Van is the ninth book in the Cold Fury Hockey series. I'm a huge fan of Sawyer and her hockey heroes! Van gave Ryker a run for his money in my eyes. He's broody, sexy, and a bruiser on the ice. He acts like a jerk but there's something going on behind his eyes and I knew his story was going to be fantastic. Simone, Max and Lucas's sister wanted Van the first time she saw him. She flirted, strutted her sexiness and pretty much let him know she was his for the taking. Van stopped all her advances. He can't get involved with anyone. His past might catch up to him and he can't let Simone get caught in the crossfire. But, she's persistent and gorgeous and he isn't strong enough to resist. After a few hot as hell nights together Van realized Simone isn't like any other woman he's ever known. She's special. Will Van finally confront his past so he can have a future with Simone? Will he fight for what he wants? I loved Van. Really. He's something special because he's nothing like his image. He has a soft gooey center and I just wanted to hug him and never let go. Simone is seriously kick ass! She's strong, confident in her own skin and smart! They are the perfect pair.

"just look at all you got going on. All big and muscley. And those deep, sensitive eyes filled with mystery. Total hotness and totally broody."

No way I can ever let her know I find her sass to be a major turn-on.

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

Van Turner, Cold Fury Hockey player, is known to be a little moody and taciturn. When he meets his teammate/roommate’s sister, he has an immediate attraction… and he knows for sure that he needs to steer clear.

Simone Fournier, college drop out, recently moved to North Carolina and is staying with her brother while she figures out what she wants to do with her life. When she meets Van she is immediately obsessed… and has no problem letting Van know it… repeatedly.

Simone wants Van… but Van is harboring a deep, emotional scar in which he has no desire to become close… with anyone. There’s one thing they both can get on board with… how hot and intense the sex is between them.

This was a good read! As book number nine in the Cold Fury Hockey series, we are once again in the world all of the hockey players that we have grown to love.

Simone wasn’t my favorite character in the beginning. She seemed a bit too weirdly obsessed with Van, but I liked that she was so sexually aware and comfortable in her own skin. Van is pretty damaged. He has spent his life hiding himself from the outside world and recognizes Simone may be someone who get really get under his skin… and does.

Can what starts out as a hot and fantastically dirty sex-only relationship have the possibility of being more? Or will the reason Van is the way he is keep the relationship from being all it has the potential to be…

I received a complimentary copy of this book for my honest and unbiased review.

VAN is the ninth instalment in Sawyer Bennett’s contemporary, adult COLD FURY HOCKEY erotic, romance series focusing on the men and women of the Cold Fury Hockey team. This is twenty eight year old, team enforcer Van Turner, and Simone Fournier’s story line. VAN can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story line is revealed where necessary. Some of the events of VAN run parallel to and cross over with book eight LUCAS where we are first introduced to our story line couple. Simone is Lucas (#8) and Max’s (#6) younger sister.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Van and Simone) VAN follow the building relationship between the Cold Fury’s enforcer Van Turner, and Simone Fournier, Max and Lucas’s sister, who at the end of book eight-LUCAS-had quit university, and moved in with Lucas and Van. Simone’s parents had always planned for our heroine to attend medical school but a few months before completing her bachelor’s degree Simone walks into Lucas’s apartment and announces she wants something different for her life. Enter brooding and tormented Van Turner, Lucas’s teammate, and the man with whom Simone will fall in love. What ensues is the secret ‘friends with benefits’ relationship between Simone and Van, and the potential fall out as Van’s past is revealed for the world to see.

Van Turner is an unknown entity to the Cold Fury hockey team. A dark and dangerous past has our hero withdrawn, isolated, cold and calculating, refusing to acknowledge the elephant in the room; the demons that destroyed the family he once knew. Emotionally distant, with a temper to match, Van’s own teammates struggle with his attitude and actions, fearing reprisals if pushed too hard. Simone Fournier is a twenty-two year old young woman who struggles with a lack of direction, and her sexual attraction to a man who refuses to accept Simone, and everything she represents. Our heroine’s ‘seduction’ of Van Turner is methodical and calculating including pushing the boundaries of personal space and Van’s on-going rejection of Simone’s advances.

