The Billionaire & the Bride

Elite Eagles Legacy #1

by V.H. Nicolson

I’m Leon Hill, ex-hockey player, sports agent, and in so much trouble!
I have been in love with my best friend’s little sister for as long as I can remember.
But she’s off limits. Forbidden.
And now she’s getting married.
Until she’s not.
Erica Johansson becomes a runaway bride, ending up in my arms. I should turn her away. Tell her no, but the idea of having her is all too tempting.
Instead, we do something crazy and I finally get the woman I’ve craved all these years.
But if I’ve learned one thing, it’s that our timing is never right. And a bang on the head, where I forget everything, is just another reminder of that.
Right now, my heart is as battered as the puck in the closing minutes of the Stanley Cup, and I’m starting to wonder if maybe this love story was just never meant to be.

Genres: Friends To Lovers, Sports Romance, Brothers Best Friend, Sports, Hockey, Slow Burn, Romance

490 pages, Paperback

Published February 27, 2026

About the author

VH Nicolson is an emerging author of contemporary romance. Vicki wrote her first book over lockdown and is now completely smitten with writing love stories with happily ever afters. VH Nicolson was born and raised along the breathtaking coastline in North East Scotland. For more than two decades she’s worked throughout the UK and abroad within the creative marketing and design industry, as a branding strategist and stylist, editor of a magazine and sub-editor of a newspaper. Married to her soul mate, they have one son. She has a weakness for buying too many quirky sparkly jumpers, eating Belgium buns, and walking the endless beaches that surround her beautiful Scottish hometown she’s now moved back to.

Reviews

[rj]

prior manwhore with too many references and i just read the sample

i also cannot stand a mmc who lets the fmc's brother get in the way of what he wants. grow a pair!

[Ioana Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 best friends stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.✨️
3 slow-burn 🌶

[Lakshmi Praveen · Rating 5 out of 5]

She came in with a bang. Leon and Erika were written in the stars. Brother's best friend and his little sister , a friendship of over 20 years , had to stay away but the pull is so hard. Yes it was all delicious and amazing, heartwarming and heartbreaking. Everything I needed all wrapped up in this beautiful book right here.
Such a great read.

[Sarah Kapalo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very lucky to receive an ARC and honestly couldn't put it down.
Leon and Erika are fabulous main characters and are perfect for each other.
Runaway bride 👰‍♀
Forbidden love 💔
Friends to Lovers ❤️
Brothers Best Friend 💙
Retired Hockey Player 🏒
Doctor FMC 👩‍⚕️

Vicki knows how to fantastic write romance with brilliant FMCs and swoony MMCs.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

VH Nicolson’s The Billionaire and the Runaway Bride started my Wednesday morning on the patio with coffee while I watered the yards before the heat kicked in. Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the gifted eARC. Tell me I’m not the only one who sees “runaway bride + brother’s best friend + twenty years of feelings” and immediately thinks, well, this should get messy.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Erika has loved Leon forever. Leon has loved Erika forever. And somehow these two grown adults have managed to spend twenty years circling each other because Leon is her brother’s best friend and she was firmly placed in the DO NOT TOUCH category.

Naturally, Erika eventually decides to marry someone else.

Except she doesn’t.

She runs out on her wedding, still wearing the dress, and climbs into Leon’s car. Honestly, I was already having fun at that point. Leon being the getaway driver for the woman he’s secretly loved for years? Come on.

What I really liked was that Leon and Erika have history. This isn’t two people meeting and suddenly deciding they’re soulmates three chapters later. They know each other. They tease each other. They’ve hurt over each other. And once all those feelings finally come spilling out, things get spicy pretty quickly.

Then comes Vegas, Bora Bora, a little billionaire-level spoiling, meddling family, and one very unexpected turn that had me thinking, VH Nicolson, was that REALLY necessary?

I’ll admit the amnesia storyline wasn’t my favorite part. After waiting so long for Leon and Erika to finally choose each other, I wanted to leave them happily in Bora Bora and tell everyone else to go away. 😂 But watching Erika love Leon without pushing him—and seeing their connection find its way back—got me.

