Marek: A Cold Fury Hockey Novel
Sawyer Bennett
Release Date: May 22, 2018

Synopsis:

Marek Fabritis is used to delivering blows, not receiving them. But when he gets tipped off by an anonymous email about his ex-girlfriend, the news leaves him ice cold—and it’s not because Gracen Moore is getting married to a total jerk. It’s the fact that Marek has a three-year-old daughter he never knew about. Now he’s going back home, not to play knight in shining armor but to make damn sure that no man takes what’s his. For the first time, there might be something more important than hockey.

Gracen Moore has always loved Marek. That’s why she let him go, so he could pursue a career in the NHL. And that’s why she never told him about Lilly. Only now does Gracen realize that she made an unforgivable mistake. But is that any reason for Marek to crash her wedding and make an epic scene? If the spark that still smolders between them is to be trusted, maybe. Still, Gracen’s not getting her hopes up. Because she knows better than anyone that appearances aren’t always what they seem. . . .

Purchase Marek:

Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Google Play | Kobo | Audible

Goodreads Link: http://bit.ly/2kIk6T0

Marek by Sawyer Bennett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is book #11, in the Cold Fury Hockey series. This book can be read as a standalone novel. To avoid spoilers, and for complete understanding of the series, I recommend reading these in order.

Marek is in shock. He just found out anonymously that his ex has been keeping his child a secret. Can they work it out without coming to blows?

Gracen wants to make something right she cannot take back. There is so much pain and problems connected to her past she has no idea where to start. She must find a way to forge a future with her child's father.

This book started out so sad. I was just aching for these characters. I was profoundly grateful that the author had a plan. In her infinite wisdom, this story got hotter by way of a slow burn. Like all the books in this series - it was totally hot.


***This early copy was given in exchange by Netgalley and its publishers.

View all my reviews

About the Author:

Since the release of her debut contemporary romance novel, Off Sides, in January 2013, Sawyer Bennett has released multiple books, many of which have appeared on the New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestseller lists.

A reformed trial lawyer from North Carolina, Sawyer uses real life experience to create relatable, sexy stories that appeal to a wide array of readers. From new adult to erotic contemporary romance, Sawyer writes something for just about everyone.

Sawyer likes her Bloody Marys strong, her martinis dirty, and her heroes a combination of the two. When not bringing fictional romance to life, Sawyer is a chauffeur, stylist, chef, maid, and personal assistant to a very active daughter, as well as full-time servant to her adorably naughty dogs. She believes in the good of others, and that a bad day can be cured with a great work-out, cake, or even better, both.

Sawyer also writes general and women’s fiction under the pen name S. Bennett and sweet romance under the name Juliette Poe.

Connect with Sawyer:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bennettbooks
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BennettBooks
Instagram: https://instagram.com/sawyerbennett123/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/Sawyer_Bennett
Book+Main Bites: https://bookandmainbites.com/sawyerbennett

Sign up for Sawyer’s newsletter: http://sawyerbennett.com/signup/

This is book #11, in the Cold Fury Hockey series.  This book can be read as a standalone novel.  To avoid spoilers, and for complete understanding of the series, I recommend reading these in order.

Marek is in shock.  He just found out anonymously that his ex has been keeping his child a secret.  Can they work it out without coming to blows?

Gracen wants to make something right she cannot take back.  There is so much pain and problems connected to her past she has no idea where to start.  She must find a way to forge a future with her child's father.

This book started out so sad.  I was just aching for these characters.  I was profoundly grateful that the author had a plan.  In her infinite wisdom, this story got hotter by way of a slow burn.  Like all the books in this series - it was totally hot.  I give this story a 4/5 Kitty's Paws UP!

***This early copy was given in exchange for an honest review, by Netgalley and its publishers.

Sawyer Bennett melts the ice with book eleven in the Cold Fury Hockey series, MAREK.  I was anxiously waiting to read this story since book 10, REED.  Marek Fabritis is friends with Reed.  In book ten, Reed went with Marek to help stop the wedding of Marek’s ex-girlfriend, Gracen Moore.  At the wedding, Marek discovered that he and Gracen have a three-year-old daughter, Lilly, that he never knew about.  Marek’s story continues after the wedding. 