The relationship between Van and Simone is one of immediate attraction but saying that our heroine’s flirting and come-ons are not welcome by our story line hero. Van’s past is rife with betrayal and a darkness he prefers not to acknowledge-a darkness he believes threatens everyone he loves. The $ex scenes are numerous, erotic, intense and edgy but, once again, I take issue with the use of a certain four-letter word that I do NOT find romantic or seductive. Also, while Simone struggles with a lack of direction in her life, the choices she makes are questionable under the circumstances considering the close relationship with her family including two brothers who would do anything to help their little sister. For an intelligent woman she takes risks, and exposes herself to some controversial and problematic situations.

Several of the previous story line couples play secondary and supporting characters including Simone’s brother Lucas and Stephanie, Max and Julianne, as well as Van’s aunt Etta, a woman he loves like a mother.

VAN is an emotional story line of one man’s desperate attempts to move on from the past, and one woman’s frenzied pursuit of the man that calls to her heart. The premise is impassioned and heart-breaking; the characters are colorful but broken; the romance is highly sexual and energetic-Van and Simone like it rough in the bedroom. VAN is a bold and lively addition to the author’s Cold Fury Hockey series.

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This book! WOW... I have been waiting for this book! I was so excited to really get into his story and it was better than I thought.... I loved getting to know Van and Simone. Van is an ass with a wall so high it was hard to climb..... however Simone was able to slowly able to make it up and over. The challenges they would encounter were pretty big, but watching it unfold was kind of a rollercoaster ride. I loved that Simone was a strong woman with passion and knew exactly how to deal with Van to stay within his boundaries, but when he acted like an ass, she held him accountable. AMAZING! Well written, really enjoyed reading this one!

Thanks to the author and Netgalley, I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book.

3.5 stars
Van is the ninth standalone book in the Cold Fury Hockey series. It is about Van Turner and his roommate's sister, Simone Fournier. Simone has dropped out of college and unexpectedly moved in with her brother Lucas and Van. She is instantly attracted to Van and pursues him until he relents. Van is hiding a big secret which has impacted his life since he was a child. After awhile, Simone breaks down his defenses and they begin their relationship. When their secret relationship is found out by her brother and Van's secret is revealed, will they be able to weather the fallout?

Van's secret was heartbreaking and shocking. I completely understood why he is so shut-off and doesn't have any true friendships or relationships. I loved when he was able to open up to Simone and let her love him for being him. I liked Simone for the most part, but she was really hard for me to like in the beginning. I thought she was very young-acting, although I admired her tenacity for going after what she wanted. I did like how she seemed to grow up through the book and became the person Van needed. The only thing about this book I didn't like was the ratio of sex scenes to actual story line. I wish there were a few less scenes and maybe a little more of the story. Although this is a standalone, I would suggest reading Lucas first. Van and Simone's story runs concurrent with Lucas's, plus you get to meet both main characters in his book. Also, there is a little more closure to Lucas and Stephanie in this book. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this series, Reed, which will be out in February 2018.

The sexy and rugged men of the Cold Fury hockey team are back in this tale of overcoming the past to find a future worth living for. This is an erotically-charged tale with a strong-willed heroine and an emotionally bruised hero with a buried heart of gold whose connection is combustible. It’s a scorching tale from the very start that slowly revealed itself to be a heartwarming tale with an ending that had me cheering.

