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Appies #7
As You Ice It
If at first you don’t succeed, DO NOT try, try again. At least not when it comes to dating a hockey player.
When Naomi met Camden Cole on Oakley Island, she assumed he would be gone in a week or two like any other tourist passing through.
Perfect for a fun summer relationship. A temporary one.
As a single mom to ten-year-old Liam, she’s not holding out hope for husband material and is way too skittish about commitment to consider more.
So when both Naomi and Liam start getting too attached, she cuts Camden loose. Better to end things before either of their hearts could get broken.
But the joke’s on her—they broke anyway.
As an added punchline (and gut punch), her job relocates her to the town of Harvest Hollow—where Camden plays for the Appies.
It’s FINE, Naomi tells herself. He’s a professional hockey player with a busy career. Their paths will never cross.
And they probably wouldn’t have—if not for Liam’s newfound hockey obsession.
Now, Naomi is right back where she was last summer—with the same feelings and the same desire to protect her and Liam.
But when Camden wants to go all-in with her and Liam, is Naomi ready to stop running?
When Naomi met Camden Cole on Oakley Island, she assumed he would be gone in a week or two like any other tourist passing through.
Perfect for a fun summer relationship. A temporary one.
As a single mom to ten-year-old Liam, she’s not holding out hope for husband material and is way too skittish about commitment to consider more.
So when both Naomi and Liam start getting too attached, she cuts Camden loose. Better to end things before either of their hearts could get broken.
But the joke’s on her—they broke anyway.
As an added punchline (and gut punch), her job relocates her to the town of Harvest Hollow—where Camden plays for the Appies.
It’s FINE, Naomi tells herself. He’s a professional hockey player with a busy career. Their paths will never cross.
And they probably wouldn’t have—if not for Liam’s newfound hockey obsession.
Now, Naomi is right back where she was last summer—with the same feelings and the same desire to protect her and Liam.
But when Camden wants to go all-in with her and Liam, is Naomi ready to stop running?
332 pages, Paperback
First published May 4, 2025
1146 people are currently reading
1632 people want to read
About the author
Emma St. Clair
60 books3,825 followersEmma St. Clair is a USA Today Bestselling Author who loves sassy heroines, witty banter, and love stories with heart and humor. She has an MFA in Fiction and lives in Katy, Texas (go, Tigers!) with her hubby, five children, and Great Dane. Her favorite place to write is tapping on her phone while on the elliptical machine. No Emmas have been hurt in the writing of these novels. (Yet.)
Want a free novella? Grab Upping the Ante here: https://emmastclair.com/ante
You can follow the day-to-day on instagram @kikimojo.
Want a free novella? Grab Upping the Ante here: https://emmastclair.com/ante
You can follow the day-to-day on instagram @kikimojo.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 330 reviews
May 13, 2025
So hard to say goodbye… but what a sweet ending! Okay, so this is the last book in the Appies series, and honestly, I’m not ready to let it go. Especially after that ending. Emma, you can’t just leave us like that!
Camden and Naomi’s story was everything I hoped for. What started as a casual summer romance turned into so much more. Naomi is a single mom, protective of her heart and her son, while Camden’s dealing with his own family baggage. Watching them reconnect was beautiful. Bonus points for Naomi’s son, Liam, who’s adorable, smart, observant, and the perfect addition to the story.
The usual Appies magic is here: hilarious group texts from Camden’s teammates and a full-on WAG squad embracing Naomi like one of their own. I loved seeing cameos from all the other players and their partners, and yes, Alec’s brief post-retirement appearance made me so happy.
I didn’t want it to end, but I’m glad we got to check in with the whole gang one last time. If you haven’t read the Appies series yet, you need to, and definitely read them in order. I’m already planning to start all over again!
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT:
❤️🔥 Hockey Romance
❤️🔥 Second Chance
❤️🔥 Single Mom
❤️🔥 Found Family
Camden and Naomi’s story was everything I hoped for. What started as a casual summer romance turned into so much more. Naomi is a single mom, protective of her heart and her son, while Camden’s dealing with his own family baggage. Watching them reconnect was beautiful. Bonus points for Naomi’s son, Liam, who’s adorable, smart, observant, and the perfect addition to the story.
The usual Appies magic is here: hilarious group texts from Camden’s teammates and a full-on WAG squad embracing Naomi like one of their own. I loved seeing cameos from all the other players and their partners, and yes, Alec’s brief post-retirement appearance made me so happy.
I didn’t want it to end, but I’m glad we got to check in with the whole gang one last time. If you haven’t read the Appies series yet, you need to, and definitely read them in order. I’m already planning to start all over again!
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT:
❤️🔥 Hockey Romance
❤️🔥 Second Chance
❤️🔥 Single Mom
❤️🔥 Found Family
May 15, 2025
As You Ice It by Emma St. Clair
4 Stars
Book #7 in the Appies Series
Blog Post: https://bookloveramanda.blogspot.com/...
The FINAL book in the Appies series is HERE and it's bittersweet my friends! Emma brings emotional depth and lots of laughs to book #7, as always! We have Naomi and Camden's romance!
✨ Read if you love:
🏒 Hockey romance
👩👦 Single mom
💕Second chance romance
🏡 Small town
🧸 Cinnamon roll hero
🫶 Found family
📱HILARIOUS Group Texts
🎯 Emotional depth with a clean romance
🗣️💬❤️ A Couple that actually COMMUNICATES!
We follow Naomi who is a relatable, fiercely protective single mom. Her world is built around her son, Liam. She crosses paths again with Camden after their summer romance and they have a second chance at love. She isn't prepared though for how deeply her and Liam come to care for him so her instinct is to protect their hearts. Naomi's job brought her back to Harvest Hollow though and we see how everything they try to avoid....ultimately cannot be avoided! (PLUS, their friends ain't gonna let their relationship go down without a fight! Lots of "matchmaking" if you will from the friend's encouragement!)
I love a good single parent trope and Emma told such a great one here! Camden is a great cinnamon roll hero -- he loves Liam and you really see he wants things to work out.
I love that there wasn't a third act breakup too, and they really communicated! One of my favorite things in a good rom-com.
The guys and girls chats also CRACKED ME UP! So many laughs! The guys specifically really made me laugh!
Highly recommend this series for a sweet rom-com!
Thank you to the author for a copy to read and review. All thoughts are my own.
Content: kisses only, clean romance, 2 mentions of h*ll
4 Stars
Book #7 in the Appies Series
Blog Post: https://bookloveramanda.blogspot.com/...
The FINAL book in the Appies series is HERE and it's bittersweet my friends! Emma brings emotional depth and lots of laughs to book #7, as always! We have Naomi and Camden's romance!
✨ Read if you love:
🏒 Hockey romance
👩👦 Single mom
💕Second chance romance
🏡 Small town
🧸 Cinnamon roll hero
🫶 Found family
📱HILARIOUS Group Texts
🎯 Emotional depth with a clean romance
🗣️💬❤️ A Couple that actually COMMUNICATES!
