Im a sucker for a good hockey romance and this one hit the spot! It’s the fourth book in the Vancouver Storms series. I absolutely loved the banter and how “bullying” was their love language because that’s me and my partner. We joke and tease each other all the time and at the end of the day we know we have each other’s backs. There is an age gap in this book and it made me love it even more. The .5 is because of Damon and Stefan. The most iconic names for 2 bunnies😂

→ Georgia may be one of my all time favourite FMCs. I love how quick she was with her comebacks, and I LIVED for the high heels. The fact that she’s a bun mom as well!! Double points because their names are Stefan and Damon 🥺

→ Alexei the grumpiest grump of them all. Watching his cold exterior melt overtime as he learned more about Georgia and grew closer to her was everything. His love language is gifting bouquets, and what a great love that is.

Read if you like:
🏒Hockey Player x Doctor
🩺Enemies to Lovers
💍Marriage of Convenience
🏒Amazing banter
🩺Only one bed
💍”My Wife” moments

Thank you so much Dell romance for this ARC! I absolutely loved it.

"𝒀𝒐𝒖'𝒓𝒆 𝒔𝒖𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒂 𝒃𝒂𝒅 𝒌𝒊𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒓." "𝑴𝒂𝒚𝒃𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒅𝒐𝒏'𝒕 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒎𝒆."

OMFG. What a book 😭🔥 I am SO IMPRESSED. The author wrote two characters who truly hate each other but have no other solution to their problems… except MARRYING EACH OTHER?! Like pls if you love enemies to lovers AND marriage of convenience 💍 PICK. THIS. BOOK. UPPPP!!!

What I loved most about this book is the dual POV! Both of them have these wildly wrong assumptions about each other, and once they get married? Ohhhh boyyyyy the truth starts to unravel and it’s pure perfection 😮‍💨 I was living for everything the snarky comments, the “wait a minute… he kind of cute” moments, and THEN the “we gotta play the part, kiss me” 😩💋 AHHHHH screams internally and externally.

Alexei is the ultimate grump all he cares about is hockey 🏒 and has zero time for anything else. A fake marriage to the person he hates most isn’t supposed to change that… until 👀 he starts getting to know her (cue the forced proximity in the BEST POSSIBLE WAY) And our fiery Georgia?? She needs this marriage for her research and little does she know... she’s about to gain her top supporter 😭💘 THEY. ARE. PERFECT. PERIOD.

I want to read like 14 more of these immediately 📚💞

The author absolutely knew how to make me swoon. And please… the way “my wife” was used? I MELTED. Every. Single. Time 😭💗 Didn’t disappoint for a second. 5 stars!!! I ATE IT UP.

tropes
💞 marriage of convenience
💞 hockey romance
💞 forced proximity
💞 grumpy and grumpy (that's my pov)
💞 enemies to lovers
💞 dual pov

Thank you Dell Romance for my eARC!!!

4.75 ✨

HELLOOO?? this book was so much funnn!!

we love a grumpy man who’s lowkey obsessed with the woman he hates!!

the bickering was so funny and literally so cute. this book had me giggling sooo much. i love seeing two people who literally hates being near each other become OBSESSED WITH EACHOTHER and can’t KEEP THIER HANDS TO THEM SELVES to finally UNDERSTANDING EACH OTHER!!!SWOONINGGGGGG, not just for the mmc but also for the fmc. georgia was such a independent cool ass woman loved her toooo the damn bone! alexieeee i knew he had it allllll THIS MAN IS A MANNNNNNNNN if you know YOUUU KNOOOWWW!! and georgia is one lucky girl !

read this series or this book if you want a gooood timmme!!!

If you like enemies to lovers, you will love this book. The dual POV was perfect! You see all along that there really is no hate. Great pacing, tension, and romance. Can be read without any prior knowledge from the other Vancouver Storm novels.
Thank you to Ballantine and NetGalley for providing this ARC.

🏒💜

This was my first book by Stephanie Archer, I now need to go back and read the other sin the series. I love a true enemies to lovers, add marriage of convenience and I’m sold. These two couldn’t stand each other, that changes over time and the journey was perfection!

