Alex (Cold Fury Hockey, #1)

by Sawyer Bennett

New York Times bestselling author Sawyer Bennett scores big-time with the first novel in a sexy new series hot enough to melt the ice.

Hockey star Alexander Crossman has a reputation as a cold-hearted player on and off the rink. Pushed into the sport by an alcoholic father, Alex isn’t afraid to give fans the proverbial middle finger, relishing his role as the MVP they love to hate. Management, however, isn’t so amused. Now Alex has a choice: fix his public image through community service or ride the bench. But Alex refuses to be molded into the Carolina Cold Fury poster boy . . . not even by a tempting redhead with killer curves.

As a social worker, Sutton Price is accustomed to difficult people—like Alex, who’s been assigned to help her create a drug-abuse awareness program for at-risk youth as part of the team’s effort to clean up his image. What she doesn’t expect is the arrogant smirk from his perfect lips to stir her most heated fantasies. But Sutton isn’t one to cross professional boundaries—and besides, Alex doesn’t do relationships . . . or does he? The more she sees behind Alex’s bad-boy façade, the more Sutton craves the man she uncovers.

The Carolina Cold Fury series from New York Times bestselling author Sawyer Bennett can be read together or separately.

• ISBN10: 0553393006
• ISBN13: 9780553393002
• Publish Date: 14 October 2014
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Loveswept
• Format: eBook
• Pages: 344
• Language: English

Reviews

[Sam@WLABB]

I was already a fan of Bennett's Off series and was curious about her Cold Fury books. Once again, she brought the fun, the flirty, the schmexy, and just enough drama. Always the perfect balance. I loved how these two, Alex and Sutton, had similar miserable childhoods, but made choices about how they would live their lives that were so different. Alex needed Sutton in his life to help him heal, move on and open his eyes to all the good things that could be his. I really liked the type of woman Sutton was, not perfect, but also not possessing the most annoying female traits. She was charming and I was a fan from the get go. Alex grew on me as he evolved. I really liked seeing him open up and begin to embrace those things he had shut himself off from, because he was too damaged to see he deserved or even wanted those things. And Garrett, he gave us many humorous Bro moments. I am looking forward to getting to know him better. Great introduction to a new series I will definitely read.

[Linda]

*I received a free ARC of Alex from Loveswept via Netgalley in exchange of an honest review*

This and all my other reviews are originally posted on my blog (un)Conventional Bookviews

[Cocktails and Books]

ALEX is a captivating, intense story about an emotionally damaged hockey player. Alex Crossman has played professional hockey with the Cold Fury in Raleigh, North Carolina for six years. Alex is the bad boy of the team, he’s a loner and he knows he isn’t liked by his teammates or the fans, but he doesn’t care. His bosses are tired of his bad attitude and want to clean up his image, so they insist he become the spokesman for an anti drug abuse program to improve his reputation.

Sutton loves her job working as a counselor for the Wake County Drug Crisis Center. She’s delighted when she learns the Cold Fury want to help her build an outreach program and one of the players will be the spokesman. When Sutton first meets Alex she has no idea who he is, but knows he’s the most gorgeous man she has ever met. Alex isn’t happy about being there and is arrogant and self absorbed, but Sutton is used to dealing with difficult people, so a smug hockey player is easy for her handle. Even though he doesn’t want to be there, Alex is instantly attracted to Sutton and asks her out. Sutton refuses his offer, which surprises Alex, because he is used to women throwing themselves at him and when Sutton doesn’t, he’s intrigued and he can’t seem to get her out of his head.

I was immediately pulled into Sawyer Bennett’s absorbing story and connected with the characters, even though they are flawed and vulnerable. In the beginning of the story Alex is a jerk, but as the reasons for his behavior are uncovered, he slowly stole my heart. Alex is a big, tough guy but also a broken man. He has never had a relationship and has no idea how to show his feelings and I found it sad and touching. I admired Sutton, because she’s strong, straight talking and doesn’t let Alex intimidate her. She’s always patient and understanding with Alex, but never judgmental. There is a strong sexual chemistry that simmers between Alex and Sutton and because Alex has never met anyone like Sutton, he finds her exhilarating and scary.

Reviewed by Karen for Cocktails and Books