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3.14 AVERAGE
3.14 AVERAGE
This was a super cute and fun read! It was fun and lighthearted in its “forbidden” romance aspect of having them sneaking around and trying not to get caught when everyone knows they have feelings for each other.
Though I wish there was more story than smut, which is totally fine if you like that sort of thing but for me I just kinda wish we got to see more of the characters full fill their dreams and overall have a more definitive ending.
It ended with Harper saying she’s going to start her own photography business but we don’t actually see it. The relationship between the two main characters is described as this passionate deep love but there is no further development in their relationship they don’t get engaged or married it kinda just ends.
Though I wish there was more story than smut, which is totally fine if you like that sort of thing but for me I just kinda wish we got to see more of the characters full fill their dreams and overall have a more definitive ending.
It ended with Harper saying she’s going to start her own photography business but we don’t actually see it. The relationship between the two main characters is described as this passionate deep love but there is no further development in their relationship they don’t get engaged or married it kinda just ends.
ARC review ~
Sports photographer Harper moves to Orchid Beach to get a new start after her bad relationship ends. Professional hockey player Nico is living his best life and not looking for anything serious. After the strangers collide in a bar it becomes a forced proximity/workplace/forbidden romance where the two fall hard for each other but need to keep their relationship a secret. They have a cat and mouse type back and forth with their emotions. Nico’s friend Wes provided him some clarity and wise words throughout. The only thing I didn’t like is that the book kind of abruptly ended before the epilogue (which also could have been better and had more closure.). This book is dual POV and there are some spicy scenes, but not too much. A nice, sports romance that is an easy read.
Thanks Cali for the ARC! Looking forward to the next book as the teaser at the end of this book sounded so good!!
Sports photographer Harper moves to Orchid Beach to get a new start after her bad relationship ends. Professional hockey player Nico is living his best life and not looking for anything serious. After the strangers collide in a bar it becomes a forced proximity/workplace/forbidden romance where the two fall hard for each other but need to keep their relationship a secret. They have a cat and mouse type back and forth with their emotions. Nico’s friend Wes provided him some clarity and wise words throughout. The only thing I didn’t like is that the book kind of abruptly ended before the epilogue (which also could have been better and had more closure.). This book is dual POV and there are some spicy scenes, but not too much. A nice, sports romance that is an easy read.
Thanks Cali for the ARC! Looking forward to the next book as the teaser at the end of this book sounded so good!!
2/5 - The first 100 pages had me excited I’d found a cute little romance, and for some people I’m sure they did but they just lost me. The added new friend at the end? Obviously the next in the series or one in the series but awfully introduced. Wes was already right there with a storyline so it felt so randomly added.
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Meet Me in the Penalty Box is the first book in a new small town sports series, Orchid City. It can be read as a standalone.
Nico and Harper meet in a bar and the attraction is instantaneous. They talk for a bit and then go off to hook up, but they get interrupted. They exchange phone numbers though, because Nico is determined to get to know her.
Nico Cirone is a rookie in the NHL, and he plays for the Orchid City Vipers. Harper had just moved to Orchid Beach and got a job as the photographer for the Orchid City Vipers. Once they both realize they work for the Orchid City Vipers, they know they can’t be together – there’s a policy about players and workers not being in a relationship.
Does that stop them? Of course not, especially not with Nico’s determination. I’m not a huge fan of the insta-love trope, but Nico was so swoony. I mean, every time he called her love? Gah, it was so cute.
Harper was wary of being with Nico because of her past relationship and because she didn’t want to lose her job, but like I said, Nico wasn’t going to give up. He loved Harper and constantly showed her that without actually saying it. Oh, and he was also protective of her.
I’m a sucker for the “he fell first and harder” trope, and this did not disappoint. Nico was so sweet and swoony, but damn was he a dirty talker. And the spicy scenes were so H.O.T.
This is definitely one of those feel-good, heart-warming stories. I can’t wait for the next book!
Nico and Harper meet in a bar and the attraction is instantaneous. They talk for a bit and then go off to hook up, but they get interrupted. They exchange phone numbers though, because Nico is determined to get to know her.
Nico Cirone is a rookie in the NHL, and he plays for the Orchid City Vipers. Harper had just moved to Orchid Beach and got a job as the photographer for the Orchid City Vipers. Once they both realize they work for the Orchid City Vipers, they know they can’t be together – there’s a policy about players and workers not being in a relationship.
Does that stop them? Of course not, especially not with Nico’s determination. I’m not a huge fan of the insta-love trope, but Nico was so swoony. I mean, every time he called her love? Gah, it was so cute.
Harper was wary of being with Nico because of her past relationship and because she didn’t want to lose her job, but like I said, Nico wasn’t going to give up. He loved Harper and constantly showed her that without actually saying it. Oh, and he was also protective of her.
I’m a sucker for the “he fell first and harder” trope, and this did not disappoint. Nico was so sweet and swoony, but damn was he a dirty talker. And the spicy scenes were so H.O.T.
This is definitely one of those feel-good, heart-warming stories. I can’t wait for the next book!
This is my first Cali Melle book and the first in this series. I love a good hockey romance and was excited to start this one after reading great reviews for the latest book in this series. I always like starting with the first book so here we are.
While premise had potential, the dialog was a bit stiff. It just never clicked for me. I listened to this one on audio and it might have been the dual performance but I think it was a combination of the language used and the voices using them.
There wasn't any character development and the plot ended up falling flat. I wasn't sure why they fell so hard so fast for each other without spending much time with each other. The instant connection didn't translate. This book is more smut than plot which is fine if that is what you are looking for. I really wanted to love this one and I think I'm going to stick with the series with hopes the books get better. If you like smutty hockey romance with more spice than plot, then this might be for you. I would recommend reading this instead of listening to this as I think I might have liked it a little better if I did that.
Tropes & Elements:
While premise had potential, the dialog was a bit stiff. It just never clicked for me. I listened to this one on audio and it might have been the dual performance but I think it was a combination of the language used and the voices using them.
There wasn't any character development and the plot ended up falling flat. I wasn't sure why they fell so hard so fast for each other without spending much time with each other. The instant connection didn't translate. This book is more smut than plot which is fine if that is what you are looking for. I really wanted to love this one and I think I'm going to stick with the series with hopes the books get better. If you like smutty hockey romance with more spice than plot, then this might be for you. I would recommend reading this instead of listening to this as I think I might have liked it a little better if I did that.
Tropes & Elements:
This was just terrible. There was so much stuffed into the book that the relationship build up was rushed and not good. There were clumsy sentences and some proofing that got missed that I just couldn’t get over. It was a cute concept but the author could have cut like 6 of the sun-stories, they didn’t add much and were so unnecessary.