Behind the Net (Vancouver Storm, #1) by Stephanie Archer

hockey romance • boss x assistant • grumpy x sunshine • roommates • fake dating • childhood crush • he falls first • slow burn

A flirty, tension-filled hockey romance where a former high school crush becomes an unexpected second chance at love. Behind the Net delivers swoony domestic moments, laugh-out-loud banter, and a grumpy hockey star who has been secretly carrying a torch for the one woman convinced he'll never remember her.

The Vibe

Pippa Hartley is done chasing people who don't choose her. Determined to focus on her music and leave heartbreak behind, she takes a job as the personal assistant to Vancouver Storm hockey player Jamie Streicher. The only problem? Jamie was the guy she crushed on all through high school... and he doesn't seem to remember she exists.

Jamie has built a reputation as the team's grumpy, intimidating enforcer, but beneath the rough exterior is a man who's been quietly paying attention all along. Living under the same roof means stolen glances become late-night conversations, professional boundaries begin to blur, and pretending to be Pippa's boyfriend to make her ex jealous starts feeling a little too real.

As Jamie cheers on Pippa's dreams, spoils her with thoughtful gestures, and proves he's far sweeter than anyone expects, old feelings turn into something impossible to ignore. But after one too many broken hearts, Pippa isn't sure she can trust what's growing between them. Jamie will have to prove that this time, she's not the one chasing. She's the one worth fighting for.

Tropes & Tags

• Hockey romance
• Boss x assistant
• Grumpy x sunshine
• Forced proximity
• Live-in assistant
• Fake dating
• Childhood crush
• He falls first
• Mutual pining
• Protective hero
• Slow burn
• Open-door romance

Books in Series (In Order)

• Behind the Net #1
• The Fake Out #2
• The Wingman #3
• Gloves Off #4