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Love on Thin Ice #7
Penalties and Proposals
It only takes one bad apple to ruin the bunch. When life hands me reformed hockey star Noah Beaumont, AGAIN, am I supposed to make cider or is there a sweeter surprise in store?
I never wanted to see Noah Beaumont again. EVER. When I kicked him off my set after he showed up intoxicated, his PR team tried to blacklist me. I made it over that hurdle, made a name for myself, and I’m heading to Maple Falls to cover a charity ice hockey team that’s making headlines...only to find out I have to work with HIM.
But this Noah seems different. He’s reformed and seems to be determined to show me he’s changed. Can I trust him, or will he be the same disaster I remember?
I’ve spent years trying to make amends for my past mistakes, questioning if I still belong in the world of hockey or if it's time to step back, be ‘normal’. But seeing Willa again brings everything into sharp focus. She’s the woman who’s haunted my thoughts since the day I met her.
Now, she’s here in Maple Falls, and I’m determined to prove I’m not the same man she remembers. I want her to see the real me, the man I’ve worked so hard to become. Can I convince her to give me a second chance?
Penalties and Proposals is part of the Love on Thin Ice sweet small town hockey romcom series. It's a second chance enemies to lovers story with forced proximity in this small town romance with all the sizzle and chemistry, but none of the spice.
Content This IS a lighthearted and fun romantic comedy, but there are subjects mentioned in this book like parents passing away and former substance abuse.
Slide into the Love on Thin Ice Series for a sweet romantic escape. Seven authors, seven short novels, and one charming town. Get ready for heartwarming short novel love stories and all the fall feels. Start reading now!
Breaking the Ice by Whitney Dineen
The Rebound Play by Kate O’Keeffe
The Friend Face Off by Grace Worthington
Love in Overtime by Melissa Baldwin
The Parent Playbook by Elsie Woods
Love at First Skate by Ellie Hall
Penalties and Proposals by Anne Kemp
I never wanted to see Noah Beaumont again. EVER. When I kicked him off my set after he showed up intoxicated, his PR team tried to blacklist me. I made it over that hurdle, made a name for myself, and I’m heading to Maple Falls to cover a charity ice hockey team that’s making headlines...only to find out I have to work with HIM.
But this Noah seems different. He’s reformed and seems to be determined to show me he’s changed. Can I trust him, or will he be the same disaster I remember?
I’ve spent years trying to make amends for my past mistakes, questioning if I still belong in the world of hockey or if it's time to step back, be ‘normal’. But seeing Willa again brings everything into sharp focus. She’s the woman who’s haunted my thoughts since the day I met her.
Now, she’s here in Maple Falls, and I’m determined to prove I’m not the same man she remembers. I want her to see the real me, the man I’ve worked so hard to become. Can I convince her to give me a second chance?
Penalties and Proposals is part of the Love on Thin Ice sweet small town hockey romcom series. It's a second chance enemies to lovers story with forced proximity in this small town romance with all the sizzle and chemistry, but none of the spice.
Content This IS a lighthearted and fun romantic comedy, but there are subjects mentioned in this book like parents passing away and former substance abuse.
Slide into the Love on Thin Ice Series for a sweet romantic escape. Seven authors, seven short novels, and one charming town. Get ready for heartwarming short novel love stories and all the fall feels. Start reading now!
Breaking the Ice by Whitney Dineen
The Rebound Play by Kate O’Keeffe
The Friend Face Off by Grace Worthington
Love in Overtime by Melissa Baldwin
The Parent Playbook by Elsie Woods
Love at First Skate by Ellie Hall
Penalties and Proposals by Anne Kemp
172 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 17, 2024
114 people are currently reading
624 people want to read
About the author
Anne Kemp
32 books436 followersAnne Kemp is a bestselling author of romantic comedies. She loves reading (and she doesn’t it ridiculously fast, too!), gluten-free baking (because everyone needs a hobby that makes them crazy), and finding time to binge-watch her favorite shows. She grew up in Maryland but made Los Angeles her home until she encountered her own real-life meet-cute at a friend's wedding where she ended up married to one of the groomsmen. For real.
Anne now lives on the Kapiti Coast in New Zealand, and even though she was married at Mt. Doom, no…she doesn’t have a Hobbit. However, she and her husband do have a terrier named George Clooney and when she’s not writing, she’s usually with them taking a long walk on the river by their home.
You can find Anne on her website - come say hi! She’d love to hear from you: www.annekemp.com
On Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest: @missannekemp
On TikTok: @annekempauthor
You can always find her www.AnneKemp.com.
Anne now lives on the Kapiti Coast in New Zealand, and even though she was married at Mt. Doom, no…she doesn’t have a Hobbit. However, she and her husband do have a terrier named George Clooney and when she’s not writing, she’s usually with them taking a long walk on the river by their home.
You can find Anne on her website - come say hi! She’d love to hear from you: www.annekemp.com
On Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest: @missannekemp
On TikTok: @annekempauthor
You can always find her www.AnneKemp.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 228 reviews
November 7, 2024
Cute but quick sports romance about a second chance between a hockey player trying to make amends with a sports photographer he caused to accidentally lose her job! It had the cutest fall backdrop in a small town and was an entertaining read for this autumn. This book is part of a closed-door sports romance series written by different authors that have characters intertwining but you don’t need to necessarily read the others to understand each book (but I’m sure it helps!) 🏒✨
I think I was a little underwhelmed by our FMC, Willa Blackwell. Most of her backstory and main character motivations are mostly told to us versus shown. For example, she spends a lot of time telling the reader that her job is so important to her or telling the MMC that she wants to help out her mother. But I didn’t feel much of a connection to her? She spent most of the book holding a long grudge against Noah for something that he didn’t mean to cause and even when they overcame that together, she kept pushing him away for no reason? She wasn’t a very fleshed out character so it was a little disappointing because I think she had more potential had it been written out with more character development.
Noah Beaumont was a bit more interesting, in my opinion. You could tell he was very remorseful and trying to change his ways compared to how he was when he was still surrounded in his toxic work environment. It was admiring to see him really work to get Willa to see the other side of him that he had been working on for so many years. I thought he had more going on in terms of motivation as he struggled to decide between making his way back to the NHL versus finding himself drawn to the humanity aspect of hockey by teaching future generations as a coach. He was also very wholesome talking about Willa and being an all-around gentleman in being direct but sweet about his feelings for her.
Since the book resembles a novella, it’s quite short and the way the story is told completely rushes Willa and Noah’s relationship. While I did find Noah’s initial attraction to her endearing, it felt very insta-love hearing him talk about when he first saw her. I found it hard to believe that Willa started to see feelings for Noah so quickly and so deeply despite only two times of bonding being somewhat of a catalyst for her to switch from holding a grudge against him to finding him intriguing. Even the ending, while super sweet and fluffy, just fell a little short for me when you consider the context of how fast-paced their relationship was. I just felt like I didn’t connect to their feelings and it didn’t make me want to root for them?
