This story was so raw and powerful, I loved it! What Van has had to grow up with, no child should ever have to go through. The writing brought you through the hell that Van lived through as he tried to make a new life for himself. Simone is bold and brash and doesn't take no for an answer. She is the perfect person to make Van see that it's OK to live a normal life. I loved watching Van's walls fall down as Simone obliterated them. Simone has such a special family and I loved to see both her family and the Fury family embrace Van. Loved this one! Great read!

I really didn't like this book at all. I thought both charters were awful. I had trouble with this book it took me a few times of starting and stopping to finally finish it.

Let me say wow! I love the cover and the guy that is Van on the cover, whew! I think that’s my favorite cover of all time for the Cold Fury series! I know this story is my favorite! The Cold Fury Series are all standalone novels. Van runs concurrently with Lucas, but you don’t have to read Lucas for this book to make sense.

I have read this entire series and I don’t know how it can get better, but for me it sure did! Van is closed off and such a grump. He is not a social guy at all and is even socially awkward at times, but that just endeared him to me all the more. When you finally hear about Van’s issues, it will break your heart.

Then the firecracker that is Simone! I adored her. She is relentless in her pursuit of Van. She wanted him and made no secret about it. The problem is she moved in with her brother Lucas, who just so happens to share a two-bedroom house with Van. On top of that, they are teammates, so that is forbidden as far as Van is concerned. Plus, she is a pain in the ass. I laughed out loud many times when Simone was so blatant in her moves on Van, and when the refrigerator fell on her because she was climbing it to clean behind it, I laughed until I had tears. I should have been alarmed, but holy heck, what was she thinking!

I don’t want to give anything away because this book is so good and needs to be taken without any preconceived ideas. If you want to read a book that has a heroine that has no fear, is outspoken, confident in her sexual prowess, and really insightful and a sexy, broody hockey player, then this is the sports romance for you. Their chemistry is off the charts and had me fanning my face a few times! Smoking hot!

I highly recommend this terrific sports romance, give it a try, I promise you’ll enjoy it!

ARC kindly provided by NetGalley for an honest review.

‘Cold Fury’ series by Sawyer Bennett was my first hockey romance series/books, which became my favorite sports romance type :) Thank you Sawyer Bennett for turning me into a hockey fan :) ‘Van’ is the 9th book of the series and it’s my favorite so far! If you read ‘Lucas’, the previous book of the series, you are familiar with our hero and heroine. If you didn't read any of the books from the series no worries because 'Van' can also be read as a standalone :)

Van Turner is one of the toughest enforcers in NHL. He is hot, smart, brooding and a loner. He doesn’t get close to anyone or allow anyone to get close to him. There is only one person that is close to him, his aunt, who basically raised him. However, his life will turn upside down thanks to his teammates Max and Lucas’s little sister. Simone Fournier is the baby of the Fournier family. She is beautiful, smart, stubborn, sassy and little lost. When she realizes that the career path she was following is not really for her, she drops out of college and decides to crash at his brothers’ places until she starts making enough money to support herself. Van’s struggle starts when Simone claims his roommate Lucas’s couch :) Simone is instantly attracted to Van and very persistent with her pursuit. Van does everything to avoid Simone. However, she relentlessly flirts with him every chance she gets, which mostly annoys the hell out of Van but at the end she somehow finds a way to get under his skin. Their secret one nightstand turns into no strings attached sex but with Simone starts to crack his walls and emotions getting involve, their no strings turns into a relationship. Van was really hard to like at the beginning but when you start figuring out his struggles and why he is the way he is, he grows on you :) He is one complicated and broken fellow. Being with carefree and happy Simone will help him to show the man he hides underneath his hard exterior. I loved the banter between them and all the hilarious moments caused mostly by Simone :) Van has a huge secret that he is ashamed of and it is the reason he doesn’t get close to people but once his secret is out, what will happen to his relationship with Simone or his career? Will he turn his back to everyone and everything?

