This is the 6th in a series of interconnected standalone hockey romances; this is the second one I’ve read and I could not put it down! I loved both the MMC and FMC. This had all the love/romance without the spice. Highly recommend! Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

•𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰•

{𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐬: Book 6}

🏒 Release Date: January 23, 2025 🏒
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This book was fantastic and had so many of my favorite tropes, including a delightful age gap with a little sister’s best friend. The added element of the single mom trope was the cherry on top of this amazing story! I have enjoyed all of the Appies books so far and this one was no exception. I dearly hope this isn’t the end of the Appies stories!

Alec and Evie (& Juno) were the BEST!! I love that he was a goner from the start, like the poor guy didn’t even have a chance to not fall head over heels for his little sister’s best friend 😏 And the way he was so good with Juno 🫠 Be still my beating heart! Alec brought the light back into Evie’s eyes and prioritized her the way she deserved. The way his protective nature reared its head around “his girls” was so precious!

“𝚂𝚘𝚖𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚝𝚑 𝚠𝚊𝚒𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚏𝚘𝚛.”

The eighteen-year-old twins were so great! Theo, with his boisterous persona, wasn’t great at staying out of trouble and often created issues. Carter, on the other hand, was the peacekeeper, always watching out for his brother. Alec, with his unending patience and experience in life and hockey, was the perfect mentor for these two. I love how much we got to see the twins in this book and I’m hoping to see more of them in the future 🤞🏻

The ending was so emotional 😢 I love how the Appies all band together when a teammate is in need; they are their own found family and that blessing is absolutely priceless! I will definitely miss these guys 😔

Top Moments:
🏒 The nine year age gap
🏒 Soothing Juno w/ Alec’s voice
🏒 Dancing in the kitchen & cinnamon rolls
🏒 Theo meeting Evie
🏒 Buying Appie merch for Evie & Juno
🏒 “Apples”
🏒 Alec, the baby whisperer
🏒 Bringing Evie lunch
🏒 Firefighters and a tiny Dalmatian
🏒 Watching Alec play hockey
🏒 Appies being a brotherhood
🏒 The porch swing
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I received a complimentary copy of this arc from NetGalley and Victory Editing. All opinions listed are purely my own.

Single mom Evie is excited to move to North Carolina to start her apprenticeship as an instrument restorer and repairer, but moving to a new place with a four-month old is a challenge, particularly when the only person she knows is her BFF's older brother. Who she had a crush on as a kid. Who is now a handsome professional hockey player. Who seems to be excellent with her daughter. How can she not fall in love?

I am so, so sad to see this series end. I've loved each of Emma and Jenny's books about the hockey players on the Appies, a hilariously viral minor league hockey team. I'm not really into books focused on babies, but I did enjoy this one. Alec and Evie seem meant-to-be, and I was happy to see each of them get their own happy endings. I also loved hearing about Evie's unique job and seeing her stick it to her awful ex-husband. Can't we please get more books? There are more players! I will read them ALL!

5 stars - 8/10

Lately there seems to be a single parent book on every corner, but I assure you thisI t's not like the others, each book in this series is unique, and each author adds their spark of magic to this beautiful small town. This is book six in the series and it couldn’t be more perfect.
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Evie has just packed up her entire life and drove across the country to move to Harvest Hollow, where the opportunity awaits her to become an apprentice luthier for one of the most talented in the country and thus be able to take care of her four-month-old daughter.
But when she arrives at her rental, it's a complete disaster and the only person she knows in this town is her best friend's older brother who she hasn't seen in years.
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Alec wasn't ready for this version of his little sister's best friend, nor for the feelings that make him step forward and offer his house temporarily until her landlord fix it. And with a new season about to start, his knee giving him problems and in addition to having to fulfill his duties as captain, he has no time to think about what makes him want to take a step forward and care for her, especially with a small four-month-old baby in the mix and when he always prefers to keep distance from little childs.
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This series is so good, each book has its own magic, following the previous ones this is a close door romance, with slow burn that is felt on each page and characters as beautiful as Evie who makes me root for her in every step and every feeling while she fights to be a good mother and create a home and family for her daughter. Alec is the reformed play boy who begins to realize and grow every moment since he reconnects with Evie and that precious baby, Juno that earns its space in the story by making the reader swoon at every interaction with Alec.
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The epilogue was beautiful but not enough, please let there be more books in this series and let us see glimpses of this beautiful family again.
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Thanks to Jenny Proctor and her team for give me a copy of this beautiful book in exchange for my honest and voluntary opinion

