Pipe Dreams (A Brooklyn Bruisers Novel Book 3)

I really enjoyed Pipe Dreams! It’s a fun, entertaining hockey romance with engaging characters, great chemistry, and plenty of moments that kept me turning the pages. I especially enjoyed the hockey setting and the way the romance develops throughout the story. It’s an easy, enjoyable read and a great choice for anyone who loves sports romance and hockey-themed stories.

I was nervous about this one because Lauren wasn't super likeable in the other books. But once we got her backstory with Mike everything about her character made sense. I was frustrated by Mike's daughter, I mean I understand her emotional state losing her mom, but I really hated the way she spoke about Lauren. Im glad Shelly finally revealed the truth. Another great book in the series.

Another great installment in the series. I enjoyed seeing a different Lauren in this one, or rather to see who she really is and also see her lighten up enough to become friends with the other girls. I loved the interaction between her and Nate and was heart broken about her and Mike's past. Mike made a HUGE sacrifice 2 years ago and now he is ready to reclaim his life back with Lauren by his side. Lauren and Mike met years ago but they mostly spend their time as friends while Mike was married, even if FAR from happily. When he and his wife broke up after SHE cheated on him, he and Lauren finally had the opportunity to take their friendship to the next level and yet tragedy made Mike make a very difficult decision which left Lauren all by her own and Mike dealing with a horrible situation and finding himself raising his 12 years old girl all by his own. Life isn't easy for both of them. Mike misses Lauren with every breath, and his little girl, misses her mother and wants what she can never have. Lauren was more than heartbroken when Mike broke up with her and disappeared from her life. She had a hard time as it is, trying to build a life for herself when her parents, mostly her father refused to help her financially so she worked hard, studied harder and made a life of her own. Now, finally graduating, having a job she loved with a boss who truly appreciates her she is ready to build a family even if she can't have the man she never stopped loving. She can have a child, all by her own, she is ready for this stage in life and she can't wait to finally be pregnant, yet now that Becca is out of the office, Nate wants her by the team and it's the LAST thing she needs. First, seeing Mike so often is distracting and frankly too painful not to mention traveling with the team takes her away from the clinic and the procedure she can't wait to have. When Mike sees Lauren again he realizes this is the time to reclaim his life even if Lauren keeps pushing him away and his daughter can't stand the sight of the love of his life. When he learns of Lauren's wish for a child he becomes even more invested in giving her everything he promised before they broke up two years ago. It was sad seeing how much both hurt these past two years, but I gotta say, I enjoyed the fact that we didn't get this overly angsty book. Once Lauren accepted the truth of Mike's feelings for her, she confessed her own and they could start rebuilding what they lost. It was beautifully done. It so obvious both Lauren and Mike are mature enough to KNOW what they want and not play any games when the one thing they always wanted is offered to them. I don't usually enjoy kids in romance novels but I've got to admit that though she had her annoying moments it all worked out in the end and I didn't feel she took too much space in the story. I loved how independant Lauren was. She put up a face of this aloof woman, but beneath it she was just doing her best to achieve her goals and nothing was easy. I had so much respect for her! She made all of her dreams come true by working HARD. Mike was perfect for her, though he can be a very serious guy, he knows how to throw his seriousness aside and just LIVE. Lauren needed that, he needed Lauren by his side, grounding him, and so it all worked out beautifully. Mike was a little bit TOO pushy for me at times but since these two were a couple once and he knew what he was doing if was all forgiven :) He knows HER enough to make her see how much they fit and how both waited for one another all this time, unable to move on. Beautiful. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED - as usual :) I LOVE Sarina's writing, this series and the one before (The Ivy Years) are a pleasure to read. I should note that there is no problem reading this one as a stand alone but I truly think it's a crime to miss out on the others. I really wish we'll get Nate and Becca's story next, all those small glimpses of them were SUCH a tease! and yet Sarina says she still isn't sure about their book... we'll just have to wait.. Tags: Contemporary MF Romance More @ Ultra Meital Reviews.

