Penalty for Boarding: a BBW Hockey Romance

by Megan Wade

She's the doctor who could end his career... or save his heart.

~Olivia~
As the head of sports medicine for the Fury, I've worked too hard to let anything jeopardize my career. But when Calvin Barrett—star defenseman for our biggest rivals—limps into my life with a bad ankle and a devastating smile, all my carefully laid plans go up in flames. He's determined to claim me as his own, and despite knowing better, I'm powerless to resist. But when our secret romance is splashed across the headlines, I'm faced with an impossible my dream career or the man who's become my everything.

~Calvin~
At thirty-seven, retirement is breathing down my neck, and a stubborn ankle injury isn't helping my chances of staying in the game. Then I meet Dr. Olivia Angelo—brilliant, beautiful, and completely off-limits. She's not just the enemy team's physician; she's the woman I know I'm meant to spend forever with. When our private moments become public scandal, I'm ready to walk away from everything for her. Because some things are worth fighting for, and Olivia? She's worth it all.

Penalty for Boarding is a steamy hockey romance featuring a curvy sports doctor, a possessive player who knows what he wants, forbidden love, forced proximity, and a happily ever after that proves choosing love is always worth the risk.

As always, this Megan Wade romance comes with her Sugar High heat, low drama. Guaranteed.

Genres: Sports, Sports Romance

142 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 11, 2024

About the author

Megan Wade is a USA Today Bestselling Author of curvy billionaire romance featuring confident plus-size heroines and alpha heroes who adore them. With 70+ books published, she's known for steamy love stories with guaranteed happily ever afters. Her signature style: high heat, low drama, and heroines who never have to shrink to find love.

Reviews

[Adrienne Klassen · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐️3.5. This was instalove/lust in a way that felt a little icky? He was a little too possessive, and all in, when meeting her literally for 3 seconds. She already knew of him, so the instalove/lust felt different. Still a cute short palate cleanser of a read it didn't really need to think about.

[Laura Moylan · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the oldest player on the Sugar City Nighthawks, Calvin Barrett acts as a sounding board for the younger players. He has actually been playing more because the team Capt. Luc, is hurt and thus can’t play. He has had a career filled with injuries that never fully heal and so he gets hurt again, so he is usually the back up guy on the bench. He is worried at 37, that he doesn’t have much time left to still play. Everyone else on the team leave after the game against their Archnemesis, the Fury. He limps about and the Fury’s team doctor, Olivia Angelo notices it and makes him sit down long enough for her to help him. I really like the story because it is about people who have been at their career for a while and who fall in love. Olivia has had a crush on Calvin for a while and she pretty much dares him I to join her in a Pilates class. lol. I laughed soooo hard throughout the book and Calvin is stubborn until she sees things his way. He knows what he wants and warp speeds ahead. I found him to be all I’d thought he would be, as he has been one of my faves since book 1. In fact, this book inspired me to start doing more gentle stretching instead of being a couch potato. I’ve had a lot of injuries and I’m a decade older than Calvin. Things progress quickly and then everything goes to heck around them. I was sooooo angry at the management of both teams. I giggled, laughed, squeed and put the AC on because whoaaaa steamy and romantic! I also chewed on my nails a bit near the end. I was so angry at one point I beat up my pillow because I didn’t know what to do with myself.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

Take a leap of faith, and everything will fall into place. I loved how this whole book centred around that message, and that in the end, love won. This was a forbidden insta love trope, yet it still felt like it had a realistic timeline in terms of their relationship. The characters were developed as individuals throughout as well as a couple, and I really appreciated that aspect of it. Calvin was all in as soon as he saw Olivia, and every interaction made him fall harder and harder. Olivia also knew immediately that Calvin was different, but she was more hesitant and practical. In the end though, Olivia fell hard, and trusted that Calvin would be there to catch her. And catch her he did! There was zero hesitancy when it came to choosing love, on either side, and that leap of faith led to more and more opportunities. It was beautifully written, and I enjoyed the message throughout. Both MC’s in their thirties and established career wise, insta love, forbidden “workplace” romance, steamy, HEA and 3 epilogues at different times in the future. I can’t wait to see Declan fall hard for Victoria (hopefully) and watch him understand how Calvin felt.