Simone Fournier is the sister of two hockey gods who’s a bit uncertain what she wants to be when she grows up. For the last year she’s been living a lie, living a life she never wanted, but with the truth coming out she finds herself on her brother’s doorstep ready to regroup. Her plan to make amends doesn’t go quite as planned though as she continues to feel lost when it comes to her future career. Luckily for her she finds a delightful distraction in her brother’s stoic and sexy roommate, Van. They’re a combustible couple from the moment their eyes meet and from then on it’s a sensual battle of the sexes teeming with tension. It’s a tug-of-war that has Simone using all her womanly wiles to break through Van’s emotional walls, a war that’s ultimately immensely satisfying and full of unexpected heart and soul. Simone’s a larger-than-life heroine who lit up every scene she was in. She has a kind heart, is close to her family, and is unwaveringly supportive of those she cares for. She may be a bit flighty when it comes to her career aspirations, but she’s very comfortable when it comes to her sexuality. She’s unafraid to go after what she wants, comfortable in having a casual relationship with Van based on sex...at least until she gets a glimpse of the hurt little boy hiding behind his guarded heart. She’s an immensely likable heroine, brash and self-assured, with a refreshing and modern view of sex and romance that makes her the perfect match for the cold and commanding Van.

Van Turner is a man with a past he’s buried deep, a past that’s unspeakable and that’s left its indelible mark on his heart and soul. His past taught him that no one is who they seem and that the biggest smiles hide the most blackest soul. He learned that the only one he can count on is himself and the woman who sacrificed herself to raise him. He now lives a closed off life, barely interacting with others and interested in only random hook-ups. He’s a Grinch who keeps to himself and who’s happy to not get involved. Every decision he’s made, along with the formidable wall encasing his heart, is related to his past and the time has come for his battle to end as Simone is a mighty huntress determined to claim him. Van’s very bitter at the start, angry at the world, but the more time he spends with Simone the more it becomes clear that his walls are starting to crack. He goes from cold to hot in the blink of an eye when she goads him. His smiles come faster and are a hard-won reward. He may have been unlikable in the beginning but I quickly warmed up to him and became his cheerleader once he revealed his tragic past and the fears he has over how it will affect his future. Even when Van was his most abrasive he was teeming with sensuality, a master of dirty talk who knew every button to push to make his and Simone’s encounters burn up the pages. By the end he became a hero worth rooting for with a grand gesture that utterly charmed me.

Ms. Bennett’s Cold Fury series continues to delight with this tale that beautifully balanced fun and flirty banter with erotically-charged encounters that became more emotionally intense the closer Van and Simone became. Though the premise was a bit familiar the characters kept if fresh. With its take-charge heroine and emotionally bruised hero in need of healing, this romance worked its way into my heart and had me aching for both of them as they worked through each layer that history made Van Turner into. It was a journey full of smiles, sexiness, and a bit of heartbreak that captivated me and had me cheering this couple on every step of the way. Surrounding this combustible main couple was a cast of secondary characters who felt more like family. The men and women of the Cold Fury hockey team were a colorful and supportive group whose stories intertwined with this installment to keep me fully immersed in the storytelling. Some storylines were made even happier while others are just starting courtesy of the delicious taste we got of Reed, another up-and-coming hockey player who appears flirty and carefree, who I know will quickly become fodder for reader’s nighttime dreams. Fans of sports romances will want to add this series to their bookshelf as each installment continues to satisfy with a near-perfect balance of action on and off the ice that pulls at my heartstrings while making me blush.

While this is recorded as the ninth book in the Cold Fury Hockey Series, this can be read on a stand alone basis.

I was really excited to read this book after Lucas and boy I was not disappointed. I found this a really engrossing story and I devoured it on one sitting. I was really drawn to Simone and Van and literally couldn't wait to watch their romance unfold. They're both flawed characters in different ways and for that I was intrigued by them; Van's dark to Simone's light worked perfectly.

This was another enjoyable and entertaining read from this series and one I would be happy to recommend.

I was provided with a copy of this book from the Publisher via NetGalley; there was no inducement or obligation.

Another great addition to the Cold Fury series. Sawyer Bennett always writes great characters and the right amount of angst in the love story.

