Back to Last Save: A Steamy Forbidden Hockey Romance

Full Review by DorotyReads

Last Save ended the Ice and Instinct series on a satisfying note. I appreciated that the romance was woven into a larger story about accountability, trust, and standing up for people whose voices have been ignored for too long. The investigation added higher stakes than in the previous books, giving the relationship between Milo and Risa a purpose beyond simple attraction.

Milo was easily the highlight of the novel for me. He's observant, thoughtful, and someone who notices details that everyone else overlooks. At first, his quiet nature makes him seem emotionally distant, but the more we learn about him, the clearer it becomes that he experiences the world with remarkable intensity. His careful way of processing people and events made him feel unique, and I enjoyed seeing how his quiet confidence slowly turned into emotional openness. He isn't someone who expresses affection with dramatic declarations; instead, he builds trust through consistency, honesty, and unwavering loyalty.

Risa was a great match for him. She's confident without being intimidating, determined without losing her compassion, and carries the emotional maturity that comes from years of experience. I especially liked that the age-gap dynamic never defined her character. Instead, what stood out was her integrity and her commitment to doing the right thing, even when it placed her in difficult situations. Together, she and Milo created a relationship built on mutual respect and genuine understanding rather than unnecessary drama.

The romance itself develops gradually, allowing both characters to feel like equal partners. Their connection grows through shared values and quiet moments, making it easy to believe in them as a couple.

That said, I still struggled with parts of the writing. Some of the technical explanations surrounding the investigation and hockey operations occasionally slowed the pacing, and there were moments where the dialogue or internal reflections felt more analytical than emotional. While I appreciated the author's attention to detail, I sometimes found myself wishing for a smoother narrative flow that would let the emotional moments land with greater impact.

Overall, Last Save is a thoughtful conclusion to the series, combining romance with meaningful themes of trust, healing, and justice. Although the writing style continues to be a little hit-or-miss for me, Milo and Risa's emotional journey kept me invested, and I finished the book feeling that the series ended on its strongest note so far.

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Verified ARC review source: Pen Pinery
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