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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
I was so ready to listen to this one and find out more about cranky and as I suspected, misunderstood Lauren. I knew there had to be an explanation to her dislike of hockey, general hostility to everyone but Nate, and extreme reluctance to be involved with Nate’s team. We saw glimpses behind her walls in the rest of the series and I was ready to get to the bottom of this mystery. I am so glad that Sarina didn’t give anything away about Lauren in the rest of the series because peeling her onion back was completely worth it.
Lauren and Mike Beacon go way back, but few of their friends know the complete story of their relationship and eventual hurtful split. When Lauren unexpectedly returns to the Brooklynn Bruiser’s office, Mike, a widower and single father, sees his chance to find happiness again with the one that got away. She fights him with all her defenses, but both still have feelings for the other, and eventually those feelings get the best of them and lead to a hot night in Florida.
I really loved peeling back the layers of Lauren and seeing her and Mike together. This story had so many cute moments between all the characters that make it one of my favorites of the series. Mike is a great guy, and though he made some tough decisions that he shouldn’t have made alone, I loved that he and Lauren had a second chance to find each other. I also loved Elsa’s role in everything and the slick way that Nate manipulated Lauren into Mike’s orbit was totally cute. This sweet story was hard to put down and in audiobook was the perfect listen.
Lauren and Mike Beacon go way back, but few of their friends know the complete story of their relationship and eventual hurtful split. When Lauren unexpectedly returns to the Brooklynn Bruiser’s office, Mike, a widower and single father, sees his chance to find happiness again with the one that got away. She fights him with all her defenses, but both still have feelings for the other, and eventually those feelings get the best of them and lead to a hot night in Florida.
I really loved peeling back the layers of Lauren and seeing her and Mike together. This story had so many cute moments between all the characters that make it one of my favorites of the series. Mike is a great guy, and though he made some tough decisions that he shouldn’t have made alone, I loved that he and Lauren had a second chance to find each other. I also loved Elsa’s role in everything and the slick way that Nate manipulated Lauren into Mike’s orbit was totally cute. This sweet story was hard to put down and in audiobook was the perfect listen.
3.5 stars. Probably my favorite book of the series. The characters felt more real and like well rounded people. I also liked the story with Mike's daughter. Wondering if there's another book coming? Was surprised at how this one ended re: other characters.
3.5 stars
My thoughts about his book are all over the place just like the book itself.
I really enjoyed Brooklynaire and Lauren was one of my favorite side characters so I was super excited to read her story but I don't really know what went wrong.
The beginning chapters were great and it seemed like the book would be right up my alley but it just wasn't what I was expecting and I didn't love it as much as I hoped I would.
Lauren was great though, she was very nice and funny but I didn't connect to her like I wanted. I didn't really care about her and I think I don't actually know much about her.
Mike was the same. I liked his personality, he was funny and charming but just like with Lauren I wasn't over the moon for him.
I also had some issues with their relationship. I thought it was gonna go one way and it didn't. To me it seemed like Lauren forgave Mike too easily and they didn't really have to work on their bond and relationship. It was like they just went back to how it was before. Mike didn't have to do almost any grovelling and the whole thing just happened so fast. I don't think I even know how they got back together and I literally finished the book three minutes ago.
Elsa was another huge part of the book and I felt like she didn't get enough attention. I think she should've been included more, and also the whole baby thing was so weird. Mike and Lo got back together and in no time they were making a baby.
But, to not be only critical I do have to say I liked Mike and Lo together. They had chemistry, banter and they were very cute and the relationship felt natural even though he dropped the first I love you on chapter 2!!
The premise was interesting but the delivery wasn't the best. I'm not saying I didn't like the book though. I'm giving it 3.5 stars because I really liked the beginning and the end too. Plus it was easy to read and I was interested in how it would pan out.
My thoughts about his book are all over the place just like the book itself.
I really enjoyed Brooklynaire and Lauren was one of my favorite side characters so I was super excited to read her story but I don't really know what went wrong.
The beginning chapters were great and it seemed like the book would be right up my alley but it just wasn't what I was expecting and I didn't love it as much as I hoped I would.
Lauren was great though, she was very nice and funny but I didn't connect to her like I wanted. I didn't really care about her and I think I don't actually know much about her.
Mike was the same. I liked his personality, he was funny and charming but just like with Lauren I wasn't over the moon for him.
I also had some issues with their relationship. I thought it was gonna go one way and it didn't. To me it seemed like Lauren forgave Mike too easily and they didn't really have to work on their bond and relationship. It was like they just went back to how it was before. Mike didn't have to do almost any grovelling and the whole thing just happened so fast. I don't think I even know how they got back together and I literally finished the book three minutes ago.
Elsa was another huge part of the book and I felt like she didn't get enough attention. I think she should've been included more, and also the whole baby thing was so weird. Mike and Lo got back together and in no time they were making a baby.
But, to not be only critical I do have to say I liked Mike and Lo together. They had chemistry, banter and they were very cute and the relationship felt natural even though he dropped the first I love you on chapter 2!!
The premise was interesting but the delivery wasn't the best. I'm not saying I didn't like the book though. I'm giving it 3.5 stars because I really liked the beginning and the end too. Plus it was easy to read and I was interested in how it would pan out.
Nice second-chance romance, good pacing and characters. I read this one purposely not dwelling on the whole aspect of the backstory. That's really a hard no for me when it comes to a character that needs redemption. But otherwise, a nice romance, paced well. Read this one one weekend when I was under the weather, and it was a great way to pass the time.
Spoiler
... ghosting...
Is it bad that I enjoyed the snippets of Becca and Nate more than Micheal and Lauren together?😬
Do you know how some books don't hold up over the years? Pipe Dreams is NOT one of them.
