*I received a free copy of [title] from [publisher] via Netgalley. This has in no way influenced my voluntary review, which is honest and unbiased *Marek was a really good second-chance-at-love story, and I really enjoyed getting to know the background for his and Gracen's break-up.
Story:
I have to say that in the beginning of the story, Marek acted like a jerk. There really is no other word for it - and while I could totally understand his anger and hurt, he did not try to make things better. Gracen was a real trooper, though, and did her best to take Marek's anger in stride. And I really enjoyed how present Lilly was to the storyline. It's not easy to have a hot romance while also including a young child!
As Gracen and Marek got to know each other again, it was obvious they still had feelings for each other. However, he was really weary, and didn't trust Gracen to stay. Or to be truthful. Which, again, is completely understandable. She kept his daughter hidden from him for over three years!
This story also included almost all the other couples from the Cold Fury Hockey series, and it was so nice to see how they all continue their road to happiness, with lots of hockey action, and building new relationships. Even if this is part of a series, it can be read as a stand-alone.
Characters:
Marek has been in the background in the other novels in the series, so I didn't really know him very well. As I said, in the beginning, he acted like an entitled jerk. When he let the past go, though, he was amazing!
Gracen had lived her life as best she could after her love left her for the NHL. And things had not been easy for her - she felt forced to marry a man she didn't love, and that is what brought Marek back to her life.
Lilly was awesome - exactly like a normal three-year-old girl. She brought some light and love to the story every time she showed up.
Writing style :
Written in dual points of view, in present tense, first person, the story unfolds at a nice pace, and lets the readers get to know the characters very well.
Feels :
I was rather angry with Marek for a while there. But I was also angry with Gracen - I don't think it's ever right to keep a child away from one of their parents! I also felt love, temptation, fear, and hope.
Goddamn Gracen. Keeping such a secret from me. A daughter. Lilly. I'm scared as fuck. I sit in the gloom of the garage, the ticking of my car engine slow and steady as opposed to the beat of my heart, which is erratic.
That gets her attention. "Will Marek be going to the store with us?" I cringe, pulling the refrigerator door open as quickly as possible to hide behind it so she hopefully doesn't see said cringe. It's getting so hard to field questions form her about the man she is very curious about but really doesn't understand who he is.