Hello lovely bookish friends!

Hope this Friday finds you with fun, relaxing plans for the long weekend. I feel like fall is just around the corner and I am hoping it really comes through soon!

Today is an exciting day as I get to meet some of my favorite romcom authors ever! Emma St Clair was the first romcom author I ever read. And she is still one of my favorites. I have read just about all her books and love them! She and her co-author/critique partner Jenny Proctor are going to be near my tonight and I can’t wait to see them banter in real life and get a bunch of books signed including their new releases!

Speaking of new releases, Van’s book Runaway Bride and Prejudice is officially out in the world and it is simply a delight! I love Van so much and getting his story early as an ARC was such a treat!

Book Summary: “There’s one rule smart hockey players know not to break: never, and I mean, NEVER date the coach’s daughter. But no one ever accused Van of being smart.

When the mouthy bad boy of the Appies catches the groom cheating on the coach’s daughter, he can’t just walk away. Not on her wedding day.

Maybe his own relationships are casual, but he would never cheat and never treat wedding vows so carelessly. Not after he and his sisters watched their divorced parents cycle through marriage after marriage.

But forcing the groom to come clean sets off a chain reaction Van couldn’t have expected.

Ending with a black eye, an unexpected trip to Florida with one runaway bride, and a secret bargain struck with Coach. A bargain that may just jeopardize the very real and very inconvenient feelings he’s developing for the very last person he ever should.”

Oh, Van!! I absolutely loved getting to know the Appies resident bad boy who is so much more than he seems. We have caught so many fun glimpses of Van through this series. I love how he supports his teammates and is a part of their stories. Getting his story has been a big anticipation for me in this series. I loved getting to know the real Van and seeing his complexities, insecurities, loyalties and deep love for those he cares about. From the first pages of this book, we see how good of a man Van is and that continues to be the case throughout his story. You can’t help but love and cheer for him. I was so happy to see him get his happily ever after.

I loved his meet cute with Amelia and seeing how their relationship develops. Their chemistry is electric and I love how they just fit perfectly together from the first moment they meet. As someone who has a pretty fast love story, I loved their love. When you know, you know. Their banter is fantastic and I loved how they build each other up and see each other as their best selves. They are just so good together! Their sweet nicknames for each other are so fun. I love how he supports her after her wedding falls apart and how she is able to see what is most important in a relationship and in life. Their first kiss is sweet and exciting and oh so satisfying! I am here for Van and Mills!

Wow, did their story have some super unexpected twists and turns! I won’t say anything specific here because you really should experience this one for yourself but WOW!! I could not put this down! I had to see what happened next as twist after turn surprised me. The story is such a fun journey and the ending is so beautiful in part because of that winding journey that gets Van and Amelia to their ending.

Shout outs to the Dream Team text thread. I adore their banter! And to Van’s sisters who are scary and fantastic and so sweet all at the same time. ❤️

You need this book in your life! If you haven’t read any Appies books yet, go get one now! They are so fun — full of flirty banter, fantastic characters, swoony kisses and the most creative hockey team in the world. I love them all!

What are some of your favorite romcoms?
Any hockey fans out there? Do you have any favorite hockey novels?