Pipe Dreams (A Brooklyn Bruisers Novel Book 3) Kindle Edition

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 RomanceMore @ 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'.

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. ❤️