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3.97 AVERAGE
3.97 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Book 3 in the Blades series and it was a bloody cute one.
I'd been eagerly awaiting Archer's story; I love a reformed playboy trope and seeing his pining over his best friend's sister in the previous books, I just knew that he would provide the goods! He is a man OBSESSED omg. He was so IN with Darcy from the get go. He is not afraid of his feelings or showing and telling her how he feels about her. Yes, he was intense at times but the possession and obsession was written so well.
Darcy is fresh out of a toxic relationship with someone she left in the UK; she's moved to New York to be with her Mum (book 1 of Ruth's first hockey series) and brother (book 1 of this series). She is desperate for a little fun and of course, Archer is more than happy to step up to the plate.
I loved the forbidden aspect of their relationship; the sneaking around was so fun. I really enjoyed the banter between these two; they really were so sweet with each other and seeing their relationship progress and flourish when Darcy found out she was pregnant was so sweet. Archer's possessiveness was next level, too. We love to see it!
This was a really sweet book and Archer and Darcy were a lovely match. They saw each other for who they truly were.
Read if you like:
- professional hockey romance
- brother's best friend / teammate & coach's step daughter
- accidental pregnancy
- secret marriage of convenience
- forbidden / sneaking around
- man obsessed
I knew I was going to love this series from the first book, and it has definitely held true. While I don’t think this is my favorite book in the series, it still deserves all the stars! Archer was definitely a man obsessed with Darcy from the beginning and am so glad she was his FMC.
Archer is probably one of the most swooniest, dreamiest and obsessively protective men I have ever read, and I was here for it. He fell for Darcy the first time he saw her but knew he could not have her. Until Darcy breaks up with her boyfriend and decides to move to the US. But there are a few things standing in his way, his reputation as a playboy and the fact Darcy is his best friend’s sister and his coach’s step-daughter.
All Archer wants is a chance; all Darcy wants is to have some fun and that is his ticket. Then she falls pregnant. Her pregnancy is not just thrown in, you see her emotions, her decisions, the support she gets not only from Archer but the fabulous women in her life. Watching these find their ways, both as individuals and as a couple, was heartwarming.
The more books of Ruth’s that I read you can just feel the care that she puts into her characters. You get to enjoy their humor, watch as all their layers unravel and piece together. Then the glimpse you get of other characters with the way she weaves different worlds and generations together is amazing. I can’t wait to see what other works of art you have in store for us in that beautiful, creative brain of yours.
Thank you, Ruth Stilling and Wordsmith Publicity for the ARC of this book.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Archer Moore - taking the top spot from Jack Morgan. I knew I was going to love this story once we knew he was a playboy and down bad for his best friends sister. I’m not normally one for surprise pregnancy tropes but this was done really well and seeing Archer simping over Darcy and her bump were beautiful to read. I loved watching their relationship go from friends to lovers to forever. Ruth always writes such obsessive men and I’m here for it!! I always binge her books in a day then regret it because I know I’ll be a few months before getting my hands on the next one. Thank you for trusting me with an arc once again.
Oh my gosh. This book was everything! I think this might just be Ruth’s best book and that’s saying something because she made me fall for quite a few characters already.
When I tell you I’m on my knees for Archer. That man has just rocketed to the top of my book boyfriend list. He was sweet and sexy and fun. I loved the way that he looked after Darcy and made sure she was his top priority by spoiling her and putting her first when faced with uncomfortable situations.
These two were honestly perfect for each other. Darcy changed Archer’s attitude from their first meeting and he healed her broken heart. The fact that these two kept showing up for each other had me swooning and I actually highlighted a bunch of moments in this book because they had me swooning with their words and actions.
These two really turned up the spice. They had my jaw on the floor in a few scenes especially when Archer showed Darcy his slutty little thigh tattoo and a little something extra that made everything hotter.
Their thoughtfulness made me fall in love with both of them and their baby is so lucky to have parents who are so in love with them and each other. Their little family will thrive and I can see them having their HEA and not just a HFN.
If you couldn’t already tell I absolutely adored this book. If I could rate it higher than 5 stars I would! Infinity stars from me. Run and add this to your TBR right now! You don’t want to miss this one.
When I tell you I’m on my knees for Archer. That man has just rocketed to the top of my book boyfriend list. He was sweet and sexy and fun. I loved the way that he looked after Darcy and made sure she was his top priority by spoiling her and putting her first when faced with uncomfortable situations.
These two were honestly perfect for each other. Darcy changed Archer’s attitude from their first meeting and he healed her broken heart. The fact that these two kept showing up for each other had me swooning and I actually highlighted a bunch of moments in this book because they had me swooning with their words and actions.
These two really turned up the spice. They had my jaw on the floor in a few scenes especially when Archer showed Darcy his slutty little thigh tattoo and a little something extra that made everything hotter.
