I could not wait for Marek's story after the ending in Reed's book. I was mind blowing how angry Marek got but you can understand why, he did after all miss out on the first three years of his daughters life. But Gracen had a reason or so she thought she did at the time. After Marek left her for hockey, all she wanted to do was hurt him like he hurt her.
Now Marek is trying to get to know his daughter and to forgive Gracen because he sees the guilt she is feeling every time he looks into her eyes. The feelings between them are still there simmering below the surface but will the pain of betrayal they both feel keep the apart? Will Marek finally forgive her and they be able to move on and build a future together? Can Lilly help them learn to love each other again?
I have loved each of these men in this series and Marek and Gracen have become my favorites. Yeah, I say that with each book but I still love them all. Although this is a series and they are connected, they can be read as standalone but why would you want to miss out on the stories as a whole. Sawyer Bennett has a way with these Cold Fury men and the women they love. Check them out, you will not be disappointed, I'm not and want more now.
**A copy provided by the publisher through NetGalley and this is my honest review**

Sawyer does it again. I never thought I'd really get into sports books but Sawyer has a way with words that makes you want to keep reading. These awesome books can be read alone and did not have to be ready in order. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

The Cold Fury Hockey continues to be one of my favorite Sawyer Bennett series! We were introduced to Marek's story at the end of Reed.

When he finds out his ex-girlfriend Gracen is getting married to a jerk he runs to his hometown to stop her. This is when he finds out she has been keeping one very big secret from him.

You see they were high school sweethearts, Marek graduated from college and was recruited by an NHL team. Not wanting to be tied down he broke up with and left Gracen behind.

Now Marek is in for a big surprise when he finds out that he is the father of an adorable three-year-old daughter named Lily.

Unresolved feelings, trust issues, old chemistry add to that a lot of miscommunication deepen this story! They were both little stubborn and bullheaded. They eventually resolve their issues and have the ending that they deserve! Amazing epilogue with a couple surprises.

Love the extended family on both sides that played a part in the story. Love the friendship Reed and Marek have and Jules reaching out to Gracie fantastic!! Love me some Cold Fury Hockey!!

Marek is a romantic second-chance drama written in dual POV.

Marek grew on me towards the end.

I have to admit that Marek isn't my favorite character. I didn't like him in Book 10 and I definitely think that book sets up this book well, so I suggest reading at least that one if you are new to the series - really you can't go wrong with any of the Cold Fury books though.

However, by the end of the story - Marek had matured and was a great father and had the potential to be a great partner. "...I'll never accept that. Not when I know I missed a very crucial time with Gracen. When I missed the pregnancy and raising Lilly after she was born." That's the sign of true growth on Marek's part.

For Gracen - there really is no excuse for keeping Lilly a secret. But as this book twists and turns - we learn there are other secrets that Gracen is keeping. Marek totally broke her heart and unknowingly missed out on A LOT. "...other than his wretchedly selfish choice, he's been the best thing to ever happen to me. He'd been the love I knew I'd get a chance at only once in this lifetime."

There's much of this book that you don't know if these two will find their way back to each other through all of the hurt. Lilly is an absolute joy and provides most of the heart of this book and that epilogue - she's priceless!

This series has been such a fun one to read - I seem to fall in love with almost every other character, but Reed is one of my faves and he is prominent in this one as Marek's best friend!!

I voluntarily requested and read an uncorrected advance reader copy.

3 1/2 stars
This is Merek's and Gracen's story. It picks up right after the last book, but can be read as a standalone.
Merek suddenly finds out he is a DAD! He has 3 year old daughter her never knew about. Merek left the girl he loved to play professional hockey. He wanted to live the life, no responsibility, be a star. Just broke up with her and moved on. Well that's what he got. When Gracen finds out she is pregnant she decides to not tell him. Although when Merek finds out he drags her and adorable Lilly back to his home. He is so angry at Gracen and makes well know just how angry he is. Gracen is feeling plenty of guilt for her decision. There living together is not going to be easy.
I have to admit that Merek hit my "I don't you" buttons. It took awhile to warm up to him. I understood his anger. Just felt he was really awful to Gracen.
I love the ending, I found my myself with smile on my face and that's how I like a book to end.

It's hard to believe that Marek is the eleventh book in the Cold Fury Hockey Series by Sawyer Bennett, but it is and what's even better is that each book has it's own independent story line with the connection of each male lead is a member of the team. I have enjoyed the entire series and while each book can be read as a standalone I would highly suggest you read Reed first because part of Marek's story begins there.

