What do you think?
Rate this book
Off the Ice #4
Embrace
An unexpected spark between a hockey player and the coach’s daughter might cause them to cross the line in the next Dalton University book from international bestselling author Bal Khabra.
Kian Ishida is all about parties, hockey, and living in the moment. But when he realizes he’s headed to the NHL without his degree, his late dad’s one wish for him, he’s determined to make up those last few credits. Desperate for help, he joins a study group led by none other than Scarlett Kilner. She’s as gorgeous as she is smart. Too bad he doesn’t know yet that she’s his coach’s daughter.
After making a reputation for herself, all Scarlett wants for her senior year is to prove she’s more than her mistakes and graduate without tarnishing her well-respected father’s name. But when Kian Ishida, one of her dad’s star hockey players, joins her study group, things get complicated.
As Scarlett helps Kian, their study sessions turn into something more—stolen glances, lingering touches, and a connection neither of them expected. Kian has to decide what’s more the dream he’s worked for his whole life or the girl he never saw coming.
Kian Ishida is all about parties, hockey, and living in the moment. But when he realizes he’s headed to the NHL without his degree, his late dad’s one wish for him, he’s determined to make up those last few credits. Desperate for help, he joins a study group led by none other than Scarlett Kilner. She’s as gorgeous as she is smart. Too bad he doesn’t know yet that she’s his coach’s daughter.
After making a reputation for herself, all Scarlett wants for her senior year is to prove she’s more than her mistakes and graduate without tarnishing her well-respected father’s name. But when Kian Ishida, one of her dad’s star hockey players, joins her study group, things get complicated.
As Scarlett helps Kian, their study sessions turn into something more—stolen glances, lingering touches, and a connection neither of them expected. Kian has to decide what’s more the dream he’s worked for his whole life or the girl he never saw coming.
396 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 4, 2026
About the author
Bal Khabra
12 books5,521 followersBal is a Canadian writer, romance enthusiast, and book lover. Before she decided to jump into the romance pool, she spent her time gushing about books on social media.
She loves reading about love, watching movies about love, and now, writing about it herself. There really isn’t much else that gets her heart fluttering the way HEAs do. She fell in love with writing and hopes to continue living out her romance author dreams.
She loves reading about love, watching movies about love, and now, writing about it herself. There really isn’t much else that gets her heart fluttering the way HEAs do. She fell in love with writing and hopes to continue living out her romance author dreams.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 785 reviews
May 7, 2026
4.12!
"You have to show people they're worth the trouble"
I feel like this is Bal Khabra’s best book. I was rooting for Kian's book since I read Collide, he’s such an easy character to like, and it felt like she sort of did nail his book, but I also had some inconsistencies with this book. The writing was easy, it went with a flow, the chapters were short and engaging, but at one point, this book did feel like it was dragging, and that was not the best thing because it kind of did put me in a slump. I remember binging most of the book and then reading the last 11 chapters 15 days later 😔 However, that doesn’t negate the good parts of this book.
Kian was as I expected, and he was so easy to like, and an overall amazing main character. I liked how we got to know more about him, the troubles with his family, which were different but well explored. I love good representation of Alzheimer's, and here that was done, and the portrayal of grief was well done. It brought so much depth to his character and made me resonate with him more. It made me see him more than just a jolly character. Scarlet, I didn’t really connect with. I loved the representation that we got of her, but I wanted so much from her character, and I feel like with Kian it was easier to like him because we had been seeing him since book 1, but Scarlett was a new character and deserved more depth, which for her arc lacked. I would say I did enjoy her humour and some scenes, that her being Kilner’s daughter was cute too, but I wanted more.
Romantically, this book excelled!! Ishida being the perfect romantic at heart and Scarlet brought the much-needed spice, their banter and chemistry hit it off. Their scenes together chef’s kiss. I remember being so down bad for these two, they give off power couple vibes. He's the perfect sunshine and she’s the cutest grump!! I loved seeing that side. The spice was also so fantastic, I loved that. In terms of romance, this book did not disappoint, and I also loved how integrated this part was into the plot while not overshadowing it.
Overall, a solid conclusion!
___
Not Berkley fixing our relationship by giving me arcs 🤭 Also, from the very first interaction I have wanted Kian's book the most. I'm PRAYING that it's worth it.
Buddy reading with Hoda
"You have to show people they're worth the trouble"
I feel like this is Bal Khabra’s best book. I was rooting for Kian's book since I read Collide, he’s such an easy character to like, and it felt like she sort of did nail his book, but I also had some inconsistencies with this book. The writing was easy, it went with a flow, the chapters were short and engaging, but at one point, this book did feel like it was dragging, and that was not the best thing because it kind of did put me in a slump. I remember binging most of the book and then reading the last 11 chapters 15 days later 😔 However, that doesn’t negate the good parts of this book.
Kian was as I expected, and he was so easy to like, and an overall amazing main character. I liked how we got to know more about him, the troubles with his family, which were different but well explored. I love good representation of Alzheimer's, and here that was done, and the portrayal of grief was well done. It brought so much depth to his character and made me resonate with him more. It made me see him more than just a jolly character. Scarlet, I didn’t really connect with. I loved the representation that we got of her, but I wanted so much from her character, and I feel like with Kian it was easier to like him because we had been seeing him since book 1, but Scarlett was a new character and deserved more depth, which for her arc lacked. I would say I did enjoy her humour and some scenes, that her being Kilner’s daughter was cute too, but I wanted more.
Romantically, this book excelled!! Ishida being the perfect romantic at heart and Scarlet brought the much-needed spice, their banter and chemistry hit it off. Their scenes together chef’s kiss. I remember being so down bad for these two, they give off power couple vibes. He's the perfect sunshine and she’s the cutest grump!! I loved seeing that side. The spice was also so fantastic, I loved that. In terms of romance, this book did not disappoint, and I also loved how integrated this part was into the plot while not overshadowing it.
Overall, a solid conclusion!
___
Not Berkley fixing our relationship by giving me arcs 🤭 Also, from the very first interaction I have wanted Kian's book the most. I'm PRAYING that it's worth it.
Buddy reading with Hoda
June 2, 2026
thank you to netgalley for this arc!!
i am a little torn on this one - it was definitely an enjoyable and quick read (i read it in one afternoon), and i very much enjoyed being back in this world and seeing our previous characters. usually this friends to lovers style of romance is very much my cup of tea, and i do think they were very sweet as friends, but i didn’t really believe the chemistry. the writing leant a little cringey to me at times, and it felt overall just a tad unbelievable. i think this is probably my least favourite of this series sadly, and it almost felt as though i was reading from a different author at times.
i want to reiterate that i really don’t think this book was bad - i still very much enjoyed myself and i really loved the characters individually, i just think the writing and the pacing lost me a tad.
i am a little torn on this one - it was definitely an enjoyable and quick read (i read it in one afternoon), and i very much enjoyed being back in this world and seeing our previous characters. usually this friends to lovers style of romance is very much my cup of tea, and i do think they were very sweet as friends, but i didn’t really believe the chemistry. the writing leant a little cringey to me at times, and it felt overall just a tad unbelievable. i think this is probably my least favourite of this series sadly, and it almost felt as though i was reading from a different author at times.
i want to reiterate that i really don’t think this book was bad - i still very much enjoyed myself and i really loved the characters individually, i just think the writing and the pacing lost me a tad.
