Max (Cold Fury Hockey, #6)

by Sawyer Bennett

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • 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.

• ISBN10: 0425286517
• ISBN13: 9780425286517
• Publish Date: 13 December 2016
• Publish Status: Out of Stock
• Imprint: Loveswept
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 304
• Language: English

Reviews

[Sam@WLABB]

Bennett consistently delivers a solid romance with lots of feels and great MCs with each Cold Fury book.

This book pairs Max, the Cold Fury goalie with Jules an aunt thrust into the role of mother for her deceased sister's three kids. This relativity new lifestyle doesn't allow Jules much time for herself, but Max is able to worm his way in there and win her heart.

I loved this concept of the sorta-single mom, and how that did not make a difference to Max. That is a lot for a rather young bachelor to take on, but he understood that Jules and the kids were a package deal, and he embraced it. There are quite a few adorable interactions between Max and the kids that made my heart pitter patter, and just made me love Max more and more.

Jules was a great heroine. She was super self sacrificing, working herself to the bone to support her new charges, and ignoring her own needs to take care of theirs. Bennett gave Jules a lot of depth in her talents and persona. She came across as quite a beautiful person.

The story was great. My favorite parts, though, were the bro-moments. There are a ton between Hawke and Max (I loved the overlap with Hawke/Vale's story), but there are also moments with Garrett (from my favorite Cold Fury book). So, I was pretty excited. I love when I read companions and the author really integrates the group. It was done beautifully in this book.

Overall: A swoony, sweet romance that tugs at the heartstrings.

[Linda]

This review was originally posted on (un)Conventional Bookviews
Max is hands down the most swoony of the hockey players in Cold Fury Hockey, like a knight in shining armour, but with a wicked humor.



I think Max wins the book boyfriend of the year prize for 2016 (as I read this last year). He was so amazing, he met a woman he found intriguing, and wasn't scared by the fact that she was raising three young children on her own - having two jobs to make ends meet. Julianne was definitely worth waiting for, though, and while it took him a while to woo her, it was all so very sweet! Bennett always writes her heroes both alpha males and sensitive and sensible. I think it's that mix between alpha and sweet that really gets to me every time! Of course, hockey is also one of my favorite sports, and so reading about sexy hockey players who have a romantic streak is definitely something I enjoy.

The interactions between Max and the children were so well done, and also what made him even hotter than the other Cold Fury Hockey guys whom I've gotten to know and love in the past ;) With more mature characters, who really want to form a family and be happy, the story was one I loved from start to finish.

Written in dual points of view, with chapters from either Max or Julianne's perspective, and in first person present tense, the story unfolds while it's happening, and it was great to spend time inside of both of the protagonists' head, get to know them, and understand where they were coming from. If you enjoy romances that go a little deeper than the sexual attraction between two characters, this story is for you!



She never even gives me a second glance, and I'm not being egotistical when I say that I usually get a little more attention from the female persuasion than what I'm receiving right now. Mostly because I'm in the media lot with the Cold Fury, but also because I've been told on more than one occasion that I'm hot. 

"Girl, I had no idea you had friends in such high places," he said in awe. "Here I was today, doing inventory while Jody worked the register for the lunch rush, and Max Fucking Fournier walks into my store." Max Fucking Fournier?

[thebookdisciple]

Link to full review below! Perfect book boyfriend. Seriously, Max wins the title of best BBF of 2016! See full review on The Book Disciple

[Eve1972]

Max Fournier is the league's most eligible bachelor and the starting goalie for the Cold Fury hockey team. Max is a romantic at heart, and meaningless sex holds no appeal for him. When he lays eyes on the beautiful Julianne Bradley, Max knows she is something special.

Julianne Bradley is working two jobs to take care of her niece and nephews. She doesn't have time for sleep, let alone a 6´5 famous goalie. But Max isn't about to give up and soon he holds Jule's heart right in his goalie mit. But Max is a celebrity, and with that comes a spotlight that brings more chaos to Jule's already overflowing life.



Sports romances are a little iffy for me because they usually involve a ton of OW drama or (as in this case) puck bunnies. Luckily this book was delightfully free of such shenanigans.

Max was a wonderful non-manwhore goalie (and lord knows I have a thing for goalies *cough PETR MRÁZEK cough*) He was sweet and all in from the minute he sees Jules. Jules, on the other hand, got on my nerves a little with her attitude, especially near the end. I found her actions were a bit contradictory to the way she was portrayed for most of the book. Since this was a pretty easy and very low angst type of relationship, it felt like it was just added in to create a little drama before the HEA ending.

That aside, I did really enjoy this one. (I LOVED the little Canadian connection. LOVE me some tourtiere.) This was a breath of fresh air in the piles of manwhore sports heroes we have in the romance genre. If you are looking for a low angst, romantic, easy peasy read then this would be right up your alley.