In The Penalty Box by Lynn Rush and Kelly Anne Blount | Book Review

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

WillowFigure skating was supposed to be my whole world. But one unlucky injury and now I’m down...but I’m definitely not out. I just need to rehab—a boatload of rehab—and who’d have thought I could do it on the boys’ hockey team?
Of course, the infuriatingly hot captain of the team seems to think I’m nothing but sequins and twirls. What’s a girl to do but put him in his place? Game on.
BrodieHockey is my whole world. I’ve worked my tail off getting my team in a position to win the championships—hopefully in front of major college scouts, too—so what’s a guy to do when a figure skater ends up as our new goalie?
Of course, the distractingly sexy skater thinks I’m nothing but a testosterone-laced competitive streak. And surely she’s only biding her time to heal, then she’s gone. Game over.

If a book is being compared to Friday Night Lights and The Cutting Edge, of course I am going to want to read it. In The Penalty Box by Lynn Rush and Kelly Anne Blount is the contemporary YA romance that has a solid sports focus. I ripped through this book in about two days which was entirely unexpected and entirely satisfying.

Willow is a figure skater who has had what seems like a career ending injury – she broke her Achilles heel. She’s back home in Minnesota hoping to rehab and return to her dreams of Olympic gold. As the book opens, Willow is practicing during open ice at the local skating rink when she has an encounter with Brodie – hockey star. When one of Brodie’s slap shots goes wild, Willow catches it in the stands and catches Brodie’s eye. As his team’s goalie is injured they are in need of a new goalie. So, Brodie recruits Willow who is a natural talent.

Willow and Brodie have this undeniable attraction to each other. However, they can’t give into the attraction as fraternizing with teammates is against the rules. Also? Willow’s goal is to get back to figure skating. Brodie will take what time he can get though and trains Willow to be a better hockey player. She gets stronger and stronger – but also finds that she likes Woodhaven. Still, there’s a time limit on the relationship within In The Penalty Box.

Initially I was under the impression that In The Penalty Box was a new adult book. Eventually I figured out it is YA and adjusted my expectations. Willow and Brodie are a sweet couple once they actually get together. I did think Brodie’s home issues were a little over the top but then again. His dad was basically the richest guy in town. However, after his mom dies his dad becomes a drunk and basically super shady. I suppose that is a normal reaction to trauma. And I know people can have multiple problems going on. Anyways. This book was a super quick read and I could not tell the difference between which author was writing when. It seemed like a seamless sort of read. Plus, I find myself wanting to read more sports books after finishing this one up.

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April (Books&Wine)

April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.

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