***3.5 Stars***

After meeting Lucas in Max (one of my fav’s of the series) I knew I wanted to find out more about him and I got all kinds squee/happy dancing when it was announced Lucas was getting his own book...and let’s not even get me started about that cover *drools a little*. So I happily dove into the book and while it started off great it unfortunately didn’t stay great for me. It truly pains me to say this, but as much as I loved Lucas and liked Stephanie, their journey to their HEA just didn’t do it for me. It was sweet and holy hell smexy (but then again this IS Sawyer Bennett we are talking about and she knows how to bring the heat) but there were just things that just didn’t do it for me in the end.

Now before any pitchforks come out I did say I loved Lucas, and I did. The man is all kinds of sweet, smexy, compassionate goodness with a heart of gold. Yeah, he likes the perks of being a hockey god and I can’t fault him for that at all. But what I loved about him was that he wasn’t an island, meaning he asked for help and advice and if he was wrong he would admit it.

And then there is Stephanie. I loved her strength, humor and how she owned her sexuality. My heart hurt for what she went through as a child and I was more than ready to throw down for her because of it. But while I absolutely understand why she never allows anyone close, it started to grate on my nerves because all I could see what this strong woman allowing others to keep her down. I wanted her to take off the blinders, see the amazing that was within reach and throw up the double bird to her past and the hurt that lay there, and take the good that was within reach.

As for Luc and Steph’s journey. As I said, things started out great. I absolutely approved of how they were dealing with the pregnancy and their plan. I thought it was perfect for their situation and I was even good with how they decided to keep the smexy times going, because why the hell not...they were SMEXY together. But then came that moment and while I totally understand that here are two people who are working at getting to know each other, kinda, and they’ve been tossed into a situation they never saw coming, this moment/situation had me going “WTF? Am I reading a YA romance now?” and from there on out things shifted for me. I hate that it happened because the truth of the matter is I really liked Luc and Steph together when they were just being themselves. They had great interactions, not only the smexy kind, and the chemistry was there, but the push/pull and their constant hiding of their feelings and not pulling their big boy/girl panties up got tiring.

If you’ve read any of my reviews you know how much I love ensemble casts and having the characters we’ve come to know and love (most of the time) make appearances in the books, whether they help move the storyline along or are just popping up with an update of what’s going on with them. So it should come as no surprise that hanging out with the Cold Fury family was what kept me turning the pages (they are the .5 in the rating). I loved finding out what was going on with the players I love and I swear if I didn’t already adore Max and Jules, this book would have pushed them to that level. Then there is Van, the lead male for the next book in the series. I am absolutely intrigued by him and from the tease we got ad I need his book in my life...like yesterday!

I’m well aware that I will not love every book an author I fangirl over will put out. That sometimes it could simply be the mood I’m in that day or be a side effect of a book I just read, but it still pains me that Lucas didn’t do it for me like I wanted it too *sad pouty face* So, I am chalking it up to the whole “It’s not you, it’s me” thing and say that if you’ve loved this series so far and the author in general, then dive on in and I hope you absolutely love it!

One that is always consistent with The Cold Fury Series is that you are never left disappointed. I've read series where it's just been drawn out too much and it seems that the stories are starting to fall a bit flat. Thankfully, Lucas is nothing like that. Even though some of the story has been done several times, Sawyer Bennett always has a way to draw me in and make me invested in it. 

Lucas is one of the new boys on the Cold Fury hockey team and he's living his dream of playing professionally with his brother, Max. He's a bit of a playboy and has absolutely no intention of settling down. But a one night stand with a fiery and confident red head changes everything. 

Stephanie has worked hard her entire life to become successful. He past doesn't really leave her with any support so she's been doing everything on her own. She's kind of the female Lucas in respects to not wanting to settle down and have a relationship, although their reasons why are different. When she meets Lucas, she goes for that much needed one night stand but that one night just turned everything upside down. 

My heart broke for Stephanie throughout the entire book. Unfortunately there are people with her background and it's always heartbreaking. Lucas is actually the perfect person to come in and show her what she has been missing and what she deserves. She just didn't know it and wouldn't accept it. 

What I really enjoyed was watching Stephanie realize what a great guy Lucas is. Watching her walls crumble and her heart open up to him made me want to jump up and fist pump. Or dance. You get the idea. I was just so happy that it happens. 

I had fun getting a little more of Max and Jules but Sawyer set us up to crave more of Van. So of course, I can't wait to get my hands on his story. Overall, I enjoyed this book. If you are looking for a bit of drama with a strong heroine and a swoon worthy and sexy hockey player, then this is the book for you!