I think I was so set on giving this one 4 stars and I was willing to overlook the unrealistic relationship bonding into a full-blown love. Until this super weird thing happened where the FMC walks into a bookstore and “just so happens” to pick up a closed door romance book about hockey from an author “new-to-her.” And guess who the author is? Anne Kemp, author of this book I’m writing a review on. And Willa’s promoting Anne Kemp’s book, so really… Anne Kemp is using her FMC to self-promote her other books 🫣 as if it couldn’t get any more ridiculously random, Willa asks the bookstore owner for recommendations. And the owner proceeds to gush about and list the authors that wrote the other books in the series. By full name and by which books they’re known for 🫤 it was the most awkward and juvenile thing I’ve ever seen an author do in a book before, so that was what bumped it down from 4 to 3 stars. I had the hardest time trying to get back into the book because it was so out-of-pocket and it was all I could think of reading the rest of it
That being said, my favourite part of this book was the fluffy, cheesy moments between the MCs! Taken out of context from Willa and Noah, I actually found myself saying, “Oh, I wish I had that” to every romantic moment that was happening between them. Noah throws a bunch of hay into the air while he and Willa giggle as the photo booth shutter takes their impromptu moment on camera. Willa showing up to Noah’s game wearing his jersey to support him. Noah blowing her a kiss and Willa reaching out to grab it and pat it on her heart. Those were my favourite moments between them that without considering the context and the fast-paced relationship were just plain adorable.
Tropes:
- Sports photographer FMC x hockey player MMC 📸🏒
- Dual POV
- Second chance romance
- Enemies (more like dislike?) to lovers
- Small town 🏡
Thank you to NetGalley and Red Bird Publishing for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for my honest review!
I think I was a little underwhelmed by our FMC, Willa Blackwell. Most of her backstory and main character motivations are mostly told to us versus shown. For example, she spends a lot of time telling the reader that her job is so important to her or telling the MMC that she wants to help out her mother. But I didn’t feel much of a connection to her? She spent most of the book holding a long grudge against Noah for something that he didn’t mean to cause and even when they overcame that together, she kept pushing him away for no reason? She wasn’t a very fleshed out character so it was a little disappointing because I think she had more potential had it been written out with more character development.
Noah Beaumont was a bit more interesting, in my opinion. You could tell he was very remorseful and trying to change his ways compared to how he was when he was still surrounded in his toxic work environment. It was admiring to see him really work to get Willa to see the other side of him that he had been working on for so many years. I thought he had more going on in terms of motivation as he struggled to decide between making his way back to the NHL versus finding himself drawn to the humanity aspect of hockey by teaching future generations as a coach. He was also very wholesome talking about Willa and being an all-around gentleman in being direct but sweet about his feelings for her.
Since the book resembles a novella, it’s quite short and the way the story is told completely rushes Willa and Noah’s relationship. While I did find Noah’s initial attraction to her endearing, it felt very insta-love hearing him talk about when he first saw her. I found it hard to believe that Willa started to see feelings for Noah so quickly and so deeply despite only two times of bonding being somewhat of a catalyst for her to switch from holding a grudge against him to finding him intriguing. Even the ending, while super sweet and fluffy, just fell a little short for me when you consider the context of how fast-paced their relationship was. I just felt like I didn’t connect to their feelings and it didn’t make me want to root for them?
I think I was so set on giving this one 4 stars and I was willing to overlook the unrealistic relationship bonding into a full-blown love. Until this super weird thing happened where the FMC walks into a bookstore and “just so happens” to pick up a closed door romance book about hockey from an author “new-to-her.” And guess who the author is? Anne Kemp, author of this book I’m writing a review on. And Willa’s promoting Anne Kemp’s book, so really… Anne Kemp is using her FMC to self-promote her other books 🫣 as if it couldn’t get any more ridiculously random, Willa asks the bookstore owner for recommendations. And the owner proceeds to gush about and list the authors that wrote the other books in the series. By full name and by which books they’re known for 🫤 it was the most awkward and juvenile thing I’ve ever seen an author do in a book before, so that was what bumped it down from 4 to 3 stars. I had the hardest time trying to get back into the book because it was so out-of-pocket and it was all I could think of reading the rest of it
That being said, my favourite part of this book was the fluffy, cheesy moments between the MCs! Taken out of context from Willa and Noah, I actually found myself saying, “Oh, I wish I had that” to every romantic moment that was happening between them. Noah throws a bunch of hay into the air while he and Willa giggle as the photo booth shutter takes their impromptu moment on camera. Willa showing up to Noah’s game wearing his jersey to support him. Noah blowing her a kiss and Willa reaching out to grab it and pat it on her heart. Those were my favourite moments between them that without considering the context and the fast-paced relationship were just plain adorable.
Tropes:
- Sports photographer FMC x hockey player MMC 📸🏒
- Dual POV
- Second chance romance
- Enemies (more like dislike?) to lovers
- Small town 🏡
Thank you to NetGalley and Red Bird Publishing for providing me with a free eARC in exchange for my honest review!
October 13, 2024
Sports photographer Willa is in Maple Falls for the Ice Breakers charity games. Once there she gets yet another assignment: take pictures of hockey player Noah Beaumont for a big feature in a sports magazine. A couple of years ago said player showed up intoxicated to a photo shoot and Willa had to throw him out. It ended with his PR team trying to blacklist her and she's had to work hard to get her career back on track. Now an important promotion depends on Willa's ability to co-operate with her nemesis.
The last book in the Love on Thin Ice series (and the fourth I've read) and it feels a little sad to say goodbye to Maple Falls and its quaint surroundings! This couple, Willa and Noah, don't have the best preconditions to get their happy ending. When they first met Noah was drinking and didn't really care who he hurt. He got moved down to AHL from NHL, but there he turned his life around and he's been working hard to become a better person. Willa only have the old image of Noah, and she harbors an anger of how he's affected her life in a negative way, but Noah is determined to show her that he's improved.
Despite some "darker" subjects this is a lighthearted book. I enjoy hockey, but I don't think that is necessary to enjoy this series, because the focus is on the couples in the different books and their way to "happily ever after". There's only kisses, no spice, so perfect for those who prefer clean romance. We get second chance, enemies-to-lovers and forced proximity in a lovely mix and I can really recommend all the books I've read in the series!
* I received an ARC from the author and I'm giving my honest review. *
The last book in the Love on Thin Ice series (and the fourth I've read) and it feels a little sad to say goodbye to Maple Falls and its quaint surroundings! This couple, Willa and Noah, don't have the best preconditions to get their happy ending. When they first met Noah was drinking and didn't really care who he hurt. He got moved down to AHL from NHL, but there he turned his life around and he's been working hard to become a better person. Willa only have the old image of Noah, and she harbors an anger of how he's affected her life in a negative way, but Noah is determined to show her that he's improved.
Despite some "darker" subjects this is a lighthearted book. I enjoy hockey, but I don't think that is necessary to enjoy this series, because the focus is on the couples in the different books and their way to "happily ever after". There's only kisses, no spice, so perfect for those who prefer clean romance. We get second chance, enemies-to-lovers and forced proximity in a lovely mix and I can really recommend all the books I've read in the series!
* I received an ARC from the author and I'm giving my honest review. *
October 17, 2024
What an excellent finale for the Love on Thin Ice series! Penalties and Proposals is book seven in the multi-author series and every book can be read as a stand alone.