This series just keeps getting better and better! Van could be so easy to hate but the more you get to know him the easier he is to love because there are reasons for him to be the way he is. He is naturally introverted and standoffish but he is also grouchy and short tempered...until Simone starts to knock down his walls. Simone is the sister of Lucas and Max who we met in previous books and they are members of the Cold Fury team. She showed up on the doorstep in the last book and to stay with Lucas and Van much to their dismay. Van tries so hard to stay away from Simone but she is having none of that and seduces him and when he cannot resist any longer all bets are off. I love these two together. What starts off as a casual affair turns hot and heavy and healing for both. Definitely a must read for anyone who has been reading this series but it could be read as a standalone!

**Received this ARC for review from the publisher via NetGalley**

I was dying to read Van ever since reading the epilogue of Lucas and he was worth the wait. I think Van intrigued me the most because of his refusal to get close to anyone, even his teammates. My heart broke for him as his past was revealed and was able to understand whole heartidly why he was the way he was. Van is by far my favorite of the Cold fury series and I don’t know who , if anybody will be able to top this one.

What can I say about this Cold Fury series by Sawyer Bennett except that I ave loved every story. What could be a lighthearted but shallow story becomes so much more in her writing. Van is a perfect example of the very flawed H who is surly and grumpy and closed off, but Simone is determined to get under his skin, and she does so beautifully in this well scripted story featuring one of my favorite hockey teams. A solid 5 Stars for me!

What a heartfelt, steamy, swoony, beautiful story Sawyer Bennett gives us!

Van, brooding, intimidating, and completely closed off, he is ashamed of his past and gets close to no one. He keeps his past a secret, and while the events are of no fault of his, his fears lead his life. Until Simone. Oh Simone! What a joy she is. She’s confident, free spirited, and pushy, but in a fun, cute way, and she is determined to get under Van’s skin.

I have to say, I thoroughly enjoyed these characters. I loved the opening up of Van and the slow build of dropping his walls. It was realistic and emotional and very touching. Simone is quite the character and just perfect for him. She gives him strength and the ability for him to see and feel freely and on his own time. Her understanding of him and his feelings and how deeply he is scarred was beautiful. I would have liked to have seen more of their relationship growth from more than just the bedroom once they reached a certain point in their relationship. While it was great to know of their talks and sharing, some more one on one time, even a date, would have been nice. The “shiny” parts made this story glimmer brightly and always made me smile.

This beautiful story of tragedy, trust, and love will melt your heart and leave a smile on your face.

I swear from the second I cracked open my Kindle I was immediately in love with this book. It's an intense, sexy, passionate story filled with so much heart and healing. It’s also extremely entertaining and fun! I was laughing and crying and holding my breath the entire time. I loved Van and Simone! Fantastic read!

I loved Simone and her pursuit of Van, she’s flirty and feisty and I loved her boldness and persistence. I loved her fire and determination and how relentless she was when she wanted something. I adored Van. He might be my new favorite guy in the Cold Fury world. He was commanding and alpha and so very sexy. I loved that power he exuded and how he tried to resist Simone. Van’s intense but I loved every little thing about him and I loved learning his history and was so excited to find out all the details. When he finally opens up I swear my heart was in my throat. I thought Van and Simone had amazing chemistry together and I loved that push and pull they have on one another, that animosity, and their deep growing connection. They were so passionate, I think this might be the hottest book in the Cold Fury series yet!

I thought there was fantastic development as we learn Van and Simone’s histories and issues. The pace and build were excellent. Even though there was a level of intensity happening, I thought the overall story had a super fun feel and was extremely entertaining. I loved that playful vibe between Van and Simone, I found it rather adorable considering Van could be such a grumpy guy. I really enjoyed the time line and how it overlapped with Lucas's story and felt like I got even more closure there, which was awesome. I loved meeting Reed, whose book is next. He seems like a sweet and sincere guy. Bring it on!

Hands down this was a five star read for me. I've really enjoyed all the books in the series but Van really got me. There's something about a closed off, gruff man really opening up and being vulnerable that tugs at my heart. There's a bit of drama, lots of ups and downs, a whole heck of a lot of heat, and most important, love and healing. A must read for sure!