Currently Reading
August 4, 2026i am finally brave enough to start my most anticipated book <3
hahahaha its been weeks and im too scared to binge but i WILL be finishing today
____
CRYING. SOBBING. BAWLING MY EYES OUT.
thank u berkley for the PHYSICAL arc
my favourite cover in the series 🤭
i freaking adore bal khabra SO much!!! sweetest author ever
✧˖°🏒 ⋆｡˚꩜ 𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭
⤷ coach's daughter
⤷ they both have tattoos
⤷ hockey romance
⤷ study partners to lovers
⤷ bipoc / asian rep !!!! (yes we scream)
⤷ forbidden
hahahaha its been weeks and im too scared to binge but i WILL be finishing today
____
CRYING. SOBBING. BAWLING MY EYES OUT.
thank u berkley for the PHYSICAL arc
my favourite cover in the series 🤭
i freaking adore bal khabra SO much!!! sweetest author ever
✧˖°🏒 ⋆｡˚꩜ 𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭
⤷ coach's daughter
⤷ they both have tattoos
⤷ hockey romance
⤷ study partners to lovers
⤷ bipoc / asian rep !!!! (yes we scream)
⤷ forbidden
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
˗ˏˋ ꒰ 🏒+📚=🧡 ꒱ ˎˊ˗
╰┈➤𝒂𝒓𝒄 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘 𝒇𝒐𝒓 "𝑬𝒎𝒃𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒆" 𝒃𝒚 𝑩𝒂𝒍 𝑲𝒉𝒂𝒃𝒓𝒂
📆 𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒔 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅: 𝟒/𝟏𝟑/𝟐𝟔-𝟒/𝟐𝟏/𝟐𝟔
As soon as I started reading the last installment of the Off the Ice series, I knew it would be my favorite of the series. I was drawn to Kian's character from the very first book and I've been waiting for his book since then. This is a series that definitely gets progressively better with each book, and I'm glad that the author saved the best for last.
Let's get right into what I loved about this book.
First, I loved learning more about Kian's character. I suspected that there was more to him than the constant jokes and the endless smiles. We got to learn about what was really underneath the sunny exterior and it added so much depth to a character that seemed a little bit surface level at first. Although this book highlights his struggles and shortcomings, we also got to experience the goodness and the wholesomeness of his character and I fell in love with him right along side Scarlett.
Speaking of Scarlett, I wish I could have loved her as much as I loved Kian. She really didn't stick out to me as a character and would consider her pretty forgettable. The only thing that really stuck out to me about her is that she is the adopted daughter of Coach Kilner.
Hockey player x Coach's daughter is a trope that I generally enjoy, but only when it's done right. But, how it was handle in this book felt a little bit off. Scarlett obviously knew the entire time that she was secretly dating her dad's hockey player, but Kian knew nothing of the sort. So the forbidden tension that could have easily been added if Kian was aware of the situation, was no where to be found. Now, of course there is no right or wrong way to write this trope, but in my opinion the author missed an opportunity to write a juicy forbidden romance.
Moving on, I'd like to mention how cute the tutoring sessions were between Kian and Scarlett. I loved the academic vibe of the library they hung out in, and how they would test each other on concept while *😏🌶️* you know... anyway, super cute and fun.
Lastly, the epilogue was just, perfection. Throwback to all the characters we know and love.
★4 stars★
-----------------------
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkely for allowing me to read this early in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts are my own.
╰┈➤𝒂𝒓𝒄 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘 𝒇𝒐𝒓 "𝑬𝒎𝒃𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒆" 𝒃𝒚 𝑩𝒂𝒍 𝑲𝒉𝒂𝒃𝒓𝒂
📆 𝒅𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒔 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅: 𝟒/𝟏𝟑/𝟐𝟔-𝟒/𝟐𝟏/𝟐𝟔
As soon as I started reading the last installment of the Off the Ice series, I knew it would be my favorite of the series. I was drawn to Kian's character from the very first book and I've been waiting for his book since then. This is a series that definitely gets progressively better with each book, and I'm glad that the author saved the best for last.
Let's get right into what I loved about this book.
First, I loved learning more about Kian's character. I suspected that there was more to him than the constant jokes and the endless smiles. We got to learn about what was really underneath the sunny exterior and it added so much depth to a character that seemed a little bit surface level at first. Although this book highlights his struggles and shortcomings, we also got to experience the goodness and the wholesomeness of his character and I fell in love with him right along side Scarlett.
Speaking of Scarlett, I wish I could have loved her as much as I loved Kian. She really didn't stick out to me as a character and would consider her pretty forgettable. The only thing that really stuck out to me about her is that she is the adopted daughter of Coach Kilner.
Hockey player x Coach's daughter is a trope that I generally enjoy, but only when it's done right. But, how it was handle in this book felt a little bit off. Scarlett obviously knew the entire time that she was secretly dating her dad's hockey player, but Kian knew nothing of the sort. So the forbidden tension that could have easily been added if Kian was aware of the situation, was no where to be found. Now, of course there is no right or wrong way to write this trope, but in my opinion the author missed an opportunity to write a juicy forbidden romance.
Moving on, I'd like to mention how cute the tutoring sessions were between Kian and Scarlett. I loved the academic vibe of the library they hung out in, and how they would test each other on concept while *😏🌶️* you know... anyway, super cute and fun.
Lastly, the epilogue was just, perfection. Throwback to all the characters we know and love.
★4 stars★
-----------------------
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkely for allowing me to read this early in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
——✮∙˙ 4.5 stars ⋆✴︎˚｡⋆
╰► 𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸!
⋮ ✦┆kian ishida is on the verge of achieving his dream of playing in the nhl, but one missing requirement stands in his way: finishing the degree his late father always wanted him to earn. when he joins a study group led by scarlett kilner, his coach’s daughter, he expects help with his classes—not a connection he can’t ignore. scarlett is determined to leave her past mistakes behind and graduate with her reputation intact. but as she and kian grow closer, their study sessions become something much more. caught between family expectations, career dreams, and unexpected feelings, they must decide if taking a chance on each other is worth the risk.
✧ genre: contemporary romance
✧ tropes: hockey player x tutor ⋆ coach’s daughter ⋆ found family ⋆ friends to lovers ⋆ forbidden romance
✧ setting: dalton university
◦◦,`°.✽✦✽.◦.✽✦✽.°`,◦◦
⋮ ✦┆it’s..it’s over 🤧 i genuinely can’t believe that i won’t get to read about these characters again. this book wrapped this series up so nicely and i seriously almost shed a tear at the end 😭
the characters were as phenomenal as they were in the previous books, and a smile never left my face. i really enjoyed getting to know them (especially kian) on a deeper level because it just made me love them so much!
i’m seriously so happy to have received the last arc in this series because it ended off with such an amazing couple and and even more amazing book!