I adored these two characters and the fact that they had actually met a few years earlier and it had not been a good experience. I loved the fact that Noah was such a changed man and that the one thing that hadn’t changed was that he found himself intrigued by Willa, just as he had been years earlier. Of course, he’d messed up big time back then and now had to find the courage to open himself up to Willa, apologize, and try to make things right.
I liked the way these two communicated. Willa began the book holding onto a lot of anger, yet she realized that the man she was getting to know now had changed a lot. I appreciated that she was willing to put the past behind them and actually get to know Noah. These two had great romantic chemistry and I loved their story from start to finish. This is the first book that I have read by this author and I look forward to reading more.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
I adored these two characters and the fact that they had actually met a few years earlier and it had not been a good experience. I loved the fact that Noah was such a changed man and that the one thing that hadn’t changed was that he found himself intrigued by Willa, just as he had been years earlier. Of course, he’d messed up big time back then and now had to find the courage to open himself up to Willa, apologize, and try to make things right.
I liked the way these two communicated. Willa began the book holding onto a lot of anger, yet she realized that the man she was getting to know now had changed a lot. I appreciated that she was willing to put the past behind them and actually get to know Noah. These two had great romantic chemistry and I loved their story from start to finish. This is the first book that I have read by this author and I look forward to reading more.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
You can read this review on my blog:
https://brittreadsfiction.wordpress.c...
October 19, 2024
*𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐞𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐠𝐢𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐆𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐦𝐲 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐢𝐚𝐬 𝐨𝐫 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧*
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: ⭐️⭐️💫
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Romance
𝐏𝐚𝐜𝐞: Slow
𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 10/17/24
𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐬𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬: Willa is a sports photographer, and Noah is an ex-NHL hockey hotshot. These two go way back to when his team tried to ruin her career. When they see each other a few years later will they reconcile? Will sparks fly?
𝐌𝐲 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞: I LOVE LOVE LOVE a hockey romance. They are my first choice and my guilty pleasure. However…
The above synopsis is literally it. That’s the book. There’s no plot twist, there’s no real story, nothing. I like a predictable book and all, but there wasn’t even any tension. It was just reading about two people getting into a relationship. Also, very light on hockey.
Thankfully Willa and Noah are adults and act like it. They talked about their past. They spoke about their issues and their run ins. Noah took responsibility for his actions while in the midst of his addiction, and Willa was able to start to see him as the man he is, not the man he was. Aside from that, this book is majorly forgettable and super boring.
One of my biggest gripes is that this author wrote her character going into a bookstore only to choose HER IRL PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED BOOK! It was like 2 pages of shameless plug of her own writing and promoting other authors that wrote the books in this universe. It felt icky.
It is a closed door romance. It’s also a novella, so it’s a super fast read. If it weren’t for the weird icky self-promotion, this book might have been cute/tolerable. We’ll never know because I was so off-put by that I’ll never recover.
𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: ⭐️⭐️💫
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Romance
𝐏𝐚𝐜𝐞: Slow
𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 10/17/24
𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐬𝐲𝐧𝐨𝐩𝐬𝐢𝐬: Willa is a sports photographer, and Noah is an ex-NHL hockey hotshot. These two go way back to when his team tried to ruin her career. When they see each other a few years later will they reconcile? Will sparks fly?
𝐌𝐲 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞: I LOVE LOVE LOVE a hockey romance. They are my first choice and my guilty pleasure. However…
The above synopsis is literally it. That’s the book. There’s no plot twist, there’s no real story, nothing. I like a predictable book and all, but there wasn’t even any tension. It was just reading about two people getting into a relationship. Also, very light on hockey.
Thankfully Willa and Noah are adults and act like it. They talked about their past. They spoke about their issues and their run ins. Noah took responsibility for his actions while in the midst of his addiction, and Willa was able to start to see him as the man he is, not the man he was. Aside from that, this book is majorly forgettable and super boring.
One of my biggest gripes is that this author wrote her character going into a bookstore only to choose HER IRL PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED BOOK! It was like 2 pages of shameless plug of her own writing and promoting other authors that wrote the books in this universe. It felt icky.
It is a closed door romance. It’s also a novella, so it’s a super fast read. If it weren’t for the weird icky self-promotion, this book might have been cute/tolerable. We’ll never know because I was so off-put by that I’ll never recover.
November 3, 2024
This is another addition to this sweet romcomy hockey series. This one is about Noah who changed his ways, but stabs Willa’s career in the process. What will happen when they reconnect? Give me all the hockey books! Give me all the jerseys! Super cute! Noah.
October 22, 2024
“This man is oozing with sweetness coming out of his pores.”
First impressions aren’t always everything. When photographer, Willa, first meets hockey star, Noah, her career goes up in fiery flames and now that she’s assigned to work with him for a charity ice event, all bets are off. Can this drunken bad boy really be reformed?
Willa has worked so hard to reinstate her career and the way charming Noah worms his way back into her life, proving that he’s changed, is so heartening and sweet. Once again, I was captivated by the cute and quaint small town of Maple Falls. It’s “pumpkin spice and everything nice and all that Hallmark jazz.” and I’m ready to pack my bags and move in. I love how the stories in this series are interconnected, bringing more layers to life with each installment.
Anne Kemp does a wondrous job of transporting the reader to this magical town and creating a lovely love story full of electric swoon and delicious kisses.
Content: mild romance
*I received a complimentary copy. All thought and opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given*
First impressions aren’t always everything. When photographer, Willa, first meets hockey star, Noah, her career goes up in fiery flames and now that she’s assigned to work with him for a charity ice event, all bets are off. Can this drunken bad boy really be reformed?
Willa has worked so hard to reinstate her career and the way charming Noah worms his way back into her life, proving that he’s changed, is so heartening and sweet. Once again, I was captivated by the cute and quaint small town of Maple Falls. It’s “pumpkin spice and everything nice and all that Hallmark jazz.” and I’m ready to pack my bags and move in. I love how the stories in this series are interconnected, bringing more layers to life with each installment.
Anne Kemp does a wondrous job of transporting the reader to this magical town and creating a lovely love story full of electric swoon and delicious kisses.
Content: mild romance
*I received a complimentary copy. All thought and opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given*
October 9, 2024
Enemies to lovers with all kinds of ‘he falls first’ goodness in a small-town hockey romantic comedy. Noah and Willa were so much fun to watch. Their banter was top notch, and their dramas were fairly low angst while being eminently relatable. I enjoyed watching them work through the issues from their first encounter, and I loved how mature they were in taking accountability for any mistakes they made. I think I fell in love with these two as they were falling for each other, and I’m reluctant to let go of them now that the book’s over.
I received a complimentary advance copy of this book from the author.
I received a complimentary advance copy of this book from the author.
October 10, 2024
This second chance, he falls first, cinnamon roll mmc hockey romance is a charming story! Anne managed all the drama and angst that comes with a second chance romance without making it too heavy. The characters were equal parts bumbling and witty as they found their footing, and it made them all parts endearing. Definitely a story you want to check out!
