Look I know this is the fourth book in the series and I haven’t read any of the others but dang did this book have me hooked from start to finish.

This book gave me everything I needed. Marriage of convenience, banter & tension.

I loved Alexei & Georgia’s chemistry.

This is the first book I read from this author & it won’t be my last. Watch me pick up my physical copy on release date!

Thank you penguin random house for an early copy!

“Gloves Off” is the fourth book in Stephanie Archer's Vancouver Storm series. Having read the first three, I can confidently say that Archer is one of my favorite hockey romance authors. Georgia and Alexei were first introduced—and their story was set up in - “The Wingman,” which follows Hayden and Darcy. While it's not necessary to read “The Wingman” beforehand, I highly recommend it for plenty of sharp, tension-filled “enemies” moments between Georgia and Alexei.
This novel delivers a perfect blend of enemies-to-lovers, grumpy/sassy dynamics, and a marriage-of-convenience trope. Unlike many enemies-to-lovers stories, Georgia and Alexei’s really do hate each other, making their journey all the more engaging. The tension between them? Absolutely delicious!
Thanks to NetGallery and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for an advanced copy of this ebook in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed seeing the characters progress in this story. The story was well paced and well written. I was hooked from the beginning and devoured it in just a few sittings.

I love a good hockey romance. And THIS ONE? *chef's kiss*

I am completely and utterly OBSESSED! Alexei and Georgia’s story is everything I never knew I needed. The grumpiest NHL enforcer meets the sassiest girl, and it’s pure MAGIC. Their fake marriage turns into a whirlwind of emotions, and I was sat and committed from page one. Stephanie Archer’s writing is witty, engaging, and full of laughs. If you love enemies-to-lovers and marriage of convenience tropes, this is your next read! Trust me, you won’t regret it!

A very hot and sexy romance! I loved it.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!

Georgia needs to get married to receive her inheritance to save her medical practice and Alexei needs to get married for a green card. If only they didn't absolutely LOATHE each other based on one interaction years ago. Needless to say, they strike up a deal to get fake married for a year to each get what they want. Because there's no way they could fall in love with the other, right? ;)

This has two of my favorite tropes, fake relationship and hate to love, and they're actually done WELL. Alexei and Georgia actually hate each other for (semi) valid reasons and it's palpable in their banter which is top notch. Stephanie Archer has a knack for banter, I see it in all of her books but this one was particularly good. It was so fun to read and I didn't even skip over the more cheesy parts like I usually do.

Overall this had me squealing and kicking my little feet and I loved every second of it. I really hope the next book is Jordan and Coach Ward.

I LOVED THIS! This is my first Stephanie Archer, and it certainly won't be my last. The emotion to steam ratio was immaculate. Couldn't recommend more!!

Stephanie just keeps giving me more and more man to fall in love with. I cannot wait for people to read this book and scream with me about these two Alexei & georgia

This book delivers fireworks, on and off the ice, with sizzling chemistry, hilarious bickering, and a hero who pretends he’s immune but is actually down bad. If you love a slow burn that turns into an inferno, you need this.

Gloves Off by Stephanie Archer is an absolute knockout of a romance—grumpy-sunshine, fake marriage, and enemies-to-lovers all rolled into one deliciously addictive story. If you’re a fan of tension, banter, and a hero who’s equal parts brooding and secretly soft, this book is for you. The story follows Georgia Greene, a driven doctor who’s as sharp-tongued as she is brilliant, and Alexei Volkov, the NHL’s grumpiest enforcer and the last man Georgia would ever imagine falling for. But when Georgia’s inheritance hinges on marrying Alexei, they’re forced to play the part of a blissful newlywed couple—even though they can’t stand each other. Or so they think.

The chemistry between Georgia and Alexei is *chef’s kiss.* Their banter is razor-sharp, their arguments are hilariously heated, and the tension between them is off the charts. Alexei is the ultimate grump—competitive, surly, and perpetually scowling—but beneath that tough exterior is a man who’s surprisingly tender, protective, and downright swoon-worthy. The way he cares for Georgia, from cuddling her bunnies to sending her flowers with secret meanings, will melt even the coldest heart. And Georgia? She’s a firecracker—smart, independent, and not afraid to stand up to Alexei’s gruff demeanor. Watching these two go from enemies to lovers is pure magic, and the slow burn is worth every single page.

What makes this book so special is how perfectly Stephanie Archer balances humor, heart, and heat. The fake marriage trope is executed flawlessly, with plenty of moments that’ll make you laugh, swoon, and maybe even yell at the characters to just admit they’re in love already. The supporting cast, including Alexei’s teammates and Georgia’s colleagues, adds depth and charm to the story, and the hockey backdrop gives it an extra layer of fun.

If you’re looking for a romance that’s equal parts steamy and sweet, with characters who’ll steal your heart and a love story that’ll leave you grinning, this one’s a must-read. I’m officially obsessed with Alexei and Georgia, and I can’t wait to see what Stephanie Archer does next!

3.5 ⭐️

I was really looking forward to this after loving The Fake Out, but it wasn’t the best. The beginning started off very strong and I kinda started to lose interest over time & felt no emotional connection to the characters. With that being said, it is a classic marriage of convenience & and cute hockey romance if you’re looking for something easy!

