Lucas

I enjoy everything Sawyer Bennett writes and she has become one of my favorite authors. This is the eighth book the Cold Fury Hockey series and each story centers on a different hockey player on the Cold Fury hockey team. I love these fun, sweet and sexy stories about hot hockey players. Lucas Fournier meets Stephanie Frazier at a fundraiser and their one night stand becomes more when Stephanie discovers she is pregnant. Of course, they are both surprised about this unexpected turn of events and the story chronicles how they deal with the situation. Lucas is one the newest members on the Cold Fury team. He comes from a close knit, wonderful family and he is a down to earth, nice guy. When he first learns he is to become a father he is scared and worried. He isn't ready to have a child but he knows he has no other choice and needs to make the best of a bad situation. Even though Lucas is nice, thoughtful, caring and truly wants help her, Stephanie is afraid to let down her guard and trust him. She tries to resist him and keep her distance but finds it harder and harder. Stephanie does not have a close relationship with her parents. They have always been too busy to spend time with her and have never been caring or loving. Because of this, Stephanie has never learned how to open up to anyone and is uncomfortable accepting help. She has always been on her own and is closed off and doesn't trust easily. I have to admit, at times, Stephanie annoyed me. She is too cautious and afraid to give Lucas a chance. She would rather be safe and alone than put herself out there and get hurt. Due to their upbringing, Lucas and Stephanie deal with everything from different perspectives. I enjoyed seeing Lucas and Stephanie’s relationship develop over the course of the book. Stephanie never expects anything from Lucas and he keeps surprising her with his thoughtfulness. I enjoyed the story and the characters. I was given an advanced copy of this book to write an honest review for Netgalley and Cocktails and Books.

4 1/2 STARS! A hot and steamy read! When a one night stand leads to a baby, the games are suddenly over and things are getting real! The characters were fun to get to know and really easy to connect with. He was a sweetheart ... and he really hung in there trying to secretly love her through getting over her hang-ups in life. Really enjoyed their story and will look forward to more in the series! Lucas Fournier lives and breathes hockey and as the newest member of the Carolina Cold Fury, he looks forward to playing the best hockey of his NHL career right alongside his brother Max. He's living the life of exhilarating game play, head in the clouds stardom, and the power of getting laid any time he wants ... what more could a man want?? Museum curator Stephanie Frazier lives her life for herself in neat little columns so she can always feel in control. When she lays eyes on Luc at a charity gala at the museum, she figures "why not!" and sets out to have a fun filled night with the hottie ... what she doesn't expect is for the stick to turn positive a month later! She didn't have a great life growing up, so she isn't all that forthcoming with sharing her life, so when Luc steps up and decides to get to know the woman he's going to be raising a kid with, she better brace herself!

5 Stars Lucas by Sawyer Bennett is book number eight in the Cold Fury Hockey series and was so so good! It can be read as a standalone but I highly recommend reading the first seven books as well. These boys know how to win your heart and Lucas was no different. This book was steamy and charming and if you loved Max's story you are definitely going to love Luc! Lucas Fournier just joined his brother Max on the ice with the Carolina Cold Fury hockey team. He is so happy to be wth his brother and is looking forward to winning the Stanley cup. Lucas enjoys all the perks of being on the team especially the women. He is not looking for marriage or even a relationship. When he meets Stephanie and sparks start flying he figures one night will be enough to satisfy. But fate has other plans... Stephanie Frazier hasn't had an easy upbringing. With parents who were more interested in themselves, Stephanie has been on her own for awhile. No real friendships or relationships and she likes it that way. But when she meets Luc she was not expecting her life to change completely... I LOVED this story!!! From the storyline to the characters, this series continues to blow me away. I adored Luc and Stephy and their chemistry was HOT!! I am so looking forward to book 9!

Luc Fournier, one of the newest additions to the Cold Fury, is finally reunited with his older brother Max. To be able to play for the Stanley Cup alongside his brother is a dream! Luc's family is a close knit, supportive family. So living close to his family and following his dreams doing something he loves is the cherry on the top. When he meets Stephanie at a gala, he can't help but flirt. Stephanie works at a museum overseeing displays, making sure everything is just right. She's also temporarily in charge of acquisitions for the museum. She hopes to keep her temporary job, but realizes she's not really qualified for the position. Stephanie doesn't truly enjoy her job, but it offers stability and insurance. It also has the added benefit of making her parents mad. Stephanie has never had the love of her parents and never felt worthy or good enough in their eyes. Stephanie used to get into trouble as a child, just to get attention from her parents. While her parents didn't physically abuse her, they abused her mentally. Her choice of degrees was her latest jab at her parents. Stephanie sees Luc at the gala and the chemistry is sizzling. Stephanie is a HUGE hockey fan, so she knows exactly who Luc is. She just can't believe he's interested in her. They decide a one night stand is in order. What they didn't plan on was the "surprise" that turned their lives upside down. While Luc has a support sytem to help him cope and prepare to be a good father, Stephanie feels overwhelmed and alone. Trying to elevate her stress, Luc decides they need to become friends so they can co-parent. Little gatherings soon turn into dates, meeting the family, and exchanging their hopes and dreams. Luc has always wanted children and a family, while Stephanie was good with one night stands. Luc believes Stephanie may be "it" for him, but she won't let him in. Stephanie's parents have done such a number on her that she doesn't feel worthy of love. Will Luc be able to get through Stephanie's walls? Loved, loved, loved this novel! Abuse is not always physical. In some ways, mental abuse is almost worse because it's hard to change one's beliefs about themselves. They've grown up thinking/believing they aren't worthy because it's what their parents have always said. So Luc was given quite the challenge. He was patient, kind, loving, and kept telling Stephy she was worthy until she believed him. It was very touching! I read a gifted copy and all opinions stated are my own.

