Thank you to Stephanie and her team for this ARC to review- all opinions are honest and my own.

In my last Stephanie Archer review I said “The Fake Out is my new favourite Stephanie Archer book, but if she carries on with this track record each time she releases a new book it’ll become my new favourite- each book just keeps getting better and better.”

And its safe to say this series keeps getting better and better!

Read more: Book Review- The Wingman (Vancouver Storm 3) by Stephanie Archer *****

When we got a glimpse of Hayden and Darcy at the end of The Fake Out I was immediately ready for their story.

Description from Stephanie Archers website

“The best way to gain confidence after years with the wrong guy? Hayden Owens—the hottest defenseman in pro hockey, my confident best friend, and my new dating coach.

He’ll teach me to be a player, but convinces me to practice with him.

We’ve been friends for years, but our flirting lessons and practice kisses push the bounds of friendship.

We’re roommates, but sleeping in the same bed.

He buys me a toy as a favor… but helps me use it.

All that relationship stuff he’s always avoided? He doesn’t seem to mind it anymore.

Rule number one of being a player is no attachments, but when Hayden sees me picking up other guys, he’s jealous enough that I wonder…

Maybe my wingman’s been waiting for me all along.“

Darcy, fresh out of a long term relationship, is ready to find herself and enlists her best friend Hayden to help her do so, unaware of the fact that he has had the biggest unrequited crush on her since they were at school together. I loved reading about Darcy and her intelligence along side her romantic…challenges. I really enjoyed seeing her love of hockey and her passion for statistics come to work together. One of the reasons I always pick up Archers books is her female leads, as well as being strong and intelligent women, they are so realistic in the way they read and are always relatable.

Hayden is such a sweet ( and spicy) cinnamon roll! He clearly cares for Darcy and has for many years, making his actions throughout this book even cuter. He really tries to put her first and help her become who is she is meant to be, fighting his feelings all the way… until he gets the inkling its not quite as unrequited as he first thought.

What follows is a story of two people falling in love and learning so much more about themselves and each other, even though they have known each other for over 8 years! Supported by Archers brilliant characters you know and love this is a page turning romance that will no double make you ready for book 4, much like I am!!!

Whilst this is book three in a series, it can still be read as a standalone just about, but I really would recommend going to book one and losing yourself in the family that Stephanie Archer is so excellent at creating.

🏒Tropes🏒
Hockey romance
He falls first
Best friends to lovers
Finding yourself
Found family
……….. and spice.

Once again thank you to Stephanie and her team for this ARC to review- all opinions are honest and my own.