Embrace

Off the Ice #4

by Bal Khabra

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.

Genres: Romance, Sports Romance, Hockey, Sports, Hockey Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary

Kindle Edition

Expected publication August 4, 2026

About the author

Bal 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.

Reviews

[Clace · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[joni ౨ৎ - hiatus]

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

[Grace Quan · Rating 4 out of 5]

˗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.

[Hannahhh ;) [free palestine]]

THE 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

[rehaab ౨ৎ]

I SCREAMED WHEN I SAW THIS WAS KIAN'S BOOK

[luna ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Sophie (lambsbooks)]

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.

[ahmeeka · Rating 4 out of 5]

[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!

[Jin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been campaigning since day 1 for a Kian book. THANK YOU SO MUCH

[ilana · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 🌟

[har. (ia, finals)]

BRB!! this series was literally my next read and i got the arc?! SCREAMING

[zilan · Rating 4 out of 5]

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!!

[Emerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[EM]

Sooo 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 😭🫠😩

[Mai H.]

Valentine's Day TBR

📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley

[~Ria {semi-hiatus}]

PLEASE BE BETTER THAN COLLIDE..🙏

[sabriah ᥫ᭡. · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars!!! ☆
⤿ spoiler-free review
thank you to netgalley and berkley for this GORGEOUS arc!!

ೃ⁀➷“You look just like the nerd that tutors me.”
"I bet she's hot."
"You have no idea."

spice level: 2.5/5

★The plot

Kian Ishida is a star hockey player whose dads dying wish was for him to graduate. Scarlett Kilner is a star student with a reputation not nearly as good as her grades. Friends to lovers, tutor x hockey player, coach's daughter?? YES GIVE IT TO ME. This plot was fast paced and I literally never felt bored reading this book which is especially amazing considering I quite literally was in the worst reading slump this entire year. Embrace has gotten me out of that slump (though it was such a good book I MIGHT just be in a book hangover now).

★The romance

There is no force on this Earth that could rip Kian and Scarlett apart. They are such a wholesome and completely healthy couple. Kian Ishida is the DEFINITION of a green flag. No seriously, he is perfect in every way. Scarlett holds so much inside her and the way kian was able to see right through her emotions is just so beautiful. I yearn for a relationship like theirs.

★Final thoughts

So I will in fact be going back and reading the other 3 books in this series ASAP.

[Robin Donahue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me this ARC in exchange for an honest review

I loved this book and this entire series. Felt like the perfect book to wrap up the series. I have so much love for Kian as a character. He’s perfect. Friends to lovers is such a good trope and this was very well done. The anticipation leading up to Scarlett and Kian’s relationship was addicting to read.

Scarlett and Kian helped each other navigated their own grief beautifully. I’m sad this series is at its end, but would gladly read more if this author continued the series or wrote something similar

[Bellalucina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell in love with Bal Khabra’s books the moment I finished reading Collide and since then she has been an auto-buy author. I’ve loved the Off the Ice series and every book since Collide. It’s so sad knowing Embrace is the final book in this series because I could read about these characters forever. With that said, I LOVED Embrace and I think I highlighted 90% of the book. I fell in love with Kian and Scarlett right away and I loved the way their friendship grew throughout the book. Friends to lovers will always be my favorite trope and this book was no exception. 10/5 stars from me and I can’t wait til August so I have a physical copy to worship on my bookshelves

[lola ୨ৎ]

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.

[Bree · Rating 4 out of 5]

[arc review]

rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Embrace is the fourth book on the Off The Ice series by Bal Khabra. This series has been such a fun series and all of the book are very easy and quick reads. You can read these books as standalones, but i’d highly recommend reading the series in order.

I knew from the minute Kian was introduced in this series, he was going to be one of my favorite characters! I was so happy to see that he was getting his own happily ever after!

Scarlett and Kian are so cute together and have the sweetest story. I love how down bad Kian was for Scar from the beginning. I need a Kian Ishida in my life, please and thank you!

I loved all the small moments where they were soft and cared for one another in their own unique ways. I loved that both characters had tattoos!! HOT!!

I am so sad to be saying goodbye to this series but i can’t wait to see what Bal writes next!

thank you to netgalley and berkeley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

[daphne · Rating 4 out of 5]

“𝐈 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐟 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫. 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐠𝐨𝐭 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐩𝐢𝐞𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐧, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐨𝐜𝐤𝐞𝐭𝐬, 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐞, 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐫𝐚𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐦𝐬 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐧𝐞. 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐠𝐨 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐭.”


