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The stakes have never been higher for Carolina Cold Fury goalie Ryker Evans. With his contract running out, he's got a year left to prove that he's still at the top of his game. And since his wife left him, Ryker has been balancing life as a pro hockey star and a single parent to two daughters. Management is waiting for him to screw up. The fans are ready to pounce. Everybody's taking dirty shots - except for the fiery redhead whose faith in Ryker gives him a fresh start. As the league's only female general manager, Gray Brannon has learned not to mix business with pleasure. And yet even this tough, talented career woman can't help breaking her own rules as she gives Ryker everything she's got. She hopes that their hot streak will last forever, but with Ryker's conniving ex plotting to reclaim her man, the pressure's on Gray to step up and save a tender new love before it's too late. Contains mature themes.… (more)
User reviews
Ryker is at the peak of his career as the very successful goalie for
Until he meets his new General Manager, Gray Brannon. She takes over the position, and being the first woman in the league she has to be a tough cookie.
When Ryker and Gray get to together it's hard for them to ignore the attraction and the chemistry between them is hard for to deny. But they have to keep any relationship quite as both their careers are on the line.
A full 5/5 from me. I loved the family story with the children. Ryker's struggle to adjust to raising his kids and then keeping to his plans was great. His relationship with Gray is hot, very steamy, the banter between them and his team members was wonderful.
I'm looking forward to the next Cold Fury story. I'm really enjoying this series, It has to be one of my favourites.
Sawyer Bennett scores another
I had been looking forward to hearing Ryker’s story since he befriended Zack in book three. The two teammates became good friends with a lot in common, especially both being single fathers. Ryker is a great person. I love that the big tough hockey goalie is afraid of spiders. He is a good dad and teammate. I appreciate that he takes chances.
Gray is an inspiring heroine. She in super intelligent with a credible background (Ryker’s nickname for her is perfect). She is an Olympic hockey player, which proves her commitment and dedication to the sport. I think it is brilliant that she was also a goalie. I love her use of statistics; her analysis was innovative and impressive.
I appreciate that Sawyer Bennett includes the players from previous books in this story. Zack’s side story was charming.
Ryker is a realistic and believable story that I adored. Sawyer Bennett is an incredible writer who kept me engrossed through the entire novel. The story is full of action and drama. It had some worthy adversaries who challenged the main characters. The Cold Fury Hockey Series continues to be a winner.
Complimentary copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.
Book #4: Cold Fury Hockey Series
Source: Purchase
My Rating: 5/5 stars
My Review:
In my regular life, I am not a hockey fan (nothing against it!) but I swear, every time I read one of the Cold Fury books, I have the strongest desire to go out buy a lot of gear and start
Though it has taken some time and considerable adjustment, Ryker Evans has gotten used to life as a single dad. Oh, some days are harder than others (like when the spiders invade) but in all, his home life with his two little girls, Ruby and Violet is pretty good. If he’s making a list, Ryker would also have to note that his current season with the Cold Fury is also going quite well. In fact, Ryker is tearing it up on the ice! The only area of his life that is at all lacking is in the bedroom and since Ryker doesn’t do flings, it’s going to have to be something more than a quick shag. Now where would a (nearly) single dad with a ridiculous schedule find himself a girlfriend?
Gray Brannon is the very definition of accomplished. She is a bona fide genius, she has two Olympic medals to her name, and she is about to make history as the first general manager of a professional hockey team. To be sure, Gray has earned her position and will continue to do so as long as she gets the support she needs. Her mind works faster than a coked-out hamster on a wheel, she knows hockey as both a player and a scout, and she has a whole lot of math to back up her crazy ideas for the team. What Gray isn’t, it delusional and she knows the road ahead of her is going to be paved with dissention in the ranks, distrust, and on a few fronts, full throttle anger. That’s OK, Gray was born to this position and there is nothing that is going to stop her from succeeding.
Within the first week, Gray uses her big old brain to figure out a few things: 1) there are at least two players on the team who hate her with a burning fury; 2) Ryker Evans is a hot goalie (his game, you perv!) and you just don’t mess with that; 3) hockey fans are divided on her new role as general manager but there is some support out there and; 4) Ryker Evans is the first man she has ever encountered who isn’t immediately intimidated by her. What in hell is she supposed to do with that?? Dating a player isn’t just frowned upon, it is something that would tank her credibility, ruin her reputation both personally and professionally, and call into question the franchise as a whole. If it were any other man, Gray wouldn’t even consider taking the risk but Ryker Evans isn’t any other man and his interest in her goes beyond the physical.
Having a relationship with Gray Brannon is one of the most exciting and frustrating things Ryker has ever experienced. On the one hand, the illicit nature of their affair fuels their already stellar sex but on the other hand, Ryker is a man who likes a relationship and not being able to even look at Gray in public is trying. Stolen moments are all the two of them have until circumstances force both Gray and Ryker to make some hard choices. Turns out, when the chips are down both will are willing to sacrifice everything for a shot at real and lasting love.
