Gloves Off

Thank you, Stephanie and her team, for providing this ARC.

5/5

Enemies to lovers? Check. Contemporary marriage of convenience? Check. Yearning in hostility? Check. The hottest, smuttiest interaction that will leave you breathless? Check and check.

Alexei and Georgia were intriguing to me since they appeared together for the first time in the previous book. (Actually they first appear in that little bonus scene from Hazel and ROry's wedding scene but it just said Alexei and his wife so I'm glad we know it's Georgia now) Their chemistry just jumped off the page and it was even better in their story.

I love them. They know how to push each other's buttons, how to taunt the other person, and also, how to work together.

I loved the chaarcter growth they both went through, how Georgia learned to be open to love and companionship, and how Alexei realized that the image he had of Georgia was completely wrong and how he learned the real her and even when he fucked up, he owned up to it and fixed him mistakes.

I also love how they learned from and about each other, started trusting each other, and became a team. Even if it wasn't real for them at first, they accepted it. And I'm so thankful that Stephanie didn't force them to have a third-act breakup! I think this is what I love the most about her books, you just know that the characters will work through the issues without the unnecessary drama for drama's sake.

Alexei knowing the langauge of the flowers was so unexpected, but I loved it. And I loved how he teased her through the flowers, but she still found out what they meant and was in on the joke almost from the beginning. And I loved that little game they played to get the other mad with desire and anger, it started out so mean, but they turned it playful and respectful.

The smut was smutting, and I love that. Props to Stephanie for always writing her men desperate for the taste of the women they're in love with, it's so valid. literally my favourite trait of a man lmao. And while Alexei was an asshole at first for not making Georgia come, he made it up to her the next time over and over again. I love how he understood her and what she needed even before she did, and how respectful he was throughout. Even when he was mean, he knew she was in on the joke, and he knew she liked it. He wasn't mean because he was an asshole, he was mean because he cared and he knew she wanted that.

I also love that basically every man Stephanie writes about buys their woman sexy lingerie. Hell yes, they deserve it! And Alexei, having a high heel kink, was so good and so in character. And shout out for Georgia for knowing about since and using to torture him with her shoes. Queen behavior.

The gift-giving was so incredible (THE SHOES??????? THE TATTOO?? THE DESIGNER DRESS?? I want a rich husband now and I'm not ashamed lol) and I'm glad that for once a female character wasn't like "I can't take it, it cost too much, blah blah blah", no, she was like "thanks I love them" and I'm glad she accepted them with no issues.

I loved the writing, the banter, the characters, and their relationship, and I loved Rory and Hazel's wedding! I love them so much, so shout out for the timeline to finally catch up to their wedding!

This book also finally answer the question I was waiting to be answered with a baited breath: how many fucking teeth does Volkov actually have? Thanks, Stephanie, I can sleep peacefully now.

I loved this book so much, it was incredible, so well written, and I devoured it in 7 hours. I loved this book. Absolutely incredible.