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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
So here I am, in the middle of the Southwest part of the US, with no hockey teams in sight. But what is my favorite sports to read about? Hockey! Especially if Sarina Bowen is the author!
The first two books in the Brooklyn Bruisers series, Rookie Move and Hard Hitter, got 5 well-earned stars from me, so I was super excited for the chance to read the third installment, Pipe Dreams. I was a bit nervous though- the heroine, Lauren, was a minor character in books 1 and 2, and not very likable..... but we just didn't know her story yet!
After this book, and learning about Lauren and why she is the way she is, she is one of my favorite characters in the Brooklyn Bruisers universe. And Mike Beacon- holy Goalie! I LOVE the men in this series- and they are MEN, not boys- and Mike is at the top of the list. He's mature, he's passionate, he's dreamy. Although of course Sarina gave us some angst- it's love after all- this book is delightfully drama free.
I'm a binge reader, a skimmer, and I fly through books. But some books require a second, more thorough reading, and Pipe Dreams absolutely fell into that category. LOVE LOVE LOVE this book!
**I voluntarily read an advance copy**
The first two books in the Brooklyn Bruisers series, Rookie Move and Hard Hitter, got 5 well-earned stars from me, so I was super excited for the chance to read the third installment, Pipe Dreams. I was a bit nervous though- the heroine, Lauren, was a minor character in books 1 and 2, and not very likable..... but we just didn't know her story yet!
After this book, and learning about Lauren and why she is the way she is, she is one of my favorite characters in the Brooklyn Bruisers universe. And Mike Beacon- holy Goalie! I LOVE the men in this series- and they are MEN, not boys- and Mike is at the top of the list. He's mature, he's passionate, he's dreamy. Although of course Sarina gave us some angst- it's love after all- this book is delightfully drama free.
I'm a binge reader, a skimmer, and I fly through books. But some books require a second, more thorough reading, and Pipe Dreams absolutely fell into that category. LOVE LOVE LOVE this book!
**I voluntarily read an advance copy**
i love to see and meet the real lauren, to understand her background and to see get over her fears and insecurities for give a second chance to the love of her life. mike fucked up big time and honestly to just feel more real i think they should had work there relationship before get back together. even tho it made sense since she was in a hurry to get pregnant.
lighthearted
From the snippets we’ve seen of Lauren during this series I knew there had to be a reason for her aloof attitude towards hockey and boy was it rough. I felt for her. But like all good romance novels, Lauren (and my) smile is restored by the end. Won’t ruin the details for you but will say that Mike is a charmer & a sweet dad. Another great story in the series.
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity
3 Pipe Dreams Stars
Mike & Lauren
I was really looking forward to this book. I started to really like it. Figuring the way the book was going. I really like Mike throughout he was still the same happy go lucky kind of fellow.
My biggest complaint is Mike’s daughter or lack of parenting. She doesn’t like Lauren and I get why but you never really saw Mike be a “dad.” I know its fiction but I kind of like some realistic to my books. I have a 13 year old and if she disrespected anyone I would take her a side and explain that is not going to fly.
Mike kind of lets it slide.
I don’t know it was just meh for me after that. And they it felt like the daughter was just an afterthought.
So over all I like Lauren and I like Mike and together they are awesome. I do think Lauren let Mike off the hook about their past and I wished there had been more of a resolve.
Loved the narration!! Again it’s the same narrators from book two so I am happy about that.
*You don't have to like my review but its 100% my opinion, and I am allowed to have it.*
Mike & Lauren
I was really looking forward to this book. I started to really like it. Figuring the way the book was going. I really like Mike throughout he was still the same happy go lucky kind of fellow.
My biggest complaint is Mike’s daughter or lack of parenting. She doesn’t like Lauren and I get why but you never really saw Mike be a “dad.” I know its fiction but I kind of like some realistic to my books. I have a 13 year old and if she disrespected anyone I would take her a side and explain that is not going to fly.
Mike kind of lets it slide.
I don’t know it was just meh for me after that. And they it felt like the daughter was just an afterthought.
So over all I like Lauren and I like Mike and together they are awesome. I do think Lauren let Mike off the hook about their past and I wished there had been more of a resolve.
Loved the narration!! Again it’s the same narrators from book two so I am happy about that.
*You don't have to like my review but its 100% my opinion, and I am allowed to have it.*
Pure Gold and Dreamy
I love the Brooklyn Bruisers. I have to be honest here, I know nothing about hockey, but I love hockey romance novels. I love sports, I’m that kind of girl, but we don’t hockey in my country. Sad but true. Anyway, I just can’t get enough of it, and nobody does hockey romance quite like Sarina Bowen.
I love everything Sarina Bowen writes because she’s an extremely talented writer. She’s smart and witty and smart. I mean it, she’s really smart. I love how she builds the worlds her stories live in, how relatable and real her characters are, the way she tells each story. She’s a master at making you laugh and cry, sometimes even at the same time. She writes stories full of heart and soul, and it shows.
Pipe Dreams is the third book in the Brooklyn Bruisers series, but it can be read—and fully enjoyed—as a standalone. I recommend reading them all because they are all amazing, but the order is up to you. Pipe Dreams is a story about second chances and forgiveness, and it is truly beautiful.
