| Title | : | Zack (Cold Fury Hockey, #3) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 1101886773 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781101886779 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | ebook |
| Number of Pages | : | 325 |
| Publication | : | First published June 9, 2015 |
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 (Cold Fury Hockey, #3) Reviews
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*****4.5 STARS*****
(ARC Provided by Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept via Netgalley in Exchange for an Honest Review)
{BR with Mel}
Zack Grantham is the starting second-line left winger for the Cold Fury. We met him in book two, and let's just say that things weren't looking too rosy for him. His girlfriend, who was his high school sweetheart, and mother of his 3 year old son, Ben, was killed in a car accident. He was driving.
When I read this part, my heart broke wide open for Zack.
I thought his book was going to be utterly gut wrenching. I was expecting to be going through a box of tissues and having the ugly cry. Well Sawyer Bennett, totally threw me for a loop because she did not take the story down this path. It turns out Zack did love Gina, but he admits the reason why he never married her after having been together for so many years, was that he wasn't sure she was "the one". I mean I just was utterly dumb struck at that revelation. I was kind of disappointed. Here's the thing, the story opens up with Zack being at a strip club, and he's watching this beautiful woman do her strip tease, but he can't get it up. No woman has been able to spark any kind of heat within him. I'm thinking, wow, he was so in love with Gina and he's so devastated, and I just want to jump into the story and be there for him. Then, he goes and tells his therapist, he loved her but maybe not as much as she loved him. Not enough to "put a ring on it". So I just thought that his inability to get aroused by other women seemed odd. He felt a lot of guilt because he was driving the truck and also because he refused to marry her and maybe she deserved that but she's dead and will never get the chance.
So after being off the team for about 6 months to recover from his injuries, he is going back to work and will need help with his son. His sis helps to find the perfect nanny. Roberta Francis aka "Kate" is a young woman who has just graduated from college and who grew up practically in poverty. She wears jeans that are old and practically 4 sizes too big and sweatshirts that are also way too big. This girl is as plain as they come and a bit of a dork, but such a lovable gal. Ben instantly falls in love with her as she has a way with children. Zack has an instant resentment towards her because he feels she is taking the place of Gina, who should be the one taking care of Ben. Again, here I am just having issues with his behavior, because we know he was not over the moon in love with Gina.
Kate hides her beauty behind baggy clothes, glasses, and wearing her hair up in a tight bun, but it's pretty obvious she is going to be the one to melt Zack's heart. She is going to be the one who will make him want to commit and walk down that aisle towards holy matrimony. So there will come a time where he sees her with her beautiful hair down, glasses off, and wearing something that was form fitting and barely covering her body. Finally Zack is starting to feel something in his nether regions, and maybe, even in his heart. But Zack convinces himself and Kate that he's not capable of loving any woman. So they have a sex only relationship and it's pretty STEAMY.
I loved Zack and I adored Kate. The chemistry between them is really amazing and I don't blame her for welcoming him into her bed most nights. But there were many times that I wanted to kick Zack in the balls. He could be really cruel. I understand he had feelings of guilt over Gina and he didn't really mean some of the things he said but still the guy needed an ass kicking.
I really wish that he had been madly in love with Gina and just completely annihilated by her death. I wanted him to feel like he would never love again.
Even though the story didn't go the way I had expected, I really did LOVE it. I was rooting for Zack to get his head out of his ass and realize that Kate was perfect for him and I was happy with how everything ends.
This is the only series I have read by Sawyer Bennett, and I absolutely do LOVE it!!! I know I had issues with this story but they weren't major enough to make me hate this book. I really quite enjoyed Zack's story and I can't wait to get Ryker's book next!!
Zack goes live on June 9th!!!
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4 stars!
Zack is the 3rd book in Sawyer Bennett’s Cold Fury Hockey series and one I’ve book looking forward to since book 2. Zack is another hockey player on the Cold Fury team. He’s a family man. He has his son, Ben- and he had Ben’s mom, Gina. After a terrible car accident, he doesn’t have Gina any longer and he finds himself a single dad full of pain and guilt. Zack didn’t take Gina’s death well. He was driving the car when she died, so he feels guilty about her death as well as other things in their relationship.
Zack’s career is on hold till he can finish healing, but he’s trying to prepare for going back to work. So he hires a nanny who can look after Ben when he’s at practice or traveling for games. Enter Kate. Quirky, funny and completely goofy. She is the perfect person for Ben. So she’s hired. At first, Zack doesn’t know what to think of this crazy woman dressed in baggy clothes who wears glasses and constantly makes up wild nicknames for everyone.
As time goes on, Zack finds himself slowly working through is guilt and his feelings. He finds himself feeling something for the first time in months. Something for Kate. But he won’t let himself go there with her, not completely. He can’t give her a relationship. He can’t go there again. Not yet. Maybe not ever. But it doesn’t change the fact that under her geeky facade there is a beautiful woman, inside and out. A woman he desperately wants.
I’ve got to give it to Sawyer Bennett. In Kate, she wrote a heroine that completely stole the show. This woman was fantastic! Not only was she wonderful with Zack’s son and treated him as her own, she was great with Zack. Even when he didn’t deserve it. She was understanding, fun, charming and had this ability to make everyone around her smile. This couple had amazing chemistry and a connection from the start. Zack had his moments where he was a bit of a jerk. But I think it can be overlooked. People tend to lash out on those they care about most when they’re in pain and I get that. And of course Ben- I adored that little boy! Such a sweet kid.
Zack is a story about moving on from grief and guilt and not only finding love, but finding yourself- forgiving yourself and moving past it. This is a great addition to Sawyer’s Cold Fury sports romance series. After getting to meet Ryker in this book and seeing him with his daughters, I’m very excited for the next book in this series!
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I’ve never been a big hockey fan UNTIL I saw the covers for the Cold Fury series. HOLY HOCKEY STICKS. If hockey players are that hot looking then I’m becoming a fan. Actually, I do watch it sometimes with my husband. The players wear so much padding I had no clue they were anything but a bunch of Stay Puft Marshmallow Men on skates.
Zack was introduced in the previous books as a devoted dad to his little boy, Ben, and his long-time girlfriend who is Ben’s mom. When tragedy strikes he's shaken to his core. The aftermath is his story in ZACK.
Kate is hired as a live-in nanny to Ben. Her job is to care for Ben and do some light household chores. As a college student she needs this job to pay for her continued education. Here’s the thing about Kate; she’s totally nerdy in her appearance and in her personality. Along with being candor. So, while she is fun and geeky she also doesn’t take crap from anyone.
”You may not know it by looking at me, but I am the type of woman who hopes her knight in shining armor comes to sweep her up one day. I know it’s a long shot, especially since I don’t do anything to encourage said knight to look my way.”
