Name: Ryker
ISBN: 9781101886786

Sawyer Bennett

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The rugged men of the Carolina Cold Fury hockey team are winning hearts once again in another scorching novel from Sawyer Bennett. The stakes have never been higher for Carolina Cold Fury goalie Ryker Evans. With his contract running out, he’s got a year left to prove he’s still at the top of his game. And since his wife left him, Ryker has been balancing life as a pro-hockey star and a single parent to two daughters. Management is waiting for him to screw up. The fans are ready to pounce. Everybody’s taking dirty shots—except for the fiery redhead whose faith in Ryker gives him a fresh start. As the league’s only female general manager, Gray Brannon has learned not to mix business with pleasure. And yet even this tough, talented career woman can’t help breaking her own rules as she gives Ryker everything she’s got. She hopes their hot streak will last forever, but with Ryker’s conniving ex plotting to reclaim her man, the pressure’s on Gray to step up and save a tender new love before it’s too late. 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 “One of the best voices in contemporary romance.”—New York Times bestselling author Lauren Layne Praise for Ryker “A hot hockey player with a heart of gold . . . a smart, ballsy heroine . . . and enough heat between them to melt any hockey rink. Sawyer Bennett scores another solid hit with Ryker!”—Katie Rose, award-winning author of The Heat of the Moment “Ryker is some of Ms. Bennett’s best work yet.”—Shh Moms Reading Praise for Sawyer Bennett and the Carolina Cold Fury series “Sawyer Bennett never fails to deliver heroes I fall hard for and heroines I adore.”—New York Times bestselling author Violet Duke “Wow. Just wow. Sawyer Bennett is my new favorite author.”—Jami Davenport, USA Today bestselling author of Skating on Thin Ice “Garrett is a sizzling and emotional read with laughter and secrets thrown in for good measure. Sawyer Bennett had me at hello.”—New York Times bestselling author Lexi Ryan Includes a special message from the editor, as well as an excerpt from another Loveswept title.

A Cold Fury Hockey Novel

Ryker

Kathleen Tom

Lover of Romance 

This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance

Ryker is the fourth book in this delightful series with the Cold Fury Hockey team. With each book that is written I am stunned by how much I love each book and I have to say that Ryker might be one of my favorite books of the series that this author has written so far. 

 

We are introduced to Ryker in the previous book, who has recently become a single father to his two daughters when his ex wife wanted reduced contact. Its been a year since Ryker signed on with the Carolina Cold Fury Hockey Team and is in his thirities and is one of the best goalies. He knows that he has only a few years left physically to handle the sport but right now with the starting goalie recovering from an injury, Ryker has taken over as the lead goalie and he is on fire and is at the top of the league. But there is a new change in the team that has really changed things around for the whole team. Their coach and owner has given over managed to his daughter “Gray Bannon” and there is much dissension in the ranks over it. Gray has been a recruiter for the team for quite a while and brought most of the players to the Carolina Cold Fury Team, but now she is living her dream with her father’s full support. She may be a woman but she knows the sport inside and out and even played it in the olympics. She is setting a new standard for women, that they are just capable of being leader in a male dominated sport. But there is one problem….her career may be at risk when her heart falls for the head goalie Ryker Evans. 
Yes…be yourself. Don’t go in that room and for one minute try to mold yourself to their expectations. I didn’t offer you this position to do the same exact job I did. I gave it to you because I want you to be better at it than I was, and you’re going to be because of who you are, not who they want you to be
Ryker has always loved the sport of hockey, and right now he is living the dream being on fire and not missing a beat. His relationship with his daughters are stronger than ever and even though he knows that there is a risk, he is starting to fall for his boss….the manager of the team. He knows that if they want to make it one of them will have to sacrifice their career. Ryker is still hurt from the actions that his ex wife did but he has moved on and is looking for something more in his life and is wanting a relationship. Gray has been so focused on her career for so long that she just doesn’t know what to do with a guy that makes her feel emotions she has never really felt. She settles for one night stands because her career and education have been more important to her. She is more than fine with the course that she has set for herself. But she does know that when she meets Ryker she wants more, she doesn’t know what that means for her future but she does know what she feels with Ryker is more encompassing that she ever imagined. But she also knows one of them will have to sacrifice for love or give up what they have for their jobs that they love…