It feels bittersweet writing my final review for the Off The Ice Series - but I’m looking forward to whatever Bal is cooking up next. Kian and Scarlett were so perfect for each other. Seeing Scarlett get over her struggles and insecurities and the dementia rep was everything to me (it also made me go and hug my grandma). I also related when Scarlett used studying as a coping mechanism lol. Not the biggest fan of the third act conflict because I feel like it could be avoided or atleast be a little less dramatic (although I do understand where it came from). I love the people within this series and I wish they were real so I could befriend all of them.

the vibes ™:
- a man who yearns
- tattoed fmc & mmc
- stray cat
- dementia rep
- she tutors him
- the hottest spice

🏒🧡✨

[Sophie Austin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Embrace is the 4th book in a series, however, can be read as a standalone as I did. Kian has huge golden retriever energy, he is loveable and has so much love to give. Whereas, Scarlett is more reserved and hides herself away after a challenging early start in college. When they strike a deal to get Kian to graduation, Scarlett knows she can’t admit she’s the daughter of the college hockey coach.

This book was fun, flirty and easy to read, with elements of some deeper topics and trauma. I would recommend this book and now need to go back an read the rest of the series.

Thank you the NetGalley for the ARC of this book!

[Maral · Rating 4 out of 5]

I still can’t believe I got an ARC of this😭❤️ Bal Khabra is the queen of hockey romance🙏 I loved everything about this book! I loved Scarlett and Kian. I loved their dynamic and all the friendships🫶 I’m so sad the series is coming to an end, but happy that we got so many beautiful stories and characters to love. Embrace was the perfect ending for a perfect series❤️

[lion ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

6 STARS OMG I LOVED THIS SO MUCHHHHHHH! KIAN AND SCARLETT WERE PERFECT IMO AND THIS BOOK DEFFO THE BEST OFF THE ICE BOOK!!!

Ok so in all seriousness I would say out of all of Bal Khabra's books this was my favourite- especially after reading Revolve which I liked but was honestly kind of bland to me. That book did get me really excited for Kian's book- AND IT DID NOT DISSAPOINT! I feel like even in Collide her writing style is really good but it really shines here in Embrace!

The book itself also ate sm!! Scarlett & Kian were so sweet and I abosuletly loved both of their storylines so much! Im so excited for when this book really comes out and I am able to talk abt exactly my fav parts!! I really do love Kian tho, and the whole forbidden relationship plotline was so incapsulating & well executed! Overall amazing read <3

Thank you Netgalley & Berkley Publishing Groups for giving me the opprotuinity to read this arc!! This is my 2nd arc read!
#netgalley #embrace

Rating: 6 stars
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Kian X Scarlett
————————
Pre Read: OMG I GOT THE ARCCC IM SO HAPPY READING THIS ASAP

side note I have 3 tests and a project due this week 😔

[selly rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s always such a blessing to read a book from this series ugh i love my family so much!! Kian has been so precious to me since we first met him in Collide, and his book just made me fall even deeper in love. It’s such a bittersweet feeling because I’m so happy to have been able to read this early but also WHAT DO YOU MEAN IT’S OVER?? I need 50 more!!!! 😭

Meeting Kian in Collide was like love at first sight for me. I instantly fell for his character, and his book only strengthened that love. I LOVEEEE SOFT BOYS!!! He’s dealing with a lot of emotions of trying to be there for his family while still grieving the loss of his father. There are heavy discussions about death and dementia, and as someone that has lost a dad and has family that struggled with dementia, it was a heartbreaking read. Despite all the pain he’s dealing with, he continues to smile and stay as loving as he’s always been. You’d never know what he was dealing with because he’s always smiling and making her friends happy. The way he loves Scarlett was extra special to me. When he got on his knees because she wasn’t talking I giggled so much THAT’S MY MAN!!! He calls her baby AND sweetheart??? Ugh he’s so perfect.

Scarlett was such a fun character!! I didn’t know she was a filipino character and I loved the rep 🙂‍↕️ just like Kian, she’s a sense of comfort for her best friend despite everything she’s dealing with. She has a loving mother and step-father but is trying to connect with her bio dad in prison. There are mentions of domestic abuse from her childhood but it’s not expanded too heavily. The father-daughter relationship between her and Kilner was a nice spin to the coach’s daughter trope and I absolutely loved it!

Kian and Scarlett are so precious and deserving of love I will be defending them until I DIE!!!! I really loved how they became best friends before dating, and even after they got together, they’re still each other’s best friend. They choose each other first every single time and I was there tearing up. Kian defended her even before he knew her that well, and that’s when I fell in love with them tbh. Everyone deserves someone that loves them like Kian and Scarlett love each other.

Something else I absolutely adored was seeing the previous couples in their eyes. Collide was the first sports romance book I read, and I enjoyed seeing my family together again. THAT EPILOGUE!!!! I was conflicted between making this a 4.75 or 5 star but honestly that pushed it back up. This series has so much love, both romance and love between friends. I’ll miss reading this series so very much I can’t believe it’s over. 🥹🥹

[cath · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 stars

i truly cannot believe this is a goodbye to dalton university, and while i don't know what khabra has in store for readers next, i truly cannot wait for the next journey. this book was not only a beautiful ending the the series but a beautiful story between characters. what i think i loved most about the book was its depth and the growth ive seen from bal as a writer. this book is easily her best written book because of how it it happens at the same time as 'revolve' as they follow the same timeline, so seeing the perfect plot points fit together while providing so much insight into scar and kian's love story was truly a treat!