ZACK is an employee & boss love story about moving on after tragedy. A sadden boss decides to try a no-strings-attached relationship with his employee; sex only but that slowly turns into more. The road to a relationship isn’t an easy one for these two but one worth the journey.
COLD FURY series is about a professional hockey team full of amazing men who capture your heart on and off the ice. I’m going to admit that I’m already looking forward to the next book in the series; Ryker. We meet him in this book and after reading a little snippet about his life I’m dying for more. Ms. Bennett has a way of setting up the next book that has you jonesing for it.
RELEASE DATE: 6/9/2015
Pre-order | order:
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To find out when the next books will be released
here.
**Complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.**
Quotes are subject to change in the final publication.
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Title: Zach (cold fury hockey #3)
Author: Sawyer Bennet
Rating: 2 disappoint stars
POV: Dual
HEA:
Heat/Steam 2/5
Cliffhanger: . No.
Intolerable Heroine .Yes-pretty pathetic heroine.
Über Douchebagery .Not really since he was honest upfront .
Taboo Subject Matter .no.
Cheating or sex outside MC's:
Love Triangle
Unfortunately I just couldn't connect to this story. I didn't relate to the heroine and I don't particularly enjoy reading about a hero who is still in love and/or grieving the loss of his first love.
I can't relate to a woman who would continue to pursue a man that continually tells her their relationship is only sex. I would never ever bring myself so low as to stay or pursue something with someone who is so obviously still in love and grieving for someone else. It's pathetic. I don't want to accept little crumbs here and there whenever it's convenient for him.
The final straw was at 75%. Yes. 75%!
And again at 78% when his sister tells him he's capable of love again
That just doesn't work for me. It's not romantic and not something I enjoy when I read romance. This very well might be a favorite for other readers so I won't discourage anyone from reading it. However, it's definitely something I hate reading about. -
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Amazon US *
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I practically inhaled this story. If real life had permitted, I would have read ZACK in a single sitting, I was utterly enamoured with the story arc, the prose, the dialogue, the protagonists and especially the relationship between Zack and Kate.
The male protagonist's devastating and life changing experience transpires at the end of the last story in the Cold Fury series and sets the scene beautifully for his own standalone novel. ZACK begins four months later when he's faced with the arduous task of choosing a nanny to help him care for his son. The story explores his bereavement and the way it’s left him emotionally and physically. It’s about pain, healing, grief, guilt, inner turmoil and facing ones demons; a resounding story of hope.
Zack is one of the star players for the Cold Fury Hockey team and, as one would expect, he's super SEXY and ATTRACTIVE. He's set for return after recovering from the crash that took the mother of his son Ben.
Kate is employed as Ben's nanny. She's from a humble background and survives the best way she knows how, working hard. She has endearing vulnerabilities, is honest, dorky, witty, and straight forward, exudes warmth in her personality and is lots of fun to be around.
The protagonists who're highly attracted to one another are, strictly speaking, in an off limits situation evoking a slightly forbidden quality to the story which undoubtedly adds a layer of depth and adoration for me.
There are times I laughed out loud and smiled at Kate’s honesty. Her personality created much light and shade within the prose and is an attribute that attracted Zack and slowly pulled him into her light. I loved the slow build of their relationship, it’s natural, organic, and spontaneous and in the end combustible! It's so intensely HOT and completely swoon-worthy.
The story and character development within the pages is immense and perfectly motivated. I believed everything and felt completely invested in their world. The balance of the push and pull of their tentative relationship is perfectly executed. Initially I wished the time span at the start of the story had been longer than four months, I felt it was too soon but Zack's actions throughout made the time completely plausible, natural and understandable. I accepted it because in the end, I found it perfect. The facets of the story and exploration of Zack's grief and feelings is practically tangible. Guilt drives Zack. It rules him, consumes him and is explored delicately and sensitively throughout the prose giving poignancy and evoking emotion. Kate offers a light, patience and personality, she also becomes his sex mate.... but that’s all it will ever be. He believes he’s not capable of any other relationship. What happens when other vibes are felt? Sometimes actions speak a thousand words and this is depicted to exquisite proportions in this story. Kate handles everything with decorum, and shows an incredible strength of character. Her attitude and grace is commendable. My heart was with them both...
The occasional reflection back to earlier moments in the story timeline works so well and I loved the glimpses back to the main characters from previous stories in the series showcasing wonderfully the relationships and friendships between the women and the men. The new character Ryker is also introduced in anticipation of the next story in the series, wetting my appetite perfectly for more Cold Fury. Seriously can’t wait for that one!
Zack is my firm favourite of the series so far. It brought tears to my eyes, I found it unexpectedly emotional and then later.....My floodgates opened. This story touched my heart. It made me smile and laugh, swoon and absolutely sob! I adore this story and recommend to all who enjoy the pleasure of sexy stories about love and hope with angst ridden emotion laced all the way through.
Note: Zack, Cold Fury Hockey #3 is a Contemporary, HIGHLY SEXY, story. Its part of a series where only the characters are linked and can most definitely be enjoyed as a standalone. The prose is in the first person narrative and is told from the dual perspective of the hero and heroine.
My review thoughts for:
Alex (Cold Fury Hockey, #1)
Garret (Cold Fury Hockey, #2)
Advanced copy received for my honest review thoughts via NetGalley. -
4 Sweet Stars.
If you’ve read the previous books you know what happened to Zack. He lost his girlfriend in a car accident, making a single parent to a little boy, Ben.
Now, getting back to work he needs a full time babysitter for Ben. Enters Kate, a little geeky, wearing simple clothes to deflect man’s attention, she doesn’t make a first great impression on Zack.
But as the time passes and he sees how she is with Ben and they get to know each other better, feelings start to grow between them. And as things starts to evolve, can Zack give is heart one more time?
I’m seriously loving this series. Hot hockey players, nice heroines and steamy romance. What’s not to love?
This was a well written romance that hooked me from the beginning, but however I can’t bring myself to rate it 5 stars for one single fact: at the 77% mark the hero was still convinced that he was incapable of loving again. And I can’t deal with the fact that for most of the book he was commitment phobic due to one past relationship. Towards the end it picked up and it was seriously fantastic. If you like series with athletes, you can’t miss these books.
Rating: 4 Stars.
Characters Development: I liked Kate, she was a little nerdy and sweet and easy to like. She was a little insecure at times, but she had her reasons and some of her actions were understandable. Zack was sweet, and sexy when he wanted and it was impossible not to like. My only problem with him was his stubbornness in accepting what was right in front of him. It was nice to see more of the others, I can’t wait for Ryker’s book!
