Reviews - The Wingman | The StoryGraph

2.75k reviews for:

The Wingman

Stephanie Archer

3.95 AVERAGE

kyland80's review against another edition

4.25

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

elsa1997's review against another edition

2.5

slow-paced

tinatryggestad's review against another edition

4.0

medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

chan0503's review against another edition

4.25

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted medium-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

I loved the friends to lovers book between Hayden and Darcy he really helped her discover her true self it was so cute between the small moments to the regrowth of there bonds and everything which is so special I love how much they need eachother and how cute they are

bulldogslovebooks's review against another edition

3.0

There was nothing wrong with this book. It was very similar to many hockey romances I have read recently. The pacing of this book was somewhat inconsistent. Some parts dragged and others flew by.

mdlynprsrpn_'s review against another edition

4.5

funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

“ For Darcy, I’m eager to make her happy. With every moment I spend with Darcy, she becomes more entwined in my DNA. She becomes a bit more mine.” —Hayden Owens

“I wanted to feel free and empowered. Hayden always seemed in control, and I wanted a shred of that for myself. It’s because of him that I found it.” —Darcy Andersen

smirking greening giggling gasping squeaking screeching screaming wheezing throwing up

Stephanie Archer has done it again!!! And at this point, I’m fully claiming her as one of my auto-read authors. Her writing just clicks with me every single time. I’ve been deep in my best-friends-to-lovers era lately. And this book IS the blueprint.

The Wingman snuck up on me in the most best delicious possible ways. I went in expecting a cute friends-to-lovers romcom, but what I got was a full-on emotional comfort read with sizzling chemistry, scorching banter, and the kind of relationship that actually made me laugh out loud. Somewhere between the toy tutorials chaos (iykyk), the praise kink, and the soft moments of genuine care, Hayden and Darcy completely stole my heart. 😩💖

Darcy is everything I love in a fmc; smart, grounded, and quietly brave. She’s a STEM queen who’s finally stepping into her own. And watching her take risks and rediscover herself felt so rewarding. Her emotional arc was handled with care, and I loved how she always encouraged Hayden to believe he’s worthy of love, too. Enter Hayden 'the master of spoiling her woman' Owens. This man is a walking love language. He’s flirty, affectionate, and so deeply devoted to Darcy, it made me melt and faint and limp and die and flew up to the universe. He never rushes her, always makes sure she feels safe and seen, and spoils her in the most thoughtful ways. His love is steady, loud in action, and soft in words. He’s obsessed with her in the best, most respectful way, and I devour it up.

Their friendship was the foundation, and it showed. The inside jokes, the side-eyes, the way they called each other out with a smile, god damnnn, it all felt so real. The transition from best friends to lovers was seamless, sweet, and full of heart. The spice was gut punching blush-worthy. The emotional payoff was a quadruple chef’s kiss. And best of all, yet again, no third-act breakup, no unnecessary drama. Just two people falling in love and choosing each other, again and again. What other thing I absolutely love, adore, and cherish about the best friends-to-lovers trope is how effortlessly those awkward moments get flipped into something adorably goofy. It’s never cringey, it’s just them being their silly, comfortable selves. 🫶🏻💞

On top of that, Nelson Hobbs and Andi Arndt absolutely delivered in this duet narration. Their voices blended so seamlessly, capturing every ounce of longing, humor, and tenderness between Hayden and Darcy. From the soft moments to the steamy ones, they made the story feel intimate and alive. The emotional nuance, the timing, the chemistry—it was all there, and it pulled me in from the very first chapter.

I’m already way too hooked on Alexei and Georgia’s tension. Just that glimpse in book two had me feral. And the twist at this book's end had my brain scrambled, in the best way. 🫨🔥 Their dynamic promises chaos, heat, and emotional wreckage I need to witness. I almost jumped straight into Gloves Off, but I’m forcing a pause… mostly because book five (Jordan and Tate 👀) looks equally unhinged, and with Luca now in the mix, who knows how many books we’re getting. I’m bracing myself for a full-blown obsession. For now, I’m pausing... but just barely.