The Final Score

Totally Pucked #4

by Maren Moore, Daniela Acitelli (Narrator), Alex Kydd (Narrator)

Falling in love with my brother's teammate, the very last guy on my scorecard, was the one thing I never expected to happen.

Well, falling in love . . . period.

But it happened. I fell for the NHL's rookie playboy, and together we brought our beautiful baby girls into the world.

And while our story started as a fake engagement, it turned into the most real thing I'd ever experienced.

Until everything changed in the blink of an eye, and now I have to choose between my head and my heart.

The Final Score is the emotional, heartfelt conclusion to Graham and Emery's story.

Contains mature themes.

Genres: Sports Romance, Hockey, Sports, Hockey Romance, Romance, Fake Dating, Enemies To Lovers

7 pages, Audible Audio

First published June 10, 2022

Reviews

[Samantha (bookgramsaga reviews) · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️

''You are my dream''

Safety warnings:
- No cheating
- No OW/OM drama
- PPD
- Illness
- HEA

SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️

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SPOILERS BELOW ⬇️

I will say this duet could have just been one book as the cliffhanger from book 1 was not the main conflict in this book. They do spend months basically being strangers while co-parenting and living together but it gets resolved pretty quickly by Graham QUITTING hockey and refusing to move to Washington in order to be with Emery and their daughters. He doesn't see the NHL as his dream anymore and being a father and being in love with Emery is what he wants to focus on.

Graham finds out right after Emery and him get back together that his mother has stage 2 breast cancer and is undergoing chemo. He goes home to Tennessee on his family’s farm to spend time with his mom and be by her side while she goes through this with the support of Emery.

Eventually Emery joins him in Tennessee and decides after a few weeks two things:
1) They should get married (Graham has wanted to get married since book 1)
2) To quit her job at the law firm and stay in Tennessee for the time being

I understand why these two quit their jobs and they can always go back into the field in one way or another. Graham can coach or be a commentator as he says, and Emery can pass the bar in Tennessee and open her practice which is why Graham bought her a building to use one day whenever she decides to go back.

I loved Graham - he was such an incredible character to see grow and become a great guy. He was absolutely committed to Emery and his daughters. He was a great family man, and I was proud of his personal growth.

We see what is going on a year later and they are expecting again (a boy this time) and his mother is in remission!

The only reason I gave the book 3 stars is because it could have been done in one book and it felt like it dragged on for longer than it should have.

[ju · Rating 1 out of 5]

this book is soooo bad, but like SO bad I don’t even know what to say so I’ll put it in topics

1. this couple didn’t need two books. the whole problem they had in the end of the first one was solved quickly and could’ve been included on book 1 because the rest of this book was completely unnecessary

2. i hated that graham left hockey and then emery sort of quit her job as well and both of them said that it’s because their dreams changed because of their daughters and each other. now hear me out: you can have personal dreams like being amazing parents WHILE YOU ALSO HAVE HUGE PROFESSIONAL DREAMS!!!!!!! one thing doesn’t change the other so all of that was very disappointing specially because during the first book emery was described as this bad ass woman who had huge career dreams and went after them, and then she just changes her mind? i mean, i know it can happen and there’s nothing wrong with that but it would be nice to not have the expected (and conservative) version of what motherhood looks like

3. the whole thing about him betraying her trust was so over the top like pls was he supposed to tell her he MIGHT be changing teams while she is pushing two babies out of her????????????

4. the whole postpartum depression was written TERRIBLY! it was mentioned 2 times and then as soon as they got back together she was cured, how lovely isn’t it? if you are going to include something this big in your book at least have the decency of developing it well

5. i can’t believe i even have to talk about this but… the breastfeeding kink… i never thought i would read a book where the guy sucks the girl’s breast full of milk and AND SAYS IT TASTES GOOD AND DOES IT MORE TIMES. i will leave it at that

[whatsfordina · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book was very emotional with a lot of healing. watching graham’s and emery’s journey continue after the misunderstanding at the end of the first book was heartwarming to witness. grahamemery were so cute i was swooning the whole time. seeing emery struggle with trusting graham again and graham groveling and doing everything in his power to make it right was just yum.

“I quit hockey because I am so fucking in love with you that I can’t even see straight. I quit hockey because my dreams are nothing without you.”

he literally quit hockey for her and brought her, her own building to pursue her career in law. real man behavior. i enjoyed it very much. despite the very sensitive topic about nearly losing a loved one and them struggling to cope together with that, this was still a very cute domestic book. loved how they both were holding on to each other through their rough time together they are such a powerful couple. also watching emery struggling with being a mother and getting diagnosed with postpartum was a very important aspect in the book and it made me respect her more for being so brave and to see a realistic romance where it’s not all happy feels when it comes to that even though i mostly don’t care because i read fiction for a reason. but maren definitely outdid herself with this book it’s so similar to her other ones but also so different.

