Received an ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.

Whew buddy...this one was hot. All the Cold Fury books are steamy but there was something different about this one. I was excited to see Van and Simone's story after they met in Lucas's book and it did not disappoint. I loved that Simone fought for what she wanted and I loved that, despite his protest, Van did everything in his power to earn her. The twist of his father was interesting, but really allowed us to get to the emotions of the two of them. And I loved the epilogue.

Sawyer Bennett scores with another great read I love the Cold Fury guys, and each story gets better and better.

I recently read Van, A Cold Fury Hockey Novel by Sawyer Bennett. Although I fell behind on my book reviews, this one still stands out to me from when I read it in one sitting (for a total of 5 hours). Van and Simone's story is beautiful, and the ending couldn't have been better.

Van is such a good man. He is a mystery. He just wants to forget his past, which means he cannot have much for a future because then the past would be seen. Simone does not give one crap about this man's past, she wants his future. She wants his time and she works very hard for it. I absolutely loved how direct she was with Van. She let him know what she wanted and needed from him. These two are a little lost but find each other. They don't get too deep except in each other and have lots of fun.
The story itself will have you on fire, its hot, its descriptive, and it flows so well you will want to read until you are done with the whole story. I love my Cold Fury players and their women.

5 AMAZING STARS!!! Sawyer did it again!!!! Loved this book so much! All of the hockey and love and sexy ties we have come to expect from Sawyer.

I do enjoy sports romances and did end up enjoying Van by Sawyer Bennett. Both Van and Simone were well written and the story line was intriguing enough to keep my attention.

4.5 Stars

VAN by Sawyer Bennett. This tells the tale of Van and Simone. I have to be honest and say that it did take me a while to warm up to both of these characters. But, I gave it time because I have read previous works by this author and have thoroughly enjoyed them. Van is really a jerk in all things in the beginning. And Simone is so forward that was a bit of a shock to me. I don't usually like characters - male or female - that are so aggressive in their pursuit of the other. However, as only Ms. Bennett can do, I grew to love and adore both of these characters. Van's history is heartbreaking and makes him so much more sexy to me. Simone, while she doesn't have any nefarious history, I grew to love her confidence and was even a bit jealous of how she went after what she wanted with such gusto. The journey these two take is not a true traditional relationship road, yet it works for them. My heart swelled as the reader can see their feelings develop, even if they don't necessarily want to admit it. Once again, Ms. Bennett has penned a story that I couldn't put down and even stayed up all night to read! (received NetGalley ARC for honest review)

Loved this book. Loved how Simone goes after Van, how long can he resist her? Loved how she’s there for him, but I did cry over their heartbreak. Can he get another chance? Loved each book in this series. I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy and I highly recommend this book.

It’s time for the Carolina Cold Fury enforcer to fall. By far the most closed off of his teammates, Van Turner has a reputation for being ruthless on the ice and an A-hole out of it. Quiet and brooding, he keeps his distance from everyone. Being new with the team only makes his ways easier to keep. Rooming with Lucas Fournier, the other newbie of the team, he ends up meeting Simone Fournier, the young, beautiful, stubborn, relentless flirt and baby sister of two of his teammates. Simone might not know what she wants to do with her life, but she knows she wants Van. The man is total eye candy and his serious ways make her hotter than the sticky Carolina summer. Still, Van evades her every advance, until she kisses him in front of her very drunk brother. That kiss pissed Van off and also drove him crazy. If she wants his body he will give her that, but nothing else. Van has a secret, one he has kept all his life for good reason and not even the gorgeous French Canadian beauty in his bed will change his mind about it. Van brings back the hottest hockey players ever. With enough sexy banter, sneaky hot nights and ice action, Van will test the Cold Fury family as the truth and ugliness of his past is forced out. A story about healing, family, love and the chance to reach for happiness if one is willing to try...

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⭐️⭐️ 4.5 Super SHINY Stars!⭐️ ⭐️
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VAN by Sawyer Bennett scored BIG-TIME!!!

THE STORY:
I love me a HOT, BROODY BADASS Alpha who plays hard to get…and swoooooon did Van Turner fit the bill! At six foot six, with 231 pounds of PURE MUSCLE, this big, growly Carolina Cold Fury enforcer is ruthless on the ice and off!!! However, there is more to this all-star stud than meets the eye. Turns out, he bears the weight of the world on his impossibly broad shoulders and is carrying around a shameful secret that's so devastating he has built a wall of impenetrable ice around his heart!

But never fear…this angry, anti-social tortured soul is NOT alone for long. For Simone Fournier, the “bratty” baby sister of two of his Cold Fury teammates—and current roommate Lucas—shows up unannounced on their doorstep, luggage in tow, and informs the hunky hockey players that she's moving in! Although Van is less than pleased, he grudgingly goes along with it provided their temporary houseguest stays out of his way! But much to his consternation, when the hopelessly smitten Simone sees a flicker of heat in his cold gray gaze whenever his eyes meet hers, she goes after this standoffish hottie with a GUSTO!