✧˚ ༘ ⋆｡˚ scarlett kilner ⋆｡°
⌞📚⌝ ⋮ ✦┆oh scarlett :) i loved her sm! although she may or may not be the reason why my rating isn’t a 5 stars, i love her nonetheless!
scarlett works her way through this book haunted by the regret of her past decisions and you can tell just how much she really wanted to get away from her past and make herself anew.
i felt so bad when no one really gave her the space to do that. however, as she grew a relationship with kian, she also grew a relationship with herself and i loved that.
i admired how she was willing to learn how to be something becasue she wants to be it and not becasue someone else wants it from her. you can see the insecurity she deals with throughout the book—never truly knowing what is wrong or right in her life.
✧˚ ༘ ⋆｡˚ kian ishida ⋆｡°
⌞🏒⌝ ⋮ ✦┆this man has been my favorite character in this series since the very first book. i already knew that whatever was going on his life was going to make me feel some type of way, because a lot of comedic relief characters have a traumatic background.
kian is genuinely such a sweetheart but he can get down and dirty when he wants and i was actually blushing 😭 i never expected him to say half the things he did but i wasn’t complaining 😏
one thing i loved about him was his ability to reassure scarlett no matter what—as many times as she needed. kian is the type of person who will always care for you because he wants to, not because he’s forced to.
there’s so much i want to say about him, but them this review would be too long. so to end this off, kian is the most sweetest, thoughtful, caring, and funniest person in this book and nothing will change that.
⋮ ✦┆although this wasn’t the five stars i was hoping for, 4 stars is basically an equivalent ☺️ and like i said, the only reason why this isn’t a full 5 stars is because i was annoyed at a specific part in the book (towards the end) and i just could’nt move past it. i did say it was because of scarlett but i don’t know if i should say what it was because i’m unsure if it’s a spoiler (i don’t think it is but i won’t risk it)
ᯤ ୭ ˚. ᵎᵎ “ .” quotes revealed when book is released
── ⋆⋅𖤓⋅⋆ ──
ᝰ.ᐟ📚 ⌗ pre read┆started july 17 | finished july 21 ˎˊ˗
I DONT WANT THIS TO END!! but it’s kian’s book so i know it’s going to end with a banger 😝 ever since the first book, kian has always been my favorite, so i’m so excited to read his story!
˖᯽ ݁˖· ─ 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘯𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘬𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘱 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘤 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸
⟢ 𝙥𝙪𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙙𝙖𝙩𝙚: august 4
╰► 𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸!
˗ˏˋ ꒰ ⓘ ꒱ ˎˊ˗ i. synopsis⋆˚꩜｡
⋮ ✦┆kian ishida is on the verge of achieving his dream of playing in the nhl, but one missing requirement stands in his way: finishing the degree his late father always wanted him to earn. when he joins a study group led by scarlett kilner, his coach’s daughter, he expects help with his classes—not a connection he can’t ignore. scarlett is determined to leave her past mistakes behind and graduate with her reputation intact. but as she and kian grow closer, their study sessions become something much more. caught between family expectations, career dreams, and unexpected feelings, they must decide if taking a chance on each other is worth the risk.
✧ genre: contemporary romance
✧ tropes: hockey player x tutor ⋆ coach’s daughter ⋆ found family ⋆ friends to lovers ⋆ forbidden romance
✧ setting: dalton university
◦◦,`°.✽✦✽.◦.✽✦✽.°`,◦◦
⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ ii. my thoughts ⋆｡°💭
⋮ ✦┆it’s..it’s over 🤧 i genuinely can’t believe that i won’t get to read about these characters again. this book wrapped this series up so nicely and i seriously almost shed a tear at the end 😭
the characters were as phenomenal as they were in the previous books, and a smile never left my face. i really enjoyed getting to know them (especially kian) on a deeper level because it just made me love them so much!
i’m seriously so happy to have received the last arc in this series because it ended off with such an amazing couple and and even more amazing book!
❝For what it’s worth, I like you happy, Kian, but I’d like you sad too.❞
⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ iii. characters ⋆｡°🌷
✧˚ ༘ ⋆｡˚ scarlett kilner ⋆｡°
⌞📚⌝ ⋮ ✦┆oh scarlett :) i loved her sm! although she may or may not be the reason why my rating isn’t a 5 stars, i love her nonetheless!
scarlett works her way through this book haunted by the regret of her past decisions and you can tell just how much she really wanted to get away from her past and make herself anew.
i felt so bad when no one really gave her the space to do that. however, as she grew a relationship with kian, she also grew a relationship with herself and i loved that.
i admired how she was willing to learn how to be something becasue she wants to be it and not becasue someone else wants it from her. you can see the insecurity she deals with throughout the book—never truly knowing what is wrong or right in her life.
✧˚ ༘ ⋆｡˚ kian ishida ⋆｡°
⌞🏒⌝ ⋮ ✦┆this man has been my favorite character in this series since the very first book. i already knew that whatever was going on his life was going to make me feel some type of way, because a lot of comedic relief characters have a traumatic background.
kian is genuinely such a sweetheart but he can get down and dirty when he wants and i was actually blushing 😭 i never expected him to say half the things he did but i wasn’t complaining 😏
one thing i loved about him was his ability to reassure scarlett no matter what—as many times as she needed. kian is the type of person who will always care for you because he wants to, not because he’s forced to.
there’s so much i want to say about him, but them this review would be too long. so to end this off, kian is the most sweetest, thoughtful, caring, and funniest person in this book and nothing will change that.
❝I'm not being polite when I say that you're so perfect I have a hard time understanding how to exist beside you. It's like staring into the sun.❞
⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ iv. overall ⋆｡°⌛️
⋮ ✦┆although this wasn’t the five stars i was hoping for, 4 stars is basically an equivalent ☺️ and like i said, the only reason why this isn’t a full 5 stars is because i was annoyed at a specific part in the book (towards the end) and i just could’nt move past it. i did say it was because of scarlett but i don’t know if i should say what it was because i’m unsure if it’s a spoiler (i don’t think it is but i won’t risk it)
⋆✴︎˚｡⋆v. quotes i loved⋆｡° 𓂃🖊
ᯤ ୭ ˚. ᵎᵎ “ .” quotes revealed when book is released
── ⋆⋅𖤓⋅⋆ ──
ᝰ.ᐟ📚 ⌗ pre read┆started july 17 | finished july 21 ˎˊ˗
I DONT WANT THIS TO END!! but it’s kian’s book so i know it’s going to end with a banger 😝 ever since the first book, kian has always been my favorite, so i’m so excited to read his story!
˖᯽ ݁˖· ─ 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘯𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘬𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘱 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘤 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸
⟢ 𝙥𝙪𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙙𝙖𝙩𝙚: august 4
August 6, 2026
"𝑭𝒐𝒓 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊𝒕'𝒔 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒉, 𝑰 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒚, 𝑲𝒊𝒂𝒏, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝑰'𝒅 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒂𝒅 𝒕𝒐𝒐,"
THE WAY THIS BOOK TOOK ME OUTTTTT! I cried a total of 3 times and the third time was in the epilogue so... 5 stars DUHHH.
Anyway, let's get serious 🥹 The story is such a beautiful one!!! You have Kian, who wants to graduate college and has to pass one particular class but needs help. Enters Scarlett, the girl on campus with a reputation who is also smart, but she refuses to tutor a hockey player. That issss until Kian lends her a hand with her own situation, and she agrees to tutor him and be friends. Obviously, that forced proximity you can sense from a mile away that it's going to become more 🥵.
