Gloves Off cover art

Gloves Off

A Marriage of Convenience Hockey Romance (Vancouver Storm, Book 4)

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Gloves Off

By: Stephanie Archer
Narrated by: JF Harding, Stella Hunter
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About this listen

The only way to get my inheritance? Marry Alexei Volkov—the grumpiest enforcer in the NHL, a brutally handsome jerk, and the last man I’d ever fall for.

In public, we act as besotted newlyweds, but in private, we’re at each other’s throats. He’s competitive, arrogant, and surly. The guy’s never cracked a smile in his life. He’s jealous of my ex, he glares at my high heels, and insists he’s not attracted to me. He’s only marrying me for citizenship.

Fighting with Alexei is more fun than expected, though, and beneath his grouchy exterior, Alexei is surprisingly caring, protective, and generous.

He cooks for me and worries about my safety.

He sends me flowers with secret meanings and spends way too much money on me.

He makes me sleep in his bed and calls me his wife.

For a guy who said he’d never fall in love with me, Alexei’s doing a good impression of it… and now I’m wondering if this marriage is fake after all.

Gloves Off is an enemies to lovers marriage of convenience hockey romance. It's the fourth book in the Vancouver Storm series but can be listened to as a standalone.

©2025 Stephanie Archer (P)2025 Stephanie Archer Contemporary Romantic Comedy Sports Marriage Hockey Fake Relationship

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The Wild Card By: Stephanie Archer
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Love the characters and the story! The Vancouver series get better with each book, can’t wait for the next one

One of the best one in the series

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I loved their story and how they came together and how supportive they were.

Only thing I disliked or felt was a bit OTT was the hate from Alexei at the beginning. I get his history and preconceived whatever BS led him to acting this way. But I don’t feel he grovelled enough and wouldn’t you question why all of the people you are friends with like her so much?

I loved Alexei and Georgia

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If enemies-to-lovers with bite, banter, and bunny references is your thing—Gloves Off will ruin you in the best way. I knew I was in trouble the minute Alexei Volkov started calling her “my wife” like it wasn’t supposed to mean anything.

This isn’t just a sports romance (and I’m not just a sports romance reader). It’s a feminist slap disguised as a slow-burn fake marriage where the grump melts just enough to make your chest ache. Alexei is a Russian golden retriever in enforcer’s clothing, and Dr. Green? Icon. Smart, stubborn, professionally undermined, and never once a damsel. Her comebacks had me wheezing, especially when she outmaneuvered him in heels.

What Archer nails—better than most—is the nuance of female ambition and the quiet grief of choosing between a career and motherhood. That tension gave the story real depth, especially against all the comedic beats (yes, they watch my favourite show, yes, her bunnies are named Stefan and Damon, and yes, I screamed).

The chemistry simmers, the pacing is punchy, and the jealousy is delicious. It reminded me a lot of L.J. Shen’s rhythm—but with more heart and less cynicism. It’s also my favourite in the Vancouver Storm series so far (and I’ve inhaled The Fake Out and The Wingman already).

Final confession?
I smiled like an idiot when he sent flowers with coded meanings. If you know, you know.

Stephan and demon named bunnies and banter <3

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So far this has been my favourite in the series, but you don't have to have read/listened to the previous ones to enjoy this.

Favourite in the series

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I've read the first two book and they were really good! This one tops those two. I will definitely read/listen to the 3rd one and can't wait the 5th book.

Loved it

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