We follow Naomi who is a relatable, fiercely protective single mom. Her world is built around her son, Liam. She crosses paths again with Camden after their summer romance and they have a second chance at love. She isn't prepared though for how deeply her and Liam come to care for him so her instinct is to protect their hearts. Naomi's job brought her back to Harvest Hollow though and we see how everything they try to avoid....ultimately cannot be avoided! (PLUS, their friends ain't gonna let their relationship go down without a fight! Lots of "matchmaking" if you will from the friend's encouragement!)
I love a good single parent trope and Emma told such a great one here! Camden is a great cinnamon roll hero -- he loves Liam and you really see he wants things to work out.
I love that there wasn't a third act breakup too, and they really communicated! One of my favorite things in a good rom-com.
The guys and girls chats also CRACKED ME UP! So many laughs! The guys specifically really made me laugh!
Highly recommend this series for a sweet rom-com!
Thank you to the author for a copy to read and review. All thoughts are my own.
Content: kisses only, clean romance, 2 mentions of h*ll
September 25, 2025
4.5/5
Did I just bawl my eyes out at the last 20% yes yes I did
Did I just bawl my eyes out at the last 20% yes yes I did
May 11, 2025
Maybe seeing more of Camden and Naomi’s previous relationship would have helped endear Naomi to me more, but I did not like her in the first half and felt indifferent in the second half. Maybe having less chapters taken up with the other Appies and their significant others (even though I like them all) would have helped establish Camden and Naomi’s relationship more. I don’t know, but it didn’t feel like this book belonged to them. It felt like they were side characters to the rest of the team and to hockey itself and their relationship desperately needed more page time to make it seem genuine.
So, the first half of this book was crazy. Can we please stop glamorizing erratic, overly dramatic female characters who are completely ruled by their emotions and laughing it off when they’re unhinged? Naomi was immature, selfish, and emotionally unstable for the first fifty percent. Upon seeing Camden for the first time after their breakup (she broke up with him btw) she smacks him with her car door and then punches him in the face. For literally NO REASON. And then it’s like, “Oh haha! I’m so emotional!” WHAT!? Assault is just something to glaze over apparently. Can you imagine if a male character had punched a female in the face because he was “emotional” about something and then just went “oops sorry about that!”? Also, when her son gets hurt at his hockey camp, she stomps around, is incredibly rude to everyone in the room, scowls at everyone and won’t even shake the coach’s hand. Like, “Ma’am. Your son is playing a sport. It happens. They took care of him and contacted you immediately. He’s happy and fine. Calm down.” Naomi, as a whole, felt very indecisive, and temperamental. She second guesses everything and feels entitled to all of her actions during her emotional episodes even when it’s rude or hurts other people. Cam was constantly trying to calm her down and reason with her and reassure her. He seemed hesitant to tell her anything important for fear of how she’d react. The relationship felt forced because we didn’t get any information about them falling in love the summer before. The relationship was just super contentious after the breakup for the first half of the book and then they were just suddenly in an intense committed relationship for the second half.
Much of the second half was spent on Cam’s family trauma, hockey, and other players. I felt like I blacked out a missed multiple chapters of Cam and Naomi communicating and moving their relationship forward in a healthy way. Cam… blink twice if you need help.
Camden was a kind, sweet, quiet man and it felt like the relationship was an underdeveloped subplot.
So, the first half of this book was crazy. Can we please stop glamorizing erratic, overly dramatic female characters who are completely ruled by their emotions and laughing it off when they’re unhinged? Naomi was immature, selfish, and emotionally unstable for the first fifty percent. Upon seeing Camden for the first time after their breakup (she broke up with him btw) she smacks him with her car door and then punches him in the face. For literally NO REASON. And then it’s like, “Oh haha! I’m so emotional!” WHAT!? Assault is just something to glaze over apparently. Can you imagine if a male character had punched a female in the face because he was “emotional” about something and then just went “oops sorry about that!”? Also, when her son gets hurt at his hockey camp, she stomps around, is incredibly rude to everyone in the room, scowls at everyone and won’t even shake the coach’s hand. Like, “Ma’am. Your son is playing a sport. It happens. They took care of him and contacted you immediately. He’s happy and fine. Calm down.” Naomi, as a whole, felt very indecisive, and temperamental. She second guesses everything and feels entitled to all of her actions during her emotional episodes even when it’s rude or hurts other people. Cam was constantly trying to calm her down and reason with her and reassure her. He seemed hesitant to tell her anything important for fear of how she’d react. The relationship felt forced because we didn’t get any information about them falling in love the summer before. The relationship was just super contentious after the breakup for the first half of the book and then they were just suddenly in an intense committed relationship for the second half.
Much of the second half was spent on Cam’s family trauma, hockey, and other players. I felt like I blacked out a missed multiple chapters of Cam and Naomi communicating and moving their relationship forward in a healthy way. Cam… blink twice if you need help.
Camden was a kind, sweet, quiet man and it felt like the relationship was an underdeveloped subplot.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 30, 2025
Reread via audio—great narrators! 😍
This book was everything we needed to wrap up the Appies & the Oakley Island series. Cam and Naomi’s second chance, single-mom romance completely stole my heart. It is fun, flirty, heartwarming, and refreshing! I adore Liam and all his meddling as well—what can I say, except this book just made my heart happy!
TW: Parental Estrangement, Dementia (side character)
This book was everything we needed to wrap up the Appies & the Oakley Island series. Cam and Naomi’s second chance, single-mom romance completely stole my heart. It is fun, flirty, heartwarming, and refreshing! I adore Liam and all his meddling as well—what can I say, except this book just made my heart happy!
TW: Parental Estrangement, Dementia (side character)
June 21, 2025
Last book of the series and this was not the best out of the 7 books ranked from most liked to disliked this was at the bottom for me maybe 2nd disliked. the beginning didn't really paint the FMC in a good light she was a bit extra kind of a hot head just over reacting about stuff. the story got better towards the end but I think the FMC made it hard for me to like the storyline. The MMC had his flaws as well but his love interest was no piece of cake that's for sure.
The ending was the best part lol.
Side note: some themes discussed in the book were single parenthood, feelings of abandonment, caretaker for loved ones, dementia.
The ending was the best part lol.
Side note: some themes discussed in the book were single parenthood, feelings of abandonment, caretaker for loved ones, dementia.
November 10, 2025
⸻
✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ: 𝐀𝐬 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐈𝐜𝐞 𝐈𝐭 by Emma St. Clair ✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ:
★★★⋆☆ (3.5 stars)
“I’m tired of running,” he says.
“Then I’ll be with you when you stop.”
a huge thank you to Goodreads and Emma St. Clair for gifting me this book through the Goodreads giveaway!! <3
it was so cute. seriously, this one felt like being wrapped in a scarf and handed a cup of cocoa while watching a snowy hockey practice from the bleachers. it’s tender, funny, and quietly emotional. definitely counts as my first “wintery” read, right? (ice hockey totally qualifies ❄️)
continue with caution — possible spoilers ahead xx
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ Story Summary:
a single mom learning to love again. a soft-spoken hockey player who’s all quiet charm and patience. a slow-burn story about finding comfort after chaos — full of text messages, parenting moments, and second chances.
