. Set against the high-stakes world of the Philadelphia Ospreys and courtroom battles, it’s a story full of grief, ambition, loyalty, and renewal—never slipping into cliché.
These forces don’t just frame the plot—they shape the bonds between the characters in ways that feel both natural and profound. Let’s dive into how these relationships evolve—how attraction leads to healing, control gives way to trust, and suspicion grows into respect. Their journeys reach beyond the final page, showing us something universal about love, redemption, and personal growth.
Halsey and Annie: A Romance That Heals
Halsey Taylor is a lawyer with a boxer’s discipline and a heart weighed down by grief. Annie Jones, the assistant general manager of the Ospreys, is magnetic, confident, and unafraid. They meet when Annie’s face is completely bandaged at a deposition Halsey conducted on her father. Even with her face hidden except for her eyes, and even though Halsey was opposing her father, Halsey and Annie connected with a spark.
Halsey is hesitant to love again, but Annie’s warmth and boldness slowly draw him back into trust. In return, Halsey supports her legal ambitions, something her father initially refuses to do.
Their romance isn’t without challenges. Professional boundaries, the risk of long-distance separation, and Annie’s father’s early disapproval constantly test them. Still, their connection moves naturally between playful teasing and raw honesty, showing the depth behind their attraction.
Benjamin and Annie: A Father–Daughter Bond Under Pressure
Benjamin Berman, billionaire owner of the Ospreys, loves his daughter but struggles with letting her live her own life. He wants to keep her close to the family empire, while Annie is determined to carve out her own path in law.
Benjamin’s fears are rooted in past family loss and a deep mistrust of lawyers, making him a difficult barrier to her ambitions. He even tries manipulative tactics to keep her on the family path, though they’re born out of love and worry.
Even though he protects her identity using her mother’s surname, he fears driving her away. Annie’s admiration for Halsey and her willingness to fight for him push Benjamin to confront his own prejudices.
Benjamin and Halsey: From Rivals to Partners
Benjamin starts out dismissing Halsey as a self-interested lawyer. But over time, Halsey earns his respect through integrity and skill, both in court and in the boxing ring.
Despite Benjamin’s attempts to undermine him, Halsey proves that actions speak louder than assumptions. He insists on genuine acceptance before joining the Ospreys, and Benjamin’s eventual invitation to collaborate shows how much his perception has changed.
As co-leaders, they move from suspicion to trust, showing that respect often grows from challenge and earned credibility.
The journeys of Halsey, Annie, and Benjamin—through law, sports, love, and personal growth—make Winning Benjamin–Finding Annie more than just a story. Havas shows that the people we surround ourselves with don’t just reflect who we are—they shape who we become.
Read Winning Benjamin–Finding Annie, now on Amazon.