It's been a while since I read a sports romance, especially a YA, but I really enjoyed In the Penalty Box.

The banter between not just Willow and Brodie, but also the entire team, was fun and brought a lightness to what could have turned into a very heavy read. There are definite trigger warnings with themes of parental abandonment and a lot of car accidents going around. But for the most part, the story wrapped up nicely with a mostly Happily Ever After.

I especially appreciated the way Willow's story played out at the end. I won't say too much, to avoid spoilers, but I thought that she handled her own situation in a very mature way and completely agreed with and understood her reasoning. That said, I think it made Willow seem a bit older than her years... I'm not sure the average 17 year old would be that mature. Then again, Willow is not quite an average 17 year old, either.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who loves a good sports romance, especially fans of hockey or figure skating.