Behind the Net (Vancouver Storm #1)
If you're obsessed with hockey romance featuring a veteran player and the journalist assigned to cover him, this professional tension is addictive!
Jamie Streicher is everything I want in a grumpy goalie hero - intimidating and protective without crossing into toxic territory. What I loved most about Archer's characterization is how she shows us Jamie's competitive drive transforming into genuine care when he learns about the heroine's past trauma. Instead of making him possessive or controlling, she channels that intensity into something supportive and healing. That distinction is everything in contemporary romance, and Archer gets it exactly right.
But honestly, what made this book special for me was watching the heroine reclaim her music. Her journey back to songwriting after having her dreams crushed felt so authentic and earned. I've seen too many romance novels where the heroine's career becomes secondary to the relationship, but here, Jamie becomes this catalyst for her artistic rediscovery rather than a distraction from it. Their connection actually strengthens her creative voice, which is just beautiful storytelling.
The live-in assistant setup could have felt super contrived, but Archer makes it work by building their relationship through these small, genuine moments. The way she layers in shared vulnerabilities and quiet intimacy made their eventual romance feel completely inevitable - like, of course, these two broken people would find healing in each other.
I appreciated how the hockey world doesn't overwhelm the emotional core of the story. Archer uses the team dynamics to explore themes of loyalty and found family without getting lost in game details that might lose non-sports fans. The Vancouver Storm setting feels lived-in and authentic.
The steam level hits that perfect sweet spot where the physical chemistry feels completely rooted in their emotional connection. Every intimate scene serves the character development, which makes the whole narrative so much stronger and more satisfying.
While the bones of this story follow familiar romance patterns, Archer's execution feels fresh and engaging throughout. She launches the Vancouver Storm series with really solid character work and a romantic arc that delivers all the feels while standing beautifully on its own. Definitely adding the rest of this series to my TBR immediately!
Ratings: 4.1/5 Hockey Pucks✨
