Tag Archives: Sarina Bowen

Review: Loverboy by Sarina Bowen

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Loverboy by Sarina Bowen
Series: The Company #2 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: December 1st 2020
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review

Secrets, desires, and exquisite pie. It’s all in a day’s work at The Company.

Growing up, I was the rough guy from the wrong neighborhood who couldn’t catch a break. Posy was the pampered girl I tried to impress. But I managed to steal only a single kiss before I had to skip town.

Now I’m back, and the tables are turned. Posy runs a struggling pie shop. I’m the VP of a secretive billion dollar security company.

Not that I can tell her.

There’s a murderer on the loose in New York, and he seems to spend a lot of time at Posy’s shop. I can’t let on that I’m here to bring him down before he can harm a hair on her pretty head.

Going undercover as Posy’s new barista wasn’t my idea. I don’t even drink coffee. But now I have to call her “boss,” and do everything the curvy perfectionist asks of me. I’d forgotten how much we infuriate each other, and that she somehow fills me with both irritation and desire in the same breath.

There’s nobody more skilled at stealth ops than me. I can bring this killer down. Right after I take a cold shower. And just as soon as I figure out how to make a skinny peppermint latte with milk poured in the shape of a kitten…

I could not be happier we’re getting more books in this series! Sarina Bowen did romantic suspense so well in book one, Moonlighter. Loverboy is a great addition to the series, though I’m still dying to get Max’s book. Here, we’ve got a hero going undercover at a bakery, owned by none other than the girl he used to have a massive crush on. Gunnar is such a charmer and I loved his second chance with Posy! The intrigue was great, the romance was swoony – it’s another hit from Sarina Bowen.

Gunnar works for The Company and his latest assignment is to go undercover at Posy’s Pie Shop. Little does he know that THAT Posy is none other than the Posy he used to work with at the bar her family owned, the same Posy he crushed on and kissed, and the same Posy who took the higher paying role he was working for. But since he’s good at his job, he sweeps this all under the rug to get hired as a barista, never mind that he has no barista experience. But Posy herself is desperate and is willing to take on Gunnar to show him the ropes. She has no idea he’s being hired to watch for a security threat using her bakery’s wifi.

I had so much fun reading Loverboy! The romance was great – I enjoyed Gunnar and Posy’s characters so much. Gunnar is a sweet-talker and Posy is trying to be a good but strict boss, and failing to keep her feelings in check. There’s some intrigue and action just like there was in book one, but there’s not too much that it overtakes the romance. I loved the foodie aspect of this story, since most of the book takes place in Posy’s bakery. I honestly don’t have much to complain about. It’s a feel-good romance and if you’re a fan of Sarina Bowen, I’m sure you’ll love Loverboy.


lacey

Reading Order: The Company series

#1 ~ Moonlighter: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Loverboy: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

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Review: Sure Shot by Sarina Bowen

Posted in 3.5 hearts, Reviews by

Sure Shot by Sarina Bowen
Series: Brooklyn #4 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: May 12th 2020
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audio • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review

On the eve of her thirtieth birthday, sports agent Bess Beringer is ready to make some changes. Armed with a five-year plan—indexed and color coded—she’ll tackle her personal life with the same zeal that she brings to her successful agency.

A big, tall, ripped hunk of hockey player who’s just been traded to the Brooklyn Bruisers is not a part of that plan. Mark “Tank” Tankiewicz has a lot of baggage. He’s a ride-or-die loner with a bad reputation. He’s on the rebound. He’s also the sexiest thing on two legs, and for some crazy reason it’s Bess that he wants.

She knows better. But then she falls stupid in love with him anyway. And for a while it seems like maybe he’ll do the same.

Until she asks him for the one thing he can never give her…

I always look forward to reading Sarina Bowen, especially when they’re her hockey romances. Sure Shot is the latest in her Brooklynaire series and is a bit of a second chance romance between two characters who used to have a fling years ago. Now they’re back in each others’ lives – her as a sports agent, him as a new team member of the Brooklyn Bruisers. I enjoyed this romance for the most part, but it’s probably one of my least favorites of the series. It’s not that it’s bad, but more like not as memorable as the other books in the series. Still, if you’re a fan of the Brooklyn Bruisers, you won’t want to miss this latest installment featuring this beloved hockey team!

Years ago, Bess and Tank met in NYC during the start of their careers and had the best sex of their lives for the few months they were hooking up together. It never developed into a relationship, though they were exclusive, so that’s why I say it’s a ‘bit’ of a second chance romance. Now, both highly successful people, they reunite when Tank gets traded. But starting anything up again isn’t the best idea when Bess wants a serious relationship with someone who wants to build a family and Tank has just gotten divorced and is on the rebound.

