I started into this book with super high hopes after just having finished Logan’s story, which was superb by the way. Welllll…things didn’t go quite as I’d hoped. I feel like this book had a lot of fluff and not a whole lot of oomph, if you know what I mean. It just felt lacking in some way, like I had just read a bunch of drivel. Now I’m not necessarily saying I disliked the book, I just didn’t particularly like it either. It was one of those books I didn’t really feel any real motivation to read.

So after saying all that, this book did have quite a few fun scenes. The beginning was certainly filled with lots of action and fun plot lines. Van was your typical misunderstood “bad boy” and Amelia was the “off-limits” girl. Of course in a dramatic turn of events, they end up on a tropical vacation together and sparks start flying! Things are going just fine and dandy until the morning it’s time to head home, which happens to also be the morning after a surprising turn of events 🫢 Now begins the break up period where lots of miscommunication tends to ensue. Thankfully I didn’t feel like this book did too bad with that. There towards the end the story wrapped up pretty good.

“𝚈𝚘𝚞 𝚗𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚔𝚗𝚘𝚠 𝚑𝚘𝚠 𝚖𝚞𝚌𝚑 𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞’𝚕𝚕 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎, 𝚜𝚘 𝚎𝚗𝚓𝚘𝚢 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚢 𝚖𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚝.”

“𝙲𝚘𝚗𝚜𝚒𝚍𝚎𝚛 𝚖𝚢 𝚙𝚎𝚌 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚙𝚎𝚛𝚜𝚘𝚗𝚊𝚕 𝚙𝚒𝚕𝚕𝚘𝚠.”

Top moments:
👰🏼‍♀️ Van getting hit in the head with an angel statue
👰🏼‍♀️ Van saving Amelia and taking her on a scenic drive
👰🏼‍♀️ Recipe for a bad boy
👰🏼‍♀️ Shopping in Walmart at 10 pm
👰🏼‍♀️ Rules for being a runaway bride
👰🏼‍♀️ Pinching
👰🏼‍♀️ Zip-lining over alligators
👰🏼‍♀️ Evenings on the beach
👰🏼‍♀️ “Hotshot”

Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing for providing me with this arc. All opinions are purely my own.

What a swoon fest! Runaway Bride and Prejudice by Emma St.Clair was full of warm and sweet feels. It's the kind of romance book that makes you feel all giddy and light headed. Van and Amelia are so adorable and cute together. The bromance of the Appies is epic. At the end, you will close the book with a permanent smile on your face and stars in your eyes.

🏒 sports romance
🏒 coach's daughter & bad boy of the team
🏒 runaway bride
🏒 forced proximity
🏒 rom com

Appie's star player Van has a reputation that's often exaggerated. He met Amelia randomly one night in a restaurant but ducked out when he realised she is the coach's daughter. But he didn't forget that night of easy conversation and instant connection. He didn't imagine in his wildest dreams that he would have to help Amelia to escape from her own wedding after he exposes her cheating fiance. Now they are in Florida, for the hotel that's been already paid by Amelia for her honeymoon. He thought he can hide his feels and just be there for her as a support..but both of them are feeling a lot to resist.

Van is known as the playboy of the team but he is actually a complete sweetheart and a total softie. He cares a lot about everyone. His sisters. His teammates. But his parents are the very definition of toxic relationship and that's why he didn't believe in true love. But meeting Amelia shifted something in his heart. Now she is off limits. And she is vulnerable too. She didn't exactly love her fiance but the betrayal definitely hurt her. Van was an excellent support system. He made her laugh. He accompanied her to many adventures of her choice. He didn't judge her. He let her break and then held her pieces together. He cannot help his charm and seduction but Amelia was absolutely OK with it because she was insanely attracted to him too and his sweetness made her fall harder. Now what's a good love story without some misunderstanding and some tears and some grand gestures? But that was short lived and easily resolved. The Appies as a team is awesome. I loved the entertaining text message threads so much. This book doesn't have a lot of spice but the plot and the characters won't let you feel the lack of sexy times.

