Alex

By: Sawyer Bennett

Narrated by: Graham Halstead, Cris Dukehart

Length: 9 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's Summary

Hockey star Alexander Crossman has a reputation as a cold-hearted player on and off the ice. Pushed into the sport by his alcoholic father, Alex isn't afraid to give fans the proverbial middle finger, relishing his role as the MVP they love to hate. Management, however, isn't so amused. Now Alex has a choice: fix his public image through community service or ride the bench. But Alex refuses to be molded into the Carolina Cold Fury poster boy... not even by a tempting redhead with killer curves.

As a social worker, Sutton Price is accustomed to difficult people like Alex, who's been assigned to help her create a drug-abuse awareness program for at-risk youth as part of the Fury's effort to clean up his image. What she doesn't expect is the arrogant smirk from his perfect lips stirring her most heated fantasies. But Sutton isn't one to cross professional boundaries-and besides, Alex doesn't do relationships... or does he?

The more she sees behind Alex's bad-boy façade, the more Sutton craves the man she uncovers.

©2014 Sawyer Bennett (P)2015 Tantor

Emotional and Sexy!!!!

Would you listen to Alex again? Why?

Yes, definitely. Not only was the story well-written, but the narrators did a phenomenal job bringing the book to life.

What did you like best about this story?

I liked how the main characters both experienced the same situations growing up, but dealt with their pasts in different ways. It was very touching to see them come together and give each other the love and support they needed in one another.

Which character – as performed by Graham Halstead and Cris Dukehart – was your favorite?

I loved the two main characters. Alex and Sutton have very different personalities, but both have loving hearts.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, definitely.

Any additional comments?

This books was filled with many emotions. I laughed, I cried, and felt I was a part of the story. I could relate to the characters. This was my first sports romance, but it definitely won't be my last, especially from Sawyer Bennett. Sawyer has quickly become one of my favorite authors.

Mediocrity at its best, nothing special

I have hit a dry spell in audible land. I have yet to find a listen that I find I can recommend. This story is ok .... its your run of the mill romance bad boy athlete gets swept off his feet by the girl next door. I bought this on sale and it was just ok. I did not return it but definitely do not recommend using a credit for this one.

Simple and sweet romance w/ strength of character

I got this book on a whim for a very cheap sales price.... Glad I did I!

Today's contemporary romance tries too hard to be a made for TV drama. With more and more over the top sex, drama, vulgarity and promiscuity. The book hinted to those things but did not necessarily display them which I enjoyed.

This author understands the difference between sexy eroticism and hardcore porn while keeping interested in the story of two characters budding romance.

The Heroine of this story was my favorite sweet and wholesome with a backbone. Not afraid of Love, Honesty, and Sexuality. This what I liked the most.

O... M... G...

OK first of all, don't do what I did and listen to this book at work. Seriously I was sweating the entire time. But all kidding aside, this story was amazing, well read and performed, and just all around great. I think my favorite part is how well the author captured the true character of a hockey player. I am an off ice official of our local semi-pro team and while I don't go chasing after them (because not only is it unprofessional but they are a bit young for my taste) I am well versed in how they talk, act, and overall just ARE. Alex's character is dead on right down to his overuse of the F-bomb. I felt like I was back at the arena again.
If you love hockey and you love romance, there's no reason you shouldn't read this book!!!!!

VT .fan

First book I have read by Sawyer Bennett and will not be my last... Highly recommend.... Performance by both narrators was exceptional.

One of my favorite books.

This is a definite re-read / re-listen for me. I love both Alex and Sutton

I’m hooked!

Would you consider the audio edition of Alex to be better than the print version?

Yes, great narrators always enhance a reader's story experience.

What other book might you compare Alex to and why?

Max (Cold Hockey Fury #6). Fortunately, this series of interconnected standalone novels has the same two narrators from Max's novel, the one I listened to first. I was immediately hooked! After listening to his story, I knew I had to go back to the beginning to hear Alex's story.

Which character – as performed by Graham Halstead and Cris Dukehart – was your favorite?

Alex was probably my favorite character because he had the most personal growth to experience.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Fall in love. You won't regret it.

Any additional comments?

Cris Dukehart’s and Graham Halstead’s Performance: ★★★★★
I’m already a fan of both narrators, and this was another excellent listening experience. I’ll definitely continue to read this series via audiobook. I’m totally hooked!

Really great hockey romance!

This first book in the Cold Fury hockey series was great to listen to and very entertaining. The hero, Alex, is a the MVP (most valuable player or most valuable prick, depending who you talk to) of a hockey team. He's cynical, irreverent and uses women like tissues. His owners have finally had enough and force him to do community service. He very reluctantly goes to meet with Sutton, but shows up an hour late to their first meeting- only to find out that Sutton is a beautiful woman who is cool and unflustered when he comes onto her. They begin to work on the school drug prevention program that Sutton, as a psychologist, is in charge of. Their relationship quickly developed and they are almost inseparable. Sadly, Alex has a lot of issues left from dealing with his father who verbally and physically abused him and forced him to become the best hockey player around. His father is a raging alcoholic and continues to berate his grown son after every game through calls and text messages. Alex begins to have problems focusing on his game and after his father goes to rehab he comes to a decision to cut Sutton out of his life so he can focus. What he didn't realize until almost too late is that Sutton is who gives him his focus after all.

Loved this !!!

Wow!!! My first book by Sawyer Bennett and I am kicking myself for not reading this series earlier!! I love sports romances especially ones with hockey players, and this one is PERFECTLY balanced with emotions, sweetness and sexiness!!! I also loved that Alex and Sutton's romance was well paced with plenty of time getting to know each other, and there weren't any misunderstandings with puck bunnies or exes. Definitely my new favourite sports series and I can't wait to read more!!!

The author preaches. Mediocre.

Dual narration - both so-so. The story written as though for young teens which would be fine as some teens would find the story line germane. Except and this is a big EXCEPT, for very explicit sex scenes which absolutely are not suitable for young teens. So not sure where the author thought the audience would be. The heroine is a social worker, working w/ troubled, abused, drug addict kids and adults and the hero your basic hunky hockey player who was physically abused by his father as a child. The end was way, way too sugar sweet perfect and everybody had healed and able to have a "normal" life? Right. Beat your drum somewhere else - I wanted entertainment not a lecture with a fairy tale attached.