Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Max by Sawyer Bennett


The Carolina Cold Fury’s hot new star shows his bad-boy teammates that even nice guys can score big in this steamy hockey romance from the bestselling author of Ryker and Hawke (“Sexy, emotional, and fantastic!” —Sandi Lynn).

The ice is a cold mistress. As the league’s most eligible goalie, Max Fournier has access to his fair share of willing puck bunnies, but right now he’s more interested in bringing home another championship than a one-night stand. A romantic at heart, Max believes in love; he’s just not great at relationships. So when he finally meets a nice girl who’s not blinded by his celebrity, he’s feeling the heat—and the pressure to save her from herself.

Between working two jobs and raising her sister’s kids, Julianne Bradley doesn’t have time for sports—or men. All she knows about Max is that he’s the sexiest customer to ever grace her gas-station counter. And he sees past her tired eyes and makes Jules yearn for things she can’t have: a glamorous fling, a passionate lover, and the time to enjoy both. Max makes her feel like Cinderella, even though Jules has enough baggage to crush a glass slipper. Luckily, he’s no prince—only a fierce competitor determined to win her heart.


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Book 6
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Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Mary☆☆☆☆☆
Max Fournier is part of the Carolina Cold Fury hockey team and he hopes to be the starting goalie this season. He is getting in the best shape he can and his life is perfect, or so he thinks until he sees HER.

Julianne Bradley is working two jobs taking care of three small children and has no time for much of anything else in her life, there just isn't enough time in a day for it.

On his way home one night, he stops at a store for some junk food – don't tell Vale his trainer –  and he sees the cashier being harassed by a couple of men. So being the better man, Max steps up to save the day. He turns out to be Jules’s real life Prince Charming. But Jules isn't sure how to take all of his kindness. She feels guilty taking anything from him and it only gets worse when she finds out who he really is.

When word gets out that "The Max Fournier" has a girlfriend, the press wants to know if she is a real life Cinderella or a Gold-digger? This only makes Jules doubt herself and her relationship with Max. She knows how she feels about him. But can she handle the pressure of the few fans that will always be haters because they are jealous? Will Max back off and give her space to figure out what she needs to do? Or will her need to figure things out drive them apart?

I have loved every man in this Cold Fury Hockey series and I think Max has stolen my heart. He is just so perfect it makes me swoon. But then, I think bring on Roman!!! I love Sawyer Bennett and her stories are the best. If you haven't read anything from her yet, start with any of her series, you will not be disappointed.


Avid Reader☆☆☆☆☆
This was a very sweet story. Jules is independent, but she's also incredibly naive. Despite her living situation, where she is in charge of her niece and nephew, Jules simply has a great heart. She isn't afraid to fight for what she believes in, nor what she believes is right. If she encounters a problem, she faces it head on, unafraid.

The conflict in the story is more internal than anything. Trust and love, learning to trust herself, her heart, and know that Max isn't going to be someone who comes in and out of her life. When forces try to deal in self-doubt, Bennett does a great job at rectifying the situation and the feelings.

Max is sweet and kind, loving, and a bit of a romantic. He loves Jules' heart, her kindness – he's drawn to her from the moment he sees her. I love how good he is for her family. When he comes through and shows her that he is trustworthy, there is nowhere to go but up.

I do wish that we would have seen more of Stevie, but I am hopeful that perhaps he'll get his own story.


Sarah☆☆☆☆
I prefer a little more hockey in a hockey romance, but I loved the connection between Max, an NHL household name, and Jules, who is working two jobs to support her sister’s kids.

I loved Jules’ strength and her fierce independence. There is a tiny whiff of Cinderella to this story, but instead of pity for Jules, the author allows readers to see her as practical and pragmatic, making choices and sacrifices that too many women make every day. Jules is a wonderfully well-developed character and I enjoyed watching Max break through her many defences. There were moments where her insecurities were overwhelming and a little bit annoying but overall, she is a strong, interesting woman.

Compared to Jules, Max feels a little too pampered and more than a little bit detached from reality. I loved his desire to fix everything for Jules, but I loved her need to fix things for herself even more. Max is oblivious to the demands his job places on a partner – especially one without any money. He is golden. Hugely talented, Max is famous and part of a large, warm family. Urgh. There were a few moments where he was just a bit too perfect for my liking and I could completely understand how his perfect life amplified Jules’ insecurities.