+ small appreciation for the breeding kink 🤩

“My body hits the bed as he gets up and travels down to my pussy, where he gathers his cum on two fingers, as it seeps out of me, and pushes it back inside. ”

&

“You want me to get you pregnant again? Fill your pretty pussy up with my cum until it’s dripping out of you? Put another baby in your belly, baby, is that what you want?”
-

“He’s always reading a worn book with a cracked spine when he’s not on the ice. Despite the fact that he’s covered in tattoos and looks more than a little intimidating, he’s the one I don’t know much about besides his quiet, stoic nature.”

now coming to her next upcoming book ,, the penalty shot’’ this is my most anticipated maren moore book because i was rooting for asher since i met him for the first time + it’s going to serve single mom trope which i’m a sucker for.

ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.

[Meghan · Rating 2 out of 5]

** SPOILERS INCLUDED IN HERE**

Oh, it pains me to give this book SUCH a low rating because The Scorecard got 5 stars from me. It was incredibly well done. This book just totally missed the mark for me personally. I felt like there was SO much fluff and repetitiveness within it that this book could’ve easily been a few extra chapters and a nice rounded out epilogue in book one. We did NOT need an entire 2nd book. There was no real meat here.
So my biggest gripe was that as Graham is deciding on what to do about his trade by himself. Emery is so pissed off at him that she refuses to have an adult conversation about what is going to happen in their lives. And he just up and leaves the league?! What? And they pose it as “his priorities changed.” Which I totally understand. Thats a real life thing, but so is providing for your family. And I know he was a professional player so he has some money, but that wont last forever. And then it gets worse, she takes an extended leave from work to go to TN to be with Graham while he is by his mothers side as she battles cancer. So now NEITHER of them are working. And then SHE decides “ well, I just want to be with my family too. I think I want to stay here in TN and quit my job and go back EVENTUALLY one day.. but not now”
While all this is happening, he buys her a building in TN for the day she decides she does want to practice law.. and then buys a lot of land.. then builds a 7 bedroom mansion. WTF is paying for all this. Lol. It just was unrealistic to me for some reason.
Listen, I can appreciate the hometown storyline and dealing with his sick mother but again, all of this could’ve been wrapped up in some bonus chapters, or heck, even a novella as a “3.5” book. The pages went on & on and I found myself skipping some paragraphs and just reading dialogue because it was too much… kind of like this review right now.

Needless to say, after absolutely LOVING The Scorecard and recommending it to literally everyone I know, I am so bummed here. LOVED them but this dragged on too long yall.

[kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

rating: 4.5⭐️

Loved this closure to Graham and Emery’s story.

[Pinky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Trigger Warnings:Cheating ex, loss of parent from heart attack, parental abandonment, postpartum depression, breast cancer

“I hope that you know now, there is nothing in this damn world I wouldn’t do for you, Charlotte, or Quinn. Nothing. This is me building a new dream with my family.”

This is the sequel to The Scoreboard, you will have to read it before reading this. It is part of the Totally Pucked series and you see the characters from the other books. You will be kinda spoiled on the other books but I don’t plan on reading them. I was really surprised to have found this book to be better. This takes place right after the last book which ended in a cliffhanger but I had no idea since I didn’t care for the story at first. But I actually cried in the middle of reading this, I liked the characters more. The plot was more interesting and pulled at the feels. The characters were bearable since they didn’t always talk about how hot they were or how good they were at sex. Usually when Emery or Graham talked about each other, they would focus on sex. It was nice to see them actually care for one another. The relationships between families and friends was done better here as well, I think because more serious topics were being touched on. It’s your typical hockey romance and since I’ve read so many, this doesn’t stick out to me. But it was quick, short, and cute with angsty moments. There was even a little bit of grovel but I didn’t care for it surprisingly.


Emery feels betrayed after learning some news about Graham and no longer wants to speak to him. But now their lives are connected and they have no choice but to make it work. Graham will do anything to have Emery look at him again, he is determined to win her back.