The final book in these fun series. I loved them all. Sweet closed door romance. It gives small peeks into the characters from past books in the series. Can be read out of order but once you read one book in the series you will want them all.

When Evie moves to the same town as her childhood crush (also her best friend's brother and professional hockey player), her painful divorce is not so far behind her and being with Alec is the last thing on her mind. But when she gets to her rental house, it's not quite like the pictures, and it's flooded by a leaking water heater. Her landlord is out of reach for at least a week, and she is desperate. Her new neighbour, Ruth, helps her out until Alec shows up to help her move her things in her new house. And when he learns that she needs a place to stay with her baby, he offers her to move in with him while her house is being repaired. Alec promised his little sister that he considered Evie as a sister and would never make a move on her, but now that she's here, it's hard for him to remember why...
This age gap, best friend's brother, single parent, hockey romance is book 6 in the Appies series, and like the other books I've read in this series so far (I haven't read them all yet, and you don't have to, as they are interconnected standalones, but I will anyway because I love this series), this one drew me right in. I loved that both main characters had depth. I loved their communication. I loved the writing. The cast of characters was amazing (I loved the twins!). The only little thing that annoyed me is, and I know that is a romance and that most romances are very predictable, but this one was overly predictable. I could predict every single thing that the characters would say or do before they did it, and it did annoy me a bit. BUT! No third act break up 🤗
I received an advance reader copy of this book for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Many, many thanks to NetGalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was so good! It is now officially my favorite of all the Appies' books even though I loved all of them. I loved this so much that the first time I read it, I stayed up until the wee hours of the morning to finish it. I was a little more measured my second time around but it was just as good.

This book was heartwarming and romantic with Proctor's usually snarky dialogue which had me snorting with laughter. It was just the right amount of sweet. It truly is a "feel-good" story. I also enjoyed the author's choice of having Devon sing "Dancing Through Life" from "Wicked". Perfect song for him! That made me chuckle.

No profanity and PG kissing.

When Alex met Evie is a delight! Book six of the Appies series follows team captain, Alex, as he is reunited with his little sister’s best friend, Evie, when she unexpectedly moves to town. As a recently divorced, new mom, Evie is out of her depth and gratefully relies on Alex to help her settle in as she tries to chases her dreams of music. Sparks fly when Evie’s house floods and she moves in with Alex and everything get more complicated as Alex bonds with Evie’s daughter, Juno. Throw in a selfish ex, funny guy group message, and some meddling from the little sister and this book has lots going for it.

Following along the Appies has been such a delight and I am so glad Alec finally gets his story. There are so many things to love in this one: sweet hockey romcom, best friend’s big brother, single mom, oh, and all the cameos from previous characters!! Evie has truly had a rough go and gets a new opportunity to make a fresh start. I love that Alec is so supportive of his sister and is willing to help her best friend. While he has known Evie forever and basically watched her grow up, he was not at all prepared for the woman she grown into. Not to mention super cool mom of the most precious baby girl. Alec has issues of his own, but the proximal nearness of Evie and Juno redirects his focus to what truly matters in life. I love how Alec grows into the mentor and father figure and embraces that love is no respecter of age. Their relationship blossoms quickly and with all their shared history, feels like the most natural step for both to take. Of course, there are always obstacles and issues, but having the support of friends and family makes all the difference. There were definitely some tears shed with this book, and I could not have been happier about it.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

Thank you to Jenny Proctor for once again approving my request for the last book in the Appies series. I'm a little heartbroken my favourite fictional Ice Hockey team's love story escapades are over, but I've loved every Appies adventure, and the final installment was the perfect heartwarming story to bring to a close this team's season of romance.

