Some romances grip you with gut-punch drama. Others? They charm you into falling head over heels with sharp wit, slow-burn heat, and characters who feel real enough to love — or punch — in the best possible way.
Stephanie Archer’s stories do both.
Whether she’s taking us into the heart of small-town romance in Queen’s Cove or throwing us onto the ice with the Vancouver Storm hockey team, Archer crafts emotionally rich, laugh-out-loud love stories that build slowly, burn brightly and always deliver on that sweet spot where love meets growth.
Suppose you’re craving sports romance, enemies-to-lovers tension, fake dating tropes, or grumpy/sunshine perfection. In that case, these books bring it all — with heart, humor, and heroes who may be emotionally constipated but still make you swoon.
Swoon-Worthy Rom-Coms with Depth, Sass, and Slow-Burn Love
Behind the Net (Vancouver Storm)
by Stephanie Archer
He’s a grumpy NHL star. She’s the sunshine he never saw coming. And they’re roommates now? Buckle up.
Behind the Net is the ultimate grumpy/sunshine hockey romance, where a pro athlete recovering from injury ends up under the same roof as the sweet, fiercely independent woman who challenges him at every turn. Cue the sizzling tension, emotional guardrails slowly breaking down, and the forced proximity that makes you wait for that first kiss.
Archer balances the physical heat with emotional vulnerability, allowing both characters to evolve — not just fall in love but become better versions of themselves.
Perfect for sports romance fans with an emotional payoff, roommates-to-lovers, and protective grumps with golden-retriever heroines.
That Kind of Guy (The Queen’s Cove Series)
by Stephanie Archer
This happens when a planner and a wildcard collide — and somehow find a rhythm.
That Kind of Guy brings the small-town magic to life with a story built around opposites attract, fake dating, and enemies-to-lovers banter that crackles from page one. She’s got a list. He breaks every rule. But when they’re forced to pretend they’re dating (you know how that goes), feelings start getting real — fast.
What makes this one shine is the emotional depth beneath the snark. Archer gives us a slow burn that feels earned and a romance rooted in genuine connection, not just sexual chemistry.
A must-read for lovers of fake relationship tropes, small-town charm, and grumpy but secretly sweet heroes who fall hard.
The Wrong Mr. Right
by Stephanie Archer
Sometimes, your worst idea turns out to be your best decision.
In The Wrong Mr. Right, Stephanie Archer flips the script on the opposites attract romance with a heroine who’s structured, meticulous, and done with unreliable men — until a reckless, emotionally unavailable charmer appears in her life and refuses to be ignored.
This book delivers on angst, humor, and sizzling slow-burn chemistry, with two characters who shouldn’t work… and yet absolutely do. Archer lets their dynamic breathe, giving us space to enjoy the banter, feel the conflict, and root for every vulnerable breakthrough along the way.
Best for readers who love high-tension, character-driven contemporary romance with messy emotions, sharp dialogue, and the kind of ending that feels like a warm hug.
The Fake Out (Vancouver Storm)
by Stephanie Archer
A fake relationship with a cocky hockey player? What could go wrong?
The Fake Out is a hockey romance rom-com that hits every note — witty banter, fake dating tension, and that delicious will-they-won’t-they dynamic that keeps you flipping pages late into the night. The hero is all swagger and soft center, and the heroine gives as good as she gets.
But this book is more than just flirtation and laughs — Archer gives both characters emotional arcs that go beyond the romance, touching on identity, vulnerability, and what it means to be seen.
A top pick for fans of fake dating sports romance, MMW (man melts when she’s mad) energy, and romantic comedies with serious hearts.
In Your Dreams, Holden Rhodes (The Queen’s Cove Series)
by Stephanie Archer
When your teenage nemesis becomes your adult fantasy, things get complicated fast.
In Your Dreams, Holden Rhodes is a full-throttle enemies-to-lovers ride, drenched in Queen’s Cove nostalgia and fueled by years of unresolved tension. The heroine is smart, determined, and over Holden — or so she thinks. As for Holden? He’s cocky, emotionally unavailable, and hiding a lot more than he lets on.
Expect delicious tension, simmering slow-burn chemistry, and a love story that unfolds like a long-awaited exhale. This one’s packed with humor, heat, and emotional depth that’ll catch you by surprise in the best way.
Perfect for readers who devour second-chance enemies-to-lovers, snarky heroines, and heroes who learn to be vulnerable without losing their edge.
Final Thoughts
Stephanie Archer writes romance that feels — full of heart, heat, and the kind of characters who linger long after the last page. Whether you’re craving sports romance with spice, small-town charm, or fake dating hijinks that turn unexpectedly real, her books always deliver.
These stories aren’t just about falling in love and earning it. Through vulnerability. Through humor. Through the messy, beautiful process of letting someone in.
So grab your ice skates or head to Queen’s Cove because no matter which story you start with, you’re in for a romance that’s sexy, smart, and unforgettable.
