Pipe Dreams

By: Sarina Bowen

Narrated by: Nicol Zanzarella, Rock Engle

Length: 9 hrs and 34 mins

Publisher's summary

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 - his teenage daughter - doesn't approve. But a true competitor knows not to waste the perfect shot at love.

©2017 Sarina Bowen (P)2017 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Great Series!

I love this series. Sarina Bowen is able to weave these stories so awesomely. They're completely engaging and so good!

Love a good second chance romance!

This was a terrific second-chance romance! Lauren was such an enigma in the previous 2 books in the series that it was great to finally get in her head and to see things from her point of view. Actually, Mike was quite the mystery too. We never really got to know much about either one, but what a history we came to learn that the two shared.
I'm not sure I could have been as easily forgiving as Lauren was, when it came to the way things went down between them- it was very surprising. I honestly couldn't believe how Mike handled things, it kind of ticked me off if I'm being honest. I really feel like he could have handled things much better, but I guess at the time he was between a rock and a hard place and believed he was doing what was best. Although I was angry with him, I did feel for him, as he was in a tough position.
As the story progressed I did become deeply invested in their reunion. Lauren had been so hurt by Mike's actions and he was working so hard to make things up to her, he endeared himself to me. There's no doubt that they both still loved each other so much.
I loved how strong and independent Lauren was. I loved that she had plans for herself and wasn't going to let Mike's reappearance in her life derail them. And I liked that Mike was so suportive.
Pipe Dreams was a sweet, emotional read.


***Borrowed through the Romance Package

Another good one

I am a huge fan of Sarina Bowen and the Brooklyn Bruisers series is really good but not her best. This story follows Mike, the goalie, and Lauren, the new owner’s assistant. It is a second chance romance for them after Mike made a huge sacrifice in the past. I understand why Mike did what he did but I wasn’t a fan of how he handled it. I’m happy they finally get their HEA but they weren’t my favorite characters of this series. Nicol Zanzarella and Rock Engle are doing a good job with the narration but I’m just not quite as invested in these books just yet.

Second chance at heartbreak

I adored this story. Lauren and Mike had a chance once he became separated from his wife but that was years ago. Now they are in different places and a second chance is within their grasp. But outside influences may tear them apart before they can ever start again. I loved their characters and the choices they both make. Lauren is protecting her heart with her brain but it just won’t listen. Mike is going full speed ahead with his heart. Side characters also made this book so enjoyable. Nate might be my new favorite grumpy boss. Lol!

Nothing wrong with a sweet cry.

This story took me everywhere from extremely sad to brokenhearted to tearjerkingly happy and so on. There's just a lot of emotions in this one.
I don't do spoilers but I will tell you that you are going to love this book!! lol. Highly recommended!!!

Woah, how did Sarina Bowen do that?

I'm actually surprised by this book!

Narration:
Nicol Zanzarella and Rock Engle-both 4 stars because though they're mostly pretty good, their sexy times/whispers/moaning/groaning are a little awkward

I'm just going to mark it all as spoilery stuff:

Knowing a bit of the background story from previous books (and even in the beginning of this book), I thought I wasn't going to hate this story. I figured it would be eye rolling and a lot of "seriously???" going on in my head. I mean come on, why would you go back to your wife after she cheated. Yes, she's terminal, and it's super sad, but she made her bed... And the daughter, please, she could live with her dad... I kept thinking this story would be extremely frustrating. Yeah, I was so completely wrong. I don't know how she did it, but Sarina Bowen wrote this in a way that you actually understand the characters and their actions. You understand their motivations and you really feel for them. The story line made sense to me, and it worked well. Normally, I'd be ranting in the review by now, but here I sit wondering how the author took a story I knew I'd hate and turned it into something I would read/listen to again!

Good second-chance romance.

Seemingly cold-hearted Lauren, and widower Mike Beacon are reunited for a second chance at love in this beautifully written hockey player romance. The story smacked of reality with the needs of an emotional teenager thrown in to destabilise the fragile re-connection of two good people who cared about each other but were familiar with sacrifice. The emotional highs always seemed at risk because of this couple’s history, and so I was on tenterhooks for them even though I knew a happy ever after was inevitable. This was an emotionally tender and a satisfying read. The writing style included flashbacks to the past when the romance was new - it was a format that worked well and was easy to follow.

I enjoyed this romance and recommend it. The narrators were great.

Why are men so dumb?

Poor Lauren. Damn men are dumb (thanks Sarina for nailing that on head), but I still hated the storyline of his actions though. Almost didn’t want Mike to get a second chance even with his heartbreak. With all that said I do love Lo and Mike together. Liked the angst the teenage daughter brought, very realistic. I do like the overlapping of the previous book and the next. Wish it wasn’t a third person narration, would have flowed a little better with all the flashbacks too.

My favorite of the series!

My absolute favorite of this series. I loved Mike and Lauren’s second chance at love storyline. Their chemistry is sizzling and their journey bittersweet. Loving all the characters and their books. Narration is #goal! A must listen!

Great story!

I loved finally getting Lauren’s story. There is sooo much more to her and why she acts the way she does. I loved watching her come back to life and start really living again with all the things she enjoyed. Mike had some making up to do and she made him work for it and prove that he meant it. I loved watching these two work things out as they were meant to be and circumstances screwed them over 2 years ago. This book can be read as a standalone but you do see characters from the previous and future books so added bonus if you have read the others and continue to series. I can’t wait for the next one.
The narrators did a great job with the personalities and bringing these characters to life.