Now for spoilers


The last book ended with Emery hearing the announcement that Graham was being traded to the Washington hockey team. He was currently on the team in Chicago and Emery feels betrayed since this would mean he would have to move to Washington. I didn’t even realize this was a cliffhanger in the last book since I didn’t understand the betrayal. We don’t see the conversation after her hearing this announcement but we see the aftermath. Emery and Graham live at her place and are raising their twins Charlotte and Quinn. Emery completely shut out Graham since she feels betrayed that he didn’t tell her he was being traded. Graham has tried to talk to Emery and its been 2 weeks but Emery doesn’t talk to him. She never looks his way and only talks to him if it is about their kids. Graham tried apologizing but Emery doesn’t want to deal with it. Graham cleans around the house and does his best with their daughters. Emery is angry that Graham wasn’t honest with her after she fell for him. Graham didn’t even know he was being traded until 24 hours before Emery gave birth. So I understand why he didn’t tell her since it was a stressful moment. Especially since he didn’t think it would be a possibility and forgot about it, I honestly get it, so much was going on and he probably talked about the trade agreement ages ago. Emery started to deal with postpartum depression and decides to talk to someone after talking to Holland. Graham goes to Reed for advice and all Graham knows is he doesn’t want to leave for Washington. He wants to stay at home with Emery and his daughters since he doesn’t want to miss a moment of raising them. I was scared that this book was going to make Emery give up on her career and have Graham do what he wants but I was so glad it didn’t take that route. Graham meets with the guys at the park where their kids play and they bond over shit. Their girls all had a day out since they were staying at home dealing with the aftermath of pregnancies. On Emery’s first day back to work, she keeps thinking about her babies and asks her mom for pictures. When she gets home and sees Graham, she starts crying and he holds her right away. When Emery tells him that she missed the girls and work was hard, he tells her she doesn’t have to work but Emery says it's fine.


The next day, Graham cleaned the apartment and made food, he then tells Emery that he quit hockey. He realized that it didn’t make him happy and he only cares about their family. Emery is shocked and touched and hugs him. She tells him it is his dream and he doesn’t have to do this but Graham assures her that he wants this. He wants to be as involved as his father was to him.

“Home is wherever you are, Em,” he says, “And where my girls are. And that’s why I didn’t take the trade, because it would’ve never been my home. It would have been empty without my family, and that’s not my dream. Hockey isn’t my dream unless I can share it with you, Charlotte, and Quinn.”

Emery and Graham make up and have sex again, things start looking good. Hudson, Asher, Briggs, and Reed are so pissed that Graham didn’t tell them he quit hockey. They confront him and he says that he just wants to be with his family. Reed approves since he can see Emery happy. When Emery and Graham are in the middle of a hide and seek game with paint that starts to get steamy, Graham gets a call. His sister Allie tells him that his mom has secretly been battling breast cancer and its gotten bad. Graham was crying and Emery held him while she told him that he needed to be with his mom. He didn’t want to leave the girls and Emery but she tells him that his mom needs him. Emery couldn’t leave cuz of work and she stays behind while Graham goes to Tennessee to the small town Strawberry Hollows where he grew up on a farm. Allie meets him in the airport and they both cry and he says they need to be strong for their mom. It didn’t hit me in the feels at first but when I saw Graham see his mom for the first time, I started crying. Especially when his mom was trying to make him feel better and told him not to cry. She said that if anything, she would reunite with his father in heaven and watch over them. I was in tears, cancer fucking sucks and I can’t imagine seeing someone you love go through it.

“Life is full of the unexpected, Graham. Each day that we are given is a blessing, each second that we experience happiness, love, and joy is a gift. It’s why I’ve lived my life with no regrets, I’ve lived and I’ve loved. I’ve laughed, I’ve watched my babies grow into the best people I’ve ever known. I’ve lived a long, happy, fulfilled life.”

Graham stays with his mom for weeks while he keeps in contact with Emery through the phone and she sends him pictures. Seeing Graham watch his mom grow weaker and weaker was so devastating, I loved that he was vulnerable with Emery. Emery couldn’t focus on work since Graham was away and she missed him. Her boss calls on her in the middle of a meeting but she wasn’t paying attention. Instead of getting mad, he stops the meeting and tells her that she is dealing with a lot and he wants her to go be with her family. Emery calls her mom to go with her to surprise Graham and it was so wholesome. Allie met them at the airport and Graham was so happy to see his girls. Kathy, Emery’s mom, was great as well for befriending Graham’s mom Michelle. I was so glad they brought Charlotte and Quinn since Michelle was able to meet them. Kathy spends time with Michelle while Emery and Graham try to have alone time between the depressing moments of seeing Michelle’s health deteriorate. Michelle was so fucking strong, she did her best to not break down in front of her family despite going through so much. And I loved how Emery and Graham worked together as a team, she supported him and he never pushed her out. And the messages Graham’s friends sent, Reed, Hudson, Briggs, and Asher, were honestly so sweet. I was surprised to actually start to like some of the characters (still don’t plan on reading their books though).


