ARC Review: Alex by Sawyer Bennett

Hockey star Alexander Crossman has a reputation as a cold-hearted player on and off the rink. Pushed into the sport by an 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 team's effort to clean up his image.

What she doesn't expect is the arrogant smirk from his perfect lips to stir 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 facade, the more Sutton craves the man she uncovers.

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MY REVIEW

Alex by Sawyer Bennett
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.5 most valuable prick STARS

“Seems some hot hockey player has my attention now.”“Yeah? That's ironic, because I'm sort of lusting after this hot drug counselor I met.”“Sounds like a match made in heaven.”

Alex was my very first read by Sawyer Bennett and while I enjoyed this story quite a lot it wasn't something that blew me away. But please don't let that keep you from reading this one, it's just a classic case of it's me not you. I've read a few very emotionally charged and demanding books over the last few weeks and poor Alex, although he is such a loveable most valuable prick, paled in comparison.

“The more I'm getting to know Alex Crossman, the more I am definitely not liking him.”

Alexander Crossman is a brilliant hockey player with an attitude and public image problem. If it wasn't for his mad skills on the ice he would have been thrown out of the NHL a long time ago. Ever met a professional player who doesn't love the game? Well, here is one.

Alex's bad behaviour and general indifference toward his team and the fans forces the management to take drastic turns. He gets a very special assignment/punishment. Work on a drug-abuse awareness program for at-risk youth for one year. What he doesn't expect is his fiery new partner.

“This is essentially my jailer for the next year, which also makes her my enemy.And I can't fuck the enemy.At least I don't think I can.”

Sutton Price is a twenty-two year old drug counsellor. She is for all intends and purposes the polar opposite from Alex. She is a good and caring person with big heart, has a deep love for her work and the golden touch with people in general.

I really loved their first meeting. Sutton has a little jaw on the floor situation and Alex with no shame whatsoever asks her out right away. Yeah, inst-lust alert! And then they find out who they really are and what they have to do with each other.

Lucky for Alex, Sutton is someone who has the ability to ignore all of his bullshit, get under his skin and bring down some walls. In the end both have a lot more in common than they might think.

“I lucked out when I met you.”

Despite his less than favourable behaviour, Alex is actually a very lovable character and thanks to the double POV I never, not for one second, didn't like him. Just like Sutton, who is a really likeable heroine without any annoying traits or quirks.

I'm only giving Alex 3.5 stars because of the book's mellow nature, the inst-lust and the fact that they take a lot of time to get down and dirty. But once they do...oh wow. They do it all the time. Which actually got a bit repetitive as well. *shrugs*

All in all a satisfying read with two really well developed character, wonderful side characters. Especially Sutton's family was so sweet and caring, you just want to have dinner with them and then cuddle Glenn. What a sweet child. Oh, and I can't finish this review without mentioning Garrett...lucky for us the next book in the series is about him. I for one can't wait. ;D

Short but sweet review, I hope that's ok. Thank you for your time. ;D


**ARC kindly provided by the publisher via Net-Galley in exchange for an honest review.