Super cute and adorable. I haven't read the other books in this series prior to this one, but I enjoyed it immensely!

What a delightful, swoony, and laugh-out-loud romance that perfectly blends humor, heart, and hockey! If you love a good bad-boy-meets-off-limits-girl story with a twist of chaos and charm, this book is for you!

Van is everything you want in a grumpy, tough-on-the-outside hero — sarcastic, broody, but fiercely loyal. Watching him try to do the right thing (while making a complete mess of it) is both hilarious and heart-melting. His initial act of chivalry, exposing the cheating groom, is impulsive but driven by a genuine sense of justice. This sets the stage for a character who's both flawed and endearing.

The banter between Van and Amelia is sharp and witty; the chemistry between them is undeniable, sparking from their first interaction and growing into something deep and emotional. I feel their relationship evolved naturally—it didn't feel forced.

The side characters, especially Van’s sisters and teammates, add a layer to the story, giving it an added sense of family and camaraderie. And the bargain with Coach was brilliantly executed, keeping me hooked to see how Van would wriggle out of the mess he made.

If you're looking for a hockey romance that’s equal parts sweet, sassy, and emotional, with a strong, relatable heroine and a swoony hero who learns to open his heart, Runaway Bride and Prejudice is a must-read!

I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley but also bought an ebook for my personal library. All thoughts in this review are my own.

I loved this story! I’m not going to spoil anything, but Ch. 17 threw me for a loop. I did not see it coming & it was such a great twist. The chemistry between Mills & Robbie is off the charts & I loved their banter, Keanu Reeves inside jokes, all the crazy honeymoon activities including alligators, & the fun texts & ribbing from Van’s teammates. It was even more fun when Van’s sisters show up. I loved them & hope we get to see them in the future. This story was so hard to put down & the ending had me smiling & laughing over the “third time’s the charm.”

A great read, the story of Van and Amelia. He helps her out when she flees her wedding. She should be off limits as the coaches daughter, but will that keep them apart? I liked how it is told from both points of view.

Absolutely loved this book!

I laughed out loud so many times and swooned just as many. This book had me hooked from the first line, and it delivered all the way through.

The relationship between Van and Amelia is amazing. They really compliment each other, and you just have to pull for their HEA!

Also, the group chat and the sisters are hilarious! 10/10 highly recommend!

Spice: 0
Language: 0

Appie’s bad boy, Van, gets his HEA. After discovering that the guy she had incredible chemistry with is part of her father's hockey team, she is shocked when he exposes her cheating boyfriend. In the end, she and Van go on a would-be honeymoon, where their connection deepens and turns into something more. However, mistrust threatens their newly-formed relationship.

I volunteered to review an ARC of this book for NetGalley.

Emma St. Claire's Runaway Bride and Prejudice is a delightful and deeply emotional romance that completely won me over, earning a solid 4 stars. I'll admit, as someone who leans toward open-door romances, I wasn’t sure what to expect. But this book beautifully proved that a love story can be sizzling and heartfelt without being explicit.

Amelia and Van's chemistry practically leaps off the page. Their journey from misunderstanding to undeniable connection is both tender and electric, making it impossible not to root for their happily-ever-after. While the pacing felt a bit uneven—quick in the beginning and more drawn out toward the end—it only served to show how invested I was in seeing their story unfold.

Emma St. Claire masterfully balances humor, vulnerability, and romance, creating a story that stays with you long after the final page. If you’re looking for a love story with heart and just the right amount of spark, this one is a must-read!

Thanks to NetGalley, Victory Editing Co-Op, and the author for the chance to read this book.

I have absolutely loved this whole series so far, and book 5 did not disappoint. We got to see a hint of the deeper side of Van in book 3, and now, in his story, we get to see him so much clearer. It's actually a little sad how well he played the part and how long it takes for his teammates to see beyond it. Amelia is used to being a rule follower and needed someone to help her break free a little.

This was a fun and easy book to read - though it had me tearing up at a few points.