Marek has been a total playboy and hockey god since he left his one true love, Gracen, behind four years ago. Now that she is back in his life and his world has been turned upside down with the knowledge that he is a father and she kept his daughter from him, can he see past the rage to grasp onto something he so desperately wants? While this may be a second-chance-at-love story it is so much more because now we have beautiful three and a half year old Lilly at the center of it all.

Honestly I don't know if I would ever be able to forgive someone that kept my child away from me, so I am really glad that Gracen and Marek had to work for their HEA. There was heartbreak on both sides so don't go in thinking that Garcen is totally at fault here but Sawyer did a wonderful job with this story with not only making you feel the tension but also the chemistry and longing between the two.

As with other books in this series, it was a HOT read that showed a lot of tenderness and love. I highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a contemporary romance with the second-chance-at-love trope, heck I recommend this entire series to anyone that enjoys a good story with a lot of heart and some very steamy sexy times. Happy Reading!

4 stars

Firstly I want to say how much I love author Sawyer Bennett. I love her words and her Cold Fury Hockey series is one that I highly recommend to any sports loving romantic.

Marek is an entertaining and well written second chance love story that kept me turning the pages until the end.

Watching Marek and Gracen reconnect had me frustrated, smiling, swooning and then back to frustrated again. These two certainly have a lot going on and the road to happily ever after does not come easily.
In the beginning I totally got Marek's anger and resentment, finding out you have a child and missing out on her first 3 1/2 years is not something you can easily forgive. But after learning why and taking count he did leave Gracen so he could enjoy the life of a up and coming hockey star I wished he could have been a little more understanding.

What I did love was watching Marek getting to know his little girl, learning how to balance fatherhood and a very high profile sports career. On more than one occasion I found myself smiling and swooning watching them together.

Gracen and Marek's second chance at love doesn't come easy, they have to learn to truly forgive and put past hurts behind them to give themselves fully to each other.

Marek is a good addition to the Cold Fury Hockey series, each book has touched my heart and I highly recommend them all.

Thank you Sawyer Bennett for writing and sharing your sexy hockey boys with us <3

Get your copy now!
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*I received an advance copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.*

Marek

**received an ARC in exchange for an honest review**

4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Cold Fury boys are back with Marek’s story. The Cold Fury Series continues to get better and never gets dull. And Sawyer Bennett does not disappoint with Marek's book. Marek and Gracen’s story is about second chances and what you do when you get one.

Marek never knew he had a daughter until he received an email that change his life. And now not only does he have a daughter but Gracen, his first love, is back in his life. He can’t ignore the fact that she never told him and kept Lilly a secret for all those years, but he needs to move past it if he wants to get to know Lilly and her mom.

Gracen knows she has made a mistake by keeping Marek from Lilly, but she almost made another mistake marrying Owen. Thankfully Marek was there to save her and maybe now she can move on. The only problem is she still has feelings for Marek, but can’t keep apologizing for what she did.

Even though Marek is still upset with Gracen, he can’t deny that he still feels something for her. Could they take the chance on being a real family? Or are past hurts and secrets too much for them to overcome.

I have loved every story in the Cold Fury series and Marek did not disappoint. The story had so much emotion and feels that it held my attention from start to finish. Marek and Gracen's story was one of anger, hurt, second chances, forgiveness and a love that only comes around once. They both had to learn to move on from the past and earn each other's forgiveness. However, for Marek finding out he had a daughter that was hidden from him was a hard pill to swallow and that forgiveness was hard to come by. Will Marek and Gracen overcome the obstacles grab the book and find out!!!

Love, Love, Love. Full review to follow asap on USA Today's HEA. I will update this review as soon as it published.Sawyer Bennett’s Cold Fury Hockey is one of my favorite sports romance series, and Marek is another swoony, stand-alone installment. It’s a sexy, angsty and bittersweet second-chance romance with a compelling, broody alpha hero and features one of my favorite tropes — the secret baby — which is a storyline that can be fraught with problems but is handled perfectly here. I understand and sympathize with Gracen’s reasons for keeping her daughter a secret, while also believing Marek’s anger and feelings of betrayal are justified but healable. Their emotions leap off the page as they slowly and painfully work toward a reconciliation, and I felt everything along the way and rooted for them with each turn of the page. There is something deeply satisfying about Gracen and Marek overcoming their past mistakes, finding love again and seizing their happy-ever-after as a family, and Marek reminds me why I adore second-chance romances, especially ones with a secret baby. 😉

I liked this book but I do have to say that it is my least favorite book in the series so far. I was really excited about this book from the set up of the story that occurred in the previous book in the series, Reed. This book is the eleventh book in the series but it would read perfectly well as a stand alone because everything that is important to the story is included in this volume. That being said, the previous book got me really excited about this book despite the fact that I knew there was going to be a secret baby, which is a trope that only rarely works for me. I did enjoy this book even though I had a few issues with it.

