Sunday Reading - In the Penalty Box

Hi everyone,

This week I'm suggesting a book that's perfect for this time of year and that's In the Penalty Box by Kelly Anne Blount and Lynn Rush.

This story is told in the point of view of Willow, a figure skater that got injured and that would do anything to be able to get back on the ice and of Brodie, a hockey player that lives for the game.

When the hockey team needs a goalie, Willow shows surprising skills in the net and she ends up getting the position. Playing hockey isn't exactly doing triple axels, but it means she can be on the ice and that's really all she wants.

This plotline feels very familiar, in a good way. I don't mean that the story's already been done, I mean that setting feels real. I know that this happened a couple of times in boys’ hockey teams I knew growing up: having a girl being the goalie.

There's just a very homey feeling to this book, probably because it makes me think of my own hometown. But I don't know, there's just something comforting about Willow putting on her skates and going on the ice. It's like I could almost smell the skating rink.

I also enjoyed the relationship building between Willow and Brodie. They kind of butt heads at the beginning because they have misconceptions about each other. They're also super competitive and they're both obsess with the ice. They don't really want to get involve with each other, but the more the get to know the other, the more they like each other and come to understand the other.

Also, another fun aspect was just the relationship that Willow formed with the rest of the team. I enjoyed that sense of partnership between them. I think friendships are just as important to build in the story as the romance. Oh and the romance is a slow-burn, so I obviously loved that.

All in all, this was a fun, cute and comforting read, and I definitely suggest you add it to your to-read lists.