This book would benefit from an additional fifty pages at the beginning. Who are these people, what is their history, what’s this wedding that got stopped and why. The beginning takes forty pages before it all starts to pull together. The author just needed to take a little more time with this one. Charge another dollar and make it a much better story

Since I love reading stories about sexy hockey players, I was excited to read the eleventh book in The Cold Fury series. Sawyer Bennett is one of my favorite authors because she knows how to write an engaging story with characters that are easy to relate to. There is great character development in this emotional and satisfying second chance romance. I loved all the fun interactions between the characters and all the entertaining secondary characters. I was immediately drawn into Marek and Gracen’s world and I was able to sympathize with both of their points of view. Whenever they are together, they can’t keep their hands off each other but they are both dealing with hurt feelings and anger. They have to figure out if they can forget the past and have a future together. After all this time, they still care about each other, yet they are confused about all the mixed emotions the are feeling. They have hurt each other and need to somehow rectify their past mistakes. Marek and Gracen were young when they were first together. Now, four years later, they have both matured and changed and they have to decide what is important to them. They have to accept each other and forgive and forget. I liked Marek and Gracen and I was pulling for them to work things out and be together. Thanks to the author for providing a copy of this book vIa Cocktails and Books and Netgalley. The opinions expressed are my own.

I really don't know authors Sawyer can continually make such a long running series so interesting. She does such a great job making her characters has distinct personalities. The storylines make it hard to put down. And for me I finish one book and immediately start counting down when the next book releases!

Anger, turmoil and the pull of a once in a lifetime love is what keeps Marek going in the next book in the Cold Fury Hockey series! The beginning felt a little stunted because we didn't get to experience the drama that had happened first hand and were trying to play catch up in snippets of memories. The story line was quick to grab out attention though, and watching Marek try to connect with this his little look-alike daughter was adorably sweet. The author did a great job of portraying emotions on both sides of their betrayals. I really enjoyed the overall story! When professional hockey player Marek Fabritis finds out that his childhood sweetheart was pregnant with his baby when he left and never told him, he's beyond angry! He's missed more than three years of his daughter Lilly's life. He can never get that time back, so how can he ever forgive Gracie? Gracen Moore can't believe Marek made such a huge scene at what was supposed to be her wedding and used scare tactics to drag her and Lilly home with him to North Carolina! Yes, she realizes she made a huge mistake, but he dumped her just so he could live a wild and free lifestyle in the NHL, so what was she supposed to think? Seeing how angry and hurt he is over missing out on so much has her crumbling under the guilt. She never stopped loving him, no matter how much he let her down ... and even though the attraction and desire is still right there between then, can Marek ever forgive her enough to want any type of relationship with her?

Sawyer Bennett’s latest installment in her Cold Fury Hockey series —Marek— delivers a heartwarming story about forgiveness and second chances. Marek Fabritis got everything he ever wanted. The fame and fortune an NHL career affords him along with a hoard of fawning fans. But when he decided to stop his ex-girlfriend’s wedding to a douche canoe and take both her and the three-year-old daughter he didn’t know he had, he needs to face the fact that his life has tilted on its axis and that his job is not his life and it might take a backseat to the sweet love of his little girl, but can he forgive her mother in order to start a new happy chapter in his life? When Gracen Moore decided to let Marek go so he could chase his NHL dream, she did so hiding the fact that she was pregnant with their daughter thinking it was for everyone’s benefit. After he prevented her from making a huge mistake she’s now faced with the fact that keeping Lilly a secret was not just epic it was inexcusable. But how many times can she ask for forgiveness and how long can she hide the fact that she never stopped loving him? Gracen and Marek are in uncharted territory. The spark, the memories, the shared emotions are still very much present but they must also find a way to face the past that broke them and the decisions that are currently threatening them. Not an easy task for either of them. Their story takes us through a gamut of feelings from frustrating to very sweet, tender and definitely sultry. Bennett’s skilled storytelling grips you from the start with a motivating plot, attractive characters and a wide range of emotions which make all her stories a wonderful reading experience. Marek is no different. It’s an enjoyable, sexy escape that explores family, friendship, forgiveness, love and second chances. Marek is book #11 of the Cold Fury Hockey series by Sawyer Bennett. It is a standalone, contemporary hockey romance. Told from both points of view with a hand ending.