Michelle hears about her health getting worse and tells everyone that she would’ve loved to see Graham get married to Emery under the oak tree where she got married. She whispers that she hopes to see it before she dies and Graham breaks down crying. The next day, Graham is talking to his daughters about something and Emery tells him she wants to marry him under the oak tree. Graham wanted to go at the relationship at whatever pace Emery wanted, but he wanted to marry her asap. So he was happy and they announce it to everyone and its happy tears everywhere. Allie, Michelle, and Kathy plan the wedding, Kathy goes with Emery to buy the dress. Reed, Holland, Maddison, Briggs, Hudson, Asher, and all the kids of the couples come surprise them. Holland was the maid of honour and Reed walked Emery down the aisle. I was so happy to see Michelle get the wish she wanted. I thought that Graham would surprise Emery with the ring she eyed in the first book but that didn’t happen, makes sense though since all the shit was happening. Graham and Emery fit in sex whenever they can but Graham grows to love being back at home in his small town. He is invited to a charity event to play hockey. Emery is annoyed to hear people thirsting over Graham and Allie overhears them and cusses them out. Emery dreads the day of going back to work and when she gets an email from Rob, asking for her to be his junior assistant, she cries. She worked her ass off to get this position but once she got it, she didn’t wanna do it. I was scared that this would be her giving up on her career but that wasn’t the case. She just didn’t want to work in the company anymore, she still loves law, but she wants to do her own thing for a bit before working somewhere. She tells Graham who tells her that he actually wants to stay in their small town. Even though their friends are in Chicago, they grew to love living in Strawberry Hollow.


Graham surprises Emery with a building where she can do whatever she dreams to do in the future. She can make her own law firm (yea its unrealistic but whatever) or even start a store if she wants. Then he takes her to the hill where they would sit and watch the sunrise and says he bought the land for their future home. They have a kink of not using protection now and Graham says he wants more kids which Emery is down for. They also got the milk kink if yaknow what I meannnn. Graham plans to start coaching at a high school for his career. He’s good with kids and can play hocket so it works out. In the epilogue, we see Emery pregnant again and so is Holland. Michelle has fought cancer successfully, I know its cliche but I was glad she was still alive. They threw a surprise party to celebrate which was a wholesome ending. Emery and Graham wanna name their baby boy Mark Reed Adams, named after Graham’s dad and Emery’s brother. They already named one of their daughters after Reed so I was surprised they did it again. It ends with Asher asking for advice to Graham. All we know is he has some annoying neighbour who most likely is his love interest. We also see Hudson with someone and it hints at their story but I couldn’t care less for it. All in all, it was an angsty story that I ended up enjoying despite not liking the first book.


Stay safe folks!

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the final score! seeing the twins and these couple interacting more made me so happy. This is the first Maren book that made me sad for a little but of course in the end everything worked out. Graham and Emory are so amazing and i’m so excited for the next book in the series now that little crumb we got was amazing!

[dany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitivamente más emotivo que el primero, hubo de todo. La boda fue de las escenas más lindas que he leído, mmm aunque no tengo mucho más que agregar (pero no en mal plan). Creo que aquí la relación de Emery y Graham se vuelve más especial, porque ya involucran más su familia de cada uno y en general se hacen gestos muy tiernos, y hubo uno escena que no me esperaba para nada que la pudiera escribir MM porque la sentí más intensa de lo que siempre ha presentado xd, en general, estaba de omg por finnnnnn tienen su HEA.

[SP · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing ending to such a swoony and heartfelt story.

Gosh do I love Graham and Emery! Graham the puppy dog sunshine hero goes through so much throughout this story. He steps up and is an amazing son, wife and father. He was totally swoony and so posessive of his family. The type of guy who puts everyone else first before himself. He was so selfless throughout this story. Emery, she was still that strong and amazing woman we met it the beginning, but seeing the way she supported Graham during some of the toughest moments of his life, solidified my love for her.

I feel like these characters met their other half in book one and seeing them navigate parenthood and what they now want in life, was just the Cherry on top of the cake that is there story. This is definitely one of my favorite Marren Moore books yet. She brought it all, the feels, the steam and all the sweet moments I could want. Don’t be fooled though, the emotion in this story was top notch as well, there were some parts that were so heartbreaking, but Marren really knows how to bring it all together.

Overall this was an amazing ending to these two, and I definitely recommend, the ending was so perfect for these two. Now I cannot wait to read about the rest of the characters in this universe.

[dea reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again Maren did not disappoint! SHE DELIVERED! The conclusion to Graham and Emery’s story was amazing. Despite the sensitive topics (that by the way had me ugly crying until 3 am😭), I enjoyed everything else. I don’t even have the words to describe how perfect Graham is. Oh and his dirty mouth got better 🥵.

