Perfect addition to the series! Love a pseudo-enemies to lovers and the miscommunication was the perfect amount. Their connection growing as the impressions they had of one another evolved felt real and earned.

4.5 stars* GOD I LOVED THIS i literally love all of stephanie's books but this was outstanding - it had some of my favorite tropes of all time and the characters were so great i also love a plot line where the man yearns because he made a mistake and damn did he YEARN, thank you soso much for allowing me to read this early!!! i wanted it immediately after reading the wingman so just thank you from the bottom of my heart! i didn't add my review to goodreaads because of the warning at the beginning of the book but plan to do so on publishing day!

I started reading this during a book slump, and let me just say that this book definitely saved me. The tropes were so good! If you love fake dating, enemies to lovers, and sports romances then I highly recommend giving this a try. Alexei and Georgia were so cute and had such a sweet story. I also loved this book even more for the simple fact that there wasn’t a third act breakup!! It also has me on the edge of my seat waiting for the characters in the next book.

I have been in the mood lately for a light-hearted romance read and this book definitely scracthed that itch! The romance feels like a warm blanket on a crisp day. The best kind of sensation that makes you feel safe and loved. Add a few dashes of humor, a male character that knows how to treat the love of his life right, and a woman who is not afraid to stand up and do what is right, then you have yourself a recipe for perfection. The elements of hockey were okay, and I'm sure anyone who loves the sport will appreciate those scenes in the book. For me, though, my eyes tended to gloss over those moments. Otherwise, I would recommend this read for anyone who loves a well-done contemporary sports romance!

Stephanie Archer's writing is as close to perfection as possible and this book is NO EXCEPTION. This book is a MASTERPIECE marriage of convenience, forced proximity, enemies to lovers, misunderstood humans I've ever had the privilege of reading.

Absolutely one of my favorite books of the year, and sitting here on my hands eagerly anticipating Coach Ward's book!!!

First and always, thank you for the opportunity to read this book earlier. This was a fun addition to this series. I liked that this was an enemies to lovers where EVERYONE (in the book and the reader) knew that they were super into each other and that the hate was really a very strong attraction. Anyway, I enjoyed it and will happily read another book. No pressure or anything. :)

Gloves Off is definitely one of my best reads so far this year. I loved how it was easy to read. It made me cry but also happy as well . Reading about Alexei and Georgia going from hating each other to falling in love with one another was such a great moment. They both figured how to compromise and it doing so they both fell in love. I would definitely recommend this book to others who would like to read something sweet and easy.

5 THOUSAND STARS IF I COULD!

Stephanie Archer, you did NOT have to go this hard for this book but wow, am I glad you did!!!! This book was the perfect enemies to lovers, marriage of convenience story, filled with tension, jealousy, passion, and my favorite- “my WIFE.”

Georgia is such a baddie, from being an amazing doctor to rocking her amazing heel collection with confidence. And Alexei, omfg- this is a man obsessed!!!!! These two riled each other up like no one else could and the fiery passion that resulted from their feuding was HOTTTT 🥵🔥🥵🔥

This is hands down the best book in the series so far!! And if what the teasers we got in this book are for who I think the next book will be based on, I know that’s going to be a banger too!!

Thanks NetGalley and Ballentine for an ARC! Add this to your TBR immediately!!!!!!

Listen. You tell me a book has enemies to lovers AND marriage of convenience and I’m immediately like, HELL YEAH, I’M SAT. Then, when I actually got my hands on the ARC of Gloves Off, it was straight up HELL YEAHHHH I AM SAAAATTT. And let me tell you, Stephanie Archer delivered.

The banter? Elite. The tension? Chef’s kiss. The slow-burn frustration where you just want to yell at them to kiss already? Exquisite suffering. Archer perfectly blends the fiery, "I can't stand you" energy with the "oh no, we're fake married and now things are complicated" chaos in a way that had me hooked from the first page.

Georgia & Alexei both have so much personality and heart that it’s impossible not to root for them, even when they’re being absolute idiots (in the best way). Plus, the emotional depth sneaks up on you. One second you're laughing at a snarky comment, and the next you're clutching your chest because the FEELS hit hard.

In short: if you love tropes done right, characters with undeniable chemistry, and a romance that will have you giggling, screaming, and kicking your feet, Gloves Off is about to become your new obsession. Stephanie Archer, you have me sat forever.

If you’ve been dreaming of a hockey romance that’s as sharp as a slapshot and as soft as a perfectly timed cuddle, Gloves Off is here to body-check you straight into your feelings.

Stephanie Archer knows exactly how to deliver the slow-burn banter, the sizzling tension, and the kind of emotional payoff that makes you want to skate onto the ice and declare your love (or maybe just glare dramatically across a rink). This isn’t just about hockey—it’s about the chemistry that simmers hotter than a power play in overtime.

We’ve got a grumpy, emotionally walled-off hockey player who definitely thinks he’s too cool for feelings, and a sunshiney, fierce heroine who’s more than ready to knock him off his game. The tension? It’s enough to melt the ice. The banter? Peak enemies-to-lovers energy. And when the gloves come off (literally and emotionally), it’s every bit as satisfying as you’d hope.

It’s funny, it’s flirty, it’s got just enough spice to keep you blushing while pretending it’s from the cold. And yes, you will absolutely want to be wrapped up in a flannel blanket, pretending you understand hockey while screaming “KISS ALREADY.”

