Great Romance!

I usually like to start at the beginning of a series but, I just couldn't pass this one up. My first Sarina Bowen novel just happened to be a favorite genre, a second chance sport romance. The third release in the Brooklyn Bruisers series features goalie Mike Beacon. The author built a solid characterization of Mike, she provided extensive details - tons of background. Unfortunately, for Lauren, her character was not as well-constructed. She always seems unemotional, disconnected.

For me, Sarina Bowen is on my short list of auto-buys and auto-reads. She is one of the best in contemporary romance right now. I've inhaled the others in this series, but I wasn't sure if I would like the premise of the two main characters. Surprisingly, or maybe not so surprisingly, it worked well for me, and these two got the ending they deserved. I enjoyed the relationship between Mike and his daughter, and the obstacles the three of them faced moving forward.

Pipe Dreams is a standalone and is part of the Brooklyn Bruisers series-- I think you should read all the books prior to this one, just for that fact that they are all so well done.

This is Mike and Lauren’s, which is a second chance romance book. But then this book was so much more then I expected. It was emotional and a bit of a tear jerker for me. Lauren's story was just heartbreaking and I wasn't sure about Mike at first after he pushed her away. But, overall I loved this book and their story.

I am a huge fan of Sarina Bowen's writing and I think one of the genres that she does best is sports romance! I can't wait for more in this series and also more from this author.

4.5 Stars!!! This is a story about doing the right thing…but managing the situation extremely badly. Mike Beacon messed up two years ago and broke Lauren Williams’ heart. Time did little to heal the wounds and it certainly didn’t diminish their feelings for each other. Coming together through circumstances beyond their control, they soon realize that their chemistry is still strong and that their love for each other has endured the heartbreak. This is their second-chance story…their opportunity to chart a new path to happiness.

I loved getting to know Lauren and understanding her better. I’d thought she was a bit of a cold fish in the other books but now I think she’s just a smart, strong woman doing the best she can with a broken heart. Mike, just like all of the other men that Sarina Bowen writes about, will win you over very quickly. He knows what he wants and will stop at nothing to get it. He wears his heart on his sleeve and seeing him with his daughter makes him even more swoonworthy. He’s passionate about Lauren and, even though he can be a bit manipulative at times, he’s desperate to show her how much he wants her back in his life. I loved their push and pull, their romantic interludes, and their quick banter. I also loved how the team and their respective families were woven into the mix (and I’m officially making known my desire for a story about Hans and Justin). Overall, I love the Bruisers family and Mike and Lauren are a great addition to the couples on the team.

As the third book in the series, this can be read as a standalone book but, trust me, you don’t want to do that! This world that Ms. Bowen has created is fantastic and each and every one of these guys will win your heart. They’re all different, but they’re all wonderful. You should definitely read all of these stories…now!

This book was GREAT! I am not a hockey fan but a good hockey story could turn me into one. I loved the second chance that our main characters got and how they didn't let it slip away. I truly felt the connection between the characters and loved every minute of their story. I can wait to read another by this author.

Thank you for the galley! Full review to come closer to release.

Pipe Dreams is the third book in the Brooklyn Bruisers series and it follows Mike Beacon as he tries to win Lauren Williams over again. It's a second chance romance that I was pleasantly surprised by. I wasn't a real big fan of Lauren in the previous books but I really enjoyed getting to know her in this book. I knew that her story was a complicated one and I was right. Old feelings, new feelings, she was hit with all of these, all of the time and I admired the hell out of the way that she handled everything. From fighting her attraction to the man that broke his heart to handling the treatment she got from that same man's teenaged daughter, Lauren was a straight up champ!

I think this is my favorite book in the series so far. I really enjoyed seeing the past relationship and the present relationship between Mike and Lauren. It wasn't an easy romance to get through and Mike handled things so badly but I thought he more than made up for his past transgressions. I really enjoyed the family that he made for himself and I loved how he brought Lauren into the fold. This was such a heartwarming romance that I damn near swooned multiple times while reading it.

Lauren, holy cow was she great. I enjoyed getting to know her and I really enjoyed watching her finally let people close to her again. She was completely broken hearted but she grew into her own skin and learned how to live by herself and become a formidable woman. I loved seeing her friendships with the other girls grow and grow and grow and I loved that Mike wanted her to have friends and to have everything she deserved to have...even love, with him.