October 13, 2024
This was a really short, fast-paced small town hockey romance. I don't think it was bad, but I didn't enjoy it like I had hoped I would. This book is very short, which I think hindered the natural progression of the relationship between Willa and Noah, leading to it feeling very rushed. This is advertised as "enemies to lovers" where he falls first, but Willa was able to move past her issues with Noah very quickly and (also very quickly) jump into dating him. I also struggle with understanding his initial infatuation with Willa. He claims, "The minute you marched up to me and told me I was a pain in your butt, I think I started to fall for you" and that's just so strange to me. I did really enjoy them individually as characters, Noah is definitely a cinnamon roll MMC, and I loved Willa's love for her mom, I just wish we got more build up to the two of them being together. Thanks Netgalley for the e-ARC!
October 15, 2024
This was a really quick read which also means the plot moved extremely quickly. I felt like the relationship was rushed and there wasn’t enough gradual building and development. The progression from “enemies” to dating didn’t make sense to me. I was kept feeling like I wanted more from this book. This one might be for you if you want a quick read with some hockey and a closed door love story.
October 8, 2024
Arc Review
Overall Rating: 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Cover Rating: 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Tropes:
- Enemies To Lovers
- Second Chance
- Reformed Bad Boy
- Forced Proximity
- He Falls First
- Dash of Cinnamon Roll Hero
- Found Family
- Hockey Romance
- Small Town
- Fall Vibes
- Dual POV
- Closed Door/Clean Romcom,Kisses Only
Welcome to the ‘Love on Thin Ice’ series, seven authors, seven short novels, and one charming town, welcome to Maple Falls where heartwarming love stories live. Our seventh book of the ‘Love on Thin Ice’ series is ‘Penalties and Proposals’ written by. Anne Kemp.
Willa is a photographer and is working on getting a promotion so she can help her mom with some financial issues, Willa is heading to Maple Falls to take photos of the charity hockey games and the players but also she’s going to try to get a picture of this rare bird because theirs a prize if you can get a picture. Noah is a very famous hockey player who used to play in the NHL but got moved down a league after a fight in a hotel lobby. But Willa and Noah did not at all have a good first meeting, Willa is supposed to have this photo shoot with this hockey player this hockey player being Noah who is late but not only does he arrive late to the shoot but he also arrives intoxicated Willa not one for this type of behaviour kicks him off her set which results with Noah’s whole team basically blacklisting Willa and making her start back at square one now back to current day Willa’s boss has assigned her to specifically take pictures of the one and only Noah, Willa is still mad at Noah but she’s a professional she’ll do her job but Noah was at a really bad place back then always drinking but after rehab he’s doing a lot better and when he meets Willa again he feels Instant regret for his actions back then and he remembers how attractive he found her back then. Will Willa and Noah clear the air between them? Read ‘Penalties and Proposals’ to find out.
Last but not least my final book of this series and what a wonderful wrap to this series this book was.
Noah’s redemption arc is amazing after hearing his side to the story and how much he wanted to apologize to Willa I forgave him right away. I also loved how when Willa got knocked down that first time she didn’t quit she got back up and worked harder and that’s incredibly empowering.
I liked to wrap this up by giving a huge thank you to the author Anne Kemp along with NetGalley and the publishers for sending me an advanced readers copy of this book, I had a wonderful time reading it.
Overall Rating: 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Cover Rating: 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Tropes:
- Enemies To Lovers
- Second Chance
- Reformed Bad Boy
- Forced Proximity
- He Falls First
- Dash of Cinnamon Roll Hero
- Found Family
- Hockey Romance
- Small Town
- Fall Vibes
- Dual POV
- Closed Door/Clean Romcom,Kisses Only
Welcome to the ‘Love on Thin Ice’ series, seven authors, seven short novels, and one charming town, welcome to Maple Falls where heartwarming love stories live. Our seventh book of the ‘Love on Thin Ice’ series is ‘Penalties and Proposals’ written by. Anne Kemp.
Willa is a photographer and is working on getting a promotion so she can help her mom with some financial issues, Willa is heading to Maple Falls to take photos of the charity hockey games and the players but also she’s going to try to get a picture of this rare bird because theirs a prize if you can get a picture. Noah is a very famous hockey player who used to play in the NHL but got moved down a league after a fight in a hotel lobby. But Willa and Noah did not at all have a good first meeting, Willa is supposed to have this photo shoot with this hockey player this hockey player being Noah who is late but not only does he arrive late to the shoot but he also arrives intoxicated Willa not one for this type of behaviour kicks him off her set which results with Noah’s whole team basically blacklisting Willa and making her start back at square one now back to current day Willa’s boss has assigned her to specifically take pictures of the one and only Noah, Willa is still mad at Noah but she’s a professional she’ll do her job but Noah was at a really bad place back then always drinking but after rehab he’s doing a lot better and when he meets Willa again he feels Instant regret for his actions back then and he remembers how attractive he found her back then. Will Willa and Noah clear the air between them? Read ‘Penalties and Proposals’ to find out.
Last but not least my final book of this series and what a wonderful wrap to this series this book was.
Noah’s redemption arc is amazing after hearing his side to the story and how much he wanted to apologize to Willa I forgave him right away. I also loved how when Willa got knocked down that first time she didn’t quit she got back up and worked harder and that’s incredibly empowering.
I liked to wrap this up by giving a huge thank you to the author Anne Kemp along with NetGalley and the publishers for sending me an advanced readers copy of this book, I had a wonderful time reading it.
December 10, 2025
I absolutely loved Noah & Willa's redemptive, sweet, sassy ,caring, loving, swoony story!!
October 13, 2024
Penalties and Proposals is the seventh book in the Love on Thin Ice series. This is a multi-author series with all books taking place along the same timeline with the same charity hockey team. They can be enjoyed in order or as standalones... though I definitely feel like you'll get the most out of the series if you read them all-- I personally loved seeing things through all the different perspectives!
I must admit, I'm a little sad to see this series end---hockey plus all the fall vibes, what could be better than that!? But it most certainly is ending on a high note with this one! To say that Noah and Willa didn't get off on the right foot when they first met years earlier would be a complete understatement. Years after he showed up to her photoshoot drunk before she kicked him out and his people had her blacklisted, the two once again find themselves having to work together. Things were different this time around with him having made a complete 180 in his life. I loved seeing his comeback nearly as much as I loved the romance between the two--- and I most definitely loved that too. Despite the initial tension, they had a really great chemistry together! I enjoyed them so much. While the story does take on some tougher topics like substance abuse, it still felt like an overall lighthearted read and I enjoyed every minute. I also really enjoyed the little nod to the other authors that took part in the series too and thought that was a really fun addition!
Penalties and Proposals is a closed-door romance with kisses only.
**ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.
I must admit, I'm a little sad to see this series end---hockey plus all the fall vibes, what could be better than that!? But it most certainly is ending on a high note with this one! To say that Noah and Willa didn't get off on the right foot when they first met years earlier would be a complete understatement. Years after he showed up to her photoshoot drunk before she kicked him out and his people had her blacklisted, the two once again find themselves having to work together. Things were different this time around with him having made a complete 180 in his life. I loved seeing his comeback nearly as much as I loved the romance between the two--- and I most definitely loved that too. Despite the initial tension, they had a really great chemistry together! I enjoyed them so much. While the story does take on some tougher topics like substance abuse, it still felt like an overall lighthearted read and I enjoyed every minute. I also really enjoyed the little nod to the other authors that took part in the series too and thought that was a really fun addition!