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ Characters:
Naomi — sarcastic, strong, and perfectly flawed. she’s just doing her best and it’s impossible not to root for her.
Camden — the gentlest hockey player ever. quiet, grounded, and hopelessly in love (I repeat: book boyfriend material).
Liam — Naomi’s son, a chaotic ball of heart and humor. (protect him at all costs.)
Side cast — colorful and warm, like background characters who somehow feel like home.
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ Content Warnings:
✧ Parental conflict
✧ Early-onset dementia (side character)
✧ Hockey talk
✧ Texts w/out proper punctuation
✧ Some pinching (cute, no spice, just the most innocent romance ever 💌)
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ Favorite Quotes:
“Unlike hockey players, Bluey would never ever break my heart.”
“I got a feverish case of whatever the breakup version of buyer’s remorse is.”
“You’re not what I would call… common, Naomi.”
“Maybe it’s wrong to feel more whole around another person—but that’s how I feel. Whole.”
“Tonight, I’ve seen Camden’s explosive power and speed… Like, this quiet man, this secretly funny man, this patient man—he’s holding all this inside him all the time? All the buzz about hockey romances—okay, fine. I get it now.”
“She’s worth staying up late to text even if I’m dragging in the mornings… She’s worth everything.”
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ Thoughts:
the perfect blend of funny, heartfelt, and tender. no drama for the sake of drama — just two imperfect people trying to make it work. I adored how real it felt. not perfect, but human.
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ TL;DR:
a soft, wintery, no-spice hockey romance that feels like a Hallmark movie if it were written by your favorite cozy author.
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ Playlist ♫
☁︎ “Home” – Edith Whiskers
☁︎ “This Is the Place” – Tom Rosenthal
☁︎ “Until I Found You” – Stephen Sanchez
☁︎ “Snow on the Beach” – Taylor Swift ft. Lana Del Rey
☁︎ “You Are the Reason” – Calum Scott
☁︎ “Bloom” – The Paper Kites
☁︎ “Invisible String” – Taylor Swift
☁︎ “Like Real People Do” – Hozier
—
with a snowflake mug in hand and my heart feeling soft,
Kayley ☕❄️💙
✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ: 𝐀𝐬 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐈𝐜𝐞 𝐈𝐭 by Emma St. Clair ✧･ﾟ: ✧･ﾟ:
★★★⋆☆ (3.5 stars)
“I’m tired of running,” he says.
“Then I’ll be with you when you stop.”
a huge thank you to Goodreads and Emma St. Clair for gifting me this book through the Goodreads giveaway!! <3
it was so cute. seriously, this one felt like being wrapped in a scarf and handed a cup of cocoa while watching a snowy hockey practice from the bleachers. it’s tender, funny, and quietly emotional. definitely counts as my first “wintery” read, right? (ice hockey totally qualifies ❄️)
continue with caution — possible spoilers ahead xx
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ Story Summary:
a single mom learning to love again. a soft-spoken hockey player who’s all quiet charm and patience. a slow-burn story about finding comfort after chaos — full of text messages, parenting moments, and second chances.
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ Characters:
Naomi — sarcastic, strong, and perfectly flawed. she’s just doing her best and it’s impossible not to root for her.
Camden — the gentlest hockey player ever. quiet, grounded, and hopelessly in love (I repeat: book boyfriend material).
Liam — Naomi’s son, a chaotic ball of heart and humor. (protect him at all costs.)
Side cast — colorful and warm, like background characters who somehow feel like home.
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ Content Warnings:
✧ Parental conflict
✧ Early-onset dementia (side character)
✧ Hockey talk
✧ Texts w/out proper punctuation
✧ Some pinching (cute, no spice, just the most innocent romance ever 💌)
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ Favorite Quotes:
“Unlike hockey players, Bluey would never ever break my heart.”
“I got a feverish case of whatever the breakup version of buyer’s remorse is.”
“You’re not what I would call… common, Naomi.”
“Maybe it’s wrong to feel more whole around another person—but that’s how I feel. Whole.”
“Tonight, I’ve seen Camden’s explosive power and speed… Like, this quiet man, this secretly funny man, this patient man—he’s holding all this inside him all the time? All the buzz about hockey romances—okay, fine. I get it now.”
“She’s worth staying up late to text even if I’m dragging in the mornings… She’s worth everything.”
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ Thoughts:
the perfect blend of funny, heartfelt, and tender. no drama for the sake of drama — just two imperfect people trying to make it work. I adored how real it felt. not perfect, but human.
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ TL;DR:
a soft, wintery, no-spice hockey romance that feels like a Hallmark movie if it were written by your favorite cozy author.
˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ Playlist ♫
☁︎ “Home” – Edith Whiskers
☁︎ “This Is the Place” – Tom Rosenthal
☁︎ “Until I Found You” – Stephen Sanchez
☁︎ “Snow on the Beach” – Taylor Swift ft. Lana Del Rey
☁︎ “You Are the Reason” – Calum Scott
☁︎ “Bloom” – The Paper Kites
☁︎ “Invisible String” – Taylor Swift
☁︎ “Like Real People Do” – Hozier
—
with a snowflake mug in hand and my heart feeling soft,
Kayley ☕❄️💙
May 14, 2025
A BONUS APPIE BOOK!!! YES!!!
What a thrill to get to read one more bonus novel about the Appies. This fictional AHL hockey team has quickly become one of my favorite teams to read about. I have loved getting to know each of the guys and see them fall in love. And to get Naomi and Camden's story to wrap up the series was such a treat!
I have wanted to get to know Naomi since we first meet her on Oakley Island and loved getting inside her head. Naomi is an amazing mom to Liam (who I loved getting to see so much in this story!) and she focuses her life on him. But seeing her find love and realize she can be an amazing mom and a beloved wife was so beautiful. She moves to Harvest Hallow for a job without realizing her ex boyfriend, Camden, lives and works here as an Appie. Seeing Naomi allow her walls crumble and let Camden back into her heart was beautiful.
I loved getting to know Camden as well! He has been a part of the other stories but always on the periphery of the group. Getting inside his head and understanding his character made this story all the more beautiful. Camden has faced a lot of hard things in him life. He doesn't have a relationship with his parents or siblings. His adoptive father (whom he stayed with during his teen years when he went to play hockey more professionally) has early onset dementia. And he keeps himself distanced from his Appie teammates. Seeing him also let down his guard and let people in was so beautiful. The Dream Team rallies around Camden like they do for each of the guys in the other books. The camaraderie and loyalty of this team is my favorite. I loved seeing him fight for Naomi and the way they communicate as they build a beautiful relationship together.
Some of my favorite parts of this novel include
*The Dream Team text thread and new girls text thread
*Seeing the guys rally around Camden
*The new Appies captain scene
*The epilogue
*Oakley Island meets Harvest Hollow
*Second chances
*The very last line!
Thank you, Emma and Jenny for an incredible ride!
What a thrill to get to read one more bonus novel about the Appies. This fictional AHL hockey team has quickly become one of my favorite teams to read about. I have loved getting to know each of the guys and see them fall in love. And to get Naomi and Camden's story to wrap up the series was such a treat!