I also loved that these aren’t twenty-somethings trying to figure themselves out. They’ve lived a little, made mistakes, and wasted entirely too many years pretending they weren’t completely gone for each other.

Sweet, spicy, a little ridiculous in the best romance-book way, and a fun start to the Elite Eagles Legacy series.

Now I need to know: how many years of secretly loving each other is TOO many before somebody needs to just say something? 😂

#TheBillionaireAndTheRunawayBride #VHNicolson #BoldwoodBooks #NetGalley #HockeyRomance #FriendsToLovers #BrothersBestFriend #RunawayBride

[Caroline F · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Loyal friendship, intense yearning, unrequited and abiding love, and a wonderful HEA.

"Leon has no idea how much he means to me, how he lives in my heart, and won't find a way out."

Erika and Leon have been secretly in love with each other for years - but the other never knew it. Yes, there was attraction, but Leon had a rep as a player and he was also her brother's best friend - making her strictly off-limits! However, when she runs out on her own wedding and he rescues her, suddenly, things don't seem so forbidden anymore.

This was most definitely a 5-star read, although I've gotta say that the fact they waited twenty years to be together was a hard pill to swallow! If I thought about it too hard, those decades gave me a feeling of hollowness and helplessness. To be in love with one another for so long and live in the friend-zone all that time must have been torture!

"It's funny how she still doesn't see it. How everything I do is for her."

As best friends, Erika and Leon were a couple in almost every way. I just don't know how Erika couldn't tell that Leon was in love with her through all his kind, loving actions. The heat between them was a slow-burn and, once they were a couple, I loved how much Leon put her above everything else. These two together were beautiful and spicy. Leon was totally swoonworthy!

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-re...

[Claire Ingledew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has a fabulous MMC and FMC the connection these two have is simple nothing I have read in along time both know each other thoughts, the push and pull these have throughout this book is wanting you to turn the page, not loving Ash I no big brother protect there younger sisters this was a bit extreme.
My heart did break at part that I will not mention as it a spoiler.

Looking forward to the next one
4🌟

[Tasha_loves_to_read · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my. What a story. My heart hurt for Erika. These two and their chemistry.... you could feel the air around them crackle. They are literal soulmates. I ate their story up. I felt everything they felt. Leon is simply amazing. Their love is unbreakable. Another great book by the lovely @vhnicolsonauthor

[KJ Pointer · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love best friends to lovers you will really enjoy this like I did. These two have been friends for so long and there’s so much pining and it’s always so satisfying when they get their happy ever after. I also really enjoyed some old faces appearing from previous books that was a really great surprise. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series.

[Ivori Nesbitt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a good story of loving someone for so long and from afar. Leon and Erika were truly meant to be from the beginning. I loved seeing how they supported one another always. I cant wait to read about Gemma and Buster.

[Pageturner · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to love this as I love a slow burn and a boy obsessed even friends to lovers, but what I don’t love best friends sister when the brother/friend in question is kind of a selfish over protective jerk who prevents them being together for 20 years! Also I hate the playboy troupe where he sleeps with women because he can’t be with her but does it right in front of her breaking her heart so many times.

Leon was kind of cute however the playboy stuff really just doesn’t make sense if he liked Erika so much. He frustrated me that he wouldn’t fight for Erika not with Ash her brother or with Huck the guy she was going to marry who was horrible to her. He just pinned in the friendship zone.

Erika was good as the strong independent Dr however being soft with Leon but again she frustrated me because she didn’t fight either. However she did fight when Leon got amnesia which redeemed her in my eyes.

Erika and Leon have been friends for 20 years and finally Erika’s brother Ash gives his blessing for them to be together so now Erika is 37 and Leon 43 but obviously they will start a family straight away with zero problems.

I was kind of rushing through this as I knew there was an amnesia troupe so that did spoilt it for me. It did break my heart that Leon remembered everyone but Erika and the fact she still showed up and tried was brilliant not sure I would have had the strength. Also glad he got him memory back.