What I love most about this book is the softness both characters have 😭 From the very beginning, you would think they only have hard exteriors. Scarlett is smart and confident, while Kian gives off major golden retriever energy But in reality, those are only the sides they choose to show to everyone. Deep down, they're both hurting 🥺 Their friendship is what brings that softness to the surface and allows them to confront the difficult topics they've both been trying to avoid ❤️🩹✨
Their relationship grows from friendship into something more, and the slow burn between them is absolute perfection 😩🔥!!
I think this book is the perfect balance of the banter you expect from a student × tutor trope romance and the reminder that everyone is fighting their own battles 🥹 It shows how having someone who listens, supports, and comforts you can make even the hardest moments feel a little more bearable.
Why the 5 🌟? Um water left my eyes, that's all I need it to throw in the 5 stars :)
tropes
🧡 hockey romance
🧡 student x tutor
🧡 forced proximity
🧡 coach's daughter x hockey player
⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆.⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆.
𝗽𝗿𝗲-𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 ꪆৎ ˚⋅ BOOK 4?!? I AM NOT READY FOR THIS SERIES TO BE FINISHED.
Thank you Berkley for my eARC!
THE WAY THIS BOOK TOOK ME OUTTTTT! I cried a total of 3 times and the third time was in the epilogue so... 5 stars DUHHH.
Anyway, let's get serious 🥹 The story is such a beautiful one!!! You have Kian, who wants to graduate college and has to pass one particular class but needs help. Enters Scarlett, the girl on campus with a reputation who is also smart, but she refuses to tutor a hockey player. That issss until Kian lends her a hand with her own situation, and she agrees to tutor him and be friends. Obviously, that forced proximity you can sense from a mile away that it's going to become more 🥵.
What I love most about this book is the softness both characters have 😭 From the very beginning, you would think they only have hard exteriors. Scarlett is smart and confident, while Kian gives off major golden retriever energy But in reality, those are only the sides they choose to show to everyone. Deep down, they're both hurting 🥺 Their friendship is what brings that softness to the surface and allows them to confront the difficult topics they've both been trying to avoid ❤️🩹✨
Their relationship grows from friendship into something more, and the slow burn between them is absolute perfection 😩🔥!!
I think this book is the perfect balance of the banter you expect from a student × tutor trope romance and the reminder that everyone is fighting their own battles 🥹 It shows how having someone who listens, supports, and comforts you can make even the hardest moments feel a little more bearable.
Why the 5 🌟? Um water left my eyes, that's all I need it to throw in the 5 stars :)
tropes
🧡 hockey romance
🧡 student x tutor
🧡 forced proximity
🧡 coach's daughter x hockey player
⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆.⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆.
𝗽𝗿𝗲-𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 ꪆৎ ˚⋅ BOOK 4?!? I AM NOT READY FOR THIS SERIES TO BE FINISHED.
Thank you Berkley for my eARC!
![Profile Image for Hannahhh ;) [free palestine].](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/users/1716322390i/174687111._UY200_CR29,0,200,200_.jpg)
Want to Read
November 23, 2025THE SCREAM I SCREMPT WHEN I SAW THE COVER. BECAUSE KIAN FINALLY GETS A BOOK AHHHHHH. I love how fast bal khabra is writing these, and I haven’t even read revolve yet but I can’t wait for this book
Currently Reading
August 6, 2026pre-read: personally, I'm in the minority of people that didn't like this series, but it's the last book (I think?) so I guess I'll tune in one last time.
Want to Read
November 30, 2025I SCREAMED WHEN I SAW THIS WAS KIAN'S BOOK
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
huge thank you to netgalley and publisher for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review!
i forgot to update this week about the books i've read since i've been extremely busy but onto the review!
this was a good way to end the series! scarlett and kian are so adorable. i love them so much together!! i'm sad that the series has come to an end. 🤧❤️
I GOT THE ARC?!?!?!? HELLO SCREAMING RN.
i forgot to update this week about the books i've read since i've been extremely busy but onto the review!
this was a good way to end the series! scarlett and kian are so adorable. i love them so much together!! i'm sad that the series has come to an end. 🤧❤️
I GOT THE ARC?!?!?!? HELLO SCREAMING RN.
August 6, 2026
I hope everyone finds a love like Kian and Scarlett! A love that makes you feel cherished, safe, and seen, where you can take off your mask, grieve, heal, and be perfectly imperfect together. 🤍
I absolutely loved Embrace by Bal Khabra! 🥹✨ The grief and mental health representation was so beautiful, it made me cry and healed my heart. 😭❤️ Hands down my favorite book in the Dalton University series and easily one of my top reads of the year.
Kian is my favorite! He’s an ultimate golden retriever MMC who masks his pain by always making everyone around him laugh. Between his vinyl collection, his six-second dopamine-fix hugs, and his sweet, detailed acts of care, he’s unforgettable. His tutor, the FMC, Scarlett, is a brilliant social work major with a huge heart, and when she’s not studying, she's volunteering at a women's shelter. Their chemistry is everything! I loved the opposites-attract dynamic, banter, and the tender handling of grief and mental health representation made this story so deeply emotional without ever losing its sweeping sense of romance and warmth.
"It's always you." 🥹❤️
If you love cozy found-family vibes, emotional depth, and green-flag romance like the Windy City series by Liz Tomforde or the Lights Out series from Simone Soltani, add this to your TBR immediately!
As a mixed race reader, I truly loved the diversity and representation in this book, especially when it comes to the sports romance genre! Scarlett’s story was so sweet. From her mom calling her anak and baking fresh pandesal to the warmth of how Filipinos love and celebrate Christmas, every detail felt so heartwarming. Having TWO BIPOC leads (Filipina FMC + Japanese MMC) written by an amazing BIPOC author with South Asian roots in the sports romance genre is something I will always celebrate! ❤️
The aesthetic of this book is pure comfort:
🎶 Feeling seen and listening to vinyl records together
🫂 Six-second hugs for just the right amount of dopamine rush
🌿 Healing and lying in the grass together looking at the sky
📖 Quiet moments in her library sanctuary
🎃 Dressing up as Padmé and Anakin for Halloween
Perfect if you love:
❤️ Sports Romances with Spice
💛 Tutor / Coach's Daughter & Hockey Player
✨️ Grief and Mental Health Representation
🧡 Opposites Attract
😂 Funny Banter!
❤️ Forced Proximity
💛 Tension, Yearning, and more Yearning!
😍✨️ It's Always You
🥰 Cozy Found Family
🧡 BIPOC Author (South Asian Roots)
❤️ Diverse Representation and BIPOC Lead Characters
💛 MMC is Japanese
❤️ FMC is Filipina
Thank you to Berkley Publishing for an advanced reader copy of this book for review consideration. I am choosing to write this review voluntarily, and these are my honest opinions.
I absolutely loved Embrace by Bal Khabra! 🥹✨ The grief and mental health representation was so beautiful, it made me cry and healed my heart. 😭❤️ Hands down my favorite book in the Dalton University series and easily one of my top reads of the year.
