I don’t know that I will ever get tired of this Cold Fury series. I just love it so much! Sawyer Bennett has done it again with Marek!
Marek finds out he has a little girl with the woman he loved but left 4 years earlier to just focus on hockey and whatever else went along with that. But this news causes him to go stop Gracen’s wedding to another man and bring her and sweet little Lilly back home with him. Needless to say he is not happy to find out she has been keeping his daughter from him for over 3 years now. He is not happy with Gracen, period.
After some settling down time though, Marek and Gracen realize they have a lot of emotional baggage to sort through and it is clear there are still feelings between them for better or worse. Can they co-parent Lilly and maybe just have a fling to address the sexual tension?
Can they sort through the mess and all the feelings and finally get the HEA that has eluded them up until now?
I know I cheered them on from the beginning, but they sure gave me a run for my money!

Panty Scorching - 2
Angst - 1
tissues - 0
Storyline - 3.5
Value - 3.5
Overall - 3.5
Kindle eArc provided by Netgalley

I gotta tell ya I am a huge, huge fan of this series and could not wait to get my hands on this book!! I have loved all the books before and was ready to be lost in my own little world once I started and sadly, I just wasn't. :-(

This one centers around Marek - who gets an anonymous email that his ex is getting married so what does he do? He crashes it!! Only he not only gets to be labeled as a wedding crasher but a Dad as well.

Yep! Years ago when Gracen broke up with him so he could pursue his career, she was actually pregnant. So now Marek is coming to terms with this fact he has a daughter and fights the feelings he still has for Gracen. While there were a few sex scenes, for some reason I just could not connect with these two being a couple and wasn't feeling a strong chemistry between them at all!! And this made me sad!!! I love my steamy scenes.

I just felt like something was missing with this book. The storyline flowed but not well. Gracen and the reasons she stayed away were almost beat to death and again, the connection just wasn't there as much as I would have hoped for. While this book didnt rate up there for me, I am a huge fan of this series and look forward to reading more!!

I have absolutely loved all of these Cold Fury books! I love that fact that you can read them in order or not, and either way you’re not confused. Marek was a complete jerk in the beginning of this book. He hold so much hostility because he didn’t know that he had a child, but then he was the one who didn’t want to be tied down with a relationship while he was sowing his wild oats in the NHL. While Gracen struggled to provide a good life for her and Lilly, Marek was off living the good life, and I think many of us as moms feel the struggle that she felt. While this book was a very quick read, I felt like some pieces of it was a little hard to wrap my head around. Like the fact that she was going to marry a complete douche to save her parents home, while the entire time, her parents home wasn’t even in foreclosure they were going to make a killing on the natural gas that was found there. I believe wholeheartedly in helping your parents, because let’s be honest, we will never be able to do enough to pay them back for raising us. I believe she was way to gullible to fall into that while she had a child that she needed to be concerned about.

All in all this book was great and I would definitely recommend it! 4.5 Stars for sure!

I'm a huge fan of Sawyer Bennett's 'Cold Fury' series. I mean, I've read all 11 of these books, that should tell you something! After reading Reed, I was especially excited to get my hands on Marek. I love the fact that Marek just found out about his daughter and couldn't wait to see him as a dad.

Lilly was by far my favorite part of this story. I adored her! I think both of her parents loved her very much, but aside from that, they both frustrated me to no end. I can deal with one of the main characters driving me nutty, but both Marek and Gracen aggravated me with their immaturity and miscommunication over and over again. As much as I wanted to love this book, I spent so much of it annoyed. This could very well be a case of 'it's me' and I wasn't in the mood to deal with these characters and their issues, but for some reason they really struck a nerve.

There were parts of Marek I did enjoy, but honestly, it was my least favorite of the series so far. Still, Sawyer has a solid series with this 'Cold Fury' bunch and I was happy, as always, to see some of my favorite characters from previous books. If Bennett writes another 'Cold Fury' book, you better believe I'll be reading!

Marek has never gotten over his ex-girlfriend Gracen. When he gets tipped off by an anonymous email that she’s going to get married, Marek heads to Mew York to stop the wedding. While there, he finds out that he has a three year old daughter. Heaven has always loved Marek, he left her to pursue his hockey dream. After Marek left she finds out she’s pregnant and has been raising their daughter, never leaving Marek know she exists. Marek takes Gracen and Lilly back to North Carolina with him, not having any idea in what he’s doing. Old sparks fly when they are together and the chemistry is there, but can they get past all of the hurt to move in. You fall in love instantly with Marek and Gracen. You heart aches for both of them. Marek was such a fun, emotional romance and a great addition to Sawyer Bennett’s Cold Fury series

We now enter the 11th book of the series and it involves Marek and Gracen. We first met them in Reed’s book as he helped Marek break up Gracen’s wedding. I was excited to see where this story was going to take us because it seemed that Marek was going to be all alpha male, but I was a little disappointed.

Don’t get me wrong, Marek has his moments where the alpha male takes hold and controls the scene. But there were just some scenes that he was just a major jerk (even considering I understand why he’s angry with Gracen) but I didn’t like how he talked to her and treated her some times. I had high hopes for this one and was a little disappointed.

