A goalie has to trust his instincts, even when taking a shot to the heart…
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.
Source: advance e-galley provided in exchange for an honest review
I seriously do not know how Sarina Bowen has the time to write so many books but I'm glad she does. She's one of a few of my must-read authors; I'm so there whenever they have a new release out.
So here I am talking about Pipe Dreams, book 3 in the Brooklyn Bruisers series. I'm predicting some burst ovaries with this one because it's a second-chance romance featuring a single dad and the woman he had to give up in order to take care of his family. There's some heartache from the past mixed in with deep desires that never went away. Give those ingredients a good shake and you have some major sexual tension vibes flowing through the pages.
Mike and Lauren are both extraordinary people for all their strength and weaknesses having been through a disastrous breakup that saw both of them come away with broken hearts and dreams. So one can understand why Lauren wants to stay the hell away from hockey, the Brooklyn office and most of all Mike, Mr. Heartbreak himself. But she's forced to be there and even the most strong-willed person in the world would have trouble facing off with him. Mike is naturally ecstatic to see her again though cautious about how the interaction will go between them. He knows he left her in pieces but he doesn't get the full picture until now when she finally throws it all at him. Yikes!
I think one of the positives of their story is that it's about perspective, the kind that you gain with distance and time apart. Having been through the worst both Lauren and Mike can look back and say what they did and didn't handle well. And this go round nothing is left unsaid. Once they get through that awkward and painful ceremony of asking for and receiving forgiveness, they can start over though with some changes.
I thought Pipe Dreams was a good read even if I was iffy about how badly Mike wanted to accelerate things with Lauren. For example, I was a bit surprised that he insinuated himself into a major decision in her life and that she initially went along with it without either of them discussing the impact of that decision on some important people in their lives. That's solely my hang up and how I read that particular situation, and to be honest I liked that it had me thinking about how I might respond in such a scenario.
There is no shortage of love for Sarina Bowen here at Bibliojunkies. We adore her and everything she does. I believe there's a fourth book in the works and frankly, I'm hoping that's Nate and Becca's story. They've been in the background this entire time and we've caught glimpses of Nate's distant pining and Becca's adorable obliviousness. I want more, and I have to know, please! Anyway, Pipe Dreams, read it and enjoy yourself!
~ Bel
No comments:
Post a Comment