The Wild Card: Vancouver Storm 5
Tate Ward is the best coach in professional hockey, a hot single dad, one of the best players of all time, and my new boss who likes everyone but me.
The players will do anything for him, the media is obsessed, and the fans still wear his jersey. Everyone’s in love with handsome, authoritative Coach Tate Ward. Everyone except me, and the feeling’s mutual.
To save the Vancouver Storm from being sold, though, we need to work together and win the Stanley Cup, and I can’t help but push his buttons to get under his skin.
He moves me into his guest house and makes me sleep in his bed.
He encourages me with the team and tells me I belong.
He’s adorable with his daughter and makes me long for things I shouldn’t.
Beneath his controlled exterior, Tate is protective, playful, and funny. He puts everyone before himself, but when I encourage him to be selfish, I learn that Tate wants…
Me.
The Wild Card is a pro hockey single dad romance. It is the fifth and final book in the Vancouver Storm series but can be read as a standalone.
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by Donna
ARC + ALC Review
Tate Ward is the Vancouver Storm’s head coach. He’s also a father to an adorable little girl named Bea.
Jordan Hathaway runs and owns a bar. She is the daughter of the Vancouver Storm owner.
When Tate finds out that the owner wants to sell the team, he goes to Jordan. Jordan is surprised that her father wants to sell the team he loves more than his own family. Seeing how this could be bad for her friends that either play or work for the Vancouver Storm, Jordan decides to face her father and convince him not to sell. But he doesn’t budge unless she takes over. Jordan doesn’t want to own a hockey team though. She eventually agrees to her father’s terms and starts working for Tate and learning how the team works.
Jordan and Tate do not get along at all. Jordan loves getting under his skin. But working and living so close to each other, they start to realize they may have misjudged each other. Soon enough they are crossing all the lines. It’s only supposed to be casual. Until the season is over. That is until their feelings for each other feel a whole lot more than casual.
I can’t believe this is the last book in the Vancouver Storm series! It was the perfect ending. Jordan and Tate had so much chemistry. Their banter was so fun. Tate’s daughter, Bea, was so adorable. They make such an adorable family! I was happy that Jordan and her father were able to work on repairing their relationship. It was so good to see all the other couples and how each of their relationships have progressed. The audiobook is so good! Vanessa and Aaron did a wonderful job narrating! I really enjoyed this book and I’m sad that it’s over!
Thank you Stephanie Archer and Lauren (literaryloveontheline) for the ARC and ALC!
by Dani Reis 📚✨
Thank you to Stephanie Archer and her ARC team for selecting me to read this book prior to release. This is my second ARC for Stephanie, and having previously read her books of my own accord, it’s always such a pleasure to be chosen to read her work early. Although this is an ARC review, I promise this review is completely unbiased and reflects my honest opinion. 🩷
Having read the previous four books in the Vancouver Storm series, it was so enjoyable to see familiar characters make appearances again, as well as finally witness the development of Jordan and Tate’s relationship after all the tension built in the last book. That said, I would strongly recommend reading the earlier books in the series first, as they provide important backstory and context that really enhances the tension and emotional payoff in this story.
No one writes banter and tension quite like Stephanie Archer. From the very beginning, Jordan and Tate are constantly biting at each other, trying to get a rise out of one another, and their quick snips and jabs are absolutely hilarious. And can we talk about Phoebe the cat? Her personality is brilliant—you can’t help but fall in love with her, even though she’s a very naughty kitty! 🐈⬛ This book (like all of Stephanie’s previous works) had me giggling, kicking my feet, and smiling nonstop while reading.
The slow-burning tension between Jordan and Tate, combined with their refusal to give in to their feelings, made the eventual payoff so worth it. When the spice finally hit… wow. Stephanie truly knows how to write a spicy scene 🥵.