Steam: Some hot moments.
Sensible Subjects:
Love Triangle:
Cheating:
HEA:
*ARC kindly provided in exchange of honest review.* -
3.5 guilty I didn't love it more stars
Zack is a hard man to love, when I first met him in Garrett's book, my heart was tender with the tragedy that stuck him. But the reality of him set in with the opening scene and I don't know, he left me feeling cold. There were a few things about him that bothered me, did I think it was a tad too soon for all this to go down, yes in a way. He was as a man drowning in his guilt, taking it out on those who are there to help him; being insensitive and just down right rude at times.
Kate is our lovely, dorky, heroine, she was honest, kind and way too understanding of Zack. He totally lucked out with Kate, while she was totally empathetic to his grief and guilt, she didn't hold back to put him in his place at times. Not only was their bank accounts different but personality as well, he was all gloomy and grey while she was sunshine and light.
Overall I really did enjoy the story, just maybe not as much as I was hoping too and that is my issue and not the books. I look forward to the next, whose ever book it may be... I have an inkling and I'm gonna pray I'm right.
ARC kindly provided by Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
***Publisher has requested to not include any quotes from the book, sorry :( -
Zack is the third book in the Cold Fury Series and my favorite to date. I absolutely love books about single dads! So as sad as I was to read about Zack’s situation in Garrett, I was looking forward to seeing him find his HEA.
The story begins four months after the accident that killed Gina. Zack's physical wounds have healed and he will be starting back with the Fury. His sister is helping him sort through some things and hires Kate to work as Ben’s nanny. This is not a smooth transition for anyone, but watching the story unfold hit me on so many levels.
“I’m working through the guilt. Guilt that Gina died and I didn’t. Guilt she didn’t have her seat belt on and I did. Guilt I didn’t take a different route home. Guilt I didn’t get the chance to tell her one more time that I loved her before she died…”
Zack is broken, damaged and lost. He never imagined his life playing out like this and is struggling with so much guilt. This is Zack’s biggest issue and sometimes he is rude or difficult, but you can see it’s more his internal struggles. He wants what’s best for Ben, but he also doesn’t want to replace Gina’s memories. He wants to be happy again, but isn’t sure he deserves it.
Kate is one of the most selfless heroines I have ever read about, I loved her. She just graduated college and will be working on her masters in psychology in the fall. This allows her to understand Zack’s pain and feel an even greater level of empathy for him. I am not sure I would have been as patient with Zack, his behavior was frustrating at best, but Kate is a very special character.
The story really focuses on Zack learning to live again and open up. I loved these moments with Ben and Kate. Ben added a whole other level of heart and cuteness, of course. I loved seeing him and Kate grow closer.
As I said, this story is my favorite in the series. It had a ton of heart and gave me so many feels. It also had enough built in angst to keep the story moving without any unnecessary drama. The heat between Zack and Kate was off the charts. Oh and if you are a fan of sports romance, it has that too. This story was the perfect read and I highly recommend it.
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
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4.5 Stars!
(ARC provided by Netgalley)
(BR with Patty)
Zack Grantham is a 27 yr. old heartbroken guy who feels dead inside after a car accident forever changed his life, & made him a single dad. He lives in Raleigh, North Carolina, and is the left winger for the professional hockey team The Cold Fury. He's been out of the lineup for about 4 months because of a fractured wrist. After missing the 1st half of the season, Zack is anxious to get back on the ice. The only things that still keep him going are hockey and his 3 yr. old son Ben.
In order to return to the team, Zack needs to hire a nanny for Ben. He's still taking life one day at a time, & not in a good place emotionally, so his sister helps him out by interviewing nannies. His sister hires a 23 yr. old woman who after speaking with she feels will be the perfect fit for Zack & Ben. Her name is Kate Francis.
Kate is a very down to earth, kinda geeky looking student who doesn't put any effort into her appearance. She grew up poor, & has never really cared about getting the attention of the opposite sex. That is until she develops a huge crush on her gorgeous hockey star employer. He melts her heart with what a loving devoted dad he is, and she also quickly falls in love with his precious son. As a single dad trying not to be consumed by his pain, Zack doesn't date or have time for women, but one evening when he see's his nanny not covered up in all her baggy clothes, he can't help the attraction he feels for her. He can't quit thinking about her & finds himself lusting over Ben's nanny. Even though they want to keep things professional, they soon give in to the passion they can't deny any longer.
Zack & Kate enter into a physical relationship. It's been so long since Zack has allowed himself to feel. These intense feelings for Kate scare him & he is starting to have trouble keeping things purely physical. He keeps sending her mixed signals & confusing her. He thinks he's too broken to be with anyone. They struggle & he has to decide if he's going to take a chance on love & risk his heart again.
As usual Sawyer Bennett wrote another fabulous book in this series! So deliciously hot & full of emotion. I love all the Cold Fury men & can't wait for Ryker up next! :D -
3.5 stars!
Zack had it good. He's a professional hockey player with a gorgeous doting girlfriend and a son. Life was good until it threw him a curve ball. His life was suddenly upended when he lost his long time girlfriend, Gina, in a car accident. He loved her but he felt guilty for not giving her the thing she wanted most: His Name.
A couple of months ago I said this:Ugh. I absolutely hated what happened to Zack in the previous book. I wanted a story with his girlfriend. I wanted to know why he didn't marry her. I wanna know why he took her for granted.
I was prepared to hate the book but I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed it. There were a few bumps in the writing which I wasn't too crazy about including some misogynistic undertones where the heroine acknowledged that she shouldn't "wear clothes like that" so she won't get "noticed" by boys. And by noticed, I meant, mauled. It irked me but it wasn't enough to derail my enjoyment for the book.
Back to my previous comment. I said I wanted to know why Zack never married Gina before her untimely death, and I finally got an answer. It's something that I'm conflicted about but it worked really well with this book. Gina's presence was acknowledged enough without her taking over the whole story. Zack did take his time getting his head out of his ass but it was understandable considering the circumstances.
But what made this book for me was the heroine, Kate. She was open with her feelings but had enough decency to talk away when it became too much. She was the best heroine in the series for me thus far.
Overall, I liked this very much and I'm looking forward to reading more from this series.
ARC provided by LoveSwept via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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Can't wait to get started!
Update:
Totally adored this book, largely due to the plucky, adorkable heroine (23 year-old nanny Kate) although grieving (essentially but not technically a) widower hockey stud Zack was no slouch himself. But god, did he almost destroy a good thing with his guilt...
Kate...
Zack...
Loved everything about it, and it made me cry so hard during the last few chapters, I had to take a small break from it. What a winner! Full review closer to release date in June...5+ stars
Looking forward to the next book in this series,
Ryker. Loving this series and this writer!
