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Vancouver Storm #5
The Wild Card
Win a free print copy of this book!
0 days and 13:27:52
25 copies available
U.S. only
Tate Ward is the best coach in professional hockey, a hot single dad, one of the best players of all time, and my new boss—who likes everyone but me.
The players will do anything for him, the media is obsessed, and the fans still wear his jersey. Everyone's in love with handsome, authoritative Coach Tate Ward—except me, and the feeling’s mutual.
To save the Vancouver Storm from being sold, though, we need to work together and win the Stanley Cup, and I can’t help but push his buttons to get under his skin.
He moves me into his guest house, though, and makes me sleep in his bed.
He encourages me with the team and tells me I belong.
He’s adorable with his daughter and makes me long for things I shouldn’t.
I try to make him break, but he never loses control—until he finds me crying and fires the person responsible.
And when his brother hits on me, he loses his mind with jealousy.
Beneath his controlled exterior, Tate is protective, playful, and funny. He puts everyone before himself, but when I encourage him to be selfish, I learn that Tate wants…Me.
The Wild Card is a pro hockey single dad romance. It is the fifth and final book in the Vancouver Storm series but can be listened to as a standalone.
The players will do anything for him, the media is obsessed, and the fans still wear his jersey. Everyone's in love with handsome, authoritative Coach Tate Ward—except me, and the feeling’s mutual.
To save the Vancouver Storm from being sold, though, we need to work together and win the Stanley Cup, and I can’t help but push his buttons to get under his skin.
He moves me into his guest house, though, and makes me sleep in his bed.
He encourages me with the team and tells me I belong.
He’s adorable with his daughter and makes me long for things I shouldn’t.
I try to make him break, but he never loses control—until he finds me crying and fires the person responsible.
And when his brother hits on me, he loses his mind with jealousy.
Beneath his controlled exterior, Tate is protective, playful, and funny. He puts everyone before himself, but when I encourage him to be selfish, I learn that Tate wants…Me.
The Wild Card is a pro hockey single dad romance. It is the fifth and final book in the Vancouver Storm series but can be listened to as a standalone.
Audible Audio
First published February 3, 2026
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56580 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie Archer
14 books12.5k followersStephanie writes spicy, hilarious rom-coms. Her books feature sharp banter, stubborn women, lots of laughs, and guaranteed HEA’s. She lives in Vancouver, Canada.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 4,196 reviews
February 12, 2026
3.5⭐️ Fun giggly single dad hockey romance, but was a little bored. I love this series these books are such comfort reads for me! It did fall flat in terms of chemistry at points I wanted more but I still binged it sooooooo
February 10, 2026
i've given the last 3 books in this series 5 stars... methinks this is going to be another one
edit upon reading: it was not in fact a 5 star read. very sweet book and i loved seeing everyone at the end of the book, all the previous couples. but this was a little sedate compared to the previous couple of books. i think stephanie archer is at her best when she leans into the tropes and the cheese tbh. this was a very mature romance though which i appreciated. also liked seeing Jordan thrive in the hockey world.
edit upon reading: it was not in fact a 5 star read. very sweet book and i loved seeing everyone at the end of the book, all the previous couples. but this was a little sedate compared to the previous couple of books. i think stephanie archer is at her best when she leans into the tropes and the cheese tbh. this was a very mature romance though which i appreciated. also liked seeing Jordan thrive in the hockey world.
February 23, 2026
Safe to say, mother will never disappoint when it comes to binge worthy books 🙏 each book in this series is so addictive? Like what is she lacing her words with! I just knowwwwww it’s some typa crack and I can’t wait till my next hit 👹👹👹
This book might not have been the ‘Gloves Off’ type of high but it had its own kind of effect on me. I kept finding myself smiling and wanting to come back to the book. I binged the first 50% in a couple hours and that’s rare for me these days when I’ve been so busy I can’t even read 20 pages without getting distracted.
The dynamic between the characters was adorableeeeee. This book is more on the cute side. Though I wish the sharp banter stayed the same as the first half but it did in fact change as they started catching feelings.
Overall a very sweet romance. The perfect palate cleanser 💕
***
Edit: maybe it’s not gonna be the last book omg
Update: I’m actually crying bc wdym this is gna be the last in the series 😭
This book might not have been the ‘Gloves Off’ type of high but it had its own kind of effect on me. I kept finding myself smiling and wanting to come back to the book. I binged the first 50% in a couple hours and that’s rare for me these days when I’ve been so busy I can’t even read 20 pages without getting distracted.
The dynamic between the characters was adorableeeeee. This book is more on the cute side. Though I wish the sharp banter stayed the same as the first half but it did in fact change as they started catching feelings.
Overall a very sweet romance. The perfect palate cleanser 💕
***
Edit: maybe it’s not gonna be the last book omg
Update: I’m actually crying bc wdym this is gna be the last in the series 😭
Read
June 11, 2025i 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
“calling it right now book 5 will be jordan (bartender) and ward (coach)” AND I WAS RIGHT BABYYYYY IM SO EXCITED
February 6, 2026
in no world did i think this rating would start with anything lower than a 4? 😭 first, let me lament about the series being over before i get into the nitty gritty because wdym??? i can’t believe it’s done. these books took me by surprise last year with how much i adored them! i tend to not respond well to hockey romances but when i say i don’t like hockey romances, i’m NEVER talking about the vancouver storm books. i love this little world and this hockey team so very much!
having said that though, jordan and tate’s book was decent but not great? my opinion on this book will probably be unpopular and age like milk when all the 5 star ratings come flooding in, but there - i said it. it’s not the weakest book in the series but it’s far from the strongest. it was somewhat bland, especially in the first half and some of that unseasoning even carried into the second, although that half was comparatively better and the last stretch was the best. it pains me to admit that - it really does. i’m just disappointed by some of the execution - more so because it followed such a fantastic fourth installment in gloves off and it promised such immense potential from the tropes assigned and the crumbs jordan and tate served in books past (particularly in book 4 when we got the first hint of them being the final pair and what things could be like between them). i was expecting high intensity from the dislike tease, angst, a strong forbidden element (single dad, a tasteful lil age gap - h 30 H 40, coach x owner’s daughter, boss-employee vibes…hello???), and while it had some peak moments, it just could have been so much better as a whole because these elements i was anticipating to be palpable were ultimately watered down. that makes me sad to say, because i really wanted this to be the best book in the series to end things off on the highest of highs.
time for my rambles. this will be a long review because when am i not yapping?
*ON THE ROMANCE*
the romance was just okay? i was expecting so much more. i wanted explosive chemistry, sharp banter, delicious tension - but a lot of it was in half-measure. books 2-4 in this series served so much more than what this one did on all these ingredients.
this couple was let down by trying to push a variation on the dislike-to-love trope. that angle was promising when it was teased in the previous book, but then it didn’t deliver the angst and intensity i was expecting based on the crumbs. jordan’s hate towards tate felt very artificial and forced. this man was being nothing but polite and sweet to her so i didn’t get why she didn’t like him. when the reason was revealed, it felt like it had nothing to do with a direct beef with him and it was so tangential, i couldn’t connect with this logic. tate being assigned the “he likes everyone but her” trope also didn’t really feel fully thought through in the execution either because again, i felt like he was so nice to her from page 1. and even when he did have a bone to pick with her one time, he approached her with respect and immediately acquiesced to being wrong about an assumption he was making. i can’t help but contrast their dynamic against alexei and georgia’s in gloves off. those two did the hate-to-love trope so spectacularly (seriously, one of the best i’ve read in a contemporary romantic comedy setting in a long while, so good i had to read that book twice) - the mutual resentment felt so real and understandable, even more so when you get to know what drives those characters at a base level and why the slights from each side of the camp would hurt the respective mcs - but jordan and tate’s didn’t quite rise to that level of coherency (or fun). it almost didn’t make sense tbh. i wish they’d gotten a completely different trope or that the author just left the dislike angle out entirely because it was so half-baked.
the pace was meandering and the first half was incredibly repetitive. i love a slow burn but this turned into not much happening for so long, not even proper simmering. as i said up top, i don’t really think the conflict in their relationship development and push-and-pull was convincing because the forbidden element didn’t feel strong and the dislike reasons weren’t either. everyone was openly rooting for them to get together anyways too, and their rationale for holding back felt weak. all of this impacted the pace and the tension (or lack thereof). the miscommunication between them also didn’t help. had these aspects been done differently, the slow burn would have felt more intense and better paced, methinks.
there’s also some too-early lust but this was a thing in all the books so i can’t reasonably complain about it now 😅. i’ll spotlight it though. it’s one of the lesser crimes here and i could overlook it in the end, especially since the characters did know each other prior to the start of the book. it just stood out to me a little bit more in a negative light than, say, in some of the other stories, probably because i didn’t care given how much fun i was having in those.
the dialogue felt stilted and their chemistry felt canned in the earlier parts of the book, despite the notes of lust sprinkled in - but that on its own is never going to equal convincing chemistry. however, things did pick up in the second half and i felt some heat between them as the story progressed. i have to comment on the spice though, because this book felt like a very different vibe from the others. the spice felt more sporadic and less elaborate so idk why things switched up - this also made the romance feel a bit more stale and less electric than in some of the other books.
i did enjoy some of the displays in how they got closer in the second half and by the end, i did really like their love and affection for one another and felt that connection between them. i just couldn’t forget my tepid feelings about the first half and all these other points when i decided on a rating for this.