Gracen had her moment where she was a little too weak of a character (because she just falls to whatever whim that Marek is in) but I love that towards the end she starts to stick up for herself. That is when I started to really like her as a character. I also liked the fact that she made Marek work for her once he was willing to be a couple. He had left her so he could go sleep with other women, and then he treats bad when he comes back. Yes she held a big secret from him but he was a little disrespectful for my taste. It wasn’t until more towards the 60% mark that I started to like him as a character.

When I did start to like Marek that is when the story started to get a lot more interesting on my part. There was some ghosts from Gracen’s past that were continuing to haunt her so I liked seeing them test the new relationship between the couple. I think the fact that I really enjoyed the previous books may have hurt this book because I had hard time reading it as a stand-alone but more as part of the series. It might have been better to take some time off between books. I may have liked it more.

The story does end with a HEA so no cliffhangers. Nothing to worry about here.

Just when I think the Carolina Cold Fury Hockey series couldn’t possibly get any better, Sawyer Bennett gives us Marek!

Marek Fabritis found the love of his life in Gracen Moore when he was just a teenager. The two dated for years, but when Marek made it to the NHL he broke Gracen’s heart. The one thing neither of them knew at the time was that she was pregnant! Now 3 1/2 years later, Marek is just learning about the daughter he never knew he had. As Marek gets acquainted with his daughter and fatherhood, the feelings that he’s trying to deny for Gracen keep bubble up!! You know the saying- you can’t fight fate!?!? Wowzer!

I love this premise and I found this book is absolutely addictive! This fast paced novel really pulls at ever single emotion— love that! I am always amazed how Sawyer Bennett somehow manages to keep all of her storylines so fresh and original, but she truly does! Marek is a complete 5 star read and if you haven’t started The Carolina Cold Fury series yet you really are really missing out! Go 1-click this gem today!

This second chance romance is a emotional journey for Marek and Gracen, has they tried to forgive each other and move on from past hurts. Terrific writing with characters you can’t help but love,can’t wait to experience all the men of Cold Fury!!

I didn't overly like Marek until I got this book in my hands. And suddenly, I not only understood him and his motivations, I really felt for him, as well. He and Gracen had a very complicated past, and in the present, being thrust back together did nothing to help them deal with their hurt.
Ms. Bennett is amazing, because with the 11th book in her Cold Fury Hockey series, she still managed to keep me invested, on my toes, and emotionally involved with the characters.

I loved Marek, but boy the heroine did a number on me... to me she was selfish and her reasons were childish... she judged Marek, but who judged her? the whole story line with her ex felt a little too unnecessary with the blackmail.. I wanted more hockey too, but I loved his interactions with his daughter!

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'm not gonna lie, I was waiting impatiently for this book to come out after the way it was left off in Reed. And Sawyer didn't disappoint. How she manages to create so many interesting spins in this hockey dynasty is beyond me, but I'm thankful for it nonetheless.
Marek Fabritis basically kidnaps Gracen Moore and her daughter from what was supposed to be her wedding, but it's totally okay cause it's his daughter too and the groom was a world class jerk. Of course he didn't know about his daughter for the first three and a half of her life and now he's got to make up for it. Marek did not end things well with Gracen, he wanted freedom and not ties. So what happens when you have broken hearts and righteous anger? Sparks. Because you don't every truly get over your first love...

Side note: Totally bummed we didn't get a sneak peak at the next hockey hottie at the end of this book.

I have no idea when this series will end, this could be it, but I hope it's not! These stories always surprise me. Sawyer Bennett always finds a way to change the story up. To throw a wrench into it to keep you coming back again and again for the Fury family. I've never been into hockey, but every time I read one of these books I find myself wanting to watch a game.
Marek... First of all, love that name... Did I love the character? Not at first, but I understand his hostility. Gracen has kept their daughter a secret from him for almost 4 years. Sure, he broke her heart, choosing hockey over her, but doesn't he deserve to know his child? Gracen tried to do what he wished for, she kept her space, but she was about to get married and Marek barged in and ruined it. Only she isn't marrying for love because she's never stopped loving him. So much ANGST. I loved it and hated it! It's a little back and forth, but what do you expect? That's a lot of history to work through!

This is a good book, but it took me awhile to warm up to Marek. I know he was upset about Gracen keeping the secret that they had a daughter, but they way he left her gave her no reason t let him know. I think the problem was that they were both too young when Marek left. Now that they had a few years to grow, they should be able to forgive each other. Unfortunately that is not easy for either of them and Marek is a real jerk to Gracen at first. I was glad to see her finally stand up to him. The two still had so much electricity coming off each other. Their daughter Lily was a sweetheart that I loved. She was cute as a button. Josie was such a good friend to Gracen. I was glad to see she had someone to lean on in Raleigh since her parents were still back in New York and they always had her back. I love this hockey series and this book is no exception. It was a good story that I thoroughly enjoyed. I strongly encourage you to read the book. I voluntarily read an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book.