Mike juggled lots of hats in this book, from father to player to lover and friend and I thought he wore each hat well. He had an abundance of love to give and he was never shy about spreading his love around. I loved the relationship he had with his daughter, with his daughter's manny and the love he had for his friends and teammates. He was patient and kind and an all around hot, sexy piece of goodness. His love for Lauren completely melted me and I loved that Lauren was able to give him the love he craved. They were so good together and I loved seeing them grow to love and trust each other again. I love that Mike didn't let her reservations deter him from fixing things between them and loving her so fully and completely. I just adored these two.

This was a great addition to the Brooklyn Bruisers series and it's got me salivating for more. I cannot wait for Nate and Becca's story though I'm also low key wanting stories for Silas and a couple of other guys on the team. I've got my fingers crossed. Definitely recommend. Go forth and read this book, it's great!

<strong>Grade: 4.25 out of 5</strong>

An emotional story of second chances. A one-sitting read. Recommend this contemporary romance featuring a hockey star to fans of Rachel Gibson's Simply Irresistible.

I am not a romance reader. I tend to find the genre lacking in plot and character development. Apparently, fate has decided to make me rethink my prejudices, because Sarina Bowen is Awesome! Realistic, complex, likable characters who actually behave like sane adults. Plot development! Depth! And, bonus if you're into hockey, because the background info is detailed and interesting.
Highly recommend!

A stiff, distant crusty crone was how I thought of Lauren Williams in Sarina Bowen’s rather outstanding hockey series, but ‘Pipe Dreams’ has made me think differently about her. Once I got to know her story, it felt as though she was entitled to her bitterness and the hanging dark cloud that followed her wherever she went. Mike Beacon, the goalie who shattered it all 2 years ago though, only learns the extent to which he’d hurt her when she returns to help the owner of the team, then goes all out to win her back. With a competitive spirit working overtime as he juggles the playoffs, success is his only option, though there’re still a few obstacles in the way of their HEA.

I read ‘Pipe Dreams' once, then read through it again, unable to get enough of Mike’s and Lauren's story. It’s a second-chance romance trope, and Bowen certainly crafts the story in a way that casts both characters in a very sympathetic light, explaining the circumstances that separated both Mike and Lauren in a manner that made it difficult to side with either one of them. As with most Sarina Bowen books, every time I think I’ve got the plot and conflict figured out, I always get surprised—and pleasantly so. Mike/Lauren do behave like the adults they are, navigating past hurts with the kind of realism I expected, but above all, their story was solidly integrated into the inner workings of the team’s activities and business that made ‘Pipe Dreams’ feel like a complete story with no unfinished business. (except perhaps, for the constant teases of Nate/Becca that don’t seem to be in any sequel anywhere)

I did get lost in the details of the hockey itself but the Brooklyn Bruisers series is nevertheless one of a kind—and this is coming from someone who lives in an area where hockey is barely given a blink. It was gratifying to dive into this book, knowing that in this series, Bowen doesn’t make out the entire team of hockey players to be foaming-in-the-mouth, rabid men with testosterone levels so high that they need constant sex with any woman they can hook up with but as individual characters, distinct personalities that could on their own, actually get their own story.

My only hope? That she’ll continue this series for many books to come.

As HEA's go, the one in this story has to be on of the most poignant I've read in a long time. Because the characters were so believable, their pain and longing so real, when Mike and Lauren found their second chance, it was take your breath away emotional.

Having read the previous book in the series, I'd expected to enjoy this story as well, yet this one far exceeded my expectations for chemistry and yes even the ever moving, changing dialog that in itself was engaging. It feels as if the author is evolving her characters with each new book, engaging the previous ones, and intertwining them with the new story. The reappearance of past characters keeps the whole story enact, reinforcing the emotional bond previously developed.

This book was provided by the Publisher and Netgalley, I am voluntarily providing my honest review.

I enjoy a good sports romance book very much and this one was right up my alley and a great read! I had already read the other books in the series even though you won't be that lost if you don't read the others. Mike is a single father and Lauren is the one that made him happy but life got in the way. The romance is sweet if not at times frustrating but the story pulls at the heartstrings. The path for these two goes through different obstacles that will have you hoping desperately for it to all payoff in the end. Very much enjoyed this story and can't wait for what's next from Sarina!

This story was really good. It stands alone but it has some really serious issues and is not just a fun book. The two topics that suround the book is:
1. When is it cheating on a spouse? before you are divorced? or when you are in the process?
2. Having a baby when you are ready but not with a man
3. Ovarian Cancer

This story at times was confusing. Not the authors fault but it covers many years and flips from the years as needed to tell the story. It was extremely well written and its plot was well thought out.

