Lately I've seen a trend of a number of hockey romances appearing on the market, I don't even like hockey but for some reason I love reading books set in that world. Marek was a dream of a hero such a flawed and yet sweet character. His rough exterior truly hides a heart of hold. Sawyer Bennett is a thoroughly 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 voluntarily read and reviewed a copy from the author and Netgalley.

Marek is book 11 in the Cold Fury series. In the previous book, Marek finds out that he is a father and his ex-girlfriend never told him. After finding out his ex is about to marry a jerk, Marek basically kidnaps his ex, Gracen, and their daughter Lilly and moves them to his house. Throughout the book, Marek and Gracen work on living together, living with their past decisions, and trying to move on with their lives. I liked this book, but it wasn't my favorite. I thought Gracen's reason for keeping her daughter from Marek was selfish and ridiculous. On the other hand, I thought Marek acted like a child and a huge jerk to Gracen for most of the book. For two people who used to be in love, they sure did hurt each other a lot throughout. Each characters' reactions were understandable, but it also was annoying at some points. I wish this book was a little bit longer and had a little bit more substance. I felt like we only got to see the surface of each main character and I really wanted to delve into each character's lives. Although this isn't my favorite, I did enjoy this story and can't wait to read the next in the series.

Of all the Cold Fury books, I do think it's important you read Reed's story as it leads into this one. This story picks up from there and you might be missing some details as it's not fully recapped. Marek's story had all the right pieces for an angsty and emotional read. Unfortunately, I never felt he redeemed himself by the end. There was something missing there and I needed a fuller explanation as to why he broke it off and never looked back after 5 years together. I'm still hanging in there with this series and the next.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC from Netgalley.

I want to preface by saying that I enjoy Sawyer Bennett's novels. The four stars are not a reflection to her as a writer. I would've been on board with 5 stars, however, I really, really disliked Marek as a character. I understand that as readers we won't like all characters. I'm cool with that. But, holy crap, Marek was a complete douche!

If you like that "bad boy character" who acts like a spoiled 3 year old who's in his 20's, then you'll definitely love Marek. I couldn't find one redeeming quality. Gracen wasn't much better with her continuous guilt. I couldn't figure out how in the world she was such a great mother, but had 3000 pounds of guilt on her shoulders. Wha......?

Yes, the writing was superb as equally as the editing. I just didn't like the characters. You can bet though, that I won't forget the story. Dislike is a powerful emotion. hahahaha Yup, Zach is still my fav!!

Hockey genre are a secret favorite of mine. This is a great series and love reading your books Thank you for this wonderful read.

Oh Marek...you were such a mean , nasty jerk to Gracen! Yes, she did you wrong by not telling you about Lily, but I could hardly blame her after what you did to her (what a selfish, immature dumping!) I was definitely not feeling the love for either of these characters at first, but I could understand where Gracen was coming from.
And yes, Marek had a right to be angry, but let it go already man! I loved when Gracen stood up to him and told him she was through apologizing to him!

Well I hung in there with these characters, hoping for the best. Things definitely got better, both Marek and Gracen matured and put their daughter's welfare first, and Marek stopped acting like an ass. I got the feeling a time or two that Gracen maybe loved Marek more than he loved her...I think there was still a small seed of resentment lurking in the back of Marek's mind. I don't know, maybe that was just me.

Anyway, not a whole lot to the story (and not my favorite of the series), just some suspense if the H/h could put the past behind them and start fresh. So, the Cold Fury have started their season and the biggest question is--will they be able to three-peat?

copy received for honest review
I have said this before, I love this series. I have read all the stories and have never been disappointed . In this installment, Marek and Gracen get a second chance at love. When they were in high school/college they were inseparable. When it was time for Marek make it to the NHL, he left Gracen. He wanted his freedom. He was young and did not realize was he was giving up and losing. Gracen was devastated. He left her broken and unknown to Marek, pregnant. I was upset with her for not telling him and like Marek, it took me a while to get over it. But she too was young and made a immature mistake. Lilly was adorable and helped ease tension between them.I like that they had ups and downs getting to the HEA. the pain on both sides was deep and it makes sense that there was not instant forgiveness. I love that we touch base with old characters and continue to see the hockey family grow. I hope this is not the end!