I also can’t lie—I got emotional toward the end when all the players were called to the ice rink for the playoffs, especially knowing that each of them has had their story told throughout the series. It was such a satisfying and heartfelt way to bring everything together and round out the journey. You truly can’t help but love them all! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
⭐ Rating: 5/5
🔥 Spice Level: 2/3🌶️🌶️ (very spicy)
💖 Tropes:
• Enemies-to-lovers
• Forced proximity
• Slow burn
• Hockey romance
• Found family
• Banter-heavy romance
by Dani Reis 📚✨
The Wild Card — Stephanie Archer
⭐ 4.5
The Wild Card was such a great read. It has less spice than the other books in the series, but the spicy scenes we do get are still really hot, so it didn’t take away from the experience at all.
This book leans more into story and emotional depth, with more conflict and real character growth, and I loved that. I adored the couple, loved Tate, loved Jordan, loved Bia, and of course loved the cat (very important).
This entire series is so fun and comforting. Yes, it’s a bit cliché, but it’s the good kind of cliché — the kind you read to relax, smile, and just enjoy the ride. It’s not meant to be overanalyzed; it’s meant to be fun. I really enjoyed reading about the characters’ journeys of overcoming their struggles and their interactions together.
I truly wish we’d get one more book about Luca and Briar, because I already miss everyone. If Stephanie Archer writes more books in this universe, I’ll happily read them all.
by Nicole Soler
This is one of my favourites of the Vancouver Storm series. It has all of the black cat/golden retriever energy that I love and provides the found family aspect I expect from a sports romance.
Jordan holds all her cards close to her chest. Being open and vulnerable is tough for her, but she is always caring and puts the needs of others first. Tate is much the same in that he puts himself last as his daughter and team come first and second respectively. Letting himself be silly and be a little bit selfish shows growth.
This book has a lot of moments that were sweet as ice cream. Jordan defending Bea is one of the best of the series.
I’m sad this is the last book of this series (though there seems to be an Easter egg at the end for the future). Archer always writes books that are comforting and those are so needed lately.
I read an early copy directly from the author. I loved the book so much that I purchased my own physical copy. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
by Shannai
5 ⭐♾️
It feels surreal to say that this incredible series has come to an end. I have made friends, life-long friends because of this series, and built a sisterhood through how we bonded over these books, the characters, and how talented Stephanie is as a writer. Over the years, I have laughed endlessly, cried multiple times with The Wild Card having the highest cry count, and loved so deeply.
Like many readers, I have been eagerly anticipating Coach Ward and Jordan’s book after first being teased at the end of Gloves Off. Jordan and Tate were the perfect ending to the series, a story about love, loss, and learning how to love yourself again.
Very little was known about Jordan and Tate going into this book, aside from Tate being a single dad and a recovering alcoholic, as well as a man deeply dedicated to his hockey team and coaching career. I loved how Ross, Jordan’s dad and Tate’s former coach, was the connection that brought them together, even when both of them were initially resistant to the idea.
Tate had his own assumptions about who Jordan was based on what he had seen, especially when it came to her complicated and estranged relationship with her father. But beneath her reserved nature, Jordan loved fiercely and had so much love to give. I adored how she was gradually incorporated into the team when she felt like she did not belong, and how much the team came to value and appreciate her. As they spent more time together and Tate moved her into his guest house, he began to see a completely different side of Jordan, especially through her relationship with Bea.
Jordan and Bea’s relationship was one of my favorite parts of the book. It felt natural and genuine, never awkward or forced. I loved how they bonded over shared interests and how their relationship helped Bea come out of her shell. A special mention goes to the scene where Jordan stands up to a bully who picked on Bea. Jordan was iconic and so real in that moment. 😂😂
This would not be a classic Stephanie Archer book without a pet or a secondary element stealing the spotlight, and in this case it was Phoebe, the stray cat Jordan takes in. I swear Phoebe was the MVP for bringing Tate Jordan’s underwear, omggg!! 😩😮💨 And then Daddy Ward keeping them as trophies, lmaoo, get out of here, I was literally grinning so damn hard, and Daddy’s ward antics, too, had me blushing!
As tender and sweet as Jordan and Tate were together, their chemistry was undeniable. Even outside of the more intense moments, the way they interacted filled me with happiness. I loved seeing Tate show his affection through thoughtful gestures, from showering Jordan with gifts to quietly enjoying seeing her wear the jewelry he picked out for her.