*My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC -
3.5 “Hell on Skates” Stars
”Kate…you touch me in a way that no other human being ever has. I’m not sure if it’s your spirit and determination or your kindness. The way you care for Ben. Hell, maybe it’s your dorky ways, because all I know is that you make me laugh. You make my world bright again. You make it brighter than it ever has been before. You were what was missing from my life and I’m not going to let that get away.”.
I need to start off by saying that I really enjoyed this book. After reading all three Cold Fury tales, I can say with some degree of certainty that Sawyer Bennett can write a mean contemporary romance. That being said, one of my biggest pet peeves in my travels through CR land has been the character that refuses to take their head out of their ass in a timely manner. Ladies and Gentlemen…meet Zack.
”I don’t want this to be just one time. But it’s just sex for me. It’s not a relationship.
Zack was in a serious relationship for years and ended up losing her in a car accident four months prior to the beginning of this story. Kate’s the nanny hired by Zack to help take care of his three year old son. Ms. Kate's so very steeped in goodness and optimism that, swear to god, Sawyer Bennett must be a genius to have found a way for my sarcastic, skeptical self to find a way to relate to this loveable, dorky character. But relate I did and when the sexy times picks up between these two as you know it’s going to, I knew my heart was going to break a little when it all went to hell.
What I loved most about this story was Kate. She spent her life taking care of herself and the folks she loved without a word of complaint and still managed to come out the other side with her degree and pride intact. I hesitate to use the word “adorkable” from the book, but she was so I’m just going to go with it.
Why the 3.5 instead of a 4 star? I’m so tired of the main plot of the story being the fact that character A truly has feelings for character B but can’t commit due to feelings of guilt, shame, inadequacy, you name it. Zack didn’t really get with the program until the 90% mark and that is just too damn long for me to go without some decent crawl on your knees, I want you back action. And that never really happened, either. So while the writing is beyond solid and I’m so glad I had the opportunity to read this, I may not be doing a Zack reread anytime soon.
ARC provided by the publisher via NetGally in exchange for an honest review -
4.5 guitly stars
Whenever I open a book from Sawyer Bennett, I know I'm going to have a good time. I know that I will like what she has written and I'm always eager to discover what new story she has to offer.
With her Cold Fury series, we are carry over a world of sports and it was a true delight to read about Alex and Garrett but after what happened in Garrett's book I was more than ready for Zack. And once again Sawyer Bennett didn't disappoint.
I think Zack is for the moment my fav' in the series. I had so many questions for him, so many expectations and there were all met!
I know Zack is a stand-alone but to fully understand everything I would suggest to read at least Garrett first. Moreover there's some revelation in the book about Garrett's couple and it would be a different experience if you read this one before.
After the loss of his girlfriend Gina, Zack is left alone with Ben, his little boy. During his recovery, he had no problem taking care of him but here's come a time when he has to go back to practice and to the game. He has to hire someone to take care of Ben when he won't be around. And that person would be Kate.
I think I've never seen a more understanding person than her. Kate is a funny girl, always babbling when she is nervous (and she is nervous a lot), always honest and very caring about everyone around her. I think she could be the perfect character. She knows how hard it can be for Zack but she's not taking his bullshit. She never let her enthusiasm weaken, she is a good person to Ben and to Zack, it's the most important thing.
While at first, Zack doesn't want to like the girl, he can't stop himself to being drawn to her.
In the previous months, he never really connects with someone. After the loss of Ben's Mom, and because of the guilt he is feeling he doesn't really want someone else around and especially not Kate! He feels guilty because someone else will raise Ben and he never wanted that for him.
The lines between them will blur quickly, the attraction is there but Zack doesn't want to get attached. He is scared, he is insecure and he is most certainly not ready to move on. Once again he feels guilty because maybe it's too soon.
What I've liked the most between them both was how honest they were. Never in the book, there's false hope. And as the perfect character she is, Kate never hold it against him. She is patient, maybe she hopes too much for Zack to love her but at the same time she is very clever when it comes to him
Once again Sawyer Bennett made me love her books and if you are looking for a sexy book dealing with painful subjects with a little sensitivity touch, lots of laugh, lots of love, Zack is the one ;)
~ Posted just after I finished reading~
~ARC provided by publisher for an honest review~
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ARC provided by publisher in exchange of honest review
Sawyer Bennett...if you are reading this review, I just want to start off and say thank you for writing a kick ass heroine. I may have a girl crush on Roberta Kate Francis.
I unquestionably loved Zack by Sawyer Bennett. ZACK is the second book that I have read from Ms. Bennett. And when I first read her novella in The Night Shift Anthology, I was hooked with her writing and was beyond excited to read another book from her. And let me tell you, she does not disappoint her readers with ZACK. The writing and storytelling was one of those books that you had to get lost in. I was completely engrossed with the emotional torment of Zack. Ms. Bennett was able to consume her readers in the encumbered emotional journey of a man learning to come to acceptance of his own torment of guilt and remorse, and finding his own personal light in his darkness. And his light and hope came in the form of a woman who awakened his heart. A woman who challenged him. A woman who brought laughter with her cheesy moments. A woman who made him see that LOVE is standing right in front of him.
Guilt. That five letter word has the power to destroy and crush you emotionally and physically whether you deserve it or not. It can be a burden that can haunt you from truly living. And for Zack Grantham, his guilt was slowly crushing him from living and accepting the death of his girlfriend Gina, the mother of his son, Ben. For Zack, he feels responsible for her death and that anguish consumed him like venom. Four months had passed after her death and Zack is living in a state of numbness, anger, regret, and remorse. When it was time for him to get back on track on his hockey career, he needed to find a nanny to watch over his son. We all know the saying when one door opens, another opens. And for Zack, the door to bring him out his darkness came in the form of a beautiful, goofy, nerdy and sassy nanny, Roberta Kate Francis aka Kate.
Kate's bright and sparkly personality is the antithesis of Zack. She was someone who challenged him and made him see that she will not cower to his coarse personality. There was no denying it that the darkness that consumed Zack was slowly fading when Kate was constantly reminding him that he is not responsible for Gina's death since it was an accident. Yes, it was a tragic accident but it was an accident nonetheless that Zack must learn to accept that he can't burden himself with the what if question scenarios.
Emotionally Zack was burdened and crushed with guilt but physically was attracted to Kate. He wanted her. He wanted sex to erase the pain and Kate was the only woman who awakened and stirred something in his life. Right off the bat, Zack made it known that his physical relationship with Kate was just sex and he couldn't offer her more. Kate knew what she was getting into when she started off this sexual relationship with Zack. It would be their personal secret. But what happens when the lines of physical and emotional connections gets blurred? Will they able to stay within the lines or will Zack skate across the lines and realize that his second chance at happiness and love is Kate? Or will Zack's guilt of replacing Gina be his downfall? Can Kate make Zack see he is worthy to love and live again?
