Loved this book, the author is newish to me, so now I have the chance to go through her back list of books.

This was such a cute romance book. It was a nice palette cleanse for me. It's a closed-door romance with a sprinkle of age gap and best friend's brother.

Evie is a single mother moving to a new town after her divorce. Alec is a hockey player and her best friend's older brother that she's always had a crush on. After a series of unfortunate events, Alec offers to let her and her daughter move in for a while. With the proximity, they begin to grow closer even as his injury and who's going to be Juno's father figure loom over them.

It was refreshing to see the best friend support the characters getting together. Megan was more excited than they were about it. I also loved that there was proper representation of Alec stepping up to be a father figure. It's not an easy choice and When Alec Met Evie really showed that.

This was overall cute, funny, and very much needed.

This whole series just makes your heart happy. Alec and Eve‘s story is so sweet and I think it’s because from the very beginning, she saw him as more than a hockey player. I love that she was there to see all of his games, not just professionally, but through college and in high school. Alec is so strong throughout the series and such a leader, and it was great to get to see him and know him and know how his story finishes. I just love this book.

I absolutely loved this story, finally got to know the captain. I loved how emotionally invested I became in this story. I had some ugly sob moments towards the end. It was fantastic. Highly recommend this book and the whole appies series

I am seriously ugly crying right now! Straight up sobbing and all in my feels. Talk about an ending to an amazing series!

All the guys and their significant others are present (some via video chat) and the Appies are rock solid.

Almost.

And that’s all I can say about that.

Evie and Alec are incredibly well rounded and developed. I feel like I could call her up and ask her out for coffee, or have them over for dinner.

This is one of the best romcoms I’ve been blessed to read, and I’m sad to see the series end. I’m not at all sad to see the backside of Devon, however.

But is this really the end? Several more of the teammates are still single, Jenny Proctor. Maybe give Emma St. Clair a call?

I received an advance copy from the publisher. I’m under no obligation, this is my heartfelt opinion. Highly, highly recommended!

This was my first book from this author.
It was probably the most realistic as far as the aftermath of the bodily cost of playing a professional sport until “old” age.
I don’t know professional athletes but I do know many retired military members and veterans.
It’s the similar to the cost of long serving military members.
Their bodies are tools.
Shoulder/knee/hip replacements, broken bones, TBI, etc. all par for the course.
No one can say it’s more dangerous to be a hockey player but the cost is your body for those few precious years you play.

So many hockey romances have guys who are 30-38 and are in fine health, have no issues and it’s just not realistic at all.
I can appreciate the realism the author provided here. Plus the #momlife truths in the book had me cackling.
Accidentally flashing someone while breastfeeding?
Yup
Not realizing you’ve got baby vomit on you until it’s too late? Yupppp
Trying to get saucy but baby wakes up?
It’s a miracle I have two kids!!!! 😂

I kinda wish there was more steam with the mains. I don’t mind dads to black but it needs to be clear there are things happening for me. It just feels inauthentic otherwise to me.

*When Alec Met Evie* is the perfect mix of swoon-worthy romance, heartfelt moments, and laugh-out-loud humor. Evie’s fresh start in a small mountain town takes a chaotic turn when she’s forced to temporarily move in with her childhood crush—who also happens to be her best friend’s older brother *and* a pro hockey player. Cue the tension, awkward moments, and undeniable chemistry.

Evie’s struggles as a newly single mom feel real and relatable, while Alec is the ultimate mix of charming and protective. Their slow-burn romance is filled with flirty banter, stolen glances, and just the right amount of tension—all without crossing into spicy territory.

If you love best friend’s brother tropes, forced proximity, and sports romance with heart, this one’s a must-read. Sweet, funny, and impossible to put down!

Alec is one player from The Appies who seemed to be the "dad" of everyone, given that he's the captain, so I'm really looking forward for his story. And let's say this exceeded my expectations. I love Alec and Evie as (fictional) persons. I think with dual POV, I can see more clearly how Alec and Evie slowly falls for each other, what makes them change, and how they embrace the change.

I love that all the supporting characters make appearance in this book because I just love love love Harvest Hollow. I'm always waiting for the description of this small town and its warmth for every series set in HH. I actually read The Sweater Weather series just to get more of Harvest Hollow (haha), and I just hoped that other characters from the series make appearances as well, or even mentioned in glances.

Overall, I love this book for the setting and sweet sweet romance. Perfect for a cozy read in a chilly day.

I love the hockey books and this is the last book of the series and in my opinion the best

Evie is divorced with a four month old and moving to a new state for a new start. Her rental is flooded and her friend’s brother who she had a crush on when she was younger was supposed to help her move in. As it was flooded he invited her to move in with him until her rental is ready.

This is a story about them building a relationship even though they were only to be friends as he is her friends older brother. Ups and downs with hockey players and friendships. A wonderful book

I absolutely LOVE The Appies series and have been looking forward to this one for a bit. I’m a sucker for single parent romance so of course I devoured this one. 10/10 SO CUTE

Loved!! I think this is the best Appies book so far. I laughed and cried. It was a beautiful story not just about love but about life. Jenny did an excellent job!

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC publication for an honest review.

Oh, this series! I'm not a hockey fan, but this romance series featuring the fictional Appies hockey team is the best. Written by the dynamic duo Jenny Proctor and Emma St. Clair who writes the perfect amount of sweet without the unnecessary spice! This is the grand finale for this series starring the team captain Alec and it was perfection. Book boyfriend alert! While you could read this book as a standalone, I implore you to start from the beginning because the whole series is worthwhile.