The 'Cold Fury' series keeps getting better and better! I enjoyed reading all the books in the series but as I mentioned before, ‘Van’ is my favorite :) ‘Van’ is captivating, funny, emotional and steamy read that you won’t be able to put it down until you are done with it. Stay tuned for the next book of the series ‘Reed’ that is expected to be published on February 6th, 2018.

Would I recommend this book: Yes.
Would I re-read this book: Yes.
Would I read future books by this author: Yes.

Van has been harboring a dark secret for almost his entire life. He is completely shut off from feeling anything other than when he is on the ice. He doesn't really even socialize with his teammates. He plays hard on and off the ice. But has never had a relationship or friendship with anyone. When Simone, who is Lucas, one of his team mate and room mate, shows up on his doorstep to stay with them, He just ignores her. Simone decides she wants him relentlessly pursues him. He tries to just ignore her but she never gives up and one day he gives in. He tries to walk away again, but Simone digs in deeper.
This is a romance but so much more. It really got me to thinking about who your parent is can truly affect how your whole life turns out. My heart broke for Van who worried about who he was deep down and if he was just like his father. Simone never gave up on him!

Sawyer Bennett is a master when it comes to sexy scenes. I was really looking forward to Van and Simone's story after reading the crazy tension between them in Lucas. I was definitely not disappointed!! I loved both of these characters so much. Van is the perfect, broody alpha male with a filthy mouth. He was absolutely perfect for wild Simone. Just a fantastic read from beginning to end.

ARC provided by NetGalley.

Straight up this has been my absolute favorite Cold Fury novel. Van is a broken soul and I instantly gravitated to him in the last book so this one I fell madly in love with him. If I didn't think Simone was perfect for him I would shove her into a locker. Simone is a bad girl in a naughty package and she is just what the closed off and traumatized Van needs.

This book is a complete stand-alone and is absolutely phenomenal, but if you have read Lucas, the previous book, just know this one backtracks a bit into that timeline before moving on. It is Simone and Van's perspective and it tells what was going on behind closed doors that we didn't see while Lucas was chasing after Stephanie.

The writing was amazing. This author draws a reader in immediately with her characters. The plot was one I was dying to read even before she ever had it written. Van was so intriguing as a secondary character that I could not wait for his story. I knew he would have a doozy and boy did he! Simone was interesting with her confidence and strength. She was passionate, free, and open. I really loved that about her. When it comes to heat this book is downright dirty and I loved every minute of it. I can not extol enough words to express how much I loved this book without giving away all the good parts. Van was just so hot he left me breathless and I want one. I extremely and very highly recommend him, er this book.

5 Staying Shiny Stars!!!

With each Cold Fury book that Ms. Bennett writes I fall in love hard with the characters and Van is no different. Van and Simone are two people that are floundering in totally different ways. We met these two in Lucas's book and while the books parallel each other, you don't necessarily have to read that book to follow this hard fought for love story.

Simone is a young woman who has made a few decisions unbeknownst to her family and one of those decisions is Van. And I say it that way, because he's her total focus right now, whether he wants to be or not...she's a woman on a mission....

"He's a total bad boy, and I want him. I foolishly, petulantly want him.

I have to give total credit to this girl. She's relentless in her pursuit and some of her shenanigans totally had me cracking up!

"I decided if I was going to have a stalkerlike lust for him, I'd spare no weirdness on my part."

Van on the other hand, is a man that has closed himself off to the world and while this has completely worked to his advantage for his hockey career, in every other facet of his life, it's left him to be very lonely and the part that hurt my heart the most is that I don't think he realized it and he's missed so much life has to offer him....until Simone crashes into his life.

For as much as Van didn't want this woman, she brightens his days and soon his nights! Oh boy, when he finally acknowledges her as more than the bothersome little sister of his teammate, all bets are off....

I'm tired of your games, little girl. No more flirting. Get in my bed and get naked. I'm going to show you what happens when you aren't smart enough to stop provoking me."

Talk about the bed being on fire with the way these two go at it!! I don't think Simone knew what she was in for when she set her eye on this brooding man. And for as much we think she's a confident and strong young woman, there's still inside her some self-doubt and while Van is still fighting his feelings for her, with these few words, he shows that his heart just may be cracking for this beauty....

