Release: October 14th, 2014
Blurb:
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.
Review:
Sawyer Bennett is an author that I randomly discovered while browsing Amazon, and I'm so glad I found her. She has a way of balancing the scorchingly sexy and romantically sweet elements of story to make one great read—and Alex definitely lives up to that.
I've recently been pulled into books with the sporty element, and why not? These athletes are paid to take care of their bodies and I can for sure get behind that. They're also a little bit, or a lot, cocky, demanding and successful. Now that is hot… and where Alex Crossman comes in.
Alex is all of the above—nice body, successful, a whole lot cocky… and an asshole. He's also the typical commitment-phobe who doesn't form emotional attachments, especially to women. No rings, no strings, seems to be his motto. But can you blame a guy who grew up with an asshole father? He takes the whole "stage mom/dad" to a new level, and unfortunately some of that assholery (yes, today that's a word) was passed down to Alex. Sutton also grew up, and was abandoned, by an asshole, but she was able to overcome that, and I think that's what ultimately draws Alex to Sutton—aside from her looks. Their similar pasts allow Sutton to empathize while giving sympathy without pity… because, man, that guy does not do well with pity.
Some of the things I loved about Alex were the appearances made by Sutton's family and their (Alex and Sutton) flirty texting. Sutton is a very patient, understanding, completely loyal and supportive person—her family is the same way. Her brother Glenn is the sweetest freakin' kid (who brought sweet tears to my eyes on multiple occasions), and Sutton's love and devotion to her family is such an attractive quality to Alex. He may be a little bitter and envious, but you can see how much he admires her because of it.
I think a lot of women fantasize about being that one woman to change/tame the bad boy. To turn the ladies man into a one woman man, and Alex is very much that, but I love the journey. You get both points of view in Alex, which helps you understand the characters demons and motivations. There's another bad boy and fellow Cold Fury teammate, Garrett, who makes a couple appearances and I can't wait to read about how he gets the girl in the next Cold Fury Hockey Novel.
Written Revelry gives Alex 5 out of 5.
This book will have you experiencing an array of emotions. Irritation at asshole Alex. Admiration for everything Sutton does. A few tears (good and sad) from Alex's boneheaded-ness to Alex's sweet and tender side. And throw in quite a few laughs whenever Garrett is involved!
Happy Reading,
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About the AuthorUSA Today Best-Selling author, Sawyer Bennett, is a snarky southern woman and reformed trial lawyer who decided to finally start putting on paper all of the stories that were floating in her head. She is married to a mobster (well, a market researcher) and they have two big, furry dogs who hog the bed. Sawyer would like to report she doesn't have many weaknesses but can be bribed with a nominal amount of milk chocolate.
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