*I received a free copy of Roman from via Netgalley. This has in no way influenced my voluntary review, which is honest and unbiased *
Warning: This book includes mature content such as: sexual content, and/or drug and/or alcohol use, and/or violence.
Roman Series: Cold Fury Hockey #7 on 21 February 2017
In a league full of troublemakers, Cold Fury defenseman Roman Sýkora stands out—at least when it comes to negative publicity. When he’s not chilling in the penalty box, the sizzling Czech skate demon is racking up tabloid headlines for his scandalous behavior with the ladies. But now Roman’s feeling the burn from management to clean up his act, or else. Luckily he’s got an enticing distraction: a fun-loving barista who plays the ukulele and brings out a side of Roman he didn’t know he had.
Lexi Robertson came to Raleigh, North Carolina, to finally meet her father, Brian Brannon, and her half sister, Gray, both of whom work in the Cold Fury’s front office. That’s where she first meets sexy, intimidating Roman—who’s really a big softie at heart. As one relationship takes off, another begins: Brian seems to be clicking with Lexi’s boss at the coffee shop. But when the friction between Roman and her new family heats up, Lexi wonders whether she’s a pawn in their game. Feeling hurt and foolish, Lexi’s ready to quit while she’s ahead. Trouble is, Roman’s not ready to quit on her.
Roman showed a different aspect of the hockey club as well as the difficulty to live in that world, especially when the characters wanted to keep some private moments… private.
I feel like I always say something about my big love for hockey players when I review a Cold Fury book, but it’s true! Roman made my toes curl in many ways. Of course the fact that he’s a bad boy didn’t make me blink even once. I’m not usually one for enforcers when it comes to hockey. They break up the game, and I think here in Europe, hockey is different from the way it’s played in the US. One thing I really enjoyed with Roman was that we got more than one glimpse into former main characters’ lives. We got Gray and Ryker front and center, with Brian Brannon way in front of them.
Roman and his bad-boy ways were on the agenda for the beginning of the story, as he was called in for a meeting with Gray. He met Lexi in the reception area near the offices and immediately decided he wanted to get to know her better. She was nervous because she had a meeting with Brian. And what she had to tell him could be a complete hit or miss. Letting a man know he had a long-lost daughter by a lover he had left was not an easy feat. The fact that Brian hadn’t even known Lexi’s mom was pregnant didn’t change his feelings of being left out, though.
Between the romance and Lexi getting to know her father and half-sister, Roman was a sweet story. It had a nice pace, and the emotions it evoked in me were strong and real. I would have been even happier if Brian had gotten his own full-length novel, though. As I think more mature lovers are just as great as the younger generation.
The intricate relationships, both between Lexi and Roman, and also between Lexie and Gray, or Brian and Lexi’s boss and good friend were well done. The characters are all fleshed out and realistic, and as always, I enjoyed my stay in North Carolina with the hottest of fictional hockey-players. Written in either first or third person point of view, from varying characters’ perspectives, I enjoyed spending time with them all. The past tense and quick-witted dialogues made the narrative very life-like, too, and I can only recommend you get your hands on this when it’s released tomorrow 😉
Gray has had me all to herself for most of her life. While I never exactly pined for another child, I can tell you it’s a wondrous thrill knowing I have another.
I get her to my SUV without incident or broken bones and manage to walk around the front without sliding too much and looking like an idiot. You’d think as a hockey star I’d be able to maneuver on ice with more sophistication, but truly it’s the skates that make all the difference.
It’s cold as hell outside, so I ask as I frown down at her, “Where’s your coat?” “Figured I didn’t need it,” she replies as she stares me. “I’d either jump out of my car and grab my bag from your front lawn, or I’d be warm inside your house.” “Hmmm,” I say in contemplation. “And yet here I am, freezing my ass off on your front porch,” she points out sweetly.
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
About Linda @ (un)Conventional Bookworms
Linda is an English as foreign language teacher and has a Master's degree in English Language and Literature. She's an avid reader, blogger, compulsive one-clicker and a genre omnivore. Ever since she learnt how to read she has been seen with a book or two in her hands everywhere she goes.
Interesting how the sport is played differently in the European leagues. I thought that when I watched Italian basketball.
But anywho, the romance sounds good. Fun how they met in the office both feeling nervous about things. I need to catch up on this series.
It’s so funny to me, that it’s not considered a ‘real’ hockey game in the US unless some players toss their gloves and get into a fist fight… they’d be sanctioned pretty badly for that here.
I love this series, Sophia, and I hope you’ll find the time to catch up soon.
I do not like hockey at all. Except when it comes to sports romances! And I have been really enjoying Sawyer Bennett’s Cold Fury series. I’ve only read two so far – Alex and Max – but I loved them both. This sounds fantastic too. So glad you liked this. I’m adding it to my TBR right now.
Haha Quinn 🙂 I didn’t use to enjoy hockey, either, but my husband played it when we met. So I did go to many games way back when. Now, both my sons play, so I still go to an occasional game.
This series is great, isn’t it? All the guys are swoon-worthy, and there isn’t THAT much about the hockey 😉
I can’t wait to read this new addition to the series! Wonderful review!
I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I did, Tiffany!
Twitter: ailynk
i have no clue about hockey , but if roman teaches me i will try to learn it XD
There you go 🙂 And thanks for the morning chuckle, Ailyn!
This sounds like it was a great addition to the series, Lex. I can almost feel the emotions it evoked. I agree with you that it’d have been nice if Brian could get his own book – you know I adore getting to see more mature adults get their stories told. 😉 Maybe you should put a bug in Sawyer’s ear. I’m sure she’d listen to you. 🙂
Happy Tuesday, wifey! Miss you and love you!! {{{BIG HUGS}}}
It sure was, Brandee. Heh… you think I should send a fan e-mail to Sawyer? Not sure she’d actually listen to me, but I would love a full length novel with Brian and his romance 🙂
Miss you too, my dear!
Great review, Lexxie! This book has been on my radar for a while. Just bought it. Your review makes me want to start as soon as possible. If only I could. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
I hope you’ll find the time to read it really soon, Geybie!
I love hockey, in america I always felt enforcers were necessary at times, especially with all the nasty hits from the dirty players
I keep telling myself that I really need to read this series. Does it feel odd when the MC bad boy of the book has the same name as a younger cousin? cause that’s in my case and it feels weird? I guess lol especially since I have not seen that name in many books.
I have been seeing more and more about this book on blogs, and I am really liking what I am hearing! I haven’t tried any of the books by this author before, but is it alright if I jump in at this one? Or are there others before this I should read before this one? I like the sound of the intricate relationships, and how well paced and even this one is.