When Alec Met Evie is an uplifting, slow-burn romance featuring an age gap between the faithful, steadfast leader of the Appie team and the off-limits best friend's brother of a young single mum who has been through a rough patch. Jenny Proctor's storytelling is full of enchanting characters that will steal your heart, beautifully paced slow-burn romance, and fun laughs with the goofballs of the team. I love the team spirit and sense of belonging that Appies team family share – it's always the highlight of these books to catch up with the couples from the other books and see their love stories going from strength to strength.

The romance between Alec and Evie is so tender and sweet - I love how they counter each other moments of weakness. Alec's support, kindness, and encouragement helped build Evie's confidence back up. Just going the extra mile to help Evie with her baby is so heartwarming. Evie brings Alec out of his inner turmoil and knows when to call in the squad for support for the captain shouldering too much. Everything was so freaking adorable – I was a puddle of goo with all the cuteness - the vibes of this book in a nutshell!

If you love ice hockey romance, what are you waiting for? The Appies series is full of fun, swoony-sweet romances that will bring you all the heart-racing excitement on and off the ice and make you feel all the warm fuzzies. No spice, but lots of all things nice! Not to mention amazing sizzling chemistry that will melt your heart into a puddle. Just prepare to be addicted and watch the author's accounts like a hawk for the day they make Appies hockey shirts merch.

When Alec Met Evie is the last novel in the Appies series which takes place in the fictional town of Harvest Hollow where The Appies is the professional ice hockey team. I'm sad to see them go but I am sure I will read these books again! So I'll be back!

Both Evie and Alec are wonderful and they bring out the best in each other - and Evie's adorable baby Juno is the sweetest little bundle of joy that binds them together.

This is a sweet and warmhearted read - which doesn't shy away from the hard parts of life, either as a professional athlete or as a divorced single parent. If you are looking for a romance with swoony and heartfelt moments, the feeling of chosen family among friends, and main characters with great chemistry then this sweet and tender novel is the book for you!

I absolutely love closed-door hockey romances! I have read every single Appies book, and this one is one of my favorites! Alec and Evie both grew so much throughout the book. Alec learned that there is more to life than hockey, and Evie realized that it is okay to get help from others. Juno was the perfect little matchmaker. I am sad to see this series come to an end but can't wait to read the other books that come from the authors.

excuse me how is this part of a series that ive not been part of. how is this the last part of the series that ive not been part of!?
unfair. the reader in me feels deprived.
so i shall need to go back and find the others. but it does mean ive so much to look forward to.
back to this one. brilliant. i wanted to be part of this clan from the off. i felt so deeply for our characters.
alot of this type of books have sadly been crossing from the "spice" to "scotch bonnet off the scale" side of romance recently. i wont stand on my saopbox about that. but there does seem something a little uncomfortable about where some have gone with seemingly no awareness of the times and things are gotten away with somehow if written as a spicy novel.
thankfully these are easily spotted and avoided. and better still this was certainly NOT one of them. this was perfection.
i really dont want to gush too much. but i truly did love this book. and it makes me all mushy and grinning to think of it again. it had my soppy side well and truly tied to it.
i loved how it detailed the relationship and its challenges. it wasnt cliche. it didnt make a too much of it but just enough. i loved how they stepped up for eachother.
i was wondering how our two leads would meet again and what that might mean. but it was perfect fate.

Oh My Goodness I absolutely loved this book! This was the first book I've read by Jenny Proctor and it will not be my last. I loved the relationship between Evie and Alec. When Alec Met Evie was a sweet romance hockey book and if I'm being honest sometimes we all need a good sweet romance book to escape our everyday lives. Thank you so much NetGally for allowing me to read this ARC!