I have wanted to get to know Naomi since we first meet her on Oakley Island and loved getting inside her head. Naomi is an amazing mom to Liam (who I loved getting to see so much in this story!) and she focuses her life on him. But seeing her find love and realize she can be an amazing mom and a beloved wife was so beautiful. She moves to Harvest Hallow for a job without realizing her ex boyfriend, Camden, lives and works here as an Appie. Seeing Naomi allow her walls crumble and let Camden back into her heart was beautiful.
I loved getting to know Camden as well! He has been a part of the other stories but always on the periphery of the group. Getting inside his head and understanding his character made this story all the more beautiful. Camden has faced a lot of hard things in him life. He doesn't have a relationship with his parents or siblings. His adoptive father (whom he stayed with during his teen years when he went to play hockey more professionally) has early onset dementia. And he keeps himself distanced from his Appie teammates. Seeing him also let down his guard and let people in was so beautiful. The Dream Team rallies around Camden like they do for each of the guys in the other books. The camaraderie and loyalty of this team is my favorite. I loved seeing him fight for Naomi and the way they communicate as they build a beautiful relationship together.
Some of my favorite parts of this novel include
*The Dream Team text thread and new girls text thread
*Seeing the guys rally around Camden
*The new Appies captain scene
*The epilogue
*Oakley Island meets Harvest Hollow
*Second chances
*The very last line!
Thank you, Emma and Jenny for an incredible ride!
May 8, 2025
This book was a surprise in all the best ways!! If you’ve been around for the Appies or Oakley Island, you’ve seen Camden and Naomi. It’s hockey, single mom, second chance, and kissing only romance!
I adored Camden and Naomi together. I loved how they talked through things. Their chemistry was delectable. I understood their reasons for breaking up to begin with and I loved how both of them wanted to start over. Camden’s motto: slow and serious was fantastic. It showed he wasn’t going to let Naomi go. ❤️
Favorite Quotes:
“This just seems like the kind of thing you’d share with someone special.”
I meant Parker telling Camden and realize the implication as soon as the words are out of my mouth. Because Camden just brought me here.
“I got you something for tonight.”
“I want to tell you to stop getting me things.”
He raises an eyebrow. “But?”
“But … I kind of like being pampered by you,” I confess.
He chuckles. “Good. Because I have no plans to stop. Here.”
From somewhere behind him, Camden produces a jersey I didn’t notice him holding. He shakes it out and turns it so I see his last name—which I now know—and number on the back.
…
“How does it look?” I ask, turning so he can see the back. When I glance over my shoulder at him, his smile is pure male pride. “Like it belongs on you,” he says. “A perfect fit.”
I adored Camden and Naomi together. I loved how they talked through things. Their chemistry was delectable. I understood their reasons for breaking up to begin with and I loved how both of them wanted to start over. Camden’s motto: slow and serious was fantastic. It showed he wasn’t going to let Naomi go. ❤️
Favorite Quotes:
“This just seems like the kind of thing you’d share with someone special.”
I meant Parker telling Camden and realize the implication as soon as the words are out of my mouth. Because Camden just brought me here.
“I got you something for tonight.”
“I want to tell you to stop getting me things.”
He raises an eyebrow. “But?”
“But … I kind of like being pampered by you,” I confess.
He chuckles. “Good. Because I have no plans to stop. Here.”
From somewhere behind him, Camden produces a jersey I didn’t notice him holding. He shakes it out and turns it so I see his last name—which I now know—and number on the back.
…
“How does it look?” I ask, turning so he can see the back. When I glance over my shoulder at him, his smile is pure male pride. “Like it belongs on you,” he says. “A perfect fit.”
May 23, 2025
It’s an Emma book—of course it was amazing!
I may not have full on cried like I did during Alec’s book, but I choked up several times. And then split a side laughing! The perfect balance of hilarity and heartfelt.
And The Dream Team group chat never fails to impress! I’d read a whole book of just these guys’ texts. 😂
Content: a couple make outs; a couple uses of h*ll; alcohol consumption
I may not have full on cried like I did during Alec’s book, but I choked up several times. And then split a side laughing! The perfect balance of hilarity and heartfelt.
And The Dream Team group chat never fails to impress! I’d read a whole book of just these guys’ texts. 😂
Content: a couple make outs; a couple uses of h*ll; alcohol consumption
May 7, 2025
This book is probably ~*oBjEcTiVeLy*~ 4 stars—but it made me so happy. I really did not want it to end. It made me want to reread it as soon as I finished. Made me want reread all the Appies and Oakley Island books, too. So 5 unapologetic stars.
June 22, 2025
“Kissing on the table sounds fun.”
Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. As the final book in the Appies series, it was all I could have hoped for, but I AM secretly still holding out hope to get stories for the twins and Dominik.
Naomi is a single mom with a tie to another series who has a summer fling with Camden, an Appie hockey player. A job transfer lands her smack in the middle of his life and with a matchmaking, super precocious 10 year old son, Liam, her life is about to turn upside down. These characters gave me life and I was completely obsessed and addicted.
I was DYING at their re-meet-cute and it was all ice shavings pricking my heart after that. Every interaction is laced with intimate tension that etched carvings on my soul, and left me desperately wishing and hoping for more. Secret car make-outs that lead to horn honking? YES!
This hockey family is everything. Everything! It was pure joy to see everyone rally around this trio. Emma St Clair is a definite favorite and I want to fall apart at the perfectness of this book. I borrowed this one from KU.
Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. As the final book in the Appies series, it was all I could have hoped for, but I AM secretly still holding out hope to get stories for the twins and Dominik.
Naomi is a single mom with a tie to another series who has a summer fling with Camden, an Appie hockey player. A job transfer lands her smack in the middle of his life and with a matchmaking, super precocious 10 year old son, Liam, her life is about to turn upside down. These characters gave me life and I was completely obsessed and addicted.
I was DYING at their re-meet-cute and it was all ice shavings pricking my heart after that. Every interaction is laced with intimate tension that etched carvings on my soul, and left me desperately wishing and hoping for more. Secret car make-outs that lead to horn honking? YES!
This hockey family is everything. Everything! It was pure joy to see everyone rally around this trio. Emma St Clair is a definite favorite and I want to fall apart at the perfectness of this book. I borrowed this one from KU.
May 6, 2025
Am I ready for the Appies series to end? Nope. Will they be playing hockey and doing all the social media things Parker makes them do forever in my head? You betcha. Two people finally admitting they were meant to be? Melt my heart.
What a sweet conclusion to this series as Naomi and Camden get their second chance at love. Once again, the humor is present and the closed-door romance shines. I adored the addition of Naomi’s son Liam, who is super smart and observant, and the cameos of all the other Appie players and their WAGs. This lighthearted romance was fast-paced and quick to read, yet at the same time I never wanted it to end. Thank goodness for books so I can always go back and visit Harvest Hollow and the beloved Appies. 4.25 stars
Thanks to the author for an eARC.
