Another great read by Sawyer Bennett!! I love the Cold Fury series!
After reading Lucas, I didn't know how Van could possibly compete, but Bennett doesn't disappoint and has me falling in love with Van! Van has been through so much and finally meets his match in Simone. I don't think I have ever read about two characters who complement each other so well! But that doesn't mean everything was smooth sailing. They had a lot to overcome and it was great to see. I love seeing the Cold Fury team and checking in on the others lives.

“That’s right. Don’t assume,” I tell her. “Ask if you’re confused. But Simone . . . you know the worst about me. You took my cock bare. I’m man enough to admit that I’ve got my feelings tied up now too. I sure as fuck don’t know what any of it means, and I’m totally out of my element here. I don’t know what we are, but you are anything but a lay to me.”

OH! MY! FREAKING! GOD!...........I LOVE THIS MAN!!!

Okay, Ryker will always be my favorite Cold Fury but damnit, Van is a very close second. If the guy had kids they’d be neck and neck.

Each of the Cold Fury men has their “baggage” or “burdens” to carry, but not one of them has the nightmare of a past that Van has. He hides the pain of his childhood secrets, he was teased mercilessly as a child. If it hadn’t been for the love his aunt gave him who knows where he would have ended up. With a past like that, he doesn’t do relationships (these guys should know by now that admitting that only means you’re going to end up in one). For Van it’s just sex, no love making. Just rough, dirty, no cuddles, no terms of endearment…just get in, hit it from the back and get out, sex. It’s not just romantic relationships he doesn’t do; he doesn’t even have real friends. He keeps to himself and stays closed off. The last thing he needs is to get close to someone and they find out who he really is. The further away people stay the better; that is until the Fournier’s enter his life. First his teammate Lucas who happens to be going through a pretty rough time and Van finds himself trying to be a good friend to him. Then there’s Simone, Lucas’ (and his other teammate Max’s) little sister. She busts into his life and lets it be known that she is majorly attracted to him, she wants him and she WILL have him. With everything that is in him Van tries so hard to resist Simone but she’s so damn enticing. She off limits for several reasons, the main two being he doesn’t do relationships and her brothers would kill him! Soon Simone proves to be too much for him and well; an ass-kicking by the Fournier’s might not be so bad.

Simone Fournier has spent her life doing as she was told and what everyone else wants. Months away from graduating from an Ivy League School and well on her way to Medical School, she decides to drop out of school and lands on her Brother Lucas’ door step. One look at her brother’s hot ass roommate and she knows she has to have a piece of Van Turner. She’s a girl that goes after what she wants and usually gets it but Van is a hard nut to crack. She finally wears him down but learns that he’s one of the most shut off people she’s ever met. When she learns his secret, he expects her to run but it only makes her want him more and want more from him.

I can’t even begin to say how much I enjoyed Van and Simone’s story; I loved both of these characters. Van is so rough and raw but at the same time afraid and insecure. Simone is wild and crazy but so loving. They complemented each other so well. What I also liked about this book was Van and Simone’s story was happening pretty much during Lucas’ and Stephanie’s story. I’ve read other series where the author attempted to do this and things just got way too confusing but this story was told very smoothly. I loved the relationship between Van and Simone. While Van may have convinced himself that he was not relationship material, his ease in letting Simone in and becoming exclusive with her showed how ready he was for a relationship. As for Simone, I liked her from the minute we met her in Lucas (can’t remember if we met her in Max…); she was spunky, sassy and everything wild. I love how she handled Van. She didn’t let him intimidate her, she stood her ground and pushed him to limits he didn’t know he had. What I really liked about her was the way she gave him space when he needed. Even if she felt she should push issues, she let him work it out on his own.
“I think what he needs is probably my quiet attention and a willingness to let him settle into this the best way that he can. “
Meant-to-be is the only way I can describe these two.
Van is one of my top Cold Fury books and after reading his story I’m definitely convinced…..I need to find me a Hockey Player!!! He can be retired, I don’t care!! I WANT ONE!!

I love this series, Sawyer Bennett really has done a great job with Cold Fury. I think it's so hard to keep a series going because each book needs a new storyline and new voices, but continue building on the series as well. And she does that.

The characters are well developed and the chemistry is there. I devoured this book. And cannot wait to devour the next one too!

The Cold Fury books are some of my all-time favorites - I don't even have to read the summary to know I want to read the next one. And just when I think the author can't top the one she wrote before, she proves me wrong. Again. But I am not mad about that fact -in this case, I love being proven wrong! Van is just such an interesting character and his story is, as well. The intricacies of it are pretty stunning and so is his journey to a better place in life. What a tortured path he has to travel! In a series of stellar books, this one stands out for so many reasons - and all of them point back to Van. Loved it!

