Still going strong with the Vancouver Storm series, The Wingman by Stephanie Archer marks the third in the series and a best friends-to-lovers sports romance that is cute, steamy, brainy, and emotional. Now’s the time for Hayden and Darcy to rethink their friendship, hash out their fumbled beginnings, and work out what’s really happening between them.

The best way to gain confidence after years with the wrong guy? Hayden Owens—the hottest defenseman in pro hockey, my confident best friend, and my new dating coach.

 He’ll teach me to be a player, but convinces me to practice with him. We’ve been friends for years, but our flirting lessons and practice kisses push the bounds of friendship. We’re roommates, but sleeping in the same bed. He buys me a toy as a favor, but helps me use it. All that relationship stuff he’s always avoided? He doesn’t seem to mind it anymore. Rule number one of being a player is no attachments, but when Hayden sees me picking up other guys, he’s jealous enough that I wonder…maybe my wingman’s been waiting for me all along.

As far as sports romance, especially ice hockey romances go, The Wingman is pretty standard. I can’t say there was anything that really stuck out to me to make this novel memorable, but it was a good read. I felt that the characters were agreeable, the tension well-paced and well-placed given their friendship and the miscommunication/unshared feelings aspect going on between them. I liked seeing more of the characters, especially the in Hayden’s case where what we’ve learnt of him so far isn’t actually the whole picture. I think my favourite part of it all has been the found family aspect of the group (and Volkov’s grumpy snark).

I think I was a little let down with The Wingman in terms of high-energy or at least interesting conflict. I was hoping for there to be something gasp-worthy, maybe something that would make it so there was uncertainty brewing between players and Darcy, or players and the girls in general. Nothing really happened that made me feel immersed in the novel or in the drama that was unfolding. It felt more like Behind the Net than The Fake Out in that sense, so while it wasn’t a bad read it isn’t doing the series any favours in regards to becoming the sports romance series I buy for my shelves.

If you are a sports romance fan and looking for an easy read, The Wingman has you covered. It’s got the bumps and spicy scenes to keep engaged and the read itself is very easy to get through as the chapters are short and sweet. Consider picking up the Vancouver Storm series from the library, book store, or borrowing them from a friend to see what the series is all about.