Short Take Reviews: Brooklyn Bruisers series #1-5

  

Over the last couple months I've been on a mission to catch up/finish the plethora of series I have going. It's been ridiculously satisfying. :) One series that I managed start out of order (something I never do) is Sarina Bowen's Brooklyn Bruisers series. I received arcs of Superfan and Sure Shot back in 2019-2020 and loved them, but they were books six and seven in the series. Oops! So I've gone back and binged the first five books. Here are some super quick thoughts on each.


ROOKIE MOVE (Brooklyn Bruisers #1) - Leo & Georgia
I'm a sucker for a second-chance romance so Leo and Georgia's story was right up my alley. While Georgia was hesitant and gun shy, I loved that Leo was all in and made no apologies for his dogged pursual of Georgia. Their backstory really broke my heart and I liked how Bowen portrayed how the aftermath affected Leo as much as it did Georgia. I'm a big fan of this couple. 4 stars

HARD HITTER (Brooklyn Bruisers #2) - Patrick & Ari
At first glance, Patrick and Ari seemed like an unlikely pair. Patrick was a veteran player but even as team captain, he tended to keep a distance between himself and his teammates (and everyone else). He was something of a loner and a grumpy hero. Being forced to spend time with Ari, the team massage therapist, due to an injury was such a blessing in disguise. I loved seeing Patrick open up, let someone in, and make some changes in his life. The slow-burn romance between these two was delicious. 4 stars

PIPE DREAMS (Brooklyn Bruisers #3) - Mike & Lauren
Mike and Lauren had a history - one that had ended badly. Forced to work together again, Lauren was cold and distant but it was obvious there were still feelings there - on both sides. Mike was a little clueless but came to realize that he truly mishandled their breakup, even if his motives were pure. My struggle with this one was how an important aspect of Lauren's story was handled. She seemed to change her mind and do a total 180 about a big issue in the blink of an eye and I had to backtrack to see if I had skipped a few pages or even a whole chapter. The way it was handled rankled with me and kept me from loving this one quite as much as the others. On the plus side, I loved Mike and really enjoyed the storyline with his daughter. 3.75 stars

 

BROOKLYNAIRE (Brooklyn Bruisers #4) - Nate & Rebecca
I was so excited to get Nate and Becca's story. It was obvious from previous books that Nate was seriously pining for Becca and I was so there for it. I loved the strong friendship between these two, the total acceptance they gave one another, and the level of comfort between them. And they way it was obvious to almost everyone (except Becca!) that Nate was head over heels for her. Their relationship wasn't without challenges, considering Becca was an employee. Becca's ongoing issues with her head injury and Nate's attempts to take care of and help Becca gave me all the feelings. The ending - and then that epilogue - were just perfection. This slow-burn, friends to lovers romance hit all the right spots and was just what I wanted for Nate and Becca. 4.25 stars

OVERNIGHT SENSATION (Brooklyn Bruisers #5) - Jason & Heidi
Jason was a confirmed bachelor and did not do relationships. Heidi was the NHL Commissioner's daughter and was doing her best to strike out on her own and gain her independence. I loved the whole forced proximity trope with Heidi temporarily living in Jason's apartment. Heidi was irrepressible and impossible not to like. She was so positive and had such a can-do attitude and I loved that about her. Jason's backstory definitely pulled at my heart but his issues with his past also meant he wasn't completely open with Heidi. When he froze her out and pushed her away I truly wanted to throttle him. I didn't feel quite as connected to Jason and Heidi as I have with most of the other couples (and I can't even pinpoint why), but that didn't stop me from being on-board with their story and pulling for their HEA. 4 stars


HAVE YOU READ THE BROOKLYN BRUISERS SERIES?


16 comments

  1. I enjoyed all these books, but Brooklyaire was my favorite (like you). I was happy crying at the end of that one.

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    1. Yes! Brooklynaire was the star of the show for me, too. And the ending gave me everything. :)

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  2. I haven't read this series, but it sounds really good! Seems like there wasn't a bad one in the bunch, and those covers - wow!

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  3. Yay! I'm glad this binge worked out for you. I love this series so much! I can't wait for Shenanigans to come out.Question - Have you read Bowen's Ivy Years series? Just asking since you get some Leo and Georgia in Leo's brother's book.

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    1. I read the first Ivy Years book but never continued for some reason. Yet another Bowen series to catch up on! :)

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  4. I haven't read anything by her in too long. I really want to do a series binge some time.

    Karen @For What It's Worth

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  5. It is weird that you're on a quest to catch up on your series and finish them just as I'm realising how truly terrible at finishing series. This is another series I still haven't finished. I remember loving Hard hitter and the rest of the series I am drawing a blank. Glad to see these were mostly 4 star reads as well. I think I forget how good Sarina Bowen's books are until I see someone talking about them.

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    1. LOL Timely, right? I really do love a good series and there's something so satisfying about getting caught up with a series, or finishing the series completely.

      Sarina Bowen is one of my go-to authors so being able to binge so much of this series at one time was amazing! :)

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  6. Never even heard of this series but now I want to read it!

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    1. If you're ever in the mood for sports romance, this series is a winner, Carrie!

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  7. As you know I love this series, too! I stopped reading after finishing book 4 but I want to get back to it. I'll keep in mind that I'll need a bit more patience with Jason in book 5. Fab review, Tanya!

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    1. Jason was such a great guy. Such a good heart. But there were definitely a few times when I wanted to throttle him. LOL

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  8. I've not read this series before but it sounds positively binge-worthy!

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    1. Since Bowen is already a top favorite, it was great fun to binge read the series!

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