Of course, I cannot write this review without mentioning the appearances from the other couples. I became emotional every time they showed up on the page, especially Hazel and Rory. I genuinely cried when they shared their baby news and again during the epilogue. Seeing everyone living close together and Rory becoming head coach was so incredibly satisfying. It was truly one of the best epilogues I have ever read and felt like the perfect send-off to the series.
I am also hopeful that we may get a future book about Luca, which I am very curious and excited about.
I still cannot believe that this series has come to an end. It feels like just yesterday that I was first introduced to this world in Behind the Net. The Wild Card was the perfect conclusion. There truly is no other hockey series like the Vancouver Storm series, and it is one I will fondly revisit and reread again and again.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
by Amelia
I’ve been literally counting the days for this to be released. I loved Jordan and Tate’s story so much, I think they may have toppled Georgia and Alexei of the top spot in the Vancouver Storm series and that’s saying something as they are one of my all time favourite couples. I’ve loved this series so much and really don’t want any it to end. I’m hopeful that after a few intriguing hints that were dropped that we may be in for a new series, really want to know what’s up with Luca and Briar!!
by Sónia Cristina Dias Salgado
The Vancouver Storm Series is complete & has come to an end 😭
This is a 5⭐️ top tier series for me with all the lovable characters, all the feels & all with NO 3rd ACT BREAKUPS!!! 🙌🏼🙌🏼
….I am hoping for Luca & Briar’s book though 🫶🏼😍 @steph
Behind The Net
Jamie❤️Pippa
5⭐️
3rd Re-read
The Fake Out
Rory❤️Hazel
5⭐️ Still my favourite 🥰
3rd Re-read
The Wingman
Hayden❤️Darcy
5⭐️
2nd Re-read
Gloves Off
Alexei❤️Georgia
5⭐️
2nd Re-read
The Wild Card
Tate❤️Jordan
5⭐️
1st read & what a beauty to finish off this series with 🥹❤️
by Janine Taylor
I loved it. Funny and full of banter but also wit a lot of serious conversations between the main characters. Jordan is the bartender, and much more… Tate is the well respected and leve l headed coach. At first, they can not stand each other even if their chemistry and attraction is off the chart. But their story is built in the long term with heart breaking conversations about their own fragilities, etc. And I liked a lot how both of them are building the relationship together.
by booksandbunnyhugs
I honestly can’t believe this series is over! It has been my favourite series to read and the last book is in my all-time top 5 romances so needless to say I’m a huge fan of Vancouver Storms.
This one did not disappoint either. A very solid and more mature book for sure. You can tell the characters have a bit more at stake compared with some of the other couples. The pressure was also very much there for them to keep things professional and for Jordan not to fail as a woman in sports and the daughter of the owner of the hockey team.
I loved their games and how stubborn both were while at the same time being mature and holding themselves accountable when they messed up or were wrong. Their chemistry was definitely there, I loved their banter and teasing, especially the morning drinks that Jordan brought Tate.
The relationship between Tate and his daughter was so sweet. I loved that he co-parented without any drama with her mom, they’re actually close friends. Often times, in single parent romances, we only see one parent or one of them is clearly neglecting the child or the parents co-parent but don’t get along at all. I was super glad that wasn’t the case in The Wild Card.
Tate’s struggle with addiction came across really well in his thought process and his decisions. His recovery story was a key part of his character arc.
On the other hand, Jordan struggled with bouts of self-doubt and fear of abandonment by her father. Their relationship is explored further in the book and we get a glimpse into her father’s failures as well as how much he regretted not being there for Jordan. I love how selfless Jordan is and how much she cares for everyone’s future even at her own expense.
Women in sports was again a big part of the story with attempts to discredit Jordan’s work and professionalism. I loved her approach to team-building with a focus on player dynamics. As someone who is not familiarised with it, it was super interesting to read about.
If you can’t tell yet, I absolutely adored The Wild Card and highly recommend the entire series to all romance lovers, these books never disappoint.