Penalties and Proposals is a closed-door romance with kisses only.
**ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.
October 23, 2024
This is my first book by Anne Kemp and I enjoyed it very much! Super quick and cute read!
Willa is a sports reporter and had a bad run in with Noah a few years back. In fact he almost got her kicked off the project she was working on, but she finds herself needing to work with him again to qualify for a promotion she desperately needs.
This is an enemies to lovers with all the fall and hockey vibes, plus the perfect cinnamon roll hero. Noah has made some mistakes in the past but now is looking to do better. He has fired the people who enabled him, and went to rehab for suspense abuse. He has worked so hard on himself. I love the growth he went through and how kind and generous he was. Willa wants nothing to do with him until she finds herself having dinner at the same restaurant as him. They get to talking and she finds things aren’t always as they seem. What she thought of Noah in the past is no longer true. Although there were some heavier topics in this one, it was a light read, low on angst and drama. Noah and Willa are adults who communicate to work through their differences and fall in love. These two had great chemistry and their romance was sweet and swoony! This is the last book in the Love on Ice series and the first one I have read. It can be read as a standalone. I really enjoyed how the author worked the other authors that wrote the series into her book but referencing them when Willa was in a bookstore. I will be going back to read the others!
Things I loved:
Enemies to lovers
Small town
Fall vibes
Hockey romance
Second chance
Every Queen deserves a crown
Swoony kisses
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Content Awareness - substance abuse in the past
Willa is a sports reporter and had a bad run in with Noah a few years back. In fact he almost got her kicked off the project she was working on, but she finds herself needing to work with him again to qualify for a promotion she desperately needs.
This is an enemies to lovers with all the fall and hockey vibes, plus the perfect cinnamon roll hero. Noah has made some mistakes in the past but now is looking to do better. He has fired the people who enabled him, and went to rehab for suspense abuse. He has worked so hard on himself. I love the growth he went through and how kind and generous he was. Willa wants nothing to do with him until she finds herself having dinner at the same restaurant as him. They get to talking and she finds things aren’t always as they seem. What she thought of Noah in the past is no longer true. Although there were some heavier topics in this one, it was a light read, low on angst and drama. Noah and Willa are adults who communicate to work through their differences and fall in love. These two had great chemistry and their romance was sweet and swoony! This is the last book in the Love on Ice series and the first one I have read. It can be read as a standalone. I really enjoyed how the author worked the other authors that wrote the series into her book but referencing them when Willa was in a bookstore. I will be going back to read the others!
Things I loved:
Enemies to lovers
Small town
Fall vibes
Hockey romance
Second chance
Every Queen deserves a crown
Swoony kisses
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Content Awareness - substance abuse in the past
September 21, 2024
In all honesty, I didn't expect this book at all. It was super cute, spiceless, and sweet.
Normally not the kind of book that I read, but I enjoyed the backstory of Noah and Willa. Since this was definitely a shorter book, it seemed to move at a very fast pace. I've said before in many of my reviews that I'm not an insta-love kinda girl, and while the thought still applies, this was different. Knowing that these two have a past made it seem easier to understand their connection, but it still moved a little to fast for me.
With that being said, I would recommend this book for a quick read for anyone that loves a little bit of hockey and a whole lot of adjectives!
Normally not the kind of book that I read, but I enjoyed the backstory of Noah and Willa. Since this was definitely a shorter book, it seemed to move at a very fast pace. I've said before in many of my reviews that I'm not an insta-love kinda girl, and while the thought still applies, this was different. Knowing that these two have a past made it seem easier to understand their connection, but it still moved a little to fast for me.
With that being said, I would recommend this book for a quick read for anyone that loves a little bit of hockey and a whole lot of adjectives!
October 17, 2024
This is the 7th book in the Love on Thin Ice series. It is written by different authors but I think it has a hockey team in common. Each are standalone stories.
I have not read any of the other books in this series yet. I am pretty sure their were references to some of those characters that seemed a little forced to me, but again that's me not having read the other books.
This story on its own is a sweet romance. It isn't very long. I took this with me to read whole on a trip out of the country. I spent a few minutes each night reading a couple of chapters to wind down. I enjoyed doing that. It wasn't hard to pick the story up and put it down as I needed.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book by the author and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I have not read any of the other books in this series yet. I am pretty sure their were references to some of those characters that seemed a little forced to me, but again that's me not having read the other books.
This story on its own is a sweet romance. It isn't very long. I took this with me to read whole on a trip out of the country. I spent a few minutes each night reading a couple of chapters to wind down. I enjoyed doing that. It wasn't hard to pick the story up and put it down as I needed.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book by the author and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
October 27, 2024
What an enchanting cozy read! My time at Maple Falls was pure bliss, wrapped up in comfort and warmth. The love story of Noah and Willa is the kind of romance that everyone dreams of experiencing in real life. And can we talk about that banana bread recipe? Absolutely delicious!
This book is the ultimate cozy companion for autumn. It's a charming, heartwarming tale sprinkled with humor that leaves you smiling from ear to ear. Perfect for curling up with a blanket and losing yourself in its pages!
Thank you, NetGalley for the ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy, and all my thoughts and opinions are completely my own.
This book is the ultimate cozy companion for autumn. It's a charming, heartwarming tale sprinkled with humor that leaves you smiling from ear to ear. Perfect for curling up with a blanket and losing yourself in its pages!
Thank you, NetGalley for the ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy, and all my thoughts and opinions are completely my own.
October 14, 2024
If you need a good rom com with redemptive themes this is us. Noah and Willa did not have a good history however there is a chance for redemption. I don’t want to give anything away but this is a must read. I love the characters and their banter. Pick this up you won’t regret it.
Read
September 17, 2024Penalties and Proposals: A Sweet Small Town Hockey Romcom
By Anne Kemp
Pub Date: October 17th, 2024
176 Pages (48K Words)
If you enjoy the following in your books...
🏒 Hockey
📷Small Town setting
🏒Sport Romances
📷 Second Chances
🏒Enemies to Lovers
📷 Sweet Romance
I recommend looking into this one next month. It will be available on KU, e book form, and paperback. I personally enjoy reading about second chances stories. Where one or multiple characters redeem themselves. It is something that many can relate to.
I will definitely be looking into the rest of this series and also more books by Anne Kemp. Thank you to the author for trusting me with your current book, baby.
I was sent an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Also, shout out to the list of characters in the back and the gluten-free banana bread recipe 🫶🏽
Trigger/Content warnings ⚠️
◇Parents Passing
◇Former Substance Abuse
Book Synopsis:
"It only takes one bad apple to ruin the bunch. When life hands me reformed hockey star Noah Beaumont, AGAIN, am I supposed to make cider, or is there a sweeter surprise in store?
Willa: I never wanted to see Noah Beaumont again. EVER. When I kicked him off my set after he showed up intoxicated, his PR team tried to blacklist me. I made it over that hurdle, made a name for myself, and I’m heading to Maple Falls to cover a charity ice hockey team that’s making headlines...only to find out I have to work with HIM.
But this Noah seems different. He’s reformed and seems to be determined to show me he’s changed. Can I trust him, or will he be the same disaster I remember?
