This was my first book from Stephanie Archer and I received it as an arc from NetGalley. I absolutely loved this story. This is book 4 in the Vancouver Storm Series and now I definitely need to get the other books. The tropes are:
🔹 Hockey romance
🔹 Enemies to Lovers
🔹 Marriage of convenience
🔹 Grumpy vs Sunshine
The only way for Georgia to receive her inheritance is to marry the NHL’s handsome and yet grumpy enforcer, Alexie Volkov. He’s an arrogant and competitive jerk who insists he’s not attracted to Georgia. However, Georgia has way too much fun fighting with him and discovers he’s actually a caring, protective and generous person. I rate this story 5 stars and definitely will be reading the previous books in this series. Thanks to NetGalley and Stephanie Archer for this ARC. Be sure to grab your copy on June 17, 2025.

Thank you Stephanie Archer and NetGalley for this arc!!

I knew this would be a fav but I didn't expect it to beat The Fake Out...

perfect chemistry, great lead off to the next book, and such found family moments with the group.

Stephanie never fails

Stephanie Archer has absolutely nailed it with Gloves Off—an enemies-to-lovers, fake marriage hockey romance that delivers every single thing I adore in the genre and somehow makes it feel fresh, fiery, and unforgettable.

From the very first page, I was hooked by the sizzling chemistry between the fiery, quick-witted heroine and Alexei Volkov—the NHL’s grumpiest enforcer who is as broody as he is beautiful. Their forced marriage premise (for an inheritance and citizenship, no less!) sets the stage for a storm of tension, hilarity, and heart-melting vulnerability. It’s the perfect recipe for a romance you’ll want to inhale in one sitting.

The banter? Unbelievably good. I mean, laugh-out-loud, pause-to-savor, reread-again good. Stephanie Archer writes dialogue that snaps, crackles, and sparks like a live wire. You feel every insult, every double entendre, every charged glance that’s hiding a mountain of unspoken feelings.

But what makes this book truly shine is the slow burn. It’s so satisfyingly drawn out, with layers of emotional intimacy that creep in between the bickering and staged public affection. Watching Alexei—gruff, guarded, and stubborn—begin to fall (hard) is a treat. The subtle acts of care (the flowers! the cooking! the bed-sharing!) make the tension so worth the wait.

Gloves Off isn’t just spicy and fun—it’s romantic in the best, most surprising ways. If you’re a fan of hockey romances, fake marriage plots, enemies-to-lovers dynamics, or just impeccably written tension, this one is going straight to your favorites shelf.

Final Thoughts:
Fierce, funny, and full of heart. Gloves Off is the slow-burn, grumpy-sunshine, enemies-to-lovers romance of your dreams—and it’s one I’ll be recommending to everyone.

The banter. THE BANTER. I'd like to call it a slow burn but it's really just the culmination of years of hatred. Enemies to lovers perfection.

This book felt more balanced with the character arcs: Alexei learned that retirement doesn't have to mean the end of his love for hockey, and Georgia learned that you can be in a relationship and not lose parts of yourself. They both had baggage from previous relationships that they worked through. Love when characters grow independently and together. Gotta love emotional maturity.

ALSO the foreshadowing for the next book is going to kill me. RIP me.

Thank you to NetGalley, Stephanie Archer, and Dell Books for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

As soon as Georgia showed up the previous books, I was so ready to see this enemies to lovers with Volkov unfold. Georgia is such a girl's girl and a strong FMC. The banter between the two is to die for. It is so witty, so sharp, so fun! Stephanie Archer really knows how to write a down bad MMC and Volkov was no different. He is the definition of a hard exterior with a ooey gooey inside. I will never get over the flowers that he sends her, each with a different meaning that is associated with where they are in their relationship. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the gifted eARC and physical ARC. All opinions are my own.

Instagram post will be live week o f09Jun25

- Marriage of convenience
- Enemies to lovers
- Hockey romance
- open door explicit scenes

Stephanie has been one of my favorite romance authors since I read her Queen’s Cove series. I love the way she writes tension between characters, especially those that are NOT fond of each other in the beginning. And Gloves Off is a masterpiece!!

I truly believe that Georgia and Alexei are the definition of ‘idiots in love’. Swearing up and down that they could NEVER so much as tolerate one another but both easily caving to their explosive feelings about one another. The perfect amount of tension and angst in a contemporary enemies to lovers. There was also great character development for both characters and I really love how seamlessly Stephanie is able to weave all previous book characters in and out of the stories.

Hold on to your horses, this one was really interesting.
5 STARS

Trope: true-enemies-to-lovers, marriage-of-convenience, secret-beta-hero, funny, independent-heroine, professional-heroine, strong-female-lead, hero-isn't-intimidated.

This is my first Stephanie Archer book and OH, MY. What an introduction.

The MFC is extremely independent, sporty, a medical doctor/researcher and $%^&* hates the MMC. He is a defenceman for the NHL team called Storms and ALSO $%^& hates MFC despite noticing her amazing shoe collection.