Book 8 gives us Lucas Fournier, Max's younger brother. Luc enjoys his life of hockey, partying and woman and has no interest in settle down just yet. When Luc is traded to the Cold Fury, he is excited to be playing with his brother and the possibility of winning the Stanley Cup.

While at a team function, Luc flirts Stephanie Frazier, the Museum curator. One thing leads to another and the two of them find themselves leaving the museum for a night of intense pleasure. Imagine Luc's surprise when Stephy shows up four weeks later with the news that she is expecting and that's where the fun begins.

Luc comes from a very close and loving family. While it may not be the perfect time to have a kid, he finally accepts the news. He explains to Stephy that he wants to be very involved in everything. This throws Stephy for a loop. She is used to having to do everything for herself, since she doesn't have a family in the true sense of the word.

I loved Luc. He was such a great fun and sexy guy. He rushed head first into the pregnancy with such great excitement. Stephy reacted very differently. While she knew she wanted to keep the baby, she just wasn't sure she would be a good mom. Stephy is very guarded with her life because of her past. Stephy doesn't let anyone in and certainly doesn't accept any help from others so she is very wary of Luc. The two of them agree to relationship of mutual pleasure until the baby is born. Of course this leads to deeper feelings on both of their parts. Luc wants it all with Stephy, but because of her past, she can't. It was a VERY long and emotional road for Luc and Stephy to get to their happy ever after, but it was certainly worth it.

I really enjoyed Luc's little sister, Simone. She is going to be a real ball buster and I can't wait for her story with Van!

I loved this book! Sawyer Bennett never fails to deliver a fast paced well written story. I had been waiting for Lucas and his story. He's been so intriguing. I love that we get bits and pieces of other characters throughout the series plus plenty of hockey to fill your hot men playing sports loving needs!

I love this series. Hot hockey players with heart. That is what Cold Fury Hockey is to me. Lucas was no different.

Lucas is young, hot and not looking for a serious relationship. He likes being single and having fun. All that changes when he attends a fundraiser one night, and meets Museum curator Stephanie Frazier. They get drunk, have an amazing night, and wind up pregnant. And just like that, Lucas knows his bachelor life is about to change.

Stephanie can not believe where he life has taken her. She wasn't looking for a baby or boyfriend, but that doesn't mean she is not happy about her pregnancy. She doesn't know anything about being a good mom, having been raised by a distant mom herself, but she vows to try.

Life gets more complicated having Lucas in it. She doesn't do relationships. Her heart has a brick wall but around it, but Lucas tries to do whatever Stephanie wants. Now, he needs her to let him into it too. He is falling for the mom of his child. All he needs to do is et her to see that they could be more than coparents!

Lucas had potential that I felt was unfulfilled. There was instant lust and a twist that brings the characters into close contact. Stephanie had reasons to feel unlovable but the execution felt weak. I never connected with Lucas and there was one sex scene that felt gross to me. I preferred other books in this series much more.

I continue to love the Cold Fury boys! Luc and Stephanie's story was another good one in the series. I loved Luc and being Max's brother, I knew he'd steel my heart. He completely changes when he realizes how his life is going to change. I loved the man that Luc is and who he becomes and he falls hard for Stephanie. I had a little harder time warming up to Stephanie and the way she treated Luc. By the end I understood why she was the way that she was and could understand her character better. I loved watched these two navigate their relationship and can't wait to see what the future holds for them! I loved getting to see Max and Jules more in this one, too. Can't wait for the next one!

Unfortunately the book was not for me, no review was publicly posted on Amazon, B&N, Goodreads or Twitter etc, so no ratings were affected in relation to it.

Many thanks for the widget. The temptation was too strong to resist, however I wish I had held firm. I decided I was taking a break from Ms. Bennett's books for the rest of 2017 because I had fallen out of love with her writing somewhat and Lucas proved to be the straw that broke the camels back. The Cold Fury Hockey series started out so, so well, but the last couple of books have felt like you/the author have plucked a trope off of the conveyor belt of popular tropes, pinned it to a character and the author has then written an average/mediocre story to go with it, to hopefully add a few more $$$ to the cash cow she no doubt is for you.

Sadly, and also similarly as the same path Lauren Layne has taken, the quality of the writing, the story-lines and the depth of the characters is suffering greatly for it, and because of that two authors who were firmly on my auto-buy list have now been downgraded to 'maybes' because their consistency with regards to quality writing is now unreliable at best.

Lucas and Stephanie are two of a kind. Both are all about having a good time. No strings attached. Until Stephanie turns up pregnant. Lucas seems to be taking it in stride. Stephanie is having a hard time. She has been a loner and lives inside her head. Lucas challenges her all the time. It is give and take with some amazing sex. But the stress of the hockey play-offs has hit. Lucas has said words he shouldn't have. Stephanie thinks she is fine. Only neither are happy. It takes a wake-up call for Lucas to lay it all on the line. Will Stephanie have the courage to say what she wants. I really enjoyed this book.