What a sweet conclusion to this series as Naomi and Camden get their second chance at love. Once again, the humor is present and the closed-door romance shines. I adored the addition of Naomi’s son Liam, who is super smart and observant, and the cameos of all the other Appie players and their WAGs. This lighthearted romance was fast-paced and quick to read, yet at the same time I never wanted it to end. Thank goodness for books so I can always go back and visit Harvest Hollow and the beloved Appies. 4.25 stars
Thanks to the author for an eARC.
May 26, 2025
I could never get enough of appies (and oakley) books 😭
PLEASE EMMA PLEASE JENNY WE NEED DOMINIK'S BOOK 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
PLEASE EMMA PLEASE JENNY WE NEED DOMINIK'S BOOK 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
May 6, 2025
As You Ice It is the seventh book in the Appies series. There is also some connection with the Oakley Island series. While those who have read one or both of those series will definitely appreciate seeing those familiar characters and the team dynamics, I do think this could be enjoyed as a standalone.
In the author's note at the end, Emma St. Clair mentions that this book was like a love letter to hockey... and really, that fits this story quite well! And while I'm only a fan of hockey in romance, I AM a huge Appies fan and was excited to get one more book with this team... and it certainly did not disappoint! I mean a second chance romance + a hockey team that's like family + a cute kid with some meddling tendencies!? What's not to love about that!? This story had me laughing out loud but also had some really sweet heartfelt moments that I couldn't get enough of. The chemistry between Camden and Naomi was really sweet and I couldn't help but enjoy their second chance at love. Camden's relationship with Liam was also super sweet as well. If you've read Izzy and Her Off-Limits Love, we've already seen Liam's story after he's all grown up, so it was really fun to go back and see him as a kid again! And that epilogue!? Such a satisfying ending for fans of both the Appies and Oakley Island series!
As You Ice It is a closed-door romance with kisses only.
**ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.
In the author's note at the end, Emma St. Clair mentions that this book was like a love letter to hockey... and really, that fits this story quite well! And while I'm only a fan of hockey in romance, I AM a huge Appies fan and was excited to get one more book with this team... and it certainly did not disappoint! I mean a second chance romance + a hockey team that's like family + a cute kid with some meddling tendencies!? What's not to love about that!? This story had me laughing out loud but also had some really sweet heartfelt moments that I couldn't get enough of. The chemistry between Camden and Naomi was really sweet and I couldn't help but enjoy their second chance at love. Camden's relationship with Liam was also super sweet as well. If you've read Izzy and Her Off-Limits Love, we've already seen Liam's story after he's all grown up, so it was really fun to go back and see him as a kid again! And that epilogue!? Such a satisfying ending for fans of both the Appies and Oakley Island series!
As You Ice It is a closed-door romance with kisses only.
**ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.
June 7, 2025
Feeling the Appies love!
I am really loving this series and dread the inevitable ending.
Naomi and Liam reappear in this one. If you've read Jake and Eloise's book ( and if not, don't miss it! ).
Anyway, Naomi and her son Liam have moved to Harvest Hallow for her job. Now they're in Camden's town, at his arena. While their casual relationship ended , it was for lack of feelings on either side, maybe too many feelings for Naomi, scary feelings. She has her son to think of too.
Liam is hoping she and Camden will become an actual couple, so no issues there!
A book filled with laughter, tears ( happy ones! ), chosen family and friends, as well as some hockey. These Appie hockey players are just too perfect!
I am really loving this series and dread the inevitable ending.
Naomi and Liam reappear in this one. If you've read Jake and Eloise's book ( and if not, don't miss it! ).
Anyway, Naomi and her son Liam have moved to Harvest Hallow for her job. Now they're in Camden's town, at his arena. While their casual relationship ended , it was for lack of feelings on either side, maybe too many feelings for Naomi, scary feelings. She has her son to think of too.
Liam is hoping she and Camden will become an actual couple, so no issues there!
A book filled with laughter, tears ( happy ones! ), chosen family and friends, as well as some hockey. These Appie hockey players are just too perfect!
May 16, 2025
Thank you to the author for an eARC.
OH HOW I ADORED THIS BOOK.
BLOG || INSTAGRAM || TIKTOK
This was a huge surprise to me that this story was coming and y’all, I NEEDED it and didn’t even know it. I loved seeing Naomi and Camden’s love story get its own book. It was incredibly soft and tender. It’s low angst but high tension and filled with alllll of the communication. This book brought me peace every time I picked it up.
And getting to see the entire Appies team one more time was hitting me in the feels. The group texts and friendships make this book. I love how large this family is and how they treat and love each other through the highs and lows.
AND DO NOT WORRY, DO NOT FEAR, the jersey moment there and it was *on fire*. BLESS SPORTS ROMANCES.
Overall audience notes:
- Hockey Romance
- Language: none
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: low
- Content warnings: a loved one with early on-set dementia
OH HOW I ADORED THIS BOOK.
BLOG || INSTAGRAM || TIKTOK
This was a huge surprise to me that this story was coming and y’all, I NEEDED it and didn’t even know it. I loved seeing Naomi and Camden’s love story get its own book. It was incredibly soft and tender. It’s low angst but high tension and filled with alllll of the communication. This book brought me peace every time I picked it up.
And getting to see the entire Appies team one more time was hitting me in the feels. The group texts and friendships make this book. I love how large this family is and how they treat and love each other through the highs and lows.
AND DO NOT WORRY, DO NOT FEAR, the jersey moment there and it was *on fire*. BLESS SPORTS ROMANCES.
Overall audience notes:
- Hockey Romance
- Language: none
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: low
- Content warnings: a loved one with early on-set dementia
November 2, 2025
Indie authors have the BEST audio!!! Dual narrated by: Emily Ellett and Rock Engle. I thoroughly enjoyed both performances.
Emma St. Clair books never fail to make me laugh out loud. The entire cowbell scene was comedy gold.
I was learning right alongside Liam the ins and outs of Hockey.
Having read Izzy, it was so fun to hear Liam's story. I loved the Oakley Island crossover.
What an ending!
I am absolutely devastated this is the last Appies book. What a fantastic team.
Emma St. Clair books never fail to make me laugh out loud. The entire cowbell scene was comedy gold.
I was learning right alongside Liam the ins and outs of Hockey.
Having read Izzy, it was so fun to hear Liam's story. I loved the Oakley Island crossover.
What an ending!
I am absolutely devastated this is the last Appies book. What a fantastic team.
July 12, 2025
Cute cute cute
Haha these are fun books, cheesy, but fun.
Sad the series is coming to an end.. (maybe? Idk if Wyatt’s story is a continuation or a new series? I’m confused but happy to read another one.. coming soon lol)
I loved loved Liam.
Haha these are fun books, cheesy, but fun.
Sad the series is coming to an end.. (maybe? Idk if Wyatt’s story is a continuation or a new series? I’m confused but happy to read another one.. coming soon lol)
I loved loved Liam.
May 6, 2025
Y’all, this book!! I ABSOLUTELY DEVOURED IT. If you’ve read the Oakley Island book, Liam is back, he is so cool, his mom Naomi is still a little broken from a summer romance with Camden, a hockey player— and HER JOB JUST MOVED HER TO THE SAME TOWN.