I am so happy Pipe Dreams is finally here. I've been waiting for this book ever since I finished Hard Hitter (Brooklyn Bruisers, #2). But, then again, I'm always waiting on a new release from Sarina Bowen. I'm in love with her romances. She has a way of crafting characters and their love stories that makes me swoon every time. It doesn't hurt that one of those characters is usually a hot hockey player. ;) Pipe Dreams was a sweet second chance romance. Years ago, Brooklyn Bruisers' goalie Mike broke things off with Lauren in the worst way. He cut ties without an apology or real excuse. Their break up left Lauren devastated and turned her into an ice queen. She did everything she could to avoid both Mike and hockey...until her boss and owner of the Brooklyn Bruisers forces her fill in during playoffs in the Bruisers office. Working in the office should be easy since it used to be her job, but having to see Mike and watch hockey is harder than Lauren thought. It reminds her of what used to be. It doesn't help that Mike also wants to remind her of what used to be. Lauren's been there, done that and isn't about to put herself in the position to be hurt again. Mike is determined to change Lauren's mind and give her everything she wants. I wasn't quite sure what to expect out of the characters in the beginning. Lauren has been this cold, heartless person since book one. There wasn't anything that made me want her story besides the fact that one of the players broke her heart. Once I got to know her better, that changed. She was actually a pretty sweet person. Lauren had just built a wall around herself. I loved the way that wall was brought down. She was still strong and determined, but happiness made her a better person. Mike was single dad perfection. Seriously, there's not much hotter in a romance novel than a dedicated single father. Everything I learned about Mike made me root harder for him. He made some tough choices for the sake of his daughter and, even though they sucked, they showed what a good person he was. Mike deserved happiness as much as Lauren did. I'm so happy Mike and Lauren got a second chance at life and happiness again with each other. Some may say Pipe Dreams was a little too perfect. They might say Lauren forgave Mike too easily or things went too smoothly for them. Maybe those things are true. Honestly, I didn't care. I was so wrapped up in Lauren and Mike's story that one of them would have to have cheated on each other or done something incredibly stupid for me to have any complaints about Pipe Dreams. I loved it so much I stayed up WAY too late reading it. It was everything I want in a contemporary romance and more. You need to read it! I'm really, really hoping this isn't the end of the Brooklyn Bruisers series. There are so many more characters whose stories I need -- #1 is Nate and Becca's. (I think all fans of the series would agree with this!) I got to see a bit of them in this book, but not hardly enough. I'm crossing my fingers that Sarina Bowen and Berkley Books will give us the opportunity to experience their love story and many more of Mike's teammates'.

Overall this was a solid read with the kind of writing and character development that I come to expect from Sarina Bowen. Really the only reason why the 3 star "It's okay" instead of a 5 star "I loved it" was that I felt the author left a lot on the table and could have really packed an emotional wallop with the characters. Just to recap, the male lead (Mike) burned the bridge on his relationship with the female lead (Lauren). Lauren has spent the last 2 years since their break up bitter, lonely and angry at Mike for the hurt he caused. Mike has spent the last 2 years missing Lauren. He knows what he did hurt her, but I really couldn't tell if he felt true regret or really sorry about what he did. The reader knows he still wants her and misses her but I didn't get a real sense of regret. But here is my problem...There was no resolution or forgiveness between the parties; and that is where the author really could have gotten me in the feels. To go from bitter and angry to "I still love him, okay we're back together" was kind of an emotional cop out on the story. Showing the journey of Lauren getting to a place of forgiveness and acceptance about what happened and showing a deeper level of understanding for Mike about his actions and how he really hurt Lauren would have rounded out this second chance romance. I would have liked to see the characters put in the emotional hard work to get to a place of forgiveness, I was ready to go on that ride. I was wanting to feel like these two characters actually worked past the hurt to make the next chapter of their relationship more meaningful. Instead it just felt like they fell back into the same old relationship. That being said, as stated above the author is solid and the book was overall an enjoyable read and worth the buy. I love the hockey world that the author has created and I'm glad I read the book, even if I felt it fell just a bit short.