This is the first Cold Fury book I've read, but not the first book I've read by Sawyer Bennett so I knew it had to be good. And...it was! It was so good!

Lucas and Stephanie had fireworks right from the start! They had a sizzling one night stand, and when it flashed forward a few weeks, I knew they were in for a big surprise. However well these two mesh, it doesn't change the fact that they handle things differently and grew up in totally opposite ways. I liked Lucas most of the time, he wore his heart on his sleeve. But he definitely had a tendency to put his foot in his mouth and I'm sure made every reader angry at least once. Stephanie on the other hand, was super stubborn, very independent, but likeable.
I enjoyed this and was able to read it as a stand alone. It had dual points of view and a happily ever after, which I was very much rooting for.

3.5 Stars

While I did enjoy most of this book, I was also kind of disappointed in it. I loved Lucas, he was sweet and determined. While with Stephanie she annoyed the crap out of me. It took me most of the book to warm up to her. I got why she was the way she was, I just couldn't for the life of me understand why she kept pushing him away. It is a very well written book and I did enjoy it for the most part. I do look forward to the next one.

Sometimes the books that make me feel the most, that keep me enthralled and won’t let me go, are the ones I have the hardest time writing a review for. I think it’s because they are so amazing it seems wrong to try to put the way they make me feel into mere words. I’m finding this to be the case with Sawyer Bennett’s latest Cold Fury novel. I know what you’re thinking…this is a sports romance! I can’t help it, it is what it is.

After a one night stand, Stephanie and Lucas are faced with a huge life changing situation. In complete accord of how to deal with it they decide to become friends with benefits. Lucas comes from a home of love and acceptance while Stephanie has never seen what love looks like. Their differences in this area become more blatant as their relationship evolves into something deeper and definitely not casual.

I’ve read a lot of books where one of the characters was abused as a child, but I’ve seldom felt such a deep empathy for them as I did for Stephanie. The fact that she came from a wealthy home and was completely ignored her whole life just lodged a knot in my chest. She had spent her lifetime building a protective armor around her. In addition, she never had anyone to guide or direct her in life’s journey. Every decision she made was based on these facts.

Lucas was a great hero, well, until he did that one thing. He was laid back, fun, patient, kind and caring. Everything a woman would want. He was also the type of man that one day wanted it all. Love, wife, home, children. Everything. Unfortunately, Stephanie will not be able to be the person to help him achieve his dreams.

This is a fast paced, steamy read with the last portion being extremely angsty. The hero does a couple of things I took exception to but while that bothered me, it’s more than likely something about the heroine is going to bother you. The epilogue was not about this couple but sets us up for the next book, Van. And I cannot wait!

My honest review is for a special copy from NetGalley that I voluntarily read.

Dual POV
Safety Gang – not safe
Possible triggers – emotional neglect

I love sports romances, specifically hockey, and Sawyer Bennett's Cold Fury series never disappoints! Lucas is book 8 in the interconnected series and though it can be read as a stand alone, it would be best enjoyed if read in order since prior characters are mentioned or appear in the story.

I thought Lucas and Stephanie's relationship was both realistic and refreshing. Most stories have the hero as the closed off and commitment phobic character, but this time around it was the heroine. Stephanie definitely had some heavy baggage from her past, and my heart broke for her as the painful details emerged. Her hot and cold behavior sometimes gave me whiplash, but she was so fiercely independent and guarded that I both admired her grit and felt sad for her. It was such a stark contrast to the happy go lucky, wear my heart on my sleeve Lucas. He may have started the book off as a manwhore, but it quickly became apparent that there was much more to the new Cold Fury player. Sure he made some mistakes along the way, but so did Stephanie and that's what made their relationship so relatable. Their connection is undeniable though and I loved their playful banter and chemistry. Will it be enough though to navigate the unexpected turn of events and convince Stephanie to let down her walls and give them a real chance at love?

I'm excited that there's another Cold Fury book in the works, because mysterious Van has got me all kinds of curious! Add in my love for the Fournier family and the oldie but goodie best friend's little sister trope and I'm sold! Can't wait for more!

*I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this book*

4 1/2 Stars! I love this Cold Fury series!