The plot was exceptional.  It was realistic and heartfelt.  The characters were believable.  Marek understandably was angry after his discovery.  He didn’t handle the situation well and had a lot of growing up to do throughout the story.  I like Gracen.  She sacrifices a lot for the people she loves.  She’s a good mom.  She should have told Marek about Lilly, but the reason she didn’t was plausible. The two never got over each other.  They have issues to overcome.  I like that they had a second chance.

I’m glad Marek stopped the wedding.  Owen was not a good guy.  We discover some interesting things about Owen and his intentions throughout the novel. 

I like that Josie’s ex/co-worker Aiden McCune made an appearance in this novel.  I thought it was interesting especially considering the things that happened with him in book ten. 

I love the epilogue.  Lilly is too cute.  It was the perfect ending for the story.

If you haven’t read the other books in the Cold Fury Hockey series, MAREK could be read as a stand-alone.  However, I do recommend reading REED first.  There are many things that happen in the novel that are significant to this story.  That being said, I do recommend the entire series.  Sawyer Bennett’s writing is impeccable.  Each character’s story is unique.  I have loved every book in this series.  I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life in Books.

I really enjoyed this book! It probably comes as no surprise to anyone that follows my reviews that I love this series. I jumped into the series with the second book and have looked forward to each new book. I have yet to be disappointed. I decided to listen to the audio this time around since I wasn't sure when I would have the chance to sit down and actually read the book. This audiobook ended up being such a wonderful experience for me.

This book is all about Josie and Reed. Their meeting at the start of the book was not at all what I would have expected and I really wasn't sure how it would play out. Let me tell you that this book takes Josie and Reed from annoyed neighbors to friends to much more than friends with ease. I loved their journey and thought that they really seemed to work well with each other. They are playful with each other and really just enjoy each other's company. I thought that the chemistry between them was very well done.

I loved the characters in this book. Josie is an emergency room doctor so she is used to making tough decisions. She really is a down to earth character that likes simpler things like beer and pizza more than anything else. Reed is just a nice guy. He is in his off season so he is a bit more relaxed and has plenty of free time. At the start of the book, he is dating a string of Barbies but is quickly distracted by his neighbor. I liked how Reed just seemed to know what to do with Josie and I loved how they trusted and respected each other.

I believe that this was my first experience in listening to both Graham Halstead and Cris Dukehart. The book is told from both Reed and Josie's point of view in alternating chapters and I liked the fact that two narrators were used. I thought that they both did a fantastic job with the narration and really made each of the characters come to life. I think that they both did a great job handling all of the character voices and emotions of the story. I definitely plan to look for more of their work in the future.

I highly recommend this book to fans of contemporary romance. This was the tenth book in the Cold Fury Hockey series but it could easily be read as a stand alone since it does tell its own story. We do get a bit of a peek into what is going on in Marek's life in this book and I must say that I am really eager to get my hands on his book in just a few short months. 

Initial Thoughts
It comes as no surprise that I enjoyed this book. I have liked all of the books in the series that I have read so far so it was a pretty safe bet for me. Since I wasn't able to get my hands on an ARC for this one, I decided to grab the audio version from the library. I thought it was well done. The initial meeting between Reed and Josie was a little strange but I liked them together more and more as the book progress. I thought that the narrators did a great job. There was enough about Marek in this book to really get me excited for the next one in the series as well.

Book source: Library via Hoopla

Reed: A Cold Fury Hockey Novel (Carolina...

Reed Olson plays for the Cold Fury Hockey team.  He is a typical single playboy type of player.  He has one type....blonde, tall and busty.  Now that the season is over, after having just won their 2nd Stanley Cup, Reed is taking advantage of some fun time.

Josie Ives is an emergency room doctor and recently moved into her new place.  Josie is looking for some nice, quiet down time when she isn't working.  What she ends up getting instead is woken up by her new neighbor whose headboard keeps knocking against her bedroom wall.

Having had enough, Josie knocks on Reed's door at 1:00 am to confront him.  Instantly there is an attraction between the two of them which is surprising since Josie is short, petite and a brunette!  Reed wants to get to know Josie and goes out of his way to do so.  The more time they spend together as just "friends", the more both of them want more.

It was such fun watching these two fall for each other and boy did they fall hard.  I really loved Josie.  She was strong, confident and such a great person.  Reed was a typical cocky jock but for some reason he really wanted to be a better person around Josie.  I'm glad they got their happy ending and I can't wait to hear more about them in the future books.  I also enjoyed the little sneak peek into Reed's friend Marek.  His story sounds like it is going to be really fun!