Noah: I’ve spent years trying to make amends for my past mistakes, questioning if I still belong in the world of hockey or if it's time to step back, be ‘normal’. But seeing Willa again brings everything into sharp focus. She’s the woman who’s haunted my thoughts since the day I met her.
Now, she’s here in Maple Falls, and I’m determined to prove I’m not the same man she remembers. I want her to see the real me, the man I’ve worked so hard to become. Can I convince her to give me a second chance?"
By Anne Kemp
Pub Date: October 17th, 2024
176 Pages (48K Words)
If you enjoy the following in your books...
🏒 Hockey
📷Small Town setting
🏒Sport Romances
📷 Second Chances
🏒Enemies to Lovers
📷 Sweet Romance
I recommend looking into this one next month. It will be available on KU, e book form, and paperback. I personally enjoy reading about second chances stories. Where one or multiple characters redeem themselves. It is something that many can relate to.
I will definitely be looking into the rest of this series and also more books by Anne Kemp. Thank you to the author for trusting me with your current book, baby.
I was sent an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Also, shout out to the list of characters in the back and the gluten-free banana bread recipe 🫶🏽
Trigger/Content warnings ⚠️
◇Parents Passing
◇Former Substance Abuse
Book Synopsis:
"It only takes one bad apple to ruin the bunch. When life hands me reformed hockey star Noah Beaumont, AGAIN, am I supposed to make cider, or is there a sweeter surprise in store?
Willa: I never wanted to see Noah Beaumont again. EVER. When I kicked him off my set after he showed up intoxicated, his PR team tried to blacklist me. I made it over that hurdle, made a name for myself, and I’m heading to Maple Falls to cover a charity ice hockey team that’s making headlines...only to find out I have to work with HIM.
But this Noah seems different. He’s reformed and seems to be determined to show me he’s changed. Can I trust him, or will he be the same disaster I remember?
Noah: I’ve spent years trying to make amends for my past mistakes, questioning if I still belong in the world of hockey or if it's time to step back, be ‘normal’. But seeing Willa again brings everything into sharp focus. She’s the woman who’s haunted my thoughts since the day I met her.
Now, she’s here in Maple Falls, and I’m determined to prove I’m not the same man she remembers. I want her to see the real me, the man I’ve worked so hard to become. Can I convince her to give me a second chance?"
November 22, 2024
Short, cute sports romance!
❤️ Second Chance
❤️ Hockey Romance
❤️ Enemies to Lovers
❤️ Dual POV
Thanks NetGalley for the read!
❤️ Second Chance
❤️ Hockey Romance
❤️ Enemies to Lovers
❤️ Dual POV
Thanks NetGalley for the read!
November 5, 2024
Penalties and Proposals is the seventh and final book in the Love on Thin Ice series, and introduces us to Noah and Willa. Noah is a hockey player with a past reputation… and not the good kind. Due to certain life situations, he found himself at his lowest point and acting unlike the person he is deep down. Unfortunately, Willa met him at his lowest and still views him as the person he was the day she met him and he almost destroyed her career. Even though she works in sports, she’s successfully been able to avoid him for long enough to get her career back on track. That is, until she walks into the press conference for the charity ice hockey game her company has sent her to cover. Lucky for her, during their re-meet cute, Noah doesn’t recognize her (at least she believes that). Unlucky for Noah, recognition sets in and even thought he doesn’t fully remember their initial meet, he knows it was not a good one. Noah has been working hard to rebuild his reputation, and possibly earn a spot back in the NHL. Lately, he’s been referred to as the “come back king”. But at this point… he really just wants a second chance with Willa. Will he get his second chance!? Will he make it back into the NHL? I highly suggest you read this book to find out! Do yourself a favor and make sure you read the rest of the series as well!!
September 17, 2024
Willa hoped never to see Noah Beaumont after he very nearly destroyed her career but fate had other ideas pushing them together to forgive and move on from the past in this wonderful small town force proximity second chance sweet romance
September 28, 2024
Good second meet story after not good interaction on first meet. Good characters with fun strong personalities that have learned a lot about themselves after first meet. Turning from unfriendly to being willing to admit feelings was done nicely, not drug out with a lot of internal insecurity conversation. Stuff happens other than just their relationship, shows real life struggles and how the characters deal with them. Very fun story to drop into. Gonna have to look up other referenced authors and stories mentioned. Thank you for keeping it clean but interesting with chemistry.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 9, 2024
I really enjoyed this book! Willa and Noah were so cute and I really enjoyed their backstory and love seeing the growth that Noah goes through from the first time they meet! This is a short sweet enemies to lovers second chance romance! It can be read in an afternoon and I would highly recommend it if you love hockey romance!
September 23, 2024
*I did receive a ARC of penalties & proposals but all thoughts are my own*
So, this was my first time reading a book by Anne Kemp and I was definitely in for a sweet surprise! This book follows Noah and Willa on a bit of a second chance romance journey. A few years back Willa had a bad experience on one of her photoshoot with then alcoholic Noah (who’s a star hockey player). After their encounter, Noah’s entourage made Willa’s life hard which resulted in Willa strongly disliking Noah until they met again in the cozy town of Maple Falls! This book was short and sweet, I loved their banter and how easy they fell in step with each other’s lives. I also love a good fictional hockey team! My only downside was that I wish the book was aLittle longer so there was more time for them to fall for each other.
So, this was my first time reading a book by Anne Kemp and I was definitely in for a sweet surprise! This book follows Noah and Willa on a bit of a second chance romance journey. A few years back Willa had a bad experience on one of her photoshoot with then alcoholic Noah (who’s a star hockey player). After their encounter, Noah’s entourage made Willa’s life hard which resulted in Willa strongly disliking Noah until they met again in the cozy town of Maple Falls! This book was short and sweet, I loved their banter and how easy they fell in step with each other’s lives. I also love a good fictional hockey team! My only downside was that I wish the book was aLittle longer so there was more time for them to fall for each other.
September 15, 2024
A great story and a way to end the Love on Thin Ice Series . Willa is a photographer and working for a promotion so she can help her mom financially , she is going to Maple Falls to take photos of the hockey games but also from a rare bird , then her boss tell her he must work with Noah Beaumont and she is pissed . They years ago Noah a very famous NHL hockey player came to the photoshoot drunk and she throw him away . His team of people made it possible for her to be blacklist and she couldn't get a job for awhile . Now Noah is a new man who is playing in AHL and is gaining his spot to NHL again . He is trying to apologise to her for the way he was 3 years ago and after working and talking she forgives him . But what happens when she falls for him ?
I received this book from the author and the publisher as an ARC . Thank you! All thoughts and opinions are my own .
I received this book from the author and the publisher as an ARC . Thank you! All thoughts and opinions are my own .
March 13, 2025
Hockey romances are still having their moment, and this recently released multi-author series capitalizes on that. If you aren’t familiar with multi-author series, each book can stand alone, but they all share a common setting. Protagonists from one book will likely be side characters in another. Stores, events, and side characters will also be repeated, allowing multiple views of the setting.