 

I wasn’t sure how much I would enjoy a heroine so focused on a career and not interested in relationships or family, and I admit I was on the edge with Gray as the heroine but I ended up loving her character SO MUCH. She is a bit blinded about how relationships work since she has only done one stands and I wasn’t sure if I would be able to relate with the heroine but I really did. She is driven, passionate and does have a kind heart. I love how she goes out of her way to be a support to Ryker when he needs it and to connect with his daughters and being their “friend” even though she knows nothing about kids. I admired her strong relationship with her father and how much passion she has for her job and the sport. She is very smart but she understands what drives people and I really admired her character and the growth that we see her come into. She learns about love and commitment and that she can have a career and a man to love and children if she wants them. And that nothing can hold her back but herself. 

 

Our hero, Ryker, has some admiring qualities and strengths and I fell in love with him in many ways. He isn’t too bitter in how his wife left him and their children for a younger man. He accepted it and moved on and devoted his life to his girls and to hockey. But when gets to know Gray he knows that there is something more between them and its nothing to give up on and he wants to fight for Gray and show her what they can become. I loved the courage he has, risking his career for Gray, giving her the peace of mind that she needs until she is ready to take him full on. I loved what a loving father he is, and how devoted he is to his daughters. He has a great bond with the team and there are so many moments that Ryker really makes this book shine and glow in fundamental ways that wraps around your heart. From his ways of unifying his team, his love for his girls, and his devotion to Gray…..guaranteed to make you fall in love right away with him. I really adored his attitude, he has such a positive outlook on life as well. 

 

The romance that comes together in this book is so precious and gave me all the feels. I honestly wanted to do a dance when finished this book, it gave me so many joyful emotions and seeing how they find a way around their careers to be together was so fabulous. Because it happens in a way I didn’t expect, and the heroine made me love her even more with her actions and how she fights for a chance to be with her man especially in how we see how much Ryker fights for Gray throughout the story. I love seeing a couple fight for each other in different ways and it happens so delightfully in this story. Their story definitely will give you those moments of sexy heat and poignant emotion that will sneak up behind you and give you a few surprises along the way. 

 

Overall I found Ryker to be a story of sacrifice, the value of true love and finding happiness in the unlikely moments of life…..WINS THE GOAL IN SPORTS ROMANCE!!

Nedu

*3.5 stars*
this was actually good, i'm shocked

Find this review and more at 
  kimberlyfaye reads
.

I don't know how Sawyer Bennett does it, but somehow each new book in her Cold Fury Hockey series finds a way to be better than the last. And, let's face it, it was an incredible series from the very start! I don't like to play favorites – ok, I kind of do – but Ryker (both the book and the character) are my favorites so far.

Ryker. Oh, Ryker. I don't even know where to start with him. First, I loved that he was a little older and more mature than most of the heroes I read about it. I suspected this single father would melt my heart and he did. Oh, did he ever. He was an excellent hockey player, fantastic father and, most of all, a really good guy. I liked his no-nonsense approach to life and I absolutely loved reading about him with his kids. And, of course, with Gray. What a pairing!

Gray was amazing. She was an inspiring heroine and I'm (more than) a little envious of her life. As a female sports fan myself – though my sport of choice is football – I know how tough it can be for women out there. But, I won't step onto that soap box right now otherwise I'll never stop. Regardless, I loved that she was intelligent, knew her sport and her job and didn't take crap from anyone. There need to be more heroines like this out there! I connected with her and I wanted the best for her. I also wanted her with Ryker, naturally.

The chemistry between Ryker and Gray might've been what caught my attention in the beginning, but my connection to them went far beyond the passion they (eventually) shared. Even with the potential conflict of interest, I loved the idea of two hockey-minded individuals together. I liked their banter, and their chemistry was insanely intense. (Holy hot sexy scenes.) But, even more, I liked the maturity they brought to their relationship. This book was low on the angst and drama (at least as far as the relationship was concerned) – while still pulling at my heartstrings. I can't think of a thing I'd change about it.