If you love Stephanie Archer’s other books, Gloves Off is going to feel like coming home—only this time, there’s more tension, more heat, and more reasons to swoon. Grab a hot chocolate, cozy up, and prepare for a romance that hits as hard as a check into the boards (but, like, in a cute way).

I will never get over this series!! I just finished reading book four, Gloves Off (out June 17th) and OH MY GOSH 🤭🥰 I am still kicking my feet. I read 75% of this book in one sitting and couldn't put it down. It immediately grabbed me and pulled me back into this world ❤️

Gloves Off is an enemies-to-lovers and marriage of convenience romance. I adored watching Alexei and Georgia slowly become friends, lovers, and true partners. Their story had my entire heart. The forced proximity had me kicking my feet like crazyyyy 🤭

Some of my other favorite things about it: he sends her lots of flowers (with hidden meanings!!) , Georgia has the best fashion sense ever, and seeing characters from the previous three books 🥰

I seriously and endlessly cannot recommend this book and series enough. I adore it SOOOOOOOOO much!!

Thank you NetGalley for the arc I was over the moon when I received this!

Honestly I’m so torn with this book…
To start with I wasn’t getting the same feels as the previous books in this series. The middle I was still on the fence, with a few smiley moments.
I didn’t particularly feel any kind of way about them as a couple until the last 20% to be completely honest.
I think Alexei might of given me the ick I cannot pinpoint it. But that’s a me problem.
It was nice to see their individual journeys, growth & conclusion.
All in all it’s definitely worth a read if you’re a fan of this series, it was enjoyable but not my fave but it could be yours!

Gloves Off features all the finest tropes but does not become a cliche! Georgia and Alexei begin as complete contrasts, but their enforced closeness reveals some exciting slow burn moments which im sure many will adore! If you enjoy fake dating that turns into genuine romance, and tough characters with hidden gentle sides, this book is a true must-read! this is not my first book by this author and i love this series! Their unhealthy relationship transforms into a wholesome, loving, and satisfying partnership. Once again, Stephanie has impressed me. I truly adore this series, and every book surpasses the one before it.

Gloves Off delivered everything a fake marriage hockey romance should—fiery banter, forced proximity, and a brooding, secretly soft hero who fell hard despite himself. Georgia and Alexei’s relationship was pure chaos in the best way, with their constant bickering giving way to undeniable chemistry. Alexei was the perfect grumpy enforcer, growling his way through every interaction while simultaneously spoiling Georgia in ways that made it impossible not to swoon. And Georgia? A total firecracker who gave as good as she got.
The slow burn between them was delicious, and Alexei’s protective, secretly affectionate side added so much depth to his character. The way he showed love—through small gestures, possessive stares, and begrudging acts of kindness—made their romance all the more satisfying.
While the pacing dragged a little in the middle, and some conflicts wrapped up too quickly, the tension and payoff were well worth the wait. If you love fake marriage tropes, grumpy-sunshine dynamics, and a hockey romance with plenty of heart, this one’s a winner!
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

I was looking forward to this book for a while and am grateful to have received an ARC. The author delivered on this one. I have enjoyed the series so far, though the third book was a bit dull and boring for me. Love Hayden, not so much Darcy. I loved Alexei and Georgia though. I appreciated the friends to enemy build-up through the series. This book delivered a good and sweet story. Some spice. Would re-read ASAP.

I love a good enemies to lovers, sports romance, and this book did not disappoint. Aleksei and Georgia may have started out in a fake marriage, but there was nothing fake about their feelings for one another. This definitely started out with a slow burn, but it kept me wanting more, and I found myself wanting to read it late into the night. The way they both misjudged each other kept things whitty and hot. I really enjoyed the bits and pieces of the hockey games, how Georgia herself was coaching the girls soccer team, and how both her and Aleksei realized that falling in love doesn't mean giving up what you want out of life. This was a great read, and I look forward to the next installment.

This story was such a lovely continuation of an already beloved series. I felt like I was able to feel every emotion with these characters, from the hesitation to trust one another to the willingness to be vulnerable again. The banter was so fun and exciting to read, and the progression of their relationship did not feel rushed or forced at all but was such an authentic depiction of opening yourself up to trust someone again. The small/subtle expressions felt just as impactful as the big declarations. I think readers are going to love this romance and I am very excited to recommend it!

If you love hockey romances start here. Technically this is book four in the series written by Archer, but this can definitely be read as a standalone. I love enemies to lovers, so this was right up my alley. If your looking for that, plus a sports romance with excellent banter give gloves off a try. There is no third act breakup so we can all rejoice to that. Highly recommend.

Fake marriage, grumpy hockey player, and tension so thick you could skate on it? Gloves Off has all the best tropes! Georgia and Alexei start off as total opposites, but their forced proximity brings out some sizzling slow burn moments. If you love fake dating turned real romance, and tough guys with secret soft spots, this book is an absolute must read! I adore this series!

After many years of TikTok selling me, when I saw this hockey romance on netgalley I decided to take the plunge and I’m glad I did! This was cute! Enemies to lovers is hard to pull off, but I think the characters had reason enough to misunderstand each other that no one came out the obvious villain, and their conflicts later in the story felt reasonable.

I liked it enough that I’ll definitely be reading back in the series - it’s coming up on summer and the series has strong pool potential.