Their thoughtfulness made me fall in love with both of them and their baby is so lucky to have parents who are so in love with them and each other. Their little family will thrive and I can see them having their HEA and not just a HFN.
If you couldn’t already tell I absolutely adored this book. If I could rate it higher than 5 stars I would! Infinity stars from me. Run and add this to your TBR right now! You don’t want to miss this one.
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
♾️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“I’ve been trying to stay away for longer than I can remember, and all the while, I’ve been falling deeper for you.”
Where do I even begin? I have been waiting for this book since we met Darcy in Boarded Hearts, last year. Ruth blew it out of the water with Darcy’s love story, and it was so rewarding seeing our girl get her happily ever after!
Let me be very clear, I thought I’ve read about a man who’s down bad, and OBSESSED with his girl but they have nothing on Archer Moore! This man… worshipped the ground she walked on, and quietly sat in the background until it was finally the time for him to make Darcy his. I don’t think I’ve ever met a man as in love with his woman, as Archer was. He embodies everything you could ever want in a healthy and loving relationship, and it was so sweet seeing Darcy allow herself to be loved correctly.
I could go on and on about this book, and how everything was perfect, because it really was a fairy tale love story for Archer & Darcy. The spice as usual was off the freaking charts, especially because it’s always hotter when it’s a secret. I also loved the cameos we got from JJ & Kate in Shots Fired. The Blade Kings has been such a special series to those of us who have loved the Seattle Scorpions so hard. So when I get to see the two worlds merged together, it seriously makes me so happy.
I am so excited for everyone to read this book, and not only swoon over Archer & Kendra together, but to also get a true glimpse at the man (and simp) Archer Moore truly is. Honestly, I feel like books 1-2 in this series when we got a glimpse of Archer he was in Reputation Era, and this book as soon as he gets his girl he enters his Lover Era 🥹🫶🏽 Chefs kiss perfect, no notes, other than I will never recover from the man Archer is!
Tropes:
🏒Hockey Romance
🧡Accidental pregnancy
🏒He falls first & harder
🧡Brothers best friend
🏒Secret relationship
Some of my favorite quotes:
“I could tread water until I was scalding, and I’d still thank Cupid for the privilege of ten minutes in her company.”
“It’s a voice telling me to back the fuck off, persistently drowned out by the deafening need to touch her and confirm that her body would mold to mine in the way I’ve always known it would.”
“I want it all,” he reiterates. “Our baby, this life, with you. The truth is, I wanted it before I got you pregnant, and now that you are? I’m going to take everything you can give me with both hands and never let it go.”
“I’d tear down entire cities and whole-ass countries to keep you and our baby safe. So, just know, if you’re thinking about running away, I’m going to chase you. Anywhere, everywhere. Forever.”
“I’m down bad, Darcy. And I’m not going anywhere. Especially not now.”
“Back then, I was protecting the girl of my dreams, and now I’m protecting my family.”
“His lips ghost over my stomach as he whispers, “Do you think you can help your mommy fall for daddy?”
“Here’s your sixth and final lesson, Darcy Doll: your brain might be able to recall everything I’ve ever said, but my heart hangs on your every word. Forever living in our DARCher bubble.”
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
*Thank you so much Ruth Stilling and WordSmith Publicity for providing me with an arc of this story. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
*Please check trigger warnings before reading.
4.5⭐️/ 4-5🌶️
With every new book Ruth Stilling comes out with, she brings me happiness and joy with these characters who are so wonderful! The newest story within the, “The Blade Kings” series followed, Archer Moore and Darcy Thompson. If you’ve read the previous books then you’ll be familiar with both Darcy and Archer. Regardless, you can read any of the books separately, but I would highly recommend reading the books in order especially with this series in particular. Anyways, with each book we’ve gotten to see more and more how Darcy and Archer’s friendship lent to an even deeper connection. This story showed just how obsessed and head over heels Archer was for Darcy and Darcy navigating her way as she explored her feelings for Archer. This story also contained quite the variety in tropes that were amazing, but also added intrigue to the overall story. Ruth Stilling continued to raise the stakes, and wrote a fantastic hockey romance that made me swoon, faint, gasp, jaw dropping heat, and excitement with all that occurred in Archer and Darcy’s story.
I gotta say, each book has had me falling in love with each of the couples, but with every minuscule crumb we’ve gotten of Archer and Darcy in the past two books had me excited about their book in particular! Going into this book, I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect, but with Ruth’s incredible storytelling, she brought the heat, the passion, and Archer being a total man in love over Darcy. I won’t give away too much on how down bad Archer was for Darcy in this book, but I will say, you’ll all love how devoted and obsessed he was with her.
Archer and Darcy had always had a great friendship that translated into them naturally getting along and hanging out often within their friend group. Underneath the layers of friendship was a deep seated connection, attraction, and love that Archer had for Darcy. Even Darcy couldn’t deny her secret attraction towards Archer, but after a bad breakup, she was more focused on being independent and having fun. Archer was the playboy everyone knew, but the moment he met Darcy, it was game over for him. As much as Archer enjoyed hookups and remaining single, Darcy was the person that changed his trajectory and had him wanting to settle down in an exclusive relationship with her. For all his flirtatious ways, Archer was more than ready to show Darcy he wanted her and ONLY HER!