Thank you to Ballantine for the advanced copy!

We LOOOOOOVE a hockey romance and marriage of convenience. This was SO good and I ate it up!!! This was my first book by Stepahnie Archer and I was not disappointed, it lived up to every expectation I had. Alexei is everything and I need an NHL star in my life. Way to go Stephanie, will recommend this to everyone.

Alexei Volkov and Dr. Georgia Greene can’t stand each other. Like, they are petty and dealing low blows at each other constantly. His body is ready for retirement, but he’s not emotionally there. Retiring would come with work visa issues and deportation. She’s losing funding for her athletic recovery program, but can’t touch her inheritance unless she’s married. Alexei and Georgia come up with a way to solve these problems. Of course, it’s a marriage of convenience!

Tropes include: hockey romance, enemies to lovers, and marriage of convenience. Plus lots of flowers ❤️

This series just gets better and better with each book! I am in love with Alexei and Georgia. The chemistry is perfect. One of the best enemies to lovers I’ve read in quite awhile!

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

4⭐️

Marriage of convenience will always do it for me 🤭. Every time he said “my wife,” I died—like I haven’t heard it a million times before.

He’s so in love with her, and I love every second of it.

Enemies to lovers with hate spice? Epic. Their chemistry had me in a chokehold—their hate scenes had me giggling and kicking my feet like an idiot.

I love a smart-mouthed FMC. They’re the baddest, and they know it. And her taste? Immaculate. Shoes? Flawless. Husband? Perfect. 🙂‍↕️ I’m so jealous of her.

And him? He had her favorite designer create a pair of heels named after her in multiple colors. Oh, and he’s obsessed with her in heels—he lives for it 😩.

Their banter? Absolutely everything. 😩

My absolute favorite of the series.

The tension between the grumpy enforcer and the "rich" doctor was palpable! I loved how mean they were to each other while they were secretly pining the whole time. This is a perfect romance novel.

Stephanie. Archer. It honestly is amazing how every book you publish becomes my new favorite of yours. I've been wanting Volkov's book since "Volkov and his wife dancing" at Hazel and Rory's wedding was mentioned in that bonus scene. I absolutely adore this couple. There were a few moments where the miscommunication was frustrating and they honestly just needed to talk- but it resolved so well and I was so glad to get to read this early!

Can I interest you in a marriage of convenience between a hockey player on the verge of retirement and the team's physician who have hated one another for years? Ever since they met Alexei and Georgia have hated each other. She thinks he’s arrogant and he thinks she's vapid, but Georgia needs research funding from her inheritance to continue her program training young women athletes after injury, and Alexei needs a green card to remain in Canada following his imminent retirement. Solution: a year long marriage until they both get what they want. Who cares if she’s actually intelligent and fiercely kind with a not-so-minor Vampire Diaries Addiction and a tendency to sleepwalk into his bed. And who cares if he wears glasses, communicates through the secret language of flowers, and takes care of her two bunny rabbits, Stefan and Damon. Warning, Gloves Off will leave you in the feels as these two so called enemies cohabitate and open up to friendship—and to love. What I liked about this addition to the Vancouver Storm series was how Stephanie Archer built a solid bedrock for the mutual hatred between her two leads. I could really understand why Alexei and Georgia viewed each other the way they did — even as I wanted to shake them so hard and beg them to see things properly. Romance is in the little things in this twist on marriage of convenience and hate to love. The drives to soccer practice and showing up to hockey games are all part of this developing romance. Georgia and Alexei had a slower build up but it is totally worth the wait. I entered this wondering how they would make a marriage work, and left wishing I could romance someone through a marriage of convenience myself. Funny how that works.

This review will appear on my blog closer to publication!

I absolutely loved this and COULD NOT put it down!!!!! Idk what Stephanie puts in her books but the last 3 I’ve read I physically could not put the book down and stayed up half the night reading <3 I just love a hockey romance and I loved the hate to love and marriage of convenience. I usually don’t enjoy enemies to lovers in romance bc it doesn’t feel realistic but Stephanie did this so well and I ate it up!!!!! It was a slooooooow burn that’s for sure and I loved how they slowly let each other in to the deepest parts of themselves 🥲 I love seeing the previous characters and the found family with the hockey players + the way they both hated marriage and said they never wanted to get married and then they fall in love ugh! I love!! I cannot wait for the next book!!!!

I think this might be my new favorite in this series. The tension between Georgia and Alexei, and the reasons for the tension felt so realistic. Like I know women who are fueled by spite and I know men who think all women are dummies. I love when women prove men wrong

At times the book felt really long, but also I don't know what I would cut out because it was all so great. So I guess not a complaint but an observation?

Thank you Stephanie Archer, Dell Romance, and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion!

this is definitely one of my favorite Stephanie Archer books! the characters were perfect and I loved their story :,) the cutest enemies to fake married to in love. and the fact that he sent her flowers every day with special meaning for each one 🫶🏼

Alexei and Georgia are one of my all time favorite couples and I would 100% recommend this one for anyone looking for a cute, funny, and hot hockey romance!