Zack by Sawyer Bennett Series: Cold Fury Hockey #3
Published by Loveswept
Publication Date: June 9th 2015
Pages: 325
Format: eARC
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Disclaimer: I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book. All opinions stated are solely mine.
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.
Warning: The following contains spoilers from a cliffhanger in Garrett.
Rising star Zack Grantham has been stuck in a downward spiral of grief that has put his career on hold. Back on the road with the Carolina Cold Fury, still crippled by emotional baggage, and now a single dad, 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.
Zack Grantham has it all: a hot hockey career and a happy home life with his girlfriend and son, until he loses his girlfriend in an accident and now he’s a single parent to his son Ben. Once his period of recuperation ends, he will need help with Ben when he returns to work and that’s where Kate comes in.
Kate Francis is hired on as Ben’s full-time babysitter. A bit geeky, a lot goofy and dressed in baggy clothing, Kate does not make a great first impression on Zack, but as he watches her interactions with his son, he sees how good she is with Ben and his reservations fade away.
Zack has been buried by his feelings of grief and guilt especially because he could not give his late girlfriend what she wanted most: a ring and has been trying to see if could feel physical attraction to any woman at all, with no luck until the night he stumbles upon Kate without her armor and from that moment on, his libido just won’t quit!
I actually really enjoyed Zack very much. It’s such a heart warming story, filled with raw emotions and real-life issues as well as characters to root for. I especially loved the steady pace at which Zack and Kate’s relationship progressed from employer-employee to lovers with some very steamy chemistry. Kate is a great and selfless heroine and I especially love her goofiness. With her background and the poverty she grew up in, she had a very optimistic and fun outlook and just enjoyed life. In addition, she had a very big and loving heart and a bold spirit because she willingly opened herself to the hurt that she knew would come with getting involved with Zack. In spite of that, she did not give up but forced Zack to live again. I also love that she respected herself enough to know what she deserved and walk away when she was not getting it.
As much as I loved Kate, Zack drove me up the wall with his unfeeling attitude towards her and his commitment phobia. His fear of opening up to another woman was understandable, but the harsh and mean words were totally very uncalled for. All the same, Zack was such a vulnerable hero with so many issues who messed up but was willing to put in the work to resolve his issues and reach out for a second chance at love. He also helped Kate realize that some male attention was positive. The story would not be complete without all the cuteness that is Ben!
Zack is a very sweet story and has me looking forward to the next book in the series.
SERIES ORDER
Find the series online: Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo
About Sawyer Bennett
New York Times and USA Today bestselling Author, Sawyer Bennett is a snarky southern woman and reformed trial lawyer who decided to finally start putting on paper all of the stories that were floating in her head. Her husband works for a Fortune 100 company which lets him fly all over the world while she stays at home with their daughter and three big, furry dogs who hog the bed. Sawyer would like to report she doesn’t have many weaknesses but can be bribed with a nominal amount of milk chocolate.
Sawyer is the author of several contemporary romances including the popular Off Series, the Legal Affairs Series and the Last Call Series.
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