This particular series revolves around a hockey team that is put together as a fundraising event for a ranch that serves underprivileged children, with a limited season of games against a Canadian team. The Ice Breakers are based out of the small-ish fictional Western Washington town of Maple Falls (not to be confused with the real town of Maple Valley).
Unlike the Appies series, each of these books was written by a different popular sweet romance author, each with her own style. There are some differences from book to book, but nothing so serious as to mar the series.
Similar to the Appies series, all of the female main characters exist beyond their potential as romantic partners. They have actual lives, careers, and struggles.
The male main characters have various reasons for their singleness at the beginning of the series. Several have (mostly undeserved) reputations as serial daters. All are dedicated to hockey.
The situations that get the various couples together are varied and interesting. Of course, there is an element of predictability: when there are two POV characters, you know they’ll end up together. The question is: what will happen to them before they get there? Will there be a third-act breakup, or will there be something else that tests the relationship?
I find that the passage of time is a bit confusing. There is a Halloween party mentioned in several of the books, and there’s a corn maze and haunted house at Maple Fest. There is pumpkin spice everything. The Ice Breakers practice together for a while before the first of their five games, but the space between games is a bit fuzzy. Days? A week? It all seems to be over before Thanksgiving though. Especially since some of the epilogues mention Christmas lights.
Also…what’s wrong with an otter as a mascot? (If you know me, you know I adore otters.)
Possible objectionable material:
Very mild cursing. Various issues such as parental divorce or neglect, alcoholism, death of a parent, chronic illness, infidelity, sexual harassment. This is hockey, so there are injuries and the occasional fight. People drink. This is closed door romance, so we don’t see more than passionate kisses. There is a hint that sex happens.
Who might like these books:
Romance fans, hockey fans, hockey romance fans. Anyone who likes well-written books where characters grow and develop over the course of the story.
These books are also reviewed at https://biblioquacious.blogspot.com/2...
Thank you to the authors, publishers, and NetGalley for providing ARCs in exchange for my honest opinion.
Tropes:
Enemies to lovers, forced proximity, second chance.
My Thoughts:
I really liked Noah’s redemption arc here. He was honest about the faults of his past, but didn’t wallow in them. I also appreciated that Willa, once she learned the truth, adjusted her opinion of Noah.
They do, of course, have a speed bump along the way with the arrival of a self-centered actress that Noah had recently dated, but Willa faced the issue squarely and it ultimately had no impact either on her career or on her romance. Willa herself notes how far she has come since the incident when she and Noah first met, and she doesn’t let the incident get to her or make her immediately break up with Noah.
I enjoyed the moments where janitor Murray kept catching Noah talking to himself. I’d have liked to see him pop up in the other books as well.
This particular series revolves around a hockey team that is put together as a fundraising event for a ranch that serves underprivileged children, with a limited season of games against a Canadian team. The Ice Breakers are based out of the small-ish fictional Western Washington town of Maple Falls (not to be confused with the real town of Maple Valley).
Unlike the Appies series, each of these books was written by a different popular sweet romance author, each with her own style. There are some differences from book to book, but nothing so serious as to mar the series.
Similar to the Appies series, all of the female main characters exist beyond their potential as romantic partners. They have actual lives, careers, and struggles.
The male main characters have various reasons for their singleness at the beginning of the series. Several have (mostly undeserved) reputations as serial daters. All are dedicated to hockey.
The situations that get the various couples together are varied and interesting. Of course, there is an element of predictability: when there are two POV characters, you know they’ll end up together. The question is: what will happen to them before they get there? Will there be a third-act breakup, or will there be something else that tests the relationship?
I find that the passage of time is a bit confusing. There is a Halloween party mentioned in several of the books, and there’s a corn maze and haunted house at Maple Fest. There is pumpkin spice everything. The Ice Breakers practice together for a while before the first of their five games, but the space between games is a bit fuzzy. Days? A week? It all seems to be over before Thanksgiving though. Especially since some of the epilogues mention Christmas lights.
Also…what’s wrong with an otter as a mascot? (If you know me, you know I adore otters.)
Possible objectionable material:
Very mild cursing. Various issues such as parental divorce or neglect, alcoholism, death of a parent, chronic illness, infidelity, sexual harassment. This is hockey, so there are injuries and the occasional fight. People drink. This is closed door romance, so we don’t see more than passionate kisses. There is a hint that sex happens.
Who might like these books:
Romance fans, hockey fans, hockey romance fans. Anyone who likes well-written books where characters grow and develop over the course of the story.
These books are also reviewed at https://biblioquacious.blogspot.com/2...
Thank you to the authors, publishers, and NetGalley for providing ARCs in exchange for my honest opinion.
Tropes:
Enemies to lovers, forced proximity, second chance.
My Thoughts:
I really liked Noah’s redemption arc here. He was honest about the faults of his past, but didn’t wallow in them. I also appreciated that Willa, once she learned the truth, adjusted her opinion of Noah.
They do, of course, have a speed bump along the way with the arrival of a self-centered actress that Noah had recently dated, but Willa faced the issue squarely and it ultimately had no impact either on her career or on her romance. Willa herself notes how far she has come since the incident when she and Noah first met, and she doesn’t let the incident get to her or make her immediately break up with Noah.
I enjoyed the moments where janitor Murray kept catching Noah talking to himself. I’d have liked to see him pop up in the other books as well.
October 10, 2024
This book is a lighthearted, easy-to-read romance that serves as a refreshing palate cleanser, perfect for when you need something heartwarming. It’s the kind of book you pick up when you’re in the mood for something comforting, even if a bit predictable.
The plot follows Willa, a strong, independent woman who once had a disastrous encounter with former hockey star Noah Beaumont. Noah, at the time, was a train wreck, and Willa was the one who had to pick up the pieces, professionally and personally, when she kicked him off her set for being intoxicated. Fast forward to the present, and Willa, now successful, is tasked with covering a charity hockey event in the small town of Maple Falls, only to find out she’ll be working with none other than Noah. The twist? Noah seems to have changed. He’s reformed, apologetic, and intent on winning Willa’s trust back. The story, set against the backdrop of a charming small town, is a second-chance romance that follows a familiar enemies-to-lovers trajectory, but with the added element of redemption and personal growth.
One of the strengths of this book is its relatability. The characters may not be groundbreaking, but they are easy to root for. Willa is strong-willed, focused, and justifiably cautious, while Noah, on a path of self-redemption, strikes a balance between remorse and determination. Though the story follows a somewhat predictable path (as is often the case in sweet romance novels), the emotional depth, particularly Noah’s desire to prove he’s changed, adds heart to the narrative.
The hockey theme provides a fun, sporty backdrop, and Maple Falls feels like a classic small town where everyone knows everyone. This setting adds to the charm and coziness of the story. Despite the tension between the two leads, the novel maintains a sweet tone throughout. It's sizzle without spice—perfect for readers who prefer their romance on the clean side while still enjoying palpable chemistry between characters.
One of the most appealing aspects of "Penalties and Proposals" is how easy it is to read. The pacing is smooth, and there’s a warmth in the writing that makes it a breeze to get through. There are no major plot twists or dramatic cliffhangers; instead, the reader can sit back and enjoy the slow burn of two characters learning to trust and love again.
