Sarina Bowen’s Pipe Dreams is a thoughtful and emotional love story with the perfect blend of reality and fantasy to make it feel relatable while also still feeling like escapism, and I loved it. It has all the fun associated with a contemporary sports romance but also delves into some of the complex challenges faced by couples in second-chance relationships. While it is the third book in Ms.Bowen’s Brooklyn Bruisers series, they are all stand-alones and do not need to read in order.

Mike Beacon and Lauren Williams have a complicated history. They met and got to know each other over a period of six years working together for the professional hockey team, the Brooklyn Bruisers. Lauren was on the administrative staff in the front office while Mike was the team’s captain and one of their star players. He was married with a daughter at the time, and he and Lauren developed a solid friendship with an easy connection and genuine affection. They also were both very attracted to each other, but neither ever acknowledged or admitted their feelings – even to themselves – since Mike was married. It was a line neither ever contemplated crossing.

Unbeknownst to anyone, Mike’s marriage has been emotionally dead for years; so when his wife cheats on him, he accepts that his relationship is over and files for divorce. He now allows himself to recognize that he likes Lauren as more than just a friend, and he seeks her out never expecting that she feels the same. They fall quickly and madly in love, have a blissful year-long romance, and are planning their future together when Mike suddenly breaks up with her and returns to his not-quite-ex-wife with little explanation. (His divorce was a bitter and lengthy process, but hadn’t been made final during that year, when he was with Lauren and his wife was in a relationship with someone else. Neither considered it cheating, but the public was less forgiving labeling Lauren as the ‘other woman.’)

Lauren was devastated by the unexpected and abrupt breakup. She immediately transferred out of the Bruisers’ office, and has spent the last two years staying as far away from hockey as possible. She won’t even watch a game or follow the team’s progress, because it is too painful to be reminded of Mike. When the team suddenly needs someone familiar with the organization to provide temporary administrative help, Lauren is the only available option. She’s asked to return to the team, and she reluctantly agrees knowing she will see Mike, now a widower and single father.

When Lauren does see Mike again, it is more painful than she imagined. She’s haunted by memories of their time together and still loves him through the haze of her anger. She doesn’t realize that Mike never stopped loving her but felt he needed to get back with his wife. He regrets not explaining why he ended their relationship and feels guilty for hurting Lauren, and he wants and needs to make things right again and, hopefully, reclaim what they had before. He commits himself to fighting for her forgiveness and for her love knowing he has a steep hill to climb before she will ever absolve him or be able to trust him.

Mike is not afraid of a challenge, and he sets out to pursue her with single-minded determination but also with compassion and patience. He mans up and acknowledges his mistakes without trying to make an excuse for his behavior, and he never attempts to dismiss Lauren’s heartbreak or her anger. They slowly and painfully excavate their past, and although the process is gut-wrenching and emotional, there is also laughter and light-heartedness along the way that reminds them of how good they were together. They share an intense chemistry that has not diminished in the years apart, and he is not above leveraging that attraction. If wooing were a super power, Mike would be a superhero.

The only black marks against him I can find are his reasons for not explaining why he was breaking up with Lauren when he did. His decision was bone-headed, but he does explain his thought process – or lack thereof. He is so charming that I can give him a pass, but I understand why it might be difficult for Lauren to forgive and forget.

When I read the synopsis of Pipe Dreams, I was initially hesitant to read it because I am a bit squeamish about second-chance romances where the breakup and time apart are painful. But I decided to give it a try, because I think Ms. Bowen is a phenomenal writer and I trusted her to mend my heart if she broke it. She did, and Pipe Dreams demonstrates that romances that include some of the messy and complicated realities of relationships and life – including divorces that take forever – feel more relatable, and this makes the reading experience more powerful and satisfying. I feel like I was with Mike and Lauren on every step of their difficult journey, and I felt every emotion – the good, the bad and the ugly cry. I experienced those bittersweet moments when they began to heal and realize there was a possibility they could find love again, and Pipe Dreams will make the most cynical reader believe in second chances and happy ever afters.

4.5 Stars

I stayed up until 5:15am this morning reading this book because I simply. Couldn’t. Put. It. Down! I needed to find out what was going to happen next.

Pipe Dreams is book 3 in the Brooklyn Bruisers series and while, technically, it can be read as a standalone, I recommend you pick up the first two books in the series, they’re awesome and you’re missing out if you haven’t read them.