Can’t get enough of these men written by Maren 😍😩

[Stacy! · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Maren Moore and this series, and I’ve come to expect her to deliver a steamy, hockey romance, which she definitely did with this book. What I wasn’t expecting, however, was for the book to have such a strong emotional component. Without giving much away, I will say that I can see why she decided to break the story into two-this story gives a heavy emotional plot that we haven’t see from her other books. I love Emery and Graham and loved being able get to the end of there story and see how it all played out. I will say though, that it did feel a bit like this story was written in a rush and the writing felt rather clunky. I think this story tried to be too much, and the only thing it delivered really well on was the spice.

I was given an ARC by the author. All opinions are my own.

[Laura Fabian · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC kindly provided for the author in exchange for an honest review

Without a doubt Graham & Emery are Maren Moore's best couple and with the best story so far, and I think they will always have a special place in my heart because this book was a surprise from start to finish, the plot made me experience various emotions and feelings throughout the story and I think it gave me absolutely everything I wanted from the ending of Graham, Emery, Charlotte & Quinn.

I think that The Final Score started off VERY strong after the unexpected ending of The Scorecard: in its first chapters it's evident how complicated Graham & Emery's situation is, especially after the events of the first book, and I have to say that I could feel the anguish and pain of both, and although I suffered along with them, I loved every moment of this part. Especially since it's also VERY evident the great love that Graham has for Emery and their babies, in addition to the fact that he wastes no time trying to repair his mistakes and showing her how important she is to him..

But the plot didn't stop there, Maren included two plot twists that were very important to strengthen the relationship of these two, and that also worked to give it more reality to the story because life is not perfect, but Graham & Emery managed to overcome all these obstacles by supporting each other and always trusting in their family & friends. Also, I think these characters grew SO much from The Scorecard to the end of this book, as they themselves mention their priorities, dreams and personalities changed completely, something that made me very happy to read, and that it makes all more obvious the very original roles that the author gave Emery & Graham since the first book.

Finally, I feel it necessary to say that in this book we can expect immense amounts of tenderness from Daddy Graham, love and unconditional support towards Emery, and also from her towards him in the most difficult moments of his life. It is also the book in the series in which we can see in a better way the close relationship that the Avalanches have, how loving and cute they are with each other & with all the babies in their stories, plus the best ending Graham & Emery could have.

💍I highly recommend reading the author's note regarding trigger warnings because they are a bit of a spoiler.
💍Graham: 5/5
💍Emery: 5/5
💍Plot: 5/5
💍Love story: 5/5
💍Secondary Characters: 5/5
💍Universe: 5/5
💍Cover: 5/5 🥰
🌶️: 4/5

🇪🇸
ARC amablemente proporcionada por la autora a cambio de una reseña honesta

Sin lugar a dudas Graham & Emery son la mejor pareja, con la mejor historia, de Maren Moore hasta ahora y creo que siempre tendrán un lugar especial en mi corazón porque este libro fue una sorpresa de principio a fin, la trama me hizo experimentar emociones y sentimientos diversos a lo largo de la historia y creo que me dio absolutamente todo lo que quería del final de Graham, Emery, Charlotte & Quinn.

Creo que The Final Score comenzó MUY fuerte después del inesperado final de The Scorecard: en sus primeros capítulos es evidente la situación tan complicada por la que la relación de Graham & Emery están pasado teniendo en cuenta los acontecimientos del primer libro, y tengo que decir que pude sentir la angustia y el dolor de ambos, y aunque sufrí junto con ellos me encantó cada momento de esta parte. Especialmente porque sigue siendo MUY evidente también el gran amor que Graham siente por Emery y sus bebés, además de que él no pierde tiempo intentando reparar sus errores y demostrándole a ella lo importante que es para él.

Pero la trama no se detuvo ahí, Maren incluyó dos giros en la trama que fueron muy importantes para fortalecer la relación de estos dos, y que también funcionaron para darle un toque mucho más real a la historia porque la vida no es perfecta, pero Graham & Emery lograron atravesar todos estos obstáculos apoyándose mutuamente y confiando siempre en su familia & amigos. Además, creo que estos personajes crecieron demasiado desde The Scorecard hasta el final de este libro, como ellos mismos lo mencionan sus prioridades, sueños y personalidades cambiaron por completo, algo que me hizo muy feliz leer, y que hace mucho más obvios los roles tan originales que la autora les dio a Emery & Graham desde el primer libro.