*ON THE MAIN CHARACTERS*
on jordan, it took a while for me to warm up to her in here - which i did not expect as i enjoyed her in the past books. a reticent self-sufficient black cat? she was giving such bad bitch energy before but in her own book, she came off as really obstinate and completely clueless - particularly in the earlier parts. her being totally obtuse to tate being a good guy and constantly harping on about how he hates her when there just wasn’t enough compelling evidence that he did, and her disliking him in return, had me scratching my head. even her ways of clapping back (in her one-sided beef, mind you) in the beginning to tate felt really tame and silly? the toilet paper and coffees…it just didn’t pack a punch the way, say, georgia and alexei’s antics did. sigh. as the book went on, i did grow more fond of her but man did it take a while. as positives, i liked how the book (and tate) handled her lone ranger issues, the women-in-sports-leadership piece, and the sprinkles of her grief, but i wish we got more on her relationship with her dad in her character arc. this aspect felt underdeveloped and it would have rounded out her character journey well had this element been more built up.
tate. tate tate tate. when i say i was so excited for him to be a leading man, i was frothing at the mouth for his book right from my read of the fake out (which was the first book i read in this series and it was before his book was even announced but i hoped he’d be getting his own story). he had such potential and that carried through the rest of the books…until his own? i felt like his personality got neutered. he was doing all the right things, making the right gestures etc - what you’d expect an mmc to do - but he lacked presence and a distinct personality. and that’s a wild thing for me to even say because he had so much presence as a side character, but it did not come across that way in his own book and he fell a little flat. i was also really anticipating we’d get more in-depth looks into his past, his career-ending injury, his sobriety - but it all became background information rather than getting a proper focus in the narrative. such a missed opportunity. he was a solid mmc by the end, no doubt, but i just wished for more consistency. he’s not going to be memorable compared to other leading men in this series. he should have been the daddiest of them all but he leaned too much into boring father for too long, i’m so sawri 🙈.
*ON THE REST*
bea. oh, how i adored her! she was such an endearing character, my baby. i have the strongest urge to protect her from all harm at all costs! i loved her relationship with her dad throughout the book, and i really liked how her connection with jordan was developed and how they all fit together along the way and by the end.
i also loved the found family moments 🩵. when the crew was all together, i felt so warm and fuzzy inside and didn’t want to have to say goodbye to this world after finishing this book. i also just really enjoyed whenever any of the mcs from past couples appeared, even in solo or paired moments rather than full-cast ones. of course, some of these side characters were absolute scene stealers - like my faves from books 2 and 4. phoebe was a fun addition to things as well. the ending and the epilogue were highlights of the book too - i liked how it wrapped up the series and how far the team had come from the beginning, and i’ll miss this family so much!
anyhoo, i got on with jordan and tate’s book okay enough by the end, but i didn’t LOVE it. if i had to sum up my review in one sentence, it would be i wanted more. the romance was underwhelming for the most part, but this finale did shine in other areas. i’ll probably be re-reading some of the other books in the series down the line, but the re-readability on this one will be low to non-existent, i fear. still love you stephanie, girl 🥹
—————————————————————————————————
final series rankings 📚
#1 gloves off (4) - nothing will ever compare to these two 😩. they’ve ruined me, i swear to gawwwwd. alexei my forever husband, georgia my eternal queen - you will always be famous. gone double platinum in my household. 5 ⭐️
#2 the fake out (2) - to this day, rory miller still has me doing cartwheels in his name and i don’t see that ever changing. ms archer turned me into a simp for a blonde man and that’s no easy feat. i loved him and hazel so much. book couples everywhere with a supposedly “playful” dynamic hate to see them coming because they embarrass all others. 4 ⭐️
#3 the wingman (3) - no one can ever make me hate hayden and darcy, my shaylas. they were so adorable and sexy - one of my favourite fun friends-to-lovers, even if it also had some cringe. but it was cringe i liked, i guess? because i inhaled this like it was my last meal. 4 ⭐️
#4 the wild card (5) - i’ve yapped about this one a lot as is, so i’ll shut up now 🙃. 3 ⭐️
#5 behind the net (1) - we know what this was 😂. i actually didn’t hate it, but it helped i read the others first because at least i liked pippa and jamie as side characters before i subjected myself to their book. they were cute in the end, but very cringy, waaay insta and too horny. i was genuinely concerned for how much jamie kept bricking up and all those twinges between pippa’s legs. couldn’t have been comfortable. “songbird” haunts me (not complimentary). i still have a fondness for them though, despite all this 😭. 3 ⭐️
and that’s a wrap on vancouver storm! time for stephanie to cook a lil something up for the rookie because we can’t end this party here, surely?! 😭
having said that though, jordan and tate’s book was decent but not great? my opinion on this book will probably be unpopular and age like milk when all the 5 star ratings come flooding in, but there - i said it. it’s not the weakest book in the series but it’s far from the strongest. it was somewhat bland, especially in the first half and some of that unseasoning even carried into the second, although that half was comparatively better and the last stretch was the best. it pains me to admit that - it really does. i’m just disappointed by some of the execution - more so because it followed such a fantastic fourth installment in gloves off and it promised such immense potential from the tropes assigned and the crumbs jordan and tate served in books past (particularly in book 4 when we got the first hint of them being the final pair and what things could be like between them). i was expecting high intensity from the dislike tease, angst, a strong forbidden element (single dad, a tasteful lil age gap - h 30 H 40, coach x owner’s daughter, boss-employee vibes…hello???), and while it had some peak moments, it just could have been so much better as a whole because these elements i was anticipating to be palpable were ultimately watered down. that makes me sad to say, because i really wanted this to be the best book in the series to end things off on the highest of highs.
time for my rambles. this will be a long review because when am i not yapping?
*ON THE ROMANCE*
the romance was just okay? i was expecting so much more. i wanted explosive chemistry, sharp banter, delicious tension - but a lot of it was in half-measure. books 2-4 in this series served so much more than what this one did on all these ingredients.
this couple was let down by trying to push a variation on the dislike-to-love trope. that angle was promising when it was teased in the previous book, but then it didn’t deliver the angst and intensity i was expecting based on the crumbs. jordan’s hate towards tate felt very artificial and forced. this man was being nothing but polite and sweet to her so i didn’t get why she didn’t like him. when the reason was revealed, it felt like it had nothing to do with a direct beef with him and it was so tangential, i couldn’t connect with this logic. tate being assigned the “he likes everyone but her” trope also didn’t really feel fully thought through in the execution either because again, i felt like he was so nice to her from page 1. and even when he did have a bone to pick with her one time, he approached her with respect and immediately acquiesced to being wrong about an assumption he was making. i can’t help but contrast their dynamic against alexei and georgia’s in gloves off. those two did the hate-to-love trope so spectacularly (seriously, one of the best i’ve read in a contemporary romantic comedy setting in a long while, so good i had to read that book twice) - the mutual resentment felt so real and understandable, even more so when you get to know what drives those characters at a base level and why the slights from each side of the camp would hurt the respective mcs - but jordan and tate’s didn’t quite rise to that level of coherency (or fun). it almost didn’t make sense tbh. i wish they’d gotten a completely different trope or that the author just left the dislike angle out entirely because it was so half-baked.
the pace was meandering and the first half was incredibly repetitive. i love a slow burn but this turned into not much happening for so long, not even proper simmering. as i said up top, i don’t really think the conflict in their relationship development and push-and-pull was convincing because the forbidden element didn’t feel strong and the dislike reasons weren’t either. everyone was openly rooting for them to get together anyways too, and their rationale for holding back felt weak. all of this impacted the pace and the tension (or lack thereof). the miscommunication between them also didn’t help. had these aspects been done differently, the slow burn would have felt more intense and better paced, methinks.
there’s also some too-early lust but this was a thing in all the books so i can’t reasonably complain about it now 😅. i’ll spotlight it though. it’s one of the lesser crimes here and i could overlook it in the end, especially since the characters did know each other prior to the start of the book. it just stood out to me a little bit more in a negative light than, say, in some of the other stories, probably because i didn’t care given how much fun i was having in those.
the dialogue felt stilted and their chemistry felt canned in the earlier parts of the book, despite the notes of lust sprinkled in - but that on its own is never going to equal convincing chemistry. however, things did pick up in the second half and i felt some heat between them as the story progressed. i have to comment on the spice though, because this book felt like a very different vibe from the others. the spice felt more sporadic and less elaborate so idk why things switched up - this also made the romance feel a bit more stale and less electric than in some of the other books.
i did enjoy some of the displays in how they got closer in the second half and by the end, i did really like their love and affection for one another and felt that connection between them. i just couldn’t forget my tepid feelings about the first half and all these other points when i decided on a rating for this.
*ON THE MAIN CHARACTERS*
on jordan, it took a while for me to warm up to her in here - which i did not expect as i enjoyed her in the past books. a reticent self-sufficient black cat? she was giving such bad bitch energy before but in her own book, she came off as really obstinate and completely clueless - particularly in the earlier parts. her being totally obtuse to tate being a good guy and constantly harping on about how he hates her when there just wasn’t enough compelling evidence that he did, and her disliking him in return, had me scratching my head. even her ways of clapping back (in her one-sided beef, mind you) in the beginning to tate felt really tame and silly? the toilet paper and coffees…it just didn’t pack a punch the way, say, georgia and alexei’s antics did. sigh. as the book went on, i did grow more fond of her but man did it take a while. as positives, i liked how the book (and tate) handled her lone ranger issues, the women-in-sports-leadership piece, and the sprinkles of her grief, but i wish we got more on her relationship with her dad in her character arc. this aspect felt underdeveloped and it would have rounded out her character journey well had this element been more built up.
tate. tate tate tate. when i say i was so excited for him to be a leading man, i was frothing at the mouth for his book right from my read of the fake out (which was the first book i read in this series and it was before his book was even announced but i hoped he’d be getting his own story). he had such potential and that carried through the rest of the books…until his own? i felt like his personality got neutered. he was doing all the right things, making the right gestures etc - what you’d expect an mmc to do - but he lacked presence and a distinct personality. and that’s a wild thing for me to even say because he had so much presence as a side character, but it did not come across that way in his own book and he fell a little flat. i was also really anticipating we’d get more in-depth looks into his past, his career-ending injury, his sobriety - but it all became background information rather than getting a proper focus in the narrative. such a missed opportunity. he was a solid mmc by the end, no doubt, but i just wished for more consistency. he’s not going to be memorable compared to other leading men in this series. he should have been the daddiest of them all but he leaned too much into boring father for too long, i’m so sawri 🙈.
