Marriage of convenience to avoid being deported? Sign me up.. add in a mix of hockey while the MMC tries to win the FMC over? I’m sold. I really enjoyed this book! I loved Eli’s character so much.

This latest addition to the Appies series delivers a delightful blend of romance, humor, and heartfelt moments in a classic marriage-of-convenience trope and does it with a fresh and engaging twist. Eli Hopkins, a hockey player with a thriving career, faces an unexpected immigration issue that threatens everything he has worked for. His only solution? A quick marriage. But when the woman he wants to marry is also the one he has real feelings for, things get complicated in the best way possible.

Eli is a charming and swoon-worthy hero—genuine, loyal, and just the right amount of vulnerable as he navigates the complexities of a marriage that starts out as a necessity but quickly turns into something much deeper. His struggle to show his bride that their union can be more than just a legal fix is both sweet and compelling.

The chemistry between Eli and Bailey is undeniable, making their journey from a convenient arrangement to true love a joy to read. The author weaves in plenty of witty banter, heartfelt moments, and the kind of slow-burn tension that keeps readers eagerly turning the pages.

Fans of sports romance and fake marriage tropes will love A Groom of One’s Own. With its lovable characters and engaging storyline, it’s a feel-good read that’s perfect for romance lovers looking for their next favorite book.

I received a copy from the publisher, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-Op, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

A Groom of One's Own by Emma S. Clair is a delightful and heartwarming sports romance that blends humor, charm, and a touch of suspense. The story follows Eli Hopkins, a professional hockey player with a promising career, who finds himself facing deportation due to an administrative error in his visa paperwork. Desperate to stay in the country, he convinces a woman he knows to marry him—only, Eli is hoping for more than just a legal arrangement.

The chemistry between Eli and his potential bride is palpable as they navigate the complexities of a marriage of convenience. Though their arrangement starts off as purely practical, it quickly becomes clear that Eli has deeper feelings for her, leading to sweet moments of connection and heartfelt emotions. The dynamic between the characters is engaging, and the story strikes a perfect balance between lighthearted humor and genuine emotional depth.

This closed-door romance offers plenty of warmth and charm without any explicit spice, making it an excellent choice for readers who enjoy sports romances with a little less heat but still plenty of heart. With its likable characters, witty dialogue, and a plot full of twists, A Groom of One’s Own is a perfect pick for fans of feel-good, romcom reads with a touch of sports flair.

If there is one thing about me is that I will love a marriage of convenience. When Eli is almost deported during the height of his hockey career he finds a way to marry a girl he’s been interested in. This leads to the line between what is fake and real to blur over time. I enjoyed the characters in this book and even though the time line moved pretty quick, that made for a fun read.

Thank you NetGalley for the ebook arc, it’s nice to have a romance book that doesn’t go into detail of the dirty deeds, and have closed door focusing more on the story and character development

4⭐️!

Eli Hopkins, you cinnamon roll baby ✶⋆.˚꩜ .ᐟ˙⋆✶

the second I read that this was a marriage of convenience, I was sold! Eli was such a sweetheart, and I adored Bailey's personality as well!

This was A CLEAN romance without any spice, something that I really enjoy once in a while and was definitely needed since I felt a few books were getting a bit repetitive with the hardcore spice. It felt like a breath of fresh air reading this!

tropes:
-`✮´- marriage of convenience
-`✮´- hockey romance
-`✮´- boy obsessed
-`✮´- fake marriage
-`✮´- he falls first

thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review ݁˖ ❀

It is a charming and heartfelt romcom that blends the excitement of a sports romance with the endearing trope of a marriage of convenience. The story centres around Eli Hopkins, a professional hockey player for the wildly popular Appies. Despite his successful career and the camaraderie of his teammates, Eli feels like something is missing from his life—someone to share it with.

However, Eli's life takes a drastic turn when an administrative error threatens his visa status, putting his entire career in jeopardy. With only thirty days to find a solution, Eli realizes that the only way to stay in the country is to get married. Desperate, he turns to the one woman he can see himself marrying—though he'd prefer it to be for love, not just for legal reasons.

The problem is, that the woman he has in mind believes the marriage is purely a legal arrangement. Now, Eli faces the daunting task of not only convincing her to marry him quickly but also winning her heart in the process. As they navigate the ups and downs of their unusual relationship, Eli and his new wife must figure out if they can turn their marriage of convenience into something real.

Tropes
- Marriage of Convenience:
- Sports Romance
- Closed Door Romance
- Hockey romance
- Slow burn

It is a delightful and heartwarming story which perfectly balances humour, romance, and the unique challenges of a marriage of convenience. Eli Hopkins is a likeable and relatable hero, and his journey to win over his new wife is both entertaining and touching. The romance is sweet and slow-burning, making it a perfect read for those who enjoy love stories without the heat. Clair's writing is engaging and filled with witty dialogue, and the sports setting adds an extra layer of excitement to the story.

It is an ideal read for fans of lighthearted romance, especially those who appreciate the marriage of convenience trope and a sports backdrop. It is a story that is both charming and fun, with just the right amount of romantic tension. If you're looking for a sweet and satisfying romcom, this book is a great choice.

