Carolina Cold Fury star Garrett Samuelson never wants to miss out on a single minute of fun. Whether he’s playing hockey, hanging out with friends, or walking the red carpet with a new date on his arm, he lives every day to the fullest. When he meets Olivia Case, he sees someone who’s exactly his type—confident, sexy, smart . . . his next fling. But the more he pursues her, the more Garrett shares a side of himself that other women don’t normally get to see.

Olivia Case, Sutton's cousin, is going through a challenging time as she just received news that shook her to the core. She is usually a sweet, subdued, home body. But at this point in her life, she could use a distraction and he comes in the form of the playboy Cold Fury hockey player, Garrett Samuelson. He is the King of No-Repeats and has been a vocal commitment phobe. 

But he is sexy, funny, and charming, and he is immediately attracted to her. Her first instinct is to run far away. But  she is at a point that she wants to push boundaries and live life to the fullest. So a one night stand should do the trick. With Garrett's reputation and her issues bearing down on her it seems like a perfect opportunity to have an amazing night with no regrets, but one night just does not seem like enough for either of them. And just when she knows she has to end it before he finds out what she is really dealing with, her secret gets out. But he may be harder to shake than she thinks. 

Oh my, I loved Garrett in the first book, but adored him in this one! He is so cute, vulnerable, and protective. He is also a bit clueless in some ways, but dives right in surprising everyone. The man whore just needed the right girl to interest him. I found him to be totally sweet and swoony. Hockey is his whole life, and for the first time he is finding something else that is equally as important. He tries so hard to be there for everyone who needs him. 

Olivia is such a wonderful heroine, She is dealing with a horrible nightmare, but remains strong with a sense of humor. She has sass, spunk, and fortitude. She has a good heart and really thinks about the ramifications of her life on those around her.

I loved them together. Their flirty banter, sweet companionship, and sexual chemistry made them a great couple, but there were such complications and fears and issues to deal with.  He is a celebrity with no real relationship experience and she is facing the biggest challenge of her life. I loved how they gave each other strength and they made each other feel alive...and just feel. 

But the deeper their feelings become and the more they need each other, the more frightening the whole situation becomes. Both have periods of guilt, doubt, and fear. And although they become really close, the unknown future casts doubts upon the potential risks of loving and possibly losing.

Will Garrett be able to handle commitment with someone who is not a safe bet? 

Can she continue taking his support knowing how she could potentially destroy him?

This story surprised me and I was completely invested from the beginning.  I was totally Team Garrett and enjoyed seeing the changes in him. I really liked Olivia too, even when she frustrated me a bit. But we got both of their points of view to understand their thought processes and emotions. And I could see both of their points to some extent. I liked that their relationship was more mature and focused on realistic expectations. But there was just so many unknown variables and issues to handle that it was challenging.

I was so happy to get more with Alex and Sutton.  They were a big part of this story since they are their best friends. And I was so happy to see how much Alex really has changed. He was a staunch supporter of this couple and had to get in the trenches with them at times. And Sutton was right there with them as well.  Her flamboyant bestie, Stevie was such a quirky, lovable character. We got to learn more about fellow hockey player, Zack and his story was set up for his book. 

This was a story about strength, priorities, commitment, sacrifice, love, hope,  and courage. It showed there is not a wrong time for the right one to come along. It illustrated how important it is to seize life and live it to the fullest because you never know when your life might change. 

There was some heavy subject matter, but there was also lots of humor and banter. It was sweet, sexy, emotional, realistic,  and inspiring, But at times it was heartbreaking too. It was a journey of discovery for both of them to see what they were really made of and  it was not an easy one. I think the nature of their situation just made the connection and the willingness to fight so much more meaningful. And Sawyer gives it all to us including a future epilogue. I really enjoyed this installment and I am already really invested in Zack's upcoming story.

I was gifted a copy in exchange for an honest review, 

I’m going to start off very honest here. Alex was good. But it took me a while to warm up to both him and Sutton. But Garrett? He had Olivia had me from the very beginning. I’m not sure if it was because I had already met Garrett and had a good handle on who he was, or if it was just the combination of these two, but I loved everything about this book.

Garrett is a the kind of one-night stands, self-proclaimed and no question about it. He is all about fun without strings. But when he meets Sutton’s cousin, Olivia, his mindset begins to change and he can’t get the caramel haired beauty out of his head.

Olivia is facing the biggest challenge of her life and before she fights, she decides to live her life to the fullest. That means when the opportunity to sleep with Garrett presents itself, she takes it. After all, he’ll move in after a night or two so what’s the harm? But as she gets to know him she finds herself falling for the man even as her future is uncertain.

At first it felt like Garrett’s change of heart was fast, but as his character is fleshed out further than the hit-it-and-quit-it persona he projects the quick change made more sense for him. And I loved these two together. Facing the kind of news Olivia is hiding, their new relationship was quickly rocked ad challenged.

This book reminded me once again of why Sawyer Bennett is on my list of authors I watch for and grab as soon as I can. I didn’t even look at the book blurb before I picked this book up, or her last two or three as well. But she writes these characters that aren’t easy, that are facing challenges of epic proportions and does it in such a way that I am sucked into the story to feel everything they feel. (And for this one, I could have used a few more tissues close at hand.)

And oh my goodness, Zach. Add him to the list of books I’ll read without knowing exactly what I’m getting into, because after what he went through during the timeline of Garrett, I know his book is sure to pack a punch. 

This book was full of emotion, both heavy and light. The humor, the hope, the fear, and the serious situations mixed to create a beautiful story.

I was gifted a copy in exchange for an honest review.

ALEX (Cold Fury Hockey #1)

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New York Times bestselling author Sawyer Bennett goes for a hat trick with the latest romance in a sexy series about cool-as-ice hockey players and the women heating up their lives.

Rising star Zack Grantham has been stuck in a downward spiral of grief ever since the car accident that left him a single dad and put his career on hold. Back on the road with the Carolina Cold Fury and still crippled by emotional baggage, he’s in need of some serious help with his son. But while the nerdy new nanny wins his son’s heart, Zack isn’t sure he’s ready for a woman’s touch—even after getting a glimpse of the killer curves she’s hiding under those baggy clothes.

Kate Francis usually keeps men like Zack at a distance. Though his athlete’s body is honed to perfection, he refuses to move on with his life—and besides, he’s her boss. Still, the sparks between them are undeniable, tempting Kate to turn their professional relationship into a personal one. But before she makes a power play for Zack’s wounded heart, Kate will have to open him up again and show him that love is worth the fight.