There was a lot that went down in this book, and my goodness I’m surprised at how Ruth was able to pack everything in, but work perfectly with Archer and Darcy’s story. Archer had always had feelings for Darcy that surpassed being a crush. The way Archer gave everything to Darcy was swoon worthy and downright a clear indication of how much he loved her. Whether it was supporting Darcy throughout her pregnancy, making her happy through a bar of ways, and being the best combination of being an understanding loving partner, and more, Archer truly was the man for Darcy. Even Darcy going from unexpectedly becoming pregnant to being with the man of her dreams and exceeding her expectations, she was treated like the queen she always deserved. I think the way Ruth wrote Darcy and Archer’s story was a great way of seeing the two of them go from being good friends to embracing their mutual attraction and going in deep with how they had always felt for one another. There was once again plenty of the found family trope that I know and love with Kendra, Jack, Sawyer, Collins, Felicity, Jon, and even a happy appearance of Jensen Jones and Kate! Never a dull moment reading books by Ruth, and she once again kept me entertained and happy throughout this book. Darcy and Archer came a long way from their original beginning and with the way their story ended it was beautifully written and their family was perfect.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Pregnancy
lighthearted
fast-paced
Ruth Stilling is an autobuy author - straight up. Her latest, Book 3 of her King of Blades series, is just another reason why. Did I stay up all night the minute this ARC hit my kindle to devour the story I've been waiting for since meeting Archer & Darcy? Absolutely. Brother's best friend, reformed hockey playboy & accidental pregnancy - all my favorites wrapped into a captivating story that I just couldn't get enough of.
Archer is Jack Morgan's best friend & the King's resident playboy. That is until he meets Darcy, Jack's sister, & she stirs up feelings Archer never had before. Now, Darcy's transplanted herself in New York after her breakup with her long-time boyfriend & is starting over. She wants to have fun & live her life. Archer wants her.
There are so many elements that I love about this story. Archer is the misrepresented guy who is much deeper & complex than his reputation. He wants to be seen as someone who can be Darcy's guy, the committed, devoted man, not the playboy who is only there for fun. How he navigates changing not only Darcy's perception but also his friends is really the heart of this story. Archer is so swoony & the definition of a man obsessed! That man goes all in so quickly without hesitation. And of course, he's a dirty-talking, pierced MMC who will have you fanning yourself with every word out of his mouth.
Darcy is perfect for Archer. She makes him work & while hesitant to give her heart away again, she starts to see him for who he truly is. The surprise pregnancy brings them together in a new way but the way they handle it - I just loved every moment.
The found family aspect we get from the characters we've seen in this series so far is perfect. I love getting glimpses of the couples we fell in love with previously as they support Darcy & Archer. There is also a great set up for the next book & I just can't wait to see that story unravel (you will have to read it to find out - my lips are sealed!)
🏒 Hockey Romance
❣️ Brother's Best Friend
💋 Reformed Playboy
💖 He Falls First & Hard
🤐 Secret Relationship
🤰 Surprise Pregnancy
❤️🔥 Possessive MMC
🫶 Found Family
✌🏻 Dual POV
Archer is Jack Morgan's best friend & the King's resident playboy. That is until he meets Darcy, Jack's sister, & she stirs up feelings Archer never had before. Now, Darcy's transplanted herself in New York after her breakup with her long-time boyfriend & is starting over. She wants to have fun & live her life. Archer wants her.
There are so many elements that I love about this story. Archer is the misrepresented guy who is much deeper & complex than his reputation. He wants to be seen as someone who can be Darcy's guy, the committed, devoted man, not the playboy who is only there for fun. How he navigates changing not only Darcy's perception but also his friends is really the heart of this story. Archer is so swoony & the definition of a man obsessed! That man goes all in so quickly without hesitation. And of course, he's a dirty-talking, pierced MMC who will have you fanning yourself with every word out of his mouth.
Darcy is perfect for Archer. She makes him work & while hesitant to give her heart away again, she starts to see him for who he truly is. The surprise pregnancy brings them together in a new way but the way they handle it - I just loved every moment.
The found family aspect we get from the characters we've seen in this series so far is perfect. I love getting glimpses of the couples we fell in love with previously as they support Darcy & Archer. There is also a great set up for the next book & I just can't wait to see that story unravel (you will have to read it to find out - my lips are sealed!)
🏒 Hockey Romance
❣️ Brother's Best Friend
💋 Reformed Playboy
💖 He Falls First & Hard
🤐 Secret Relationship
🤰 Surprise Pregnancy
❤️🔥 Possessive MMC
🫶 Found Family
✌🏻 Dual POV