I absolutely loved this book. I laughed at Liam’s antics, I cried at the heartfelt pieces of Camden and Naomi’s stories. It was a fantastic read and I can’t wait to REREAD it on audio whenever it eventually comes out. It’s great, guys. Even if I am still mourning that this is the end of the Appies stories.
June 19, 2025
All the buzz about hockey romances—okay fine, I get it now.”
Some series come along and you’re so glad you found it, that’s the Appies series for me. It’s not just a hockey romcom, it’s a feel-good, make-you -glad-you-read-it-series. St. Clair released this last book as a surprise and that’s what makes it so even more special.
This book is a second chance romance, single mom, sports romance lover’s dream. (And I loved the shout outs to Oakley Island.)
I adored Camden and Liam’s sweet relationship. And when they finally have the start of their second chance, Naomi and Cam have great conversations and just as great kisses. There are countless lines and phrases I highlighted. I love the brotherhood shown in these books and the Appies players are brothers. Their group chat is my favorite. We also get to see all the wives and girlfriends I’ve grown to love. This book was the perfect farewell to the series.
I received an eARC from the author. All views are my own.
Some series come along and you’re so glad you found it, that’s the Appies series for me. It’s not just a hockey romcom, it’s a feel-good, make-you -glad-you-read-it-series. St. Clair released this last book as a surprise and that’s what makes it so even more special.
This book is a second chance romance, single mom, sports romance lover’s dream. (And I loved the shout outs to Oakley Island.)
I adored Camden and Liam’s sweet relationship. And when they finally have the start of their second chance, Naomi and Cam have great conversations and just as great kisses. There are countless lines and phrases I highlighted. I love the brotherhood shown in these books and the Appies players are brothers. Their group chat is my favorite. We also get to see all the wives and girlfriends I’ve grown to love. This book was the perfect farewell to the series.
I received an eARC from the author. All views are my own.
June 29, 2025
This was hard to rate. Going off of the main couple of the book - Naomi and Camden, they weren’t my favorite. And it’s not because second chance isn’t a favorite trope but because their time together was boring or didn’t show us anything. So much of their past was mentioned in another book but without reading another series to know - it wasn’t meaningful to the reader to keep reading or cheering them on. Definitely not a stand-alone story.
Naomi was unlikeable and assaults Camden when she first sees him again and I hated how it was written like it was okay. It’s not! Camden says that Naomi is fun and happy and I never got that. Yes she’s insecure and neurotic about her kid, she just moved to Harvest Hollow and is worried about money but I never got she was a happy person. Or that she does anything fun. 🤷♀️
I liked Liam and Mike and how they gave some depth to Naomi and Camden but I continued to read this for the Appies characters I love. But then that was getting taxing.
I’ve heard the last 20% is worth it but I dnf’Ed 57% when I just didn’t care to read more about Camden and Naomi and how they’re making out without talking about their futures that they’re so stressed about.
Maybe I’ll go back and finish this book but right now, it’s not hitting. I’m a huge mood reader so don’t let this review change your mind about reading it if you’ve like the other Appies books.
Thanks to the author for the e-arc copy. These are my own thoughts and opinions.
Naomi was unlikeable and assaults Camden when she first sees him again and I hated how it was written like it was okay. It’s not! Camden says that Naomi is fun and happy and I never got that. Yes she’s insecure and neurotic about her kid, she just moved to Harvest Hollow and is worried about money but I never got she was a happy person. Or that she does anything fun. 🤷♀️
I liked Liam and Mike and how they gave some depth to Naomi and Camden but I continued to read this for the Appies characters I love. But then that was getting taxing.
I’ve heard the last 20% is worth it but I dnf’Ed 57% when I just didn’t care to read more about Camden and Naomi and how they’re making out without talking about their futures that they’re so stressed about.
Maybe I’ll go back and finish this book but right now, it’s not hitting. I’m a huge mood reader so don’t let this review change your mind about reading it if you’ve like the other Appies books.
Thanks to the author for the e-arc copy. These are my own thoughts and opinions.
December 2, 2025
Thank you @kikimojo for the complimentary audiobook! All thoughts are my own.
Naomi moves to Harvest Hollow for a promotion and raise that suddenly doesn’t seem at all worth it when her son, Liam, declares his intent to play hockey at the arena her not so long ago summer fling, Camden, is a starting player. That on top of instant homesickness is enough to regret all life choices. But for Liam, Naomi pushes through and deals. Camden, meanwhile, seizes the opportunity to make the best of it and risk rejection by pursuing another chance.
When the Appies and Oakley Island series were completed, they didn’t actually feel like it because WHAT ABOUT NAOMI AND CAMDEN?? I am so very glad that As You Ice It was written because it’s one of my favorites of both series now. All of the cameos are delightful, particularly the one at the end that had me laughing out loud. This book is a ray of sunshine and so much fun. I loved Naomi’s hesitancy, Liam’s meddling and obsession, and Camden’s do-or-do-not-there-is-no-try.
I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Emily Ellet and Rick Engel. Emily is a great voice for the genre and Rick is there too. 😉 It made for a more-than-welcome distraction during my chores and workload.
Naomi moves to Harvest Hollow for a promotion and raise that suddenly doesn’t seem at all worth it when her son, Liam, declares his intent to play hockey at the arena her not so long ago summer fling, Camden, is a starting player. That on top of instant homesickness is enough to regret all life choices. But for Liam, Naomi pushes through and deals. Camden, meanwhile, seizes the opportunity to make the best of it and risk rejection by pursuing another chance.
When the Appies and Oakley Island series were completed, they didn’t actually feel like it because WHAT ABOUT NAOMI AND CAMDEN?? I am so very glad that As You Ice It was written because it’s one of my favorites of both series now. All of the cameos are delightful, particularly the one at the end that had me laughing out loud. This book is a ray of sunshine and so much fun. I loved Naomi’s hesitancy, Liam’s meddling and obsession, and Camden’s do-or-do-not-there-is-no-try.
I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Emily Ellet and Rick Engel. Emily is a great voice for the genre and Rick is there too. 😉 It made for a more-than-welcome distraction during my chores and workload.
May 23, 2025
Favorite parts:
- Appies in the pool room
- BBQ restaurant
- The scarf
- The surprise
- The Jersey
- Panda
- The Epilogue
Oh, I absolutely loved this surprise final book in the Appies series! I love all of these characters, and to be able to combine characters from Oakley Island and Harvest Hollow was just great!
I love how Naomi and Camden both have things to work through from their past and how they work through them together.
I also love the great friendships that have been made throughout the series - both the appies team members and the girls of the Appies players (FHL). Those strong friendships and how they help each other during the good and hard times are one of my favorite things about this series.
Thank you for writing such great characters, Emma and Jenny!
- Appies in the pool room
- BBQ restaurant
- The scarf
- The surprise
- The Jersey
- Panda
- The Epilogue
Oh, I absolutely loved this surprise final book in the Appies series! I love all of these characters, and to be able to combine characters from Oakley Island and Harvest Hollow was just great!
I love how Naomi and Camden both have things to work through from their past and how they work through them together.
