Rate this book

In The Penalty Box (2012)

by Riley Shane(Favorite Author)

3.58 of 5 Votes: 5

languge

English

genre

Romance

publisher

Loose Id

series

Seattle Marauders

review 1: I love sports-themed M/M books but unfortunately very few authors write it, and very few actually get it right. I love hockey and I played field hockey when I was younger. I don't know a lot about ice-hockey because it isn't a big sport in the UK. However, when I get a chance to watch a game I always enjoy it (except the violence part - which I understand is a part of the sport culture).Landon is a big hockey fan and his half-sisters step-dad (yes not sure why this was needed, as the family aspect was NOT a huge part of the book. So don't know why the author insisted in that mind-cluster). He has been in lust with Gregory a hockey player. Gregory isn't out and he has reasons (past trauma). However, he has loved his best friend Kyle for a very long time. When Landon gets a ... morechance to be with Gregory he realises that he was only a substitute for Kyle.Fast-forward four years and Landon is back and Gregory has to deal with his feelings for the younger man.Overall this was a fast-paced and very slimly developed story. Landon ran away when he realised that Gregory was hung up on his best friend Kyle. When Landon does return and after his second meeting with Gregory he has sex with the man. The whole "I can't control myself, because you are so damn sexy" trope HAS to die in M/M romance. Please. Then Landon spills the beans to Gregory on why he left, much to Gregory's shock and embarrassment (as he never knew exactly what happened).I would have bought the relationship between the two, if the author had developed them more and didn't base everything on sex. I liked the moments of anger and confusion both men went through. It was more realistic and I felt I connected more with the characters. The author goes into depth as to why Gregory is so scared about coming out. It was a sad story but I wish this was balanced throughout the book, as opposed to throwing it out in the end.I really enjoyed the secondary characters of the book too. Especially Flynn who'll be getting his own story (one day).Overall, it was a decent book with nice characters if a little one-dimensional. It's not a book I'd re-read again but I did read it in one sitting and for a quick and simple read it was ok.
review 2: I am a huge hockey fan so this was one I knew I wanted to read. I liked Landon and Gregory (Samson) quite a bit. They seemed pretty authentic to what I'd expect hockey players at this level to be. I did think the team seemed to have a bit more time than I'd anticipate during the season to do stuff. I liked the interactions of all the guys - and the out of the closet theme was pretty strong. The sex was hot and forbidden which means it had a tenser edge. Overall a good sports themed MM. less

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