I reviewed a complimentary copy voluntarily

This was a cute book, I loved every second of it. It was a wild ride and I'm glad I was able to be on it

I read this book in one sitting! It was such a fun, yet emotional rollercoaster! Van is by far my favorite Appie, and I love how this book took a deep dive into his character and exposed all of the layers to him. The banter between the MMC and FMC as well as the MMC and his teammmates + sisters is witty and captivating, I lol'd several times reading the text exchanges! This book was super swoon-y without being spicy, but still had me giddy!

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in sport rom-coms, found family, bad boy + good girl, and dual POVs!

Thank you, #NetGalley and the author for the eARC copy in exchange for my honest review!

This book reminded me of the Elvis movie Girl Happy in several ways and while that is one of my faves, this book made me laugh so hard in several places that I might have to admit it was better. I loved how Van/Robbie helps Amelia grow and become her own person and I loved how Amelia saw beneath the facade to see who Van really is. Just like in Girl Happy this is one of those instances when you are screaming “just talk to each other!”, but the laughing and feet kicking more than make up for it. It’s a good one, but all of Emma’s are.

This is such a fun read! If you haven't read it and you are looking for a book that will make you smile, laugh, yell at the characters and kick your feet, you really should read this one! You absolutely won't regret it.

I liked seeing van in depth. I knew he was protective according to some earlier books in the series so it was fun to see it in more depth with this book.

I could not believe how much of a jerk the ex fiancé was. How he knew he messed up and still doubled down to take the cousin on the honeymoon.

Overall this was a fun and easy read. I plan to share it on Instagram as part of Emma St Clair’s book tour on Oct 15th.

Van might have a reputation as a bad boy and be the coach's least favourite player, but even he knows some rules should never be broken. Like the rule never to date your coach's daughter. But when he catches her groom with the maid of honour on the wedding day, he can't help stepping in to force the man to confess - or looking after Amelia to help her deal with the fallout. And how can he help the attraction that so quickly blooms between them? But he's keeping a secret, and that never ends well. Can he overcome the prejudices against him and turn this into a happily ever after despite the terrible start, or should he just leap back behind the line he should never have crossed?

A great book with a good mix of humourous, serious and touching scenes. Van has always been an interesting character, so it's nice to see him get his own story - and as part of that, get to know him more as a person, rather than the front he shows the world. And though Amelia hasn't come into things previously (as far as I remember), she's a great match for him and it was good to get to know her too. And as for his sisters - well, they're definitely characters! I'd like to see more of them and the family dynamics... Of course, it was predictable that what came back to bite Van would do so - but that didn't make it any the worse story. I enjoyed both parts in different ways due to their different focuses, and the whole came together in a great story, clean and well written. All in all, recommended whether you're already an Appies fan or are yet to be introduced to the team - just be aware that you'll want to read more of the books once you finish this!

Note that I received a complimentary copy of the book from NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review and this is my considered opinion of the book.

⭐️ 4/5
🌶 0/5
🩷 4/5

This was fantastic! Emma St. Clair is now Kodiak one of my auto-buy romance authors. The characters, the plot, the journey to the end, the banter, the romance, the hilarious inner monologue.... ALL OF IT 🤣🤌

The MMC, Van (or Robbie 🙄) was written in such a fun way! The only time I have come across a similar writing style of a contemporary MMC is Navessa Allen's Light's Out [Josh]. He was romantic and smitten AF, whilst also being unhinged and unpredictable *swoon* 🥲 (we love red stained green flags). He was fun, funny, sweet and protective.

The story was captivating and I ate it up in 2 days (like, who needs sleep when you have a Kindle).

Love love love!

It is closed door, so there is no actual spice scene, but there is kissing and the romance is more than enough.