This is the story about Lauren. She has been the bitchy, stuck up assistant of Nate's who works in his Manhatten office. Becca, Nate's Brooklyn Bruiser assitsant gets injured and cannot do her job while she recovers so Lauren gets assigned to the hockey team in Brooklyn and while she travels with them.

The Brooklyn Bruisers are after a Stanley Cup and this story follows mostly their 2016 quest to win it. It also tells the story about Bruiser, Mike Deacon, the Goalie and his desire to win Lauren back. Lauren and his story starts 4 years before in 2012.

In 2012 Mike had discovered his marriage is over, he has been friends with Lauren for years and he and his wife are in the process of divorcing when he finally can follow his heart with a relationship with Lauren. The story then follows their relationship wich lasts almost 2 years. When suddenly, Mike tells Lauren he is dumping the divorce, her and going back to his wife.

When he does that all the hockey wives start calling Lauren names for being the other woman and that creates her bitchy personality and is why Nate moves her to Manahatten to work. Meanwhile Mike was given an impossible choice. His almost ex told him she was sick with Ovarian Cancer and he felt he had no choice but to go take care of her and his 9 year old daughter.

The story in 2016 picks up when Mike's wife has been dead 1 year and he finally wants to move on with Lauren. But Lauren refuses. She cannot trust him or any man. But she does want a child, so she is on a quest to make that happen.

Now I am not telling you what happens. But this story was excellent. I loved Lauren and Elsa. I also liked that the author made things not so easy for Mike and Lauren in relation to Elsa. But I also like that Mike was so in love with Lauren that he would do or give anything to be with her.

Sarina Bowen's Pipe Dreams is amazing! Her Brooklyn Bruiser's series keeps getting better and better! I can hardly wait for the next one!!!

Pipe Dreams
by Sarina Bowen
Genre: Romance Contemporary, Sports Romance
Sensuality: Hot
4 Stars

Readers may be surprised to see Bowen granting another couple a second chance at romance in the third installment in her popular Brooklyn Bruisers series. Emotionally heartfelt and punctuated with an appealing mixture of humor and sorrow, this couple’s journey is littered with love, guilt, regret, and anger as they strive to rebuild their friendship. Alternating between the past and the present, Bowen tells a story of family, loyalty, and obligation to show the complexity of this couple’s issues. Using her signature humor, spicy dialogue, and sizzling chemistry, Bowen writes a satisfactory happily ever after though the hero’s manipulative attitude left me feeling uneasy at times about his role in this affair.

Summary: MIke Beacon, goalie for the Brooklyn Bruisers, married young and worked hard to build a promising career while raising a family. When he and his wife separate, he runs to the one person who understands him best; Lauren Williams. He and Lauren slip from friends to lovers easily but when tragedy strikes, Mike disappears with little explanation. Heartbroken, Lauren accepts a job offer in New York and never looks back. When the PA for the Bruisers’ owner is injured, Lauren is forced to come back to Chicago and take over. Mike is thrilled and plans on using this chance to fix the mistakes he made in the past and reclaim his future with Lauren. Only, Lauren has her own future mapped out and he’s not in it. But one thing a goalie learns while guarding the net...nothing is impossible.(BERKLEY, MAY, 336pp., $7.99)

Reviewed By:Tori Benson
Publisher: Berkley
Published: May 2017

A Second Chance romance that will leave you SWOONING with excitement!!

Lauren in the first two books we see her from time to time and always came across as this moody snob who is very bitter. I was always curious as to her story and Pipe Dreams finally lets us in to this woman who seemed to have an issue with dealing with the Hockey side of Nate's empire. That issue is goalie Mike Beacon who broke her heart.

I loved every bit of this book, from finding out how Lauren's heart was broken to seeing if it could be mended. Lauren I think is now my favorite female from this series. Strong, independent and is determined to stick to her plan. My heart literally sank when we find out just how her heart was broken.

Mike Beacon has also had his share of heartache making sacrifices for his daughter. While I definitely took issue with some of the decisions he made I still understood his reasoning.

My heart ached for both Mike and Lauren knowing that they lost so many years together. I could understand Lauren's hesitation throughout and loved that Mike would not give up in his pursuit to get her back. They share some sweet sweet moments and the chemistry between the two is undeniable. There is also some Angst and Mike's daughter who doesn't approve of Lauren which makes for a little bit of drama as well as some tender moments along the way.

I also loved that we get to see the rest of the dynamic cast from this series that had me giggling a bit. I'm hoping from what I read that there will be more books coming particularly with Nate and Becca.