My biggest problem with this story is that Marek and Gracen have the same argument over and over throughout much of the book. I get it that this is a really big deal to get over and it could never happen overnight. It just became a bit tiresome to read about this pair having the same issue coming up time and time again. I would have loved to see a little more of Marek getting to know Lilly or maybe a bit more of the three of them together. We do get to see some of this happening but I think that would have been a more powerful way of seeing them come together instead of the rehashing the same argument time and time again.

My other issue with this book was that Marek was a bit of a jerk at the start of the book. He brings Gracen and Lilly to his house and then promptly makes sure that he is never home to spend any time with them. I understand that he didn't know how to deal with the situation but how on earth can you get to know a child you are never home to be around. It just didn't make sense to me. Thank goodness Reed was there to put him in his place.

Marek and Gracen did have some great chemistry together and I really did like their interactions when they were not arguing with each other. These two have been through a lot and they really had to take some time to be able to be together while staying positive. I would say that the last third of the book or so was when things started to work for me a bit better. I liked the way they eventually were able to appreciate each other again.

I think that other readers might like this one a bit more than I did. This story did have some great points with a cute kid. a few rather romantic moments, and some pretty hot interludes. I can't wait to read more from Sawyer Bennett very soon.

I received a digital review copy of this book from Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept via NetGalley.

Sawyer Bennett melts the ice with book eleven in the Cold Fury Hockey series, MAREK. I was anxiously waiting to read this story since book 10, REED. Marek Fabritis is friends with Reed. In book ten, Reed went with Marek to help stop the wedding of Marek’s ex-girlfriend, Gracen Moore. At the wedding, Marek discovered that he and Gracen have a three-year-old daughter, Lilly, that he never knew about. Marek’s story continues after the wedding.

The plot was exceptional. It was realistic and heartfelt. The characters were believable. Marek understandably was angry after his discovery. He didn’t handle the situation well and had a lot of growing up to do throughout the story. I like Gracen. She sacrifices a lot for the people she loves. She’s a good mom. She should have told Marek about Lilly, but the reason she didn’t was plausible. The two never got over each other. They have issues to overcome. I like that they had a second chance.

I’m glad Marek stopped the wedding. Owen was not a good guy. We discover some interesting things about Owen and his intentions throughout the novel.

I like that Josie’s ex/co-worker Aiden McCune made an appearance in this novel. I thought it was interesting especially considering the things that happened with him in book ten.

I love the epilogue. Lilly is too cute. It was the perfect ending for the story.

If you haven’t read the other books in the Cold Fury Hockey series, MAREK could be read as a stand-alone. However, I do recommend reading REED first. There are many things that happen in the novel that are significant to this story. That being said, I do recommend the entire series. Sawyer Bennett’s writing is impeccable. Each character’s story is unique. I have loved every book in this series. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

Marek
By: Sawyer Bennett

📚💕⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💕📚

Oh oh oh these hockey boys and the women they love!!!

Well let me start by saying I have become a huge fan of this author. I’ve also watched her writing get a bit more intense with each book written. Not saying her other work isn’t great just with each book the intensity and emotion put and pulled from each book is felt so much more. So being able to read this love story didn’t disappoint. The authors ability to have two separate individuals struggling in their everyday life and try to navigate someone else’s thoughts, needs and desires was intense and gives all the fills.

Authors Blurb:Marek Fabritis is used to delivering blows, not receiving them. But when he gets tipped off by an anonymous email about his ex-girlfriend, the news leaves him ice cold—and it’s not because Gracen Moore is getting married to a total jerk. It’s the fact that Marek has a three-year-old daughter he never knew about. Now he’s going back home, not to play knight in shining armor but to make damn sure that no man takes what’s his. For the first time, there might be something more important than hockey.
 
Gracen Moore has always loved Marek. That’s why she let him go, so he could pursue a career in the NHL. And that’s why she never told him about Lilly. Only now does Gracen realize that she made an unforgivable mistake. But is that any reason for Marek to crash her wedding and make an epic scene? If the spark that still smolders between them is to be trusted, maybe. Still, Gracen’s not getting her hopes up. Because she knows better than anyone that appearances aren’t always what they seem. . . .

I really enjoyed this book and it kept me engrossed throughout. I really loved the characters and the way they interacted with each other. This is a fun, hot, romantic must read book and I would definitely recommend this book to anyone.