Bess and Tank were great characters and I loved seeing Tank’s sweet side when it comes to Bess. He is quite the grump to everyone else. I didn’t necessarily LOVE their characters, but I still enjoyed their romance and the way it played out. Even though this book can be read as a standalone, a lot of characters from previous books do show up. Bess is the sister of the hero in Bountiful, part of the True North series. We see nearly everyone in the Brooklyn and Brooklyn Bruisers series. They all truly become a family even though they come from different Sarina Bowen series, and it makes me so happy to see all the characters I loved reading together. Even though this isn’t a new favorite Sarina Bowen for me, I still love all the hockey romances and this one hit the spot for me.


lacey

Reading Order: Brooklyn series

 

#1 ~ Brooklynaire: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Overnight Sensation: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Superfan: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#4 ~ Sure Shot: Ebook • Paperback • Audio • Goodreads

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Release Day Review: Pipe Dreams by Sarina Bowen

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Pipe Dreams by Sarina Bowen
Series: Brooklyn Bruisers #3 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: May 2nd 2017
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

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.

I LOVEDDD this!! Omg. Pipe Dreams might be my favorite of the Brooklyn Bruisers series. I freaking loved Lauren and Mike so hard! Their second chance romance is angsty, emotional, and SO sweet. Mike is definitely a man who knows how to grovel and win back the love of his life. 😉 If you love second chance romances or sports romances, you need to read Pipe Dreams in your life!

Widower, single father, and hockey goalie Mike Beacon lost the love of his life after an act of misplaced good intentions. Years later, Lauren is back in his life (albeit unwillingly) to take care of the team’s owner. Mike sees this as his chance to make things right with the only woman he’s ever loved… and possibly make her love him again. Will he be able to break down the walls around her heart – that he put up? Or will he have forever lost the best thing that ever happened to him?

A year from now he knew they’d wake up every morning in a bed together. He was sure of it, even if the details weren’t worked out yet, and even though he wasn’t allowed to speculate.

Lauren is known as the Ice Princess for her stone-cold facade. After a devastating heartbreak, she closed herself from all emotions to avoid ever having to feel that kind of self-destruction again. But when the cause of her heartbreak is back in her life and determined to win her love again, can she hold strong and stop the heartbreak from happening again? Or will this second time around end up being the real deal?

“I love you,” he said. He was just going to keep saying that forever, and he wanted her to know it.

I adored this book so, so much! It was everything I hoped for and more in Mike and Lauren’s second chance romance. And despite how angsty it was, it was also pretty low on drama, which I found myself appreciating. Despite the complicated mess their relationship turned out to be, Lauren and Mike’s love for each other was simple and never in doubt. I wholeheartedly loved these characters and their story!

This is another open plea to Sarina Bowen to please, please give us Nate and Becca’s book!!! Some developments happen in Pipe Dreams, but I NEED MORE!!! Please.


lacey

Quotes are taken from the arc and are subject to change in the final version.

Reading Order: Brooklyn Bruisers series

  

#1 ~ Rookie Move: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Hard Hitter: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#3 ~ Pipe Dreams: Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads

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Release Day Review: Goodbye Paradise by Sarina Bowen

Posted in 4.5 hearts, Reviews by

Goodbye Paradise by Sarina Bowen
Series: Hello Goodbye #1 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: March 21st 2017
Links: Ebook • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review

Most people called it a cult. But for twenty years, Josh and Caleb called it home.

In Paradise, there is no television. No fast food. Just long hours of farm work and prayer on a dusty Wyoming ranch, and nights in a crowded bunkhouse. The boys of the Compound are kept far from the sinners’ world.

But Joshua doesn’t need temptation to sin. His whole life, he’s wanted his best friend, Caleb. By day they work side by side. Only when Josh closes his eyes at night can they be together the way he craves.

It can never be. And his survival depends on keeping his terrible desires secret.

Caleb has always protected Josh against the worst of the bullying at the Compound. But he has secrets of his own, and a plan to get away — until it all backfires.

Josh finds himself homeless in a world that doesn’t want him. Can Caleb find him in time? And will they find a place of safety, where he can admit to Josh how he really feels?

Warning: Contains a hot male/male romance, copious instances of taking the Lord’s name in vain, and love against the kitchen counter. This book was previously released under the title: In Front of God & Everyone.

I love anything Sarina Bowen writes, but I have to say I think this is the most adorable M/M romance I’ve ever read. I had all the heart eye emojis while reading Josh and Caleb’s lovely, emotional, heartwarming story. I seriously ADORED this book! If you’re looking for a sweet, unique M/M romance, you’ll definitely need to read Goodbye Paradise!

Josh and Caleb grew up in Paradise, and for the past two decades, they’ve been living in this cult, working as laborers and getting few benefits from it. One perk of the job though, is the fact that Josh can be around his best friend Caleb… and he can long for him from afar. No one can know that Josh has got a crush on his best friend, who’s a guy, because they’ll be sure to kick him out of Paradise and leave him homeless. But that day comes sooner than later when the cult finds little use in Josh anymore. But when Caleb escapes so he can stand by Josh’s side, can they possibly start a new life together from practically nothing?

As they make their way to Massachusetts to find a woman named Maggie who left Paradise years ago and made a home for herself, Josh and Caleb are once again side by side, but now out in the open. It’s here that Caleb finally makes his move and shows Josh that it’s okay to love a man, because he loves Josh back. Despite how much Josh tried to keep his feelings hidden, loving Caleb was as easy as breathing and there was nothing that could stop him from being with the man he’s loved for so long.