Sarina Bowen definitely brings another great book in an already great series. Full of hot chemistry, sweet romance, with a bit of comedy and angst.

Mike Beacon is a champion at defending the net, but off the ice, he’s not so lucky. A widower and a single father, he’s never forgotten Lauren Williams, the ex who gave him the best year of his life. When Lauren reappears in the Bruisers office during the playoffs, Beacon sees his chance to make things right.

Lauren hates that she’s forced to travel with the team she used to work for and the man who broke her heart. There’s still undeniable sexual tension running between her and Mike, but she won’t go down that road again. She’s focused on her plans for the future—she doesn’t need a man to make her dreams of motherhood come true.

Lauren plays her best defensive game, but she’s no match for the dark-eyed goalie. When the field of play moves to Florida, things heat up on the beach.

One of Mike’s biggest fans doesn’t approve—his teenage daughter. But a true competitor knows not to waste the perfect shot at love.

Lauren Williams works for a multi-million dollar technology company and loves it. Her boss also owns the Brooklyn Bruisers, an NHL hockey team. Lauren grew up with hockey and used to love it. She loved it up until the Bruiser that she was planning on marrying suddenly up and left her for his ex-wife with very little explanation. Lauren’s not willing to put herself out there again when Mike Beacon, the man who broke her heart, starts to show signs that he’s interested in her once again. She’s moving ahead with her life and her plans for single motherhood and Mike has no place in her plans. Unfortunately for Lauren’s plans, Mike is determined to get back the woman he never stopped loving no matter what he has to do.

I have to tell you that when I read about why Lauren and Mike broke up in the first place I didn’t want to have Lauren and Mike get back together. Seriously, I was that mad at him for being an insensitive ass. True, his motivations were honorable but the way he handled it was horrible and I wasn’t sure I could forgive him.

By the middle of the book I still wasn’t sure how he was going to win Lauren back but by that point I was on his side. He was a good guy who had made a gigantic mistake. I couldn’t condone how he handled things with his ex-wife, and of course there were plenty of ways he could have helped his ex and stayed with Lauren (but then we wouldn’t have a book, would we?) but that’s not what happened. Now that time has passed since his ex-wife died he knew that he couldn’t live any longer without Lauren by his side but he not only had Lauren to contend with but also his extremely sassy 13-year-old daughter, Elsa.

Elsa was a piece of work and I truly wanted to climb into the book and give her a good talking to but I could understand why her emotions were all over the place. Her mother had died, her dad is gone a lot because of his hockey schedule, she had to move away from her friends and now he’s gonna date a woman that everyone tells her stole her father away from her mother? Yeah, I’d be an emotional wreck too. Despite her sassiness, however, I liked the kid. She had her moments of goodness and I thought she was a good addition to the story.

The romance in this book was extremely emotional but oh, so good. Lauren and Mike were so good together but it was definitely hard for me to see how they’d work things out and let the hurt of the past go. I was happy that they were able to move on and that Lauren was able to trust Mike again. The story was fabulous and of course I loved the hockey talk as well. 😊

Rating: 4 out of 5

This will post as a guest review on Book Binge.
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Full review to be published online in early May.

I have a soft spot for second chance-at-love stories, and I've really enjoyed Sarina Bowen's hockey series so far. I had some issues with PIPE DREAMS, however, and was hugely disappointed. It started with the flashbacks, which are not my favorite way to tell a backstory. Then there was Mike's child, who was nothing more than a prop to the plotline just so that he could have a dead wife and a child to raise alone. The 'manny' Hans was a more fleshed out character than she was; I can't even think of her name. The social commentary was awkward, and laid on with a heavy hand. The worst thing by far, however, was the WTF artificial insemination subplot.

Mike had dumped Lauren abruptly two years before, with no explanation. Lauren thinks she will never have a another relationship, so she has decided to be artificially inseminated. At 31 years old!! Mike finds out about her plan, and convinces her that he should be the father. Lauren thinks she will have her baby with no strings to Mike; even though he is already trying to get back into her life. The whole thing was ludicrous, and brought down my respect for Lauren and the storyline. Absolutely ridiculous subplot.

Despite the fact that I found this one tossed together and lacking in several areas; I'm enjoying the "Brooklyn Bruisers"series. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series; hopefully it will be a more streamlined and professional effort.

Sarina Bowen is one of those authors who writes books I cannot put down once I start reading them. Pipe Dreams was no exception to this rule. Even though I know nothing about hockey I find myself fascinated by the story because it is so well written. The whole Brooklyn Bruisers series is a must read.

I am reviewing this book based on an ARC received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest opinion.