Take note authors: THIS IS A TRUE ENEMIES trope! The leads did not fall in love immediately in chapter 2. Their hate for earch other is OBVIOUS. They really go at each other. You can tell they really believe they hate each other. The MFC hates people in her space telling her what to do due to past trauma. The MMC hates rich snobby (hot) women due to past trauma.

They take their time addressing their preconceived notions about each other. The progression is AMAZING. It is Explicit open door and the writing in it is SO NATURAL yet exciting. Let's just say that the MFC is a control freak and the MMC really plays on it.


A wonderful, wonderful read. I immediately ordered all the other books in the series. One of my fave reads of the year.

Thanks to Dell for the eARC of this book; all opinions are my own.

I had a bunch of chores to do this past weekend, hobbies I wanted to work on, even a pool to float in. I barely did any of those because I started Gloves Off and then I couldn't stop reading it and barely put it down because I was obsessed and loved it.

The tension between Alexei and Georgia has been simmering since book one in the series and boy oh boy is the pay off worth it. Despite "hating" each other, they decide to get married so Georgia can get her inheritance to save an athlete recovery program at the hospital, and so Alexei can get Canadian citizenship. Of course, this means they also have the live together, attend events together, and perform many public displays of affection to convince others they are in a loving and happy marriage.
The more time they spend together, the better they get to know each other and realize that the other isn't who they thought they were. And obviously forced proximity does its thing and the two go from wanting nothing to do with each other to wanting everything to do with each other.

Alexei and Georgia together are a delight, especially once they open up to each other and are vulnerable. And Alexei using flowers to send messages to Georgia - gahhhhhh. And then he starts helping Georgia coach a soccer team. swoon. And getting shoes designed especially for her. And apologizing when he messes up. Alexei may be my new book boyfriend.

This book bangs. it's fantastic. Stephanie Archer is a great writer and I'm so excited for book five in the series and everything else she writes.

Gloves Off is the fourth book in Stephanie Archer's Vancouver Storm hockey romance series, but can be read as a standalone. This marriage of convenience, enemies to lovers, NHL team doctor and aging player who hate each other because they really like each other story isn't particularly ground breaking, but it is a fast, enjoyable steamy read.

Gloves Off by Canadian author Stephanie Archer is a knockout romance perfect for fans of the enemies-to-lovers trope and sports-themed love stories. With witty banter, undeniable chemistry, and heartfelt moments, Archer delivers a fast-paced, emotionally satisfying read. A must for anyone who loves hockey romances!

“It’s Georgia, I’ve realized. Maybe it’s been Georgia for a long time. The intense emotions I’ve always felt toward her—maybe they were never hate. Maybe they were the opposite.”

Omg I love Alexei and Georgia so much! This might be the best enemies to lovers I’ve ever readdddddd! What started out as hatred, and annoyance leads to a marriage of convenience, ending in nothing but soul encompassing love!

It’s so clear that these two were made for each other, but it made it so fun to read and watch them both put their walls down with each other, and slowly become friends, and ultimately lovers. The way they were the perfect balance to each other, was swoonworthy.

Alexei is a tough defensemen, who shares no emotions, yet he was at his knees and a big teddy bear for Georgia. The way he surprised her with different flowers from his Moms flower shop (swoon), and how Georgia would read through the flower classification book to learn what each flower meant 🥹🥹 ARE YOU KIDDING ME! And Georgia was such a boss and independent lady, who fell like she never needed anyone, until she realizes she liked the way she needed Alexei.

I could yap on for hours about this book. Alexei and Georgia are officially at the top of my list for owning the enemies to Lovers trope. I loved all the glimpses we got of the other couples in this book because the found family is so heartwarming. And the way book five was set up in the epilogue, has me FERALLLLLLLL for Ward and Jordan’s story!

Some of my favorite quotes:
“I’m not dumb enough to think blurring the lines of our agreement is a good idea. If I’m kerosene, my wife is the match.”

“Before I fall asleep, I’m left with one concerning realization. My crush on my husband is back with a vengeance.”

“Such a good wife for me,” he says in a low voice, and threads of warmth trickle through me at his praise.”

“You look good with my name on your back, Hellfire.”

“Wishing I could call her my wife for real. The last thought isn’t even a concern anymore. That’s how far gone I am. I don’t care if she’s not there yet. I’ll be patient. I’ll wait until my wife is ready.”

“The first day was sunflowers.” They all wait. “Adoration. Daisies. I love you truly,” I add. “White lilies. My love is pure.” Darcy’s jaw drops. Pippa and Hazel exchange a glance, and my pulse trips. “Red chrysanthemum. I love you.” Jordan’s eyebrows go up. “And today, red tulips. Declaration of love.”

“You are my world,” he says, “and when we’re a hundred years old, I’ll still be flirting with you to get your attention.”

“You know what I think whenever I see you wearing my ring, Georgia?” His breath tickles my pussy, and I shiver. I’m hot and cold all over, right on the edge. “I think, mine. I think, that’s my wife.”

“I’ll beg for you, Hellfire, I don’t care anymore. You own me.”

“Say yes, then. Marry me for real. Be my wife forever. I love you. I love you so fucking much. I don’t want this to end. There’s no way I’m letting you go. Being married to you is everything I never realized I wanted.”