Alexei plays for Vancouver Storms hockey team, he’s close to reaching retirement. If this happens, him and his parents could lose their citizenship. Georgia works part time as the team’s doctor, she needs to be married in order to get her inheritance. These two come to an agreement, they would both benefit from a marriage of convenience. Will these two go from hating each other, to loving each other? 🤭

I loved these two so much, from hate to love. These two couldn’t stop looking at or thinking about each other, as much as they wanted to. You can feel how much they hate each other, while simultaneously being attracted to one another. It made the banter AMAZING! I loved this book, excited to go back and read the others!

Thank you Stephanie Archer, Ballantine and NetGalley for the ARC!

In her author's note, Archer wrote that she has been looking forward to writing Alexei and Georgia's story since she started the Vancouver Storm series and I absolutely was too - marriage of convenience meets enemies to lovers? Sign me up.

The pretext for the marriage of convenience is a little thin (although I will say that Alexei's need for Canadian citizenship rings a bit more painfully true to life with all the recent deportations in the US), but the chemistry between these two pops off the page. I also loved that the book doesn't judge Georgia for being incredibly passionate about her work and career - part of the happy ending she is seeking is a husband who would be a hands on father.

It might be June, but this book definitely put me in the mood for a snowy day and a blazing fire in the ski country of British Columbia. I am not ashamed to admit I stayed up until 2am to finish this one. The spice and the ongoing friendships did not disappoint. This one is perfect for fans of Chelsea Curto and Elle Kennedy. Thanks to Ballantine for the early copy.

teetering between a 5 stars for the vibes alone but realistically it’s like a 4.5!!

they are EVERYTHING TO ME!! i loved this so much

Normally, I am not a fan of enemies to lovers in romance books but I thought this was done SO well!! The banter was EVERYTHING to me!! It was so obvious that they were both attracted to each other, hated that, and therefore resorted to banter and bickering. From the second Georgia moved in, it was obvious that they both wouldn't be able to ignore the tension between them anymore and I ate it up!!

Georgia was such a delight. She was strong, independent, hard-working, and overall very caring. I loved the way she was breaking barriers in the workplace and how she wouldn't back down when presented with a challenge. Alexei was so well matched for her! I love myself a broody mmc who hates himself for being attracted to someone he doesn't believe he deserves!! Seeing them build trust with each other was beautiful. They were both SO HOT!!! Stephanie Archer always has the best plots mixed in with the hottest spice and I truly had such a good time with this book.

I love them!! I love this series so much!!! Thank you to Dell and Netgalley for this eARC!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book. I want to state upfront that I did DNF this book at 10% after realizing I was not the intended audience for it.

This book revolves around the fake relationship/marriage between a professional hockey player and his team doctor as they navigate their own personal challenges: losing a chance at citizenship and losing inheritance money. Since it's enemies-to-lovers and a sports romance, I really wanted to fall in love with this book. I was excited about reading it just from the description because enemies-to-lovers is my favorite trope. However, it falls very flat in the beginning for me, and I just can't find the will to keep reading it.

The two main characters - Alexei and Georgia - seem more like children having a fight on a playground than grown adults at odds. The banter isn't believable to me and is even misogynistic in many ways that just puts me off wanting to read more from Alexei's POV. Additionally, there is barely any chemistry between the two, so I can't imagine them actually getting married (even fake) and having true love spawn from it.

I can imagine many, many other people will love this book, but sadly it just isn't for me!

I love Ms. Stephanie books! Can never go wrong reading one of her books especially her series. I love the cover of this book.

This series is by far one of my fav hockey romance series and this book just really solidified it!!

Alexei and Georgia were absolute perfection and this gave the movie war of the Roses!! Oh they hate each other alright and the way they prank one another to get on each other’s nerves was absolutely PRICELESS!

Marriage of (in)convenience, enemies to lovers (no like really hate each other!!), age gap (hubba hubba) and of course the amazing found family. And the microtropes were troping in the best kind of ways!!

And to nobody’s surprise, Alexei knows how to whip around a “my wife” like the most dangerous weapon there is — you’ve been warned, this one will have you panting and maybe even barking (or bunny hopping… do with that what you will)

Thank you Penguin Random House for an e-ARC of Stephanie Archers new book, Gloves Off!

Gloves Off is the 4th book in her Vancouver Storm series BUT is is my first time reading Stephanie Archers work and let me tell you, I have already purchased the precious 3 books so I can continue reading this series!!