The close quarters pushes Van's steely self-control to THE BRINK as the sultry brunette charges into his life like a beautiful cyclone, determined to drive him to distraction with her shameless flirting and sexual innuendos. Often with hilarious results because this infuriating aloof alpha does not make it easy for her, which leads to friction galore!

But Simone comes from a family of headstrong men and does not GIVE UP or GIVE IN! The plucky college dropout is determined to brighten the dark corners of Van’s world… even when it’s the last thing he claims he wants! However, despite his best efforts to keep Simone at arm’s length, there is something about her sweet, sassy personality and underlying vulnerability that breaches his defenses and turns his cold fury into RAGING HOT LUST!!! But when she discovers the whole horrendous truth about the demons that plague him will the girl of his dreams stick around for the long-haul?

MY THOUGHTS:
This latest stand-alone in Sawyer Bennett's mega popular Cold Fury Hockey series GRABBED ME FROM PAGE ONE and did not let up until the very last GLORIOUSLY PENNED word! I enjoyed Ms. Bennett’s engaging, vibrant prose, her fast paced storyline, stirringly emotional and alluringly sensual tone, and her ability to pull you so inexorably into the world of her multi-faceted, charismatic characters.

There is really SO MUCH MORE to this tale than your typical boy meets/beds girl sports trope. VAN has many fascinating layers to it… and fair warning you are lulled into a false sense of security because it starts off sexy and whimsical but just when you think you know what to expect...you hit the 30 percent mark and BOOM! The story takes a decidedly angstier turn that ends up being a game changer!

Sighhhhhhh!!! I just ADORED the Van and Simone coupling. These two just CLICKED ON EVERY LEVEL—I relished the witty banter, the sexy, combative sparks, the intensely emotional tug of war...and of course the hot AF steamy interludes! If you love your heroes 100% ALPHA who unapologetically take control in the bedroom, then you are in for quite a treat. Holy smokes…Van was so DOMINANTLY SEXY and DELICIOUSLY POSSESSIVE he gave me crazy butterflies and made me gush like a giddy schoolgirl! But at the same time, my heart ached for all the hurt he has been through, and when his hardened layers were finally peeled away and I got to know the REAL Van Turner, I fell even HARDER under his spell …

I also had a MAJOR GIRL CRUSH on Simone…a strong, confident yet endearingly flawed heroine who knew what she wanted and went after it! And for the record, I found it totally refreshing to have a role reversal where THE GAL PURSUES THE GUY FOR A CHANGE!!!!! What a joy to behold! But like Van there are many dimensions to Simone and underneath the sultry sex kitten exterior lurked a kind, vibrant, fiercely loyal and hopelessly romantic young woman who melted my heart.

I think overall the author did a fine job blending the lighthearted moments with the romance, drama and angst, and the interplay with the Cold Fury teammates was a huge highlight. My only teeny tiny quibble is in regard to the panty melting hot sexcapades…which were plentiful! Almost TOO much so. Don’t get me wrong they were incredibly scintillating, but I wish there was a bit more time spent on the development of this relationship that extended beyond the bedroom. That said, I still DEVOURED this book and thought the ending was PURE PERFECTION!

FINAL IMPRESSIONS:
This combustible story made my pulse race, my chest constrict and just gave me the full gamut of warm, tingly feels throughout! So if you have a hankering for a SEXY, SWEET, FEEL-GOOD hockey romance, then VAN is guaranteed to hit the mark!!!

Lately I have seen a trend of hockey romances appearing on the market, I do not even particularly like hockey but for some reason I love reading books set in that world. Van was a great hero such a flawed and yet sweet character. His rough exterior truly hides a heart of hold. Sawyer Bennett is a very enjoyable read for me and this book did not disappoint. I am reviewing this book based on an ARC received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion.

I'm a little up/down about this one. I loved Van. He wasn't as dark as I thought given his role as an enforcer and his background. I liked having his point of view. As much as I liked Simone's resilience, I needed a little more balance as she could be off-putting at times. She gave up so easily towards the end compared to the harder battles earlier in the story, it didn't feel like her.

Van definitely piqued my interest when I read Lucas’s book. He was so gruff, I knew his story would be good. And I wasn’t wrong. Poor Van had a rough life growing up. The stuff he’s been through, he would like to keep quiet forever. He’s content with his life being the way it is. Playing hockey and living quietly with his teammate, Lucas. Simone, Lucas’s little sister, comes to stay with them for a bit while she figures out what her next move in life is. Simone is instantly attracted to Van, but he isn’t interested. However, she is relentless in pursuing him. Simone made me laugh so much, I’m not sure I’ve ever met a character quite like her. She eventually breaks through his walls and it was beautiful. I loved Van and Simone’s story. It had everything; humor, angst, suspense, love and sexy times. I think it’s safe to say that Van is my favorite of the Cold Fury Hockey series and I highly recommend this book!

....Different than the others in the Cold Fury series - less of a focus on the hockey aspect of the plot. Van and Simone definitely had chemistry and it was quite a bit more steamy and although there was definitely a plot twist with Van (don’t want to give anything away), I almost felt it was thrown in there as an afterthought, there wasn’t as much lead up to the twist. Still the story was good and I enjoyed it. Looking forward to Reed’s story.