The sexual chemistry between Zack and Kate was HOT!!! It seriously would have you melting. What I love about this book is how true and raw, Zack Grantham is. Yes, he may come off across as an asshole to some but that was not the case for me. He was a man who was hurting and I totally understood his emotional torment. And if I was to really think about it and was in his shoes, I would have behaved the same way Zack did. The raw vulnerability that Ms. Bennett was able to present in the story line stole and gripped my heart. It allowed me as a reader to be fully immersed into his emotional and touching journey of living and finding love. And as for Kate, I have nothing but high praises for Ms. Bennett as she wrote one of my favorite heroines. I absolutely adore Kate and her vibrant personality. I loved that she was not weak but one of those heroines who will steal your heart instantly. She was truly the light in Zack Grantham's life.
All I can say is that the writing was superb and the story telling was riveting. And Sawyer Bennett will have you enamored with such a beautiful tale of hope, second chances of life and love. So if you want to read a book that intertwines romance and encompasses a journey of heart then Zack is the book for you.
Review can also be found on Four Chicks Flipping Pages:
http://fourchicksflippingpages.weebly...
Sawyer Bennett -
***5 "HOS" aka "Hell On Skates" big stars***
That was absolutely... fantastic!!!
I think that the third book of this series is my favorite!!
I loved Zack and i really loved Kate, even though i had my doubts in the beginning...
You see, in the previous two books we saw Zack all the time to be stucked with Gina, so i wasn't sure how this going to work...
But let me explain you some pre-history...
Zack and Gina were highschool sweethearts...
They were so in love even though they counted seven years as a couple...
Oh, they also had a son together even though they haven't get married yet!!! But they were living together and raised their son together...
But one night, tragedy struck and Gina died in a car accident...
So... Now, Zack after four months of grief and guilts, he is about to return on the arena field...
But he's going to need help with his son, Ben... So, with his sister's help, he is hiring Kate...
Kate is a little bit different from the most women.
She wears buggy clothes, huge glasses and she always had her hair on a bun on her head...
She is bubbling all the time and she likes to be a dork... She really enjoyed to make all the people around her to laugh...
Zack doesn't appreciate her sense of humor too much in the beginning and he is hesistant toward her, but when he sees her with Ben, he is deciding to give her a try...
Kate love kids and Ben especially... She needs this job because she have some big goals in her life, but she really care about this child and soon enough she will start to care even more about his father...
Zack from the other hand, he is caring too much guilt inside him... Guilts mostly about Gina...
Guilts that hold him behind... He can't get away from the darkness that surrounds him and he can not feel anything at all as much as he is trying...
The only things that keeps him alive is Ben and hockey...
But something is changing with the new nanny's presence...
Her dorky ways made him smile and when he discovers what is hiding behind the baggy clothes and the thick glass he started to feel again...
But the guilts are too big and they had put deep roots inside of him...
Zack and Kate finally got carried away in this passion between them...
But Zack set some boundaries between them...
They will have sex and nothing more... and Kate accepted this concept...
But can she manage to not involve her feelings??? Will she bare it???
And Zack will manage to stick on those boundaries himself???
And what will happen when they overstep those boundaries???
They will manage to earn happiness or that fact will tear them apart forever????
I really liked this book even though in the beginning i was crying like a baby...
All this loss and pain from Gina's death made my heart bleeding...
But then comes the light to sent away the darkness with Kate's form... and everything were so good...
I didn't like that Alex was suffering of this kind of guilts, but i really liked the way that he were with his son....
I didn't like the fact that he refused to acknowledge his true feelings and some times he hurt badly Kate, but i understand that he was a heartbroken person who was trying to protect himself from further pain...
As for Kate??? She was such a great person...
She was kind, funny, beautiful inside and outside and she was having so much understanding and determination...
Sometimes all this understanding especially toward Zack's idiotic behaviour was driving me nuts, but she had so much faith in him that i can forgive her anything!!!
She was just awesome....
But i think that i told you already too much about this book and you really should try it by yourselves!!!
Now, i will go straight to Ryker's story!!!
A nice guy at the end of his career, freshly divorced and with two little girls to raise??? Hell, yes!!!
Oh, forgive me!!!! I forgot to tell you about my biggest love of them all!!! Ben!!!
He was such a sweetheart... I really love this small rug rat!!! He was such a lovely kid!!!!
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★4.5★
""I'm still hell on skates."
Zack is the third book in the Cold Fury Hockey Series and to say I have become obsessed with the men of this hockey team is the understatement of the century. After getting to know Zack in Garrett, I was DYING to get my hands on this read!
Zack has just lost his girlfriend and the mother of his child in a tragic accident. The tragedy has affected his personal life and his professional life. Although his family and teammates have tried to support him and offer him, love, Zack is angry and hurting. When he decides to hire a Nanny to care for his son, Kate enters his life and instantly his whole world changes. Kate is a graduate student who has worked hard to find success in her life. She has always camouflaged her looks in order to not attract attention from men. Zack is very attracted to Kate and although it is so wrong for him to want to move on from his losses, Kate prooves to be someone he is desperate to have. Being the caretaker of Zack's little boy has given her financial stability, a company of new friends, and one sexy broody hockey player who is constantly in her space. As Zack battles with his emotions of letting go of his losses and moving on with Kate, the struggle is real. After a short time, a forbidden romance blooms and although passion was supposed to be the only thing on the menu, it doesn't take these two very long to fall madly and deeply in love.
"Tenderness well up inside me.
Told in dual POV, Zack is a truly beautiful romance with healing and unforgettable moments of joy. The transformation that Zack takes as he grows closer to Kate is unforgettable. I felt so deeply for both characters. The way in which Kate was able to offer comfort to Zack and still be a strong independent woman was truly an inspiration. The moments where Zack was weak, Kate was so strong. I am always fearful of reading a book when there has been a lost loved one because sometimes it feels so heartbreaking to have that third person in the picture and yet, the way in which Zack was able to honor his girlfriend by finding healing with Kate was truly remarkable. I love when I can read a book and experience a spectrum of emotions all in one book. With the tears came much laughter, joy, and love!
And gratitude.""The best thing in the world is a never-ending mutual orgasm with Kate."
Overall, Zack is by far my favorite of the Cold Fury Hockey Series to date. I absolutely adored both Kate and Zack and the family they created. This book has passion, romance, hockey action, and it is a truly beautiful story of healing. I cannot recommend this series enough and ZACK is an absolute MUST read from this series!