I don't want to get spoilery, but there was one scene that stood out to me so much. It really illustrated what a great guy – and amazing father – Ryker was. His devotion to his kids, and to Gray and her career, definitely choked me up a little. Ryker truly put the people he loved first and I thought it was a really special scene. You'll know it when you read it. :)

So, yeah. I loved this book. I love this series. Sawyer Bennett's books are amazing and I can't wait to see what she gives us next. It pretty much goes without saying that I think every single romance fan out there should be reading this series.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

Lacey

Originally posted at Booklovers For Life

I’m a huge fan of the Cold Fury Hockey series, so I had high expectations for Ryker, and it didn’t disappoint! Ryker is another fantastic addition to this sports romance series I’ve come to love so much. I’d been eagerly awaiting Ryker’s story ever since meeting him in Zack (which will forever be my favorite Cold Fury Hockey book) and I loved – LOVED – that Ryker’s book was a forbidden office romance. With a female boss! Sawyer Bennett totally rocked Ryker and Gray’s book – fans of the series won’t want to miss it!

Gray Brannon is Cold Fury’s newest general manager – and she’s made sports history by being the first female GM for a hockey team. Gray is tough, smart, kickass, and a complete take-charge woman – but not everyone likes the idea of having a female GM. There are some very misogynistic people in the Cold Fury team, but she finds an ally in Ryker Evans. The sexy single father is incredibly supportive and respectful of her job… but there’s an underlying chemistry between the two of them they can’t ignore.

I. Cannot. Be. Involved. With. Him.
It’s that simple.
Except . . . I’m the type of person who’s known for bending the rules.
Hell, throwing the rules out the door.
I’m a pioneer. A risk taker. A box breaker.
I answer to no one but my self.

Ryker is the single father of two adorable little girls and the goalie for Carolina Cold Fury. These are two very tough jobs, but Ryker gives nothing less than 100% of his time and effort for the things he cares about most: his family and hockey. But when Gray Brannon became the new GM, he knows he’s met an incredible woman who he might want to spend the rest of his life with, so he goes after her, regardless of the consequences.

I adored Ryker! Seriously. He’s a wonderful dad and a wonderful person. I do wish that there could’ve been more scenes between Ryker and his daughters. I swoon so hard for loving single fathers! And I absolutely LOVED how much Ryker respected, appreciated, and admired Gray – he made the perfect hero. Even when they start their relationship, Ryker respects her enough to keep their affair a secret, though he’s very adamant that it’s not a fling. Their romance was a bit slow, but genuine, and I just really appreciated the way Sawyer Bennett wrote this forbidden romance.

For the first time in my life, I feel interest in something other than my career.
I feel needed.
I feel happy.
I. Feel. Everything.
And I don’t want to let it go.
For the first time in my life, I feel love for a man other than my father.

What I liked about Ryker was how little drama there was WITHIN the relationship. There are lots of outside forces that won’t let Ryker and Gray be together, including Ryker’s ex-wife, but the two of them are just so mature and steady in their feelings for each other. As long as the two of them have confidence in each other, which they do, they’ll come out on top.

This book is also very much about the Cold Fury team as a whole. Gray has a lot of work to do in order to win over her team and to get them to work together, but she’s a woman who gets the job done. Also? We get to see a lot of Alex and Sutton, Garrett and Olivia, and Zack and Kate. Especially Zack and Kate, which made me so incredibly happy. Fans of Zack are going to LOVE what happens in Ryker!

I seriously adore Sawyer Bennett’s Cold Fury Hockey series, and not just for the hot the covers – if you’re a fan of sports romances, these books are absolute MUST READS! They’re full of heart, humor, and sexy-as-hell hockey men. And one last reason you should read Ryker? Because Ryker’s character was inspired by this guy. ;)

Quotes are taken from the ARC and are subject to change in the final version.

Thanks to the publisher for generously providing me an ARC to review.

Amazon Ebook: http://amzn.to/1M8LHjV

Liked this review? Subscribe to Booklovers For Life for more!

Ryker A Cold Fury Hockey Novel