**Received ARC from NetGalley for a fair and honest review**
Marek is book 11 in the Cold Fury Hockey series. This book can be read as a standalone, however IMO you lose some of the story by not knowing the other characters from the previous book. Again-- just my opinion. This book was a fast, fun read, hard to put down.
Marek and Gracen were together for 5 years, then when he lands a position on a professional hockey team, he decides he wants his freedom and ends the relationship. But there are things he doesn't know, and things he should have been told. Now she's getting married and an anonymous email shows up and Marek gets upset.
This is probably my least favorite book in the Cold Fury Hockey series. I wasn't a big fan of Marek, he came across mostly as selfish, spoiled and entitled. He does redeem himself, but his character really just rubbed me the wrong way. The characters had good chemistry, and I really enjoyed the story overall. If you like hot and steamy you will enjoy this book. I really enjoyed Lilly, the daughter in the book, wish we would have seen a little more dialogue with her- when you did see it, it was precious. Overall it was a good book, and I would recommend. Can't wait for the next book in the series. Hope this helps. Happy Reading!!!

**I received an early copy of this title in exchange for an honest review**

Marek is the 11th book in Sawyer Bennett's Cold Fury Hockey series and while it helps to read all of the books in the series, this title can standalone and you don't lose anything. What I can say is after reading the previous book in the series, Reed, I was more than ready to get my hands on this one based on the way Reed's book ended.

Marek Fabritis has had two loves in his life, hockey and his ex-girlfriend Gracen Moore. However when it came down to it years ago, he chose hockey over Gracen. When he gets an anonymous email saying that she's getting married, there is no way that Marek can let that happen, so he sets out to stop the wedding. Not only is it about not wanting her to end up with someone else, he doesn't want anyone else to be the father figure to his three year old daughter. A daughter that he has just learned about. A daughter he has missed three years with.

When Marek brings Gracen and Lilly to North Carolina to live with him, you can cut the tension between the two adults with a knife. As Marek begins to get to know Lilly, he can't seem to get past the deception of Gracen not telling him she was pregnant. Conversely, Gracen is still deeply wounded by the fact that Marek chose hockey over her.

Will the years these two have been apart given them the maturity and clarity to try to make it work between them or is it all they can hope for to co-parent their daughter and move on apart from one another? And, will another secret that Gracen is harboring end up causing more trouble than anyone can imagine?

I really enjoyed the "realness" of this book. It was easy for me to see how the feelings of the characters could happen in the real world and how they both had to really take stock of themselves, their feelings and the best interests of their young child. Sawyer Bennett is one of my favorite authors and this is one of my favorite series and this was certainly another strong offering!

I loved this series! I am so sad to see it coming to an end! I don't want it to ever end! What am I going to do with no more Cold Fury Hockey????

Marek Fabritis finds out he has a daughter with his ex. She neglected to tell him about his daughter when he broke her heart and left her. Now Gracen Moore is back. Marek decided she is going to come live with him so he can know his daughter. What starts off as enemies soon turns to friends in their case. I love a good second chance romance and being a Sawyer Bennet book is a sure fire hit!

Oh the angst with this one. Holy moly what a second chance love story. Your heart will be pulled multiple times. But the passion between Marek and Gracen is so strong that you can't deny the fight of their love. You feel for them both every single time they come to head. You wonder if the past can ever be just left in the past. Can one move on and forgive? When you have an adorable 3 year old in the mix tensions are high and change is everything. I love and hate both Gracen and Marek at times. There were so many times I wanted to shake both of them and tell them to quit acting like children and think of Lilly. But by the end of Marek my heart was so over flowing with love for this little family. I love the fact we still get plenty of the Cold Fury Hockey family to go along with all this angst. It doesn't seem possible to be book 11 of the series all ready. This series is phenomenal and keeps getting better.

Ugh. After Reed, I was hoping for good things with Marek. Unfortunately, we get a spoiled brat in Marek and a mousy Gracen. Synopsis, Marek dumped Gracen when he reached the NHL. Gracen was pregnant and did not tell Marek. Flash forward 3.5 years, Marek stops Gracen from marrying the hometown creep and discovers he has a daughter. Marek basically kidnaps Gracen and Lily bringing them back to Raleigh to sort things out. While Gracen repeatedly apologizes for not telling Marek, they never really talk about the whys/hows. This would be a situation requiring profession intervention -- esp. considering there's a young child involved.

Of course Gracen still loves Marek and vice-versa, but neither trust the other. What a shock. I just felt the whole story was forced. I never felt any love for either Gracen or Marek. The only person I felt for -- Lily, their daughter.

There's a HEA, but again, I never felt connected to either lead. This Cold Fury fell flat for me.

I can't believe that Marek is already the 11th book in the Cold Fury series- thankfully I am still hooked with this series and look forward to each and every book! I love that even though this is clearly a series, you don't have to read them all in order to enjoy them. I mean you might want to because hello HOT hockey guys, but they can be read as standalones.

Marek was an amazing main character- he was emotional and had such a big heart. This second-chance story was one of my favorites in the series!