Book Bruin Kim
Another great addition to the Cold Fury series! Although Van is book 9 in the series, it can be read as a standalone. The timeline runs parallel, however, to the previous book, Lucas, so it might enhance the experience if you've read that one prior to starting Van. Van and Simone were a classic case of opposites attract. He was broody and closed off, while she was feisty and transparent. I actually was surprised by how aggressive and persistent she was in getting what she wanted. The two of them shared some incredible chemistry and witty banter and I enjoyed watching them go toe to toe with each other. All of it combined together for an explosively sexy result. Simone confused me a bit, going from extremely mature and insightful for a 22 year old, to bratty and petulant the next. I did respect that she stood her ground when it mattered and wouldn't allow herself to be anyone's doormat, but as much as I liked her, I can't say that I loved her. Van was more consistent in his behavior, living up to his reputation as a broody jerk for the majority of the book. Readers who are fond of alpha a-holes will absolutely love him. ;) Some of the words that came out of his mouth though were so cutting, they left me reeling. He was carrying some heavy baggage though and I could sympathize with him as he battled his demons. What didn't quite add up was his emotional 180 at the end, but by that point I was invested in these 2 and wanted them to find their HEA. Even though each book in the series can be read as a standalone, I love getting little snippets about the Cold Fury family. It's a fun little treat for fans of the series. The epilogue, though somewhat surprising, was not completely unexpected and was perfect for the story. It definitely left me with a shiny happy heart. *I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this book*
Heather Fueger
**Advanced copy provided by the author, NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review** This is one of my favorite series and Sawyer Bennett continues to find ways to infuse new life and elements into every single book that comes out. Van is no exception and I was drawn in from the very first page. Van Turner is one of the best players the Cold Fury has recently picked up, and while he's known for his aggressive play on the ice, he can only be described as closed off and a loner off of it. He prefers to keep to himself and not attach himself to anyone. He's got deep rooted issues from his childhood that have caused him to put up the walls and he has no intention of taking them down for anyone. Simone Fournier is the sister of two of Van's teammates, Lucas and Max. When she shows up on Lucas' doorstep, which also happens to be Van's too, she makes it known she's moving in for the foreseeable future. She's instantly attracted to the moody teammate of her brothers and she's not one to be deterred by his less than welcoming attitude. As Simone barrels forward with trying to seduce Van, she also is trying to figure out where she belongs and where her life is headed. When the two embark on a purely physical arrangement it's satisfying for the both of them, but is it possible to keep feelings out of it? And, will the insecurities and issues from Van's past end up driving them apart? I was so ready for this book after witnessing the tension between Van and Simone in Lucas' book and I was not disappointed. Both Simone and Van had their issues, but in the end, what they were able to bring to one another was exactly the right mix of what they each needed. Kudos to Sawyer Bennett for continuing to give us engaging and entertaining stories in this fantastic series!
Jenn K
**Received book from NetGalley for a fair and honest review** Van is the 9th book in the Cold Fury Hockey series, and can be read as a standalone. BUT I would recommend reading at least Max and Lucas first since they are the h's siblings, and I think you would lose a lot in my opinion by not reading them first. Van Turner is Lucas's roommate, he's brooding, not very social/talkative and very angry on and off the ice. Simone Fournier is intelligent, but lost. When she drops out of medical school she goes to stay with Lucas and that's when she meets Van. Simone is everything Van is not, she's social, likable, sweet, kind, caring, funny, quirky the whole nine yards and Van definitely doesn't want anyone like her in his life. No matter what lengths Simone goes to in order to gain Van's attention, he remains detached. But when he finds her in a hooters like place working, it may test his control. This book had some real twists and turns that I definitely wasn't expecting. I loved the storyline, and though Van was grumpy a lot, it didn't take away from his character and my enjoyment of his character. Simone's character was just crazy, and quirky and funny. I loved this book and couldn't put it down. I loved the chemistry between Van and Simone. The story line was very original and exciting. I love this series and can't wait for the next book!!! If I had to come up with a gripe, the only thing I could say is I wish there was a little more story at the end. I know we will see these characters in upcoming books, but it would have been nice to have that little bit more. Hope this helps!! Happy Reading!!!