This book has everything I love in a book. Then you add that it's beautifully written and believable. It is easily a five star read. Written in dual POV my personal favorite this story flows so incredibly well that the next thing you know your 80% into the book and loving every second of it. The believable way the characters interact is perfect. Run, Hop, Jump or use your (1 click) finger to do whatever you have to do and get this amazing book. It'll break your heart, you'll want to scream with frustration and it'll let you discover that love just might conquer all. The chemistry is steamy and sweet and oh so romantic.

Thanks Netgally for letting me read and review.📚💕

I can’t tell you how ecstatic I was when I was approved for an ARC of this book. It’s no secret that I adore this series. I was so excited that I wouldn’t have to wait to read Marek after how much I enjoyed Reed. Alas, I was right when I published my review of Reed…my life got too busy and I still ended up waiting far too long to read this story. The good news is, I had it waiting for me when I was ready and I didn’t have to wait on a waiting list.

Of course, I was chomping at the bit to read Marek’s story after what happened to him in Reed’s story. Man, Marek ticked me off at the beginning. Where I can totally understand where he was coming from when it comes to Gracen, his daughter Lilly deserved so much more. Luckily, Marek has friends who aren’t afraid to call him on his bull so it wasn’t long before Marek stepped up to the plate.

As much as I wanted to dislike Gracen for what she did, for the most part I liked her. She is a good mom who made some very stupid and hurtful decisions. I don’t really understand why nobody brings up the fact that her parents didn’t push the issue a bit more, especially when it came to Marek’s parents. Of course, Gracen is an adult and was going to make her own choices, but it almost seemed like there was little to no input from her parents who should have been helping to guide her a bit more. Anyway, as I said, I mostly liked Gracen. There was a bit toward the end, a fight Gracen and Marek have, that made me dislike her the way I thought I would through the whole story. She said some terrible things. Sure, so did Marek…but his hurtful words were his defense mechanism kicking in after he felt attacked my her.

Speaking of that fight, I love the matter of fact way Marek’s dad put that into perspective. It’s great how Marek doesn’t want to believe what his dad has to say at first. It can’t be as simple as that, can it? But the man has been married a long time and gives good advise.

While I don’t see that there are any more Cold Fury books on tap at this time, it seems we’ll be getting plenty more hockey from Sawyer Bennet. In August the first Arizona Vengeance book is due out, looks like it will be an expansion team for the hockey gods Ms. Bennett writes about. I cannot wait!

Marek’s dream was always to play for the NHL, and Gracen knew he wasn’t ready to settle down, so she let him go. She thought she was doing the right thing by letting him go, but now she regrets not letting him know he was a father.

Marek is shocked to learn his ex-girlfriend is getting married. When he shows up to stop the wedding, he is even more shocked to learn he is a father. There is no mistaking the likeness of the little girl with Gracen, Lilly is his daughter.

These two have an immediate chemistry, due to their history, but they also have a lot of issues to work through. And then there’s the matter of Gracen’s impending marriage, which though Marek interrupted the ceremony, has only been postponed while Marek gets to know Lilly.

I always enjoy returning to the Cold Fury world, as it has everything I love about sports romance without having to keep track of too many side character’s storylines at the same time. Marek is supported by a small group of teammates and familiar faces: Reed & Josie, and Holt.

This is full of heartache and longing, rebuilding trust, and unresolved feelings. Neither Gracen nor Marek had ever really moved passed their breakup, so facing that pain is necessary no matter what Gracen decides to do. It was also a quick read. The tension and hurt between them drove a lot of the storyline, as Gracen struggles to forgive herself and Marek learns to be a father. But there are other factors involved too, that kept me reading to learn exactly what secrets Gracen was still keeping from everyone in her life.

Marek Fabritis is a hockey player for The Cold Fury in North Carolina. He enjoys being single, and spends a lot of his time on the road with his team. Suddenly his life is turned upside down when he finds out he has a three year old daughter named Lilly he knew nothing about. His ex-girlfriend kept her a secret, and he's hurt. He wants to get to know Lilly, and the only way to have a relationship with her is for her to come to NC. He has a toddler he barely knows, and lots of time to make up for.

Gracen Moore has loved Marek since she was fifteen. He was her boyfriend and best friend for five years, and then he broke her heart when he dumped her four years ago to start his new, fancy life as a professional athlete. He was drafted into the NHL, went pro, and left her behind. His career was more important, so when she found out she was pregnant, she decided to protect her baby from possible rejection by raising her alone. She finished college, got her degree in nursing, and is about to get married when Marek crashes her wedding & goes all caveman on her taking her back to his house. Gracen and her daughter are abruptly inserted into Mareks life, and they are all doing their best to adjust.

