Save the Game

I’ll admit: I rolled my eyes when I saw *another* hockey romance. But *Save the Game* disarmed me within chapters. Max Kuemper is the kind of protagonist who burrows under your skin—not because he’s flawless, but because his flaws are so *specific*. His panic attacks aren’t just ‘he breathed hard’; they’re visceral, disruptive, and treated with a respect that made me pause the audiobook to just… sit with it. Liam DiCosimo’s narration is a masterclass in restraint; his Max isn’t a brooding caricature but a kid who’s *trying*, and that vulnerability in his voice sold me completely. The romance itself unfolds like a slow skate lap—wobbly at first, then gaining confidence. Javi Wilder’s performance as the love interest is the perfect counterpoint: warm but not cloying, with a dry humor that cuts through Max’s defensiveness. My only critique? The middle act drags slightly with repetitive internal monologues about Max’s self-worth (we *get* it, buddy), and a subplot about team drama feels undercooked compared to the emotional core. But the payoff—the way Mulder ties Max’s growth to his relationship *and* his sport—is worth the patience. The production is clean, with seamless transitions between narrators, though I wished for more ambient rink sounds during game scenes to heighten immersion. Still, this is one of the few sports romances where the sport *and* the romance feel equally vital. If you’ve ever loved someone who didn’t know how to let themselves be loved, this’ll gut you (in the best way).