Finalmente, creo necesario decir que en este libro podemos esperar cantidades inmensas de ternura por parte de Papá Graham, amor y apoyo incondicional hacia Emery, y también por parte de ella hacia él en los momentos más complicados de su vida. También es el libro de la serie en el se puede ver de una mejor manera la estrecha relación que tiene los Avalanches, lo amorosos y lindos que son los unos con los otros, con todos los bebés que hay en sus historias, además del mejor final que Graham & Emery pudieron tener.

💍Les recomiendo mucho lean la nota de la autora con respecto a los trigger warnings porque son un poco spoiler.
💍Graham: 5/5
💍Emery: 5/5
💍Trama: 5/5
💍Historia de amor: 5/5
💍Personajes secundarios: 5/5
💍Universo: 5/5
💍Portada: 5/5 🥰
🌶️: 4/5

[The Romantic Rush Blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a tender, heartfelt, and unexpectedly emotional finale to Graham and Emery’s enchanting love story. Final Score is brimming with swoony moments and tons of feels, by far Maren’s most emotionally rich story telling to date. Gramery will capture your heart completely and are certainly Maren’s most memorable and charming duo to date. My heart is so full ❤️

RTC

[CassDamm · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 ⭐️

I normally really like this author but although this was the same characters from this series the plot wasn’t like the rest and was not enjoyable at all.

In addition to this it’s a “stand alone” but you absolutely will not be able to follow along if you do not read the rest of the series first.

[Allison6876 · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ridiculous. I really disliked the heroine. Spoilers
Emery is completely neurotic and self-absorbed. I couldn't believe anyone would be so childish as to not basically not speak to the father of her children for 2 months in order to punish him for something beyond his control. He was not looking to be traded and found out that he had been traded the same day she went into labor. When did she think he should bring that up - in the delivery room while she was pushing? Her brother is also in the NHL and it is very common for a player to have no notice whatsoever about being traded. She should have known it was always a possibility and not some big betrayal. He was equally stupid to allow her to emotionally blackmail him into quitting hockey. The NHL has a league cap on rookie salaries and then after their rookie season they are allowed to negotiate a new deal. Graham was Rookie of the Year. So in the real world after the 2020-2021 season Kirill Kaprizov from the MN Wild won the Calder Trophy (which is the award for rookie of the year) and he signed a 5 year deal worth 45 million dollars. So quitting the NHL wan't romantic it was fiscally, extremely irresponsible. Even though the timeline throughout the series is extremely unclear, I mean I read all 4 books within 24 hours and couldn't track exactly how much time had passed. I'm going to say he is in his mid to late twenties & most professional hockey players don't play beyond 35 so it's not as if they moved to Washington it would have to be forever and he could be traded again. She had just passed the bar and was basically a first year associate when she went out on maternity leave. I realize she had also interned for the same firm but first year associates don't make big money so I'm curious how she a) paid for college and law school b) bought a house, since she grew up poor. Did her brother pay for all of that out of his NHL salary? Also completely unbelievable that she would be offered a junior partnership when she had just come back from maternity leave on was out on a family leave. Law firms are notorious for working first year associates like dogs with no reward. Where was she going to get the money to buy into the firm? It's my understanding that both Jr & Sr partners are required to buy into the firm as part of the partnership agreement. I don't see any reason why she couldn't have moved with him to Washington and either stayed home with the babies for a little bit while studying and passing the bar exam for Washington and then once she passed, doing some pro bono work for a woman's shelter or somthing similar (since the firm she worked for seemed to specialize in family & divorce law) to gain some experience, while he made millions. Then once he retired in 5-7 years having set themselves up financially for life, they could decide to move back to his hometown, Chicago or anywhere and she would be able to join a law firm or set up her own practice. Even if they didn't want to keep the money, that kind of money changes lives - they could create a foundation and do all kinds of constructive things with that money. Are you telling me some little town in Tennessee couldn't use a benefactor to underwrite their youth sports leagues or a crisis center or help attract businesses, doctors, dentists and other investments to help revitalize the area. They were both childish and exasperating. Being cheated on in by 1 guy does not give you an excuse to be a bitch to everyone else for the rest of your life. They needed to learn how to communicate and compromise. Very disappointing.

[Persephone-L17 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was eagerly awaiting the second part of the Emery and Graham story, because with such a surprise ending I didn't know what to expect. And now I can tell you that I love this couple with my life! And to little Quinn and Charlotte 🥺🥰🥰🥰. If you have read Maren Moore you must already know that she has a gift because she knows how to bring the babies and toddlers in her books to life. Each scene where there is a little child can be felt as a real moment, which softens the story and gives it that extra touch that is totally worth reading her books. So, with “The Final Score”, I can assure you that you will love it. Graham is definitely one of my favorite characters. His heart is pure gold. He is impulsive, but always manages to mend his ways. He is authentic, spontaneous, very noble and completely in love with Emery and his girls. In this second part I consider that we know it in greater depth. We get a close-up of his emotional side and that's what won me over even more. As for Emery, she has her perfectionist side and is very prideful. But here there is an evolution in her character. As with Graham, we get to know her in her most emotional version, her apprenticeship in motherhood, and we also witness how she is “letting go” and wages internal battles to be completely happy with Graham.

