Behind the Net by Stephanie Archer

 

Publish June 30th 2023

Read May 30th-31st 2026

Book Review: Behind the Net by Stephanie Archer

Synopsis

The story follows Pippa Hartley, a musician trying to rebuild her life after a devastating breakup that left her confidence shaken and her ambitions in pieces. Desperate for a fresh start, she accepts a position as a live-in assistant for Jamie Streicher, the notoriously grumpy and emotionally guarded goalie for the Vancouver Storm.

Their relationship begins on rocky ground. Jamie is brooding, distant, and clearly carrying emotional baggage, while Pippa is determined to maintain professionalism despite her own vulnerability. However, proximity begins to chip away at their defenses. As they spend more time together, Pippa uncovers Jamie’s quieter, protective side, while Jamie becomes an unexpected source of encouragement for Pippa’s music and self-worth. What begins as tension slowly evolves into a tender, slow-burn romance built on trust, growth, and undeniable chemistry.

Characters — 9/10

One of the novel’s greatest strengths lies in its characters. Jamie embodies the classic “grumpy hero” trope, but he’s more than just a moody athlete—he’s a deeply burdened individual whose emotional walls feel earned rather than performative. His journey toward vulnerability is both believable and rewarding.

Pippa, on the other hand, is easy to root for from the start. She’s navigating heartbreak and self-doubt, standing at a crossroads where her dreams feel just out of reach. Her resilience and gradual rediscovery of confidence make her arc particularly satisfying.

Together, they complement each other beautifully. Both characters undergo meaningful growth, shedding their insecurities and evolving into stronger, more self-aware versions of themselves. Even though the endgame feels inevitable, their journey keeps you invested—you’re not just expecting them to get together, you genuinely want them to.

Atmosphere — 7/10

Archer does a solid job creating an immersive setting, particularly with the Vancouver backdrop. Even for readers unfamiliar with colder climates, the environment feels vivid enough to spark curiosity—there’s a sense of place that adds charm to the story.

That said, the hockey element feels slightly underutilized. While the professional sports setting provides a strong foundation, there’s a noticeable lack of on-ice action. A bit more gameplay or insight into the sport itself could have elevated the atmosphere further and added depth to Jamie’s world.

Writing Style — 7/10

The writing is approachable, light, and easy to move through—perfect for a romance that prioritizes emotional connection and readability. Archer strikes a nice balance with the more intimate scenes: they’re neither rushed nor overly drawn out, and they effectively convey the passion and chemistry between the characters.

However, the tone leans heavily into a soft, almost “fluffy” style that may not work for everyone. Certain pet names—“songbird” and “gorgeous”in particular—feel overused and may come across as cringeworthy depending on your taste.

Plot — 7/10

The plot follows a well-trodden path: employer/employee romance meets a hint of past connection, layered with emotional baggage and external conflicts. While it doesn’t break new ground, it doesn’t necessarily need to. The familiar structure allows the characters and their relationship to take center stage.

There are predictable moments—misunderstandings, outside pressures, emotional setbacks—but they’re executed well enough to maintain engagement. Ultimately, the story delivers a satisfying and neatly wrapped conclusion that leaves you smiling.

Intrigue — 8/10

Despite the predictability of the romance, the book remains highly engaging. The tension between Pippa and Jamie is carefully built and sustained, making their slow-burn dynamic incredibly compelling.

It’s the kind of story that’s hard to put down—you may know where it’s headed, but the emotional payoff keeps you turning pages. The pacing works in its favor, balancing quieter character moments with enough momentum to keep things interesting.

Logic — 7/10

For the most part, the story stays consistent within the rules it sets for itself. Character motivations and plot developments feel reasonable and grounded.

There are a few moments that stretch believability—most notably a New Year’s Eve scene involving the team showing up in a small town despite being based elsewhere. It’s a minor hiccup, but noticeable enough to momentarily pull you out of the story.

Overall Enjoyment — 9/10

At the end of the day, Behind the Net is simply a joy to read. It doesn’t aim to be overly heavy or complicated, and that works in its favor. The characters are lovable, the romance is satisfying, and the emotional beats land where they need to.

It’s the kind of book you can breeze through in a short amount of time, completely absorbed in the relationship and rooting for a happy ending.

Final Verdict — 7.7 / 10 (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)

Behind the Net is a charming and emotionally engaging romance that delivers exactly what it promises. While it leans on familiar tropes and plays things relatively safe, its strong character work and well-paced tension make it a standout in the genre.

Even though the outcome feels inevitable, the journey is what makes it worthwhile. Archer creates a connection between Pippa and Jamie that keeps you invested from start to finish—and might even give you a few unexpected “feels” along the way.

If this is your first Stephanie Archer read, it’s a great introduction—and definitely enough to make you curious about picking up her next book, The Fake Out.

The Graham Effect by Elle Kennedy

Published October 31st 2023

Read May 25th- 26th 2026

 The Graham Effect— Book Review

The Graham Effect centers on Gigi Graham, the fiercely driven daughter of a hockey legend who is determined to carve out her own legacy on the women’s hockey team. With a famous last name looming over her every move, Gigi isn’t just playing to win—she’s playing to prove she belongs. Her ultimate goal is Team USA, a dream that feels even more significant because it’s the one milestone her Hall of Fame father never achieved.

Enter Luke Ryder, a highly skilled but emotionally guarded transfer player whose past has left deep scars. Recently named co-captain by his teammates, Luke is respected on the ice but keeps his personal life tightly locked down. When Gigi and Luke’s paths cross, their connection begins as reluctant cooperation and slowly evolves into something far more meaningful. Gigi helps Luke rediscover his love for the sport, while Luke challenges Gigi to confront her fears about expectations, legacy, and self-worth.

The novel weaves together competitive sports, emotional healing, and romance, ultimately becoming a story about identity, pressure, and learning to trust—both yourself and someone else.

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Characters – 8/10

Gigi Graham is refreshingly ambitious. As one of the top female hockey players in college, she knows exactly what she wants and is willing to work relentlessly for it. Her struggle to step out from her father’s shadow feels authentic, and her determination to make Team USA adds real emotional weight to her journey.

Luke Ryder, the stoic Eastwood hockey transfer, is the perfect contrast to Gigi’s fire. Life hasn’t gone easy on him, and rather than dwelling on his past, Luke chooses silence and control. His quiet strength and emotional restraint make his gradual vulnerability especially rewarding.

Together, Gigi and Luke are incredibly easy to root for. From the very beginning, their chemistry feels natural, and they genuinely bring out the best in each other. Watching them grow individually and as a couple is one of the novel’s biggest strengths.

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Atmosphere – 8/10

Elle Kennedy excels at college-based storytelling, and The Graham Effect is no exception. The campus setting feels alive and immersive—you don’t just read about it, you experience it.

Whether it’s a party at the men’s hockey house or quiet moments around campus, the atmosphere feels believable and familiar. Even though this isn’t the author’s first time writing in this world, the setting never feels stale. Instead, it flows effortlessly and adds depth to the story.

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Writing – 7/10

The writing is smooth and engaging, particularly when it comes to setting and emotional moments. Kennedy’s descriptions make you feel fully submerged in the characters’ world, from the rink to the dorms.

The intimate scenes are handled with elegance—sensual without crossing into anything uncomfortable or overdone. The softer, tender moments between Gigi and Luke are especially charming and often bring an involuntary smile to your face.

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Plot – 8/10

One of the most refreshing aspects of this book is its plot device. Having a female lead who is not only athletic but deeply invested in her own sports career is a welcome change. Too often in this genre, female protagonists are portrayed as bookish or artsy, so seeing a single female hockey player with clear goals and ambition was a pleasant surprise—and one I was fully on board with.

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Intrigue – 8/10

This was a truly unputdownable read. I was completely invested in Gigi and Luke’s relationship and needed to know how things would unfold. The story includes a few unexpected turns that kept the reading experience exciting and emotionally engaging.

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Logic – 7/10

For the most part, the story follows a logical and familiar progression for the genre. The one moment that felt questionable was the marriage. I expected a grand, celebratory affair at the end of the book, not a quick Vegas wedding. While it didn’t ruin the story, it did feel slightly underwhelming compared to what I had anticipated.

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Enjoyment – 8/10

This was a fast, fun, and easy read. It doesn’t require heavy thinking, which is exactly what I’m looking for right now. The pacing keeps things moving, and the emotional payoff makes it well worth the time.

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Final Verdict – 7.71 / 10 (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)

Hockey romances have quietly become my guilty pleasure, and The Graham Effect only deepened that obsession. Once again, Elle Kennedy delivers a story I couldn’t put down, filled with heart, chemistry, and just enough drama to keep things interesting. I’m officially going down the rabbit hole and finishing the Campus Diaries series.

Fake Shot by Julia Connors

Released June 7th 2024 

Read May 8th-9th 2026 

 

Fake Shot by Julia Connors is a contemporary hockey romance that blends humor, heart, and emotional depth. Centered on a star goalie and his best friend’s younger sibling, the story kicks off when a spontaneous public moment spirals into a viral sensation—one that leaves Colt and Jules pretending to be engaged. What begins as a harmless ruse quickly escalates when they’re forced to live together to maintain appearances. As the lines between fake and real blur, both characters must confront vulnerability, anxiety, and the very real possibility of falling in love.

Characters – 7/10

The novel follows Colt and Jules, two well‑drawn leads whose chemistry drives the story.
Colt is the Boston Rebels’ bad‑boy goalie—charismatic, talented, and firmly in the “love ’em and leave ’em” camp. Beneath the confident exterior, however, there’s more depth than his reputation suggests.

Jules is his perfect counterbalance: a no‑nonsense, capable co‑owner of an all‑women construction company. She’s independent, grounded, and refreshingly practical. Adding tension to their relationship is the fact that she’s also the younger sister of Colt’s best friend, which raises the emotional stakes and makes their dynamic even more compelling.

Atmosphere – 7/10

Connors does an excellent job pulling the reader into Colt and Jules’ world. The atmosphere feels warm and immersive—you genuinely feel like part of the Rebels’ extended family. As the second book in the Boston Rebels series and a continuation of Center Ice, the story benefits from an already established world, adding depth and familiarity without alienating newer readers.

Writing – 7/10

The writing flows smoothly and is easy to settle into. The pacing feels natural, and the dialogue is engaging. The adult scenes are handled well—never overdone, but purposeful and additive to the story rather than distracting from it. Connors also succeeds in making readers care about not just the main couple, but the broader cast as well.

Plot – 8/10

The fake relationship/fake engagement trope was a fresh experience for me, and it’s executed seamlessly here. The premise is engaging from the start, and Connors fully commits to it, allowing the story to unfold organically. The balance between romance, humor, and emotional growth keeps the plot moving and satisfying.

Intrigue – 8/10

This book held my attention from beginning to end. It quickly became a page‑turner, driven by the desire to see how the fake engagement would unravel—and whether Colt and Jules would survive the emotional fallout. The characters are easy to invest in, which makes every twist feel meaningful.

Logic – 7/10

Aside from the inherent suspension of disbelief required for a fake engagement storyline, the plot follows a logical and coherent progression. Scenes are easy to visualize, and character motivations generally make sense within the framework of the story.

Enjoyment – 8/10

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It kept my interest throughout and had me reading far later into the night than planned. Once I picked it up, it was genuinely hard to put down.

Final Verdict 7.42/ 4⭐️

This was my second foray into the hockey romance genre, and being the second book in the Boston Rebels series was a definite plus. I was already immersed in the world, which made it even easier to connect with the story. Fake Shot has solidified my desire to continue with the Rebels series. The characters are likable, the world feels welcoming, and the romance delivers exactly what it promises. If you’re looking for a fun, engaging, and slightly indulgent guilty pleasure, this book fits the bill perfectly.

Mile High by Liz Tomaforde

Released June 7th 2022

Read May 23rd-24th

Mile High – Review

Characters – 7/10

Mile High centers on two emotionally guarded characters who, at their core, are simply looking to be loved without conditions.

Stevie Shay is a flight attendant working on the team’s charter, and her struggle with body image is one of her defining traits. Years of relentless criticism from a perfectionist mother have left deep scars—ones that still affect her well into adulthood. Stevie never quite fit into her mother’s vision of who she “should” be, and that lingering rejection bleeds into her personal relationships. She’s fiercely loyal to a fault, staying far too long in friendships that no longer serve her, as well as with an ex who is nothing short of terrible.