I was first introduced to the Appies last Fall, so I was thrilled to read another book centered around the small town hockey team.
In Emma St. Clair’s latest novel, hockey bad boy Van happens to catch his coach’s soon to be son-in-law cheating on his fiancee the day of his wedding. Although he may been known for his fast paced dating life, Van doesn’t condone cheating, which is how, through a chain of events, he ends up with a black eye and on a trip with a runaway bride.
The hockey season is in full swing, which makes this the perfect read for the cozy weather.

Thank you Netgalley for giving me the privilege of reading and reviewing this book. All opinions are completely my own and in my own word

I adore the Appies series and was looking forward to read book 5. As with the first four books, Emma St-Clair kept me entertained and emotionally invested for a few hours and I thank her. Can't wait for book 6.

I’m not normally a huge fan of clean romances, as the characters typically come off seeming like teenagers rather than adults. However, Emma St Clair (and Jenny Proctor) are absolutely my exceptions. I have loved everything I have read and have loved the whole Appies series. The author does an excellent job of writing clean romance, with the characters not at all seeming immature and juvenile.

Since the Appies were first introduced, I have wanted Van’s story. I loved him and Amelia together. One of the highlights for me in this book with definitely Van’s sisters! I really hope we get to see at least Grey again sometime in the future.

Emma St. Claire’s Runaway Bride and Prejudice is a charming and heartfelt romance that exceeded my expectations, earning 4 stars. As someone who usually prefers open-door romances, I was skeptical at first, but this book proved that a story doesn’t need explicit scenes to feel full of passion and depth. Amelia and Van’s sizzling chemistry leaps off the page, making their love story both compelling and unforgettable. While the pacing felt a bit uneven—rushed at the beginning and slower toward the end—it also highlighted how invested I was in their happily ever after. This book is a testament to Emma St. Claire’s talent for crafting romantic, meaningful stories that leave a lasting impression.

The whole Appies series has been so much fun, but I really enjoyed this one! Love the humor and sizzle.

Runaway Bride and Prejudice by Emma St. Clair is book five in Appies series.

Emily was supposed to be married now. Instead she is enjoying her honeymoon with Vik, a man who is on her father's hockey team, aka the men from the restaurant. Vol is the one who kind of broke up Emily’s wedding, but it seriously is not his fault that he stumbled upon cheating groom. And now he has the chance to spend some free time with her, overall it shouldn’t be that difficult to not to touch the coach's daughter. Right? 

This book missed the mark for me completely. I found it very childish, I think it was because of the humor that didn't land at all. There was nothing that was keeping me interested in the story.

I really enjoyed the next in the appie series! It was funny and great. Thank you for allowing me to read and review this ARC

Runaway Bride and Prejudice by Emma St. Clair is book 5 in the Appies series. Anything with hockey is a win for me. I absolutely love this series and being able to follow the different hockey players with their own love stories, while still being able to go back and enjoy previous characters that you loved. Emma St. Clair writes laugh out loud banter between her characters with sweet romance that we all wish we had in our lives. Emma St. Clair is an auto buy author for me.
Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy.

Absolutely loved this book! Hockey romance with a little bit of Pride & Prejudice feels to it, yes please. A story that kept me turning the pages.

I voluntarily reviewed this book.

Emma St Clair is one of my favourite authors! She never lets me down! Add to that Hockey romance!?! Swoon! Forbidden romance with the coached daughter. Absolutely adored every moment of this book!

This is a cute romcom that was easy to follow. I devoured it in one sitting and was definitely “one more chapter”-ing my way through it. It’s technically book 5 in a series, but I read this as a standalone and think it works well independently of the rest of the series. That being said I now can’t wait to dive into the rest of the Appies books!

The quick premise of the book is that the hockey coach’s daughter, Amelia, is a runaway bride after learning her fiancé is cheating on her. Van, one of her dad’s players, is the getaway driver and ends up coerced (kinda) into joining Amelia on her honeymoon. 4 days of sharing a hotel room later and the pair have fallen for each other…but is it too soon?

✨hockey romance
✨runaway bride
✨insta love
✨forced proximity
✨opposites attract (“bad boy” x “good girl”)

Thanks NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

This book is another one in the Appies series and it covers Van and Amelia's love story. This is a really cute, insta-love story that you will really enjoy. While I'm not normally a closed door type romance reader, this one was done really, really well. Great read. Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy.