It’s sweet, swoony, and full of heart. Evie is hilarious and relatable, and Alec is the perfect mix of charming and vulnerable. Their chemistry? Chef’s kiss. If you love clean rom-coms with depth and wit, this one’s a must-read.

this was a strong sixth entry in the Appies Hockey Romance series, it had that concept that I was looking for from the previous entries. Jenny Proctor wrote the romance and characters perfectly and enjoyed the overall feel of this. I was engaged with the characters and hope there is more in this world.

This book was absolutely brilliant! I have loved the entire series, but this one I could not put down! I thought Nathan was my favourite Appie, but then we got to know Alec, and he is absolutely something else! I am sad this series is coming to an end. The instant connection you form with the main characters makes for a quick and easy read. The trope of best friends' brother is always a favourite and throw in a sexy man and a baby and I'm done for!

I just love this series. Alec was so great with Juno. It had enough drama to make more of a story but not overbearing.

I’ve read quite a few books in this series, and not necessarily in any particular order. The authors are mostly different within the series. This keeps things interesting because we can feel the different voices of the various people in the plots. Good authors can make people stand apart from each other and throwing several good authors together means a whole range of people.

I know nothing about the sport in the story. It is almost irrelevant, except to understand the mania surrounding the players or the team as a whole. Having some idea about some of the other settled couples in the series adds something extra, but even without that information, the story stands well on its own.

The couple begin as family friends with a bit of an age gap, something that Alec is very conscious of. There’s a baby in the mix as well as a whole new life that Evie is trying to handle. Overall it was a good read with a little tension and a little more emotional introspection.

I would recommend this series for fans of sports related relationship series’, especially for the variety of authors.

I received an ARC thanks to Netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

This book is about found family and best friends family. Alec is the captain of the Appies. Evie is a first time mom who is trying to find her feet after her partner has left her and her baby.
The book is a closed door romance and is swoon worthy.

Evie is starting over—new town, new life, and no plans for romance. After a painful divorce, all she wants is to settle down in North Carolina with her four-month-old daughter and rebuild. The last thing she needs is to fall for Alec, her childhood crush, who also happens to be her best friend’s much older brother and a pro-hockey player. But when Evie’s rental home floods, she has nowhere to go… except Alec’s house. He insists it’s no big deal—he’d do the same for his sister. Nothing more, nothing less.

Only the spark between them is undeniable. Seeing Alec with her baby girl makes it even harder to resist him. But he’s not the settling-down type—at least, according to his sister. And Evie isn’t sure she can handle another heartbreak. Can Alec prove he’s all in before it’s too late? Or will Evie walk away from the only man who’s ever made her believe in love again?

Tropes
✨Single Mom Romance
🏒Best Friend’s Older Brother
✨Forced Proximity
🏒Small-Town Charm
✨Grumpy/Sunshine Dynamic
🏒Professional Athlete
✨Slow Burn

It's a stellar small-town sports romance that perfectly balances sweet, steamy, and emotional. Alec is the perfect mix of tough athlete and secret softie, while Evie’s determination and vulnerability make her an easy heroine to root for. The forced proximity is executed beautifully, giving their slow-burn romance plenty of time to develop naturally.

The book's biggest strengths is how it treats Evie’s past trauma and fears with respect, her hesitation isn’t just there for the sake of drama—it’s real and understandable. Alec, on the other hand, isn’t just a cocky hockey star—he’s thoughtful, patient, and genuinely cares for both Evie and her daughter. Their growing family dynamic is heartwarming and adds so much depth to their relationship.

The pacing is spot on, with plenty of sweet, sizzling, and heartfelt moments. And let’s be honest—a hot hockey player falling for a single mom? That’s peak romance material.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC! I can always go for a good hockey romance and I read through this one fairly quickly. Something was missing for me, but still loved the characters and book overall.

The best friend’s brother helps a single mom move into a new house—a fresh start in a new town. But due to unforeseen circumstances, Alec and Evie end up living together. Evie has grown and changed, and her old crush returns as they spend more time together. An interesting story about finding new meaning in life.
I volunteered to review an ARC of this book for NetGalley.

Sweet, charming, and full of heart! This small-town romance is a feel-good read with lovable characters and witty banter. Jenny Proctor nails the friends-to-lovers vibe with warmth and sincerity.