Mike Beacon is the star goalie of the Bruisers and a single father. Two years ago he had some difficult (try impossible) decisions to make and so he let the love of his life go. Now he has the opportunity to win her back, and he’ll do whatever is necessary to get the job done.
Lauren Williams is ready to make some changes in her life. She’s about to make the most important one when suddenly her life is thrown out of balance by her boss, who sends her back to manage his hockey team temporarily. The same hockey team his ex-boyfriend plays for.
I love Pipe Dreams very much. It’s emotional and steamy and fun. I love the fact that it’s set in different timelines, so you get to experience their past relationship. It’s an enemies to lovers story, so it shines with tension and emotion. The banter is great. And I particularly enjoy when the single parent is the guy. Makes it more fun. And it is hilarious at times.
I recommend reading everything Sarina Bowen has ever written because she is, in my opinion, one of the best writers I have had the pleasure of reading, and Pipe Dreams is a great example of how good she is. As I said before, her hockey is extraordinary and the Bruisers are an amazing series. You should give this book a try. Trust me, you won’t be sorry. Probably addicted, but never sorry.
I love the Brooklyn Bruisers. I have to be honest here, I know nothing about hockey, but I love hockey romance novels. I love sports, I’m that kind of girl, but we don’t hockey in my country. Sad but true. Anyway, I just can’t get enough of it, and nobody does hockey romance quite like Sarina Bowen.
I love everything Sarina Bowen writes because she’s an extremely talented writer. She’s smart and witty and smart. I mean it, she’s really smart. I love how she builds the worlds her stories live in, how relatable and real her characters are, the way she tells each story. She’s a master at making you laugh and cry, sometimes even at the same time. She writes stories full of heart and soul, and it shows.
Pipe Dreams is the third book in the Brooklyn Bruisers series, but it can be read—and fully enjoyed—as a standalone. I recommend reading them all because they are all amazing, but the order is up to you. Pipe Dreams is a story about second chances and forgiveness, and it is truly beautiful.
Mike Beacon is the star goalie of the Bruisers and a single father. Two years ago he had some difficult (try impossible) decisions to make and so he let the love of his life go. Now he has the opportunity to win her back, and he’ll do whatever is necessary to get the job done.
Lauren Williams is ready to make some changes in her life. She’s about to make the most important one when suddenly her life is thrown out of balance by her boss, who sends her back to manage his hockey team temporarily. The same hockey team his ex-boyfriend plays for.
I love Pipe Dreams very much. It’s emotional and steamy and fun. I love the fact that it’s set in different timelines, so you get to experience their past relationship. It’s an enemies to lovers story, so it shines with tension and emotion. The banter is great. And I particularly enjoy when the single parent is the guy. Makes it more fun. And it is hilarious at times.
I recommend reading everything Sarina Bowen has ever written because she is, in my opinion, one of the best writers I have had the pleasure of reading, and Pipe Dreams is a great example of how good she is. As I said before, her hockey is extraordinary and the Bruisers are an amazing series. You should give this book a try. Trust me, you won’t be sorry. Probably addicted, but never sorry.
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is definitely my least favourite novel so far in the series.
It was a bit slower than other ones, but what I actually didn't like were some plot points and the hero.
My main complaint is Mike's persistence and Lauren's thoughtlessnessespecially about something as significant as having a baby.
Mike was just too much. He kept nagging so much about Lauren going back to him and then later about him being the father of the baby that it wasn't cute any more. It was too much. If she told you she doesn't trust you enough, leave her be.
As for Lauren, I didn't actually mind that she succumbed to Mike's advances. I would've liked if she resisted a bit more because of the way he left her, but that wasn't a problem for me. What really annoyed me was the way she thoughtlessly agreed to having his baby and how quickly it happened (especially since it seemed out of character). For the whole book she was described as a planner and she was also very hurt by Mike's actions two years ago. And then he practically demands to be the baby's father in the middle of sexy times and she agrees - without them discussing this huge commitment, without them actually going back together, and without her forgiving him. That was quite foolish - especially because he had already disappeared without a word two years ago. Plus he also had a kid that practically hated her, and who would need time to even get used to their relationship, let alone to the new baby in the "family".
I also didn't really like all the drama with Elsa -it could've been more subtle. Instead she was name calling and blaming Lauren in one moment and then everything was resolved the next. There was no gradual progress, especially since it all started from such extreme "hate".
It was a bit slower than other ones, but what I actually didn't like were some plot points and the hero.
My main complaint is Mike's persistence and Lauren's thoughtlessness
Mike was just too much. He kept nagging so much about Lauren going back to him and then later about him being the father of the baby that it wasn't cute any more. It was too much. If she told you she doesn't trust you enough, leave her be.
As for Lauren, I didn't actually mind that she succumbed to Mike's advances. I would've liked if she resisted a bit more because of the way he left her, but that wasn't a problem for me. What really annoyed me was the way she thoughtlessly agreed to having his baby and how quickly it happened (especially since it seemed out of character). For the whole book she was described as a planner and she was also very hurt by Mike's actions two years ago. And then he practically demands to be the baby's father in the middle of sexy times and she agrees - without them discussing this huge commitment, without them actually going back together, and without her forgiving him. That was quite foolish - especially because he had already disappeared without a word two years ago. Plus he also had a kid that practically hated her, and who would need time to even get used to their relationship, let alone to the new baby in the "family".
I also didn't really like all the drama with Elsa -
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes