Stephanie Archer

A rom-com set in Canada! YESSSSS. Thank you for writing this! Finally, a book is set somewhere in Canada besides Toronto, Montreal, or Vancouver, and it’s a small town. Canada is full of amazing small towns, especially along our coasts and they are the perfect setting for a romance novel. The different characters in Queen’s Cove were amazing, so perfectly weird, and friendly just like real life and I am desperate to hear Hannah’s story and any others that come out of Queen’s Cove.
I show more loved how both MCs had huge ambition and strong personalities and didn’t diminish either to be together. Each page had a new twist and turn and the level of jabs they landed on each other was next level. THE TURTLES!!!! They were the gift that kept on giving, you should read this for the turtle storyline alone it was hilarious.
I laughed and cried while reading this one and there was spice! A truly laugh-out-loud rom-com is hard to find and this one brings that plus a lot of emotion. Stephanie Archer is officially on my auto-buy list and not just because she is Canadian (although that makes her much cooler), but because I know I will finish her books happier.
I don’t want to spoil a thing because everyone should read this, a new favourite for feel-good romcoms with fake dating and a mayoral race what could go wrong?
p.s. Stephanie, I will happily take all Queen’s Cove books immediately as repayment for scaring the heck of me at the end

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. show less

Anyone else ever need a bit of a “palate cleanser” once in awhile? A book, series, or author that you know will be amazing without a doubt? That’s what the Vancouver Storm series is for me 🤩🤩

Gloves Off earns a well deserved 5 ⭐️’s. Alexei and Georgia are a match made in heaven, even if it took them 300+ pages to admit it☺️ Stephanie knew exactly how to do a marriage of convenience trope that draws smiles, laughter, blushing, and leaves your eyes burning 🥲. I lovedddd show more Alexei’s possessiveness and jealousy. He showed so much character development between loving Georgia and training his rookie. Too bad that Georgia’s other “boyfriends” Damon and Stefan almost ruined Georgia and Alexei’s relationship… jk, read the book to find out more 🐇🐰 show less

review - https://booksteacupreviews.com/2024/02/23/the-fake-out-by-stephanie-archer-fake-...

The Fake Out is delightful and fun fake dating hockey romance that follows story of Hazel and Rory.

Hazel works as physio for Vancouver Storm team. She has a strict rule of never dating and a one-night stand only once time with one guy. She has been fending off Rory’s flirty onslaught ever since he was traded to Vancouver Storm team but when Hazel’s horrible ex is drafted to the team who is also show more Rory’s nemesis, Hazel has to put her rules aside.

To get back at her ex and for Rory to make his image as the captain of the team better, they both plan to fake date. But as they get closer the line between fake and real blurs making it hard for both to stick to their rules.

I absolutely loved this from the beginning. The writing is perfect, not slow like the previous book and yet has the right amount of build-up. The plot is filled with banter, entertainment, romance, hockey, and spice. Characters are the heart of the story.

Hazel is burnt by her ex so horribly that it destroyed her trust in relationship. She made a rule to never date a hockey guy or any guy and when she see her ex back, it shake her up badly. I loved her no-nonsense, strong, and bold persona and even more how she faced her ex.

It was amazing to see how she admitted how wrong she was about Rory, learned not to judge him based on past, and how getting closer to Rory not only helped her heal from the past but also gave her the strength to work on getting her own studio. Loved the representation of body positivity/inclusivity through Hazel’s passion for yoga and her issues with her mother. It was inspiring to read her thoughts about the subject throughout the book.

Rory is the best hero. Outside he is cocky and arrogant but inside he is most caring and observant with the softest heart. In the last book, we could see how messed up he was because of his father and playing as he was groomed made him star but now it isn’t making him happy. It amazing to see how being with Hazel not just made him want to be a better person but also to be a better captain and change is game by being a team player. I also loved how relationship with Hazel made him address issues with his parents.

Romance is amazing with hot chemistry, many spicy scenes, and also lots of lovely adorable moments. The way they both left all the layers they were wearing and showed who they were and falling for each other was beautiful. Things they did to make Hazel’s ex jealous were hilarious and all the lingerie Rory bought for Hazel is outstanding. (I hope it inspires my husband a bit. show less

I received a free digital copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

I start by saying I enjoyed very much this book and I couldn’t put it down till the end. I loved the characters and in my opinion they were very well built, I loved as well the context in which the story unfolds and even how the idea of love at first sight was presented. There are however some details I would have wanted the author to pay a little more attention to – these explain the minus one star in my show more rating.

The story is told from Bianka’s perspective, a teenage girl who is taken from her home by some strange men, with her parents’ permission. She will discover an underground world of vampires, with its own set of rules and rulers, where humans are just some blood bags or an entertainment in fighting contests. Between vampire lords and princes, she will understand that her “upside” world is nothing more than a mirage. Adult humans are aware of what lies underneath, but are helpless when harvesting season comes. Bianka decides to train and strengthen her fighting skills so she can return home to protect her friends and family.

Being the first book of the series, it focuses more on Bianka’s development as a fighter, on what determines her to become stronger and a potential threat to the vampires. As a character, she is brave even in the beginning, looking for opportunities to escape and return home. Her impulsiveness will be corrected in weeks of training, as she learns to ponder her options before launching an attack. Even if she feels a strange pull towards her owner, Prince Phillip, she still does not forget her initial decision of becoming a fighter for humanity. She doesn’t fall for him; we don’t see much of the “love at first sight” emotions from her side. Yes, she feels drawn to him and yes she can feel his presence or his deep blue gaze, but she never forgets he is still a vampire, draining people of their blood (even if not as bad as the others).

Prince Phillip is also a fascinating figure. He knows she is his destiny, but does not force his issues on her. If in the beginning his first intention is to lock her in a room as his most precious possession, he understands and accepts her free will and spirit. He respects as well Bianka’s interest in the well being of her friend Marc, even if he is jealous at times. When his single attempt to convince her to stay is denied, his reaction is one of a mature person, as he doesn’t beg her or force her to become his companion.

I would have wanted to understand more about how Lord Hector became regent and how the system in Dawn Hold came to exist, or even how the other fiefs worked. But I bet this will become clear in the next book. What was a little weird was when the men in suits first appeared at the high school and how none of the students seemed to not notice them and would have expected a little more drama when Bianka was taken from home. Other than this, I have no complains. Well, maybe the book cover – I believe it to be not appropriate for the story and could have been better choices.

To conclude, I recommend you to read the book, especially if you are a fan of vampires. It’s a very good read, with some interesting turns and views of the vampire society. I, for one, am looking forward for the new book in the series and I do hope I will not have to wait too long show less