I liked them as a couple and with their close friendship I got how they moved so quickly but still can’t get over the 20 year wait.

[Mags · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Billionaire and the Runaway Bride follows Erika and Leon, two grown adults who have spent 20 years circling each other because Leon is her brother's best friend and she was strictly "off-limits". Out of desperation, Erika decides to marry someone else—only to run away on her wedding day with Leon’s help. What I loved most about this book is the deep history between the main characters. You can feel the two decades of teasing, buried feelings, and past hurt. When all those emotions finally boil over, the chemistry and spice are off the charts!

Plus, the billionaire-level spoiling is top-tier—we get whisked away to Vegas, Bora Bora, and dealt a fun dose of family meddling. It was also incredibly refreshing to read about characters who aren't in their twenties. They aren't trying to figure life out; they're established adults who have made mistakes and wasted time pretending they weren't madly in love with each other.

The only reason this is a 4-star read instead of a 5 is that an amnesia plotline is introduced, which wasn't my favourite choice. However, I still really enjoyed watching the way they found their connection and made their way back to each other. It’s a sweet, spicy, and at times ridiculous (in a good way!) romance that I highly recommend.

My thanks to Boldwood Books for the early copy of The Billionaire and the Runaway Bride. All thoughts expressed are my own. 😊

[Emily Fangirl Fibers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to love this. I loved the premise of it, but I needed a bit more depth to the story. It was cute and a fast read and the tension was good, but overall it just didn't hit for me.

[VickydpBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leon being completely gone for his best friend’s little sister while knowing she’s totally off-limits made for some serious tension. And then she turns up as a runaway bride and ends up in his arms… well, obviously things were about to get messy.

I really liked Leon and Erika together. You can tell there’s been years of feelings sitting underneath the surface, so watching everything finally come out was probably my favourite part. The forbidden/best friend’s little sister trope worked really well here, especially with all the history between them.

And then we get amnesia thrown into the mix. Because apparently these two didn’t have enough problems already 😂. There were definitely moments where I was thinking, you cannot be serious, but I couldn’t stop reading because I needed to know how they were going to get their way through all the chaos.

The hockey/sports side of the story was a nice addition too, although for me the romance was definitely the main attraction. There’s plenty of spice, plenty of drama, and that whole “we really shouldn’t be doing this… but we’re going to anyway” vibe.

Leon is the kind of MMC who is easy to root for, even when he makes questionable decisions, and I enjoyed seeing him finally fight for what he wanted instead of always putting Erika at arm’s length.

Overall, a fun, spicy forbidden romance with lots of drama, chemistry and enough twists to keep things interesting.

Best friend’s little sister + runaway bride + hockey + billionaire + amnesia + spice? Yeah… this one had me entertained. 😂❤️🏒

[Megan Meyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and V.H. Nicolson for the opportunity to read and review this ARC!

I really enjoyed The Billionaire and the Runaway Bride! There’s just something about a runaway bride, a billionaire, and a little bit of chaos that immediately pulls me in, and V.H. Nicolson definitely delivered a fun and entertaining romance.

I loved the chemistry between the characters and how quickly their connection developed. There was plenty of banter, swoony moments, and that protective energy that always gets me. I also really enjoyed watching the characters open up and let their walls down as the story progressed. There’s definitely more beneath the surface than meets the eye, and I loved getting to see that unfold.

The ice rink setting was such a fun addition, and I thought the secondary characters added a lot to the story without taking away from the romance. The pacing kept me turning the pages, and while some parts were a little predictable, it didn’t stop me from enjoying the journey.

Overall, this was a fun, feel-good romance with chemistry, emotional moments, and enough drama to keep things interesting. If you enjoy billionaire romances, runaway bride tropes, banter, and a protective MMC, definitely add this one to your TBR!

[Bookbubble · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book has traumatized me from reading hockey romance. Now every hockey romance I see, I disregard because this book is so bad.

