Max

I loved this book. I thought the story line was really unique. There is the typical break-up and make-up portion present throughout the series, but the story line is still so unique that despite this repetition, it’s really enjoyable :)

So touching. Several ah moments.

I received an advanced reader's copy in exchange for a fair review for Cocktails and Books. This is an enchanting story of a woman struggling to get by when she meets her knight in shining armor. Max Fournier is the goalie for the Carolina Cold Fury hockey team and he is attracted to Julianne Bradley when he first meets her in a convenience store. Julianne works there as a cashier and she doesn't recognize Max and has no idea is a famous hockey player. Julieanne doesn't flirt or show any interest in Max and he likes the challenge of trying to win her. As Max gets to know Julianne, he is filled with admiration for her. Julianne is raising her niece and nephews all by herself. She is hardworking and loyal to those she cares about and I thought it was sweet that she worries about taking advantage of Max. I admire everything about Max; he is a kind, sympathetic, down to earth, nice guy. Julianne likes Max but has a hard time believing he wants to take on the responsibility of not only her, but her nieces and nephews, too. I fell in love with both Max and Julianne. They make a great couple and have explosive chemistry. Julianne is cautious and afraid to accept Max’s help. Julianne is so busy it is difficult for them to find time to be alone but they somehow make their relationship work. Max is the perfect boyfriend. The problem is, he is so thoughtful and nice Julianne has a hard time believing he is for real. This is the sixth book in the Cold Fury Hockey series and is a standalone. I am happy many of the characters from previous books in this series were included because it was fun catching up with them.

First off, I'd like to say that I love this whole series so much. I have devoured ever single book thus far. That being said, I felt that this addition was lacking a little bit. All other books in the series give the title male character a lot of depth and back story. This one felt more like a book about Jules than a book about Max and the continuation of the Cold Fury saga. While I still enjoyed it very much I was left wanting a little more.

At the beginning of this novel Jules is so determined to provide a good life for her niece and nephews. Her sister has recently died due to cancer and she now has three small kids to raise. She works two jobs, one not in a safe part of town. Jules also barters with friends to help provide childcare for the kids because she can't afford to pay for daycare. One night, while working at the convenience store, two drunk guys come in propositioning Jules. In walks Max, on a mission to buy junk food. He overhears the lewd remarks and comes to her rescue. After the men leave, he tries to engage Jules in small talk as he thinks she's intriguing and beautiful. Jules basically dismisses Max, just as two children burst out of the back room. Max follows Jules into the "office" to find a little girl who had been taped to the chair by her brothers. Even with knowing these kids are a little wild and are quite possibly Jules', Max finds himself drawn to her. He even goes back to the convenience store to find her. While doing a "promotion" for Cold Fury, Max spies Jules working at the nursing home. He follows her out to a bench and formally introduces himself. Jules doesn't realize who Max is, a professional hockey player, until googling him later. She can't imagine what he wants with a girl like herself. Max knows from the start that Jules is the one for him. Jules is a little slow on the uptake! Max continually gives his time, his money, and his heart. While Jules loves him, she allows self-doubt rule her world. She's struggling with two jobs, the kids, their deadbeat dad, and ruthless fans who thinks she's a gold digger. Max continually boosts her up, encouraging her to paint. Max sees the beauty in her art and knows she can make more money doing what she loves, while giving her more time with the kids. Max even takes the kids for outings so she can paint. Everything is going well, until Jules allows self-doubt to fester--almost ruining her relationship with Max. I absolutely loved this novel!!! This is the first Cold Fury novel I've read. I don't typically read a series out of order, but know that this one can be read as a stand alone novel. I recognized several of the players names as titles for the earlier novels and can't wait to go back to read them! I LOVE a good "rescue", prince riding in on his white horse to rescue his princess....I also enjoyed the detail depicting the life of a professional hockey player--the work outs, the healthy food intake, the fans, the road games, the required parties, and being away from your family for away games. Max loved Jules for who she was, regardless of what she brought along with her. I loved their witty banter and sexy scenes too! I highly recommend this novel, especially to all those sports enthusiasts out there. I read a gifted copy and all opinions expressed are my own.

What a great book sweet, sexy and funny! 😍❤️

This book is a beautiful and sweet love story. Max, Jules and the kids just grabbed my heart! There was one time I wanted to shake Jules but she came around. Max, what can I say...best book boyfriend ever!

Contemporary Cinderella story that has no spark and is oh so predictable. Rich guy falls in love, wants to help a girl that needs it but she's too proud. I've read many like this before and I've got to say this was just plain average.

The story was fine. I like hockey romances and have enjoyed the Cold Fury series. What I didn't enjoy was the 235 f-bombs in a 268 page book. It seemed excessive, often several of them appearing on the same page. Perhaps the author could locate a thesaurus and discover some new words.

I have read all the Cold Fury books and this by far is my favorite. You can read this as a standalone, however, you would be missing out on a great series. I adore Max’s character. He is alpha and sexy, but he is so much more. He is romantic and has a tender side. He isn’t into one-night stands, he has relationships, even though he feels he isn’t good at them. When he is with a woman, even if it is for a month, he is into her and no one else. He gives them all his attention. He wants to share his life with someone that isn’t after him for his fame and fortune, but just for him. Julianne is a strong woman who has had a tough life. Her mom took off leaving her and her sister Melody with their dad, an over the road trucker that was hardly ever home. Her sister fell in love with a loser and moved away, until she was diagnosed with cancer. Julianne was with her sister until the end, as Melody’s loser husband took off. Melody had paper’s drawn up and gave Julianne custody of her three children, Rocco, Levy and Annabelle, as her husband signed away his rights. Julianne works two jobs, helps clean another woman’s apartment and cooks for them in exchange for babysitting while Julianne works. She loves her niece and nephews and is devoted to them. She wants them to have all the love she didn’t receive as a child. She’s so busy with her jobs and the kids that she doesn’t have time for a man and a relationship, until Max Fournier walks into the convenience store and changes her life. Max had to chase her. She didn’t make it easy on him. She couldn’t figure out why he even wanted her! This story has a Cinderella type of feel, but it’s so much more. Julianne is a proud woman and would never take advantage of Max’s fame and doesn’t want to be a part of it. Max wants her and tries to get her to loosen up and give up hold of her structured life and let him help her. There are so many things that go on in the story. At times my heart was in my throat. I felt so bad for Julianne and Max and their struggles. I felt hope and joy. I won’t tell you anymore, as you need to experience this beautiful love story for yourself. If you love sports romance and a touching love story, then this is the book for you. I highly recommend it.