I love the Cold Fury series! You can read every book as a standalone but they are so much better together. Marek and Gracen had a very complicated past and issues and hurts to work through. Their story was amazing and their chemistry off the charts.

I'm sitting here, a day after I finished reading this book, wondering whether I should hate or love Marek and Gracen. Both of them did things in the past that make me hate them, but I understand why they did them. I'm not saying that makes it ok. I'm just saying I get it. Obviously this is a HEA, but I really enjoyed alot of the real life moments, and not all were happy. I respect Gracen for realizing that forgiveness doesn't mean forgetfulness and that even with the forgiveness you can't always forget it. I think this is one of the best books I have read about having to work at a relationship and overcoming obstacles, pain and past hurts.

4.5 Stars Marek by Sawyer Bennett is the eleventh book (I cannot believe it’s book 11 already!) in the Cold Fury Series! It can be read as a stand-alone but I do recommend reading the others as well. I love love lovedddd this story. It was full of angsty goodness that had me rooting for the characters from the get go. Marek and Gracen have a tumultuous past that resulted in a child that Marek knew nothing about. When he goes to try and stop Gracen from getting married, he got one heck of a surprise when he meets Lilly, his daughter. He is furious and takes both of them to his home to figure out what to do. Both Marek and Gracen are stuck dealing with emotions and the consequences from the choices they made. Will they be able to move forward and be a family for their daughter…or will it be too late? Sawyer Bennett sure knows how to write fantastic stories that are heartfelt and realistic! I loved Marek and Gracen and their relationship. Yes there were mistakes made but that’s what made the story so good. My emotions were all over the place-one minute swooning over Marek and the next feeling heartache. I am so excited to see what’s next for Ms.Bennett!

Having followed this series, enjoying each player along the way, Marek and Gracen’s story seemed to hit a soft spot for me. The emotions ran high, perhaps because Lily was involved, or perhaps I’m a sucker for second chance stories...which there are a plethora of. The way Ms Bennett has approached the topic though gave it a whole other level of “pull at the heartstrings”, I think this is where Lily comes in. I’m glad that Marek finally was able to come to terms with his past and Gracen to find his HEA with her. Clearly their chemistry is enhanced by their explosive history...adding the perfect layer of emotions to up the attraction factor between them. The Cold Fury Hockey series has never grown old, this author has perfected the ability to keep an extended series fresh and exciting. I always look forward to Ms Sawyer’s books...I'm anxious to see what she has in store next. This ARC book was complimentary, provided by the Publisher and NetGalley. I am voluntarily providing my honest review.

I'm a huge fan of the #ColdFuryHockey series and I love it when I get to see the #HockeyHunks I've come to know and love in previous books. In this one, I enjoyed spending some more time with Reed & Josie. Marek & Gracen were high school sweethearts. She thought their love was forever, at least until he left her to pursue his NHL career and to find out what he'd been missing. He broke her heart and forced her to rewrite her future, one that didn't include him. She moved on, but she never forgot her first love. She never expected to see him again, other than when she watched the Cold Fury team on TV. Imagine her surprise when he showed up at her wedding... Marek has always had fond memories of his first love. The time he spent with Gracen was special and he's never regretted their time together. Actually, he's never forgotten her over the years. When he receives an email telling him she's getting married, he decides to head back to their hometown and change her mind. What he finds when he gets there rocks his world. Her name is Lilly and she's 3 years old. And he can never get those three years back... This installment of the Cold Fury series is different than the others. It's not lighthearted and funny. It's deep and emotional. I admit I struggled with it, having trouble connecting to the main characters. I got frustrated with their behavior and was tempted to use Marek's hockey stick inappropriately at times to set them straight. It seemed the only time they were on the same page was in the bedroom, and in that case, they didn't need any help from me, they had that covered just fine. I'm looking forward to finding out which HockeyHottie will be featured in the next installment, regardless, I'll be there ready to cheer for the team and provide unsolicited advice. The line forms here...