The whole “my brother forbade us from dating” thing is really bothersome. These are grown adults. This isn’t 1900. Her brother doesn’t get a vote, and the fact that both of them apparently let one arbitrary comment dictate their lives for fifteen years is batshit crazy.

The way they talk to each other is also really childish. It lacks the maturity I’d expect from a woman in her late 30s and a man who’s even older than she is.

Erika is a smart, successful ER doctor who was going to marry this loser musician who doesn’t contribute anything to her life. She can’t count on him, she makes herself smaller around him, and he doesn’t seem to give her much of anything. Why was she going to marry him? She’s a doctor. She can get anybody she wants.

It comes across patriarchy-coded, which is disappointing because the last book I read by this author was much more female-empowered. Here, the brother’s opinion has way too much power, changing both of their lives for 15 years. Denying them love together. Just stupid. Leon obeys the directive and Erika just lines for a man she gave up hoping he would pursue her.

The relationship was years of yearning and two people refusing to act like adults and say what they want. Attraction and longing aren’t the same thing as actually building a relationship.

And then to make it even more egregious, around 20% in the book The brother is like oh well you guys should probably be together you know. You should go on the honeymoon together. What the actual f. How are Erica and Leon not absolutely furious with her family for coming in right after she jilted someone and telling her to go on a honeymoon with Leon because the brother just found out that they like each other? It doesn't make any sense.

And apparently once they finally do get together, Leon gets amnesia. I don't have the constitution to stick around for that heart crushing, tragic situation. After fifteen years of wanting and longing and not having each other, finally getting them together just to erase the progress with amnesia sounds exhausting.

[Chryssa.reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the story of Leon Hill, ex-hockey player and a billionaire, and Erika Johansson, a doctor and his best friend's little sister. It is a forbidden story and they stay friends for almost 20 years. Why?! Because her brother insisted that nothing has to happen between them. And they listen to him.
On the day of Erika's wedding she realizes that this groom is not the one for her and she becomes a runaway bride. Right in Leon's arms. Of course !!!
What didn't work for me here?! The fact that they really listen to her brother, and even though they like each other and want to be together, they simple choose to be friends. And they did this for almost 20 years. Come on?! What is that? And now when they are over 35/40, the brother says : Hey, you can be together if you want.
So no, unfortunately this didn't work for me.
After that, yes there is his amnesia, and she is the only one he didn't remember.

He was boyfriend material, always there for her, doing nice gestures and everything.
It is an interesting start for the new series.

Thank you Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read the book in advance. This is my honest and only opinion.

[Kim (Chipperbooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: The Billionaire and the Runaway Bride Series: Elite Eagles Legacy, Book 1
Author: VH Nicolson
Main Characters: Leon and Erika P. 492
Book Type Reviewed: E-Book Release Date: 09/01/2026
Tropes: Romance, Hockey, Brother’s Best Friend, Always Been You, Friends to Lovers, Billionaire
Rating: 4.25 ⭐️

As a teenager, Erika always dreamt about being with Leon. Her older brother Ash and Leon were friends and pro hockey players. Growing up, Erika and Leon laughed, spent time together, flirted, and even had a kiss or two, but nothing ever came of it. Ash made it known that his sister was off-limits. And year after year, Erika had to read and watch Leon with other girls and her heart would break each time. She had to move on.

Leon had a secret. A secret he kept for many, many years. He was in love with Erika. As much as he wanted to be with her, he knew he couldn’t. So he had to let her go. Years later, Leon and Erika were still great friends but he hoped and wished that today wasn’t happening. Erika was getting married. He was crushed. But he would be a crappy friend if he didn’t support her. He sat in his car, praying for one last miracle, when he saw a woman in a puffy dress running towards him. She gets in and tells him to drive. Erika.

Such a sweet story. From the beginning, you can feel the chemistry between Leon and Erika. Knowing how both of them feel, it’s so sad and frustrating, they are so close but so far away. Your heart hurts for them. And as great as it is that Leon is there for Erika at the church, their journey to a happily ever after isn’t going to be that simple. Such a range of emotions throughout this story. Whether big or small, both Leon and Erika show they will do anything for the one they love. So sweet. So beautiful!