***Cold Fury Hockey***
For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:
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![Michelle [Helen Geek]](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/users/1448463806i/5557851._CR0,13,200,200_.jpg)
03/23/2015 --
I like Sawyer Bennett. I like the stuffing out of her. I'm really enjoying her Cold Fury Hockey series too. But. The dreaded but .. I didn't really care for Zack the person.
Technically, this book is sound. The story is sound. The character development .. sound. I just didn't like Zack. Why? Maybe I'm being a bit judgmental, but I don't think so. Why?
Here goes:
1 -- When I read Zack and Gina in previous books, they seemed close and in love. They had a good arrangement that worked for them. They weren't married, but were childhood sweethearts and had a baby together. They both wanted Zack to focus on his career and weren't in any hurry to marry -- they knew they loved each other. Right?
So, what the hell? Gina died in the car accident and Zack was devastated. He was injured and had to heal himself, take care of his little boy and recover from the loss of Gina.
Queue up this book. It is four months later [remember this, because it will be important later]. The wrist has healed and he's ready to get out on the ice. He needs a nanny for his kiddo. Oh, but wait ... He is worried about his man parts [aka cock] feeling anything so he goes to a strip club [not for the first time -- he's rather worried]. This is where this book starts -- him trying to see if anything will get hard ever again.
Okay guys. It's only been 4 months and he's had quite a bit on his mind. This just didn't feel real and if it is, he seems very self centered and rather shallow.
2 -- Then we have queen of nerd [aka Roberta or better yet, Kate] show up to be the nanny. He is beyond rude because he hates to see his son being cared for by anyone other than his Gina. Okay -- maybe not logical, but you can see where he'd be a bit distraught.
The nanny begins to grow on him because the bear cub really likes her.
Hark!! The nerdy girl [aka Ugly Duckling] actually is a beautiful swan and he is in lust. His dick is hard now for the first time in four months. Doesn't matter she is a beautiful person, she has great tits and a delectable, sweetheart shaped ass.
HE. IS. AN. ASS.
3 -- So now, he begins to realize he probably never loved Gina as much as he should have or he would have married her. Something was always missing. They were growing apart. He was saving himself for that special, certain person and doesn't feel that Gina was that for him. The girl is dead. Dead. Did I tell you FOUR months has passed since the accident that killed this girl "he did not love enough"???
He begins to have fantabulous sex with the nanny and feels more than he should because .. how can he feel for her what he didn't feel for Gina because .. well .. she's the nanny.
4 -- So, he treats this nanny [Kate] like the crap stuck to his shoe that he can't quite scrape off.
What a horrid man. And even worse, this Kate person puts up with his shite. Gah!
So, now for my rating.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Overall Rating = 3 Stars
Book Cover / Book Blurb / Book Title = 4 / 4 / 4 = 4 Stars
Writer’s Voice = 4 Stars
Character / Secondary Character Development = 3 / 4 = 3.5 Stars
“Did I like” Hero / Heroine = 1 / 3 = 2 Stars
Story / Background Story Development = 2 / 2 = 2 Stars
“Did I like the Damned Thing” = 2 Stars
Ending = n/a Stars
Worth the Chili = 4 Stars -- [$3.99 on Amazon]
Smexy [HEAT] Rating = Steamy
~300 pages
First sentence: The overhead lights go out, and the club would be in total darkness if not for the recessed lights that edge the perimeter of the stage.
ARC provided by Loveswept Random House LLC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest, impartial review. -
I am conflicted on rating this book. It was amusing to read as Kate was a nanny and Zack being the single parent who recently lost the mother of their child. Kate was adorable with her witty comebacks and sense of humor.
I understand the hesitation on Zack side since it barely been months since Gina died and grief is something else.
I absolutely adored the friendship and the bond between Zack and Ryker. -
It was cute, it really was.
There were some stuff I didn't like, well not really that I didn't like them but they felt kinda off... like .
But even so, I found this book pretty cute, I like the plot and the characters, for better or worse. Liked their chemistry (more or less) and the author's voice. All in all, it was a good read :) -
4.5* for Zack his story continues from Garrett book 2 in the Cold Fury Hockey series.
Zack needs a nanny for little Ben enter Kate who his big sister hired.
Zack takes an instant dislike to Kate going off appearance alone she is wearing old baggy clothes, big glasses and her hair is up in a tight bun and she won’t stop babbling.
Kate has her reasons for the way she dresses and does her hair and she has not got the money to go splashing on clothes.
What is going to happen between them when Zack gets to know and see the real Kate? Will Zack ever be able to move past his guilt so they can have a chance at a future together?
This story is full of steam, funny banter and emotion everything you expect from a Sawywer Bennett book.
Love this series waiting for Ryker NOW.
ARC kindly provided by Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept via NetGalley for an honest review. -
4 - "No more hiding." Stars!
Zack is one of the books released in 2015 that I have waited impatiently to read, after finishing Garrett back in February, I just knew going into this book (if you have read its predecessor) that it had huge potential to tug on the heartstrings, and it did; not quite as much as I was expecting it too, but it was still a really enjoyable and emotional read.
This book picks up around three months after the end of Garrett, Zack Grantham is still very much dealing with the grief and adjustments to his life, since the death of his girlfriend Gina in a car crash, a car that he was driving and an accident that he blames himself for. Now a single father to a young son, moving forward, feeling anything and getting on with his life feel like impassable obstacles.
Then the new nanny arrives in the shape of Kate Francis, a quirky, geeky, bubbly woman who at first glance, you wouldn’t think deserves a second look. And the icy walls that have surrounded Zack’s thoughts, feelings and general day to day living slowly starts to melt with the continued exposure to her sunny personality.
I’m desperate for something to get me out of this dark place I’ve been living in.
The romance in this instalment of the Cold Fury Hockey series is a bit of a slow burn, and the first 50% is more about Zack dealing with his guilt for Gina’s death, and then his attraction to Kate, and then the guilt because of his attraction to Kate. Sawyer handled it perfectly it wasn’t over-done, the drama and angst levels were enough to make me invested as a reader, but not too much that I got annoyed with it. I liked this couple together, the second half was a little predictable, but I didn’t mind that because it was so well written I still found it enjoyable, and easy to immerse myself in.
Another big positive for this book is that Zack spends a bit of time with Ryker Evans; new Goalie for the Cold Fury Team, and his book is up next, this is a guy who is slightly further along with his career, and I am interested to see how Sawyer handles his story, what with two young children, and major life decisions looming on his horizon.
ARC generously provided via Netgalley, and it was my pleasure to provide the above honest review. -
This review can also be found at
Carole's Random Life.