I didn’t quite like Lauren in the first two books of the series, however, just a couple of chapters into Pipe Dreams and I already loved her. She was strong and hard-working and I found her reactions relatable and realistic all things considered. I loved Mike, too, but I really wanted to slap him for what he did to Lauren when they got together the first time and how he kind of railroaded himself back into her life. I would’ve liked there to be a bit more groveling, but I was satisfied with what we got. It was undeniable they had great chemistry and that they were hot together, fitting perfectly in each other’s lives.

I have been wanting to read Nate and Becca’s story since I read Rookie Move and while we didn’t get it (please, please, Sarina, even if it’s just a novelette, although I wouldn’t say no to something longer 😉), at least we got some glimpses into it and it was awesome.

I think the ending was a bit abrupt, maybe, but it could be that I just wanted more of Lauren and Mike and Elsa, I felt she was missing from that ending.

The writing was superb, as always, and the story was captivating, fun and hot, with just a bit of angst. Definitely recommendable!

***Copy provided to the reviewer via NetGalley for my reading pleasure, a review wasn’t a requirement. ***

Pipe Dreams by Sarina Bowen

This was a wonderful second chance romance written by the talented Sarina Bowen and set in the world of the Brooklyn Bruisers. It's the story of goalie Mike and personal assistant/office manager to the team owner, Lauren.

Mike and Lauren have a past. A significant past and one that neither has really moved on from. While it's been years since they last crossed paths and with so many unanswered questions, Lauren is finally ready to start in a new direction and make things happen for herself. Given that she's now running two offices, she and Mike are now constantly crossing paths (much to her dismay) and he wants back in her life and to hell with the consequences.

I love a good second-chance romance, I love single dad stories, and I love sports romances so I *really* wanted to love this story as much as I have the previous in the series but a small part just really didn't sit quite right with me. Perhaps I expected better of Mike; it was almost as though he didn't put any thought into his decisions or the effect that would have on other people, namely his daughter. I didn't feel as though a single dad would not take his child's feelings and thoughts into consideration no matter how long it's been since he last saw the love of his life. Maybe I'm reading too much into it but that's how I saw it. Nonetheless, it was highly enjoyable book and series I recommend. I particularly loved the story within the story - that's just driving me crazy!

*arc received from NetGalley in exchange for honest review.

**Reviewed by Melinda for Joandisalovebooks Blog.

Pipe Dreams is the story of the prickly, snooty administrative assistant to Nate, Lauren. She is NOT well liked and I wasn't sure her story would be welcome. But, I should have trusted Sarina Bowen. My heart BROKE for Lauren.

Lauren and Mike (the goalie for the Bruisers) were in love. He had just gotten divorced from his wife though and Lauren was concerned people would talk. That didn't stop them though because they really were in love. And for a year or so, things were amazing. Then Mike bails on her, goes back to his wife, and everyone whispers that 'the husband stealing hussy got what was coming to her'. Lauren is heartbroken and develops a wall around herself that pushes everyone away.

Pipe Dreams is a mix of flashbacks to the time when Lauren and Mike were in love and present time, where Lauren has done everything in her power to have NOTHING to do with the Bruisers, even though her boss owns the team. I loved getting to see a different side of Lauren. I loved seeing her open up to Georgia and Ari and Becca because she realizes how snooty she has been and that these ladies, new to the organization, have no idea why she hates the team. And, of course, Georgia, Ari, and Becca welcome her, listen, and support her. Developing female friendships in books is so important because so often women are portrayed as catty, vindictive, and conniving. I love when a group of women come together and don't play into the cat and mouse games.

Mike's story is heartbreaking. First, he knocks up his girlfriend at 19, they get married and he is off playing hockey all the time, his wife leaves him, then she gets sick and he has to step up for the sake of their daughter forgoing his own happiness for the sake of his family. He has a great deal of guilt over his ex-wife, Shelly. He feels he ruined her life by getting her pregnant at 19. She had to abandon her plans of college and become a stay at home mom and a hockey wife. Mike was gone all the time so she was lonely as well. As a reader, you can see the impossibility of his situation and can understand why he made the choice he did. However, I was still irritated at the WAY he did it and how much it crushed Lauren. He looks like Saint Mike and she looks like a wife stealing whore. Its certainly what Mike's teenage daughter thinks too!

Lauren is forced by her boss to take a more active role with the Bruisers and this forces her to have to see Mike all the time. It rips her heart apart daily. The only way she survived all this was to shut Mike totally out of her life and focus on everything else. I expected to not love Lauren based on the previous books, but I adore her! I struggled a bit more with Mike. I, like Lauren, just wasn't sure. I don't know that I could ever trust him again. I'm not sure I could forget that kind of pain. Because I loved Lauren so much, I wanted to protect her from everything. I wanted to be there to step between her and Mike and act as a buffer for her so she didn't get hurt any more. Do you see how much I loved her?!?!? I went all mama bear whenever Mike came around.