Kian is my favorite! He’s an ultimate golden retriever MMC who masks his pain by always making everyone around him laugh. Between his vinyl collection, his six-second dopamine-fix hugs, and his sweet, detailed acts of care, he’s unforgettable. His tutor, the FMC, Scarlett, is a brilliant social work major with a huge heart, and when she’s not studying, she's volunteering at a women's shelter. Their chemistry is everything! I loved the opposites-attract dynamic, banter, and the tender handling of grief and mental health representation made this story so deeply emotional without ever losing its sweeping sense of romance and warmth.
"It's always you." 🥹❤️
If you love cozy found-family vibes, emotional depth, and green-flag romance like the Windy City series by Liz Tomforde or the Lights Out series from Simone Soltani, add this to your TBR immediately!
As a mixed race reader, I truly loved the diversity and representation in this book, especially when it comes to the sports romance genre! Scarlett’s story was so sweet. From her mom calling her anak and baking fresh pandesal to the warmth of how Filipinos love and celebrate Christmas, every detail felt so heartwarming. Having TWO BIPOC leads (Filipina FMC + Japanese MMC) written by an amazing BIPOC author with South Asian roots in the sports romance genre is something I will always celebrate! ❤️
The aesthetic of this book is pure comfort:
🎶 Feeling seen and listening to vinyl records together
🫂 Six-second hugs for just the right amount of dopamine rush
🌿 Healing and lying in the grass together looking at the sky
📖 Quiet moments in her library sanctuary
🎃 Dressing up as Padmé and Anakin for Halloween
Perfect if you love:
❤️ Sports Romances with Spice
💛 Tutor / Coach's Daughter & Hockey Player
✨️ Grief and Mental Health Representation
🧡 Opposites Attract
😂 Funny Banter!
❤️ Forced Proximity
💛 Tension, Yearning, and more Yearning!
😍✨️ It's Always You
🥰 Cozy Found Family
🧡 BIPOC Author (South Asian Roots)
❤️ Diverse Representation and BIPOC Lead Characters
💛 MMC is Japanese
❤️ FMC is Filipina
Thank you to Berkley Publishing for an advanced reader copy of this book for review consideration. I am choosing to write this review voluntarily, and these are my honest opinions.
August 3, 2026
Rtc but I think my expectations were too high with how much I loved the first 3 😭
update: I JUST GOT THE ARC 😭😭😭😭
Kian could step on me and I’d thank him. I’m ready to be DESTROYED by this book.
update: I JUST GOT THE ARC 😭😭😭😭
Kian could step on me and I’d thank him. I’m ready to be DESTROYED by this book.
Want to Read
July 19, 2026i got the arc!!!! i think i need to lock in and start this series. 🧡🧡
April 28, 2026
[arc review] I really enjoyed this and basically finished it in one sitting!
embrace is the fourth and final instalment of the ‘off the ice’ series that follows scarlett and kian. it can be read as apart of the series, or standalone.
it was a fun read, fast paced, and easy to get through. I liked the slow burn and the characters gradually getting to know each other before becoming a couple. I’m usually not a fan of a third act break up, but it made sense for this story—and it was important for their development.
admittedly, I just wish we knew more about scarlett. I wish we got to know more about her hobbies, her friendships, and what really makes her tick.
I know we’ve seen glimpses of scarlett in the other books, but I found myself wanting to know more. I know she’s really into her studies, that she volunteers, and when she has a ‘first’ she loves to take a picture in the photobooth—but who is scarlett at her core? to me, she’s so much more than her anxieties and inner demons, and I wish by the end we could’ve seen more of that.
at least with kian we saw him flourish in hockey, how he’s got a great support system around him in his friendships (and shown that too), and that he’s well respected by his peers. I just wish we got the same for scarlett.
overall I did really enjoy this, and I thoroughly recommend this to anyone thinking of reading it. it’s perfect as both apart of the series, and as a standalone!
thank you bloomsbury for the advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review!
embrace is the fourth and final instalment of the ‘off the ice’ series that follows scarlett and kian. it can be read as apart of the series, or standalone.
it was a fun read, fast paced, and easy to get through. I liked the slow burn and the characters gradually getting to know each other before becoming a couple. I’m usually not a fan of a third act break up, but it made sense for this story—and it was important for their development.
admittedly, I just wish we knew more about scarlett. I wish we got to know more about her hobbies, her friendships, and what really makes her tick.
I know we’ve seen glimpses of scarlett in the other books, but I found myself wanting to know more. I know she’s really into her studies, that she volunteers, and when she has a ‘first’ she loves to take a picture in the photobooth—but who is scarlett at her core? to me, she’s so much more than her anxieties and inner demons, and I wish by the end we could’ve seen more of that.
at least with kian we saw him flourish in hockey, how he’s got a great support system around him in his friendships (and shown that too), and that he’s well respected by his peers. I just wish we got the same for scarlett.
overall I did really enjoy this, and I thoroughly recommend this to anyone thinking of reading it. it’s perfect as both apart of the series, and as a standalone!
thank you bloomsbury for the advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review!
Currently Reading
August 4, 2026˒˒ ⊹⌇ pre-read ᝰ
⌗ ┆started: aug 3rd
my cramps are currently killing me and my cr is sooo boring, so why not finally start the last book in one of my new fav series? 😩 i’m SO excited to finally read kian’s book 🤭 and ofc i’m reading this with my bestie har!! i love you soooo much!! 🥹💗
৻ꪆ thank you so much berkley, bal khabra, and netgalley for the arc!!
⌗ ┆started: aug 3rd
my cramps are currently killing me and my cr is sooo boring, so why not finally start the last book in one of my new fav series? 😩 i’m SO excited to finally read kian’s book 🤭 and ofc i’m reading this with my bestie har!! i love you soooo much!! 🥹💗
৻ꪆ thank you so much berkley, bal khabra, and netgalley for the arc!!
![Profile Image for har. [busy!!].](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/users/1784151978i/61895159._UX200_CR0,0,200,200_.jpg)
Currently Reading
August 4, 2026⤿ 🧡 ⌗ started: august 2
pre-read 𓂃˖ ࣪⊹
⤿ release date: 4th august 2026
i’ve been waiting for the absolute last second to read this because i don’t want this series to come to an end but here we are!! i loved kian SO much so ofc i’m extra excited!! and as usual, i’m reading this with my best friend, mads, i’m so grateful i read this series with you 🥹 i love you so much!!!
⋆.˚ ★— thank you to berkley, bal khabra & netgalley for the e-arc in exchange for a honest review
pre-read 𓂃˖ ࣪⊹
⤿ release date: 4th august 2026
i’ve been waiting for the absolute last second to read this because i don’t want this series to come to an end but here we are!! i loved kian SO much so ofc i’m extra excited!! and as usual, i’m reading this with my best friend, mads, i’m so grateful i read this series with you 🥹 i love you so much!!!