"I think it's impossible for you to do anything but shine, in or out of this bed."

Oh cue the swooning music!!! Little does Simone know what Van keeps locked up inside him and WOWZA!! I literally was shocked and my feelings for Van completely went from thinking he was just a non-feeling wretch of a man to having a warmth fill me and complete understanding for every one of his actions up to this point. I give total credit to Simone for not letting him push her away after this secret comes to light.

It's not all hat tricks for our H/h that's for sure. Lots of ups and downs, more freaky deaky sex that had me fanning myself and lots of emotions swirling around. I absolutely adore these two together and Ms. Bennett has written a book that reinforced why I'm so addicted to all things Cold Fury Hockey!

Cold has never been so hot…

There can never be enough of Cold Fury Hockey so I was thrilled to dive into Van and Simone’s story. There had been tantalizing glimpses in prior stories of both Van – stoic and aloof – and of Simone, who was anything but…

Van was an intriguing character from the start with his crusty façade and his ‘don’t get too close’ philosophy. Of course, there are usually reasons for that and Van’s history proves that out with a story that is as heartbreaking as it is intriguing…

Simone was the exact opposite of Van’s quiet character. She was outgoing and uninhibited, open to possibilities. They should be oil and water but somehow they were not. Physically they meshed – ooh did they ever – and as things played out there was a bit of yelling, some stony silence and a lot of door closing even as the sexy sparks flew.

“No. It should be no, no, no. Given my past… what I could become…It should be no.”

I loved digging deeper into both Van and Simone’s characters as they wrestled with life-altering changes as well as each other. Simone was outgoing in an “in your face” kind of way that could only be described as charming. She owned every bit of her sexuality and was open and honest about it. Pushy in fact. A good pushy, but pushy as Van fought their sexual chemistry at every turn.

Heat and emotion to tug at the heart as well as affect the temperature, another great story added to the Cold Fury library! ~Diane, 4 stars

After reading Lucas, I was mildly curious with Van. He was brooding and a little mysterious. I wanted to know more. So when I saw that his book was next in the series, I was glad for it. Van keeps people at arm’s length and doesn’t let them in. He has secrets and wants to just be alone. However he meets his match in Simone, Lucas and Max’s little sister. She goes after what she wants and she sets her sight on Van. There is a lot of push and pull between the two. The attraction is there but while Van does his best to ignore, Simone is trying to push through. It was fun with the back and forth. But boy when these two get together, just steamy. It wasn’t just the chemistry, the interactions with Van and Simone were good as well. I liked them together. Van’s secrets were the underlying current and I couldn’t wait for it to get brought to the surface. The storyline was interesting and the characters were nice. Overall, Van was a pleasant story.

I loved Van! He appears to be so standoffish and broody, impenetrable walls. Then he meets Simone and cracks start to form. He tries to stay away from her, tries to keep her out. All that does is push Simone harder. Something about him calls to her. The more he pushes her away, the more she longs for him. He is intrigued by her sass and determination and soon finds he can no longer keep her away.
Van has reasons for why he is the way he is. I was grabbed by him from the start and wanted to know more, wanted his history. I loved watching his transformation, seeing him open up a little more and more for Simone. When his world came crashing down and he pushed her away, my heart broke for her.
I cried, giggled, and swooned at the end. I think Van just may be my favorite Cold Fury player.
Wonderful job, Sawyer! I look forward to what’s next.

I received an ARC for a honest review. I love the Cold Fury series! That being said......I have my favs and not so favs. Van falls in between. The hero is definitely dark and tortured....for good reason! I don't want to give anything away, but his family life was horrific! The heroine, Simone came off as annoying in the beginning. She is the little sister in Lucas and even then I found her annoying and spoiled. Because of this, I was not looking forward to this book as I have with the other books in this series. Van runs concurrently with the Lucas storyline. The way she pursued Van was too much and her career choices were just plain wacky. BUT she does redeem herself as the story progresses in her loyalty and patience with Van......although she seemed to give up a bit easily in the last part of the book. Regardless, she was the perfect girl for Van, in that she really understood him and brought him out of his self-imposed exile. Also there was a lot of sex in this book......dare I say a bit too much? Now I am re-energized for the next installment!