Pipe dreams is a second chance romance that is filled with pain, regret, and sorrow. It shredded my heart and I loved every minute of it!

Note: If Becca and Nate's book isn't next, I might go crazy!! I need it!
Link live on 5/2/17

4 sweet stars

I love this series and I'm always excited for the next book!Pipe Dreams was an intense,emotional and sweet story.It's a second chance romance with a slow burn.Both characters are lovable!Lauren is smart and independent, you can easily connect with her.Mike is one of my favorite so far!I like him a lot, he has everything I wanted in a hero.Lauren and Mike have some really intense and sweet moments.I love that in this book we don't have a lot of drama.I'm sure Mike will captivate you with his personality!!

I have to say, I originally wasn't very happy going into Pipe Dreams despite having loved the Sarina Bowen books that I have read simply because the couple wasn't who I was expecting it to be. But fret not! Bowen was able to once again win me over with her swoony boys and her even swoonier romances. As always, reading a book by her just brings me pure joy.

Most of the books that I've read from Sarina Bowen have been second chance romances, and Pipe Dreams was one of those two. I'm not complaining though because she does the trope justice, and manages to make her stories fresh regardless. Lauren and Mike's relationship started shortly after he catches his wife cheating on him. Now, some of you may not entirely approve of how their relationship develops : [spoiler]he isn't divorced when he gets together with Lauren, but he and his wife had separated[/spoiler], but I was fine with it, because it was done tactfully, in my opinion. I loved the flashback scenes we got to read about these two. There was something sweet and genuine about their relationship, and I absolutely loved the comfort level that they shared as well. Unfortunately, tragic news separate the two of them and leave them both heartbroken. I have to say I was quite frustrated at Mike for how he decided to handle the news, and I was hoping for a lot of groveling. Thankfully, we get that. I really really wanted to be mad at Mike for breaking Lauren's heart, but he was such a sweetheart, and so ridiculously charming. It was hard not to fall for the guy.

Lauren was a little more guarded, understandably so, and upon their reunion, she was quite cold towards him, but I completely understood where she was coming from. I really did love that she hadn't let the heartbreak infiltrate every aspect of her life, and that she was quite successful in her career. Honestly, she was badass and I found her to be very admirable. I loved that she didn't easily give in to Mike's wooing, but that she made him work for it. And oh my! Mike sure knew how to woo a girl and melt her hurt. The second part of their romance was relatively quiet, slow, but very swoony. They both had to talk out their past, and their emotional connection was undeniable. I love that Sarina Bowen doesn't have to rely on overly dramatic tropes to make her story flow and shine. There were no stupid misunderstanding between Mike and Lauren the second time around, and I loved that. I was initially a bit worried that Mike's teenage daughter would cause some trouble, but though she initially wasn't a fan of Lauren, she wasn't too much of a detriment to the progression of Mike and Lauren's relationship.

Pipe Dreams was a great romance, that perfectly balanced out the sweet, the angst and the sexy. The backdrop of hockey and the camaraderie between the teammates only enhanced the story. I'm still very much desperate for Nate and Becca's book because holy chemistry, and I hope Sarina will write it! In the mean time, I'll be thinking about how lovely this series has been so far, and exploring more of her backlist.

4.5 Hockey Stars

There's nothing more than I love is a second chance romance story and Pipe Dreams is all about that!

We've met the bitter and angry Lauren Williams in the previous books and never understood what her problem is with the team...and now we do! Lauren's heart was ripped apart after Mike Beacon broke it without a warning or an explanation.

Now, Lauren is temporarily filling in at the Brooklyn Bruiser office and that means running into her ex, Mike, in Brooklyn and being on the road with the team. The love and attraction is still there after all these years, but the hurt remains strong. How do these two be civil, when everyone on their team (thinks) knows their business and past history? Not only are they dealing with the team, but also Mike's very out-spoken teen daughter!

Pipe Dreams is a fantastic read that is filled with angst, drama, misunderstanding, but overall it's a HEA for these two characters. It just takes time for them to get there!

And seriously...I need Nate's book next. I'm dying to find about him and Becca!

It shouldn’t come as news by now that Sarina Bowen is one of my favorite authors. I’ve read most of her work, and I always love her books. This series and this book is no exception. I loved Rookie Move and I really liked Hard Hitter, so obviously Pipe Dreams also stole my heart.

