REVIEW: Pipe Dreams (Brooklyn Bruisers #3)

Pipe Dreams (Brooklyn Bruisers #3), by Sarina Bowen
Publish Date: May 2, 2017
Publisher: Berkley Romance
Format: e-ARC, provided by the publisher via Netgalley
Genre: adult contemporary romance
To Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Rating: 5 STARS

(Synopsis) 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.

Sarina Bowen's series about hot hockey players gets better with every book. And Mike Beacon may just be the best book boyfriend this year. This man is honorable and determined and a really good dad. Without a doubt, he's the sexiest Bruiser yet. 

I didn't know how I'd feel about Lauren's book. She's always been kind of awful to everyone around her. We discover in Pipe Dreams that there's a very good reason behind this, and I loved watching Lauren's cold attitude slowly change as her orbit starts to expand to include hockey and Mike once again - two things she used to love, but had to give up. 

Lauren's relationship with Nate is especially sweet. He's her boss, but he seems like a really close friend as well. And Nate is definitely a friend you want to have. Not only is he loaded, but he gives good advice and friendly nudges in the right direction when they're needed. 

Mike is a veteran on the team. One of the oldest guys, he has a thirteen-year-old daughter, a dead wife, and feelings for Lauren that haven't died out for years. His story is definitely a sad one - his choices were not easy. He and Lauren had 18 perfect months before he had to leave her, and although I think the way he went about it was all wrong, his reasons behind them were true. 

Mike's determination to get Lauren back in his life isn't dampened by anything - not her constant refusals or his daughter's vehement objections. A man who knows what he wants is super sexy, and Mike may be the sexiest of them all. He wants that love back, and he's not going to stop until he has it. This man is unbelievable. 

There's actually some movement on the Nate and Becca situation in Pipe Dreams, so I don't know if they will get their own book or not. Especially since neither is a player. But, I loved their little side story that was running parallel to Lauren and Mike's. 

There's tons of hockey action in Pipe Dreams as the Bruisers enter the playoffs and start the hunt for the Stanley Cup. Sports books with very little sports action are always a bit disappointing. So, I was glad that this one was full of all the sports action that makes sports books one of my favorite sub-genres. 

Pipe Dreams not only didn't disappoint, but it blew me away with it's passion, it's excitement and it's honesty. I certainly hope that this isn't the last we've heard from the Brooklyn Bruisers.