I also love the great friendships that have been made throughout the series - both the appies team members and the girls of the Appies players (FHL). Those strong friendships and how they help each other during the good and hard times are one of my favorite things about this series.
Thank you for writing such great characters, Emma and Jenny!
May 17, 2025
What a great ending to the Appies series! (It can totally be read as a standalone). This is a sweet second chance story with a super sweet couple and some awesome supporting characters. Whether or not you like hockey you’ll love this sweet romance.
Naomi is fiercely independent and protective of her son, Liam. When her summer casual romance feels more than casual she cuts things off to protect her heart and avoid deeper disappointment to Liam if things don’t work out.
Little does she know her job will transfer her to the very town where Camden’s hockey team is based. If only she can avoid him she won’t have to face her feelings. But Liam has other plans.
Naomi is fiercely independent and protective of her son, Liam. When her summer casual romance feels more than casual she cuts things off to protect her heart and avoid deeper disappointment to Liam if things don’t work out.
Little does she know her job will transfer her to the very town where Camden’s hockey team is based. If only she can avoid him she won’t have to face her feelings. But Liam has other plans.
May 19, 2025
I'm honestly baffled by all the glowing reviews here. I'm giving this 3 stars, but that feels generous... Maybe more like 2.5??
Super disappointing book for the end of the Appies series (so I'm just going to pretend Evie & Alec were the final book). Like did they even know each other? She finds out his last name at the hockey game? How was it that 70% in and they had only had 2 conversations the entire book, and one was while she was fuming about her son being hurt?! I DNFed at 80% because I just did not care about a single character or what happened to them.
Super disappointing book for the end of the Appies series (so I'm just going to pretend Evie & Alec were the final book). Like did they even know each other? She finds out his last name at the hockey game? How was it that 70% in and they had only had 2 conversations the entire book, and one was while she was fuming about her son being hurt?! I DNFed at 80% because I just did not care about a single character or what happened to them.
May 14, 2025
A fun second chance single mom hockey romance you won't want to miss! I love Camden and Naomi so much! No third act break up. I love the relationships the guys on the team have! Here for the dream team chats!
I received an ARC from the author and all opinions are my own.
I received an ARC from the author and all opinions are my own.
May 9, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
GENRE
-sports romcom
CONTENT
-🤬: infrequent mild language (2 h)
-❤️: make outs
-⚠️: early on-set dementia (side character)
Is Emma St. Clair amazing OR is Emma St. Clair freaking amazing?! I cannot tell you how delighted I was to learn that she had written a surprise final Appies book! The Appies are, without a doubt, my favorite fictional team, and it was an absolute joy to be back in Harvest Hollow with them. It was made even more fun by the merging of the Appies world with the characters from the Oakley Island series.
Camden and Naomi dated "casually" in the summer. It was NOT, in fact, casual (at all) for either of them. But because Naomi is a mother, things became complicated. Naomi and Cam both did some running away. Flash forward a few months and now Naomi and her son have moved to Harvest Hollow. Ten-year-old Liam's current fixation is hockey...which is only problematic because Naomi is trying to forget about Camden and all things hockey. You can imagine her shock when Liam confesses that he "borrowed" her credit card and signed himself up for a hockey camp at The Summit. Of course, he runs into Camden there, which starts a whole series of events.
I adored the mature communication that was found in this book. Both Camden and Naomi have been emotional runners in the past. They acknowledge this, but then they work on actually communicating their feelings rather than avoiding/running, and it's beautiful.
Not only did we get to see our favorite Appies together again (in person and in their hilarious group chats), but we also to see the girl gang—the FHL (First Hockey Ladies), if you will. So much fun! And don't even get me started on the epilogue. That thing was perfect.
If you haven't picked up an Appies book yet, please, for the love of all that is good in the world, DO IT NOW. You will have no regrets!
Favorite Quotes:
😅Bad idea, a little voice in my head warns. I ignore it, as you're supposed to do when you hear voices in your head.
🌈💨Van rolls his eyes. "I don't buy it.
You treat that woman like she farts rainbows."
"Maybe she does." Eli grins. "I've never heard her fart. So, I don't have definitive proof."
"Are you kidding?" Van yells. "Everyone farts!"
🤣Van: I'm going to start calling you
Daddy
Felix: NO ONE IS GOING TO BE CALLED DADDY ON THIS THREAD.
Eli: Whoa
Eli: You got Felix using all caps
Eli: That means he's serious
😆 I always thought scarves looked itchy, but this one feels like a caress on my neck. Also, it still smells like Camden.
I'm sure that will fade soon, and then I'll have to decide if it's too creepy to ask him to, like, sleep with it in his bed for a few nights to regain his scent.
Okay, it's definitely kind of creepy.
I'll probably do it anyway.
❤️”You find a way to make the hard things tolerable, the not-so-great parts manageable, and the rough patches navigable. Because the person you love makes all those difficult things forgettable."
🏒 Tonight, I've seen Camden's explosive power and speed that has honestly left me awed. Like, this quiet man, this secretly funny man, this patient man—he's holding all this inside him all the time?
All the buzz about hockey romances—okay, fine. I get it now.
😍 I want to give her rest. To be the one who shoulders some of the responsibility she's carrying. Not because she can't do it on her own, but because she deserves a little pampering. She deserves support and someone to take care of her for a change.
I want that someone to be me.
GENRE
-sports romcom
CONTENT
-🤬: infrequent mild language (2 h)
-❤️: make outs
-⚠️: early on-set dementia (side character)
Is Emma St. Clair amazing OR is Emma St. Clair freaking amazing?! I cannot tell you how delighted I was to learn that she had written a surprise final Appies book! The Appies are, without a doubt, my favorite fictional team, and it was an absolute joy to be back in Harvest Hollow with them. It was made even more fun by the merging of the Appies world with the characters from the Oakley Island series.
Camden and Naomi dated "casually" in the summer. It was NOT, in fact, casual (at all) for either of them. But because Naomi is a mother, things became complicated. Naomi and Cam both did some running away. Flash forward a few months and now Naomi and her son have moved to Harvest Hollow. Ten-year-old Liam's current fixation is hockey...which is only problematic because Naomi is trying to forget about Camden and all things hockey. You can imagine her shock when Liam confesses that he "borrowed" her credit card and signed himself up for a hockey camp at The Summit. Of course, he runs into Camden there, which starts a whole series of events.
I adored the mature communication that was found in this book. Both Camden and Naomi have been emotional runners in the past. They acknowledge this, but then they work on actually communicating their feelings rather than avoiding/running, and it's beautiful.
Not only did we get to see our favorite Appies together again (in person and in their hilarious group chats), but we also to see the girl gang—the FHL (First Hockey Ladies), if you will. So much fun! And don't even get me started on the epilogue. That thing was perfect.
If you haven't picked up an Appies book yet, please, for the love of all that is good in the world, DO IT NOW. You will have no regrets!
Favorite Quotes:
😅Bad idea, a little voice in my head warns. I ignore it, as you're supposed to do when you hear voices in your head.
🌈💨Van rolls his eyes. "I don't buy it.
You treat that woman like she farts rainbows."
"Maybe she does." Eli grins. "I've never heard her fart. So, I don't have definitive proof."