This was great! Honestly, I think that this may be the hottest book in the series so far. If you follow my reviews, you probably already know that I am a huge fan of the Cold Fury Hockey series. I jumped into the series with the second book and haven't looked back although I should probably check out the first book at some point. This is a series that works great as stand alone books but fans of the series will appreciate seeing well loved characters for just a bit. Van is a excellent addition to the series.

I went into this book hoping that I would like it as much as the others but not sure that I would warm up to Van as a Hero. Let me assure you that was not a problem because I fell completely in love with him. He has such an interesting history that really explains some of his behaviors. He is really a great guy that has spent his life trying to remain distant from other people.

Simone was something else. She is the baby sister of the two Fournier brothers that have been the Hero of their own books, Max and Lucas. Simone is at a crossroads in her life and is trying to figure out what direction she wants to go. One thing that she knows she wants is Van and I loved watching her go for what she wants. I loved how Simone isn't afraid to take risks and was so willing to put her heart on the line.

This book actually takes place at the same time as the previous book in the series. You do not need to read the previous book to enjoy this one but I really enjoyed seeing certain events from a different perspective. The book opens with Simone moving into the house the her brother shares with Van. The chemistry between Simone and Van was wonderful and grew throughout the story. If you are looking for a steamy story, this one brings quite a bit of heat. I just loved this pair together.

I would recommend this book to others. I had so much fun reading this sexy romance with great characters. I can't wait to read more from Sawyer Bennett very soon!

I received an advance reader edition of this book from Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept via NetGalley.

3.5 stars

5- 4 stars

I found this to be sadder then the others in the series. It takes place the same the same time as Lucas so observatories overlap a bit. We finally find out why Van is so brooding..
He had a troubling childhood but was able to overcome his past and worked towards a brighter future.
I wasn't a big fan of Simone. She had her eyes on Van and no one was stopping her. Almost to the point of uncomfortable. I also found her to be immature for her age. She dropped out of school because she needed find herself but wasn't sympathetic about his past.
The pair had chemistry for sure. They were explosive at times. I wish Van could have found peace before he did but the final chapter and the epilogue was sweet.

I received a ARC for a honest review.
.

Can't express how much I loved Van and Simone. I love when the heroine is a strong, sassy woman who enjoys sex and is not afraid to go after what she wants. I love stories that have the heroine breaking down walls from a person who is very broken. I know most stories are like this. But this is different. Van does not easily give in to Simone. He fights to keep her away for a long while. There are many reasons for this. One being she is the sister of Max and Lucas, Van's teammates. Simone showed up unexpectedly at Lucas' and Van's house to crash while she gets her life in order. And she immediately started flirting with Van. She was driving him crazy until he couldn't stay away any longer. But as usual, he promised her only sex, no attachments. When I found out the real reason for him keeping his distance with not only Simone, but all people, my heart broke. What Van went through was simply unimaginable. And I understand why he is withdrawn. It was such a touching way watching Simone fight for him. It was so heart warming watching him fall for Simone. Even though he never admitted it. This is yet another perfect romance written by Sawyer Bennett. Everything's she writes I fall in love with. She is a great story teller!

This is a great book; this is the ninth book in the Cold Fury Hockey Series written by Sawyer Bennett. This book can be read as a standalone, but once you read it you will defiantly want to go back and catch up with the other book in this series. 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 meets a woman he can’t resist. This is a great book with a wonderful story and well developed characters. This book will keep you reading long into the night. If you are looking for a great book, then you need to read this book. I am looking forward to reading the next book by this great author. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader’s copy of this book. The free book held no determination on my personal review.

Loving this series so hard!

Van may be my favorite yet. We met him in "Lucas" as well as getting to know Simone, the Fournier little sister. Simone is headstrong, stubborn, and sassy while Van is headstrong, stubborn, and broody. But together - wowza - what a couple!

