The Wild Card

Vancouver Storm #5

by Stephanie Archer

Former star player Tate Ward has become easily the best coach in professional hockey, leading the Vancouver Storm team to victory. Everyone is in love with the handsome, authoritative single dad—except Jordan Hathaway, the newest staff member on the Vancouver Storm team.

Jordan was more than comfortable behind her bar at the team’s favorite watering hole. When her father threatens to sell the team, though, she’s forced to put her grievances aside and work with the man who likes everyone but her—: Coach Tate Ward.

But beneath his controlled exterior, Tate is funny, encouraging, and protective. He moves Jordan into his guest house, trusts her with his daughter, and fires the person who made her cry. He’s her boss, and a relationship would ruin both their careers, but Jordan still finds herself dreaming of a life with Tate. As the lines between them blur and Jordan encourages him to be selfish, Tate realizes what he wants . . . is her.

Genres: Romance, Sports Romance, Hockey, Sports, Hockey Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance

464 pages, Paperback

Expected publication February 3, 2026

About the author

Stephanie writes spicy, hilarious rom-coms. Her books feature sharp banter, stubborn women, lots of laughs, and guaranteed HEA’s. She lives in Vancouver, Canada.

Reviews

[chan ☆]

i've given the last 3 books in this series 5 stars... methinks this is going to be another one

[Cam!]

i have a note in my notes app from six months ago
“calling it right now book 5 will be jordan (bartender) and ward (coach)” AND I WAS RIGHT BABYYYYY IM SO EXCITED

[Iqra]

I’m actually crying bc wdym this is gna be the last in the series 😭

[Paige]

thank you to Stephanie and her team for the e-arc + alc 🥺 now the long wait for its arrival 🤭

[Shannai]

Pre-read August 2025: got accepted for an arc and alc, last book in the series, baby, let’s go daddy Ward, January can’t come soon enough!!

Pre-read August 2025: FOAMING AT THE MOUTH OVER HOW HOT THE COVER IS, Mrs Archer, you have outdone yourself!!

Pre-read June 2025: mrs stephanie archer knew exactly what she was doing saving daddy Ward for last. i’m salivating at just the thought of how down bad and obsessed Tate is going to be over Jordan; the unresolved tension, her dad being his old coach, she hating hockey, and her daddy issues, god, I’m unwell just thinking about how good it’s gonna serve!!

[Kace]

PLEASE GIVE ME COACH WARD’S STORY, I’LL GIVE YOU MY FIRST BORN STEPHANIE! 😭 🙏

Oh and girl after this I’m gonna need a Luca book 👀

[buket · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Are you still lonely, Jordan?” he asks against my lips. It’s the third time he’s asked me.
“No,” I answer, finally honest with him. “Not anymore. Are you lonely, Tate?”
He shakes his head, eyes on me, soft and loving. “Not anymore, honey.”

that’s it guys. this is THE BEST ending!

can’t believe i found another favorite before the year ends but it happened. in fact i would say this book is in my top 5🥹

the long awaited book for tate didn’t disappoint!! tate and jordan healed each other and won our hearts🥹 i cried so many times while reading this but especially chapter 93🥹😭💔 it was so emotional

Tate, Bea, my friends, my team, my father. I’m loved. I’m so loved.

the epilogue❤️‍🩹 all my babies together😭 i need more

also luca’s book👀 i’m seated😏

thank you stephanie for this amazing series[also for the arc(and thanks to netgalley for that too)] 🩷

also thanks to ri😏 love you bitch, our br’s were my highlights this year

[manas (NEW YEAR)]

we got a cover!!!