The Bottom Line: I LOVE RYKER EVANS AND GRAY BRANNON!!! This feels like a big deal to me as I am generally far more taken with one character than the other but this time around, I am totally smitten with both. Gray Brannon is sort of the perfect woman and even when she is so caught up in hiding her relationship, you are still rooting for her. Gray is a strong woman with a powerful desire to succeed and until Ryker, there was nothing that was going to stop her from succeeding. Even in the darkest moments of this read – and there are some – Gray is strong and confident, smart and capable. Ryker brings her balance and brings out her softer side which has always been tucked firmly away behind her calm, cool exterior. Ryker Evans is the perfect man and you know it from the opening scene right up to the very last page. He is devoted to his two beautiful daughters, he is secure in his career and his accomplishments, and he ready to love a woman worthy of him and everything he has to offer. Once again, I got totally caught up in this read (it was a one-sitting, late night read) with its romance, its drama, and its truly terrifying bits there toward the end. I had no desire to put this read down until I knew the whole story and that seems to be the story of the Cold Fury series as a whole.
Now . . . must start Googling hot NHL players . . . .
The story is told from alternating points of view. I am a fan of this style of storytelling when it is done well as it is in this story. I have read tons of romance novels that are told only from the female point of view and I really enjoy a book that lets me spend some time in the man's head. I really think that both points of view in this story has a distinctive voice and felt authentic and likable.
As the story begins, Gray has just been named as General Manager of the Cold Fury Hockey team. She is the first woman to be named to this position in the NHL and not everyone is thrilled with the idea. Ryker is adjusting to life with his two daughters as a single father. He is one of the veterans on the team and is open to the idea of a woman holding Gray's position.
The pair start spending time together outside of normal work but keep everything hidden so that they will not jeopardize either of their careers. With the spotlight on Gray's position and on the hockey team that is playing with largely due to their veteran goalie, Ryker, keeping their relationship a secret becomes very difficult.
I liked Ryker and Gray as a couple. How can anyone not like Ryker? He is sexy and he knows what he wants. He puts the needs of other people before his own and he is an awesome father. Not to mention, he is a very good hockey player. Gray was easy for me to like. She knew that it was not going to be easy stepping into the GM position but she handled everything perfectly. She was smart and able to figure out what really mattered. I loved the chemistry that they had together and thought that the sexy scenes between the pair were very well done.
I would highly recommend this series to fans of contemporary romance. This book is a relatively quick read but it really packs a lot into the pages. There is a lot of excitement, emotions, sexy times, as well as some hockey. I plan to continue to read Sawyer Bennett's work including future books in this series.
I received an advance reader edition of this book from Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept via NetGalley for the purpose of providing an honest review.
Fast-forward to now, and Ryker is the hottest goalie in the NHL filling in for the injured starter Max, and taking the team all the way. Being a seasoned veteran helps keep the younger players in line and the team on the way to the Cup.
When the GM names his daughter Gray as his replacement, all heck breaks loose within the ranks of the players. Some come around to see how things can become better, while a select few are still not happy with the choice of a woman running the team. Ryker is one of her greatest supporters and he finds himself quickly falling for Gray.
This is one of my favorite Cold Fury books so far. Sawyer Bennett can write hockey like no other. Knowing who her muse was for this book makes it even better since he plays for my team and is one of my favorite players too! Cannot wait to see what comes next for the Cold Fury!! If you love hockey you seriously need to read this book!
This isn’t your typical sports romance novel. Yes, it does have a sexy sports figure with a hot craving for a very self-assured woman. There is where the similarities for the romance stop. Ryker is definitely a hunky, alpha hockey player who wants a relationship. Yep, a
Ryker is everything you want in your romantic Hero: he is a loving father, loyal to his friends and teammates, protective of others – just the ideal man. Yet, it’s Gray whom I felt the most connection to throughout the book. As a professional woman myself, you have the drive to reach the top of your career ladder. You balance personal life to make sure you do not damage your professional goals. For anyone who has been in Gray’s place you can relate to this character. You are constantly on vigil about how others perceive you all the while trying to make a difference in your chosen vocation. And no kidding, it’s real, the personal relationships suffer those choices. As a reader through this story you get to experience all the trips and slips as they navigate. In the end, who is the most deserving person in the relationship to have all their professional aspirations reached? Pick this book up to find out.
By far, the favorite part of the book for me was the epilogue. I read it four times before I wrote this review. Best possible ending for Gray. If you haven’t gathered so far, I definitely recommend you read and devour this novel. It has everything you are looking for in a contemporary romance, strong characters and steam-up-the-glasses scenes. Although part of a series, this novel can stand-alone for an initial read. If you are like me and read them all – this was a perfect story to close the series on.
This book was given to me as an advanced reader copy. This review may be updated to include quotes and additional thoughts upon publication release.