Tropes:
🏒Hockey player x the team Doctor
💙Marriage of convenience
🏒Forced proximity
💙He falls first and harder
🏒Enemies to lovers
💙He brings her flowers every week
🏒Found family

Spicy chapters: 37, 57, 58, 67, 68, 73, 80

ARC/ALC Review

Thank you Stephanie, NetGalley, and Dell for the ARC and ALC!

VANCOUVER STORM SERIES FOREVER!


This is book 4 in the Vancouver Storm series, but it can be read as a standalone. But trust me! You want to add the entire series to your TBR!! The series is absolutely filled with banger after banger!

If I had to pick one word to describe this book, it would be BANTER!!!!! There is nothing subtle about the tension and chemistry Georgia and Alexei have, and although it takes them while to work it out themselves, what these two have is melt off the page, absolutely explosive!

I loved the enemies to lovers trope in this book. They live to push each others buttons and love to see what type of reaction they can get out of each other. Reading their back and forth throughout the ENTIRE book was giving me life!!!

Georgia is GOALS. She is strong, she's intelligent, she has the best fashion, she's sassy, she knows who she is and what she deserves. I want to be Georgia when I grow up.

Alexei quickly also became one of my favorites. He is a grump but he really does have a heart of gold. He loves with his whole heart. He is an acts of service man.

I loved this book. I loved the journey these two went on. I cannot wait to see Coach and Jordan's book!!!!

I did also listen to an ALC of this book. This was narrated by JF Harding and Stella Hunter. This was my first audiobook by these narrators. But I really enjoyed them!! This is duet narration (both speaking each chapter) I loved the audio. It was the perfect listen!

I appreciate the opportunity to read this title, but unfortunately it didn’t quite capture my interest. While the premise was promising, I found it difficult to stay engaged. That said, I’m sure it will find its audience with readers who connect more strongly with the writing style or pacing.

This was so much fun!! I loved this book, i thought it was just the perfect balance between romantic, series and lighthearted!!

This is SO good!! Easily the best book I've read this year. The tension in this is *chefs kiss*. Absolute perfection. I was hanging on every last word, and didn't want it to end. Stephanie Archer - I want to inject these books into my veins. Thank you for writing them!

This is the second book I’ve read this year with a hero named Alexei whom I adore!! This was SO GOOD. I really needed another five star read and Gloves Off delivered!

one thing about me is i very much struggle with interconnected standalones. i typically just pick one book from the series and ignore the rest because i have a hard time adjusting side characters to main characters in head. there's a very small handful of series that break this rule - and the vancouver storm series is one of them! I love all these books, and gloves off was no different :)

first of all, i love any kind of marriage of convenience/fake dating trope. that's gonna get me every time. and stephanie archer knows how to write romance, and she knows how to write smut. her characters and writing are so readable, you can see it in all of her series! i love a grump who gets soft, and i love a strong FMC. these two were cuties. i know some people think alexei was maybe a little too mean in the beginning, but i'm ok with my grump being super grumpy as long as they change up drastically in the end, i can forgive a lot of things lol. also love a jealousy scene, eat it up every time.

the fake out is still my favorite in this series, but gloves off was still better than most of the hockey romances out there right now! trust and believe i've read them all. highly recommend this book - thanks stephanie archer & net galley team!

“I can’t close my eyes around you, Georgia. Because I don’t want to miss a second of this.”
I DEVOURED this book in one sitting, no sleep was had. For some crazy reason this is the first Vancouver Storm book I’ve read and I will be changing that as soon as possible.

Alexei Volkov is getting up there in hockey age. He sees retirement in his future and he hates it, but before he can retire he needs to ensure he has his citizenship in order. Georgia Greene works hard for everything she has and now that is possibly going away. However if she is able to secure her trust fund it can solve all her work problems. Solution for both of them? Marriage.
“I don’t share. This year, you’re my wife. Mine.”

I love a fake marriage trope and Alexei and Georgie being enemies who marry just means the book will be full of banter and tension. 😘 I loved these two so much.
“I thought I hated Dr. Georgia Greene, but I think I may have been very, very wrong.”

I can’t wait to now go back and read more about the rest of the Vancouver Storm players and their other halves!
🔥: “Remind me how this part goes again,”

One of my most anticipated books for the summer! Sparks were already flying between these two before this book, which made me all the more excited for them to finally shine. And boy, did Archer deliver.

I was worried for a while in the beginning that the book would rely too heavily on miscommunication between the two leads. We'd already seen how that goes down in the previous installment of the series, and I wasn't such a huge fan of it there. But after a rocky start, Gloves Off really found its footing and delivered us an incredibly satisfying story with emotional vulnerability between two leads who always want to take charge. I loved how we gradually got to see them build trust with one another between all of their electric back-and-forths and bickering. By the end, you can't help but root for them with your whole heart.

While Georgia and Alexei's story can be read standalone, you get a fuller picture if you see them in The Wingman first!

Gloves Off was my first foray into Stephanie Archer's books and the Vancouver Storm series, and I think I've done myself a disservice by not starting this series sooner/from the begging. I loved this, so much.