I loved Stephanie’s writing and the story between Alexei and Georgia! The banter and tension these two have is fantastic and I really enjoyed reading their story. This is not only a marriage of convenience but true hate-to-love romance. They may hate each other in the beginning but it’s absolutely clear that they have undeniable chemistry! The reason it was 4 starts instead of 5 was because Alexei in the beginning of the book felt a little *too* mean for me. I understand they are supposed to absolutely loathe each other but some of the things he says/does to Georgia wasn’t my favorite. I do feel he redeems himself a little bit later on though!

Overall, I enjoyed this book and recommend it to readers who love a marriage of convenience and amazing banter (and a hockey romance of course!).

4.5/5 ⭐️, 2.8/5 🌶️, 0.2/5 💧

👠 Marriage of Convenience
👠 Hate to Love
👠 Sports (Hockey) Romance
👠 Dual POV

This is easily my favorite of this series. The previous ones weren’t super memorable for me, but I remembered these characters. I loved that they had personality, and their own stories that set them apart (when you read so many hockey romances they sort of all blend together).

The hate to love sometimes feels forced at times because I think it’s really hard to express, and I thought this one did it pretty well. Even the miscommunications (a trope I typically despise) made sense in this one.

I also found myself laughing often in this book, which I’m looking for in a light hearted sports romance! If you’re looking for a good time with an easy romance and some laughs, I would recommend this one. There was some great building tension, banter, and push and pull between the characters. I really enjoyed it!

Thanks to NetGalley and Dell and Stephanie Archer for the arc.

Thank you to Dell Romance & Stephanie Archer's team for the ARC!

I'm a big fan of hockey romances and I have always loved Stephanie Archer's Vancouver Storm series! Gloves Off only furthered my love for the series & these characters!

Both Georgia & Alexei's character were incredibly fun to read & get to know. Both are stubborn, feisty, & hold such strong personalities. I adored getting to see both of their characters grow throughout their story!!!

Georgia's determined, hard-working, and caring personality is so wonderful. Seeing her work in full detail, everything she does as a doctor & for the things she cares about was so lovely. I loved getting to see more into her mind & her world!! My girl doesn't back down from a fight & I love her for it!!! Alexei's (equally as) determined, broody, and caring personality is literally such a delight. As the oldest member of the team, his struggles with knowing who he is outside of hockey & what his life would look like otherwise was so well-done. Him being portrayed as this grumpy, impenetrable wall throughout the entire series made getting in his head & learning his personality so, so enjoyable.

The romance!!! This is a hate to love story with marriage of convenience, and a bit of workplace tied in. These two quite literally can't stand each other & getting to see them tear through their issues was so fun. The chemistry & tension was radiating off of the pages. The banter was top tier, so funny to read, & I loved seeing it develop from actual dislike to playful teasing. I love them so much!!! They're so hot & funny & perfect for each other!!!

Per usual with Stephanie's writing, this was wonderful, fun and great all around. I loved it so much & truly can't recommend this book, or this series, enough!!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5


Gloves Off is hands down my favorite book in the Vancouver Storm series, and I'm happy I had the opportunity to read this amazing book early!

I’ve been intrigued by Georgia and Alexei since they’ve been introduced! I just knew their story would be perfect, and I was not disappointed! The whole fake-dating trope fits them so well and by the start of their story I just knew I was going to be sucked in.

Gloves Off truly was a fun read full of so many cute moments, and let’s not forget all the hot moments between them both, and it was so hard to put down because I just had to know how it was going to all turn out. Not only did I fall in love with both Alexei and Georgia, but I also loved and adored their parents. They were sweet, and it was cute to see that they were friends.

The whole enemies-to-lovers vibe that they had going on was so interesting, especially when they pretended to fake date so that each of them could get what they wanted, which you’ll find out about as soon as you dive in. At first, Alexei was cruel and had a whole bad boy reputation about him. Still, when we truly got to see his personality deep down and how he ended up being a total sweetheart for Georgia, I fell more in love with him, and I did not want this book to end.

The best part about enemies to lovers and fake dating is the hot moments we get between the main characters, and let me tell you, the chemistry between the two did not disappoint at all! You could tell throughout the book that both Alexei and Georgia really cared about one another and really couldn’t live without each other!

Overall, I highly recommend the fourth installment of the Vancouver Storm It was great to come back and see the characters we love from previous books in the series.

