Publication Date: May 2nd 2017 by Berkley Books
About the book:
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.
My
Thoughts:
I loved Pipe Dreams from beginning to end, and
when I finished I didn’t want to let the story go so I read it all over again! And
the funny thing is I almost didn’t request this romance because I was afraid of
frustrating drama from Mike’s teenage daughter giving Lauren a hard time. I’m so glad I changed my mind because this
was my favorite installment yet! Oh my stars, this second chance romance just
filled my heart with happiness!
Lauren and Mike met eight years earlier when she started working
for the Brooklyn Bruisers Hockey team.
Mike was married with a toddler, but they had an instant rapport. They
got to know each other well, and while they silently lusted over each other,
they never made any inappropriate moves.
It wasn’t until four years later when Mike’s marriage dissolved (his
wife’s doing) that anything romantic happened between them. But from that point on it was like a spark
touched dry tinder and ignited, and it was complete bliss for two years until
Mike one day walked out, and shattered Lauren’s heart. Lauren has spent the last two years avoiding
hockey like the plague, putting her heart back together, and working on finishing
her college degree. But when Nate’s right hand assistant for the hockey team
gets sick, he needs Lauren back in the Bruiser’s office, and right back into
Mike’s path again.
Seeing Lauren back with the team brings back the happiest
memories of Mike’s life. He broke it off with her two years earlier when his
life became a depressing shit storm, thinking he was doing Lauren a favor, and
she’d move on. Seeing her still alone,
when he’s now in a position to actually have something to give, Mike’s
determined to get her back. But Lauren is hurt, and angry, and Mike figures out
just how badly he screwed things up.
My heart went out to Lauren, because she was blindsided by
Mike leaving when they were making permanent plans, and the betrayal hurt! She’s
angry and bitter, rightly so! I did feel
bad for Mike when everything was revealed, but still, I was so upset for
Lauren! An explanation would’ve helped her so much. For Mike to win her over again there needed
to be the appropriate amount of groveling before she accepted him back, in my
opinion. And this is where Mike shined,
because he was an absolute prince! I adored him! He handled his daughter pretty well in this
situation, too, which was a complete relief.
Mike and Lauren’s second chance romance touched me
deeply! My heart hurt when they hurt,
and soared with joy for this couple who finally got a much deserved HEA! Pipe Dreams is going on my favorites
shelf, and I’m sure I’ll do another re-read at some point.
Nate and Becca have to be next, right? I’m wondering if
their story will be concurrent to Mike and Lauren’s because there was a lot
going on with them here. I can’t wait to
fill in some of the blanks, but I was happy at a few revelations we got from
Lauren and Mike’s eyes.
5 Suns
Great review, Rachel!! I'm so glad I requested this book, now!! Can't wait to read it!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Brandie! I hope you love it as much as I did! :)
DeleteThat is neat that you gave it a chance and it was the best one yet. I confess that the teen drama would have had me skittering away from it, too. I've only read book two of the series, but I really liked it.
ReplyDeleteNice review, Rachel!
Yeah, teen drama is not something I find entertaining. I think you'd love this if you liked book two, which was my least favorite in the series. Thank you, Sophia! :)
Deletethat's awesome :D i'm super excited about this one as well. I love second chance romance and the fact that you loved it enough to reread it makes me look forward to these characters
ReplyDeleteI hope you love it as much as I did, Lily! I look forward to your thoughts! :)
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