Saturday, November 9, 2024

Runaway Bride and Prejudice by Emma St. Clair

 
"People say when one door closes, another one opens. And maybe that's true. but I wanna know what people say when one door opens and you find the groom hooking up with someone who's not the bride--less than an hour before the wedding. In a church, no less."
Van's known as a bad boy in hockey. He's no one's hero. But he can't let Amelia marry her cheating fiancé. Because he cares about her. Not that he can admit that...to anyone. 
"As for how I know Amelia...it's a simple story. We met randomly. Talked. Thought she might be my soulmate. Then I realized she was my coach's daughter. The quintessential Romeo and Juliet story. But with more hockey and hopefully less death and mayhem."
As Amelia's wedding ends before it begins, Van ends up running off to Florida with her on her non-honeymoon...just to make sure she's okay. He definitely did not plan on what happened next.
"We laughed. We flirted. I started to think maybe this could be something--the kind of something I'd never had. I mean, it was way too fast and definitely stupid to think about that, but Amelia stirred to life the kinds of feelings I've never had. The kind of easy enjoyment mixed with potent attraction that left me feeling woozy." 
What can I say? Van is the best! And I loved this sweet, closed-door, hockey romance. Amelia and Van have great chemistry. And Emma St. Clair knows how to write clever banter, fun and humorous interactions, and swoony kisses. And I love the Appies hockey team. This book made me happy. Here's one more favorite quote from it:
"She and I argued over whether rereading a book should count toward your reading goals for the year. She nearly took my head off arguing about keeping your reading tally 'pure' with only first-time reads. ... And she's wrong, by the way. Rereads totally count." 

My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 

Happy Reading!


32 comments:

  1. Sounds like a fun idea to combine two stories.

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    1. She writes some very fun characters, too. :D

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    2. Well, she obviously has a great imagination.

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  2. What a setup! I bet this makes for a great rom-com!

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  3. Isn't it great to find a book that really speaks to us and makes us happy?

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    1. It's one of the main reasons I love to read. :D

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  4. I love the sound of this one! There's something about a woman finding out about a cheating partner and moving on that gets me! :)

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    1. I enjoyed watching Amelia find herself in this one.

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  5. This sounds like it was really good.

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    1. It's a very fun romance. Especially if you like hockey players. (And even if you don't.) ;D

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  6. This sounds so good! I love Emma St. Clair's books. Also, rereads totally count, lol. :D

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    1. This is a very fun romance. I think you'd like it. :D

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  7. If rereads were denied me my reading would suffer greatly.

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    1. Mine, too! My bookshelves would suffer, too. ;D

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  8. Great review! I loved this one. Yes, rereads count :)

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    1. If rereads didn't count then I'd have to rethink all the books sitting on my own bookshelves. ;D

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  9. This sounds like a lot of fun! I'll have to look for it at the library :)

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    1. I really enjoyed it. The other Appie romances are also a lot of fun. :D

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  10. "Rereads" most definitely count. For me, they just about always feel like "first reads" anyway. lol

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    1. Sam! How are you? I've missed you! And I know what you mean...I've reread more than one book where it felt like I'd never read it before. ;D

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    2. Doing OK, Lark, and hoping you are, too. Still kind of mentally tired and frustrated, but I'm starting to believe that's just the way the world works for a lot of us nowadays.

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  11. I agree with Van that rereads count. A hockey guy who reads? That's a good combo.

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  12. I reread all the time.
    www.rsrue.blogspot.com

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  13. This sounds like a fun read. I haven't read a romance novel in a long time. Have a great week, Lark!

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  14. This sounds so good and I love the sound of Van! I'm a fan of closed door romances and after a few not so closed doors that has definitely been confirmed for me. Adding this one to my TBR.

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    1. Emma St. Clair has written several very fun closed door romances; I like her humor and her characters. She's an author I think you would like.

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