Van plays on the Cold Fury Hockey team and is known for being tough and not much for relationship. His past secrets are whats keeping him from anything serious like relationships. Then it comes his teammate / roommates sister Simone who is very bull headed and knows what she wants and her eyes are set on Van.

I loved seeing that passion between the two. I loved how different author took it when it came to Van's backstory. I mean I figured it was going to turn out generic like most stories which I realize now I can say because I don't want to spoil the book and narrow it down of you. What I can say was that it was unexpected, sad and I liked how different it made his character. Seeing how it impacted Van as a character and how it made a difference in his life. Then there is Simone who seems wild and free and when she goes into something she does it wholeheartedly. I love this book the story line was interesting, I loved the characters, I loved that there was just enough drama to keep things interesting and I enjoyed seeing the banter and passion between Simone and Van. Overall I really enjoyed this book!

Highly recommend you check this book out but even more to check out the series, you'd appreciate the book more if you do that because previous characters make their appearance and I love getting to see the character I once enjoyed before getting to know their story and appearing from time to time.

I have been in LOVE with Sawyer Bennett’s Cold Fury Hockey Series for a VERY long time. Ms. Bennett got me hooked on “Hockey” romance that is for sure. VAN, the 9th book in this fabulous series, is right there at the top of my not to be missed list of books.
Van Turner is a hard ass both on and off the ice. He has a past that has made him this way. I will not go into what his past is, but put it this way, it made me look at him in a new light. I was not very fond of him at the beginning of the story, I did not like the way he treated Simone. The more I read, the more I thought of him, and the more I thought he was better, more of a “man” than he seemed to be at the beginning of the book, a hell of a better man than he seemed to think he was. I was very happy that Simone saw him for the man he actually was. Then there was the chemistry between Simone and Van, can you say HOT!!!!!!
I really like the way Ms. Bennett develops her characters. She makes them “human” whether, a “hockey hero”, or just a plain joe.
Thank you, Ms. Bennett, for sharing your phenomenal talents with your readers.
I was gifted with an advance copy of this book for my honest opinion. Van goes live on November 28, 2017. If you like “Hockey Romance”, Van is definitely a winner.
Thank you for reading my review.

Love this hockey series! Another steamy, emotional, sexy sports story with very likeable characters.

Holy hell Sawyer Bennett.... What are you doing to me!!!! Each book that I have read in this series leaves me spellbound and begging for more. I wasn't sure how I was going to react to Van because he was so angry and brody but in true Sawyer Bennett fashion she had me falling in LOVE with Van and Simone's story! How can you go wrong with a heroine who is sassy, sexual and goes after what she wants which is the angry, gorgeous alpha hero who is trying to push her away. You wont want to miss this hot as hell read so one-click thus bad boy!

Van is a grumpy dude introduced in the last Cold Fury Hockey book, and now he gets his own HEA, although the road to get there isn't all that easy. He's not exactly nice, doesn't really interact with his roommate Lucas and basically gives everyone the impression he's a jerk. That is until Simone Fournier, Lucas's sister shows up and gives him the eye.

Simone sees something in Lucas -- at first it's the fact that he's built and she wants him in her bed. She's tenacious about it too and doesn't give up even though Van says "no" many times. I'll admit this made me little squeamish at times because he really wasn't giving her mixed signals. But then he breaks down and they enter into a sex-only, keep-it-secret sort of relationship.

These two had great chemistry together. Simone doesn't put up with his attitude, and Van starts to feel something different than he feels with his usual one-night stands. I really liked Van and Simone together and Simone's adventurous nature really was a highlight of their time together. When Simone discovers the secret that Van is keeping from everyone, there's a risk that Van will push her away, but Simone handles it perfectly and their relationship continues to develop and grow. I loved that about this book -- the story isn't anything new, but some of the details were very refreshing and unexpected.

As the team heads into the Stanley Cup finals, a reporter threatens to uncover Van's secret, causing great turmoil for Van and Simone. My heart was really hurting for these two at this point, and I may have actually leaked a little bit when Simone gives Van an ultimatum that doesn't work in her favor. It was so heartbreaking and I loved it! It made the "make-up" scene all that more satisfying. I loved Simone and how she handled Van. I loved Van for his willingness to give Simone a chance after everything he'd been through. They were just perfect together.