*ON THE REST*
bea. oh, how i adored her! she was such an endearing character, my baby. i have the strongest urge to protect her from all harm at all costs! i loved her relationship with her dad throughout the book, and i really liked how her connection with jordan was developed and how they all fit together along the way and by the end.
i also loved the found family moments 🩵. when the crew was all together, i felt so warm and fuzzy inside and didn’t want to have to say goodbye to this world after finishing this book. i also just really enjoyed whenever any of the mcs from past couples appeared, even in solo or paired moments rather than full-cast ones. of course, some of these side characters were absolute scene stealers - like my faves from books 2 and 4. phoebe was a fun addition to things as well. the ending and the epilogue were highlights of the book too - i liked how it wrapped up the series and how far the team had come from the beginning, and i’ll miss this family so much!
anyhoo, i got on with jordan and tate’s book okay enough by the end, but i didn’t LOVE it. if i had to sum up my review in one sentence, it would be i wanted more. the romance was underwhelming for the most part, but this finale did shine in other areas. i’ll probably be re-reading some of the other books in the series down the line, but the re-readability on this one will be low to non-existent, i fear. still love you stephanie, girl 🥹
—————————————————————————————————
final series rankings 📚
#1 gloves off (4) - nothing will ever compare to these two 😩. they’ve ruined me, i swear to gawwwwd. alexei my forever husband, georgia my eternal queen - you will always be famous. gone double platinum in my household. 5 ⭐️
#2 the fake out (2) - to this day, rory miller still has me doing cartwheels in his name and i don’t see that ever changing. ms archer turned me into a simp for a blonde man and that’s no easy feat. i loved him and hazel so much. book couples everywhere with a supposedly “playful” dynamic hate to see them coming because they embarrass all others. 4 ⭐️
#3 the wingman (3) - no one can ever make me hate hayden and darcy, my shaylas. they were so adorable and sexy - one of my favourite fun friends-to-lovers, even if it also had some cringe. but it was cringe i liked, i guess? because i inhaled this like it was my last meal. 4 ⭐️
#4 the wild card (5) - i’ve yapped about this one a lot as is, so i’ll shut up now 🙃. 3 ⭐️
#5 behind the net (1) - we know what this was 😂. i actually didn’t hate it, but it helped i read the others first because at least i liked pippa and jamie as side characters before i subjected myself to their book. they were cute in the end, but very cringy, waaay insta and too horny. i was genuinely concerned for how much jamie kept bricking up and all those twinges between pippa’s legs. couldn’t have been comfortable. “songbird” haunts me (not complimentary). i still have a fondness for them though, despite all this 😭. 3 ⭐️
and that’s a wrap on vancouver storm! time for stephanie to cook a lil something up for the rookie because we can’t end this party here, surely?! 😭
February 27, 2026
➳ 3.75 ☆
i honestly don't know how to rate this book because on one hand, this was one of my most anticipated releases of 2026. however, this was sort of...a letdown? i was fully expecting this book to be my favorite in this series, especially after all the little snippets we got from the other books. there buildup seemed to be more interesting than the actual novel, but i do have to give props to the narration because the audiobook was so much fun. there are two main issues as to why this wasn't a full 5-star book, but i still enjoyed jordan and tate's book, nonetheless.
1. nothing really happens.
this entire book is basically just a whole lot of nothing since there is not one reason or aspect that is keeping them apart. for all the little snippets we got in the previous books, i expected something more profound and emotional, but was only left with a rather mundane slow, friends-lovers trope. the team was literally rooting for them and was their biggest shipper...tate's daughter also loved jordan and wanted her and her father to end up together...there is NO other man or other woman coming in to stir up drama...the age gap isn't even worth mentioning...so like, what was the point of all this?...to be fair, the whole book just felt sluggish and slow because while the romance was mature and worth it, there was no reason this needed to be dragged on the way it did. at the very least, i expected some jealousy or some tension...but all we got is tate obsessing over her panties and some stupid ugly cat they both took in.
2. the repetitive and recycled plot.
now, this is not a valid reason as to why this was a disappointing read, hence why i didn't take off many points here. to put bluntly—this is the exact same book stephanie has written but with a different trope. every.single.book. in this series is the literal same, minus the name change. while that isn't a huge problem—it does get become unvaried when you can't differentiate this book from the other companion novels in the same series. ex: the conflict between the main couple felt the same & the smut was also very repetitive from the prior books. i UNDERSTAND it's difficult to come up with a brand-new romance and concept for every single release, but the least i expect is some original work. this just felt like every book in the vancouver storm series mushed up into one.
overall, this was fine. i only give it 4 stars because i love this world. all seriousness, though, NOBODY is winning against my baby, gloves off.
i honestly don't know how to rate this book because on one hand, this was one of my most anticipated releases of 2026. however, this was sort of...a letdown? i was fully expecting this book to be my favorite in this series, especially after all the little snippets we got from the other books. there buildup seemed to be more interesting than the actual novel, but i do have to give props to the narration because the audiobook was so much fun. there are two main issues as to why this wasn't a full 5-star book, but i still enjoyed jordan and tate's book, nonetheless.
1. nothing really happens.
this entire book is basically just a whole lot of nothing since there is not one reason or aspect that is keeping them apart. for all the little snippets we got in the previous books, i expected something more profound and emotional, but was only left with a rather mundane slow, friends-lovers trope. the team was literally rooting for them and was their biggest shipper...tate's daughter also loved jordan and wanted her and her father to end up together...there is NO other man or other woman coming in to stir up drama...the age gap isn't even worth mentioning...so like, what was the point of all this?...to be fair, the whole book just felt sluggish and slow because while the romance was mature and worth it, there was no reason this needed to be dragged on the way it did. at the very least, i expected some jealousy or some tension...but all we got is tate obsessing over her panties and some stupid ugly cat they both took in.
2. the repetitive and recycled plot.
now, this is not a valid reason as to why this was a disappointing read, hence why i didn't take off many points here. to put bluntly—this is the exact same book stephanie has written but with a different trope. every.single.book. in this series is the literal same, minus the name change. while that isn't a huge problem—it does get become unvaried when you can't differentiate this book from the other companion novels in the same series. ex: the conflict between the main couple felt the same & the smut was also very repetitive from the prior books. i UNDERSTAND it's difficult to come up with a brand-new romance and concept for every single release, but the least i expect is some original work. this just felt like every book in the vancouver storm series mushed up into one.
overall, this was fine. i only give it 4 stars because i love this world. all seriousness, though, NOBODY is winning against my baby, gloves off.
February 26, 2026
well that's another series to cross off the list so there's that 😩😭....it's a maybe? so like, is Luca walker getting a book bc I'll be sat 🫣
February 3, 2026
5 ⭐️♾️
This was so precious and so perfect, I cried multiple times and love Jordan and Tate with my entire heart. It feels surreal to say that this incredible series has come to an end. I have made friends, life-long friends because of this series, built a sisterhood because of how we bonded over this series; its characters, and how talented Stephanie is as a writer. Over the few years; I have laughed (endlessly), cried (multiple times) with The Wild Card having the highest cry count, and loved (so, so hard!!).
Like many, I have been eagerly anticipating Coach Ward and Jordan's book, having first been teased about them at the end of Gloves Off. Jordan and Tate were the perfect ending to the series; a story about love, loss, and falling in love with yourself again.
Very little was actually known about both Jordan and Tate, asides from Tate being a single dad and recovering alcoholic; a man dedicated to his hockey team and the career he has made as coach. I loved how Ross, who was Jordan's dad and Tate's coach when he played hockey was what brought them together; even if they both were against the idea.
Tate had a preconception of what he thought Jordan was like from what he had seen of her, especially when it came to the fractured, estranged relationship with her dad, but underneath her reserved nature, Jordan loved so hard; she had so much love to give, her being incorporated into the team, when she felt like she didn't fit in, and how much the team loved and appreciated her. With their increased time spent together, and Tate moving her into his guest house; he began to see a completely different side to Jordan, especially when she spent time with Bea.
I loved Jordan and Bea's relationship, so, so much! It didn't feel awkward or forced, I liked how they were both able to bond over similar interests, and it also helped Bea to come out of her shell, too. A shout also for the scene when Jordan confronted one of the bullies who picked on Bea, and Jordan called him a rat faced fuck LMAOO Jordan was so iconic and real for that!! 😂😂
This wouldn't be an iconic Stephanie Archer book without a pet, or some secondary item being the highlight of the banter, and in this case, it was Phoebe; the cat that Jordan took in as a stray, lmaoo, I swear Phoebe was the MVP for bringing Tate Jordan's underwear, omggg!! 😩😮💨 And then Daddy Ward keeping them as trophies, lmaoo, get the fuck out of here, I was literally grinning so damn hard, and Daddy's ward antics, too, had me blushing!
As tender and sweet they were, they were also very hot together, my goddd, it really wouldn't be a Stephanie Archer book without some toe-curling spice that left me blushing. Even when it wasn't spicy, just how Jordan and Tate interacted had me so full of love and happiness; Tate showering her with gifts and jewellery he secretly loved seeing her wear. Paying for her whole wardrobe, too, love, loveeed it!!