This book is one of the most emotional I have read by the author. It touches on important topics like postpartum depression and family as the foundation of all relationships, and friendship. Love Graham for the bond with his mom and sister and also the cameo appearances from characters we love. I totally recommend this book!

***𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰***

[Alyssa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Edit: was gonna give 2 stars but then decided…. For what?

Uhhhhh what the fuck was that??

This felt like a very pointless sequel. Also I very much dislike that Emery’s entire personality changed??? You have a couple babies now you both quit your careers?? Of being a NHL player and A FUCKING LAWYER??? Ok.

And as if your post partum depression is cured by dick. Fuck off.

I could have DNF’ed this approx every other page but it was such a short read I decided to stick with it to conclude their story since the last one ended in a cliff hanger.

Needless to say, I wish I DNF’ed this one.

Also, new ick discovered…. A GROWN ASS MAN DRINKING BREAST MILK AND SAYING “IT TASTES SO FUCKING GOOD” PARDON ME ABSOLUTELY NOT and then emery describing it as “erotic”????????? No.

[Co · Rating 2 out of 5]

So… I didn’t enjoy this. I swear I tried, but even if this book has a bit more “emotional” topics than the rest on the series, it feels… shallow. I don’t know how else to describe it exept saying that it lacks substance. I couldn’t feel the connection between the main characters, everything happened so fast and I could barely read how they processed their feelings, so it was hard to even connect with these characters.
Even though Graham and Emery had great potential, this book wasn’t for me.

[antri౨ৎ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book delivered on all the things I’ve come to expect from a Maren Moore book: spice, humor, amazing friendships and a MC who has to work for it somehow. What I did not expect was the emotional upheaval of this book. Oh man, it is so good, but so painful. Please check trigger warnings because Maren can writing a stunningly heartbreaking book, all while giving you an HEA in the end.

We left Graham and Emery in the last book, they had just received some life changing news and we were all left wondering what would happen. Well, I would not have expected how their lives would change. And how much crap poor Graham would have to wade through for his happy family - that this both literal and figuratively, they have twins after all!

I love how Maren really makes her characters own to their mistakes. She is the queen of making them grovel! And this story is no different. Graham made a big mistake by not telling Emery of his potential trade!

Both Graham and Emery mature a lot in this book and make tough choices for themselves and their family. The character growth is amazing!

I don’t want to spoil this for anyone, but I will say to have some Kleenex handy, Maren is bringing the big emotional guns with this story.

Loved it!

I requested an advance reader copy of this book and these are my honest opinions.

[Lori Kays · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNFed after the first chapter....The first book, cute, funny and sweet although Emery was incredibly difficult and annoying. Then I saw there was a book 2 and I was like....what? So I started reading and it's just this OTT melodrama of her being hurt and feeling betrayed by him because he didn't mention the possibility that he might be traded?! For one thing, she is a sister to a professional hockey player, she's grown up around and is very familiar with the game, she absolutely should have already been aware that he could be traded unless he had a no-trade clause for some reason, so for her to not know is insane.The second thing is how did this all end up being about her?! Poor dude just had kids, is trying to get his baby momma to grow a heart and give him an inch while she demands a mile and then he hears on the RADIO that he's going to be traded and somehow this is HIM Betraying HER? This affects him so much more than it affects her. Which brings me to the biggest complaint...he quit the league!!! WTF?! This is the dumbest thing ever! Nope, nope, nope. Really poor writing decision.

[Nagma (Take A Look At My Bookshelf) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Maren Moore’s books and the conclusion to Emery and Graham’s duet is no different. I devoured part 1 in no time, but this one took me a little longer especially because it was heavier on the emotion.

In part 1 of this duet, The Scorecard, we saw Emery and Graham’s developing relationship and the rather comical, yet sexy situation these two got themselves into. In part 2, The Final Score we see Emery and Graham navigate parenthood and other unforeseen circumstances.

In The Final Score, Moore shows us why these two are so perfectly suited. Graham is the selfless father, partner, and son. He is impulsive, but sweet, authentic, caring, and so in love with Emery and his girls. Through his actions he is constantly showing how much he cares for his family. Emery’s character has evolved from when we were first introduced to her. We see the emotional, caring mother and partner who is supportive and strong no matter the difficulties these two face.