[Ri ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

daddy ward was worth the wait 🥹 also, stephanie, please make luca and briar happen!! we need more of the storm family! i’m also very interested in kilgour’s story 👀 i know this is supposed to be the last book, but there were so many easter eggs that it feels like stephanie is definitely cooking up a new hockey series? anyway, i’m waiting (not so) patiently for her to announce her new series 😌

[bookluvr]

god’s favourites have an arc for this, and i’m not one of them 😖

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

the entire vancouver storm team and one feral alley cat: jordan you need to be with tate

bea main character of my heart!!

thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing the review copy. full review to come

Bookstagram | Blog

[Niloa]

LO NECESITO YA

[mar ۶ৎ]

⤿ I screamed when I saw the cover btw

[April *ੈ✩‧₊˚]

YES COACH WARD GETS A BOOK 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼

[౨ৎ careena ౨ৎ (life of a showgirl!! ❤️‍🔥)]

with all the crumbs we got of tate and jordan in gloves off, im actually so excited for this and i just know im gonna love it 🙏😻

[aira]

february 2026 seems so far away 😭 also, Coach Tate, huh?? low-key sat and right now, maybe using the word "need" would be an understatement!!

[klinta]

already moaning

[dess · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.75 ⭐️

[iara]

I CAN'T WAIT FOR THEIR BOOK AND I DON'T KNOW IF ANYONE IS WITH ME ON THIS ONE, BUT THE SIXTH BOOK NEEDS TO BE ABOUT LUCA AND THE NEW GUY WARD WANTED TO INCORPORATE TO THE TEAM WHEN HE WAS TALKING TO DARCY. ALSO, I'D LOVE A SPIN-OFF SERIES OF THE GIRLS' FOOTBALL TEAM

[Jenna Becker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I should’ve savored it 😭 this book was the PERFECT way to end the series. Jordan and Tate both had their own challenges and nuances that they brought into this book and after getting glimpses of each of them in the last four books, getting their POVs was phenomenal. Their relationship development was divine—I love an enemies to lovers that allows the sassy banter to really thrive, but we still got plenty of them being in each other’s corner and showing each other all the love. I think what made this such a happy squeal book though is how much the ensemble just showed up for these two. After five books in the world, it was great not just to finally get the Tate/Jordan book but to see all the characters you love happy.

Thanks to NetGalley and Dell for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Amelia Blackmon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: The Wild Card
Author: Stephanie Archer
Series: Vancouver Storm #5

What to expect:
*Hockey romance
*Single dad
*Coworker relationship

This is my first book by this author and the last book in this series. I was terribly worried that I would be lost in the storyline but instead, I found another fantastic series and author! I am a sucker for a found family storyline and this book left me wishing for my very own hockey team many times.

Very well written and I was not lost in the story at all, very much looking forward to going back and reading the previous titles in the series.

Safety:
No OW/OM drama, no jealousy. No third act breakup!

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballentine / Dell publishing for the opportunity to read and review this title!

Format: NetGalley ebook
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Overall score:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level:🌶️🌶️🌶️
POV’s: Jordan (FMC) & Tate (MMC)

[Janelle (a.rogue.librarian)]

Coach's book! I can't wait !!! I knew it was coming and ugh I need it asap!!

[Becca]

pre read review: i am SO excited for this one omggg🤭🤭🤭

i absolutely love the vancouver storm series and have been dyinggg for tate’s book!! the crumbs of him and jordan?? chefs kiss loved them😙

i will indeed be in dell’s email inbox begging for an early copy of this 😌

[The Bern Book · Rating 5 out of 5]

“When someone does something nice for you, you say thank you.” So THANK YOU Stephanie Archer for writing this masterpiece!

I received an advance copy of this book from Dell via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Tropes:
✵ Age Gap
✵ Hockey / Workplace Romance
✵ Single Dad
✵ He Likes Everyone BUT Her
✵ Forced Proximity

The Wild Card is the 5th and final (😢) book in the Vancouver Storms series! Coach Tate Ward has no time for distractions. His life consists of taking care of his daughter and leading the Storms to victory in the Stanley Cup finals. The team owner’s daughter Jordan is just that, a distraction. But when Jordan takes a job at the Storms and Tate is tasked with working alongside her, tensions start to flare. Jordan doesn’t get along with her father at all, but she loves getting on Tate’s last nerve. As the two work together, a partnership starts to form, and Jordan teaches Tate to be selfish for once. Over time, he realizes that the thing he wants most… is Jordan.