Of course, I can't not mention the other couples that made an appearance, I mean I literally kept getting emotional whenever they were mentioned on page; especially when it was Hazel and Rory; I cried, literally cried when they shared the news that they were having a baby; I cried again over the epilogue, be what do you mean they're all living within close proximity, and Rory was made head coach of the team?! It truly was one of the BEST epilogues I have ever read, my god, it was just so, so perfect.
I'm guessing from the hints that we may be getting a book about Luca, which I'm so, so curious and excited for, I hope!
Again, I just can't believe that this series has come to an end; it feels like just the other day that I was getting the opportunity to read Behind the Net, and meeting everyone, The Wild Card was truly the perfect end. There really is no other hockey series like the Vancouver Storm series, and it is one I'll fondly think about and re-read again and again.
Thank you, thank you endlessly to Stephanie and Lauren for letting me be a part of the Vancouver Storm hype team, for the arcs, alcs and championing the incredible stories Steph writes! I really cannot wait for what's next in store for Stephanie and to be part of it, too!
Tropes
coach x owner’s daughter
single dad
age gap
hockey romance
slow burn
he likes everyone by her
black cat x golden retriever
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!!
This was so precious and so perfect, I cried multiple times and love Jordan and Tate with my entire heart. It feels surreal to say that this incredible series has come to an end. I have made friends, life-long friends because of this series, built a sisterhood because of how we bonded over this series; its characters, and how talented Stephanie is as a writer. Over the few years; I have laughed (endlessly), cried (multiple times) with The Wild Card having the highest cry count, and loved (so, so hard!!).
Like many, I have been eagerly anticipating Coach Ward and Jordan's book, having first been teased about them at the end of Gloves Off. Jordan and Tate were the perfect ending to the series; a story about love, loss, and falling in love with yourself again.
Very little was actually known about both Jordan and Tate, asides from Tate being a single dad and recovering alcoholic; a man dedicated to his hockey team and the career he has made as coach. I loved how Ross, who was Jordan's dad and Tate's coach when he played hockey was what brought them together; even if they both were against the idea.
Tate had a preconception of what he thought Jordan was like from what he had seen of her, especially when it came to the fractured, estranged relationship with her dad, but underneath her reserved nature, Jordan loved so hard; she had so much love to give, her being incorporated into the team, when she felt like she didn't fit in, and how much the team loved and appreciated her. With their increased time spent together, and Tate moving her into his guest house; he began to see a completely different side to Jordan, especially when she spent time with Bea.
I loved Jordan and Bea's relationship, so, so much! It didn't feel awkward or forced, I liked how they were both able to bond over similar interests, and it also helped Bea to come out of her shell, too. A shout also for the scene when Jordan confronted one of the bullies who picked on Bea, and Jordan called him a rat faced fuck LMAOO Jordan was so iconic and real for that!! 😂😂
This wouldn't be an iconic Stephanie Archer book without a pet, or some secondary item being the highlight of the banter, and in this case, it was Phoebe; the cat that Jordan took in as a stray, lmaoo, I swear Phoebe was the MVP for bringing Tate Jordan's underwear, omggg!! 😩😮💨 And then Daddy Ward keeping them as trophies, lmaoo, get the fuck out of here, I was literally grinning so damn hard, and Daddy's ward antics, too, had me blushing!
As tender and sweet they were, they were also very hot together, my goddd, it really wouldn't be a Stephanie Archer book without some toe-curling spice that left me blushing. Even when it wasn't spicy, just how Jordan and Tate interacted had me so full of love and happiness; Tate showering her with gifts and jewellery he secretly loved seeing her wear. Paying for her whole wardrobe, too, love, loveeed it!!
Of course, I can't not mention the other couples that made an appearance, I mean I literally kept getting emotional whenever they were mentioned on page; especially when it was Hazel and Rory; I cried, literally cried when they shared the news that they were having a baby; I cried again over the epilogue, be what do you mean they're all living within close proximity, and Rory was made head coach of the team?! It truly was one of the BEST epilogues I have ever read, my god, it was just so, so perfect.
I'm guessing from the hints that we may be getting a book about Luca, which I'm so, so curious and excited for, I hope!
Again, I just can't believe that this series has come to an end; it feels like just the other day that I was getting the opportunity to read Behind the Net, and meeting everyone, The Wild Card was truly the perfect end. There really is no other hockey series like the Vancouver Storm series, and it is one I'll fondly think about and re-read again and again.
Thank you, thank you endlessly to Stephanie and Lauren for letting me be a part of the Vancouver Storm hype team, for the arcs, alcs and championing the incredible stories Steph writes! I really cannot wait for what's next in store for Stephanie and to be part of it, too!
Tropes
coach x owner’s daughter
single dad
age gap
hockey romance
slow burn
he likes everyone by her
black cat x golden retriever
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!!
Want to read
August 14, 2025thank you to Stephanie and her team for the e-arc + alc 🥺 now the long wait for its arrival 🤭
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.5 stars
The Wild Card was such a beautiful book. It was endearingly comforting, and I inhaled every word because it was such an enjoyable and addictive read. I was waiting for Coach Tate to get his own love story, and when I read about how he’s getting paired with Jordan, I was screaming over the roof because they just make perfect sense together. The book is so good and so satisfying, because it’s the last book in the series and I always get agitated if some things are left hanging but this book was everything I expected and so much more. A perfect single-dad romance, it was so wholesome and so emotionally satisfying. The banter, the steamy romance, the high-stakes hockey moments, the ultimate found family arc, everything was perfect!
The writing in this book was so easy to read, I was hooked, and the pacing was so steady that I wasn’t bored even for a minute. The hockey aspect in this book was also written so well. I also loved how they finally won the Stanley Cup 🥺 I was crying because my babies deserved that, and it also added some good anticipated drama and thrill that I loved reading about. Stephanie is so good at not just making her hockey romances about romance, but also about actual hockey!
Tate Ward was worth the wait! A single grumpy dad who’s impossible not to love. He’s perfect in every manner, a perfect dad, a great friend, an incredible and patient lover, and an amazing coach to his players. He’s always been so controlled and professional, so watching Jordan taunt him with her bratty attitude and antics was so fun. Seeing him take care of Jordan, waiting for her to reach out to him, the way he cherished her and patiently waited for her to share her thoughts and feelings, healed something in me. He healed Jordan from how she thought she wasn’t enough, he helped her fall in love with hockey as a career again, he helped her reach her potential, and he loved her with so much unwavering devotion. And the way he was with Bea, so protective and present in her upbringing. Tate had his own fears and addictions, but he overcame those and showed up for his daughter! He’s the definition of a perfect dad!
Jordan Hathaway was so easy to love. She was first shown as this cold and unapproachable woman, but there’s so much more to her than she lets people see. She’s so good at being a guarded and independent version of herself, only relying on her own strength, hiding her loneliness because she’s scared of getting close to people and not being enough for them. She’s been hurt in the past, and that made her cautious with her feelings, but Tate was so good at prying open her heart, making her let loose and share her emotions, vulnerabilities, and fears with him. I also loved how badass she was, but also so sweet with Bea. I loved their relationship so much. Bea needed her as a friend, and Jordan was so good at encouraging and loving her. I almost teared up when Bea gave her a family drawing with Jordan included in it on Mother’s Day, and when Jordan got her a record player because they bonded over music 😭
Jordan and Tate were simply so perfect and beautiful together. Two people who make perfect sense in every way. I loved their brat x authority figure banter, how they were so good at riling each other up, and how they brought out the real version of each other. Their chemistry was hot and addictive, and the slow burn was written to perfection! It was always about emotional intimacy over physical connection between them, and I loved how the sexual tension exploded in the end. The demon cat and Miller were working overtime as their cupids, and it was hilarious how they tried to make them like each other with presentations and forced dinners. And the cat leaving Jordan’s panties at Tate’s house felt like she knew exactly how much that man needed those. I couldn’t stop laughing at those scenes.
Tate was so in check with his needs and emotionally aware, while Jordan was always running away from anything serious, but they were both lonely in their lives. Every time Jordan asked the “are you lonely, Tate?” question in her mind, only for Tate to voice it out loud in the end, and for them to confess “not anymore” to each other, it was so comforting and healing.
I adore the Storm family with all my heart, and I need more of them! It meant everything to me to see them together, becoming a big, precious found family. Hazel and Rory becoming parents was so adorable, that man makes a perfect daddy, and seeing Alexei in his girl-dad mode healed me 🥹
Stephanie Archer, please never stop writing about hockey and grumpy hot hockey players because they are my serotonin boost and I need them like I need air. I’m not going to stop emailing you until you give us a spin-off series or something, because you cannot just leave us like that!! The way Stephanie is teasing us with Easter eggs about Luca and Briar is not funny because I need their book so bad!! I’m also very interested in Kilgour’s story 👀 I know this is supposed to be the last book, but I feel like Stephanie is definitely cooking up a new hockey series. Anyway, I’m waiting (not so) patiently for her to announce her new series 😌
~~~~~~~~~~
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 😌
The Wild Card was such a beautiful book. It was endearingly comforting, and I inhaled every word because it was such an enjoyable and addictive read. I was waiting for Coach Tate to get his own love story, and when I read about how he’s getting paired with Jordan, I was screaming over the roof because they just make perfect sense together. The book is so good and so satisfying, because it’s the last book in the series and I always get agitated if some things are left hanging but this book was everything I expected and so much more. A perfect single-dad romance, it was so wholesome and so emotionally satisfying. The banter, the steamy romance, the high-stakes hockey moments, the ultimate found family arc, everything was perfect!
The writing in this book was so easy to read, I was hooked, and the pacing was so steady that I wasn’t bored even for a minute. The hockey aspect in this book was also written so well. I also loved how they finally won the Stanley Cup 🥺 I was crying because my babies deserved that, and it also added some good anticipated drama and thrill that I loved reading about. Stephanie is so good at not just making her hockey romances about romance, but also about actual hockey!