Everything is a big mess. Marek is trying to bond with his daughter, and is feeling confused and angry with Gracen. He was young when he broke things off with her. He'd wanted his freedom, but that didn't change how he'd felt about her. She was his first love, and now she's back in his life, and he doesn't know how to handle it. He never quit thinking of her, and regrets hurting her. She's still the most beautiful woman he's ever known.

As they all spend time together old feelings return, and Gracen tries not to have expectations as things turn physical. She's never gotten over him, and he could hurt her again if she gets too tied up in him. He was always so devoted to her when they were together. No one has ever compared to Marek and the deep love they once shared. As everything falls into place, can this couple move past their pain and give love another try and finally be a family?

This was a great second chance romance full of angst and love. I love this series and all these delicious Cold Fury hockey players! ;))

My 4 star review is up on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2175936637?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1.

It will be posted on blog and social media on May 22 release and links will be updated. or go live at that time.

4 stars
We were introduced to Marek's story at the end of Reed. When he finds out his ex is getting married, he interferes in the wedding, but gets more than he bargained for. And now he has brought his ex, Grayson, and the three year old daughter he did not know about into his home.

Years ago, Marek dumped Gracen to be free and uncommitted as he joined the NHL. So Gracen did not contact him about having his child. And they both still harbor anger, hurt, guilt, and regret over their past and it is apparent during their present interactions. Marek alternates between avoidance, anger, and making Gracen feel bad. And he is struggling to adapt to being a father. And Gracen does feel guilt and remorse, but she is also still hurt and has a lot going on in her life that she is keeping secret. She is a fierce Mama Bear that just wants what is best for her daughter, and knows it would be easy to get her own heart broken again.

Unresolved feelings, trust issues, that old chemistry and attraction, a bit of angst, and interference make it a precarious situation. And those old hurts and issues seem to rear their ugly head just when they think they are buried. Marek alternates between broody and sweet and sexy. There is a frustrating cycle of miscommunication and holding back. They both are kind of in a limbo playing house and living in the now, and not truly over the past so they could have a chance of moving forward.

This brings back some of the side characters from the series and features Reed, Josie, and Holt predominantly. Their daughter, Lilly is adorable. And it has the usual humor, drama, and chemistry, but there were definitely times I wanted to shake sense into these characters and some of the back and forth got a bit frustrating.

I have not heard if Holt will get his own book, but he seems like a candidate.

I was gifted a copy.

Since I love reading stories about sexy hockey players, I was excited to read the eleventh book in The Cold Fury series. Sawyer Bennett is one of my favorite authors because she knows how to write an engaging story with characters that are easy to relate to. There is great character development in this emotional and satisfying second chance romance. I loved all the fun interactions between the characters and all the entertaining secondary characters.

I was immediately drawn into Marek and Gracen’s world and I was able to sympathize with both of their points of view. Whenever they are together, they can’t keep their hands off each other but they are both dealing with hurt feelings and anger. They have to figure out if they can forget the past and have a future together. After all this time, they still care about each other, yet they are confused about all the mixed emotions the are feeling. They have hurt each other and need to somehow rectify their past mistakes.

Marek and Gracen were young when they were first together. Now, four years later, they have both matured and changed and they have to decide what is important to them. They have to accept each other and forgive and forget. I liked Marek and Gracen and I was pulling for them to work things out and be together.

Sweet, hot, beautiful Marek. I'm always excited when Sawyer release a new book, especially one with hunky hockey men.

4 1/2 Stars ... a GREAT addition to the Cold Fury Series!

Marek and Gracen were high school sweethearts, but when Marek got drafted to the NHL he broke up with her. He wanted to enjoy his new found star status, along with all the benefits (if you know what I mean) and the last thing he needed was a girlfriend. Four years later when he finds out he is the father to a 3-year old little girl, he interrupts Gracen`s wedding and brings Gracen and Lily home with him. Gracen was kinda glad when Marek showed up because she was being blackmailed into getting married. But now Marek and Gracen have to navigate through this new arrangement for the sake of their daughter Lily. But neither one could get over the hurt they had caused each other ... back then and now.

My heart just broke for this whole situation. I could see why Marek was mad at Gracen for not telling him he was a father, but I could also see why Gracen didn't because he told her in no uncertain terms that he didn't want her in his life. Little Lily was just a joy! What a sweet accepting little girl ... she made me laugh A LOT! This is one of those books that makes you feel every emotion ... joy, laughter, sorrow, heartbreak ... and the sex scenes were HOT! I recommend not only this book, but the entire series.

I received an ARC courtesy of Random House - Loveswept through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.