I loved this book! such a sweet hockey romance and emma clair knocks it out of the park everytime. such a sweet closed door romance.

I enjoyed reading this book. It was a bit predictable but well written marriage of convenience story that held my interest and had me rooting for the main characters. They were likable and had good chemistry.

This one was a mixed bag for me, honestly I think that Eli's family was more of a trigger for me which kept pulling me out of the story.

I enjoyed this insta love, which I am normally not a fan of, along with the reason Eli needs to marry Bailey because who doesn't love a last minute marriage to save a career. Honestly, I liked this book and am continuing with the series, but this won't be a re read for me personally.

Hockey romance + modern day marriage of convenience? Yes please! Eli needs a quick fix to be able to stay in the country and continue his hockey season, and Bailey is animal shelter worker who is alone in the world except for her grandmother suffering from dementia who needs better care. I really feel like they would have ended up together anyway but the unusual circumstances accelerated their relationship. Nothing like proximity, sacrifice, and commitment mixed with complicated dynamics for amazing chemistry and romantic tension! Eli is such a light in Bailey's world, and I love how they care for each other and show it in their actions. Such a great falling-in-love story with a perfect balance of depth and humor! I'm loving the Appies players and hope the authors keep writing their stories.

Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.

I enjoy this author and this was a nice romance. a little dragged out in places and could have done with a bit of mystery but an easy read

Another sweet romance from Emma St. Clair! Im definitely in my hockey romance era. This was easy to read quickly!

If you are just getting into Hockey romances THIS is the one to start with! It has it all! A perfect golden retriever guy, laughs, tears and best of all hockey!

Really enjoyed this book, i was able to connect with the characters and it some parts if felt as though i was watching a film, rather than reading a book. Would recommend this book to anyone after a book for a good time.

"A Groom of One's Own" by Emma S. Clair is a delightful romantic comedy that will warm your heart. The story follows Eli Hopkins, a successful hockey player who finds himself in a predicament due to administrative errors. In order to save everything he has worked for, he needs to find someone to marry him in thirty days. The catch? He wants to marry for love, not just legal convenience.

The book is a charming and lighthearted read, filled with humor and heart. The character of Eli is endearing, and the journey he embarks on to win over his intended bride is both entertaining and touching. Emma S. Clair weaves a compelling tale of love, commitment, and finding happiness in unexpected places.

The romance between the characters is beautifully developed, and the story is filled with tender moments that will leave readers smiling. "A Groom of One's Own" is a feel-good novel that is perfect for anyone looking for a heartwarming and entertaining read. Emma S. Clair has crafted a wonderful story that will leave readers eagerly turning the pages until the very end.

Breezy thoroughly enjoyable rom com. Bailey, shy attendant at a adoption facility, has a favorite visitor there, a handsome guy, Eli, who loves dogs but can't adopt because he travels too much. Eli has another problem, his visa is ending and the reapplication process necessitates his returning to Canada for up to a year. Unless he gets married in less than a month. You know where the story is going but it's the getting there is just so much fun with these delightful characters. 4.25 stars

If you love
🏒 Hockey Romance
🏒 Marriage of convenience
🏒 Cinnamon Roll MMC
🏒 He Falls First
🏒 Slow Burn
🏒 Dual POV

You have got to read this book! There is pining, a swoony MMC who is the sweetest, selfless human. The sparks are flying between Eli and Bailey. She is very shy so when an opportunity arises to be more to this man, she finds the courage to jump into a relationship that will change her life.
The slow Burn is so deliciously done it had me swooning! Eli was the perfect mix of Cinnamon roll with a sexy flirtatious side. He fell so hard first and just waited for her to catch up. . I enjoyed every minute of their story. This whole series has been so much fun. The cast of characters, found family, and non-stop laughs have me craving for more books!!! Highly recommend. I LOVED it.

The perfect hockey romance!!! Eli is amazing and is the perfect book boyfriend. I'm really sad he's not real :(

Thankyou Netgalley for this amazing book, Can't wait for the rest of the series and when this is an audiobook!!!!

I am ashamed to admit that A Groom of One’s Own is the first novel I have read by the incredibly talented, Emma St. Claire. As a self proclaimed closed door romance fanatic, I have known of St. Clair’s work for some time. Unfortunately, it has taken me until now to understand why she is one of the biggest names in the sub genre.

St. Clair appears to effortless write characters that grip readers. Bailey and Eli were ideal protagonists. As main characters they were easy to connect with and root for. I couldn’t help but fall in love with them both separately and as a couple.

While I gravitated toward Bailey and Eli the most, I truly loved every character. It didn’t matter if they played a minor or major role. Learning that this is the first book in a series about the semi pro hockey team, The Appies, I was overcome with excitement. I cannot wait to learn more about Eli’s teammates and read their love stories.

Read this book if you are a fan of:
-marriage of convenience
-found family
-sports romances
-shy FMC
-golden retriever MMC
-slow burn

Special thanks to Netgalley, Victoria Editing, and Emma St. Clair for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

*The stake out in front of Bailey’s apartment was EVERYTHING!!! If you know, you know!