──★ ˙🏒 !! tropes
.ᐟ friends to lovers
.ᐟ hockey player x coach’s daughter
.ᐟ found family
.ᐟ tattooed fmc & mmc
.ᐟ forbidden romance
⋆.˚ ★— thank you to berkley, bal khabra & netgalley for the e-arc in exchange for a honest review
November 6, 2025
I’ve been campaigning since day 1 for a Kian book. THANK YOU SO MUCH
July 29, 2026
Embrace (Off the Ice #4) Bal Khabra
Book Blurb: An unexpected spark between a hockey player and the coach’s daughter might cause them to cross the line
Rating: *****
Feels: Excitement, Heartfelt, Warmth, Joy
Style: Romance, Sports Romance, Hockey Romance, Contemporary Romance
First published August 4, 2026 : 400 pages
Themes & Setting: This read gave me all the feels. So many themes of having to learn to cope with past traumatic events in your life, changing family dynamics, what you want to do with your future and who you want to be be/how you want to be seen.
FMC: Scarlett really showed that a past does not define you and that you can be who you want to be. She struggles with so much in this and I love that she has Kian to be with her.
MMC: I just cant even with how adorable Kian is. Golden Retriever, touch her or say anything mean about her and you will regret it !! I love that Scarlett has him in her corner even as friends to start with its so special !!!
Conclusion: Absolute 5 star read !!! I did not think Kian would be my favorite in the series and here we are. I was on pins and needles the entire read to see when coach discovered Kian and Scarlett !!! Sooo much anticipation!! This book had me in all the feels with the emotional nature of Kian and Scarlett’s past traumas. The way the author handled such sensitive topics was kind and thoughtful ! This book was deep, moving and heartfelt. It was such a lovely way to wrap up this amazing series with all these beloved characters. I loved the glimpses we got into everyone’s lives from each book in this series and the deeper understanding of everything happening behind the scenes. This book was everything I could have hoped it would be and more ! Definitely a beloved series.
This book has:
Coaches daughter x Hockey Player
Found Family
Friends to Lovers
Grief and Healing
Forbidden Romance
Book Blurb: An unexpected spark between a hockey player and the coach’s daughter might cause them to cross the line
Rating: *****
Feels: Excitement, Heartfelt, Warmth, Joy
Style: Romance, Sports Romance, Hockey Romance, Contemporary Romance
First published August 4, 2026 : 400 pages
Themes & Setting: This read gave me all the feels. So many themes of having to learn to cope with past traumatic events in your life, changing family dynamics, what you want to do with your future and who you want to be be/how you want to be seen.
FMC: Scarlett really showed that a past does not define you and that you can be who you want to be. She struggles with so much in this and I love that she has Kian to be with her.
MMC: I just cant even with how adorable Kian is. Golden Retriever, touch her or say anything mean about her and you will regret it !! I love that Scarlett has him in her corner even as friends to start with its so special !!!
Conclusion: Absolute 5 star read !!! I did not think Kian would be my favorite in the series and here we are. I was on pins and needles the entire read to see when coach discovered Kian and Scarlett !!! Sooo much anticipation!! This book had me in all the feels with the emotional nature of Kian and Scarlett’s past traumas. The way the author handled such sensitive topics was kind and thoughtful ! This book was deep, moving and heartfelt. It was such a lovely way to wrap up this amazing series with all these beloved characters. I loved the glimpses we got into everyone’s lives from each book in this series and the deeper understanding of everything happening behind the scenes. This book was everything I could have hoped it would be and more ! Definitely a beloved series.
This book has:
Coaches daughter x Hockey Player
Found Family
Friends to Lovers
Grief and Healing
Forbidden Romance
March 23, 2026
Massive thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the eARC 🧡
Now THIS is how you finish a series! Sometimes I get nervous with the last book in a series I love, but we got the full Kian and Scarlett story with little bits and pieces of other couples/character we know and love, and it didn’t feel like anything was rushed or missing from the story. I was tearing up at the epilogue for reasons that will make sense once the book is out and everyone else can read it.
I knew while reading Revolve that I was going to absolutely LOVE Kian and Scarlett and their relationship, but this was even better than I could’ve thought. Bal Khabra is so good at creating characters that are so similar in tiny ways but also so different overall — she makes them fully fleshed out and 3-dimensional while still making them fun, sporty, slightly silly college kids. I feel like I knew every single character in this series and if I lived in this world, I would want to be friends with them.
Kian is a fun, goofy hockey player who’s friends with everyone and helps out wherever he can. What people don’t know is that he feels like he doesn’t have a ‘person’ — his father passed away a few years ago, his mom is dealing with dementia, and his sister is taking care of their mom full time, so he only really has his friends. He wants to help because that’s what he’s good at, but he gets pushed away and told to focus on school and have fun, so when Scarlett enters his life, he gets turned upside down a little since she doesn’t need him to do anything other than be a friend for her.
Scarlett is a hyper-independent but secretly insecure girl (and she just so happens to be Kian’s hockey coach’s daughter). She has a reputation for being “easy” and doesn’t want to be defined by that anymore, which causes her to be a bit hesitant with even being friends with Kian. She’s extremely close with her parents but doesn’t let anyone know her dad is the hockey coach, and her biological father is in prison so she has a whole arc about that relationship. She agrees to tutor him in statistics (role reversal for both of them in terms of helping others) and so begins their friendship.
This was kind of a slow-burn in a sense - which I LOVE - and the build-up to their realization of feelings was SO worth it. Friends to lovers, when done right, is one of my favorite tropes, and this was definitely done right. To talk about their relationship… where do I begin? Every stolen glance and hidden gaze, every thought about the other person when there’s no reason to be thinking about them, every kind word and sweet gesture, all of it had me hooked; I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the book. They’re both constantly there for each other, whether it has to do with his mom or her bio dad or their friends, they are ALWAYS ready to help in any way they can. They don’t fall into the typical third-act-miscommunication because while Scarlett is scared and starts to run, Kian won’t let her. They talk it out like mature adults. Above everything else, they just make each other better people, they lift each other up, and I love them. I’m so sad to see this series finish, but so happy about all the amazing moments we had. 5 stars all around 🌟
Now THIS is how you finish a series! Sometimes I get nervous with the last book in a series I love, but we got the full Kian and Scarlett story with little bits and pieces of other couples/character we know and love, and it didn’t feel like anything was rushed or missing from the story. I was tearing up at the epilogue for reasons that will make sense once the book is out and everyone else can read it.
I knew while reading Revolve that I was going to absolutely LOVE Kian and Scarlett and their relationship, but this was even better than I could’ve thought. Bal Khabra is so good at creating characters that are so similar in tiny ways but also so different overall — she makes them fully fleshed out and 3-dimensional while still making them fun, sporty, slightly silly college kids. I feel like I knew every single character in this series and if I lived in this world, I would want to be friends with them.
Kian is a fun, goofy hockey player who’s friends with everyone and helps out wherever he can. What people don’t know is that he feels like he doesn’t have a ‘person’ — his father passed away a few years ago, his mom is dealing with dementia, and his sister is taking care of their mom full time, so he only really has his friends. He wants to help because that’s what he’s good at, but he gets pushed away and told to focus on school and have fun, so when Scarlett enters his life, he gets turned upside down a little since she doesn’t need him to do anything other than be a friend for her.
Scarlett is a hyper-independent but secretly insecure girl (and she just so happens to be Kian’s hockey coach’s daughter). She has a reputation for being “easy” and doesn’t want to be defined by that anymore, which causes her to be a bit hesitant with even being friends with Kian. She’s extremely close with her parents but doesn’t let anyone know her dad is the hockey coach, and her biological father is in prison so she has a whole arc about that relationship. She agrees to tutor him in statistics (role reversal for both of them in terms of helping others) and so begins their friendship.