I’m a sucker for second chance romances… and also single dads, so this book had a pretty great premise for me. Once again I really enjoyed the writing. Third person is still not my favorite style, but Sarina does it well.

I really liked the characters. Lauren was fierce and independent and Mike was loyal and amazing. Together they were fantastic, and my only wish is that they had talked about the past before they actually did. I understood Lauren’s heartbreak, what Mike did in the past was shitty, but it was also understandable, and I never felt like he truly lied to her or anything like that.

Elsa, Mike’s teen daughter, was an acquired taste. I understood her feelings and issues completely though, and I LOVED that Mike didn’t give up his pursuit of Lauren because Elsa didn’t approve of it. I LOVED THAT! Though I still think that some more talking would have been the way to go there…

Overall, I really liked the characters and the romance, and I liked the plot a lot. For a little while there I was a bit worried by the way it was going, but it ended up being really cool, so everything was awesome 😉 .

I have to say, Sarina, I NEED A BOOK OR A NOVELLA ABOUT NATE AND BECCA! Come on… so many tidbits, but I want and need the real thing… pretty please?!

SO, GUYS, HAVE YOU BEEN READING THE BROOKLYN BRUISERS SERIES BY SARINA BOWEN? IF YES, DON’T FORGET TO PICK PIPE DREAMS UP, BECAUSE IT’S AWESOME. IF NO, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR????

For the past year, I've been a huge Sarina Bowen fan. Once I finally discovered her. I will always read anything that she puts out and her Brooklyn Bruiser series has been fun from the start. I've always wanted Lauren's story. She's the uptight assistant that we met a while ago and I was dying to figure out what happened to make her the way she was. So needless to say, I was excited for this book.

Lauren has a history with hockey and the love of her life left her 2 years ago. While her boss may own the Brooklyn Bruisers, her role to him has kept her away from the former pleasure that now causes her pain. However, circumstances cause Lauren to be right back in the hight of the team and now facing her former lover.

I won't get into much more. I think you need to read this on your own without an opinion. However, I personally couldn't connect as much as I wanted to. There was a specific part of the story that kind of pushed my connection a bit backwards and I never regained it. I'm 100% sure that it is a me situation and others will totally be OK with it. In fact, if you know my reviews, I can only overcome this scenario with one particular author. That isn't fair to Sarina, I know, that but I have to be honest.

Please don't misunderstand my 3 star rating. I really did enjoy this book. As I said, I've been waiting for Lauren's story. I just wasn't fully connected. However, I think a lot of people will really love this one. If you are looking for a second change romance with a hero that wastes no time in showing how much he needs this reconnection, then this is the book for you. Mike (hero) has total swoon potential.

“Why are you still here?” she asked.
“Because you’re standing on a dark sidewalk at midnight?”
And so begins the re-acquaintance of Mike Beacon and Lauren Williams. I just love a well done second chance love story, and this is one of the best. Throw in some of my favorite hockey players, an ice queen, and a little extra behind the scenes romance (that I desperately need more of), and you have got yourself one heck of a story.
We get to see a small glimpse of Lauren in the first two books in Bowen’s Brooklyn Bruisers series, and I really thought it was going to take a tremendous amount of work for Lauren to get in my good graces. I was so very wrong. All it took was for me to see just how affected she was by Mike’s sudden break up. Lauren wasn’t a bitch, she was broken. She could only hide behind her fancy clothes, her important job and her witty comebacks for so long. Mike Beacon may not have a perfect save percentage, but this is one shot he is going to take, even if Lauren never sees it coming.
I loved Mike from the start. He never had to win me over with his swooniness (and there is a LOT to swoon over), or endear himself to me with how devoted of a father and teammate he was. He had me from hello, literally. He might have played the martyr, but he had a damned good reason. I understand why he felt it was his only option and we can debate for days whether he was right or wrong, but regardless of what it was, in the end, it was what he needed to do.
Mike and Laurens story moves quickly, and I really enjoyed the pace of this one. Their relationship had already been established. They just needed a little prodding from a certain owner, and for Lauren to drop her shield and see what Mikes true intentions were. There was little to no drama in this story, but that’s part of what I liked most about it. It was a beautiful story about two people finding their way back to each other in the middle of the Stanley Cup playoffs. These were two people clearly in love with one another. All consuming, ‘till death do us part kind of love. Life may have intervened for a few years, but once reunited, they were not to be stopped. Being it's a Sarina Bowen book, you know all the technical parts are going to be flawless, but what I loved most was the ease of the story. I was lost in the words from the first until the last. Mike and Lauren will forever be a favorite of mine.

5 stars!



OH MY GAWD. I loved this book so hard! Sarina Bowen, you have outdone yourself!!!