After reading three Brooklyn Bruiser books in two days in time for Brooklynaire later this month I can honestly say I am in a hockey coma. I absolutely loved Pipe Dreams as it had the perfect combination of heartfelt emotions, regret, sizzling chemistry and love. Mike and Lauren were fantastic and honestly their story had a realistic and heartwarming ending. I was consumed from beginning to end. I really loved this story. Having seen Lauren and her interactions throughout the last two books, I was amazed by the author's tremendous ability to showcase not only Lauren's huge character growth, but also deep emotions and a heartbreaking and painful past. I cried for her and mourned right along with her. I might have honestly hated Mike for a while lol. But alas the Sarina Bowen magic touch strikes again as like Lauren, my heart broke for Mike and I understood the horrible position he was in. This story was just so so fantastic and I CAN NOT WAIT to jump into Brooklynaire. Bravo! 4.5 stars! ~Ratula

This book had some of my favorite tropes :-) Single dad, second chance and a few more but I don’t want to accused of sharing spoilers ;-) Sarina Bowen is my go to recommendation this year for anyone looking for good writing, a great plot line and characters you can’t help but cheer for.

The Brooklyn Bruisers are back and heading into the playoffs for the Stanley Cup. The next few months are going to be a grueling, time consuming, and demanding on every level. Forget having a personal life, time for friends, and real time with family. Put all the problems aside and focus on the game. The cup is within reach, it's worth the sacrifices made. The players for the Brooklyn Bruisers aren't the only ones making the sacrifices. Their support staff and families are feeling the crunch as well. The last thing Lauren Williams wants is to be working with the Brooklyn Bruisers, especially during the play offs. She hates hockey and hates the time demanded by the team. Stepping in as the assistant to the Bruisers owner is one thing, spending all her time with the team is another. How can she do her job and avoid the team? There is one player in particular that she will avoid at all cost. Goalie Mike Beacon ruined her life, broke her heart, and left her hanging out to dry. She will never let that happen to her again. She learned the hard way and still carries the scars from being burned. Mike Beacon never forgot the passionate year he spent with Lauren. She was his everything, the reason his heart beat. He had his reasons for leaving her and returning to his wife and daughter. It wasn't because he didn't love her, he had a responsibility to his family. He had to make sacrifices in order for them to survive what was to come. Lauren is back in his life. She's back with the team. He's more than determined to win her heart and keep her by his side this time. This is the most important win of his life, she's more important than the Stanley Cup and the team. The only thing standing in his way is Lauren's stubbornness and his teenage daughter's attitude. He's the toughest goalie in the league and conquering the two women in his life is the hardest game he's ever played. Once again Sarina Bowen had my full attention. In the two previous books of the Brooklyn Bruiser series, readers were given a very distinct and different impression of Lauren Williams. She was not a very likable or impressionable character. Sarina let the readers become intimate with the real Lauren hiding beneath the surface. The woman loved with her complete heart and was badly burned. To make matters worse, the repercussions of the break up were more than most people could bear. It's no wonder she hated everything about hockey. What impressed me the most was her strength of character, her sense of morality, and her drive to become a better person. I loved that she didn't let heartbreak ruin her, she embraced it, moved on and made a good life for herself. She was a classy woman to be admired. It's no wonder Mike Deacon was hopelessly in love with her. I highly recommend Pipe Dreams by Sarina Bowen. It can be read as a stand alone novel or in series order. The Brooklyn Bruisers are out to win your heart.

I didn't read the rest of the series but I loved this book! Steamy and sweet

I didn't like Lauren at all in the other novels, but reading about her story with Mike, I understood better her attitude. I was so happy for them when finally they ended up together and they had their HEA. Thank you Sarina Bowen for your stories. I love your books.

I loved, loved, loved the male character in this story, Mike Beacon! He made a huge sacrifice for his family but came back to his love 2 years later.

Sarina Bowen has out done herself again! I could not put the book down, I had to finish it. ❤️