I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity to read and review this early on NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion!💙

✩4.5

✦What to Expect✦
•Hockey player x doctor
•Marriage of (in)convenience
•Forced proximity
•Hate (dislike)to lovers
•Age gap
•”My wife”

✦Characters✦
•Alexei Volkov
•Dr. Georgia Greene
 
✦Fav Quotes✦
I can’t stop looking at her. I can’t stop thinking about the kiss. I can’t stop thinking about her. I hate this.

“Like that, do you, Hellfire? You like being called a good girl?”

I thought I hated Dr. Georgia Greene, but I think I may have been very, very wrong.

“Ask me what the flowers mean, Hellfire,”

✦Thoughts✦
I have been waiting for these two and OMG!!!
IT WAS EVERYTHING I WANTED & HOPED FOR!

The back and forth between these two was so good & funny! Hands down one of my favorite hate(dislike) to love couples/books!

These two also were so insanely hot together!
Also the mouth on Alexei!! Hot dammmmmmm!

The flowers of it all🥹!!! I loved that detail!

SO EFFING GOOD!

The next book!!!!!! YASSSSSSSSSSS

Thank you so much to Dell Romance, Stephanie Archer, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this title before release!

I love a good banter-filled, enemies to lovers romance and when you throw hockey players into it, I'm just done for! There was a perfect mix of secret pining and yearning that neither Georgia or Alexei wanted to give into (because of their stubbornness) and it was so, so good. Their relationship growth from marriage of convenience and not being to stand each other's presence to being attached at the hip and renewing their vows was such a heart warming process. I loved seeing their relationship grow from the flowers that Alexei would have delivered to Georgia each week to their quiet confessions to each other when no one else was around.

Stephanie did such an amazing job depicting both the medical field and hockey in the story all while showing the development of Georgia and Alexei's relationship. Seeing Georgia's tenacity as a doctor in both her work with the hockey team and research projects at the hospital is so inspiring coming from someone who is up and coming in the medical field. I adored the scenes of Alexei mentoring Luca and seeing their relationship grow on the ice. Also not to mention the couples from previous books in the series absolutely melting my heart<3

I can't wait to see where Stephanie goes next with this series!!

The Vancouver Storm series has brought us the dreamiest MMCs, a found family that truly is there for one another through it all and couples that will tug at your heart but, Alexei & Georgias story? Immaculate. Heart-wrenchingly beautiful. Immediate top couple, no question.

Alexei is struggling with knowing his career may be coming to an end, making him feel lost and on edge. Georgia is fighting for her research program, fighting with the broody hockey player who thinks she’s incompetent and trying to balance it all. Will a potential citizenship hiccup and research funding solve their problems & turn these enemies to lovers?

Alexei & Georgia’s story was everything I was hoping for, and honestly more. The tension, banter, the complicated characters who have been let down before coming together to heal and the emotional depth that will pull at your emotions on every page. I didn’t expect myself to sob so much, but watching these two come together was truly an honor.

The disdain between these two is so strong, but the way Stephanie transitions this to true respect, adoration and a love that makes them feel seen is truly impressive. Their character development, separate and as a couple, was done so well giving a true look into each of them and seeing how they come to know each other for their truest selves.

I just knew Georgia and Alexei's story is gonna be good!

They were hinted at the previous book and they did not disappoint.

Their relationship was explosive, with simmering tension and great banter all throughout and I am here for it.

Cannot wait to the next one!

I'm settling at a 3.5 star rating. I love this series but I felt like this book fell flat for me. The beginning felt slow to me and I didn't feel the chemistry between the characters. The second half redeemed it but I still didn't love it!

I've devoured all of Stephanie Archer's hockey romances and couldn't wait for Alexei and Georgia's book especially after that final scene from the previous book. She built up the enemies-to-lovers throughout the series and wowza, IT PAID OFF! The tension, the slow burn, the banter, the witty remarks - everything was *chef's kiss*. I wish I could read it all again.

Oh, and THE FLOWERS! Swoon! Who knew Alexei was such a softie.

You'll like this book if you enjoy:
- marriage of convenience
- enemies to lovers
- dual POVs
- workplace romance
- hockey romance
- broody MMC
- black cat FMC (I'd call this one grumpy x black cat since I don't feel that Georgia was all sunshine)

Thanks to NetGalley, Stephanie Archer, and Random House for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.