Pipe Dreams is the third book in the Brooklyn Bruisers series but can easily be read as a standalone novel. This book follows Mike Beacon, goalie for the Bruisers and Lauren, the office manager to the man who owns the team. Four years ago they had been in a relationship, happy and in love, until two years ago when Mike broke up with Lauren and basically disappeared from her life very rapidly. What Lauren didn’t know was Mike needed to take care of his young daughter, as his wife who he was in the middle of divorcing became terminally ill.

Currently, Lauren has been brought in by the team owner to cover the Bruiser’s while they are in the playoffs. Mike and Lauren find themselves together more often and old feelings resurface. Mike wants to pursue Lauren again, but after he left her Lauren has issues with trust and doesn’t want to risk getting hurt again.



This is a book that every single time I put it down, I found myself craving to pick it back up. I gobbled this one up and wanted to hug it to my chest after reading it! Sarina Bowen is one of my favorite authors, and this book just reaffirmed why I always come back to her books every single time. I was even hesitant to pick this one up, because I just kind of liked the first book, and dnf’d the second. But I wanted to see what else was happening in the Bruiser’s world and I am so glad I did!

Second chance romance is my favorite subgenre of romance, I love seeing two people who belong to each other, make their way back to one another. Mike made a mistake two years before, but in my opinion he made it for all the right reasons. Does that mean he still didn’t mess up big time? No. But my heart bled for the man and the tough choices he had to make, and the one he chose ultimately for the better for his daughter.

Surprisingly for a second chance romance, there was zero to no drama. I kept waiting for it to happen at the 70% point on and when it didn’t, I was impressed! There was a little bit of angst, mostly because Lauren had to learn to trust again, but I completely understand that and so did Mike. And for having a 13 year old daughter in the book, delivering no drama is quite the achievement! What we did get as readers is emotional moments, ones that squeezed your heart but not too hard that it hurt. I found myself rooting for this couple for all that they had been through and was pulling for them so hard!

Anyways, this is a single parent, second chance, hockey sports romance that I think many readers will love and enjoy. After what felt like a rough start to the series (for me) it’s good to know that it just keeps getting better.

Look. Sarina Bowen + Hockey + single dad + second chance = sure thing. There’s no question. That formula is locked down. No matter how much angst is thrown in or how sizzling sexy things get – you know it’s going to be so freaking good.

So, it comes as no surprise that Pipe Dreams delivered the happy satisfied smile and tummy full of butterflies that I crave so much. The romance between Mike and Lauren was a slow burn (and I love a steady, sexy slow burn, so that’s not an issue here at all), but it did sometimes drag a bit for me. I felt like it was a little heavier on the hockey than the other books have been. I mean, it was exciting to read about the boys in the playoffs, but it felt like sometimes the romance took a back burner to the hockey action. That said - catching up with Leo, Georgia, Doulie and Ari was completely delightful. I also loved the friendship that blossomed between the girls. I loved that Lauren was given the opportunity to grow and flourish in those friendships.

Speaking of flourishing – I adored how Lauren evolved over the course of this book. Her relationships with the girls, and with Nate, and – of course – with Mike changed her in ways that made her impossible not to completely adore. I sympathized with her. My heart broke for her. I understood every conflicted emotion she had and why it was necessary for this burn to simmer for so long. I loved the way her relationship with Mike came full circle – even while I had trouble connecting with it sometimes. I loved how he loved her and I loved how she treated his love like a precious thing.

That said, I struggled with Mike sometimes. Don't get me wrong - he was pretty much the very picture of my perfect man (good dad, sexy hockey player, nice guy) - but for the vast majority of the book I wanted to shake some sense into him. I felt like he didn’t fully own or respect the role he played in their history. Like he oversimplified -- basically everything, and because of that, I didn't connect with him the way I wanted to which became frustrating after a while. He’s a fantastic guy who melted my heart in scenes and moments – but I didn’t always trust him.

In the end, while this was not my favorite book of the series, I still loved it pretty fiercely. It’s full of banter and these heart-melting swoony moments. The ending is happy and incredibly fulfilling and I enjoyed (almost) every minute!

The buzz on the street is that Pipe Dreams was the last book in the Brooklyn Bruisers series. Once I stopped having heart palpitations due to panic about not getting any more of these (scrumptious) hockey boys, I pulled myself together enough to compose this plea: spin off, please! Because I have serious Nate and Becca needs. Needs. *crossables crossed and head bent in prayer*.

