Van by Sawyer Bennett — Review

Van by Sawyer Bennett
Published by Loveswept
on 11/28/2017
Genres: Hockey, Romance, Sports
Review Copy Provided By: Publisher


Goodreads
AMZ US Apple Books

Score one for the Carolina Cold Fury hockey team as a stone-cold badass melts for a woman who makes his blood run hot.

As one of the league’s toughest enforcers, Van Turner is ruthless on the ice. He plays hard because it’s the only way to channel the rage boiling inside, and a reputation as an A-hole is better than everyone knowing the truth. Van has spent his entire life running from a secret that’s kept him from getting involved in relationships—or accepting lucrative deals with East Coast teams. Then the Carolina Cold Fury makes him an offer he can’t refuse . . . and Van meets a woman he can’t resist.

Simone Fournier is the stubborn one in her family—and that’s saying something, considering her brothers are two of the Cold Fury’s biggest stars. Simone gets what she wants, and what she wants is Van. Still, there’s a part of him Simone can’t reach, no matter how hard she tries. In private, he’s all fire and passion. In public, he freezes her out. Van may want to push her away, but Simone won’t let him go that easily. Because this time, she’s playing for keeps.

I was provided a review copy; this did not influence my opinion of the book.

❝Simone … you were my first friend ever. My first … everything.❞

‘Van’ just might be my favorite in the Cold Fury series.

We got a glimpse of Van and Simone in the last book in the Cold Fury series, ‘Lucas’, when Simone moved in with her brother, Lucas, and Van. Van did not act impressed by her. Although, you could definitely sense the sexual tension. ‘Van’ starts out with Simone moving in. This book runs concurrent with ‘Lucas’ but never did I feel like we were getting a retelling. Instead, it was great seeing events in ‘Lucas’ through the eyes of Simone and Van. ‘Van’, however, could be read as a standalone.

❝I’m tired of your games, little girl. No more flirting and shaking your ass around me.❞

Van Turner is the enforcer for the Cold Fury hockey team. He’s a bruiser to his core. He’s hiding a terrifying secret that has shaped him into the man he is today. His reputation as an asshat has helped keep people at bay. He’s all for one night stands, but anything more, could bring his secret to life and could hurt more than just him.

I loved the moments we got to see Van’s vulnerability and his fears. He was always so stalwart and a pro at hiding behind his walls. So when he smiled, laughed or showed emotion, those tender moments were all the more powerful. However, beneath that brooding, standoffish man hid an alpha male so sexy, Simone could barely control herself.

Simone was a terrific character, she was loyal, full of spunk and sass. She was determined to live the life she wanted and that included having the man she desired.

❝He should have never shown me that. He should have kept that secret from me because I’m even more determined than ever to chip through this armor he’s wearing.❞

‘Van’ was steaming hot! The sex scenes were flaming because of the alpha male Van and the girl who is always up for anything, Simone. I turned off my electric blanket while reading this because I didn’t need any extra assistance keeping me warm!

‘Van’ satisfied the angst lover in me. It pulled at my emotions. I was angry and felt sad for Van and was proud of and rooted for Simone. One of the great things about this series is that while each book can be read as a standalone, you get a little bit about previous couples. So I cannot wait to find out what the future holds for Van and Simone!

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