Stephanie Archer does it again! I’m so sad for this series to be ending, but wow did it end on a high note! I absolutely loved Tate and Jordan’s story. Tate is the hot older guy that you can’t help but swoon over, and I love that their age difference wasn’t a major discussion. Despite the 10 year age gap, they treated each other as equals, and really brought out the best in the other. Jordan’s dedication to the team was so beautifully written as well! I loved how she made sure she understood every aspect of the organization, all the way down to the bartenders and food staff. As someone who works game day staff for a sports team, it’s so important that the upper management actually know what it takes to make a game day go smooth. I was super impressed that Jordan made sure to meet as many people in the organization as possible, and even helped the bartenders get better cups.

I absolutely adored Tate’s daughter Bea, and she really brought out the best in Jordan. Their love of vinyl records hit home with me, as I also love to collect them! Jordan was so fiercely protective of Bea, and I loved seeing their relationship bloom alongside Jordan and Tate’s. We got a good glimpse at how the other characters from the prior books are doing, and I loved reminiscing on their stories.

Anything Stephanie writes, I will pick up immediately and this one EXCEEDED all expectations!

[Rylee Worthington · Rating 5 out of 5]

thankful to have gotten the chance to read this early and AS ALWAYS another wonderful read from ms stephanie archer.

10/10!! the slooow burn was worth the wait and i absolutely adored the relationship Ward & Jordan had as well as the relationship with Jordan & Bea.

im glad that things were resolved in the end and everything worked out. i had tears for a few moments here & there and overall just loved this one. might’ve been my fav 🫣🫣

[Wendy Oak]

I GOT AN ARC COPY!!!!

[faye ✮]

𖤐.ᐟ pre-read:

im selected for the arc!! AAAA so happy for this but gonna be sad as this is the last book in the VS series :((

[Sara ➽ Ink Is My Sword]

christmas came early this year 💝🤩

Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher for granting me an ARC.

[Deniz]

I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS BOOK SINCE BOOK ONE, ARE YOU KIDDING ME????

[Andrea]

MsGirl Stephanie Archer, when is the blurb coming out? I just finished reading Gloves Off and let me tell u that it is a masterpiece I’ve felt like their hate towards each other was so real and reasonable because i was gasping and jaw on the floor at he beginning when they would hate HATE each other but i was also on their side bc their reasoning was justifiable and not stupid. Sometimes is hard to make an enemies to lovers that is not just him being cruel to her and mistreating each other sometimes is to the point of bullying or abuse idk that doesn’t really get me going even if it’s fictional. but also he knows he’s hot but his chapters are not full of lust but actual agony and hate towards HIMSELF for being undeniably attracted to his fake wife. Like he was hating himself for how much he wanted her and that he couldn’t do anything about it because living in close proximity was the poison that made them come back for more or perhaps it was the antidote to the misunderstood assumptions of each other. Anyways…

Please Ms Ma’am Stephanie Archer leave me out of my misery and let me know what happens next in this universe with Hot Dilf Daddy Coach Tate Ward and Jordan. Technically the book 4 to 5 of a series are better because shit has been marinating from years of tension and secrecy. Also I barely know them both bc Jordan is never around and Tate is not a teammate so we don’t see a more deep and intimate side of him.

PS: “GIVE THE ROOKIE A BOOK(S)!” 🗣️🗣️ 🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️I beg, screaming as they drag me away 🙏🫦

Update: Ms. Girl Stephanie Archer, just posted the blurb in Amazon and through her newsletter. I can’t wait for this book! Jesus Christ dis q I encouraged him to be selfish, and then he does and then I found out that what he really wants is ME!