Thank you to #BoldwoodBooks for this book. All reviews and opinions are my own.

[Sonia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had way too much fun with this book. Best friends to lovers always gets me, but this one hit that sweet spot where the pining is so obvious you want to grab both characters by the shoulders and shake them. Leon and Erika have been orbiting each other for years, and you can feel it in every tiny moment between them. It is that kind of tension that makes you grin at your screen because you know they are both pretending way too hard.
What I loved most was how soft Leon is for her. He has this reputation and this whole confident vibe, but the second Erika is involved he turns into the most loyal, lovesick man alive. It is adorable. He treats her like she is the only person in the room, and honestly, that kind of devotion is dangerous for my heart. You can tell he has been in love with her forever, and watching him finally get the chance to show it was so satisfying.
Erika was just as easy to root for. She has been fighting her feelings for so long that you can feel the relief when she finally lets herself want him. She is strong in that quiet way that sneaks up on you. She tries so hard to do the right thing, even when it hurts, and that made her feel real. I loved seeing her finally choose what she actually wanted instead of what she thought she was supposed to want.
The history between them made everything feel deeper. All the little memories, the almost moments, the times they pulled away even though they clearly did not want to. It made their connection feel lived in, not rushed. And when things finally shift between them, it feels earned. Like the universe finally stopped messing with them for five minutes.
The side characters added so much personality too. Some of them made me laugh, some made me roll my eyes, and some made me want to throw a pillow at the wall. But that is what made the whole story feel alive. It was messy in the best way, full of emotion and timing and all the things that make relationships complicated.
If I had to pick something I did not love, it would be how long they both tried to pretend nothing was happening. I get why, but still, the denial was strong. At the same time, that slow burn made the payoff so much sweeter, so I cannot even be mad about it.
Overall, it felt warm and emotional and a little chaotic, and I loved every second of it. This is the kind of best friends to lovers story that makes you believe timing really can change everything.

[Gerardine Noonan]

A Book that will give you all the Feels, what a read!

I absolutely loved Erika and Leon's story. This has been a while in the making and I am so glad that it happened for the two of them!

Leon has been hopelessly in love with his Best Friends Sister since the first day they met but because of Bro code among Hockey Players. Erika always felt the same about him but understood why they couldn't do anything further than a few stolen kisses when they were younger. Ash had warned all of his Fellow Players that his Sister was completely off limits. Ash became one of Leon's best friends through out the years and that friendship continued long after they stopped playing together.

Leon had gained quite the Reputation for himself along the way but never had any real interest in any of those Women as he only ever had one Woman that really stole his breath away and that was always Erika. When he Retired from Hockey he started his own Company as an Agent for Athletes and had one fantastic set up with a great Team that really looked after the people they represented.

The day that Erika was to marry Huck was one of the hardest for him, he was late on purpose to the Church as he didn't want to witness Erika marrying anyone else. He pulls up and sees Erika running towards him and is in shock. She jumps into the car and tells him Go! When he is leaving, he passes Ash who has a big smile on his face which kind of shocks him. It seems her Big Brother wasn't to upset that his Sister didn't end up marrying the waster that was her Fiance Huck.

Leon brings Erika home with him and her family arrive and all decide that the best thing for her is to go on her Honeymoon to Bali with Leon. This is a Big Surprise all round for both of them but sounds like a great idea as well. They have been the Best of Friends for nearly 20 years with Leon always being there for Erika, calling to the Hospital with food for her when she is working as a Dr there. Collecting her after she worked really long shifts etc.

I'm not going to say anymore as I don't want to Spoil it for you. What I will say is to read Ash and Lily's book first as you will love it. Then read this absolute Cracker of a Book that had me Swoon so much through out it.

Vicki, take a Bow Lady. This Book was everything and more!

[Loverulesall_books · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐
2 5🌶️

When you pick up one of Vicki's books, you can pretty much guarantee it'll be an amazing read. I absolutely adored Leon and Erika's love story. It was literally like a fairytale and magical doesn't even begin to describe it!