Runaway Bride and Prejudice is the fifth book in the Appies closed-door hockey romantic comedy series by Emma St. Clair and Jenny Proctor. While each book can be read as a stand-alone, I highly recommend that this book be read after Just Don’t Fall and A Groom of One’s Own. The Appies books contain no profanity or sex scenes.
Van was introduced in Just Don’t Fall as the tattooed bad boy of the Appies professional hockey team of Harvest Hollow, North Carolina. He even seemed to be a romantic possibility for Eli’s tattooed sister in A Groom of One’s Own. However the story opens with Van at the wedding of his coach’s daughter, Amelia. Van accidentally walks into the wrong room at the church and discovers the Groom kissing the Maid of Honor. Van has unrequited feelings for Amelia, the Bride, and is offended on her behalf. When he tries to get the groom to come clean, he gets a black eye, an unexpected trip to Florida with one runaway bride, and a secret bargain struck with Coach.

While I have loved all of the Sweater Weather/Appies books, Runaway Bride and Prejudice is my new favorite. Each of the main characters is wonderful and engaging, but there’s something extra-special about Van, the tattooed bad boy who is tenderhearted and trying to do the right thing. The Romeo and Juliet conflict between Van and Amelia is perfectly juxtaposed with their chemistry. Eli and Bailey were so sweet in A Groom of One’s Own, and now Van adds some zest to the series. The banter, the dialogue, the emotion, the relationship between Van and Coach, it’s all literary genius. I just don’t have enough words to describe how great this story is. READ IT!!

After I purchased a paperback copy of the book from Amazon, I received an Advance Review Copy (ARC) e-book from NetGalley and Create If Writing, LLC for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

it is actually a very cute,funny, swoony, and sweet story but the miscommunication was really stressing me out

Another trip to Harvest Hollow is complete. I will continue to read every one of these books released! I knew Van’s story would be great, and I was not disappointed. I was hooked from Amelia’s runaway bride moment and did not look back. If you still haven’t picked up this series, start at the beginning and enjoy them all!

I was provided a free copy of this book from the publishers, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

Runaway Bride and Prejudice is Van's book - if you don't know who Van is, you need to read the four books prior to this one to understand his character - especially Eli and Bailey's to get an appreciation of the complexity of Van's personality because he is an absolute gem.

Anyway, back to Runaway Bride and Prejudice, this was such a good book, the humor throughout had me chuckling.

I love, love, love Amelia, Milly, Mills, (always Mills), she's every eldest daughter, determined to put everyone else first. But, on the day of her wedding, after already feeling cold feet, she gets a revelation (facilitated by our hero Van) and walks away from what could have been her biggest mistake.

Van suffers the backlash *quite literally in the form of an angel statue and a few fists lol*, but he's more than happy to take any pain to save Mills.

The honeymoon was brilliant, the elevator scene where Van takes Drew down a peg or two, and unknowingly confesses his feelings to Mills was perfect, this sparks a change in their relationship which is so exciting, and then Amelia runs away.... again, ARGH!!

The last 30% of the book was so well paced, the confrontation in Van's interview with Mills, the stairwell (swoon), the fall out with her father, and Van's sisters stepping in and protecting him were all incredible.

Emma St. Clair definitely clawed back her mojo with Van's book, after being left slightly meh from Eli and Nathan's books, Van's came in with a bang and has left me EAGER for the next instalment (I vote for Wyatt!!!)

I LOVE the Appies series, and Emma St. Clair has delivered gold again with Van's story! Runaway Bride and Prejudice tells the story of Van, the Appie with a reputation (albeit largely fabricated), and his connection with the coach's daughter, Amelia. This story had elements of forbidden love, forced proximity, one bed (ish), he falls first, second chance romance (ish), and a whole lotta sweetness. I can always count on Emma St. Clair's books to make me smile, giggle, and swoon. I highly recommend this book and others in the series, and I can't wait for more!

Huge thank you to the author for gifting me with an ARC to review! All opinions are my own. I love, love, LOVED it!

A quick and easy read, the miscommunication could have been easily sorted but overall a fun series/read!

I liked this, I wish there was spice because Van came across cheeky and attentive so I feel like the spice would’ve been elite. However, I can appreciate a closed door romance.