tropes:
- tutor x hockey player
- golden retriever x black cat
- found family
- coaches daughter x team captain
- forbidden romance
- witty banter
nicknames: sweetheart, baby, scar

in my opinion, scarlett is khabra's deepest and most complex characters both because of her past and because of the raw and honest troubles she carries. As a character, I just want to wrap her up in an embrace (see what i did there) and block out the noise from her mind and the reputation others have placed on her; however, i will sleep peacefully at night because I know kian will always be there to block out the noise. I think this story was very well-rounded and had a very good balance between kian and scarlett's issues as individuals and how they helped each other through everything.

ending the series with kian was honestly the PERFECT move because his character isn't what everyone seems to assume. while his joyful and carefree spirit is refreshing and still honest to him as a character, there was still so much below the surface to uncover from him.

another thing i truly loved about this book was khabra's influences. I really saw bits of another fave series of mine (the undone series by peyton corinne) and not in a copying way or in a 'peyton truly influenced this' but in the sense that embrace has taken on the timeline's that undone does where two books are kind of happening at the same time. It has been truly refreshing to read and i ADORED bal's take on the dual book timeline and i truly hope more books take that on because its both a nod to fans of the series, and also because it provides a new perspective on previous books.

As the ending of the series, I am sad to see it go, but I will say I feel that it was a VERY good ending and provides closure to readers. I loved how we see glimpses of all characters mixed with kian and scar's story. Truly FANTASTIC. no notes, I loved this so very much and I already want to reread!!!

Thank you to berkley for this arc copy! This is a completely honest review

[Mai | mai.readingnook · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️s

The way we have all waited for Kian’s book, am I right? 🥹
Thank you SO much for this highly anticipated ARC, Berkley!

Kian. What a sweetheart. I loved getting to know his character on a deeper level now that we get his perspective. Of course he is so much more than the fun-loving friend-of-all. I felt that he was very mature, yet still had a lot of character growth throughout the story.

Scarlet. I didn’t realize we had a Filipina FMC?! I loved that surprise! I was so pleasantly surprised with all the little details thoughtfully added by Bal, like how they ate pandesal for breakfast, and her mom calling her “anak”. Loved, loved, loved and so appreciated.

Now, SPOILER TIME.


Okay. Stop reading if you don’t want to see or read it.


STOP.



Really stop NOW.



This book was reading like a solid 5 stars to me up until the 3rd act break up, especially the resolution part. I did not understand it. Kian and Scarlet were in a predicament because of something Scarlet “lied”— or if you prefer, omitted to share intentionally—about. Yet Kian was the one left begging in the end. The only one. There was no gesture of any kind on Scarlet’s end and I don’t even know if she would have fought for Kian at all? Maybe the resolution came too soon and she needed therapy first. Some growth. I think Kian deserved at least that.

Now that Epilogue though sure made up for a lot. I loved seeing all the friends YEARS into the future. It was such a sweet ending.

[Mylz Belanger · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5 ⭐️

Embrace is the fourth and final installment in the Off The Ice series. The story follows Kian, a hockey player, and Scarlett, the coach’s daughter. After meeting in a study group, Kian persuades Scarlett to tutor him so he can pass his classes and graduate this semester.

I loved how naturally their relationship developed. They went from strangers to study partners to friends in such an organic way. Watching them open up and learn to trust each other was truly beautiful.

Kian is an absolute sweetheart. I’ve adored him since book one, and his story absolutely did not disappoint.

This book explores several sensitive topics, including the death of a parent, grief, dementia, incarceration, and abusive relationships. It handles each of them thoughtfully, giving us a deep look at how both main characters cope with and struggle through the challenges in their family lives.

** POSSIBLE SPOILER **
This book was a 5 stars before the third act breakup.
I am SO tired of the MMC always having to fix everything and apologize relentlessly even when the whole situation is 100% the FMC's fault.
I hated how Scarlett handled the situation. It made me so frustrated and to have Kian bend over backwards to fix everything made me so mad. He deserved better.

I absolutely adore this series and Bal Khabra’s writing. I highly recommend it if you love college hockey romances with a strong found-family dynamic.
I’m going to miss these characters so much, but I can’t wait to see what she writes next!

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book!

[Cátia Chambel · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

I was actually terrified of reading this after the disappointment that was Revolve, but I actually enjoyed it.

My sweet, sweet Kian Ishida. He carried this book. I loved his character so much. He was so attentive, such an amazing friend as well as partner. The way that he was always there for Scarlett, and just understood her, was just so cute.

I feel like the issues both characters were dealing with in this book were better handled than in the previous one but it still felt sort of surface level at times.

The only issues I had with this story were the spicy scenes and the third act conflict. In my opinion, the scenes felt very disconnected from the characters that we had been getting to know and the conflict was full on unnecessary. Also, for a last book in a series, I would have loved to have seen more interaction of the group and have that feeling of found family but that’s just a personal preference.

Overall though, the relationship was very solid and so wholesome. I loved reading about them and I had a good time.