Having first met when Erika was 18, she has crushed hard on her brother's (Ash) teammate, Leon. She knows they could never be, and with Leon being the ultimate playboy, her heart would end up in shreds. Ash also makes her Erika untouchable to his teammates, but the connection between Leon and Erika is so profound, they can't help but be within each others orbit. Hence, a friendship which spans over two decades, with glimpses into the push and pull that Leon and Erika share. They have always been the right person, wrong time but when the stars finally align for them both, Leon has an accident and wakes up with amnesia, and the most important person in his life is suddenly a stranger to him.

Seriously, the yearning in this book was top notch 🤌🏻 😮‍💨 Leon and Erika share such a special bond between them that it's obvious for everyone else to see that they were always meant for one another. However, due to Leon's loyalty to Ash and never wanting to jeopardise his and Erika's friendship, it means he can never have the one woman he truly wants.

Honestly, the little back stories of Leon and Erika made their love story that much more compelling. Leon was the ultimate MMC, who was such a simp for Erika and the way he worshipped her... 😮‍💨🫠 That man was just unreal and I don't think there's anything he wouldn't do for Erika! ❤️‍🔥

Erika, on the other hand, has fought tooth and nail to fight her affection and love towards Leon for many years, even pushing herself to move on with someone else. When she realises she can't go through with the wedding to Huck, Leon happens to be her getaway driver. It's not until they finally (YES, finally!!) confess their feelings towards each other (with the blessing from Ash) that they realise, they were always meant to be. Gahhhh... my heart is so full for them!!! 💗💗

Thank you to Vicki for the eARC, in exchange for an honest review 🫶🏻

[Xratedreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Star ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Rating 🌶️🌶️.5

V.H. Nicolson really knows how to make you feel every page, and this book absolutely put me through it.

Leon and Erika’s story was such a beautiful mix of longing, heartbreak, bad timing, and deep, unshakable love. The whole best friend’s sister dynamic already had me interested, but it was the history between them that made this one hit so hard. Years of missed chances, buried feelings, loyalty, and sacrifice made their connection feel so much more emotional than a standard romance.

What I loved most was how strong the yearning was in this book. Leon has loved Erika for so long, but never lets himself fully have her, and that ache runs through the entire story. You could feel how much these two meant to each other, even in the quieter moments. It was one of those romances where you just know they belong together, so watching everything that stands in their way was equal parts beautiful and painful.

Leon completely won me over. For all the billionaire/playboy energy, there is so much heart underneath it, and the way he loves Erika says everything. Erika was also easy to root for, and together they had that kind of chemistry that feels effortless because of how much history sits behind it.

And then, just when you think they might finally get their chance, the story twists the knife again. I was fully emotionally invested by that point and definitely felt it.

This was romantic, angsty, and full of heart, with the kind of love story that keeps you hoping even when it hurts. A really lovely read, especially if you enjoy best friend’s sister, longtime pining, billionaire romance, and right person wrong time.

Tropes
Billionaire
Brother's best friend
Yearning
Forced proximity
Unrequited love
Reformed playboy
Runaway bride
Slow burn
Amnesia

[Minnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC review

5⭐|3🌶|17%🌶frequency

I've been waiting for this story since I finished "Frozen Flames" 😱 So it's almost forever 😎
I thought Frozen Flames was the most painful and heartbreaking book, but no, this one here is even worse. It should be coming with a warning: "You need a big pack of tissues while reading", and honestly, not just while reading. I'll need them for a while 🙈 My poor heart 💔💔💔
Oh, and another warning: "Please don't throw your Kindle". Because yes, I almost done it multiple times 🙈🤬

For everyone who has read Frozen Flames, it's no secret that Leon and Erika have been in love with each other for 20 years. Yes, 20 freaking YEARS!!! This yearning and pining and yearning and pining and... you know... It so broke my heart 💔 Seeing them loving each other so hard but not being able to be together. Don't get me wrong, I love Ash (Erika's brother), but I also hate him SOOOOO much too. This hole with a huge A 🤬 He knows how important love is. He suffered so much himself. OK OK OK, I have to stop 🤐
As I said, that's all, no secret when you've read Frozen Flames. And I highly recommend reading it.