I reached up, circling him in my arms, pulling him down beside me. “I love you.” I could say that without guilt. Because loving someone wasn’t a sin. Other things… sure. But love could never be a crime.

I absolutely adored everything about Josh and Caleb’s story. The raw and beautiful love they have for each other was so simple and easy… it was everything surrounding them that made their lives difficult. But these two are nothing if not hardworking and persistent, and even before the end of the novel, I knew Caleb and Josh would survive and thrive in their new lives.

Goodbye Paradise brought out ALL the feels and emotions out of me. My heart honestly couldn’t stop overflowing with happiness over Caleb and Josh’s love for each other. They are absolutely perfect for each other – I can’t imagine a sweeter couple than them! I almost wish this book was longer, because I didn’t want to let go of their story. I loved this book – and I can’t wait for more M/M from Sarina Bowen!

“I’m so hard for you right now. That’s never going to change. Whether I’m stupid or smart, and whether you still love me anymore, or not. I never could help loving you. It’s just the way that I’m wired.”


lacey

Quotes are taken from the arc and are subject to change in the final version.

Reading Order: Hello Goodbye series

 

#1 ~ Goodbye Paradise: Ebook • Goodreads
#2 ~ Hello Forever: Goodreads (release date TBA)

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Release Day Review: Hard Hitter by Sarina Bowen

Posted in 4 hearts, Reviews by

Hard Hitter by Sarina Bowen
Series: Brooklyn Bruisers #2 (full reading order below)
Publication Date: January 3rd 2017
Links: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
Source: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

From the USA Today bestselling author of Rookie Move comes the second novel in the series that’s hot enough to melt the ice.

He’s a fighter in the rink, but he’s about to learn that playing nice can help you score…

As team captain and enforcer, Patrick O’Doul puts the bruise in the Brooklyn Bruisers. But after years of hard hits, O’Doul is feeling the burn, both physically and mentally. He conceals his pain from his coach and trainers, but when his chronic hip injury becomes too obvious to ignore, they send him for sessions with the team’s massage therapist.

After breaking up with her long-term boyfriend, Ari Bettini is in need of peace of mind. For now, she’s decided to focus on her work: rehabilitating the Bruisers’ MVP. O’Doul is easy on the eyes, but his reaction to her touch is ice cold. Ari is determined to help O’Doul heal, but as the tension between them turns red hot, they both learn that a little TLC does the body good…

Why do grumpy heroes turn out to be the sweetest heroes? I totally adored Patrick and his grumpy, protective, loving ways. He and Ari made the perfect couple! Their romance was slow and utterly sweet. This is another wonderful hockey romance from one of my favorite authors – if the Brooklyn Bruisers series isn’t on your TBR list, you need to add it there asap!

As captain and enforcer of the Brooklyn Bruisers, Patrick O’Doul has been through a lot on the ice, and his body is not happy about it. So in comes the team’s massage therapist, Ari Bettini, though Patrick is more than reluctant to let her do her job and help soothe his muscles. He’s got a ton of baggage from his past that prevents him from getting close to anyone, mentally and physically. But Ari has magic hands and a few tricks up her sleeves, and she’s determined to get him back into fighting shape.

Ari has baggage as well, in the form of an annoying ex who just won’t stay away and seems to be putting her in danger. He’s the reason why she’s not looking for a relationship soon – if ever – but the chemistry she feels with Patrick can’t be ignored. Patrick himself, after he’s warmed up to Ari, wants to explore what they have even more. He’s gruff, yet gentle and sweet with her. He is the PERFECT man trying to win her heart and make her swoon. He even enlisted the help of his teammates to get some tips on how to woo a woman – how freaking adorable is that!?

Wanting Ari wasn’t like any of those other other wants. It was far more terrifying. In the first place, there was too much that was out of his control. He’d always been able to say: if I just work a little harder, I can have this. If I just put in the hours. That wasn’t the case with Ari. Even as he dreamt up the next romantic thing he might do for her, he knew it might never be enough. She could decide that a punk from the wrong end of Minneapolis wasn’t what she needed in her life.

Hard Hitter is a heartfelt romance between two people with pasts that they try to overcome together. It’s a feel-good story with tons of sexy times, so what more could I ask for? Sarina Bowen totally nailed Ari and Patrick’s story and I grew to love them so much. The series keeps getting better and better, and I’m dying to read the third (and hopefully not last) book!

“I’m so gone for you,” he ground out, still laughing. “I’ve got it bad. It might take me years to convince you I’m a good guy, but I’ll never stop trying.”

This is also an open plea to Sarina Bowen to please, please give us Nate and Becca’s book!!! Nate’s longing and the tension between them is torture – I will take them in any way Sarina can give them!

4 hearts
lacey

Quotes are taken from the arc and are subject to change in the final version.

Reading Order: Brooklyn Bruisers series

  

#1 ~ Rookie Move: My Review • Ebook • Paperback • Audible • Goodreads
#2 ~ Hard Hitter: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads
#3 ~ Pipe Dreams: Ebook • Paperback • Goodreads (May 2, 2017)

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