Van will meet the one woman to succeed in getting under his skin. He shouldn't want her. He shouldn't fall for her.

When Simone drops out of college it will take strength, wisdom, and courage to navigate around her families expectations.

Can Van and Simone find the life they both desire? Family, hockey, secrets, and discovering the one thing that makes us live each day like it's our last. Add a love that burns hot and this is why I love reading Sawyer Bennett books.

I was super excited to get my hands on this one!! We got a sneak peak of Van Tuner and Simone Fournier in Lucas’ book. I loved the idea of these two getting together!!

“It must be said that I really like torturing Van. I’m not sure why, and perhaps that makes me just pure evil. But I can’t help it. I’m insanely attracted to him, and in a way I’ve never been attracted to another man before. Maybe it’s because he’s a man, and I’ve only dated boys. My relationships have all been sweet high school crushes or noncommitment-type college flings with guys my age. Van is six years older than me, settled, successful, and let’s not forget, all hot and broody. There’s a story there, and while I’m not overly interested in finding out what it is, I am overly interested in making him pay attention to me.”
~ Sawyer Bennett, Van (Cold Furry Hockey #9)

And now you know why I needed this book in my life!!

This book was a of cat and mouse between the two of them. The push and pull between them left my kindle scorching hot!

“She may be a brazen little brat who turns my world upside down, but I can’t lie that I like who she is at the core of her being.”
~ Sawyer Bennett, Van (Cold Furry Hockey #9)

There was also to aspect that Van & Simone was trying to keep their attraction secret from Lucas.

“I’ve given you more than I’ve ever given another woman, but I’ve given you my all.”
~ Sawyer Bennett, Van (Cold Furry Hockey #9)

As these two navigate their relationship, you watch Van grow as a person. Simone knows how to handle Van and help him through is personal life.

“… you were my first everything, Simone. My first love. First devotion. My first heartbreak. My one and only relationship with a woman. You were my first confidant and companion. Simone… you were my first friend ever. My first… everything.
~ Sawyer Bennett, Van (Cold Furry Hockey #9)

If you have not started the Cold Furry series, you should!! If you are a lover of the Cold Furry series, you will fall in love with Van.

#Hoolihans #Lulus #Shinny #Etta

Well this series is still going strong! Sports books are my favorite genre, and you add in a sexy alpha male and holy swoon! I would give this book a 4 stars and highly recommend to others. These books can be read as a stand-alone for sure, but I would recommend reading them in order as it will give you a better picture.. and it will help when some of the past characters make an appearance. The books in order are: Alex, Garrett, Zack, Ryker, Hawke, Max, Lucas... and Van.

Van and Simone's story started in Lucas's book, but we only got a glimpse of there characters... now we have the whole picture and it was fantastic! It does follow the same time line as Lucas's book and before you ask there really is not any repetition as we are seeing and reading the story from different eyes. Hopefully you will love it as much as I did, if not more! I will always hold a special place in my heart for Alex and Ryker-- they some how became my favorite cold-fury books, but the rest of these sexy males were amazing as well!

Simone is a feisty little thing and the youngest of the Fournier crew, but I think she is my favorite female herroine in this series thus far. She cracks me up with her spit fire attitude and her determination to bring down the broody beast.

Van has a heart of stone on the outside, but he harbors some demons from his past.. will Simone be able to break down those walls?

Get to one clicking to see what happens, and Reed is up next! Can't wait to dive into his story

I’ve found a new favorite Cold Fury player!! Van has topped my love for Garrett. Van had the whole tortured soul thing down. Simone was an ideal match with her refusal to give up. Absolutely awesome addition to the Cold Fury Family!!

You are back with the Carolina Cold Fury and with Van Turner one of the top enforcers of the game and one of the biggest A-HOLES in it also. Simone Fournier is the youngest in her clan that includes two brother that play for the Fury and of course one the unspoken rules is that you do not date or sleep with a teammates sister. This is especially true for Van. The problem is that Simone wants Van in every way. Wants him in bed and once to get inside of him to really get to see and understand the real Van, not the Van he puts out in public for everyone to see but him. Once the brother moves in with his girlfriend this gives her time to up her game but also increase her chance for injury. The scene where she is messing with the refrigerator and it starts to tip over is one of the funniest and yet that is just one of the scenes that she gets herself into. The characters a great and stay true throughout this book which is nice. I found this to be a very good book and a very good read.

an Turner is ruthless on the ice. He plays hard because it’s the only way to channel the rage boiling inside, and a reputation as a loner, quiet and very private person. For him it is better that than everyone knowing the truth. He suffered enough growing up with an abusive father.

Now he is playing successfully with the Carolina Cold Fury and rooming with Lucas Fournier. It is then that Simone Fournier, Luc's sister, appears in his life and change everything! She is stubborn, feisty and deep inside a really good girl who is trying to find her way.

This couple is pure combustion and frankly so far one of my favorites from the Cold Fury (Alex is still my favorite). Van has a lot of serious troubles and Simone is his perfect match.

This is an edgy, sexy romance with a lot of emotional scenes and if you haven't read any of the Cold Fury's books I highly recommend them.