This one has so many feels. I loved the way Simone wears Van down with her relentless pursuit; I loved to see Van's walls crumble. But the pain of seeing his angst over his past and familial connections was hard! There is heartache - which seems to be standard with these Cold Fury men - but the journey is pleasurable even with the pain.

"I make a fun friend, and if you're interested in a benefits package with that friendship, I'm f***ing dynamite in the sack." Holy moly - she's a sassy one!
"When a naked woman walks in your room, and you already know she's the hottest ***k you'll ever have, there's just no turning her away."
And the best one: "I know that you are it for me. I will never love another soul the way I love yours." Heavy sigh.

Love, love, love this series and Sawyer Bennett delivers!

"I submitted a request to the publisher to read and voluntarily review an uncorrected advance copy of this book via Net Galley.

Where to do I even begin? Sawyer Bennett is by far one of my all time favorite writers, there isn’t one book that she has written that I didn’t read. I get so giddy with excitement when I know that she’s releasing a new book because I know that it will one story that I get lost into, even if it is for a few hours. That is one of the reason’s I love her work, you just know that when she writes she has the best interest of her readers because she gives us her all and that’s exactly when she did when she wrote “Van.”

“ And the next time we’re together, Simone….I’m going own your cunt. I’m going to eat you out until you come all over my face, then I’m going to stuff you full of my cock until you’re begging me to stop. But I won’t. I won’t fucking stop until your pussy squeezes every drop out of me”

*clears throat* Well ladies, this is a little taste of the man I have fallen in love with by the name of Van. He is every thing I love in a male character. He’s all alpha male, damaged, beautiful, sexy and with a very dirty mouth. Van and Simone’s story is one that you will not want to miss. To watch Van give in to his feelings for her was so beautiful to watch because when Sawyer Bennett delivers one of her stories trust me when I say your heart will hurt with the ultimate feels but don’t fear because she will mend those broken pieces back for you.

“Well, you were my first everything, Simone. My first love. First devotion, My first heartbreak. My one and only relationship with a woman. You were my first confidant and companion. Simone….you were my first friend ever. My first……everything”

I mean, gah!!!! How can you get the ultimate feels with this line man, not only that but Sawyer Bennett writes some the hottest sex scenes ever and I must say that van is one naughty, naughty boy.

Another great book, just like I expected. Lots of emotions. This series can go on forever, as far as I'm concerned!

A-M-A-Z-I-N-G

“Am I still shiny?”

First I have to confess that Van is the first book that I read in the Cold Fury Hockey series. I do not know why!!! This book VAN, I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I started this one and I FREAKING loved it so so so much! I am a big fan of Sawyer Bennett’s books , She has the power to get the reader sucked in ,consumed by her story from the very first page.
I literally DEVOURED Van and I want to read it again.

Van is definitely the perfect ALPHA- He's cocky, bossy, stubborn but most importantly Freaking HOT! Van to put it mildly, is ONLY focused on his career and Etta . He's a man of few words. His entire life revolved around Hockey and is determined to be the best he can be. Being that focused doesn't leave him a lot of time to make friends and he is okay with that. He is known for being a loner. The background story of Van isn't pretty and his regimented life with everything in order and all focus done on the ice is totally captivating and so sad. Then comes along Simone who is the QUEEN of SASS and the story just takes off on the most heart-felt journey.
I love Simone- She appears at Luka’s door after dropping out from college, just a few months before graduating as a doctor. She doesn’t know what she wants to do with her life and is going to take so time off to think about her future. While she does that, she is going to stay with her bro and Van.
Simone has no filter and is going to pursue relentlessly Van who will not give her the time of day.
“This kiss is brutal, born of frustration and lust, and a final fall from any grace she may have once had from me”

Will Van yield to temptation? Will Simone manage to get Van’s attention? Will they get their HEA?

I seriously underestimated the depth and amount of the feels Van and Simone would give me. Van, is one of my new favourite book boyfriends.

“I’ve given you more than I’ve ever given another woman, but I’ve given you my all.”

Van was one of those books that absolutely grabbed me from the first chapter – It is so much more than a sports romance, it's a beautiful love story.

FIVE SHINY stars and beyond.
*Arc kindly provided by the author for an honest review.