As for its predictability, this is not a downside in this case. The novel delivers exactly what it promises: a feel-good, second-chance romance with just enough tension to keep you turning the pages. It’s great for readers who are looking for something low-stakes but still enjoyable and uplifting.
In conclusion, "Penalties and Proposals" is a sweet, second-chance romance that’s easy to read and perfect for fans of small-town love stories. While it may not surprise you with twists, it delivers on its promise of heartwarming moments and enjoyable character development. If you’re in the mood for something light, heartwarming, and predictable in the best way, this book will fit the bill nicely.
The plot follows Willa, a strong, independent woman who once had a disastrous encounter with former hockey star Noah Beaumont. Noah, at the time, was a train wreck, and Willa was the one who had to pick up the pieces, professionally and personally, when she kicked him off her set for being intoxicated. Fast forward to the present, and Willa, now successful, is tasked with covering a charity hockey event in the small town of Maple Falls, only to find out she’ll be working with none other than Noah. The twist? Noah seems to have changed. He’s reformed, apologetic, and intent on winning Willa’s trust back. The story, set against the backdrop of a charming small town, is a second-chance romance that follows a familiar enemies-to-lovers trajectory, but with the added element of redemption and personal growth.
One of the strengths of this book is its relatability. The characters may not be groundbreaking, but they are easy to root for. Willa is strong-willed, focused, and justifiably cautious, while Noah, on a path of self-redemption, strikes a balance between remorse and determination. Though the story follows a somewhat predictable path (as is often the case in sweet romance novels), the emotional depth, particularly Noah’s desire to prove he’s changed, adds heart to the narrative.
The hockey theme provides a fun, sporty backdrop, and Maple Falls feels like a classic small town where everyone knows everyone. This setting adds to the charm and coziness of the story. Despite the tension between the two leads, the novel maintains a sweet tone throughout. It's sizzle without spice—perfect for readers who prefer their romance on the clean side while still enjoying palpable chemistry between characters.
One of the most appealing aspects of "Penalties and Proposals" is how easy it is to read. The pacing is smooth, and there’s a warmth in the writing that makes it a breeze to get through. There are no major plot twists or dramatic cliffhangers; instead, the reader can sit back and enjoy the slow burn of two characters learning to trust and love again.
As for its predictability, this is not a downside in this case. The novel delivers exactly what it promises: a feel-good, second-chance romance with just enough tension to keep you turning the pages. It’s great for readers who are looking for something low-stakes but still enjoyable and uplifting.
In conclusion, "Penalties and Proposals" is a sweet, second-chance romance that’s easy to read and perfect for fans of small-town love stories. While it may not surprise you with twists, it delivers on its promise of heartwarming moments and enjoyable character development. If you’re in the mood for something light, heartwarming, and predictable in the best way, this book will fit the bill nicely.
October 18, 2024
Penalties and Proposals by Anne Kemp is the 7th and final book in the Love on Thin Ice multi author standalone series. The whole series is interconnected following the same timeline so you can read these books in any order. I can honestly say I loved every book. This book is told from a dual POV following Willa Blackwell & Noah Beaumont. Willa is a photographer who is in line for a much needed promotion to help her mother out. She heads to Maple Falls to take photos of the charity hockey games of the Ice Breakers and of one particular player for a feature article, Noah. Noah is a former NHL player who was bumped down to the AHL after a string of bad mistakes with a lobby fight being the breaking point. After some therapy and changes in his life, he is a different person. The first time Willa and Noah meet each other wad 3 years ago when Noah showed up intoxicated to a photo shoot and Willa kicked him off the set. Afterwards, his PR team tried to blacklist her. Noah is the last person Willa wants to work with. I loved how Anne didn't gloss over Noah's past mistakes. He seemed to have grown from them. I was nice to see. I loved both characters and this whole book.
🏒 Enemies To Lovers
📷 Second Chance
🏒 Reformed Bad Boy
📷 Hockey Romance
🏒 Small Town
📷 Forced Proximity
🏒 Fierce FMC
📷 No Third Act Breakup
🏒 Dash of Cinnamon Roll Hero
“So. Pictures. Tattoos.” Way to go, Noah, you’re a wordsmith all right. Obvious reason why I’m a man of the ice. “Yes,” she says, “I take pictures and I have a tattoo.” “How many do you have?” WHY AM I SAYING THIS? Willa crosses her arms. “Three. And no, I’m not going to tell you where the other two are.” “Are you saying I should find out?” Honestly, I could slap myself right now. “No, I’m not.”
Dawson waves bye, and all I can squeak out is a sad, “See ya later, tater.” I can ignore the strange look Willa shoots my way, but the not-so-subtle smacking of my arm by Dawson is something I can’t. “What was that? Later tater?” I watch as she weaves her way through the crowd, disappearing into the line and from my sight. “I just turned into a little kid around that woman, didn’t I?” “More than that. A desperate one who wants attention.” He crosses his arms and aims a puzzled expression my way. “What happened between you two? Was she in the lobby when you started that fight?”
“Are you stalking me on social media?” I tease. “Cinder-fella, I need you to calm down.” “Does that make you Princess Charming?” He laughs. “I’m okay with wearing the pants,”
In a matter of minutes, he finishes the crown and then gently places it on my head. I reach up to touch it, marveling at the intricate design. “Thank you,” I say, my voice filled with gratitude. “My pleasure. Every queen deserves a crown.” He smiles, a twinkle in his eye. “It looks good on you, Willa.”
I received an advance review copy, and I am leaving my honest review voluntarily.
🏒 Enemies To Lovers
📷 Second Chance
🏒 Reformed Bad Boy
📷 Hockey Romance
🏒 Small Town
📷 Forced Proximity
🏒 Fierce FMC
📷 No Third Act Breakup
🏒 Dash of Cinnamon Roll Hero
“So. Pictures. Tattoos.” Way to go, Noah, you’re a wordsmith all right. Obvious reason why I’m a man of the ice. “Yes,” she says, “I take pictures and I have a tattoo.” “How many do you have?” WHY AM I SAYING THIS? Willa crosses her arms. “Three. And no, I’m not going to tell you where the other two are.” “Are you saying I should find out?” Honestly, I could slap myself right now. “No, I’m not.”
Dawson waves bye, and all I can squeak out is a sad, “See ya later, tater.” I can ignore the strange look Willa shoots my way, but the not-so-subtle smacking of my arm by Dawson is something I can’t. “What was that? Later tater?” I watch as she weaves her way through the crowd, disappearing into the line and from my sight. “I just turned into a little kid around that woman, didn’t I?” “More than that. A desperate one who wants attention.” He crosses his arms and aims a puzzled expression my way. “What happened between you two? Was she in the lobby when you started that fight?”
“Are you stalking me on social media?” I tease. “Cinder-fella, I need you to calm down.” “Does that make you Princess Charming?” He laughs. “I’m okay with wearing the pants,”
In a matter of minutes, he finishes the crown and then gently places it on my head. I reach up to touch it, marveling at the intricate design. “Thank you,” I say, my voice filled with gratitude. “My pleasure. Every queen deserves a crown.” He smiles, a twinkle in his eye. “It looks good on you, Willa.”
I received an advance review copy, and I am leaving my honest review voluntarily.
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