This was kind of a slow-burn in a sense - which I LOVE - and the build-up to their realization of feelings was SO worth it. Friends to lovers, when done right, is one of my favorite tropes, and this was definitely done right. To talk about their relationship… where do I begin? Every stolen glance and hidden gaze, every thought about the other person when there’s no reason to be thinking about them, every kind word and sweet gesture, all of it had me hooked; I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the book. They’re both constantly there for each other, whether it has to do with his mom or her bio dad or their friends, they are ALWAYS ready to help in any way they can. They don’t fall into the typical third-act-miscommunication because while Scarlett is scared and starts to run, Kian won’t let her. They talk it out like mature adults. Above everything else, they just make each other better people, they lift each other up, and I love them. I’m so sad to see this series finish, but so happy about all the amazing moments we had. 5 stars all around 🌟
Want to Read
August 4, 2026 release day ⋮ i wanna read this soo bad ugh . i loved revolve and i cant wait to finish the last book of this series 🙂↕️🫶
pre-release : AHH I NEED THEM 🙇♀️ they have a kittyyyy and they dressed up as padme and anakin for halloween 🥹
ALSO THIS LINE FROM REVOLVE⁉️⁉️
❛❛ he and scarlett must be closer than ive realized, because she only looked at him and he agreed to help. ❜❜
AHHHAAHAHHH PLEASE.
⋮ ⌗ ┆ off the ice series
⤷ collide — 4 ☆
⤷ spiral — 3 ☆
⤷ revolve — 4.75 ☆
⤷ embrace — ? ☆
pre-release : AHH I NEED THEM 🙇♀️ they have a kittyyyy and they dressed up as padme and anakin for halloween 🥹
ALSO THIS LINE FROM REVOLVE⁉️⁉️
❛❛ he and scarlett must be closer than ive realized, because she only looked at him and he agreed to help. ❜❜
AHHHAAHAHHH PLEASE.
⋮ ⌗ ┆ off the ice series
⤷ collide — 4 ☆
⤷ spiral — 3 ☆
⤷ revolve — 4.75 ☆
⤷ embrace — ? ☆
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
somewhere over the rainbow’s playing while i’m cr writing this review and in my mind i can easily imagine kian and scarlett being in a room and hugging or simply watching each other while listening to this song 💌
i can’t believe that it’s actually a wrap tbh… especially since i had the luck to being with these characters , in a sort of way, from the start, book after book, while commenting with my friends about these characters that found themselves connected and it’s just hits different to actually write it… u know?
but… here we go again and it’s my time to share my thoughts about kian and scarlett’s story so let’s not waste anymore time so… welcome my friend and take your time while reading this review :”)
firstly it was genuinely so easy to return again to my beloved family found because i literally devoured this book and i shouldn’t even be surprised but i actually was because with life i didn’t have a lot of time to read lately and then i started and it felt as i never left! 💌
from the start of this series i loved kian! he was always so supportive for his friends and i truly loved to read about him and getting to know him better and seeing another side of him that made me appreciate him way more :) scarlett too! she was just so easy to understand and support! she’s just so special and genuinely human to adore! these two all together had a connection that was just so special and heartwarming to read 🥰 i wanted to hug them a lot of times and not only them because don’t even let me start and rant about all the friendship scenes because i fear that i won’t shut up about those… plus those crumbs ? about that couple ?
am i delulu or … i won’t even say the names because y’all will have to read to understand about who i’m referring 😝 trust me… u’ll appreciate i know u will!
least but not last a lot of thanks to bloomsbury publishing plc and netgalley for sending me the arc of this book in exchange for my honest opinions!!
i can’t believe that it’s actually a wrap tbh… especially since i had the luck to being with these characters , in a sort of way, from the start, book after book, while commenting with my friends about these characters that found themselves connected and it’s just hits different to actually write it… u know?
but… here we go again and it’s my time to share my thoughts about kian and scarlett’s story so let’s not waste anymore time so… welcome my friend and take your time while reading this review :”)
firstly it was genuinely so easy to return again to my beloved family found because i literally devoured this book and i shouldn’t even be surprised but i actually was because with life i didn’t have a lot of time to read lately and then i started and it felt as i never left! 💌
from the start of this series i loved kian! he was always so supportive for his friends and i truly loved to read about him and getting to know him better and seeing another side of him that made me appreciate him way more :) scarlett too! she was just so easy to understand and support! she’s just so special and genuinely human to adore! these two all together had a connection that was just so special and heartwarming to read 🥰 i wanted to hug them a lot of times and not only them because don’t even let me start and rant about all the friendship scenes because i fear that i won’t shut up about those… plus those crumbs ? about that couple ?
am i delulu or … i won’t even say the names because y’all will have to read to understand about who i’m referring 😝 trust me… u’ll appreciate i know u will!
least but not last a lot of thanks to bloomsbury publishing plc and netgalley for sending me the arc of this book in exchange for my honest opinions!!
Want to Read
January 12, 2026Sooo excited for this book and Kian Ishida (since the first book), and the coach’s daughter trope is hinting at a forbidden romance, hopefully with a copious amount of yearning and spiciness.
But we have eight more months to go 😭🫠😩
But we have eight more months to go 😭🫠😩
March 1, 2026
I mostly liked this one! I liked that the fmc was the "playboy" and the mmc was the less experienced one. Just made it different than the usual college romance tropes!
What I didn't like was the constant reminders to the readers about her past and her reputation. It was mentioned wayyyy too many times.
What I didn't like was the constant reminders to the readers about her past and her reputation. It was mentioned wayyyy too many times.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5⭐
They really save the best for last!! Embrace follows the story of Kian and Scarlett and I LOVED them!! The friendship that these two formed through their tutoring sessions turned into the best tension and I was loving every moment with them. Kian, oh this sweet goofy boy. There is so much more to Kian that we get to know in this one and the way he handles everything with grace and patience was really admirable. He is the calm and safe space that Scarlett needs in her life. Scarlett, my favorite girl in the Off the Ice series!! Scarlett's journey in this to accepting the love and care that she truly deserves broke my heart. Thinking she had to do certain things or be a certain way to receive love made me so sad but Kian was always there to lift her up and remind her of her worth. These two just had incredible chemistry and I had the best best time reading their story!! The epilogue was so heartwarming seeing all these characters we have come to love over the course of four books and it's definitely bittersweet this series has come to an end!
Thank you to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my review!
They really save the best for last!! Embrace follows the story of Kian and Scarlett and I LOVED them!! The friendship that these two formed through their tutoring sessions turned into the best tension and I was loving every moment with them. Kian, oh this sweet goofy boy. There is so much more to Kian that we get to know in this one and the way he handles everything with grace and patience was really admirable. He is the calm and safe space that Scarlett needs in her life. Scarlett, my favorite girl in the Off the Ice series!! Scarlett's journey in this to accepting the love and care that she truly deserves broke my heart. Thinking she had to do certain things or be a certain way to receive love made me so sad but Kian was always there to lift her up and remind her of her worth. These two just had incredible chemistry and I had the best best time reading their story!! The epilogue was so heartwarming seeing all these characters we have come to love over the course of four books and it's definitely bittersweet this series has come to an end!