Van is an unrequested hero in this book and Amelia is grateful, but comes across vary wary due to her first encounter with our hockey player. The book helps us get to know the characters and see them open up to romance plus open up to each other with flirting, banter and clear attraction.

My only grievance is I wish coach (amelia’s dad) wasn’t such a hater the whole book, feel like he gave Van an annoying amount of stick and I just wanted those interactions to end as soon as they started.

I’d rate this 3.75

‘Runaway Bride And Prejudice’ by Emma St. Clair is the fifth book in a series about the “Appies” minor league hockey team - this time focusing on the bad-boy of the gang (which equates to an almost-perfect gentleman given the vibes, friendships and respect on the team), Van. The female lead Amelia is known for playing by the rules and also for being way off-limits due to being the beloved daughter of the Appies’ Coach.

The novel has two parts; the first is a rollercoaster ride as Amelia runs away from her wedding day (for good reason) and ends up in Florida with Van to make the most of her honeymoon bookings and let the shock of her heinous cheating fiancé’s betrayal wear off. The second contains even more ups and downs as the pair return to the real world with a secret, some pride, and an awful lot of prejudice…

I enjoyed the loveable characters, the dual POV structure and the lighthearted fun scattered throughout. I also appreciated a chance to spend time with the Appies gang again and see the leads from previous books play pivotal roles, especially the wonderful Parker! However, I didn’t feel as much chemistry between the couple as in some of the other (also sweet rather than spicy) instalments, and I did feel Amelia’s character could have been slightly more developed.

Overall, this cute and joyful read gets 3.5 stars from me, and I eagerly anticipate more Appies love stories soon!

I received a Digital Review Copy of this book from the Victory Editing Co-Op via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I really enjoyed this book! The characters were lovely and I loved their storylines. The book was well-written and interesting. I really enjoy this author’s writing and I loved this book!

Runaway Bride and Prejudice was a sweet, quick read!

It had my favorite trope, forced proximity!
This is a great option for those who want a good romance without any spice 🌶️

They characters were very swoon worthy & I definitely enjoyed their banter.

I did not read any other Apples in this series, but followed the story well.

Runaway Bride and Prejudice is book 5 in the Appies Hockey Romance series by Emma St. Clair.
This hockey rom-com has stole my heart with all five stories!
I’m seriously convinced Emma St. Clair can write anything and the best romance stories.
These characters were just amazing. And their connection was great.
The banter, as always, was phenomenal. I was smiling and giggling pretty much the entire time I was reading this one, and the ending was so heartwarming.

These books are standalones but may be best read in order.

Thank You NetGalley and Create If Writing LLC for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Author: Emma St. Clair @kikimojo
Book Title: Runaway Bride and Prejudice: A Sweet Hockey RomCom
Part of Appies Hockey Romance (3 books)
My Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟😘

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.

My Thoughts:
Drop everything and READ THIS BOOK! 🤨

This is hands down the BEST romance I’ve ever read! Emma St. Clair, I am obsessed with your writing! This story is everything I wanted—sweet, hilarious, and filled with so much heart. Every single character is a gem! Van, Amelia, Coach, the hockey team, Van’s sisters—I fell in love with all of them.

I couldn’t stop blushing, giggling, and squealing as I read this book. The chemistry between Van and Amelia is steaming hott 🔥, and the tension between them?🥳 💓 It’s pure perfection! Van’s caring side, Amelia’s sass, the hilarious moments—it was nonstop fun and feels.Also, the discussion about Keanu Reeves? Absolutely hilarious! I was laughing so hard 😂.

This story is heartwarming to the core with the best family dynamics. And let me just say, Van/Robbie has seriously raised my standards for men! I’m head over heels in love with this book, and I’m shouting from the rooftops—READ IT NOW! Emma St. Clair @kikimojo you’re officially on my favorite authors list!😘

Thank you, #NetGalley for the ARC copy in exchange for my honest review!