Let me preface this by saying I did not read any of the other books in this series, and immediately after finishing this, I downloaded all 5 to Kindle Unlimited. It's not a standalone per se, but can be read alone.

Mrs. Jenny Proctor you have 100% made a 6 star book right here. I can not WAIT to read the rest of the series! This book had me SOBBING ever since Theo and Alec's heart to heart at breakfast. By the end, I was an absolute mess, you would think I had a personal connection to the characters and I NEVER cry at books.
Alec and Evie's relationship was so unbelievably beautiful, the backstory and even the final tie in with Devon was so so good.

Majority of the hockey romances you come across lately is just filled with smut and you lose the plot but this was so perfect. Had the perfect amount of steam and slow burn and I could not put it down. I will be rolling through the rest of this series asap.

I am beginning to think that I need to move to Harvest Hollow. The Appies friend group seem like some incredible people! I love how @jennyproctor tells us a little bit more about each character as the books progress. A natural true unfolding of personalities. Even the characters who are on the side show growth in each book. The twins were my favourite side characters this time around.
Alec and Evie! So good together, and meant to be. I love that she was scribbling their names together as an infatuated child, yet approached the romance in such a mature way. Juno came first, whatever the cost. Alec really stepped up, and that really drew me to him even more.
Devon was not the greatest, yet his mother seemed so loving and caring. I would like to know more of his story. Why was he so manipulative and dismissive? What had their relationship truly been like? But maybe I don’t need to know that, Evie obviously grew as a result of that.

I absolutely love the Appies series and When Alec Met Evie by Jenny Proctor was no exception! Alec, captain of the Appies is facing the looming threat of retirement but doesn’t have much else outside hockey to keep him going. Enter his little sister’s best friend Evie and her young baby, Juno, and Alec might just be able to see a glimmer of what his life could be like after hockey. I was sad to learn that this the last Appies book Jenny was writing but the story line was a nice way to round out the series. This was really well written, and a fun version of the best friends older brother trope. I really enjoyed this and will definitely be coming back to read the Appies series again! Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the ARC!

Did I cry during this hockey romance? 100% YES. Do I have any regrets? NONE

This is the 6th book in the Appies Hockey Series and such a sweet one. We meet Alec, the captain, also the oldest on the team. He's struggling with thoughts of life post hockey and dealing with an injury that just won't seem to go away. He doesn't have much time to think about that before Evie, his sister's best friend moves into town. Evie is starting her life over post-divorce with her sweet baby girl Juno. Evie is in Harvest Hallow for a lifelong dream internship that just so happens to be in the same town as Alec. What happens when these two come back into one another's life as adults? Will past feelings pop back up or will current life struggles stop them from opening up to one another? Toss in a little forced proximity, a slight age gap, some rambunctious twins, exes that seem to not really be exes, and a little help from their friends this romance will leave you not only laughing aloud at moments but wiping away a few tears. Let's just say that saying "Goodbye" is hard so make sure your tissues are ready.


Thank you, Jenny, NetGalley, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for this complimentary Ebook. It was not expected for me to leave any positive feedback. These opinions are 100% my own.

Evie and her infant daughter, Juno, move to Harvest Hollow. They don’t know anyone aside from her best friends brother, Alec, who agrees to help them move in. Only her rental is flooded and she needs a place to stay during repairs. Evie and Juno end up staying with Alec in the meantime.

Can I just say that Alec is GONE for this woman and her baby. Like absolutely smitten. And, man, am I a sucker for the single mom trope!

My favorite part of the book was the fact that all the characters in this book showed real maturity. I loved the side characters and look forward to reading the previous books in the series.

Evie falls for her best friend's older brother Alec. They are forced to live together when her rental floods. She isn't sure about Alec because he's a hockey player who isn't ready to settle down.

Love the romance. The chemistry is terrific. Love the fun and joy in the book. A terrific sweet romance.

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.