I loved the Easter egg about a special someone, or rather plural 😉 It was so great seeing them again 😍

I think by now you might know me enough to know you won't get a typical review from me 🤣 My space is used up. So my last words are, READ THE BOOK!

Thanks to the author for trusting me with an ARC 🩷


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[Dani 💚 · Rating 5 out of 5]

V.H. Nicolson has this incredible ability to write stories so full of raw emotion that you completely forget you’re reading words on a page. I was so swept up in this story I ended up reading the entire book in one sitting.

Leon has spent his entire life loving his best friend’s sister in silence. Not wanting to betray his friendship, he sacrifices his own happiness and never tells Erika how he feels…even as he heads to her wedding. But when he spots a runaway bride who looks heartbreakingly familiar, everything changes. What follows is a story of love, sacrifice, timing, and a universe that seems determined to test them at every turn.

What I loved
• Leon and Erika’s chemistry – you can literally feel it crackling through the pages. Their bond is deep, emotional, and completely believable.
• Best friends to lovers done perfectly – their history makes every moment between them even more meaningful.
• Leon as a hero – V.H. Nicolson writes heroes like no one else, and Leon is no exception. Sweet, protective, devoted… the kind of man who loves with his entire soul.
• The emotional rollercoaster – this story made me laugh, swoon (so much swooning), and cry. 
• The past and present timeline – seeing how their friendship grew, how they suffered, and what they sacrificed made their story even more powerful.
• Vicky’s signature humour and strong FMCs – Erika is strong, lovable, and easy to root for.
• The Elite Eagles world – these hockey heroes are truly in a league of their own, and Leon fits perfectly into this family.
• The cameo from Hunter and Eden from Hunting Eden – the book that made me fall in love with Vicky’s writing. Seeing them again was such a special moment.
• The emotional depth – this story is packed with love, humour, heartbreak, and drama in the best possible way.

V.H. Nicolson once again proves that she knows exactly how to write a love story that grips your heart and refuses to let go. I’m so happy to be back in the Elite Eagles world. Bring on the next one!

[Nicki - theromancebookstagrammer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leon... Leon... Leon... what am I going to do with you now that you've snuck past Jordy into 3rd place of my favourite VH Nicolson MMCs (Knox will always be number 1 followed by Hunter).
I loved this book right from the start - from Erika running away and jilting the insufferable Huck I knew it was going to be a fantastic read.

VH Nicolson knows how to write a story that pulls you in and makes you fall in love with her characters. The brother's best friend trope is a popular one for a reason but this has added depth because of the author's ability to convey the mutual yearning over the years that they both had for each other without knowing. It's both heartbreaking but uber romantic that they've known how they felt for so long and now they're finally getting their shot at their HEA.

Leon is a mix of swoony ex-hockey player turned filthy mouthed and incredibly hot sports agent billionaire. There's definitely something special about him. And the chemistry... off the charts with these two! I loved Erika as a leading lady - the author excels at writing strong women with a thread of vulnerability and a side of softness running through them. As a couple they seemed perfectly matched

This is a wonderful follow up to the Elite Eagles series and Buster and Gemma's book is going to be perfect!!!

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 absolutely recommend this!

[Pauline Cassie · Rating 5 out of 5]

We've waited for this first novel in the new Elite Eagles Legacy series for what seems like such a long time BUT I never realised that Erika was Ash's sister until I started reading. So that was a lovely surprise.

We know Leon from the Elite Eagles novels, most especially as Wade's agent in Wild Blades.

Well, forget that Leon because Erika’s Leon is a Leon we would all want for ourselves!

I cannot believe how amazingly swoon worthy he has turned out to be.

I hate that this 'meant to be' couple have waited so long for their chance at true happiness and all because of Leon's loyalty to his best friend. A best friend who, with some guidance, sees what everyone but Erika sees...Leon's feelings for her!