Despite this, Stevie has a strong heart. She volunteers at a dog rescue, showing her compassion and softness beneath the feisty exterior. Her support system begins to shift when Indy enters her life as a new best friend, offering a healthier dynamic than what she’s used to. Stevie is also the twin sister of Ryan Shay, an NBA player for the Chicago Devils, which adds another layer to her identity and independence. While she’s bold and sharp-tongued, what Stevie truly needs is confidence—real, lasting confidence that she can wear unapologetically.

Evan Zanders, defenseman for the Chicago Raptors, appears at first glance to be the stereotypical hockey bad boy. However, this image is largely manufactured by an agent who encourages Evan to lean into the womanizer persona for publicity. In reality, Evan is a decent, stand-up person who deeply values family. His relationship with his niece, Ella, highlights his tenderness, and his bond with his best friends—Logan and Miller—grounds him.

Evan’s past explains much of his emotional restraint. His mother left his father for another man during his teenage years, and his father, though physically present, was emotionally absent due to work. These experiences fostered anger issues and deep-seated fears: fear of not being enough, fear of losing financial security, and fear of abandonment. His sister Libby is one of the few consistent anchors in his life.

What works well is how Stevie and Evan mirror each other emotionally. Both have built walls for self-preservation, yet they’re willing to dismantle them—slowly and imperfectly—for one another. Together, they grow in the ways they need most. Stevie learns to step fully into her confidence, while Evan is forced to confront the false image he’s hiding behind and reckon with his unresolved fears. The more time they spend together, the more they bring out the best in each other.

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Atmosphere – 7/10

The story primarily takes place in Chicago, with the added charm of a secondary setting aboard an airplane. There are also brief but effective detours to Nashville and various hotels along the way.

The author does a solid job creating an immersive and believable world. It’s easy to picture yourself squeezed into the galley of a charter plane or standing in a sleek high-rise apartment overlooking the city. The settings feel lived-in and help ground the story, even when the plot itself becomes predictable.

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Writing – 6/10

The writing is serviceable and straightforward. Nothing particularly stands out stylistically, but it generally flows well. Unfortunately, the adult scenes were a weak point. They felt repetitive, overdone, and ultimately boring—I found myself skimming through them rather than engaging with them.

Outside of those scenes, the pacing is smooth. Background characters are introduced at the right moments and tend to deliver just enough information to move the story along without overwhelming it.

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Plot – 6/10

This is a very standard hockey romance plot, and the author follows the genre formula almost beat for beat. While there’s nothing inherently wrong with that, it does mean there are very few surprises.

The biggest issue comes at the resolution. While a grand romantic gesture makes sense, the execution—stopping a parade so Evan can get off the bus—felt over-the-top and borderline ridiculous. Instead of being emotional, it veered into unintentionally comedic territory.

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Intrigue – 6/10

The beginning of the book was genuinely engaging and had strong page-turner energy. However, around the halfway point, the story began to drag. By then, I was more focused on finishing than enjoying the journey. Under normal circumstances, this would have been a DNF for me, but I pushed through to the end.

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Logic – 7/10

From a structural standpoint, the story is solid. There are no glaring plot holes, and the progression of events makes sense. Even with the absurdity of the reunion scene, the overall narrative remains logically consistent and easy to follow.

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Enjoyment – 7/10

The book does exactly what it sets out to do—and that’s part of the problem. It adheres so closely to the hockey romance formula that it becomes predictable and, at times, boring. By the end, I was ready for it to be over rather than eager to savor the conclusion.

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Final Verdict – 6.57/10 (⭐️⭐️⭐️)

Mile High is an easy, fast read, but it lacks emotional depth. The breakup wasn’t nearly as gut-wrenching or impactful as it could have been, which made it difficult to fully invest in the characters. The parade reunion scene was more comical than romantic, and overall, the story didn’t leave a lasting impression.

I’ve read stronger entries in this genre, and it’s unlikely I’ll continue the series. That said, if this book is adapted into an Amazon series, strong casting and tighter storytelling could potentially elevate the material and make it more enjoyable in another format