I really enjoyed this book. I think it took me less than two days to read because I wanted to know what was going to happen to them. There was also the little detail of Van having sex with his teammate's sister, and we all know that's a no-no! It provides a nice bit of conflict in the story.

This book also overlaps somewhat with Lucas, the previous book in the series, and I did like that as well. So I'm giving this a 5 star rating because it hit all the right notes for me, at the right time in the story. Loved it!

An ARC was provided for review.

This book was AWESOME!!! The latest of Sawyer Bennett’s Cold Fury players, Van, doesn’t disappoint!

Simone has dropped out of college and forced herself into the home of her brother and his roommate, Van. She’s trying to figure out what to do with her life and along the way she’s going to seduce the handsome hockey player who’s moody and broody. And when Simone sets her mind on something, she never backs down.

Van can’t withstand all that is Lucas’ baby sister. No matter how much he needs to keep her at a distance, she flirts and flaunts her way into his pants, his bed and then his heart. But he’s been keeping a deep dark secret from everyone in his life and along with that secret, he’s living in fear. It is that combination that dictates that Simone must not tear down the walls he’s built around himself.

I loved this story so much! While I’m not a fan of aggressive heroines, Simone was exactly what Van needed. Any other type of woman would’ve never managed to pull him out of his self-imposed isolation. Despite her sexual aggression, she was sweet and giving, kind and loyal and she knew exactly what it was going to take to win her man and she was in it for the long haul.

Van was so damaged, in so many ways from his past that he was socially stunted. With no relationships in his life he didn’t know how to take the first steps toward something good that came in the form of the beautiful, seductive woman that was forcing herself into his life. My heart hurt for him when his whole story was revealed and I couldn’t help but totally understand why he pushed people away.

What an incredible read! Fast paced, well developed, with enough humor to lighten the angst and enough passion to steam my Kindle, Van has earned a place on my reread shelf!
This is an honest review of an advanced copy provided by NetGalley and Loveswept.

4.5 stars
Van has the best plot of the entire Cold Fury series—a series I adored—a series that contained many of my favorite reads and favorite male leads!

Van is just WOW..... Van Turner is the brooding roommate to Cold Fury player, Lucas Fournier.
I want to pause here and say though the timeline for Lucas and Van overlap, I think this book will be enjoyed more if you have already read Lucas (and well if you have read the Cold Fury series you will be in hockey heaven as you read).

Lucas (and Max’s) baby sister Simone Fournier has recently dropped out of college (much to her parents chagrin) and is living on Lucas’s couch. This puts her (or more accurately) puts Van right in Simone’s orbit.

You see though Simone is a bit adrift when it comes to what she wants to do for a living; she is very clear she is attracted to Van. I loved how bold Simone was, how she was in touch with her sexuality, and how she pushed Van.

Simone’s parents are really well done in this story. They added to the story and helped you understand Simone and even Lucas and Max more.

Why was this book so WOW you ask? Well that wow comes in the form of Van’s secret—Van’s past—his haunting, grabbing your soul, breaking your heart past.

Van is not your standard "oh I am afraid of commitment alpha male" that has become a bit boring and overdone to me. Van is truly a man with past, a man with real fears, a man with a REASON to fear allowing himself to love.
Everything around this was element of the book was so well done; this tragic secret not only makes Van make so much sense to the reader—it makes you wish you could reach into your kindle and HUG him!

But alas that is Simone’s job. This feisty young woman slowly chips away at the tough exterior Van has spent his life putting up. I truly believe Simone opened Van’s eyes to the beauty in the world. A world that when I closed my kindle I felt like he was finally living in for the first time in his life!

I must say that the "I am still Shiny" line became so powerful. Trust me read the book and you will understand!

This world Ms. Bennett has crafted with this series is one that now feels like sitting down to visit with friends and I am so excited that Reed will have his story told next!