Tate Ward was worth the wait! A single grumpy dad who’s impossible not to love. He’s perfect in every manner, a perfect dad, a great friend, an incredible and patient lover, and an amazing coach to his players. He’s always been so controlled and professional, so watching Jordan taunt him with her bratty attitude and antics was so fun. Seeing him take care of Jordan, waiting for her to reach out to him, the way he cherished her and patiently waited for her to share her thoughts and feelings, healed something in me. He healed Jordan from how she thought she wasn’t enough, he helped her fall in love with hockey as a career again, he helped her reach her potential, and he loved her with so much unwavering devotion. And the way he was with Bea, so protective and present in her upbringing. Tate had his own fears and addictions, but he overcame those and showed up for his daughter! He’s the definition of a perfect dad!
Jordan Hathaway was so easy to love. She was first shown as this cold and unapproachable woman, but there’s so much more to her than she lets people see. She’s so good at being a guarded and independent version of herself, only relying on her own strength, hiding her loneliness because she’s scared of getting close to people and not being enough for them. She’s been hurt in the past, and that made her cautious with her feelings, but Tate was so good at prying open her heart, making her let loose and share her emotions, vulnerabilities, and fears with him. I also loved how badass she was, but also so sweet with Bea. I loved their relationship so much. Bea needed her as a friend, and Jordan was so good at encouraging and loving her. I almost teared up when Bea gave her a family drawing with Jordan included in it on Mother’s Day, and when Jordan got her a record player because they bonded over music 😭
Jordan and Tate were simply so perfect and beautiful together. Two people who make perfect sense in every way. I loved their brat x authority figure banter, how they were so good at riling each other up, and how they brought out the real version of each other. Their chemistry was hot and addictive, and the slow burn was written to perfection! It was always about emotional intimacy over physical connection between them, and I loved how the sexual tension exploded in the end. The demon cat and Miller were working overtime as their cupids, and it was hilarious how they tried to make them like each other with presentations and forced dinners. And the cat leaving Jordan’s panties at Tate’s house felt like she knew exactly how much that man needed those. I couldn’t stop laughing at those scenes.
Tate was so in check with his needs and emotionally aware, while Jordan was always running away from anything serious, but they were both lonely in their lives. Every time Jordan asked the “are you lonely, Tate?” question in her mind, only for Tate to voice it out loud in the end, and for them to confess “not anymore” to each other, it was so comforting and healing.
I adore the Storm family with all my heart, and I need more of them! It meant everything to me to see them together, becoming a big, precious found family. Hazel and Rory becoming parents was so adorable, that man makes a perfect daddy, and seeing Alexei in his girl-dad mode healed me 🥹
Stephanie Archer, please never stop writing about hockey and grumpy hot hockey players because they are my serotonin boost and I need them like I need air. I’m not going to stop emailing you until you give us a spin-off series or something, because you cannot just leave us like that!! The way Stephanie is teasing us with Easter eggs about Luca and Briar is not funny because I need their book so bad!! I’m also very interested in Kilgour’s story 👀 I know this is supposed to be the last book, but I feel like Stephanie is definitely cooking up a new hockey series. Anyway, I’m waiting (not so) patiently for her to announce her new series 😌
~~~~~~~~~~
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 😌
February 4, 2026
5 Big Daddy Energy ✨'s
The Wild Card is an addictive slow burn romance full of swoon and so many amazing moments. This is officially one of my all time favorite hockey romances! Tate and Jordan were just so good together, their chemistry and banter were off the charts. The two were just a perfect match, and I loved that their slow burn romance was so addictive and fun while also having the perfect amount of emotion. Daddy Tate was so generous and loving, it was adorable how he fell all over himself to make Jordan happy. And don’t even get me started on how lovely it was to see him fall for Jordan as she got close to his daughter and family. Now, excuse me while I go cry about the end of this series and the fact that I am not ready to let these characters go!
~Many thanks to Stephanie Archer and her team for the ARC in return for an honest review. I
The Wild Card is an addictive slow burn romance full of swoon and so many amazing moments. This is officially one of my all time favorite hockey romances! Tate and Jordan were just so good together, their chemistry and banter were off the charts. The two were just a perfect match, and I loved that their slow burn romance was so addictive and fun while also having the perfect amount of emotion. Daddy Tate was so generous and loving, it was adorable how he fell all over himself to make Jordan happy. And don’t even get me started on how lovely it was to see him fall for Jordan as she got close to his daughter and family. Now, excuse me while I go cry about the end of this series and the fact that I am not ready to let these characters go!
~Many thanks to Stephanie Archer and her team for the ARC in return for an honest review. I
February 27, 2026
this was a solid end to the series but as a person who hasn’t read the
entire
series, It was tad too long for me since it involved the entire cast of characters who I frankly just didn’t care about. Jordan’s storyline though was 🤌🤌🤌. i love reading about characters who actually support and respect each other and everyone in this book was so supportive and loving😭💗 it was nice reading about a woman in a male dominated industry and the way she handled every brick thrown in her way
February 12, 2026
While not the worst in the series (*cough* book three), it was still not good.
The FMC Jordan never grew on me. She was honestly pretty insecure for a thirty year old and I found her to be kind of mopey as well. I really loved Tate though! He is ten years older than Jordan and I felt like his maturity shined throughout this book. He had a calm and easy-going demeanour. His relationship with his daughter Bea was also super cute.
However, there were a lot of things that irked me. It was kind of unrealistic to have Jordan, who was a bartender up to this point, manage an entire hockey team when she had no experience. I mean why did every character in this series need to be part of the Storm organization in some way? Can’t they have a life outside of hockey and do their own thing? It was starting to feel like a cult. Jordan is also apparently best friends with Georgia, but we hardly ever see them hang out. Jordan never shares anything meaningful with Georgia either and she just keeps everything to herself. It was a very superficial friendship. These are things I’ve noticed the author has done in every other book, so my annoyance has just been building gradually over time.
As for the romance, the will they/won’t they dragged on for way too long. It didn’t add anything to the story. The romance was a big focus of the book, but nothing else was going on. I was already bored by the halfway point. I kept hoping for it to get better, but it never did. We also barely got to see Jordan’s relationship with her dad. It was such a big part of her story and why she acts the way she does so it would have been great to see more of them bonding and trying to to mend their bond, but Ross was in less than 10 chapters out of a 100.
All in all, it was a disappointing end to the series. There seems to be a spinoff in the works, but I’m not convinced it’s worth my time at this point.
The FMC Jordan never grew on me. She was honestly pretty insecure for a thirty year old and I found her to be kind of mopey as well. I really loved Tate though! He is ten years older than Jordan and I felt like his maturity shined throughout this book. He had a calm and easy-going demeanour. His relationship with his daughter Bea was also super cute.
However, there were a lot of things that irked me. It was kind of unrealistic to have Jordan, who was a bartender up to this point, manage an entire hockey team when she had no experience. I mean why did every character in this series need to be part of the Storm organization in some way? Can’t they have a life outside of hockey and do their own thing? It was starting to feel like a cult. Jordan is also apparently best friends with Georgia, but we hardly ever see them hang out. Jordan never shares anything meaningful with Georgia either and she just keeps everything to herself. It was a very superficial friendship. These are things I’ve noticed the author has done in every other book, so my annoyance has just been building gradually over time.
As for the romance, the will they/won’t they dragged on for way too long. It didn’t add anything to the story. The romance was a big focus of the book, but nothing else was going on. I was already bored by the halfway point. I kept hoping for it to get better, but it never did. We also barely got to see Jordan’s relationship with her dad. It was such a big part of her story and why she acts the way she does so it would have been great to see more of them bonding and trying to to mend their bond, but Ross was in less than 10 chapters out of a 100.
All in all, it was a disappointing end to the series. There seems to be a spinoff in the works, but I’m not convinced it’s worth my time at this point.
February 4, 2026
Jordan & Tate, my beloveds!! This was the butterflies-in-my-stomach, flippy feeling, heart bursting conclusion to one of my favorite hockey romance book series, of my DREAMS. Tate Ward, I am on my knees BARKING woof woof. I think my toes might permanently be stuck in a curling position after this.
*insert selfie of me bawling my eyes out to the moment Jordan wore my soft baby Tate's jersey*
*insert selfie of me bawling my eyes out to the moment Jordan wore my soft baby Tate's jersey*
February 14, 2026
⋆˙⟡ — 4 stars
⤷⊹ started: february 13th, finished: feburary 14th
ugh i loved these two 😩 rtc!!
— ⋆˙⟡ pre-read 𓂃˖ ࣪⊹
unfortunately, i think i’m falling into a slump 😔 so i’m really hoping this book is able to pull me out of it since i’ve enjoyed a few of the books in this series 😼 and i get to read this with vee!! i’m really hoping we both love this 🤭
⤷⊹ started: february 13th, finished: feburary 14th
ugh i loved these two 😩 rtc!!
— ⋆˙⟡ pre-read 𓂃˖ ࣪⊹
unfortunately, i think i’m falling into a slump 😔 so i’m really hoping this book is able to pull me out of it since i’ve enjoyed a few of the books in this series 😼 and i get to read this with vee!! i’m really hoping we both love this 🤭
February 3, 2026
I lowk wanted a bit more from this one?
I felt like there wasn’t much angst, tension, or plot tbh. I missed and wanted more chaotic team dynamics instead of domestic playing house. I loved Tate but he went from no this is not right to pounding off to her thongs way too fast imo (I think it was like 50%).
I liked the outcome of the team and the season but the stakes felt so low to me.
This read as a much cozier and for lack of a better word lower stakes than the rest of the series. It really comes down to lack of tension and yearning for me.