This book was definitely different from the other books in The Totally Pucked series and the conclusion to Emery and Graham’s duet holds a special place in my heart. Moore has done a fantastic job depicting strong relationships between family and friends that are no less than family.

The Final Score was a heartbreaking, emotional read that addressed so many important topics. The ending was perfect for these two and I can’t wait to read the stories of the rest of the characters’ in this universe.

Rating: 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Avery · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve come to expect books with smiles and happy tears from Maren, but The Final Score has made me cry for Graham and Emery the same way it made me smile and swoon.

Graham is my favourite from Maren, he is the best daddy ever and I adored seeing him step up and be there for Emery and his girls especially after the way Scorecard ended. And his ‘grovelling’ has to be my favourite part in the whole book!

Emery and Graham’s is a story of healing and love, and it’s so beautifully woven that I found myself turning the pages so fast just so I could keep reading while my heart hurt from the angst and sadness.

All in all Maren served with this book and delivered the best ending I could have imagined for my cinnamon-roll man and his woman.

𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰.

[XxLaVampiresaAlexisxX · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Final Score is book #4 in the "Totally Pucked" series AND the conclusion to Graham and Emery's duet. OMG!! They are literally my favorite couple!! This was the most emotionally gripping, realistic, super steamy, and all around heart warming book in this entire series. I swear, I swear, I love Graham so much. One moment, he's prince charming and has you swooning over him, the next moment, he makes your panties melt with all of the dirty talk that makes you see stars. I had to take pauses because I was 🥵. I'm so glad they overcame their obstacles and finally reached their HEA. Can't wait for Archer's story next!!!

[Sukriti · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Maren Moore's *The Mistletoe Bet* delivers a cozy Christmas vibe, perfect for those looking to immerse themselves in a light-hearted holiday romance. Set in the quaint town of Strawberry Hollow, the story introduces us to Quinn, a high-flying executive with a distaste for the festive season, and Parker, her childhood crush turned charming small-town doctor, who adores Christmas. A whimsical bet under the mistletoe rekindles their connection, setting the stage for a story filled with warmth, banter, and a dash of romance. While the plot and characters might feel familiar, akin to a Hallmark movie, the novella's charm lies in its feel-good, easy-to-read nature, making it an ideal pick for those seeking a quick, festive escape"

[nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️

[veronica ☽ · Rating 2 out of 5]

meh, felt unnecessary to be a second book. The plot line could’ve been explained in an epilogue.

tw: mention of postpartum dep.

[lowkeyreader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is exactly what I expect from Maren Moore. I absolutely loved the finale of Graham and Emery’s story. It's so sweet, so romantic, so heartfelt, heartwarming and emotional. I loved every single second of reading their book, especially their thoughts about each other and their family. Can Graham be any more perfect?! He's so amazing. He's an amazing dad, son and husband. I loved how he is with Emery and their girls. Safe to say, I swooned the whole time. Then how he is with his mother. Ugh, I couldn't take it. Definitely one of my favourite books of the year!

[aanya ✧.* · Rating 1 out of 5]

literally the worst book i’ve ever read in my life this series is always awful the writing is always trash but this one rlly takes the cake. this is literally pro-life/christian propaganda and it’s not even disguised well she didn’t even try 😭😭 how do these books get published they’re so bad i don’t understand literally 0 points were made not a single thing made sense she just repeats the same cringey lines over and over again. this book had zero substance, the conflict was SO STUPID, and the emotional topics weren’t even emotional because they were handled so poorly. this book was not necessary AT ALL. i cant even be bothered to get into some of the real fucked up issues with this book because it doesn’t deserve my energy but all the reviews are lying and maren? get your shit together.

[Kimbers_library · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Final Score
Maren Moore

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 rounded to 4
🌶🌶
Check TW as there are very emotional topics in this book.

Emery and Grahams story is finally complete with this emotional, yet heartwarming novel!

We pick right back off from the cliffhanger in The Scorecard and its a fast pace to the end from there! I would describe this as an extended epilogue to their story honestly! It was a quick read, but I could definitely see why it needed to be its own book with the added details needed to finish their story. Graham's filthy mouth is still very much alive, just as their love is for one another. The way he fights for his family entirely makes him swoon worthy enough. I would say overall that this story is just a sweet bantered, realistic love story that may touch the hearts of some readers who may have gone through similar life patterns. It was a wonderful heartfelt conclusion to their story and you can tell that Maren poured her emotions into all the pages! I enjoyed the teasers about Asher in The Final Score, so needless to say....I'm excited to see where Asher's story will take us! I can't get enough of these hockey DILFs🥵...so...until next time!👋🏻