So, one day I started this book. I read the first two chapters and had to quit. I was a little pissy about what had happened in the book. I took a day or two to think on it and decided the reason I was pissy is because I put myself in the situation of the main character. In this case it was Lucas. If I had been reading from the girls perspective I wouldn't have thought twice about continuing the story. I know, I'm weird. But anyway, I picked the book back up and soon realized the story was told in dual POV. After reading things from Stephanie's POV I instantly changed my mind. I LOVED her! I'm not sure I have ever met a character quite like her before. She and Lucas start their relationship as a one night stand. But it soon takes a different turn and they decide to get to know one another better. I seriously loved them. As individuals and as a couple. Lucas is a handsome hockey player that comes from a great family. Stephanie is a strong, independent woman without a strong family connection. I felt for her and I fell for him. Great Story. I definitely will be recommending it and I can't wait to read Van's story!

Adorable and heart wrenching, pulled at my heart strings from start to finish! Not typically a fan of surprise pregnancy romances but I adore sawyers cold fury hockey series and this one didn't disappoint. I went in to the story thinking I would be disappointed with Lucas and how he would handle the situation, but rueally he was amazing from the get go, of course there were moments of frustration with the situation but ultimately this story has everything in it to tug at your heartstrings and make you fall in love with this couple!

I love this series! I was so excited to read Luc’s book and it certainly didn’t disappoint! The characters were developed and there was plenty of steam to keep me turning those pages! Of course, Max, Jules and their family, as well as the other Cold Fury players were part of the secondary cast. Did I mention I adored Luc? He is such a sweetheart that just made me swoon! He had it all going on! I know I say this every time I read one of these books, but I think Lucas is my favorite. Stephanie had me rooting for her throughout the book. She is a strong and fiercely independent and a little rebellious. She grew up in a very wealthy environment, boarding schools, money to spend but there was no love and attention from her parents. They had their careers and each other and that’s all they needed. Stephanie was raised by nannies. Her family is one for the record books! My heart hurt for her. That’s why she doesn’t want to get married, have children or let people get too close. They can’t hurt her if they don’t get close. Thank goodness, she meets Lucas! He comes from a strong and loving family. They have their one night stand and they both were rocked by their encounter, but they agreed to a fling and that’s it. Oh boy but fate intervenes and Lucas and Stephanie have to figure out what their futures are going to entail! I blew through this because I couldn’t put it down. I was a little disappointed that there was no epilogue on Lucas and Stephanie. However, the lead in for the next book in the series Van has me eagerly awaiting its release! If you love sports romance then you need to give this book a try!

I love the Cold Fury! I hope you never run out of players to write about Sawyer Bennett. I would think with trades, retirements and rookies, you could keep this going forever. One can hope. Lucas Fournier is new to the team and Max’s younger brother. He is the epitome of sexy, charismatic, super hot hockey player and king of the one night stand. That's all he has felt he was capable of until Stephanie Frazier comes into his life. Due to their undeniable chemistry, their one night hook up becomes more. I enjoyed this story and really loved Lucas, I had a difficult time warming up to Stephy though but if Lucas was willing to give it a try, so was I. After learning about Stephy's past it was easy to see why she had a hard time with relationships but boy was she a tough nut to crack; luckily Lucas isn't a quitter. This was quite the emotional roller coaster ride, but a ride well worth taking. Another 5 star read in a fantastic hockey romance series!

Who doesn’t love a hot hockey player . . . or a whole team of them. I was initially intrigued by this series because it is based in Raleigh, NC, my hometown. But with each new release it is the characters, their love for the sport and their love for their women that keep me coming back. Like a lot of stories in this romance series, while it’s clear from the start the attraction is there for Lucas and Stephanie it takes some trials and tribulations for these two to fully admit what they mean to each other. We are eight books into this series and the beauty is that none of these books feel formulaic. They are each their own unique and exciting story and each differs greatly from the one before. Yet, as a whole they read as a cohesive series. I love how close this team is and even more so how some friendships among the players are closer than others. It feels true to the nature of a sports team and I love it. Lucas was a great read on a Saturday afternoon and I am so excited for Van’s story next! ~miranda

The Cold Fury Hockey series continues on with Lucas. We've met some of the characters from the previous books. I love the chemistry between Lucas and Stephanie. I got hooked on the story from page one and enjoyed till the end. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.