Jordan was prickly and her character development was great. Tate as a dad and supportive coach didn’t disappoint. I just wanted more from them as a couple.
Thank you for the arc/alc!
3.75/5
I felt like there wasn’t much angst, tension, or plot tbh. I missed and wanted more chaotic team dynamics instead of domestic playing house. I loved Tate but he went from no this is not right to pounding off to her thongs way too fast imo (I think it was like 50%).
I liked the outcome of the team and the season but the stakes felt so low to me.
This read as a much cozier and for lack of a better word lower stakes than the rest of the series. It really comes down to lack of tension and yearning for me.
Jordan was prickly and her character development was great. Tate as a dad and supportive coach didn’t disappoint. I just wanted more from them as a couple.
Thank you for the arc/alc!
3.75/5
Want to read
June 24, 2025PLEASE 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 👀
Oh and girl after this I’m gonna need a Luca book 👀
February 5, 2026
This was a strong finish to the Vancouver Storm series. I just loved getting to know Tate and Jordan more. They were both such complex and deep characters. I felt so much from them and I was rooting for them to bring home the cup with the team.
I loved seeing Jordan come into her own and fully shine in her role with the team. In fact, I loved how this series as a whole looked at different roles for women to have in sports. From statistics, medicine, and recruiting & scouting. The management side was a cool angle in this entry to the series and something that we don't always explore in hockey romance.
I loved Tate and his daughter too. Tate was such a sweet man, a great coach, and a wonderful partner to Jordan, once she started to let him in. There was a lot of misunderstanding between them at the start and Jordan was determined to leave at the end of the playoffs, but it's clear as they spend more time together, they are meant to be. The chemistry is palpable.
Overall, this was just such a great series. I think Stephanie does slow burn romances so well. These characters have my heart and I look forward to catching up with them in future spin offs, if we should be so lucky.
This was narrated in the Duet Style by Vanessa Edwin and Aaron Shedlock. They did a wonderful job and they made this audio book fly by.
4.5 Stars
2.5 on the spice scale
*Thank you to the author and for an ARC and ALC of this title.*
I loved seeing Jordan come into her own and fully shine in her role with the team. In fact, I loved how this series as a whole looked at different roles for women to have in sports. From statistics, medicine, and recruiting & scouting. The management side was a cool angle in this entry to the series and something that we don't always explore in hockey romance.
I loved Tate and his daughter too. Tate was such a sweet man, a great coach, and a wonderful partner to Jordan, once she started to let him in. There was a lot of misunderstanding between them at the start and Jordan was determined to leave at the end of the playoffs, but it's clear as they spend more time together, they are meant to be. The chemistry is palpable.
Overall, this was just such a great series. I think Stephanie does slow burn romances so well. These characters have my heart and I look forward to catching up with them in future spin offs, if we should be so lucky.
This was narrated in the Duet Style by Vanessa Edwin and Aaron Shedlock. They did a wonderful job and they made this audio book fly by.
4.5 Stars
2.5 on the spice scale
*Thank you to the author and for an ARC and ALC of this title.*
December 23, 2025
“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
“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
February 6, 2026
i alr miss them 😭❤️🩹
January 21, 2026
I LOVED IT 😭
I love this series so much!!!!!
I kept swinging between reading this as fast as possible and savoring every word because this is the end of the Vancouver Storm series & this group of characters
I compare every hockey romance to these books & probably will for the rest of my life. Rory Miller, I will always love you <3 <3
I love this series so much!!!!!
I kept swinging between reading this as fast as possible and savoring every word because this is the end of the Vancouver Storm series & this group of characters
I compare every hockey romance to these books & probably will for the rest of my life. Rory Miller, I will always love you <3 <3
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to Stephanie and her team for giving me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Read this if you like:
• hockey romance
• coach & owner's daughter
• black cat & golden retriever
• single dad
• age gap
• the most amazing found family
• slow burn & angst
• he get a tattoo for her
• spicy cat
I loved this!!! Jordan and Tate are definitely my favorites from this series, they were sooo cute! The tension and the chemistry between them is fucking hot! I adore the single dad trope and Stephanie did it sooo well!
I cried during the epilogue because I can't believe after so many amazing books this series is over. I love them all sooo much! Stephanie left some crumbs about a possible new book and I'm soo freaking excited!!!
Read this if you like:
• hockey romance
• coach & owner's daughter
• black cat & golden retriever
• single dad
• age gap
• the most amazing found family
• slow burn & angst
• he get a tattoo for her
• spicy cat
I loved this!!! Jordan and Tate are definitely my favorites from this series, they were sooo cute! The tension and the chemistry between them is fucking hot! I adore the single dad trope and Stephanie did it sooo well!
I cried during the epilogue because I can't believe after so many amazing books this series is over. I love them all sooo much! Stephanie left some crumbs about a possible new book and I'm soo freaking excited!!!
February 7, 2026
second fav in this series 🤭
February 2, 2026
I don't want this series to enndd
ok so i am left with only 80 pages ....
There's no better time than NOW to get the ARC + ALC after almost seeing everything twice and thrice after doing laser in my eyes
Jordan isn't close to her father aka Ross since all he did when she was young was 🏒hockey🏒. He missed her b-days, school things and even her mother's funeral. That's why she doesn't even look at him. So he asks Tate Ward, the Vancouver Storm's coach to check on her from time to time. And he does so, going into her bar, the flamingo (which I got the Christmas card to ahhhhh)
They dislike eachother since the beginning. Tate doesn't like her cuz he likes Ross, who was his coach and gave him the opportunity to be the Vancouver Storms coach.
Jordan didn't finish her hockey degree or something like that, she left one month before...
She makes everyone believe that she hates hockey btu she doesn't really detest it as people might think.
So we're back at the beginning. I LOOOVVVEEE the way they bicker at each other in the beginning
suddenly, when Ross invites Ward into his office, he tells him that he wants to SELL the team !!!!!!
He tells him that hockey is not everything for him and he needs Jordan to take over the team, since she's his daughter...
Even though she doesn't like Tate, she likes the team, she sees how they party and celebrate in the filthy flamingo and her heart breaks for the team players and their wives and gf. Also for her bff georgina.
to be honest, I don't know why, but I imagined Ward being the definition of Alexei, curly and brunette hair....why ???? guess that's my type of hockey hotness.
So the more time they spend with eachother the less they bicker but they still do. She brings him disgusting coffee every morning and he drinks it .
Alsooooo, before that, in one of the earlier days when Jordan began to work there...as she went home with Ward, somehow he took her home (Stephanie Archer is so good in these things), and it was raining, all her things were outside, her cassette, a platform, ...all soaked and Tate says to her "ask me Jordan"
Ahhhhhhhhh so hawt
Ross makes demands that Tate needs to be in every party, press conference and so on with Jordan!
At one point, Tate asks Jordan why she avoids her father so much, and she asks him if Ross told her. He didn't but he asked him and turns out that Ross didn't attend the funeral because he took Ward to rehab. He had a drinking problem but when his daughter was born, he wanted to change for the better, and asked Ross for help.
Since Tate knows that Jordan isn't really as heartless as he thought and the way they live tgrth and cannot fight their attraction towards one another 😍😍😍😍 ahhhhhh 😍😍😍!!!!
Because Tate can't stay away from her even though he told her in the beginning that they cannot be, he kisses her, tells her that maybe they should be a casual thing until playoff and then see what happens...and they do it.
Meanwhile, Bea, Ward's daughter and jordan get so close to eachother that it's soooo sweet. When she takes Bea from school or kindergarten (don't really remember sry), and kids took her guitar, Jordan steps up for her and curses at these kids hahahahaha.she then goes to the store to repair the strings.
And the same night, Tate comes into her room (in his house), and kisses her and mmmmmmm.....
Miller, hot miller, gets unfortunately injured and since then they loose every game (i am so sad, he's literally my most fav character i am breaking everything apart, crying, throwing, throwing up,screaming,....) and the team gets out of the season. Luckily some teams looses the play off or smthing and they take the wild card, which means, there's still a chance for them to win!
Jordans gets back working at the bar, and she's of course sad but she Ward comes in. He normally doesn't drink since his drinking problem back then but just when to the bar to see Jordan. That's when he realised that he is in love with her and she thanks him for coming to him at his most vulnerable time (to be honest, i think I would actually the same).
Jordan is literally so sweet and nice and she even starts tk get along with her dad, since he told her that every time things got hard he left everything and did something with hockey that kept him occupied and she realized that Ross didn't choose Tate or hockey over him. it was just his way of dealing with things.
DO NOT MAKE ME EMOTIONAL !!!
That time at the bar when Tate came to see Jordan to calm himself down, Owen or Miller came in and said that LA lost and now I realize that I already wrote that 😳!
Jordan and Coach Ward make the team players games so that they're motivation will come back and it helps. They also change the team's play structures and players. They both like the hockey team and Jordan realizes that she too, falls in live with Tate :))
He even invites her to Holly (Bea's mother, turns out Ward and Holly were just friends he was drunk and impregnated her they weren't even gf and bf hahaha).
Bea even draws a pic for mother's day to Jordan, who gets very sentimental and emotional. 💓💓
just before the final game, rumors about jordan and ward start spreading and jordan doesn't want to loose the Storm's reputation and she wants to hide in her room but then she thinks "why do i have to hide if I did nothing wrong, if I LOVE those people and love Tate"
To that I can only say :
yassss
She organises a press conference and suddenly Rory the man that he is, speaks up for her and aayd "if it's not to everyone's liking you can f yourselves" - or something like that
ahhhhhhh
and then Tate comes and stands up for her too💓.
yeah so they win the cup and Tate and Jordan stay together. and they all lived happily ever after.
And the end?!?!?!?!?!
ahem ahem
Rory miller is the new storm coach aaaaaaa?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thank you so much STEPHANIE ARCHER AND HER TEAM for giving me the ARC throughout this wonderful series .