4.5 Stars!
I absolutely loved this book! The funny thing is that if one of my friends had told me about this book I don't think I would have picked it up based on the description. I just would have never thought that I would like a story about a man falling for his son's nanny as much as I did. I am kind of wondering now how many other awesome books I have missed out on because I can't see past the basic description.
This is the third book in the Cold Fury Hockey series. While I think that this book could be read as a stand alone, I think that readers will definitely want to reading the preceding book in the series,
Garrett, before jumping into this one because some really important events happen to Zach in that story that really lay the groundwork for this story.
I loved these characters to pieces. Zach is really having a tough time dealing with his grief and his guilt. He starts this story out seeming so incredibly lost. Kate is smart and says exactly what she is thinking. Her life has not been easy but she is the type of person who just jumps in and starts doing the things that need to be done.
The chemistry between these two was off the charts. I almost felt like my kindle was smoking a time or two because the scenes were just so full of sexual tension. Even though they promise each other that what they have is just sex, it will come as no surprise to anyone that they end up falling for each other. The end result of the book may not have been a mystery but the journey there was such a wonderful story to read.
I would highly recommend this book to romance fans. This is the second book by Sawyer Bennett that I have read and I am seriously wondering why I haven't read more for this talented author. I plan to go back and read the first book in this series very soon.
I received a copy of this book from Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept via NetGalley for the purpose of providing an honest review. -
Not exactly an easy book to read, however, after the previous expecting - a sea of tears - it was quite pleasant. A lot of guilty, but also laughter and fun. Thanks for that to heroine!
"It’s like being in a dark room and coming out into the sunshine…the bright light welcoming, but painful at the same time."
***Quick Review:***
Series: The third book in the Cold Fury Hockey series.
Grade: Erotic and Sports Romance
Main characters: Zack is Cold Fury Hockey player. He lost a loved one in an accident, and remained alone with his son Ben. Kate need money to school and becomes a living-in nanny to Ben.
Secondary characters: Several scenes from the life of the heroes of previous books, is always welcome. We meet here also, the hero of the fourth part, Ryker. Looks promising! He showed up very well in this part.
Steamy: Yeah. A lot hot scenes.
Sensitive topic:
Love triangle:
Cheating:
Cliffhanger:
HEA:
For who I would recommend? For someone who like sports romance with emotional rollercoaster and some hot sex scenes.
***
About the plot: After the accident, the death of Ben's mother and Zack's rehabilitation, it is time to return to the Cold Fury arena to Zack. But in order to do this he need help to care for Ben. This job thanks to his sister, gets a young girl who needs money to learn and live, Kate. She comes from a poor family. Despite this, her personality is bubbly, bright and cheerful. This is quite in contrast to Zack who, after an accident feels a lot remorse and guilty.
Kate tries to cheer up his life and takes care of his son. At the beginning it was more annoyed and irritated to him. But over time, she breaks through his walls. When one evening he sees her in quite a different light appears feelings of desire. Zack tries not give up to this attraction. Here is a lot mixed signals. But when they give themselves pleasure everything it's hot and correctly. Despite the fact that from the very beginning between them is just sex, boundaries are blurred and expectations are increasing.
The problem lies in the fact that Zack blinded by grief, did not want to give any chance true feelings. And Kate full of hope and understanding tries to help him, not looking at it that at the end she will be hurt.
Final thoughts: There is one quote in the book, which useful expressing what I feel in relation to Zack.
"Stupid man.
Sweet man.
I'm not sure if I want to hit him or hug him."
It is exactly that. You feel compassion for Zack. But when it comes to Kate and how he treats this wonderful girl, your feelings about him firmly change. There were moments in which he hurt her, and she accepted it with raised head. Thanks to him, however, she found self-confidence. So you can not say that he is quite that bad. And he is a great dad to Ben, who, of course, is amazing little boy too.
I loved the story and how everything is in full swing and being built. The cons for me, it is that somewhere in the middle I felt a little bored. I would like to make it faster, and at the end a little slower. If that makes any sense. I do not want to give too many spoilers. Anyway I adore this series and I will definitely continue it.
Next in the series? Yes! I can not wait to read about Ryker. -
4 Stars
(May contain spoilers if you have not read
Garrett)
I wanted to hug Zack, cuddle him, and never let him go! Zack lost his girlfriend, Gina, in a car accident and is now a single parent to his son, Ben. Living with guilt over his past relationship with Gina, Zack has a hard time moving on and just goes through the motions of life trying to be normal for Ben's sake. Normal includes returning to his team, Cold Fury, now that his injury is healed fully.
Kate is Zack's new nanny. A dorky, absolutely not shy, sweet girl who is used to hiding from the world, in particular the male population of the world. She hides under baggy clothes and big glasses to keep attention away from her, but Zack see's what is beneath the clothes (immature giggle) to the woman who babbles when she's nervous and is so dorky it's cute.
I LOVED these characters! Zack shows Kate that not all male attention is bad, giving her more confidence in herself. Kate doesn't give up on Zack and forces him to start living his life again, without regret. I think they were absolutely perfect together and I loved reading about both of them growing and healing from past wounds. Kate was so amazingly sweet and funny - definitely my favorite heroine of this series so far.
The story dragged me in and wouldn't let me go until the very end. It was so good and killed my emotions, especially those last few chapters! Definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves a hottie hockey player, a nerdy heroine, and can deal with balling their eyes out over fictional characters.
ARC kindly provided by Random House Publishing Group - Loveswept via NetGalley for an honest review. -
4.5 stars
LOVED LOVED LOVED!
After that depressing book slump.. this book was a boon! The heroine in this book was the best- the kindest,sweetest, sexiest, most understanding person Zack had the fortune to meet. Their relationship gradually progressed and i loved the way Zack learnt to hang onto Kate. This book deals with a dead ex, so may not be the book for everyone. I appreciated Kate's baby steps in approaching Zack, all the while keeping a logical mindset. They were meant for each other from the get-go so it was fun watching Zack ditch his guilt and give into his true feelings.
Lesson also learnt: When all else fails, always revert back to you favourite authours. Sawyer Bennet is an amazing authour and she's one of my go-to's for a feel good sorta day. -
Zack, oh Zack ...
you almost lost me Zack! I was so close to really disliking you ... and then you pulled your head out of your ass & I decided you were really just a wounded, grieving guy after all & not a completely self-absorbed, inconsiderate jerk. Even though you did the standard guy thing of ignoring your own damn feelings, at least you did it for good reasons. And, I do need to give you props, because you really are a fantastic father. The way you put your little boy ahead of everyone & everything … that really did melt my heart.
Well, Zack ... you may have won me over in the end ... but I was really fucking frustrated getting to that point! Thank goodness for Kate! Without her, I think might have given up.