I loved Van......I pulled for these characters from the beginning. I loved the role reversal with Van being the hard to get one instead of Simone.....I loved how Simone pursued Van......their love story was emotional and pull the heart strings.....and being a Vermont girl I loved that they end up here.

**Received book from NetGalley for a fair and honest review**
Van is the 9th book in the Cold Fury Hockey series, and can be read as a standalone. BUT I would recommend reading at least Max and Lucas first since they are the h's siblings, and I think you would lose a lot in my opinion by not reading them first.
Van Turner is Lucas's roommate, he's brooding, not very social/talkative and very angry on and off the ice. Simone Fournier is intelligent, but lost. When she drops out of medical school she goes to stay with Lucas and that's when she meets Van. Simone is everything Van is not, she's social, likable, sweet, kind, caring, funny, quirky the whole nine yards and Van definitely doesn't want anyone like her in his life. No matter what lengths Simone goes to in order to gain Van's attention, he remains detached. But when he finds her in a hooters like place working, it may test his control.
This book had some real twists and turns that I definitely wasn't expecting. I loved the storyline, and though Van was grumpy a lot, it didn't take away from his character and my enjoyment of his character. Simone's character was just crazy, and quirky and funny. I loved this book and couldn't put it down. I loved the chemistry between Van and Simone. The story line was very original and exciting. I love this series and can't wait for the next book!!! If I had to come up with a gripe, the only thing I could say is I wish there was a little more story at the end. I know we will see these characters in upcoming books, but it would have been nice to have that little bit more. Hope this helps!! Happy Reading!!!

After reading Lucas I wasn't too sure how much I was going to like Van. He seemed like a jerk and I wasn't too enthused about him to be honest. His book ended up being completely different than I thought it was going to be. Sure Van still had his jerk moments where I wanted to slap him, but the storyline was not at all what I was expecting. His secret is definitely unique and completely different from the rest of the series. Needless to say I was a bit shocked when I read about it, but it sure kept it interesting. Van's been through a lot in his life and it makes me sad for him. He deserves way better than that and I'm glad he finds Simone. Simone can be a hoot. She's got a strong personality to match Van's. She fights and charms her way into getting what she wants, which she often gets. She's a great match for Van, even if they both have alpha personalities, they just work together. She knows just what buttons to push and how to act around him as well as how to talk to him. She gets him in a way others don't and gets to see the true Van behind all his walls. I loved seeing those walls come down and learning about the real Van. The real Van is a great guy that I really enjoyed and liked. The ending was quite surprising to me, but it makes sense for what Van wants. I still love the whole Fournier clan, they're a great family. I loved the couple of check ins with past characters as well, those made me smile 😁. Van's a great story about overcoming obstacles and being your own person despite your past.

OMG!!! This book was AMAZING!
Sawyer Bennett is absolutely one of my fav authors, and I know that when I start to read one of her stories I won't be able to put it down.
And this is exactly what happened with Van.

Van has earned a spot in my top 3 fav books of the Cold Fury Series... and this is telling a lot, because I love all those books and it's really hard to pick only 3! But I floved this book, and even more Van and Simone.

Some of the things that I loved:
- Van and Simone, as a couple, are fireworks. And what I loved about their relationship is that it was complete and whole. To explain better, they had an amazing sexual chemistry, like the bed is on fire amazing, but it was not only that, they supported each other, especially in super duper difficult times, they talked to each other... I can imagine them in 50 years, bickering and still loving each other, and this fill my heart with happiness. And another thing, their relationship was balanced, it wasn't an alpha male + unsure female type of relationship, both of them were strong people who knew what they wanted.
- I loved Simone, she's young, only 22, but she was really mature for her age. I really admired her sexual confidence, her boldness in pursuing Van to enter a relationship with her. I love how she took charge and how she knew what she wanted, at least regarding to Van. And she was really there for him when he had to relive his difficult past.
- Van was uuuuu, hot. A broody, hot, male who made me want to throw myself at him. I'm a sucker for men who are closed off because of a mysterious reason, so I was really attracted to his character. He for sure found the perfect woman for him in Simone, a woman with a will of steel, who doesn't take a no for an answer. It was heartbreaking to read about his childhood, and I cheered for him when he decided to face his ghosts. As always, males tend to screw up, as did Van, but I loved how he solved his argument with Simone 😍 it really showed his commitment to her.
- The previous characters!!!!!! It was so great to meet some of them again😍

So yes, absolutely read this book, you won't regret it... the only downside: if it's the first book you read of the Cold fury series, you might have to spend some moneys to buy the other books to😂

i am not really sure how many men make up a hockey team...but let's hope it is 100 so that this Cold Fury Hockey series can keep on going. I love each and everyone of these books. Van was no different!

