on March 15, 2016
Pages: 275
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The Carolina Cold Fury hockey team proves that love is a power play. As Sawyer Bennett’s New York Times bestselling series continues, the league’s most notorious party animal gets blindsided by the one that got away.
Off the ice, elite defenseman Hawke Therrien enjoys his fair share of booze and good times. And why shouldn’t he? He’s worked his way up from the minor leagues and made himself a star. The only thing Hawke misses from that life is the pierced, tattooed free spirit who broke his heart without so much as an explanation. She’s almost unrecognizable when she walks back into his life seven years later—except for the look in her eyes that feels like a punch to the gut.
Vale Campbell isn’t the same girl she was at twenty. As crazy as she was about Hawke, her reckless behavior and out-of-control drinking were starting to scare her. She had to clean up her act, and that would never happen with Hawke around. Cutting him loose was the hardest thing Vale ever had to do—until now. Because she’s still crazy about Hawke. And if he could ever learn to forgive her, they just might have a future together.
Though I adore this series and Ryker book 4 in this series is a Top Read of 2015 for me, this book is easily read as a standalone as Hawke opens with him being newly traded to the Caroline Fury..well in Chapter 1 as the prologue is set years prior when Hawkeand Vale were together as young adults. Yes folks this is a second chance romance!
A second chance romance I loved as the reason Vale and Hawke are pulled apart worked and as I think with any great second chance romance the reader is left truly believing now is the time the couple is supposed to be together.
Ok back to the story, Hawke has elite and newly traded defenseman Hawke Therrien joining the Stanley Cup winning Carolina Fury. This trade puts Hawke direct in the orbit of Vale Campbell. Vale isn’t the same girl she was at twenty; 7 years has changed her. The first moment Hawke sees her again was so well done!
Never in a million years thought we would ever cross paths again. And as evidenced by the hot flame of bubbling anger sitting low in my gut right now, I’m guessing that I’m still a bit pissed at her.
I adored the use of Vale’s father Dave, he not only added to the story but highlighted that very often you don’t know who is truly there for you until the chips are down.
“For a blessed moment, I don’t question all the hurt between us. I simply hold her.”
It is very clear to the reader, even when it is not clear to Hawke that he is meant to be with Vale.
I kiss her to shut her up. I kiss her to keep her preoccupied. I kiss her because I am dying to kiss her again, and it just seemed to be the right thing to do at the time.
Speaking of meant to be together in the permanent sense of things, I loved the use to the tattoos in this book, the same ink was layered with love, anger and the renewal, truly masterful poetic grace for one symbol to mean so much in a few scenes!
If you have read the prior books in the series, you do see the prior men, and there is a great moment at the end, well two great moments one for Ryker and one for Garrett, nope not telling you need to read Hawke!
Thank you Ms. Bennett for another wonderful read, one that kept me engaged and loving the story!
I am was excited to see that we are getting a happy for Max next! (another netminder to love)
About Sawyer Bennett
Since the release of her debut contemporary romance novel, Off Sides, in January 2013, Sawyer Bennett has released more than 30 books and has been featured on both the USA Today and New York Times bestseller lists on multiple occasions.
A reformed trial lawyer from North Carolina, Sawyer uses real life experience to create relatable, sexy stories that appeal to a wide array of readers. From new adult to erotic contemporary romance, Sawyer writes something for just about everyone.
Sawyer likes her Bloody Marys strong, her martinis dirty, and her heroes a combination of the two. When not bringing fictional romance to life, Sawyer is a chauffeur, stylist, chef, maid, and personal assistant to a very active toddler, as well as full-time servant to two adorably naughty dogs. She believes in the good of others, and that a bad day can be cured with a great work-out, cake, or a combination of the two.