I absolutely adored Leon and Erika. I loved that the seeming 'instalove' was almost 20 years in the making but they didn't let the grass grow under their feet.

I really thought their torture was over but VH Nicolson managed a curve ball from out of left field that could have derailed the amazing love these two have for each other.

I promise that you are not going to be able to put this novel down, it is so good!

A fantastic addition to anyone's tbr.

[Sam Dawson]

Review

The Billionaire & The R̶u̶n̶a̶w̶a̶y̶ Bride @VHNicolson.
Available 2nd March

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
🌶️ 🌶️

It feels like we have been waiting for Leon's story for a long time, but he was definitely worth the wait. I absolutely adored Leon and Erika they have secretly pined for each other for nearly 20years and finally they both get to experience true love with each other. My heart could not take in in parts and tissues were required. The yearning these two both had for each other, despite being heartbreaking was also beautiful in Leon, putting his feelings aside, and the little things he did for her continually over the years. I loved this from page one and getting to see Ash and Hunter and Eden again makes me need to plan in a re read again asap from the very beginning of Vicki's writing journey!

As usual Vicki writes the most beautiful stories, I have never not picked one up and not become obsessed from the beginning.
Thank you for allowing me to be apart of this journey with you and can't wait for my next favourite.

[Megan Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of an ARC

WOW
This story really had you going right til the very end!

I loved Leon, after us having glimpses of him in the elites series it was nice to get to read his story and boy did it not disappoint!

I will say that there is an amnesia trope here and although it's not everyone's tea, it was really worth it and Vicki wrote it perfectly into the book.

We've got Leon, ex hockey player now turned sports agent in love with his best friend's sister. And by best friend we mean Ash's sister Erika! He's been in love with her for as long as he can remember and this man has fought so hard! It's forbidden love after all but isn't that the best kind? 😉

Their story is full of love, romance, tensions, chemistry until it isn't and Leon's knock to his head threatens it all...

I really felt for Erika in this and she went through a lot. But Vicki wrote each of them so perfectly and if you've wondered about Leon since meeting him in the Ash's book then you'll want to read this! Another great read from Vicki!

[Jamie Tuckwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚 BOOK REVIEW 📚

The Billionaire & the Runaway Bride - @vhnicolsonauthor

You know it's going to be a great day when a Vicki book drops on your kindle. She is a wonderful storyteller and always has me hooked straightaway no matter what she writes.

This book has been a long time coming as we have been waiting for Leon's story for awhile. It did not disappoint as she delivers an emotionally raw story.

Leon has been in love with his best friends sister for as long as he can remember but wanting to be loyal to his friend, Ash he keeps his feelings to himself. When he is attending Erika's wedding he notices her running away and ends up helping her escape.

From here this is where the story really picks up. We are treated to flashbacks so we get a proper insight to Leon and Erikas friendship even though they have always wanted more from each other. I particularly enjoyed the flashback scenes.

The best friends to lovers was executed well and I loved the bond between the two characters.

The book certainly took me on a rollercoaster but I was all too happy to be along for the ride.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you love a friends to lovers trope then you will love Leon and Erika’s book. There’s so much mutual pining between these best friends, even if they are both oblivious to each other’s true feelings.

Erika has always been off limits being the little sister of Leon’s team mate and best friend, Ash. But when he see’s her running down the street on her wedding day, of course he helps the runaway bride.
Is this the chance he’s been waiting for to confess his true feelings?

After a whirlwind of events things are finally looking up for Leon and Erika…. Until Leon suffers a bump to the head and forgets everything!

My heart broke for Erica, she just can’t seem to catch a break. Leon was the perfect book boyfriend with a filthy mouth and I was here for it! 🤣 all the little details and things he does for Erica will have you swooning.

I look forward to reading book 2 in this series.

🩺Runaway Bride
🏒Ex-Pro Hockey Player
🩺Brothers Best Friend
🏒Slow Burn Tension
🩺Amnesia
🏒Friends to Lovers
🍆He’s Pierced!