on 13 December 2016
Pages: 304
The ice is a cold mistress. As the league’s most eligible goalie, Max Fournier has access to his fair share of willing puck bunnies, but right now he’s more interested in bringing home another championship than a one-night stand. A romantic at heart, Max believes in love; he’s just not great at relationships. So when he finally meets a nice girl who’s not blinded by his celebrity, he’s feeling the heat—and the pressure to save her from herself.
Between working two jobs and raising her sister’s kids, Julianne Bradley doesn’t have time for sports—or men. All she knows about Max is that he’s the sexiest customer to ever grace her gas-station counter. And he sees past her tired eyes and makes Jules yearn for things she can’t have: a glamorous fling, a passionate lover, and the time to enjoy both. Max makes her feel like Cinderella, even though Jules has enough baggage to crush a glass slipper. Luckily, he’s no prince—only a fierce competitor determined to win her heart.
Max is hands down the most swoony of the hockey players in Cold Fury Hockey, like a knight in shining armour, but with a wicked humor.
I think Max wins the book boyfriend of the year prize for 2016 (as I read this last year). He was so amazing, he met a woman he found intriguing, and wasn’t scared by the fact that she was raising three young children on her own – having two jobs to make ends meet. Julianne was definitely worth waiting for, though, and while it took him a while to woo her, it was all so very sweet! Bennett always writes her heroes both alpha males and sensitive and sensible. I think it’s that mix between alpha and sweet that really gets to me every time! Of course, hockey is also one of my favorite sports, and so reading about sexy hockey players who have a romantic streak is definitely something I enjoy.
The interactions between Max and the children were so well done, and also what made him even hotter than the other Cold Fury Hockey guys whom I’ve gotten to know and love in the past 😉 With more mature characters, who really want to form a family and be happy, the story was one I loved from start to finish.
Written in dual points of view, with chapters from either Max or Julianne’s perspective, and in first person present tense, the story unfolds while it’s happening, and it was great to spend time inside of both of the protagonists’ head, get to know them, and understand where they were coming from. If you enjoy romances that go a little deeper than the sexual attraction between two characters, this story is for you!
She never even gives me a second glance, and I’m not being egotistical when I say that I usually get a little more attention from the female persuasion than what I’m receiving right now. Mostly because I’m in the media lot with the Cold Fury, but also because I’ve been told on more than one occasion that I’m hot.
“Girl, I had no idea you had friends in such high places,” he said in awe. “Here I was today, doing inventory while Jody worked the register for the lunch rush, and Max Fucking Fournier walks into my store.” Max Fucking Fournier?
Max is hands down the most swoony of the hockey players in Cold Fury Hockey Click To TweetReading this book contributed to these challenges:
Twitter: ailynk
Sounds like she doesn’t know who max is
She had no idea Max was a hockey star when they first met – and that made it even sweeter!
Oooh, I’ve never heard of this title before! After reading your review though, I’ll for sure be adding it to my TBR because it sounds really interesting!! Lovely review!
It’s really good, Talina! I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I did.
I’ve only read Alex, but I do love her books so I plan to keep going with the series at some point. Max sounds like a wonder blend of all the best in a hero. I look forward to my book date with him. 🙂
This whole series is made of swoon, Sophia! And you’re absolutely right, he is a blend of great things we want in our romance heroes 😀
Twitter: BerlsS
I guess you would have a soft spot for hockey players, huh? 😉 I have never been a fan of the sport (or any sport really). But I hate the cold and violence of Hockey. Lately, though, y’all have really had me reconsidering my hesitance reading sports books. I think this series might be one I give a try because I love Sawyer Bennett (ever since Sugar Daddy) and I also like the maturity in my main characters. It’s a bit more relateable for me 🙂
Happy Monday! Miss you xoxoxo
Strange how that happened, eh? I don’t know why I’d have that huge soft spot for hockey players *winks*
Hockey is actually a lot more violent in the US than it is in Europe – it’s quite funny, really. Here, the guys really need to be great skaters, and very fast – sometimes, the smaller players are the best ones. In the US, it’s not a real game until the gloves come off and someone is having a fist-fight…
I think you’d enjoy this series, the sports aspect is in the background, and there isn’t a lot of hockey terminology or too much time spent at the rink. It’s like the hockey-player needs something ‘more’ in his life 🙂
I need to catch up on this series but the few I read were so good! I love Sawyer Bennett’s writing. Max sounds so swoony! I think I’d absolutely love the guy – I love that combo of sensitive but alpha!
This whole series is a huge win in my opinion, Nick. Sawyer Bennett also gets better and better with each book! Max is amazing – who wouldn’t fall for a guy who isn’t afraid of a woman who is raising kids on her own?
Oh my gosh, I need to read this! I’ve read the first book in this series and loved that one, but haven’t read any more. I love a hero who finds a woman who interests him, and doesn’t get all scared. That so works for me!
This whole series should be on your TBR, then, Quinn! These hockey players are really something 😉
Twitter: Ourfamiliarium
You know.. I don’t think I’ve read many good contemporary romance books where there is mature characters and children involved! Glad you loved this one Lex.
I need to keep a list of romances with more mature characters, and where there may also be children involved. I love it when authors manage to show us all that love isn’t over as soon as we tip over 25 😉
Twitter: Ourfamiliarium
THAT’S RIGHT!!! HUMPH! WTH???
Oooo I must meet Max. I love when there are kids involved like this. When it’s done well, anyway.
And it is done so, so well, Christy!
Oh Lex, you have me so eager to dive into the rest of this series and get better acquainted with the men of Cold Fury. I do like how Bennett’s alphas are sensitive – they have such dimension. I just love ’em! And Max! I can’t wait to see him woo his woman, especially since she’s a mom to three. 😉
Hope your Monday was marvelous, wifey! Missing you!! **BIG HUGS & LOVE**
YES! I can’t wait for you to read the rest of the Cold Fury Hockey series, Brandee 🙂 It’s among my favorite contemporary romance series, and the books keep getting better and better. Max is the best! So sweet and tender and still all alpha 😉
Miss much, too!! {{{BIG HUGS}}}
Max was the top book boyfriend of 2016 in my opinion! Super dreamy! Loved him so much!
hockey is also my fav sport but I don’t think I have read any hockey romances yet! I knew this author had wrote quite a few. I love that there are children involved, always adds depth!
I just love Max! I have to agree with you 100% that he is the most swoon worthy member of the Cold Fury hockey team. He was perfect in this book.