Kate was completely brilliant, even when being a total goofball. I found her to be charming & witty - I’m not sure if that was despite her dorkiness, or because of it - but she had me smiling throughout my read.
Zack, you are so lucky you had a good story & a good woman backing you up! I forgive you for not being everything I had expected you to be … perhaps I was just putting you on a pedestal … holding you to a standard you couldn’t achieve. Sorry about that. I guess Garrett still had most of my heart.
Now I need to know more about your teammate, Ryker! Gimme, gimme!
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.* -
Zack was a jerk.
I was very sorry for Gina. She definitely deserved a better man!
The only HEA I saw, Gina would be alive, would dump H and find a real man, who loved her.
I was NOT ok with the fact that he moved on only a couple of months after the death of his beloved woman = the mother of his child. Common, the whole issue with not want to marry Gina after many years together, but to propose to h after short time is just so insulting! So sorry, Gina!!!
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2.5 too soon stars
Zack Grantham lost the woman he has loved since high school in an automobile accident 4 months ago that he largely blames himself for. His guilt is not only because of the accident; Zack also feels he didn't give Gina what she wanted and what he thinks she deserved: the commitment of marriage. While she always seemed to know he was the one, and while Zack loved her, it just felt like something was missing.
Since the accident, Zack has since been sidelined because of the injury he sustained to his wrist, but he is chomping at the bit to get back on the ice to give himself something to focus on and take his mind off his guilt. The only good thing about the last few months is that he has gotten to spend time with his 4 year old son Ben. But now that he is nearing his end of rehab, he will need someone to watch Ben for him when he is at practice and at away games, and his sister has found him the perfect live-in nanny. But when he opens the door to greet this paragon of all things maternal, he finds a sloppily dressed, hair in a tight bun, glasses front and center child-looking hot mess.
Kate Francis (she goes by her middle name since her father named her after him, and Roberta is not the kind of name that works for a young person) has hidden herself away after an unfortunate encounter with teenage boys that began to notice her feminine attributes when she was 13 years old. That, coupled with growing up dirt poor, meant she wore her older brother's old clothes or even her father's - bulky sweatshirts and sweatpants that hide her womanly figure. She also puts her hair up and wears her glasses more often than necessary to disguise her features, and she has never worried about or wanted to look particularly feminine... until she comes face to face with the hunky hockey player she has fantasized about and is now working for. But she also knows he has recently lost the mother of his son and presumably the love of his life, and the chances of him wanting her are slim to none as that is what she has experienced her whole life. So what happens when she encounters him on an ice cream run late one night wearing a cami and tight shorts with her hair down and her glasses nowhere to be found? Is it possible Zack might want more from her than just an employee-employer relationship? And can Kate keep things casual on her end so that she doesn't risk her heart?
What I liked:
--- I liked Zack as a hot H, though at times he was pretty crappy to Kate; Kate was cute and a little dorky which made her more relatable
--- Recurrence of the characters from other stories (especially Alex and Sutton)
--- The steamy goodness was definitely hot (and frequent once it got rolling)
What I didn't like as much:
--- It just felt too soon to be writing Zack's story - Gina, the woman he had been with for pretty much ever minus a couple of years when he was sowing wild oats when he first got into the NHL JUST died; the accident happened at the end of the previous book.... I feel like we could have gone a couple more books and then come back to Zack bc for me, this whole relationship with Kate was cheapened by the short time frame that he suddenly found the love of his life in a 23 year old nanny (not at all realistic)
--- The chemistry was hot, but for me, there wasn't any emotional connection that seemed to develop on Zack's end, so for him to decide he not only loved Kate but wanted to marry her after refusing to marry Gina for so many years didn't work at all
--- There was a flashback/memory scene where Kate recalled the time the teenage boys tried to molest her that really sat wrong with me bc though a teacher "saved her" from being assaulted, that teacher chastised her for what she was wearing (her older sister's hand me downs; the older sister was apparently promiscuous), and Kate agreed with her that her clothes sent the wrong message. NO. JUST NO. I don't give a flying fuck if she was wearing pasties and a thong; no one invites sexual misconduct just by the way she dresses
Overall, this was a steamy story, but it lacked depth and emotional connection between the characters.... and it was just too soon for Zack to "move on" in my opinion.
Plot --- 2.5/5
Main Charac2ters --- 3.5/5
Supporting Cast --- 4/5
Steam Level* --- 4/5
Violence --- nothing comes to mind
Language --- yes
POV --- Dual
*Note that steam level is not a rating so much as a how hot was it: 0/5 - clean; 1/5 - mild (nothing descriptive); 2/5 - 3rd base action/1 home run; 3/5 - now we're getting somewhere (a couple of full-on steamy scenes); 4/5 - yes please! (erotica territory); 5/5 - they did EVERYTHING in this one, y'all -
4 Baby Daddy Stars
I’m slowly making my way through the series, I’ve been skipping around the books because I’m just crazy like that. I had to read Zack’s story because he’s *GASP* a SINGLE DAD! Yup, my heart just swoon a little and I got a big smile on my face.
I did the audio version. I really like listening to these books on audio because it’s really light and easy to listen to. I feel like I can stop at any moment and pick it up at any time. I also love dual narration, so whenever there’s a male narrator too, I’m all over that. I have no complaints when it comes to the audio.
Zack is a single dad. His baby mama died in a car accident and Zack has major guilt over this. He wants to be the best father he can be for his child, but it’s hard raising a kid on his own. He needs a nanny for when he’s away on the ice.
Kate is a sweet girl. She’s the type of girl you want to take care of your kids and bake them cookies. She loves Zack’s son and working in a household with a hot hockey player isn’t a bad job. Zack is really attracted to Kate. Kate isn’t your typical girl, she wears baggy clothes, no make-up and has eye glasses. But that doesn’t stop Zack from admiring her, even though he knows it’s really wrong to start anything with the nanny.
I really like the premise of the story. I love a single-parent book and I loved that Kate and Zack live in the same household. You can really feel the tension between the two and you just want them to get together. Zack’s past holds him back and it was a little hard to get through sometimes. He pushes Kate back A LOT and even the more frustrating part is that Kate allows it.
I just wanted to scream at Kate that she could do better. I enjoyed having the previous character in the book and the future characters as well. It’s like one big happy family.
Overall, it’s a nice audio book, it was a bit frustrating at times, so the tension is high, but the storyline is good.
ALEX #1
AMAZON |
REVIEW
GARRETT #2
AMAZON
ZACK #3
AMAZON
RYKER #4
AMAZON
HAWKE #5
AMAZON |
REVIEW
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Review to come!