[Suzanne Houser · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third book in Megan Wade's fantabulous Curves on Ice series is Penalty for Boarding, Calvin and Olivia's story. I'm a sucker for sports romance AND Megan Wade, and this series is absolutely scorching and swoony. Calvin is the oldest player on the NHL's Nighthawks and is contemplating retirement as his body threatens to fail him. As he runs into the team doctor for the closest rival team, suddenly the crossroads of his career is the last thing on his mind. Olivia has a hard time believing the sexy forward for her team's rival is actually interested in her, but it doesn't take long until he is forced to prove where his heart really lies. Another must-read and wonderfully entertaining romance in Ms Wade's bibliography.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ms. Shawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Calvin Barrett plays hockey for the Sugar City Nighthawks. He is 37 and considering retirement after this season. They just beat the Granite City Fury but Calvin’s ankle is hurting.

Dr. Olivia Angelo is the team doctor and head of sports medicine for the Granite City Fury. She sees Calvin limping and offers to check and wrap his ankle. She has watched Calvin play throughout his career because her dad is a huge Sugar City Nighthawks fan.

I loved that they were instantly attracted to each other. I worried that working on opposing teams would cause trouble for this couple. Another cute story in this series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[lf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pilates anyone...I dare you!

Penalty for Boarding is the third book in the Curves on Ice series. This story is about Olivia Angelo and Calvin Barrett, who both work for the Fury hockey team. He is the oldest player on the team who is just trying to hold on to playing and she is the team doctor who could sideline him permanently when she notices he is injured, and trying to hide it. These two are a straight shot to the heart while making you laugh and blush. I have loved Megan Wade's books since first discovering them and this one just adds to that list. I would RECOMMEND this book and the previous in the series to other readers.

[T Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

HEA
Standalone, interconnected characters
Insta-love, Hockey, Brother's teammate
Sugar City Nighthawks
Curves on Ice


*over 18 readers only *

Trigger/ Content warnings
Typical misogynistic attitude towards alternative exercise for male athletes

She's the team doctor for his team's biggest rival. He's already looking at early retirement if he can't rehab his ankle injury. She's determined to see him continue playing, even if it means fraternizing with the enemy. But what will their teams say about it? Will they choose their jobs or the love growing between them?



Cute, funny quick, and easy to read.

[Aliama · Rating 4 out of 5]

Olivia has had a crush on Calvin ever since she started watching hockey with her father. Now she’s the team doctor for the Fury, which is the biggest rival of the Sugar City Nighthawks, Calvin’s team. From the moment they meet and Olivia offers to take a look at Calvin’s injury, there’s been an underlying chemistry that neither of them can deny. Things come to head and both Calvin and Olivia are told to choose between their respective careers or each other. This was a cute insta-attraction story. Calvin and Olivia are great together and heal each other in ways they didn’t realize they needed. Another Nighthawk falls. I received an ARC copy of this book.

[whatinthehea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Check me out everywhere: what.in.the.hea

Sub/Genre: Contemporary Hockey
Storyline Rating: 5/5 ⭐️
Spice Rating: 2.5/5 🌶️
Tropes: Instalove, Hockey Player MMC, Team Doctor FMC, Rival Employers, Over 35, Secret relationship, Plus Size FMC
Ending: a super sweet HEA with multiple epilogues!

Calvin is getting ready to retire from hockey. That is until he runs into his biggest fan Olivia, who just so happens to be his rival team’s doctor. She says she can help him get a few more years in, but what happens when sparks fly and they have to keep their relationship hidden?

[Amanda Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Calvin and Olivia

I'm definitely in my sports era...and this book fit perfectly.
The big bad hockey player meets the sports doctor... But the problem is they are with two different teams and anything happening between them would be a disaster. But how do you say no to your crush when he's actually a good and caring guy. Calvin isn't like alot of hockey players. He knows what he wants and he isn't afraid to go after it. Will Olivia take the jump with him or will their relationship end before it ever starts??
4⭐
2.5🌶

[Didi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightfully sweet and spicy addition to this series. I always enjoy this author’s portrayal of strong positive curvy women and the men who adore them. Calvin falls for the opposing team’s doctor, Olivia, at first sight. Falling for each other was a given but the fall out for each of them was tough. I loved how each of them separately chose each other over everything else. Sizzling steam, devotion, a bit of angst, and adorable epilogues.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a joy to read, great, mature and likeable characters. I love that they are dedicated to all the life choices, their mutual instant attraction and commitment to their romantic relationship. They made me laugh out loud several times, which is always a plus and they feel warm, inviting and in love. Checks all my romance boxes. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mary Pack · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW: I really enjoyed the 3rd book in this series (Sugar City Nighthawks). Calvin and Olivia's story is sweet, lots of heat, some angst. Definitely HEA. Two people willing to walk away from their respective careers for the other and for their forever. Of course they end up having it all but that's what makes it a HEA. Ms. Wade writes strong, body positivity, curvy female leads and the men who worship them. ❤️

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love a story where the guy a pro athlete falls for the woman who happens to be a BBW and a doctor at first site. and he has to do a bit of work to get her to date him. Calvin is a pro hockey player for the Nighthawks which is the opposing team that Olivia is the head doctor on her team are the Fury. They begin seeing each other and things come to head when they are caught in a compromising situation. Great to watch them both choose love over their jobs!