It really has a special place in my heart 💖💓♥️💓
p.s. I LOVE when the author doesn't things like "there's a mouse and the fmc is scared so she rushes into the mmc's room and they sleep tgthr cuz she's scared "
ok so i am left with only 80 pages ....
There's no better time than NOW to get the ARC + ALC after almost seeing everything twice and thrice after doing laser in my eyes
Jordan isn't close to her father aka Ross since all he did when she was young was 🏒hockey🏒. He missed her b-days, school things and even her mother's funeral. That's why she doesn't even look at him. So he asks Tate Ward, the Vancouver Storm's coach to check on her from time to time. And he does so, going into her bar, the flamingo (which I got the Christmas card to ahhhhh)
They dislike eachother since the beginning. Tate doesn't like her cuz he likes Ross, who was his coach and gave him the opportunity to be the Vancouver Storms coach.
Jordan didn't finish her hockey degree or something like that, she left one month before...
She makes everyone believe that she hates hockey btu she doesn't really detest it as people might think.
So we're back at the beginning. I LOOOVVVEEE the way they bicker at each other in the beginning
suddenly, when Ross invites Ward into his office, he tells him that he wants to SELL the team !!!!!!
He tells him that hockey is not everything for him and he needs Jordan to take over the team, since she's his daughter...
Even though she doesn't like Tate, she likes the team, she sees how they party and celebrate in the filthy flamingo and her heart breaks for the team players and their wives and gf. Also for her bff georgina.
to be honest, I don't know why, but I imagined Ward being the definition of Alexei, curly and brunette hair....why ???? guess that's my type of hockey hotness.
So the more time they spend with eachother the less they bicker but they still do. She brings him disgusting coffee every morning and he drinks it .
Alsooooo, before that, in one of the earlier days when Jordan began to work there...as she went home with Ward, somehow he took her home (Stephanie Archer is so good in these things), and it was raining, all her things were outside, her cassette, a platform, ...all soaked and Tate says to her "ask me Jordan"
Ahhhhhhhhh so hawt
Ross makes demands that Tate needs to be in every party, press conference and so on with Jordan!
At one point, Tate asks Jordan why she avoids her father so much, and she asks him if Ross told her. He didn't but he asked him and turns out that Ross didn't attend the funeral because he took Ward to rehab. He had a drinking problem but when his daughter was born, he wanted to change for the better, and asked Ross for help.
Since Tate knows that Jordan isn't really as heartless as he thought and the way they live tgrth and cannot fight their attraction towards one another 😍😍😍😍 ahhhhhh 😍😍😍!!!!
Because Tate can't stay away from her even though he told her in the beginning that they cannot be, he kisses her, tells her that maybe they should be a casual thing until playoff and then see what happens...and they do it.
Meanwhile, Bea, Ward's daughter and jordan get so close to eachother that it's soooo sweet. When she takes Bea from school or kindergarten (don't really remember sry), and kids took her guitar, Jordan steps up for her and curses at these kids hahahahaha.she then goes to the store to repair the strings.
And the same night, Tate comes into her room (in his house), and kisses her and mmmmmmm.....
Miller, hot miller, gets unfortunately injured and since then they loose every game (i am so sad, he's literally my most fav character i am breaking everything apart, crying, throwing, throwing up,screaming,....) and the team gets out of the season. Luckily some teams looses the play off or smthing and they take the wild card, which means, there's still a chance for them to win!
Jordans gets back working at the bar, and she's of course sad but she Ward comes in. He normally doesn't drink since his drinking problem back then but just when to the bar to see Jordan. That's when he realised that he is in love with her and she thanks him for coming to him at his most vulnerable time (to be honest, i think I would actually the same).
Jordan is literally so sweet and nice and she even starts tk get along with her dad, since he told her that every time things got hard he left everything and did something with hockey that kept him occupied and she realized that Ross didn't choose Tate or hockey over him. it was just his way of dealing with things.
DO NOT MAKE ME EMOTIONAL !!!
That time at the bar when Tate came to see Jordan to calm himself down, Owen or Miller came in and said that LA lost and now I realize that I already wrote that 😳!
Jordan and Coach Ward make the team players games so that they're motivation will come back and it helps. They also change the team's play structures and players. They both like the hockey team and Jordan realizes that she too, falls in live with Tate :))
He even invites her to Holly (Bea's mother, turns out Ward and Holly were just friends he was drunk and impregnated her they weren't even gf and bf hahaha).
Bea even draws a pic for mother's day to Jordan, who gets very sentimental and emotional. 💓💓
just before the final game, rumors about jordan and ward start spreading and jordan doesn't want to loose the Storm's reputation and she wants to hide in her room but then she thinks "why do i have to hide if I did nothing wrong, if I LOVE those people and love Tate"
To that I can only say :
yassss
She organises a press conference and suddenly Rory the man that he is, speaks up for her and aayd "if it's not to everyone's liking you can f yourselves" - or something like that
ahhhhhhh
and then Tate comes and stands up for her too💓.
yeah so they win the cup and Tate and Jordan stay together. and they all lived happily ever after.
And the end?!?!?!?!?!
ahem ahem
Rory miller is the new storm coach aaaaaaa?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Thank you so much STEPHANIE ARCHER AND HER TEAM for giving me the ARC throughout this wonderful series .
It really has a special place in my heart 💖💓♥️💓
p.s. I LOVE when the author doesn't things like "there's a mouse and the fmc is scared so she rushes into the mmc's room and they sleep tgthr cuz she's scared "
February 7, 2026
Decent enough. None of the plot is plausible, but as long as you don't burn brain cells trying to prove to yourself why various scenarios would never actually happen, then you'll be fine.
What I was less fine with was the romance plot trajectory. I don't need the romance in a book to be linear (often, the romance is better when it is not), but the romance in this book was ALL OVER THE PLACE. They don't like each other, but then they do, then can't get together because they work together but break that rule numerous times, to then being casual, but not really and that's not even taking their own personal hang-ups into consideration. All the hang-ups, doubts and conflicts were too overwhelming and unbelievable. Do it, or don't. Fish or cut bait. Put up or shut up. BUT DO SOMETHING other than teeter. Ugh.
Anyway, the rest of the book is okay. There are A LOT of overly cheesy moments within this book, all of which leaned heavily into the immature and unbelievable realm, but I didn't dwell on those moments too heavily. I got bored by 50% through, though. This book is nearly 450 pages. That's way too many pages to seesaw a romance. I imagine the book would have been better had it been edited down and finessed.
Despite those issues, I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it either. 🤷🏻♀️
What I was less fine with was the romance plot trajectory. I don't need the romance in a book to be linear (often, the romance is better when it is not), but the romance in this book was ALL OVER THE PLACE. They don't like each other, but then they do, then can't get together because they work together but break that rule numerous times, to then being casual, but not really and that's not even taking their own personal hang-ups into consideration. All the hang-ups, doubts and conflicts were too overwhelming and unbelievable. Do it, or don't. Fish or cut bait. Put up or shut up. BUT DO SOMETHING other than teeter. Ugh.
Anyway, the rest of the book is okay. There are A LOT of overly cheesy moments within this book, all of which leaned heavily into the immature and unbelievable realm, but I didn't dwell on those moments too heavily. I got bored by 50% through, though. This book is nearly 450 pages. That's way too many pages to seesaw a romance. I imagine the book would have been better had it been edited down and finessed.
Despite those issues, I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it either. 🤷🏻♀️
February 24, 2026
3.5 ⭐
➳ started 2/17/26
➳ finished on 2/21/26
i'm in the biggest review slump but i did enjoy this!! it wasnt the best but also not the worst. i love and relate to jordan so much and im so happy we got to see her character development. i dont think any other hockey romance will ever compare to the 2nd book of this series, so i am sad to see this series coming to the end :( praying for a spinoff series 🤞🏻🤞🏻
--
i started this last night and forgot to update but i really need a book i don't have to focus on so here we go 👀
➳ started 2/17/26
➳ finished on 2/21/26
i'm in the biggest review slump but i did enjoy this!! it wasnt the best but also not the worst. i love and relate to jordan so much and im so happy we got to see her character development. i dont think any other hockey romance will ever compare to the 2nd book of this series, so i am sad to see this series coming to the end :( praying for a spinoff series 🤞🏻🤞🏻
--
i started this last night and forgot to update but i really need a book i don't have to focus on so here we go 👀
January 31, 2026
The entire Vancouver Storm team and one feral alley cat: Jordan you need to be with Tate.
Jordan Hathaway’s safe space is the Filthy Flamingo, the bar she manages in Vancouver and home away from home for the local hockey team. Behind the bar she can avoid her past failures and the fraught relationship with her father, the owner of the Vancouver Storms team. Breaking that peace is Tate Ward, Vancouver Storm’s coach stuck checking in on Jordan every now and again despite the fact that they cannot stand one another. When her father announces his plans to sell the team Jordan is thrust into the orbit of hockey, her second love and the thing her father chose over family time and time again. A defining choice: to take over the team or let it extinguish right as it is on the brink of making history—something Tate is not willing to let Jordan decide alone.
The Wild Card is a hockey romance to end all hockey romances. Seamlessly a hard hitting look at the lives we lead for others and the power that comes from opening ourselves up to authentic connection, it’s a romance fueled by misunderstanding, coffee runs, clothing mishaps, and forgiveness. I’m always going to crave a true hate to love story where we get to crack open the interiority of our characters and pour over the details. Wild Card doesn’t rush headlong into the romance, instead opting to establish our two leads and the issues they have to surmount—earning every single one of its almost five hundred pages. Tate and Jordan are two feral cats at a standoff (which is why it’s even funnier they get roped into coparenting a stray cat together). The Wild Card expertly contrasts the bitterness and grief packaged into a chaotic five foot tall bartender, and a stoic controlled hockey coach trying to hold it all together. Sharp, steamy, and brimming with delicious tension, The Wild Card is not just the best Vancouver Storm novel, it belongs in the hockey romance hall of fame.
