A review by emileereadsbooks
A Groom of One's Own by Emma St. Clair

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Eli's life is going pretty great. He has a position on a wildly popular hockey team he loves with a great group of teammates. His mom is getting the best care possible for her health. He is volunteering at an animal shelter in his free time. But, due to some incorrectly filed paperwork, his visa is expiring and to keep this great life he has built, he needs to get married in the next 30 days. He hates the idea though of just getting married, he's a closet romantic after all, he wants to be in love! 

Bailey is an aspiring vet, putting in her time working at the animal shelter to get the experience and references needed to go to vet school. A highlight of her time at work is running into the very sweet and attractive Eli. But what's he doesn't know is that he's a big deal hockey player. And when he asks her for a favor in exchange for making her life a bit easier, she would be foolish to pass up the opportunity.
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Golden Retriever MMCs are my favorite! I just want to squish them in a hug. (Perhaps because I married this type of man☺️). Eli isn't afraid to share his feeling or make Bailey feel special. I loved their back and forth and nicknames for one another. They dive in deep from the start and begin to share their real life struggles even amidst this marriage of convenience situation. Which, when a rom com can balance humor and heart with real life gravity like Emma St Clair does so well, I will fly through it at lightening speed every time.

I am so pumped for the rest of this Appies series, partially because I need more Eli and Bailey! 
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This is a closed door, kisses only rom com. It is the opening book of a spin-off series, but can be read as a stand alone. 

Content warnings (from the author):
-parents passing away due to car wreck (past)
-parental abandonment (past)
-older relative with dementia (current)
-parent with chronic illness (current)

Thanks to the author for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.