REVIEW: Gloves Off by Stephanie Archer

Gloves Off by Stephanie Archer: She wants to claim her inheritance and he wants to stay in the country. The deal is simple, one fake marriage, zero complications. Easy… right? Wrong, completely wrong! There is nothing simple or easy about the tension and sparks that ignite when Georgia and Alexei are in a room together. Georgia has no time for feelings, especially not the ones triggered by Alexei Volkov, her least favourite hockey player and the team’s walking brooding scowl. But if she has any hope of getting her hands on her inheritance then Alexei is her guy… Alexei is convinced that he does not like Georgia, not her sassy mouth and definitely not the way she makes his chest feel tight for all the wrong reasons, but if he wants to stay in the country and continue playing with the Storms then he has no choice but to play house with the team doctor. However living together means lines begin to blur between bickering and banter, hate and heat. And somewhere between their late night arguments and unexpected tenderness, their fake vows start feeling dangerously real. The question is can they make their fake marriage, real?

Let me just start by saying Gloves Off was everything I didn’t know I needed. Archer delivers a sharp, slow burn romance that had me hooked from the first sarcastic remark to the last heart melting moment. Georgia and Alexei are grumpy, stubborn, emotionally constipated perfection and watching them fumble their way into love, was just so satisfying.

Alexei has easily set a new benchmark for heroes out there, I mean how can you not instantly fall in love with this big softie? The guy gives Georgia flowers ever single day! And buys her a book about them and all the different meanings, now if that isn’t swoony, I don’t know what is! Okay, while Alexei might be gruff and emotionally shut off in front of everyone, once you get to really pull back all of his layers you get to see this quietly protective guy that kind of sneaks up on you. He’s not the guy who makes grand speeches, he’s the one who shows up, who listens and who sees what you’re not saying. There was just something so easy to love about our hero and I really loved getting to follow him as he opened up to Georgia and helps her break down her walls. Now we have our leading lady Georgia, while she might come across as a bit of an ice queen, she really only does this to protect herself and her heart. I have to say that I really liked how spicy and sassy Georgia was most of the time. She was strong, independent and as sharp as the scalpels that she uses. Though beneath all of this is just a girl looking for a safe genuine connection. I really enjoyed getting to see her slowly bring down her iron walls and allow Alexei to care for her and be vulnerable around him.

These two were just slow burn perfection! Their chemistry is the kind of slow burn that builds under layers of sarcasm, stolen glances and tension so thick you could cut it with a skate blade. The build up between banter, barbs and bickering lead into easily one of the most perfectly real and relatable relationships. I loved the fact that Alexei never looks at Georgia like she is a problem that needs to be solved but like she is the woman that he is meant to love. Their relationship takes time and work but gosh once they finally click it is just incredible! Getting to see these two people that have held back for so long, finally not having to hold themselves back any longer was just beautiful.

I loved every single moment of reading Gloves Off, if you like a spicy slow burn that packs in the feelings then this book is definitely for you! I can definitely say that Georgia and Alexei will be in my top picks for 2025!

Book Info:

Publication: June 17, 2025 | Dell | Vancouver Storm #4

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.