Title: Max by Sawyer Bennett
Cold Fury Hockey Series Book Six
Publisher: Loveswept
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 306 pages
Book Rating: B+
Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley
Summary:
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.
Review:
The sixth installment in Sawyer Bennett’s Cold Fury Hockey series, Max is a sweet, low-key romance that old and new fans are going to love.
At this stage in his life, Cold Fury goalie Max Fournier is more focused on his career than he is on picking up girls and partying every night. While he has not had much luck with relationships in the past, he believes in love and happily ever after. He is instantly smitten when he meets Julianne “Jules” Bradley and Max finds it quite refreshing that she has no idea who he is. He knows getting involved with her comes with a few complications and at first, Jules is reluctant to get involved with him due to her personal circumstances. However, Max knows there is something special about her so he is willing to take things slowly so he can hopefully win her over. He is respectful of her concerns about beginning a new relationship and he is incredibly patient as he tries to help her without overwhelming her or ignoring her objections to his offer to ease some of her burdens.
Jules has her hands full raising her niece and nephews but she has no regrets about becoming their guardian following her sister’s death. She is working two jobs to make ends meet and she has little time to spare for a relationship. If she were at a different place in her life, Jules would have no reservations about dating Max and although she feels a twinge of regret at turning him down, she knows she has made the right decision. However when Max offers a viable solution that will not only give her financial security but allow her to give up one of her jobs, Jules realizes it would be foolhardy not to accept his offer.
Max pretty knows right away that Jules is The One for him and he has plenty of patience as he waits for her to make up her mind about them becoming involved. He is great with Jules’ niece and nephew and he never resents the lack of private time together. Max is not at all afraid to talk about his feelings and he has no qualms about wearing his heart on his sleeve. Jules is much more cautious since the kids’ well-being is her main priority but she finds Max impossible to resist. Their relationship is a wonderful blend of sexy times and cute, heartwarming interactions with the children. Their romance is mostly free from unnecessary drama but Jules’ self-doubts do become a problem late in the novel. Will these issues prevent Max and Jules from living happily ever after?
With very little angst, three adorable children and a steamy romance, Max is a refreshing addition to Sawyer Bennett’s Cold Fury Hockey series. Max is a sighworthy, charming male lead who is not afraid to risk his heart when he meets the woman of his dreams. Jules is an equally likable heroine whose fears eventually get in her way of happiness but luckily, she comes to her senses before it is too late. All in all, a captivating and heartfelt love story that I greatly enjoyed and highly recommend.