Having met Van in Lucas' book, I was dying to see what his story was. He was always so mad and aloof. You KNEW this was going to be one heck of a story! And it was! His deep, dark secrets were nothing I could have ever imagined!

Van meets an unstoppable force who is Simone Fournier.... she is everything he needs in life and doesn't realize it. She makes him come out of his shell and be human again. A little like The Beast!

I loved this book. Love This series and LOVE Sawyer Bennett!!

After reading Lucas I was so excited for Van (part of Van’s book is concurrent with Lucas’ book). I was expecting to be blown away by Van and Simone, and I knew the chemistry between them would be hot, I had no idea how hot it would actually be though, and in true Sawyer Bennett fashion, it was scorching. As cut off from life and social scenarios as Van was, he was still endearing, add into the mix a stubborn persistent girl who will not be pushed away and we have a recipe for yet another Cold Fury steamy read with a little bit of humour added into the mix. The more Van pushes Simone away the harder she fights back, during the first half of the book I have to admit I found her a little too pushy, but once things started slotting into place it became clear she was handling Van the best way possible. Loved the story, the writing and the characters, I loved catching up with the team and their families. This has got to be one of my favourite Cold Fury books. I was provided with an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Shiny!!! So Shiny!!!! Yes, readers will get blinded because Sawyer Bennett has delivered a romance that was utterly beautiful, heartfelt, and sexy as hell. In this ninth installment of the Cold Fury Hockey Series, Van Turner will steal your hearts as his story is so unique and different that you can’t help but fall for him.

Simone Fournier is the baby sister of Max and Lucas, whom you have met in the previous books. Unlike her brothers, Simone is a little lost as to what career path she wants. She recently dropped out of college and is living on the couch of Lucas and his roommate, Van. Currently, she is just working a waitressing job in order to pay back her parents since they made it known to her that she needs to do something with her life and pay them back for the tuition if she doesn’t go back to school.

Since Simone is very much attracted to Van, she wants him. She flirts relentlessly with him. Van is very aware what Simone is trying to do and so he tries to avoid being in the same room as her since he knows Max and Lucas will not approve of him for their baby sister.

"I know you, Van Turner,” I whisper to him. “And I think you’re mighty fine.”

Van is a man of very few words. He doesn’t get close to anyone except for his aunt, who helped raised him. He doesn’t do relationships at all. For him, it’s all about casual sex. No feelings that is until, Simone forces her way into his life.

During their first encounter, Simone lets Van know that all she wants from him is just sex. Van makes it known to Simone that this thing between them is just no strings attached sex and no one can know about it. Well as it turns out, it can’t be just casual sex when feelings begins to develop. What happens when Simone discovers Van’s buried secret? Will Van push Simone away? Or will Simone be the one to heal and guide Van to the right direction? And what happens when Simone’s brothers discovers that she has been hiding her relationship with Van?

As always, Sawyer Bennett did a fabulous job with Van. I loved everything about this book from Van and Simone’s flawed personalities to the raw emotions and sexual chemistry that Van and Simone have for each other. Bennett showcased a love story that was more than about sports but the importance of what really matters… love. So if you are looking for a book that will make you feel for the characters then I highly recommend you to read this book. Trust me when I tell you, you will love unmasking the mystery of Van Turner as you get to see the real him when he is with Simone.

**Advanced copy provided by the author, NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review**

This is one of my favorite series and Sawyer Bennett continues to find ways to infuse new life and elements into every single book that comes out. Van is no exception and I was drawn in from the very first page.

Van Turner is one of the best players the Cold Fury has recently picked up, and while he's known for his aggressive play on the ice, he can only be described as closed off and a loner off of it. He prefers to keep to himself and not attach himself to anyone. He's got deep rooted issues from his childhood that have caused him to put up the walls and he has no intention of taking them down for anyone.

Simone Fournier is the sister of two of Van's teammates, Lucas and Max. When she shows up on Lucas' doorstep, which also happens to be Van's too, she makes it known she's moving in for the foreseeable future. She's instantly attracted to the moody teammate of her brothers and she's not one to be deterred by his less than welcoming attitude.

As Simone barrels forward with trying to seduce Van, she also is trying to figure out where she belongs and where her life is headed. When the two embark on a purely physical arrangement it's satisfying for the both of them, but is it possible to keep feelings out of it? And, will the insecurities and issues from Van's past end up driving them apart?

I was so ready for this book after witnessing the tension between Van and Simone in Lucas' book and I was not disappointed. Both Simone and Van had their issues, but in the end, what they were able to bring to one another was exactly the right mix of what they each needed. Kudos to Sawyer Bennett for continuing to give us engaging and entertaining stories in this fantastic series!