Kristie J’s review of Lucas (Cold Fury Hockey, Book 8) by Sawyer Bennett
Contemporary Romance published by Loveswept 19 Sep 17
Now that we are back into hockey time and (at the time of this writing, though I’m sure it will change) the Leafs are in first place, my urge to read the hockey romance genre is back, and one of the best of the best authors is Sawyer Bennett. Lucas is her most recent book, though she does have the next one coming out soon. And, yes, I’ve already pre-ordered it. I don’t often pay that much for ebooks, but I do make the occasional exception and Sawyer Bennett’s Cold Fury series is one of them.
This book focuses on Lucas Fournier, younger brother of Max from a previous book. Max is the goalie for the Cold Fury. Lucas has just been acquired to help them run for another Cup (as in Stanley Cup). I forget which position he plays, but it’s not relevant to the review, so I’ll continue rather than wasting time to look it up. The Fourniers are a close-knit family and both Max and Lucas are delighted to be on the same team. The book opens at some kind of fundraiser. Lucas’ youth maks him kind of wild and a player, so when he sees museum curator Stephanie Frazier, he would love a close-up kind of meeting, if you know what I mean. And when Stephanie sees Lucas, she’s all on board too, and they indulge in a one-night stand.
But one-night stands have risks and it proves so in this book, when it turns out Stephanie becomes preggers. Unlike many a frustrating book where heroine keeps things from baby daddy, Stephanie ‘fesses up to Lucas. And because Lucas has been raised in a close family who take responsibilities seriously, he’s all on board with helping Stephanie raise their child together.
While I love and adore Lucas and the way he’s all set to be there for Stephanie, unlike some other Sawyer Bennett books, for me it’s really Stephanie who makes this story. Not to take anything away from Lucas, he’s great and quick – for the most part – to drop his playboy ways, but Stephanie seems to leap off the pages. She comes from a family of wealth and privilege, but one that is completely devoid of any kind of love whatsoever from her parents. She barely has any kind of relationship with them at all; the tiny bit she does have is fraught with tension. When she was very young, they were never around, always travelling somewhere in the world, and, as soon as she became old enough, she was shipped off to boarding schools and didn’t even go home for holidays. They refused to give her what she needed most, which was love, and as a result, she has no real experience of it.
Although Lucas is beginning to fall and fall hard for her, Stephanie is incapable of returning it. She does know a physical intimacy – she’s pregnant after all – but relying on others for anything is a foreign concept to her.
While Lucas gets this for the most part and is very tender and protective of her, in other ways he doesn’t get it since his family is the complete opposite, and he does become frustrated at times that Stephanie won’t let him into her heart.
The reader can’t help but hurt for Stephanie and her sad, lonely, loveless childhood and root for her to open enough to love Lucas and let him love her.
While there have been a couple of books I’ve enjoyed less, for the most part I’m really loving these guys.
Grade: B+
Summary:
Lucas Fournier is only serious about one thing: hockey. The league’s fun-loving charmer, Luc is always up for a good prank or a great lay, and he has no intention of settling down. But being traded to the Carolina Cold Fury—and to play alongside his big brother, Max—is no joke. With another title in sight, the last thing Luc wants is to let his new teammates down. To succeed, Luc will need to keep his head in the game and the most . . . er, demanding member of his anatomy in check. But when temptation hits, Luc hits back harder.
Museum curator Stephanie Frazier has always put business before pleasure, which just about explains her nonexistent sex life. But when Stephanie meets Luc at a champagne-fueled gala, she finds herself flirting like crazy—and going home with the uninhibited athlete. For one night, she learns what passion is all about. She just never counted on the little surprise Luc leaves behind. And that’s when things reallystart to get . . . interesting.
No excerpt available.
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