Behind the Net by Stephanie Archer

Behind the Net,  The Spicy Hockey Romance You Will Not Be Able to Put Down

About the Book

Behind the Net is the first book in Stephanie Archer’s beloved Vancouver Storm series. It is a contemporary romance about two people fighting their feelings while sharing a roof, a team schedule, and way too much unresolved tension. If you love slow burn romance, grumpy heroes with hidden soft sides, and stories that leave you smiling long after the last page, this book was written for you.

From the Back Cover

She swore off heartbreak. He swore off distractions. Neither of them planned on this.

Aspiring musician Pippa Hartley needs a fresh start after her ex destroyed both her confidence and her music career. Her new job as a personal assistant to Jamie Streicher, a star NHL goalie with the Vancouver Storm, seems straightforward enough. The problem? Jamie is the same brooding, impossibly good-looking hockey player she had a quiet crush on back in high school. He barely remembers her. He is gruff, demanding, and completely off limits. Moving into his place was definitely not part of the plan.

About the Author

Stephanie Archer is a bestselling romance author based in Vancouver, Canada. She writes spicy, laugh-out-loud romantic comedies filled with sharp banter, emotionally layered characters, and guaranteed happily ever afters. Her Vancouver Storm series went viral on BookTok and has earned her a devoted global readership. She is also the author of the Queens Cove series.

Who Is This Book For?

This book is perfect for romance readers aged 18 and above who love slow burn tension, enemies-to-lovers energy, and heartfelt emotional payoffs wrapped in a fun, fast-paced story. If you enjoy spicy contemporary romance with a strong female lead, a grumpy but secretly tender hero, and a hockey backdrop, Behind the Net will hit every note.

It is also a great pick for BookTok fans, sports romance lovers, and anyone looking for a feel-good read that balances heat with genuine emotional depth.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Is Behind the Net a standalone romance or do I need to read it in order? Behind the Net works perfectly as a standalone novel. You do not need to read anything else first to enjoy Pippa and Jamie’s full story. However, it is also the first book in the Vancouver Storm series, so reading it first gives you the best introduction to the world and the characters who appear in the later books.

Q2: How spicy is Behind the Net by Stephanie Archer? This book is intended for adult readers 18 and above. It contains multiple explicit romantic scenes alongside the emotional romance storyline. Readers often describe it as having a good balance of heat and heartfelt moments rather than being purely spice-driven.

Q3: What romance tropes are in Behind the Net? Behind the Net features grumpy sunshine, slow burn, forced proximity, boss and employee tension, roommates, and a boy-obsessed hero. It also includes a second-chance-style element since the characters share a history from high school. There is no third-act breakup, which many readers find refreshing.

Q4: Is Behind the Net part of a series and will I need to buy more books? Yes, it is Book 1 in the Vancouver Storm series, which currently includes several books featuring other members of the hockey team. Each book follows a different couple and can be read as a standalone, but fans typically enjoy continuing the series to revisit the world and side characters they fall in love with in this first installment.