The romance here is sweet. The attraction is instant and Max has to work hard to win Jules over. Jules is a single parent to her niece and nephew, so this is very much a family romance. The hockey in this story is more about the glamour and functions off-ice, and there were a few times I found myself wanting more sports action and a little less personal angst.


Lee'Anne☆☆☆☆☆
I loved this story. Max is definitely my favorite of the Cold Fury boys to date, he’s so very swoon worthy! I also really love that we get to catch up with some of the other Cold Fury men; it’s taking place the same time as Hawke and Vale, so we get to see some of them in this one.

Max Fournier is a romantic at heart and not like most of the other hockey players who have an allergy of relationships. Max isn’t into one-night stands, and though he’s not on the search for his “one,” he knows Julianne is it when he sees her. Julianne has a rough life trying to raise her late sister’s three children while working two jobs to support them. She’s exhausted 24/7, but never complains and does her absolute best to give her niece and nephews everything they deserve. When Max shows up and tries to help, Jules is leery to accept, thinking no way a man like him is really interested in a woman like her. Max is determined to be Jules’s knight in shining armor, it’s just so sweet.

Though Max is pretty much the sweetest man alive, this novel also has its steamy moments and it makes for a fast paced, interesting read. I love that it’s told in dual points of view, all the characters are great, and it’s filled to the brim with edge of your seat drama. I can’t get enough of this series and I’m so excited for the next book!


Ruthie☆☆☆☆
4.5 stars of swoon-worthy manliness and determined femininity

This is the sixth book in the series about super hot hockey players – and I highly recommend that you read them all, and ideally in order. I am rather sad though, because this is stated to be a series of seven books – which means there is only one more to come. I rather hope that Ms. Bennett is rethinking that number upwards, as I will really miss this team of engaging characters.

Max definitely deserves a happy ever after relationship, as he has watched his teammates all fall in love – and in this book Hawke (in parallel with book five) getting his happy ever after too. Max finds the one he wants in a most unusual place, and unusual set up – but as someone with a belief in going for what he wants and not holding back, he accepts this reality with amazing positivity. It really would be difficult to not like this guy – and that is ignoring his gorgeous appearance, and success. Julianne is, however, overwhelmed by her life at the moment and finds that taking on anything more is just beyond her imagination. Watching it all unfold makes for very enjoyable reading. I love that she is so passionate, possibly calling on her creative side, rather than the sensible guardian role that she has to live.

There are some absolutely hilarious lines in this book – which sometimes come out of nowhere, so be prepared to laugh out loud! But there are also some very touching and intense moments which bring the story to life, and bring the relationship to the brink. By involving previous couples, as support for both Max and Julianne, we get a lovely reminder of their stories, and current happiness.

I highly recommend this book and this series to you. It definitely has hot alpha male hockey players in it, but also strong, interesting, and intelligent women who deserve it all.

Thank you Ms. Bennett, I look forward to reading Roman next.


Also Available in the Cold Fury Hockey Series

Book 1
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo


Book 2
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

For reviews & more info, check out our stop on the Garrett Blog Tour.


Book 3
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

For reviews & more info, check out our stop on the Zack Blog Tour.


Book 4
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

For reviews & more info, check out our stop on the Ryker Blog Tour.


Book 5
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

For reviews & more info, check out our Hawke post.




USA Today and New York Times Best-Selling Author, Sawyer Bennett is a snarky southern woman and reformed trial lawyer who decided to finally start putting on paper all of the stories that were floating in her head. Her husband works for a Fortune 100 company which lets him fly all over the world while she stays at home with their daughter and three big, furry dogs who hog the bed. Sawyer would like to report she doesn’t have many weaknesses but can be bribed with a nominal amount of milk chocolate.

Sawyer is the author of several contemporary romances including the popular Off Series, the Legal Affairs Series and the Last Call Series. She will be releasing her third book in the Cold Fury Hockey Series with Random House Loveswept, June 2015.

Connect with Sawyer

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Google+  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads




http://readloveswept.com/


Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Max (Cold Fury Hockey #6) by Sawyer Bennett to read and review.

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