Thank you to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my review!
July 9, 2026
˙⋆✮Rating✮⋆˙
3.5/5 Stars
⋆. 𐙚˚࿔Tropes𝜗𝜚˚⋆
🏒 Study Partners
✏️ Coaches Daughter
🏒 Hockey Romance
✏️ Forbidden Love
🏒 Mmc & Fmc have Tattoos
𓂃🖊Notes and Highlights-
・┆✦ʚ”For what it’s worth, I like you happy, Kian, but I’d like you sad too.”ɞ✦ ┆・
⋆˖⁺‧₊☽”I’m not one of your assignments, Kian.” “But I’d like to ace you”☾₊‧⁺˖⋆
Thoughts: Stop. Just stop. Please and thank you.
⋆｡‧˚ʚ ୨ৎ”KIAN ISHIDA IS in love with me.”୨ৎ ɞ˚‧｡⋆
Thoughts: No dip Sherlock. I mean so cute yay…
💭 Thoughts-
-ˋˏ✄┈┈I wanted to love this and while I didn’t hate it there were multiple issues that stopped that. One of the main ones for me was it felt weirdly paced for example by 30% they were already “having withdrawals” and like it was the end of world when they just met making the whole thing feel off.
-ˋˏ✄┈┈I don’t know what was going on with the random A+, and tutoring mentions like I get your tutoring him but the whole time I read this it felt off. It felt like it was something on the side of the story not a main point of the plot like it was supposed to be making it feel not incorporated well.
-ˋˏ✄┈┈I also felt that there was supposed to be this huge thing when it was revealed that she was the coaches daughter and then it was just there and it felt like everyone was shrugging like whatever and moving on.
Now Playing: ⋆˙⟡ ⋆.Girl I Used To Be˚ ⊹₊⟡ ⋆
♬♪I don’t know how I put up
With all the drama you stirred up
The gossip, the rumors, the blame♬♪
(this song represents her before she came back and decides to change.)
3.5/5 Stars
⋆. 𐙚˚࿔Tropes𝜗𝜚˚⋆
🏒 Study Partners
✏️ Coaches Daughter
🏒 Hockey Romance
✏️ Forbidden Love
🏒 Mmc & Fmc have Tattoos
𓂃🖊Notes and Highlights-
・┆✦ʚ”For what it’s worth, I like you happy, Kian, but I’d like you sad too.”ɞ✦ ┆・
⋆˖⁺‧₊☽”I’m not one of your assignments, Kian.” “But I’d like to ace you”☾₊‧⁺˖⋆
Thoughts: Stop. Just stop. Please and thank you.
⋆｡‧˚ʚ ୨ৎ”KIAN ISHIDA IS in love with me.”୨ৎ ɞ˚‧｡⋆
Thoughts: No dip Sherlock. I mean so cute yay…
💭 Thoughts-
-ˋˏ✄┈┈I wanted to love this and while I didn’t hate it there were multiple issues that stopped that. One of the main ones for me was it felt weirdly paced for example by 30% they were already “having withdrawals” and like it was the end of world when they just met making the whole thing feel off.
-ˋˏ✄┈┈I don’t know what was going on with the random A+, and tutoring mentions like I get your tutoring him but the whole time I read this it felt off. It felt like it was something on the side of the story not a main point of the plot like it was supposed to be making it feel not incorporated well.
-ˋˏ✄┈┈I also felt that there was supposed to be this huge thing when it was revealed that she was the coaches daughter and then it was just there and it felt like everyone was shrugging like whatever and moving on.
Now Playing: ⋆˙⟡ ⋆.Girl I Used To Be˚ ⊹₊⟡ ⋆
♬♪I don’t know how I put up
With all the drama you stirred up
The gossip, the rumors, the blame♬♪
(this song represents her before she came back and decides to change.)
August 4, 2026
kian ishida enthusiast
August 5, 2026
I was actually pretty excited for the last book in this series, but I have to say… this one was a bit of a letdown.
I was really looking forward to Kian’s book. He’s such a sunshine, always smiling and trying to make everyone else happy. A huge golden retriever. So yeah, our MMC worked for me.
Scarlett, though? Not so much... She couldn’t stand up for herself, couldn’t say what she actually wanted, and would rather keep everything to herself. And honestly, she hurt Kian quite a lot by constantly walking away from him and saying things like, “You’d be better off without me.” Girl, PLEASE. It started getting really frustrating. 😒 She had some serious self-confidence issues, and as an FMC, she just didn’t work for me.
The whole plot with Scarlett’s father also felt kind of pointless in the end. It was there… and then?
Even the spicy scenes didn’t really do much for me.
I was happy to see Aiden and Summer again, though. Still my favorite couple in this series. 🫶
But I can definitely see this book working for someone who loves slow burn, golden retriever MMCs, hockey, a sweet FMC and spice. But for me, this one was a bit disappointing.
At one point I was just waiting to finish the epilogue so I could finally be done.
I was really looking forward to Kian’s book. He’s such a sunshine, always smiling and trying to make everyone else happy. A huge golden retriever. So yeah, our MMC worked for me.
Scarlett, though? Not so much... She couldn’t stand up for herself, couldn’t say what she actually wanted, and would rather keep everything to herself. And honestly, she hurt Kian quite a lot by constantly walking away from him and saying things like, “You’d be better off without me.” Girl, PLEASE. It started getting really frustrating. 😒 She had some serious self-confidence issues, and as an FMC, she just didn’t work for me.
The whole plot with Scarlett’s father also felt kind of pointless in the end. It was there… and then?
Even the spicy scenes didn’t really do much for me.
I was happy to see Aiden and Summer again, though. Still my favorite couple in this series. 🫶
But I can definitely see this book working for someone who loves slow burn, golden retriever MMCs, hockey, a sweet FMC and spice. But for me, this one was a bit disappointing.
At one point I was just waiting to finish the epilogue so I could finally be done.
July 28, 2026
4.5⭐️!!!!
This book was absolutely incredible and definitely my favorite of the series! I have been waiting so long for Kian’s story and the wait was so well worth it. I saw so much of myself in both Kian and Scarlett, which is always scary and comforting in equal measure. As an avoidant person, it was so beautiful to see Scarlett met with so much love and understanding from Kian. As someone that hates burdening others and feels like they always have to be positive, I loved seeing how Scarlett was so easily able to see straight through Kian. These two are the embodiment of knowing someone to the bone. Bal’s writing was so inviting and honest and I can’t wait to read what she writes next.
Thank you so much to Berkley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
This book was absolutely incredible and definitely my favorite of the series! I have been waiting so long for Kian’s story and the wait was so well worth it. I saw so much of myself in both Kian and Scarlett, which is always scary and comforting in equal measure. As an avoidant person, it was so beautiful to see Scarlett met with so much love and understanding from Kian. As someone that hates burdening others and feels like they always have to be positive, I loved seeing how Scarlett was so easily able to see straight through Kian. These two are the embodiment of knowing someone to the bone. Bal’s writing was so inviting and honest and I can’t wait to read what she writes next.
Thank you so much to Berkley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Want to Read
May 17, 2026i literally need this book like yesterday.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 785 reviews