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

I just loved the connection between Olivia and Calvin, the way they gave in to it despite the risks to both their careers. I really enjoyed the happiness they brought each other, Calvin's certainty, how in sync they were, the respect and love they had for each other and how they were 100% in on their relationship and their future together.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Georgia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Calvin & Olivia

I absolutely love this book. I couldn’t put it down it was very addictive and Olivia and Calvin are now one of my favorite love stories. This book was beautifully written, I enjoyed the banter and development of their relationship it was like I was there or watching a movie in my mind. A spicy read that I Highly recommend!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jenifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great star crossed lovers romance. I loved that clandestine nature of the beginning of their relationship, the pilates class that brought them together and how beautiful their love for one another was. When given a tough choice, they choose love and one another and it served the both well and made for a beautiful ending to their story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Olivia is the head of sports medicine for the Fury and Calvin is the defenseman for the Fury's rivals. This sports romance starts as a secret and grows into love. These two go through a lot to finally get their happily ever after making it that much sweeter. Penalty for Boarding is book three and a steamy addition to the Curves on Ice series. I can't wait to read the rest of this series. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[Fran · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this love story. It is such a feel good read, fast paced and steamy, well written with great characters. Calvin and Olivia are perfect together. They may work for different teams but their love pulls them through. One of the authors best and it's a must read. Absolutely best love story ever!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debbie Benson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I like how both Olivia and Calvin chose their love over their careers. I'm glad his team was smart enough to grab both of them when confronted with the loss of Calvin. It was gratifying how Olivia proved herself to be very valuable to the team.

[Day · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s been a while since I’ve read a Megan Wade, and I’ve missed it! This book was good and steamy. It had a good storyline and good characters that left you wanting more the more you read. It’s a good read. If you want something quirky and cute, this is good for you.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rowena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed Calvin and Olivia’s romance story.

Hockey player meets his match in this newest add to the series that doesn’t disappoint. As the oldest player in a competitive sports, Calvin has to always prove he belongs with Sugar City Nighthawks. When he meets Olivia he’s a goner and it was heartwarming to watch him prove to her that they belong together.

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Penalty for Boarding is a steamy hockey romance featuring a curvy sports doctor, a possessive player who knows what he wants, forbidden love, forced proximity, and a happily ever after that proves choosing love is always worth the risk. It was Calvin and Olivia’s story. Very entertaining read. I got a copy of the book and voluntarily leaving my review.

[TL Bradshaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked that the storyline was different...

Choose love or career. Are you kidding! And they both chose love.
I loved the innovations she brought to the team that led to the other players finding their person... good Segway.
I'm a sucker for a good family ending, and this did not disappoint.
Very quick read!

[Vicky Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I didn’t like this as much as the others. I know novellas are insta love but Calvin was just a bit too sappy for me. I love that they both chose each other when shut hit the fan and glad it all worked out for them. We’ve heard 2 potential love interests now for coach so that’ll be interesting

[Jovette Bossé · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! Soo soo good and soo soo H.O.T I love,love Calvin and Olivia, they just belong together! What a wonderful and beautiful love story! I absolutly loved it and can't wait for Declan's story! 😍❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥🥰

[Sarah Nielsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this as an arc from the author and I’m voluntarily leaving my honest review.

This was a very cute and steamy hockey romance. It was a short, well written story with a good pace. I loved the forbidden romance element. Olivia and Calvin had fantastic chemistry and I loved them together.

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Olivia and Calvin

This was a cute quick read. Olivia and Calvin have instant attraction and off the charts chemistry. They have a great support system of friends/family. I would recommend this book. It does get pretty steamy. It has an HEA and no cheating.

[Erika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect and sweet

Loved it so much. It was exactly what O needed to read before bed. Calvin was the sweetest man and Olivia was perfect for him. The both chose each other over their careers and it all worked out in the end for the better.

[CJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author has given us a heartwarming story that pulls us into the lives of Olivia and Calvin. The story keeps us turning the pages with forbidden desire, connection, secrets, determination and steam.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.