Read my review
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing the review copy.
Bookstagram | Blog
Jordan Hathaway’s safe space is the Filthy Flamingo, the bar she manages in Vancouver and home away from home for the local hockey team. Behind the bar she can avoid her past failures and the fraught relationship with her father, the owner of the Vancouver Storms team. Breaking that peace is Tate Ward, Vancouver Storm’s coach stuck checking in on Jordan every now and again despite the fact that they cannot stand one another. When her father announces his plans to sell the team Jordan is thrust into the orbit of hockey, her second love and the thing her father chose over family time and time again. A defining choice: to take over the team or let it extinguish right as it is on the brink of making history—something Tate is not willing to let Jordan decide alone.
The Wild Card is a hockey romance to end all hockey romances. Seamlessly a hard hitting look at the lives we lead for others and the power that comes from opening ourselves up to authentic connection, it’s a romance fueled by misunderstanding, coffee runs, clothing mishaps, and forgiveness. I’m always going to crave a true hate to love story where we get to crack open the interiority of our characters and pour over the details. Wild Card doesn’t rush headlong into the romance, instead opting to establish our two leads and the issues they have to surmount—earning every single one of its almost five hundred pages. Tate and Jordan are two feral cats at a standoff (which is why it’s even funnier they get roped into coparenting a stray cat together). The Wild Card expertly contrasts the bitterness and grief packaged into a chaotic five foot tall bartender, and a stoic controlled hockey coach trying to hold it all together. Sharp, steamy, and brimming with delicious tension, The Wild Card is not just the best Vancouver Storm novel, it belongs in the hockey romance hall of fame.
Read my review
thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing the review copy.
Bookstagram | Blog
February 8, 2026
Yesss, I’ve been waiting for this one, and it didn’t disappoint!
"How do I tell the woman I’m not supposed to be messing around with that when I look up at the night sky, I think about her?"
We already met Jordan (FMC) the owner of Filthy Flamingo bar, and Tate (MMC), the coach of the Vancouver Storm hockey team in previous books in the series.
Jordan's father pressures her to take over the hockey team, threatening to sell it otherwise. So this forces the MCs to work together, further intensifying their existing tension.
Their little game of teasing and banter is their way of flirting with each other, totally dig it 🔝🔥
"She likes being right. No, she loves being right. It’s fascinating, seeing Jordan Hathaway enjoy something like this.
“You were right and I was wrong,” I say, because I want more.
Her eyes roll back and she groans. Blood rushes to my cock, sudden and violent, and oh, fuck. She can’t be making noises like that in front of me."
And that initial, magnetic pull soon spiraled into something far more dangerous and genuine - deep-rooted feelings neither of them could no longer ignore.
I’ve only read the first two books, so I didn’t know Tate was a father. Not my favorite trope, but it’s handled well and didn’t bother me here.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the book, but I always feel a bit let down when sizzling chemistry between MCs drops when they finally sleep together and even those scenes felt kinda rushed.
That press conference bit near the end, was cringe
af for me 😭😭
The group’s matchmaking attempts to pair MCs up was hilarious, I was laughing my ass off
“You’re embarrassed? Jordan, they included pictures of the back of my head to show how I still have all my hair.”
Ah and Rory… a man after my heart, I missed him! Definitely need to re-read his book with Hazel, again🙂↕️
SAFETY
h - experienced. it’s been a while for her. only brief mentions that H is completely different from everyone she hooked up.
H - has a daughter. he was drunk the night it happened, doesn’t remember it and doesn’t know why it even happened.
it’s been “years” for him, and since daughter entered the picture - his dating life was nonexistent.
Mother of the child is in the picture, they co-parent and she’s fully is supportive of MCs relationship. Mention in epilogue of h and her being close friends.
OW drama - h assumes H is on the date while he weren’t.
OM drama - few jealousy scenes. h kisses Hs brother on the cheek on the kiss cam, she didn’t think any of it and he did it to make H jealous and to act on his feelings.
No cheating/sharing
_____________________________________________________
"“Twice in one day?” I ask. Let’s get the attention off me. “What’s the matter, couldn’t get enough of me?”
His eyes dip to my mouth and my stomach does a slow roll forward."
"Tate Ward is going to ruin me. Nothing will ever be as good as this, right here, grinding on his lap."
"I love her and I need her, and more than anything, I want her. I want her so fucking badly, every part of her. I want to make her mine, have her offer her entire self to me and consume her with greed."
“I can’t believe you got a tattoo for me.” I shake my head. “Tattoos are forever, Tate.” “I know.” He leans down, kisses me, and smiles against my lips. “So are we.”
"Why do I keep telling him things? It’s like he’s casting a spell on me, getting me to show him little pieces of myself."
“You take care of everyone but yourself.” I give him a few hard strokes, fascinated by the way his head falls back. “That’s okay, though. That’s what I’m for.”
"How do I tell the woman I’m not supposed to be messing around with that when I look up at the night sky, I think about her?"
We already met Jordan (FMC) the owner of Filthy Flamingo bar, and Tate (MMC), the coach of the Vancouver Storm hockey team in previous books in the series.
Jordan's father pressures her to take over the hockey team, threatening to sell it otherwise. So this forces the MCs to work together, further intensifying their existing tension.
Their little game of teasing and banter is their way of flirting with each other, totally dig it 🔝🔥
"She likes being right. No, she loves being right. It’s fascinating, seeing Jordan Hathaway enjoy something like this.
“You were right and I was wrong,” I say, because I want more.
Her eyes roll back and she groans. Blood rushes to my cock, sudden and violent, and oh, fuck. She can’t be making noises like that in front of me."
And that initial, magnetic pull soon spiraled into something far more dangerous and genuine - deep-rooted feelings neither of them could no longer ignore.
I’ve only read the first two books, so I didn’t know Tate was a father. Not my favorite trope, but it’s handled well and didn’t bother me here.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the book, but I always feel a bit let down when sizzling chemistry between MCs drops when they finally sleep together and even those scenes felt kinda rushed.
That press conference bit near the end, was cringe
af for me 😭😭
The group’s matchmaking attempts to pair MCs up was hilarious, I was laughing my ass off
“You’re embarrassed? Jordan, they included pictures of the back of my head to show how I still have all my hair.”
Ah and Rory… a man after my heart, I missed him! Definitely need to re-read his book with Hazel, again🙂↕️
SAFETY
h - experienced. it’s been a while for her. only brief mentions that H is completely different from everyone she hooked up.
H - has a daughter. he was drunk the night it happened, doesn’t remember it and doesn’t know why it even happened.
it’s been “years” for him, and since daughter entered the picture - his dating life was nonexistent.
Mother of the child is in the picture, they co-parent and she’s fully is supportive of MCs relationship. Mention in epilogue of h and her being close friends.
OW drama - h assumes H is on the date while he weren’t.
OM drama - few jealousy scenes. h kisses Hs brother on the cheek on the kiss cam, she didn’t think any of it and he did it to make H jealous and to act on his feelings.
No cheating/sharing
_____________________________________________________
"“Twice in one day?” I ask. Let’s get the attention off me. “What’s the matter, couldn’t get enough of me?”
His eyes dip to my mouth and my stomach does a slow roll forward."
"Tate Ward is going to ruin me. Nothing will ever be as good as this, right here, grinding on his lap."
"I love her and I need her, and more than anything, I want her. I want her so fucking badly, every part of her. I want to make her mine, have her offer her entire self to me and consume her with greed."
“I can’t believe you got a tattoo for me.” I shake my head. “Tattoos are forever, Tate.” “I know.” He leans down, kisses me, and smiles against my lips. “So are we.”
"Why do I keep telling him things? It’s like he’s casting a spell on me, getting me to show him little pieces of myself."
“You take care of everyone but yourself.” I give him a few hard strokes, fascinated by the way his head falls back. “That’s okay, though. That’s what I’m for.”
February 9, 2026
3.75 ⭐️’s I feel so conflicted about this rating because this series has become such a comfort read for me and I love all these characters!!
A single hot daddy will get me every time and I was obsessed with Tate!! And Jordan!! At first I was iffy about her, but she grew one me along the way. I loved her so much and related to her in so many ways!
Tate and Jordan were so perfect together , but I feel like they lacked chemistry at times !! I am all for a slow burn, but this one was dragging and it took so much time of them being together , I needed more 😭 I feel like the book focused on other aspects rather than the romance in certain moments and we hardly got any moments of Tate and Jordan as a couple !! also the pacing was off a bit , and some scenes felt so rushed towards the end!!
I did love seeing all the characters included throughout the story ( I will never get over them!!) and the epilogue was everything!! I loved the way it ended and I’m excited for the next series to come.
So sad to be saying goodbye to this found family!! 🥲
A single hot daddy will get me every time and I was obsessed with Tate!! And Jordan!! At first I was iffy about her, but she grew one me along the way. I loved her so much and related to her in so many ways!
Tate and Jordan were so perfect together , but I feel like they lacked chemistry at times !! I am all for a slow burn, but this one was dragging and it took so much time of them being together , I needed more 😭 I feel like the book focused on other aspects rather than the romance in certain moments and we hardly got any moments of Tate and Jordan as a couple !! also the pacing was off a bit , and some scenes felt so rushed towards the end!!
I did love seeing all the characters included throughout the story ( I will never get over them!!) and the epilogue was everything!! I loved the way it ended and I’m excited for the next series to come.
So sad to be saying goodbye to this found family!! 🥲
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