"Are you kidding?" Van yells. "Everyone farts!"
🤣Van: I'm going to start calling you
Daddy
Felix: NO ONE IS GOING TO BE CALLED DADDY ON THIS THREAD.
Eli: Whoa
Eli: You got Felix using all caps
Eli: That means he's serious
😆 I always thought scarves looked itchy, but this one feels like a caress on my neck. Also, it still smells like Camden.
I'm sure that will fade soon, and then I'll have to decide if it's too creepy to ask him to, like, sleep with it in his bed for a few nights to regain his scent.
Okay, it's definitely kind of creepy.
I'll probably do it anyway.
❤️”You find a way to make the hard things tolerable, the not-so-great parts manageable, and the rough patches navigable. Because the person you love makes all those difficult things forgettable."
🏒 Tonight, I've seen Camden's explosive power and speed that has honestly left me awed. Like, this quiet man, this secretly funny man, this patient man—he's holding all this inside him all the time?
All the buzz about hockey romances—okay, fine. I get it now.
😍 I want to give her rest. To be the one who shoulders some of the responsibility she's carrying. Not because she can't do it on her own, but because she deserves a little pampering. She deserves support and someone to take care of her for a change.
I want that someone to be me.
May 14, 2025
As You Ice It by Emma St. Clair is the 7th and final book in the Appies series but can be read as a standalone. It is told from a dual POV, following Naomi and Camden. Naomi is a single mom to Liam & has a history with Camden. They met on Oakley Island and hit it off. Naomi was very cautious due to Liam but knowing it was only temporary it made for a perfect summer romance. But once Naomi and Liam were getting too attached Naomi cuts Camden loose only to still have a broken heart. Fast forward to Naomi relocating to Harvest Hollow for her job exactly where Camden plays hockey for the Appies. After Liam secretly signs himself up for skating lessons it was only a matter of time before they would run into one another. Omg, the tension and chemistry were perfection. I could not get enough of this book. This was the perfect ending to the Appies series. I am so sad to see it end but I will be re-reading this series for years to come. Now I have to read the Oakley Island series. I will read everything that Emma writes.
🏒 Hockey Rom-Com
💙 Found Family
🏒 Single Mom
💙 Dual POV
🏒 Second Chance
💙 No 3rd Act Breakup
🏒 Actual Communication
💙 Only Kisses
Because I could suddenly see Camden in the kitchen with us, being present in his quiet way. Bringing his steadiness into my chaos.
“Don’t look at me like that,” he says, but now he’s smiling. A tiny one, but still. “Can’t help it. You’re cute when you’re flustered.”
I wanted to go slow, to do things right, but somewhere along the way, my feelings swept me up and carried me along in their current.
“You want to have a conversation with me while these guys are listening in?” I ask Naomi. “I don’t really care who listens in as long as you listen, Cole.” “Oooh, someone’s in trouble,” Van whispers from my legs. “She’s pulling out the last name.” “Shut it, Vanity,” Naomi says, and several of the guys start laughing. “Maybe all of you could also shut up? Respectfully,” she adds. I think I just fell in love with her a little bit more.
“Yes, we. Whatever future plans I make, I want you to be an equal partner.
I received an advance review copy, and I am leaving my honest review voluntarily.
🏒 Hockey Rom-Com
💙 Found Family
🏒 Single Mom
💙 Dual POV
🏒 Second Chance
💙 No 3rd Act Breakup
🏒 Actual Communication
💙 Only Kisses
Because I could suddenly see Camden in the kitchen with us, being present in his quiet way. Bringing his steadiness into my chaos.
“Don’t look at me like that,” he says, but now he’s smiling. A tiny one, but still. “Can’t help it. You’re cute when you’re flustered.”
I wanted to go slow, to do things right, but somewhere along the way, my feelings swept me up and carried me along in their current.
“You want to have a conversation with me while these guys are listening in?” I ask Naomi. “I don’t really care who listens in as long as you listen, Cole.” “Oooh, someone’s in trouble,” Van whispers from my legs. “She’s pulling out the last name.” “Shut it, Vanity,” Naomi says, and several of the guys start laughing. “Maybe all of you could also shut up? Respectfully,” she adds. I think I just fell in love with her a little bit more.
“Yes, we. Whatever future plans I make, I want you to be an equal partner.
I received an advance review copy, and I am leaving my honest review voluntarily.
May 12, 2025
It’s the surprise Appie book, you didn’t see coming but you know you can’t live without! Camden and Naomi are alluded to briefly in her son, Liam’s crossover Christmas story, but now we get all the details that made us curious!
Naomi and her son Liam have moved to Harvest Hollow from Oakley Island for a new job opportunity! While this will be a new adventure for both, there is something or rather someone they have mixed emotions about. Naomi had a whirlwind summer relationship that she ended, he never completely left her mind. Liam’s either, as his new topic of fixation is hockey and where better to be obsessed with hockey than Harvest Hollow, home of the Appies!
Camden is a part of the “Dream Team” of the Appies hockey team! While he never expects to see Naomi, let alone Liam again, fate would have another thing planned! Liam had initially refused to help at the 6-week hockey camp for youth, but after watching some unkind behavior towards a child changes his mind. The child in question is Liam and thus begins the myriads of emotions/feelings that weren’t as dormant as he thought. Couple that with some new team dynamics and unexpected blast from the past that came into town not too long ago either!
While there are some emotional highs and lows, it was executed amazingly! With the help of some new friends, teammates, and a loving boy, Naomi and Camden can become their best selves. The growth that is seen in this book far outweighs the hockey skills Liam acquired and showcases that while you can run, the right person with come for you! I truly loved this story from start to finish! The side characters, particularly the Appies team, really showcased their brotherhood and once Parker took Naomi under her wing, the other girls quickly followed suit! Job well done!
TW: Dementia (side character); Parental conflict
Naomi and her son Liam have moved to Harvest Hollow from Oakley Island for a new job opportunity! While this will be a new adventure for both, there is something or rather someone they have mixed emotions about. Naomi had a whirlwind summer relationship that she ended, he never completely left her mind. Liam’s either, as his new topic of fixation is hockey and where better to be obsessed with hockey than Harvest Hollow, home of the Appies!
Camden is a part of the “Dream Team” of the Appies hockey team! While he never expects to see Naomi, let alone Liam again, fate would have another thing planned! Liam had initially refused to help at the 6-week hockey camp for youth, but after watching some unkind behavior towards a child changes his mind. The child in question is Liam and thus begins the myriads of emotions/feelings that weren’t as dormant as he thought. Couple that with some new team dynamics and unexpected blast from the past that came into town not too long ago either!
While there are some emotional highs and lows, it was executed amazingly! With the help of some new friends, teammates, and a loving boy, Naomi and Camden can become their best selves. The growth that is seen in this book far outweighs the hockey skills Liam acquired and showcases that while you can run, the right person with come for you! I truly loved this story from start to finish! The side characters, particularly the Appies team, really showcased their brotherhood and once Parker took Naomi under her wing, the other girls quickly followed suit! Job well done!
TW: Dementia (side character); Parental conflict
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