4 Smooches
Synopsis
New York Times bestselling author Sawyer Bennett goes for a hat trick with the latest romance in a sexy series about cool-as-ice hockey players and the women heating up their lives.
Rising star Zack Grantham has been stuck in a downward spiral of grief ever since the car accident that left him a single dad and put his career on hold. Back on the road with the Carolina Cold Fury and still crippled by emotional baggage, he’s in need of some serious help with his son. But while the nerdy new nanny wins his son’s heart, Zack isn’t sure he’s ready for a woman’s touch—even after getting a glimpse of the killer curves she’s hiding under those baggy clothes.
Kate Francis usually keeps men like Zack at a distance. Though his athlete’s body is honed to perfection, he refuses to move on with his life—and besides, he’s her boss. Still, the sparks between them are undeniable, tempting Kate to turn their professional relationship into a personal one. But before she makes a power play for Zack’s wounded heart, Kate will have to open him up again and show him that love is worth the fight.
Review
“My insides feel dead, my capacity to care for much of anything seems lost, but there are two things that still keep me functioning. It;s the prospect of playing hockey again, and, more important, my son, Ben.”
Zack is book three in Sawyer Bennett’s Cold Fury series and is told in first person with dual point of view. This book could be read as a standalone but to get the full experience I recommend reading the other two books, especially Garrett. Zack is a story of loss, resilience and learning that there are many different ways to grieve and many ways to love. Zack does not always make loving him easy but he does deserve sympathy and patience. Having just gone through a loss that would make the strongest person crumble he is determined to move forward and make a good life for his son, Ben.
“There’s something about you that doesn’t sit right with me, and I personally don’t want you here.”
Kate is hiding in plain sight. After learning at an early age that her beauty and curvy body get her the wrong kind of attention, she wears her hair in a bun and clothes that are several sizes too big. Kate is silly and quirky and fun and always says what is on her mind. She kind heroine that everyone can love. Even when Zack is rude and mean to her she is patient and understanding. Always open and honest with what she can handle from him I loved her the whole way through.
“Are we done talking now? Because I’d really like to put my mouth to other uses.”
To a small extent I was bothered that this story perpetuated the idea that if boys act out when a girl dresses provocatively than it is the girl who should change and not the boys. Kate lives 10 years of life hiding herself because it keeps her safe. While I hate this idea it is something that happens in real life so it’s hard to say that it should not be written that way. Books should not just portray the best possible outcomes because then they wouldn’t feel real. Still though reading that and the fact that the hero had little interest in Kate until he sees her hair down and in revealing pajamas was very slightly frustrating to this girl. That being said I really enjoyed the book overall and liked watching Zack develop from cold closed off single dad to a sweet loving man capable of moving forward.
“Zack Grantham was cuddling with me. Best. Birthday. Present. Ever.”
For me personally, one of the best parts of this book is that is takes place in my city. Having lives in Raleigh, NC my whole life I get giddy every time a local street or place is mentioned. I love how close the Cold Fury team is to our own Hurricanes, a team whose stadium is just miles from my house. Sawyer Bennett mixes the depth needed for a grieving man to give love a shot with a heat level that makes you melt. Zack is a wonderful addition to the Cold Fury family and I look forward to getting to read more of these men in the future!
~miranda
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