The Cold Furey Hockey Series has been some of my favs. Marek and Gracen’s story is a second chance romance that throws a secret child into the mix. Marek lives up to the cocky attitude that often is given to professional athlete characters. Even during the moments he failed to impress, my heart melted as he fell in love with his little girl. Gracen was able to shine when she demonstrated what a terrific mother she is. Some of her life choices were confusing but it did increase my interest, trying to figure out what would happen next. This story felt non-traditional at times but overall it was a good read. Definitely feels like an appropriate addition to this series. Happy Reading!

I loved the premise of this story. It had so many things I love in my romance and I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. Overall I have to say it lived up to what I thought it would be. I am a sucker for a second chance romance, especially one with a child involved. Add to that a somewhat mean man who needs to be brought to his knees and you have me hooked.

For the most part, I couldn't put the book down. I do think the drama between Gracen and Marek might have gone on a bit too long but nothing that truly upset me as a reader. Overall, I was really into their story and their journey to finally get the HEA they always deserved. 

4.5 stars
~miranda

Another hockey book which is good, and in this one it is the Cold Fury series. Marek Fabritis has found out that his former girlfriend from high school and college. When it came time to go pro though he walked away from her. After he left and was drafted she found out she was pregnant. Now three years later he finds out that not only is she getting married but also she has a three year old daughter and it turns out that he is the father. Traveling back to his home town he stops the wedding and wants to know why he was not told but being the father. He also wants the two of them to move with him so he could get to know his daughter. Both of them have issues that they must work on from the past mainly his just walking away. She is still dealing with extra issues from the man she was to marry which adds extra pressure on her. Both now must work on communication and on the past if this relationship is going to go anywhere. A good story with good characters.

Marek was more of a novella than a novel. The story began in the Cold Fury book Reed, so Marek doesnt quite stand alone. It's a second chance/secret baby trope and it was pretty predictable. The characters were engaging, the premise entertaining, there just wasnt a lot of meat to the story. I do always appreciate the superb dialogue in Sawyer Bennett books, and I really loved the appearances of Reed and his wife in Marek.
Marek is a good not great addition to the series.

This book started as a slow burn, but once it heated up...it was scorching! Marek truly was a jerk for a good portion of this book. He was justifiably angry with Gracen for keeping his daughter a secret, but he needed to step up to the daddy plate sooner. I wanted to not like Gracen, but she was doing what a mom does best—protecting her baby. Once some of the dust settled on these two and they started to talk things out, I really enjoyed them together. Ms. Bennett did a wonderful job portraying the difficulties inherent to a single parent and parenting in general. I loved seeing both Marek and Gracen embrace their new role as parents to Lilly together. For her part, Lilly was a cutie! I could totally see her in my head giving the wary eye to new people or smiles for her mama! This was a story that could have gone terribly wrong, but ended up being wonderful!

I think that this was a good book but not as great as some others in the series. The problem that Gracen is trying to fix for her parents was a bit far fetched and the lack of communication in the family about it was also a stretch. an adult child living with her parents with a nursing job would be involved and included in this sort of thing in my opinion. Then the whole lack of communication and Petty fights between the two main characters drove me batty. I don't want to spoil the story but if he can't bring up her actions then she shouldn't be able to throw his lack of parenting experience at him. I got a review copy from Net Galley and willingly leave this review.

I love this series. Marek was the end I think. Super excited to start the spinoff that comes up this fall.

Gracen is about to get married for all of the wrong reasons, so she sends an anonymous email to Marek in hopes that he cares enough to come to her rescue. What Marek doesn't know is he is a father. Gracen and Marek decide to act on the feelings they have for one another.

This was a great read. I have read many Sawyer Bennett books and this one did not disappoint. I look forward to reading even more by this author.

(ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.)

Marek is the final installment to the Cold Fury Series. I’ve read and enjoyed them all, some more than others. Marek falls somewhere in the middle of the pack for me. While I found the final book mostly enjoyable, both Marek and Gracen frustrated me at times. Marek and Gracen were a couple when they were younger. Marek decides before he goes off to the big and exciting world of professional hockey that he doesn’t want to do that with a girlfriend at home. This leaves Gracen alone and heartbroken (and preggers!). Fast forward to a few years later and Marek is crashing Gracen’s wedding after finding out he has a daughter he never knew about (All this goes down in Reed, just FYI). Marek insists that Gracen and their daughter move in with him. Now while I think Marek’s intentions are well placed, this was poorly executed. He spends most of the book being a major butthole to Gracen. He will not forgive her for keeping her pregnancy a secret. He has every right to be mad. She was wrong. But both characters, in my opinion, held on to their anger way too long. That said, they do eventually work out their issues. This wasn’t my favorite in the Cold Fury Series but I was left with a nice HEA is the end, which is always a plus. Looking forward to starting the the new Arizona Vengeance series. I’m sure it’ll be just as enjoyable.