Pipe Dreams focuses on Mike Beacon, the starting goalie of the Brooklyn Bruisers, and Lauren Williams, his ex-girlfriend and the Bruisers' owner Nate Katzenberg's executive assistant. Lauren normally works in Manhattan at Nate's tech company, but an accident makes her the office manager for the Bruisers as well during their playoffs run. Lauren isn't happy about this because she's been trying to avoid Beacon for the past two years, since he broke her heart. But now their paths are crossing again, and it's hard for her not to admit that the spark might still be there.

Meanwhile, Mike Beacon is a single father with a 13-year old daughter. Luckily, he has a lot of help, but he's still lonely and missing Lauren. With the Stanley Cup on the line, and a lot of complications, can he get Lauren back?

What I really liked about this book was how well-drawn Mike Beacon was. Bowen takes his philosophy as a goalie - a guy who has to shake off the past and always look to the future - and extends it to his entire character. He's a guy who can stay calm, loose, and optimistic even if the odds are stacked against him. And since he's been through a lot with his daughter and his ex-wife, he also appreciates every moment of the present. It's a combination that's hard to resist - especially when you add in his humor and determination.

I loved how much he clashed with Lauren. The banter was really cute, especially since Lauren is a go-getter - someone who has made her own destiny and isn't afraid to be strong. Lauren is probably one of my favorite of Sarina Bowen's female characters. She can be cold as ice, but she also does what she needs to do to get things done - on her own or with someone. It's just a delicious combination of personalities.

There isn't a ton of hockey in this book, but I was okay with that because I liked how much it focused on the characters and their relationships. Of course, Mike's daughter Elsa has a huge part in that, as well as Hans, Elsa's violin teacher and "manny." As always, Bowen creates a great, supportive cast of characters that I wanted to cheer on as much as the leads.

The only thing I would have wished for in this book were a few more steamy scenes. Don't get me wrong - the ones that are there are solidly racy - but I really wanted one or two more that burned up the page, especially since we're told a lot that Lauren and Mike's chemistry is off the charts.

Despite that, this is a really great love story and family story. It's probably my personal favorite of the Brooklyn Bruisers books so far. I stayed up far, far too late reading because I just had to know how it would end. And I gotta tell you - it was totally worth it.

Sarina Bowen’s Pipe Dreams is a thoughtful and emotional love story with the perfect blend of reality and fantasy to make it feel relatable while also still feeling like escapism, and I loved it. It has all the fun associated with a contemporary sports romance but also delves into some of the complex challenges faced by couples in second-chance relationships. While it is the third book in Ms.Bowen’s Brooklyn Bruisers series, they are all stand-alones and do not need to read in order.

Mike Beacon and Lauren Williams have a complicated history. They met and got to know each other over a period of six years working together for the professional hockey team, the Brooklyn Bruisers. Lauren was on the administrative staff in the front office while Mike was the team’s captain and one of their star players. He was married with a daughter at the time, and he and Lauren developed a solid friendship with an easy connection and genuine affection. They also were both very attracted to each other, but neither ever acknowledged or admitted their feelings – even to themselves - since Mike was married. It was a line neither ever contemplated crossing.

Unbeknownst to anyone, Mike’s marriage has been emotionally dead for years; so when his wife cheats on him, he accepts that his relationship is over and files for divorce. He now allows himself to recognize that he likes Lauren as more than just a friend, and he seeks her out never expecting that she feels the same. They fall quickly and madly in love, have a blissful year-long romance, and are planning their future together when Mike suddenly breaks up with her and returns to his not-quite-ex-wife with little explanation. (His divorce was a bitter and lengthy process, but hadn’t been made final during that year, when he was with Lauren and his wife was in a relationship with someone else. Neither considered it cheating, but the public was less forgiving labeling Lauren as the ‘other woman.’)

Lauren was devastated by the unexpected and abrupt breakup. She immediately transferred out of the Bruisers’ office, and has spent the last two years staying as far away from hockey as possible. She won’t even watch a game or follow the team’s progress, because it is too painful to be reminded of Mike. When the team suddenly needs someone familiar with the organization to provide temporary administrative help, Lauren is the only available option. She’s asked to return to the team, and she reluctantly agrees knowing she will see Mike, now a widower and single father.

When Lauren does see Mike again, it is more painful than she imagined. She’s haunted by memories of their time together and still loves him through the haze of her anger. She doesn’t realize that Mike never stopped loving her but felt he needed to get back with his wife. He regrets not explaining why he ended their relationship and feels guilty for hurting Lauren, and he wants and needs to make things right again and, hopefully, reclaim what they had before. He commits himself to fighting for her forgiveness and for her love knowing he has a steep hill to climb before she will ever absolve him or be able to trust him.