I have loved the Appies series, and I think this book was a great way to finish it. This book has the “best-friends, brother” trope but it felt a little different from the usual version and I liked that (no more details to avoid spoilers). I really loved Alec’s character; he is such a responsible, caring individual and there was nothing about him I didn’t like. Evie’s story is very heavily focused on being a single mom. I felt like she was very level-headed in her decision making and focus on changing her trajectory. Alec and Evie had very good dialogue and everything about their relationship felt very real and honest. There are plenty of appearances from other Appies, and their ladies, throughout the book which was great and some fun new characters that made the story even better. Again, a great ending to the series, highly recommend all six books romance lovers! Thank you NetGalley for the copy of this book.

If this is really the Ending of the Appies, I want it! But if it is not, it was still a Great ending! I mean the Captain and Evie, what more is there to not want! All the Appies all the family members the couples the children the neighbors! I mean literally everything about this whole series was chefs kiss! And even if I don't want them to end this was a great(maybe)ending! 😉😁

I think this is my third sweater weather novel and now I need to read the rest of the series! It’s still ‘sweater weather’ where I live, so maybe I can squeeze it in 😉
I really enjoyed this book. Loved the slow burn, still loving the hockey theme and small town vibe.
This story centres around hockey-pro, Alec and his sister’s best friend, Evie. She’s moved to town with her young baby and finds herself crashing at Alec’s house after she finds her rental flooded. With Evie being recently divorced, the unexpected chemistry between the new roommates is a tricky predicament to be in.
As we head into hockey playoff season, this is the perfect book to add to your list! 📚

Loved it I was in need for a sweet and serious romance and this one didn't disappoint. I loved the characters and their dynamic, I loved how they handled their problems, and I have to admit, every woman would want an Alex in her life :).
Big thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an e-copy of a book in exchange of my honest opinion.

Easily one of the best Appies books yet. The way Proctor portrays motherhood here with Evie, being a freshly postpartum, breast-feeding mom, newly divorced and trying to figure it out is such a beautiful picture of what real life looks like. And Alec enters her orbit, and their lives intersect, sparks fly, and the chemistry leaps off the page.

You are always rooting for the characters in a romcom to get together, but sometimes you have to wait a long time. This book towed the line of will they/won't they contrasted with you enjoying them being in a relationship so beautifully. Plus the tension they have to go through, that third act conflict, makes sense for where these two people are in their lives.

I loved this book. I love the Appies series. It is definitely a series I will go back to if I need the perfect little snack of a romcom to read. Could not love this series more.
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Content Note from the Author: This story contains themes of divorce and single parenthood; it includes a narcissistic ex-husband, mentions of past emotional abuse, and candid conversations about pregnancy and breastfeeding. Also, there’s kissing. Lots and lots of kissing.

This is a closed door, kisses only rom com. It is part of a series but can be read as a stand alone.
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Thanks to the author for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.

I really don’t have words to say other than: ADORABLE. SWOON. I LOVED IT! Before I even read Jenny’s books, I know it’ll be a five-star read. She’s just that good!

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and Jenny Proctor for the opportunity to read this novel. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

Jenny has done it again! The perfect cozy, sweet romance series to settle down with. Evie is all set to move in when disaster strikes, luckily her best friends pro hockey star brother lets her in when times are tough.
Alec & Evies story is the perfect ending to this series, we get a well round story of chapters closing, finding happiness in our new reality and a love that so deep you can’t help but giggle and kick your feet. The entire set of characters will warm your heart, the chemistry, the absolute swoon worthy book boyfriends and character development is unmatched while still being closed door to gather a large audience of readers.

okay so im going to need someone to leave an Alec on my front door step tomorrow morning latest please and thank you!

When Alec Met Evie by Jenny Proctor is #6 in the Appies series, but also works well as a standalone book.

This book is told from a dual point of view between Alex and Evie.

Shortly after her 4 month old daughter, Juno is born, Evie sees her dream job in North Carolina. Recently divorced she decides to go for it, even though she doesn't know anyone there. Well except for Alex which is her best friend's older brother. She rented a house, but due to unforeseen circumstances she is left without a place to stay. Thankfully Alec steps up and offers her a place to stay.

Evie has countless reasons why starting a new relationship would not be a good idea. For one, Alec is her best friend's much older brother. She has a 4 month old daughter who barely leaves time for herself and three, she is recently divorced. But Alec feels like home and is doing all the right things, does age matter when it comes to matters of the heart?

This is the first book in this series and I cannot wait to read the rest. I would say about a 1 on the spice level but it was a great book just the same. Special thank you to Jenny Proctor for working with NetGalley. I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion and review.

I love hockey romance and this one was delightful. Best friend’s brother and forced proximity are two tropes that were well done in this story. This is the last book in a series, I didn’t know that and this is the only book I’ve read, I can say this can definitely be read as a standalone. I definitely recommend this fun read.