USA TODAY BESTSELLER • When the Carolina Cold Fury’s hottest young star gets blindsided by an ex with a scandalous secret, it’s game on. “One of the best voices in contemporary romance.”—New York Times bestselling author Lauren Layne 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 … 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. . . .
Praise for Marek
“Another five-star read from Sawyer Bennett! A second-chance roller coaster of emotions. I was cheering for Marek from page one. Loved it.”—USA Today bestselling author Sidney Halston
“Marek is a steamy, emotional, second-chance romance that had me rooting for both deeply scarred characters. Sawyer Bennett neverdisappoints.”—Gillian Archer, author of Rough Ride
“Just when I think the Carolina Cold Fury Hockey series couldn’t possibly get any better, Sawyer Bennett gives us Marek!”—Steph and Chris’s Book Review (five stars)
The Carolina Cold Fury series from New York Times bestselling author Sawyer Bennett can be read together or separately:
ALEX
GARRETT
ZACK
RYKER
HAWKE
MAX
ROMAN
LUCAS
VAN
REED
MAREK
And don’t miss her Arizona Vengeance series:
BISHOP
ERIK
LEGEND
The Love Hurts series features sexy standalone novels:
SEX IN THE STICKS
JILTED
And the Sugar Bowl series is one treat you’ll want to read in order:
SUGAR DADDY
SUGAR RUSH
SUGAR FREE
Includes an excerpt from another Loveswept title.
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Sawyer Bennett has done it yet again!!! I became a total Sawyer Bennett fan when I was introduced to the Cold Fury series when I had the opportunity to read Zack the 3rd book in the series via NetGalley. I have read EACH AND EVERY that Ms. Bennett has written since.
OH! MY! GOSH!!! MAREK!!! I freaking love him. My heart freaking broke for him when he found out about his daughter, she is a total sweetie in this book, and in my opinion sort of steals the heart as well. I fully understand why Gracen let Marek go. She wanted Marek to have his dream, but I still wanted to smack her.
I loved watching Marek and Gracen fall back in love and start to remember why they loved each other in the first place. I loved reading about Marek learning how to be a “dad”. I just wanted to squeeze the stuffing out of all three of them. The first time Lilly…. Stop no spoilers. SIGH!!!
Thank you, Sawyer Bennett for sharing your phenomenal gift of writing with your readers. You give us hours and hours of reading enjoyment every time you release a book.
I was gifted with a copy of this phenomenal book for my reading enjoyment and I have to say, I could not put it down when I was reading it over Easter. I just forgot to write a review. Now, I am correcting that mistake.
Kudos Ms. Bennett on a SPECTACULAR BOOK!!!
Thank you for reading my review. COLD FURY RULE!!!!!
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!
**I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Readers Copy of this book**
4.9 Stars
We’re back with the hotties from the Carolina Hockey team!
MAREK.
In the last book he found out that his ex is getting married to the biggest idiot in their home town. He ran back home to stop the wedding. And bam. Suddenly he finds out he has a three year old daughter. Lilly.
Gracen never told him about her because he left to concentrate on becoming a famous hockey player.
But three years are enough time without his kid. He packs up Gracen and Lilly and takes them home with him.
Gracen is happy about that – she never fell out of love with Marek. Plus, Owen, her almost-hubby, is blackmailing her into marriage, by threatening her parents’ bank loan.
Can Marek help? Does he even want to?
He seems to be in a very hateful mood towards her. But he wants to be a good daddy for Lilly….
WHAT WiLL HAPPEN TO THE NEW FAMILY????
WiLL THERE BE A HAPPiLY EVER AFTER?
READ THE BOOK TO FIND OUT!
A new book in this adorable Hockey series. YAY!
MAREK!!!
It’s a very cute romantic second-chance drama! I really enjoyed reading it.
We want Marek to get his happily ever after with his two girls. But he’s still so mad at Gracen for not telling him about Lilly.
And Gracen has all that stuff with Owen back home. He’s already sending threatening texts that she should come back to get married asap! And he’s also mad at Marek for leaving her to become a hockey star.
They have a bit of a way to go until we’ll get that happily ever after!
Great book!
MAREK was another super-adorable, sexy addition to this great hockey series!
Run to your nearest amazon for your own MAREK – this one is MINE!!!!!
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.
ARC received via Netgalley
Woohoo, time to head back to North Carolina and spend some time with the hockey hotties from the Cold Fury.
Oh my, look at that cover. I keep going back to look at him lol
Now, the way we were introduced to Marek at the end of Reed, we we knew that this wasn’t going to be a light and fluffy store.
I mean, there is not much hockey involved in this one since it is mostly set in the off season, however Marek, Gracen and Lilly’s story was full of heartbreak and frustration and so much love.
But really, their story is a bit of a sh!t fight! I can understand both sides of the story and can understand the actions on both sides but boy! It felt at times they were rehashing the same thing time and time again and I wanted to clonk their heads together and tell them to snap out of it!
Lilly is an absolute scene stealer and I just wanted to wrap her up and make her mine – though I don’t think Marek would like that.
#ColdFury is one of those series that it doesn’t matter how many books there are, I will keep reading as long as Ms Bennett keeps writing them. I love the family that the team becomes.
So whilst this couple may not have been my favourite in the series (that award goes to Zack), and whilst the couple frustrated me, I really, really liked this book. It is one of my top books in this series at the moment. Marek and Gracen’s story just made it that way.
Now to see what Ms Bennett’s new hockey series brings us.
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!!!
“I love it when you think you’re actually in control, Gracie.”
I’m a huge fan of the #ColdFuryHockey series and I love it when I get to see the #HockeyHunks I’ve come to know and love in previous books. In this one, I enjoyed spending some more time with Reed & Josie.
Marek & Gracen were high school sweethearts. She thought their love was forever, at least until he left her to pursue his NHL career and to find out what he’d been missing. He broke her heart and forced her to rewrite her future, one that didn’t include him. She moved on, but she never forgot her first love. She never expected to see him again, other than when she watched the Cold Fury team on TV. Imagine her surprise when he showed up at her wedding…
Marek has always had fond memories of his first love. The time he spent with Gracen was special and he’s never regretted their time together. Actually, he’s never forgotten her over the years. When he receives an email telling him she’s getting married, he decides to head back to their hometown and change her mind. What he finds when he gets there rocks his world. Her name is Lilly and she’s 3 years old. And he can never get those three years back…
This installment of the Cold Fury series is different than the others. It’s not lighthearted and funny. It’s deep and emotional. I admit I struggled with it, having trouble connecting to the main characters. I got frustrated with their behavior and was tempted to use Marek’s hockey stick inappropriately at times to set them straight. It seemed the only time they were on the same page was in the bedroom, and in that case, they didn’t need any help from me, they had that covered just fine.
I’m looking forward to finding out which HockeyHottie will be featured in the next installment, regardless, I’ll be there ready to cheer for the team and provide unsolicited advice. The line forms here…
Book 11 in the Cold Fury Series and this is Marek and Gracen’s story and I have to say this is one man I didn’t like throughout a fair bit of this book, I didn’t like his attitude or his manors but I guess it’s hard to say how any man would react when he finds out his ex has been hiding a daughter from him.
This story starts off with Marek stoping the wedding of his ex girlfriend after receiving a email saying he has a daughter called Lilly, Gracen is so sorry she has hidden Lilly from Marek but he just won’t believe she did it for what she thought were the right reasons. Marek struggles to come to terms with why Gracen would do this to him and it’s only as he really gets to know Lilly and starts listening to Gracen does he finally show his love for both of them. The one liners from the adorable Lilly really bring some comic relief to this story but I would loved to have seen more of her . Another enjoyable read from the talented Sawyer Bennett.
Sawyer Bennett’s latest installment in her Cold Fury Hockey series —Marek— delivers a heartwarming story about forgiveness and second chances.
Marek Fabritis got everything he ever wanted. The fame and fortune an NHL career affords him along with a hoard of fawning fans. But when he decided to stop his ex-girlfriend’s wedding to a douche canoe and take both her and the three-year-old daughter he didn’t know he had, he needs to face the fact that his life has tilted on its axis and that his job is not his life and it might take a backseat to the sweet love of his little girl, but can he forgive her mother in order to start a new happy chapter in his life?
When Gracen Moore decided to let Marek go so he could chase his NHL dream, she did so hiding the fact that she was pregnant with their daughter thinking it was for everyone’s benefit. After he prevented her from making a huge mistake she’s now faced with the fact that keeping Lilly a secret was not just epic it was inexcusable. But how many times can she ask for forgiveness and how long can she hide the fact that she never stopped loving him?
Gracen and Marek are in uncharted territory. The spark, the memories, the shared emotions are still very much present but they must also find a way to face the past that broke them and the decisions that are currently threatening them. Not an easy task for either of them. Their story takes us through a gamut of feelings from frustrating to very sweet, tender and definitely sultry.
Bennett’s skilled storytelling grips you from the start with a motivating plot, attractive characters and a wide range of emotions which make all her stories a wonderful reading experience. Marek is no different. It’s an enjoyable, sexy escape that explores family, friendship, forgiveness, love and second chances.
Marek is book #11 of the Cold Fury Hockey series by Sawyer Bennett. It is a standalone, contemporary hockey romance. Told from both points of view with a hand ending.
Two people hurt by the past. Can they move forward and let it go? Sometimes the hurt is so deep you can’t let it go. But what good does it do. To keep being reminded of that hurt can often prevent you from moving on and living now. Gracen was heartbroken when Marek chose hockey over her. He didn’t want to be tied down. When she found out she was pregnant she couldn’t tell him. He made it clear where he wanted his life to go. He wanted freedom. But she never stopped loving him. Afterall she had a daily reminder of that love every time she looked at their daughter.
Sawyer Bennett wrote their story that wasn’t rushed or forced. It was not the case of boy leaves girl, girl is pregnant but he never knows until years later and then they fall in love again and live happily ever after. So much hurt and heartbreak was involved on both sides as well as a break in trust. Once trust is broken it is so hard to trust again. Their daughter was such a sweet little girl. Marek didn’t know the first thing about being a father to her but Sawyer Bennett wrote their story with patience and understanding. It was so beautiful to see their love grow and develop into a true father/daughter relationship. Gracen gave him the time he needed to get to know Lilly but would their relationship have the same outcome. Could they forgive each other and become the family they are supposed to be. Sawyer Bennett did an amazing job with these characters allowing them to learn forgiveness and trust, two things they needed to let go of the past and move forward together.