Mike is not afraid of a challenge, and he sets out to pursue her with single-minded determination but also with compassion and patience. He mans up and acknowledges his mistakes without trying to make an excuse for his behavior, and he never attempts to dismiss Lauren’s heartbreak or her anger. They slowly and painfully excavate their past, and although the process is gut-wrenching and emotional, there is also laughter and light-heartedness along the way that reminds them of how good they were together. They share an intense chemistry that has not diminished in the years apart, and he is not above leveraging that attraction. If wooing were a super power, Mike would be a superhero.

The only black marks against him I can find are his reasons for not explaining why he was breaking up with Lauren when he did. His decision was bone-headed, but he does explain his thought process – or lack thereof. He is so charming that I can give him a pass, but I understand why it might be difficult for Lauren to forgive and forget.

When I read the synopsis of Pipe Dreams, I was initially hesitant to read it because I am a bit squeamish about second-chance romances where the breakup and time apart are painful. But I decided to give it a try, because I think Ms. Bowen is a phenomenal writer and I trusted her to mend my heart if she broke it. She did, and Pipe Dreams demonstrates that romances that include some of the messy and complicated realities of relationships and life – including divorces that take forever - feel more relatable, and this makes the reading experience more powerful and satisfying. I feel like I was with Mike and Lauren on every step of their difficult journey, and I felt every emotion – the good, the bad and the ugly cry. I experienced those bittersweet moments when they began to heal and realize there was a possibility they could find love again, and Pipe Dreams will make the most cynical reader believe in second chances and happy ever afters.

by AAR's Mary

This was such a sweet romance that I COULD NOT PUT DOWN! Sarina Bowen has brought a new romance to this hockey series, that will swoon you away with everything that has to do with demurring personas and also creativity when it comes down to the aspects of love and passion.

Everything that Sarina has brought to this series has been spectacular and I cannot wait for future stories!

If there's one word for the Brooklyn Bruisers series, it's real. Bet you were expecting me to say sexy, and yeah, it's that too. But, Sarina Bowen has a knack for developing relatable, true-to-life characters who deal with real-world problems. It’s particularly true in Pipe Dreams and it's what made the book such a great read for me. Bruisers Goalie Mike Beacon balances his hockey career and being a single dad with refreshing maturity; Lauren Williams is putting herself first, focusing on finishing her degree, and her career. Single dad, second-chance-at-love stories aren't usually my thing, but finding out what the deal was the chip on Lauren's shoulder, the real characters, a little bit of hockey, and a little bit of sexy, made it a win for me.

This is the third book in the Brooklyn Bruisers series, but can be read as a stand alone. Pipe Dreams is a second change romance that follows the story of goalie Mike Beacon and Lauren Williams.

Years ago, Mike and Lauren had an amazing relationship and plans for a future together, until heartbreaking news had Mike making the hardest decision of his life, which led him to lose Lauren and leave her heart in pieces.

Fast forward to the pretend: Mike is a widower, a devoted father to his teenage daughter and is a valued player of the Brooklyn Bruisers. Lauren has a successful career away from the hockey world she used to love so much and plans to become a mother, but without the help of any man.

When circumstances have Lauren working for the Brooklyn Bruisers again, Mike sees it as the perfect opportunity to win her back and make up for his past mistakes, but Lauren isn't as willing to put her heart in the line again.

I loved these characters. Mike is sweet, funny, sexy and does everything he can for the ones he cares about. Lauren is independent, smart, dedicated to her career and goals and I really admire her for being such a strong character.

The tension between the two of them was off the charts and messy past or not, I couldn't help but root for them since the very beginning of the book. It's the type of story that has you hooked from page one and then it's so good that leaves you wanting more!

Sarina Bowen did it again, guys. This is a great second change romance, filled with hilarious, endearing and smutty moments. I highly recommend it.

Ever have one of those authors that just does it for you? SB is that author for me. When I got approved for this I… had a moment. That maybe only dogs could hear, but whatevs. I had some excite happening, k?

I really did look at it on my kindle with heart eyes telling myself I should wait. Then my id kicked my superego in the nads and maybe made some lewd hand gestures. In short, I caved. I said I was only going to peak. Just a quick peak. I knew it was a lie, though. There’s no peaking. There is only devouring.



I have no self-control when it comes to her writes. I usually forego sleeping and eating and even mundane tasks like going to the bathroom or trying make something to eat make me all Cranky McFusserpants and debating the logistics of reading while taking a shower or wielding a knife (neither are recommended, BTW) because I can’t put it down. I must see all the words!