This had some favorite tropes: single mom, age-gap romance, little sister's best friend. I adored our couple Alec and Evie (and baby, Juno!) The storyline flowed, the characters felt authentic, and there were so many sweet, fun moments. I loved every single word! It was great hearing from our past lead couples and the friendship group was a bonus beyond the romance. I was quite emotional reading this last book and shed some tears as I turned that final page...sweet sigh.

5 stars

So going into this I didn’t realize it was part of a series however, it could definitely be read as a stand alone if you wanted to. I loved the single mom trope and I was a fan of the book actually focusing on the mother/daughter and not just the romance line. Alec was a perfect MC and over the book was such a refreshing read definitely a cozy comfort book! Thank you again for the ARC!

Where has this series been hiding? Even though this might be the last Appies book in the series, it is a complete standalone. I will say even though I haven't read the other books, this read as a perfect ending to the series and I will definitely be reading the other books now! The story was heartwarmingly perfect. I laughed and I cried (I mean you did mention Phil Collins what did you expect?!), what more can you ask for in a romance book. I love the development of all the characters. Alec is also such an easy MMC to fall in love with. There was the perfect amount of yearning and slowburn. I did not realise this was a closed door romance but it also did not hit me until the end and truthfully I didn't miss it at all. All in all this might go into my top five single mom books. Definitely a 5star read!

When Alec met Evie By Jenny Proctor

I got this book via @netgalley as ARC and heres my thoughts about it, which are all mine.

This book tells us Appies - fictional AHL teams - captains love story with his sisters best friend. And oh man I enjoyed this one, as any other book of the series.
I laughed out loud so many times when I was reading this one. And for me it was also quick read.
Both main characters faced hard things in the book and it was relatable to read who they found peace to their lives.
If you haven’t read this or any of the Appies book yet, I recommend 100%!

Both Evie and Alec's lives aren't quite going to plan: Evie is newly divorced and moving to a new place where she'll barely know anyone, and Alec is dealing with an ongoing knee injury that may or may not threaten his future in hockey.

When Alec's sister asks him to help Evie move in, he agrees pretty easily. What he doesn't expect is his near-instant attraction, not a flooded rental that leads to Evie and Juno staying with him. Alec is surprised by how comfortable and lovely it is having Evie and Juno around, and the two grow closer very quickly. They decide to give a relationship a chance, but Alec's injury is getting worse, and Evie's ex decided to try to weasel his way back in.

This is the sixth book in the Appies series, and I'm honestly very sad to see it end. This was a sweet, romanitc single-mother hockey romance with very little heat. Despite that, the chemistry between Evie and Alec was great, and the story was engaging. Unfortunately, because these books are self-published, my library isn't able to purchase them. However, I will continue to recommend them to people who have Kindle Unlimited or are especially interested in closed-door hockey romances.

This was not my first season with the Appies and I hope it wasn't my last! This book had friends to lovers, age gap, overcoming struggles, humor and hve! Everything I was looking for and more.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC

4.5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Appies book 6
First of all I love this series. I’ve read it all and it’s so good. Sports romance meets romcom! The whole series is just sweet and tender. And I am sad this is over 😞

When Alec Met Evie by Jenny Proctor is the 6th book of the Appies Hockey Romance series, but can be read as a standalone. I've enjoyed the 3 or 4 books in the series, by Jenny Proctor and Emma St. Clair, and I'm sad this will be the last book in the series from Jenny. This is such a sweet book and I love the ML - so sweet and protective. I also love how the FL is not totally a damsel in distress, but is pursuing her dreams despite challenges and setbacks, and was also able to provide emotional support to the ML when required. With a cute baby in the mix, this was such a swoony read and I didn't want it to end. ARC provided by Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op. All opinions expressed are mine

4.5 Stars!

This well-written forced-proximity sports romance is one of the sweetest stories and a perfect ending to The Appies Series!

Evie’s divorce was final a year ago and she’s been raising four-month-old Juno on her own. When an opportunity for an apprenticeship comes into the field she’s loved her whole life, she jumps at the chance to move to Harvest Hallow. Evie’s best friend Megan arranges with her brother Alec and several of his teammates to meet Evie and help her move in. They arrive only to discover the small home Evie is renting is completely flooded. Alec offers to let Evie stay with him while the home is being repaired.

Alec is the team captain of the Appies Hockey Team and while he’s loved his hockey career, he’s outgrown the parties and social scene that once had a lot of appeal. His body has also taken a beating, especially his knee, and he’s beginning to wonder if he’ll be to finish the season. Alec hasn’t even considered life beyond hockey until he is reacquainted with Evie and little Juno steals his heart!

There are so many things that I liked about this story! First, The Appies Hockey team is more than just a Hockey Team, it’s a group of guys that form an extremely loyal brotherhood! I loved that as Alec and Evie began to have feelings for each other they didn’t hide it with family and friends. They were open with Megan and all of the teammates. The open communication was refreshing! Last, what can be better than a big gorgeous Hockey player falling head over heels for your four-month-old daughter and singing her to sleep at night (without a shirt on!)!

“An odd sensation washes over me, something I’ve never really felt before. It isn’t just attraction, though I do feel attracted to Evie. It feels more protective. Like I have extra reason to check the door locks. Or go upstairs and make sure all the windows are securely fastened in her bedroom.”

If you’re looking for a fun story with enough heart that may bring a few tears, I highly recommend this one!

Romance Content: Just Kissing!

Thank you Jenny Proctor, Booked with the Emilys, and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for my #gifted ARCs.