Lucas is Max Fournier's little brother and he follows in his big brother's footsteps at being a great hockey player. But while Max is a one woman man and has found his happily ever after, Lucas is all about fun and games and one night stands. He doesn't plan on settling down anytime soon. When he meets Stephanie, he has found his match as she is just like him ... looking for that one night stand and staying far away from relationships. But as luck would have it, the condom breaks and a month later Stephanie finds out she's pregnant. Lucas being the standup guy that he is, takes his responsibility seriously and supports Stephanie in any way she'll let him. Their attraction to one another is undeniable and soon they start a friends with benefits relationship. After all what can it hurt, she's already pregnant and neither one of them want a permanent relationship.

Their journey will make you laugh at their crazy antics, get hot flashes from the steamy scenes, and make you swoon at their unintentional tenderness. At first I got the impression that Lucas is not like his big brother Max at all, but it doesn't take long and you realize that Lucas is just as romantic as Max. As for Stephanie's parents ... I just wanted to shake them so they could wake up and see the beautiful thoughtful daughter they had, despite their behaviour. Now isn't that what a great book does ... make you feel!

I received an ARC copy courtesy of Random House - Loveswept through NetGalley on exchange for a honest review

Lucas and Stephanie's story started with a hot one night hook up but evolved into a emotional sex filled, one in a life time romance with a fertile surprise. Stephanie brings a lot of childhood baggage into the relationship but Lucas is just the man to help her get past it. I enjoyed their story but it had an abrupt ending with the last chapter setting up the next book in the series.


I received a per-publication copy of this book from the publisher & NetGalley for review purposes.

Lucas Fournier has one thing in mind, and that is to play the best hockey and hopefully win the cup playing along side his brother. Attending a charity gala at a museum is not fun in his mind, but when he meets the sexy curator, Stephanie, his night starts looking up.
Stephanie loves the work she does at the museum and working the gala is special. Meeting famous hockey star Lucas, is a plus, going home with him, well that is just pleasure. Specially when it becomes the best sex of her life. However, when his condom rips, she doesn't take any chances and goes to her doctor the next day to take the morning after pill. Then she finds out she's pregnant.
Lucas has never forgotten the sexy curator and when he runs into her and she drops the pregnant bomb, he's speechless. When he tells her that he wants to be a part of her pregnancy and make sure that the baby is never in need for anything, at first Stephanie is against the idea, but how can she deny him when he's the father.
As they get to know each other, sparks fly and what starts out as friendship, becomes something else.
I loved this book. Sawyer Bennett is one of my favorite authors and I always look forward to reading her new releases!

A bit of a role reversal with Lucas and Stephanie. Yes they were both into the one night stand concept but friends with benefits was her idea. Lucas, ultimate fun guy with strong family background, wants much more than she offers. Stephanie, fiercely independent due to how she was raised, is struggling with the concept that someone can love her. It's truly sad and heartbreaking to read about her past and the walls she built. Love how Bennett manages to break down our preconceived ideas of hockey players, or any athlete, and give us real gentlemen. Her female characters are what make the story warm, funny and relatable. Always happy to get an advanced copy from Netgalley, my review was written voluntarily.

Sawyer Bennett's Cold Fury Hockey series has always been one of my favorites. Lucas, however, was not. I like the premise of the story and liked that Lucas was a stand up guy when Steph told him she was pregnant. He tried to let her know he cared over and over. Steph fell short for me. She could never grasp that people could care for her. I know she had a bad childhood but after he left I was surprised she never missed him enough to do anything about it. It was Lucas who had to go to her again and the 'I love you' from her just didn't ring true or at the very least felt rushed to wrap up the story.

I love Sawyer Bennett. I read all her books, well almost all her books....with the exception of the Wicked Series. I love the romance and the hockey. What I don't like and don't think is necessary is all the sex that is thrown around in novels and then called a book. Not once in this book was there any hockey. There wasn't a description of a hockey game or what goes on in a hockey game. It kind of disappointed me in ways. I loved this whole series, but sex, sex, and more sex doesn't make a plot. Yes, there was a twist and a shocker but I just didn't connect with the story like I hoped I would and I was soooo excited about it. Does that mean that I wouldn't recommend it? Nope. Because a lot of people love the authors books for that reason. It had some good plot points and nailed them but for me personally - I just skimmed over it. I liked seeing Max again and seeing some of the others. The grammar and punctuation were well-done. Don't get me wrong - this was well-written and it was a good book, but I'm just hoping for the author I saw in the for couple books!!

I was given an ARC copy from the publisher/author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions stated are my own and do not reflect anyone else's.

After a night of steamy sex with Stephanie, Lucas' life is about to change just when he was getting on the right track with his new hockey team Carolina Cold Fury. Unfortunately for Lucas, Stephanie has a lot of baggage from her past that gets in the way of things. In the end, love does conquer all.

I have read many books by Sawyer Bennett including the others in this series and this book definitely does not disappoint. It was a great read.