Hot and brawny hockey hunks finding their HEAs, one great story at a time. And while my favorite of those guys is set in stone (Van is mine!), I always get giddy whenever I get my hands on another book. And Marek… well, he’s a special candidate for sure, being introduced to us with a bang at the end of Reed’s story. A second chance romance featuring a secret daughter? Gosh, yes, count me in! Especially because I’m such a sucker for romances involving little kids lately. Just… swoon. Yeah, apparently I have reached *that* age.

Marek really was a jerk for a good part of the story. Man, I wanted to punch him. Yes, Gracen kept an integrally important information hidden from him for about four years, but who could really hold that against her, after he unceremoniously dumped her to “have his freedom”? So, you see, these two have a whole lot of issues to work through: hurt, guilt, anger – and they do. Fighting, screaming, making up … just to start it all over again. The constant push and pull of two people badly hurt by the other but madly in love with one another as well. It simply needs some time for them to get to that point, their wonderful daughter, Lilly, caught between them…

A trying cycle of misunderstandings and –communication, fueled by trust issues, unresolved feelings and the fear of getting hurt again. And as maddening as it was for me as reader to get through all that – “kiss and make up already!” it is what’s needed to make the story real and believable.

In contrast to the previous book, this one has at least some hockey in it, as off-season is finally dwindling down, which gave it a bit more of a feel of a sports romance. For me, this series is not really about the sports anymore, but about the family this team of hotheaded and now mostly tamed (bwahaha) men has become.

Now it looks like it’s time to move on to a different series, and while I’m excited for whatever Ms. Bennett brings us next, I am sad to see these guys go.

Marek is the eleventh book in the Cold Fury Hockey Series. I know what you may be thinking eleven books? How could this series still be going strong? Two words for you HOCKEY GODS! The Cold Fury Hockey Team is full of alpha male hockey players and their spunky counterparts. At the end of the last book Reed, we learned that Marek has a daughter from his first love. With such an explosive discovery, you better believe I couldn't wait to get my hands on this.

Marek Fabritis and Gracen Moore had a passionate romance. When Marek decided he needed to focus on his hockey career, he left Gracen. Gracen soon discovered that she was pregnant. Instead of telling Marek, she kept the baby a secret. When Marek discovers what has happened, Lilly is already three years old. Marek insists that Gracen abandon her plans to marry another man and drags her and Lilly back to North Carolina. Marek is far from ready to be a father nor is he prepared to let go of the anger he has at his ex-flame. Gracen is terrified of getting close to him again only to experience hurt and abandonment all over again. As both struggle to find their way, Lilly is the catalyst that brings them back together.

Told in dual POV, Marek is certainly a unique addition to the series as it deals with such serious subject matter. Both main characters are complex and reluctant to trust each other again. This lack of trust leads to countless misunderstandings and frustrating moments. I found the intensity of their situation to only strengthen their resolve to make things work. It took both characters a great deal of time to work things out, so this could be a problematic plot point to some readers. However, if you are fond of second chance romances with a dash of hockey love than you do not want to miss this passionate story.

Overall, I highly recommend Marek to anyone looking for a dynamic crew of characters thrust into a complex plot of lies, betrayal, passion, and tender romance. Although you can certainly enjoy this piece of hockey goodness as a stand-alone, I highly recommend reading the entire series! I have become a huge Cold Fury Hockey Addict and this is one addiction I will never want to quit!

Marek is book eleven in the Carolina Cold Fury Hockey series and Ms. Bennett has saved the best for last. This last installment picks up right after Marek moves Gracen and their daughter Lilly home with him to North Carolina. Marek and Gracen’s story had me from the first page. This was a devour in one sitting, stay up to 3am, I’m going to be a zombie at work tomorrow book. Marek struggles with his anger towards Gracen through out most of the book. Gracen struggles with her guilt and that gets worse as Lilly and Marek bond. They may “hate” each other but there’s no denying their attraction to each other and that too is something they both struggle with. I really enjoyed this series and am sad to see it end but have hope that we’ll see the guys somewhere down the road.

I never get tired of the Cold Fury series. I like that you can read them as standalone but the books are so much more fun to read when you know all the back stories. Marek and Gracen have a complicated past and some issues and hurts they have to work out. Their story was enjoyable and their chemistry was real.