Pipe Dreams was no different. And like all the others I was sad when it was over and kicking myself for not savoring it. I admit it. I have a problem. But you know what? If binge reading SB is wrong, I don’t wanna be right.



Anyhoo, enough about my issues and on to this book! Pipe Dreams is a second chance romance between Lauren, Nate’s somewhat icy Manhattan assistant, and Mike Beacon, goalie for the Brooklyn Bruisers. There are a couple of flashbacks to set the stage, giving a little of their backstory.

What they’d just done wasn’t a spark of recklessness, but a force of nature. Like gravity. You could leap away from it, but it always pulled you back.


Four years ago Nate and Lauren had the world on a string. Nate’s wife cheated and he could finally free himself of a loveless marriage and be with his heart’s desire-Lauren. For two years everything was grand. They made plans. They had a future. Until Mike’s ex got terminal cancer and Mike being Mike did what he thought was right by her and his little girl. Even though it ripped his heart out.

Honestly, I wanted to be mad at him but he’s just so earnest that my mad wouldn’t stick. How could I stay mad at a guy who put on a stiff upper lip for his daughter and sacrificed the love of his life to be there for his dying wife? Lauren folded about 2.5 seconds after I did though so I don’t feel über sappy. Make no mistake she’s still wary and she maybe makes him chase her a lil, rightfully so given how Mike dumped her, but she can’t deny her feelings for him any more than he can for her.

There isn’t a lot of angst or pain, just a natural progression towards a reunion that was lovely to read and felt authentic. All the hallmarks of SB’s writing are present and accounted for including a satisfying amount of team dynamics, likable characters, cameos by characters from prior books, and some pretty smexy smexy times.

But sometimes a girl just needed to be spread out on the bed and properly fucked. He’d always been just the man for the job.




AND she continues to vex me with this Nate/Becca subplot!



Things progress between them. That’s all I’ll say about that. Neigh. ADDENDUM I want to read all the words. Posthaste.

I’m self-aware enough to realize that I’m greedy when it comes to SB’s writes, but still, I feel like the ending was rushed. There is an epilogue of sorts and a heartfelt HEA, but there were still a couple things I wanted to know. Perhaps they’ll be answered in the next installment.

Which you can bet your sweet bippy I’ll be there for it. With bells on.



Well, maybe not that many bells.

If you’re a fan of romance, hockey romance, SB, good writes with the best feels, second chance romance, hell, if you have a pulse you should read this.

An ARC was provided by NetGalley.

Are you ready to drop the puck and get some more ice time with Sarina Bowen’s newest addition to the Brooklyn Bruisers line up Pipe Dreams? Say yes, because it’s so damn good it should be sent to the penalty box.

I’ve been loving this series and after inhaling this book, I can honestly say it one of my favourite series ever. Sarina Bowen has created a team to fall in love with, to cheer on and make you want to go through their ups and downs with no questions asked.

Pipe Dreams left me a happy, satisfied, goofy grinning, sobbing mess. Happy sobbing, but still…..I FLIPPING LOVED IT!!!!!! I went through so many feels reading this and it left me emotionally drained but so freaking happy it’s ridiculous. Have tissues ready, a cold drink handy and a comfy spot secured because once you start, you won’t want to stop reading.

So much happens in this book that it’s hard not to give spoilers away but I will endeavour to keep this fan girly but spoiler free. Here we go….

I was so not ready for Mike Beacon and Lauren. They were totally not what I was expecting and so much more than I ever wanted. We have met both characters in the previous books and while I liked Lauren, I knew there was more to her than we had gotten to see and boy when we do see, wow. I adore Lauren now. She has a totally valid reason (which you will see) to be a bit stand-offish but when she lets her guard down she is awesome.

As for Mike, can you say DILF? OMG he is one hot daddy, who once he is on a mission to win Lauren over, nothing is going to stop him, all the while dealing with a grieving teenager and the march to the ultimate hockey prize the Stanley Cup. Cue the swoon. Seriously there are some major ovary quivering moments involving this guy, that’s all I’ll say.

Together? Lauren and Mike steam up the pages, will drag you through all the feels, have you sighing and leave you rooting hard for second chances.

While each book can be read as a stand-alone, reading them in order just makes the world you lose yourself in that much richer. For fans of the series you get to catch up with the other players, see one make a return and finally get some movement on a couple we all want to see together ASAP.

Pipe Dreams is just another reason why I love this authors writing and another reason why I need the next book sooner rather than later. Man ON!!!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Neygalley for review.

Loved this book!!!! Mike and Lauren were great characters, I loved reading their journey!