Sarina Bowen usually does second chance romances pretty well but she failed with this one.
First of all the book was seriously boring as shit. I struggled through and I still skipped the last chapter because my eyes were rolling so hard.
The characters aren't likable. Especially Mike Beacon. He's shallow, selfish and a damn coward. I just couldn't connect with him. He does one "noble" thing the whole book and he does that in the most cowardly way possible. What he did to Lauren is borderline inexcusable but the worst part is he acted completed dumbfounded by the fact that she was mad at him. He's so selfish he figured she should be over his betrayal by now because he's "just a guy she dated two years ago". Really dude? He basically has a one track mind. In the past he gave 100% to his ex wife and kid and gave the middle finger to Lauren. In the present he gives 100% to Lauren and his kid becomes an afterthought. He's just a shit guy all around.
Lauren is a bitter ice queen who we met in previous books and claims Beacon's betrayal justifies being a miserable bitch... however, she forgives him almost immediately. Allowing him to charge his way back into her life with no real effort. So basically she was a cunt to everyone except the one person who actually deserved it. Go Figure
The primary obstacles in the relationship between Lauren and Beacon revolve around a teenager and a dead woman.
---Let me say this, If a child (a grieving child btw, we're not just talking about a spoiled brat. there are supposed to be layers here) is going to be used as an obstacle, fixing the relationship between parent and child should be priority number 1. I want to end the book feeling confident that the child was given appropriate consideration and there are no unresolved issues where she is concerned. I mean, you're the one who brought the kid up in the first place, Bowen! Mike knew his child was struggling to come to terms with her mother's death and fearing that more drastic changes were going to come along. So what does he do?? He focuses on getting another woman pregnant. This is a PLANNED pregnancy mind you, which means he very well could have made an effort to warm his grieving daughter up to the idea of yet another life altering event before pulling the trigger but nope.
The kid who is supposed to be the main obstacle isn't all that important to either of our MC's and that is really what turned me off of this book. I can't stomach bad parents especially when they are presented as spectacular parents. One example that stuck out to me: Beacon's de facto nanny calls and tells him his daughter is depressed. (He knows she doesn't like Lauren and rather than explaining their relationship to her he basically shamed the kid into tears and then walked away so this whole situation is still unresolved at this time) Beacon gets off the phone with the nanny without giving a second thought to his sad child and calls Lauren to invite her to spend the night. When Lauren asks if the kid is okay with that he says and I quote "I love that kid, If she hasn't figured that out by now waiting a couple more weeks won't help..." Pause. Stop right there. Really? Ummmm talking to her might help. Spending time with her might help. Forcing a new mother in her face damn sure won't help. But the kid isn't important in this story so go figure.
Finally the whole sideshow with Nate and Becca was just weird. I could have done without it.
1.5 stars
First of all the book was seriously boring as shit. I struggled through and I still skipped the last chapter because my eyes were rolling so hard.
The characters aren't likable. Especially Mike Beacon. He's shallow, selfish and a damn coward. I just couldn't connect with him. He does one "noble" thing the whole book and he does that in the most cowardly way possible. What he did to Lauren is borderline inexcusable but the worst part is he acted completed dumbfounded by the fact that she was mad at him. He's so selfish he figured she should be over his betrayal by now because he's "just a guy she dated two years ago". Really dude? He basically has a one track mind. In the past he gave 100% to his ex wife and kid and gave the middle finger to Lauren. In the present he gives 100% to Lauren and his kid becomes an afterthought. He's just a shit guy all around.
Lauren is a bitter ice queen who we met in previous books and claims Beacon's betrayal justifies being a miserable bitch... however, she forgives him almost immediately. Allowing him to charge his way back into her life with no real effort. So basically she was a cunt to everyone except the one person who actually deserved it. Go Figure
The primary obstacles in the relationship between Lauren and Beacon revolve around a teenager and a dead woman.
---Let me say this, If a child (a grieving child btw, we're not just talking about a spoiled brat. there are supposed to be layers here) is going to be used as an obstacle, fixing the relationship between parent and child should be priority number 1. I want to end the book feeling confident that the child was given appropriate consideration and there are no unresolved issues where she is concerned. I mean, you're the one who brought the kid up in the first place, Bowen! Mike knew his child was struggling to come to terms with her mother's death and fearing that more drastic changes were going to come along. So what does he do?? He focuses on getting another woman pregnant. This is a PLANNED pregnancy mind you, which means he very well could have made an effort to warm his grieving daughter up to the idea of yet another life altering event before pulling the trigger but nope.
The kid who is supposed to be the main obstacle isn't all that important to either of our MC's and that is really what turned me off of this book. I can't stomach bad parents especially when they are presented as spectacular parents. One example that stuck out to me: Beacon's de facto nanny calls and tells him his daughter is depressed. (He knows she doesn't like Lauren and rather than explaining their relationship to her he basically shamed the kid into tears and then walked away so this whole situation is still unresolved at this time) Beacon gets off the phone with the nanny without giving a second thought to his sad child and calls Lauren to invite her to spend the night. When Lauren asks if the kid is okay with that he says and I quote "I love that kid, If she hasn't figured that out by now waiting a couple more weeks won't help..." Pause. Stop right there. Really? Ummmm talking to her might help. Spending time with her might help. Forcing a new mother in her face damn sure won't help.
Spoiler
Mind you, Laura is already pregnant with his kid at this point because he decided PLANNING to bring a new kid into the equation was more important than resolving issues with the child he already has. I emphasis the PLAN part because it shows how little consideration for his current daughter went into the storylineFinally the whole sideshow with Nate and Becca was just weird. I could have done without it.
1.5 stars
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated