Penalty Play

Boston Rebels #5

by Julia Connors

We were never meant to see each other again. It was a one-night, no-names fling in Bermuda . . . until the next day when I watch her walk down the aisle at our parents’ wedding and discover she’s now my stepsister.

We say it won’t happen again, but we give in to the temptation of “just one more time” . . . twice. We tell ourselves there’s no harm in it. Given my stepdad’s and her mom’s rocky marital histories, it’s unlikely we’ll ever see each other again.

Except, a few days later, I walk into the Boston Rebels’ offices to assure management that I’ll focus on nothing but hockey after I missed last season thanks to an injury. Instead, I find myself face-to-face with my stepsister, Morgan, who now works for the team.

At first, we pretend we’ve never met and try to steer clear of each other. But it’s impossible. Her friends are tangled up with my teammates. Her dad is my agent. She’s everywhere: at the rink, out with our friends, and in my head.

I have every reason not to pursue her. I tell myself I’ll stay away. And yet, I can’t get enough of her.

So we make a deal: a secret friends with benefits arrangement—no feelings, no commitment.

The more I truly get to know her, the more I can’t imagine my life without her. But forever is the one thing I promised myself I’d never give anyone again.

TROPES:
✨ stepsiblings
✨ vacation fling
✨ agent’s daughter
✨ opposites attract
✨ workplace romance
✨ secret relationship

Genres: Hockey, Sports Romance, Romance, Hockey Romance, Sports, Workplace Romance, Forced Proximity

422 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 23, 2026

About the author

Julia Connors is a USA Today bestselling author who grew up in warm and sunny California. At seventeen, she traded her flip-flops for snow boots, and moved to Boston.

She’s been enjoying everything that New England has to offer ever since, and now that she’s acclimated to the snowy winters and finally found all the places to get good sushi and tacos, she has zero regrets.

You can usually find her in front of her computer, but when she stops writing she’s most likely to be found outdoors, preferably with a pair of skis or snowshoes strapped to her feet in winter, or on a paddleboard in the summer.

Reviews

[Julia Connors]

Available now!

Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited
Amazon: http://bit.ly/4gsrp9M

Audiobook coming April 10, 2026!

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/3JYYs9l

[Sandy (Sandy.Reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was the perfect ending to the series. And honestly? Usually step-sibling romances are not my thing, but somehow this one just worked. Crazy, I know.

I really loved the banter between them. It felt natural, fun, and full of chemistry. What stood out most for me was how intentional he was about making her feel safe and comfortable. That care and patience added so much depth to their relationship and made it easy to root for them.

There were a few moments where I felt frustrated and just wanted them to communicate and clear things up already, but I also understand why it was paced the way it was. In the end, it all came together in a really satisfying way.

Overall, this was a strong, emotional conclusion to the series, and I’m excited to jump into whatever comes next as we start learning all about the Hartmann brothers. 💙📚

[all.the.smut.things · Rating 5 out of 5]

RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
SPICE: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Okay, so I knew going into this book that I was absolutely goin got love this, but even I underestimated exactly HOW much I was going to love this. This book is one of my favorites in the series and Aiden Renaud shocked me in all the best ways.

I loved him and Morgan so much, and I was so happy to see our girl get her happily ever after since she's been part of this world for so long.

And her HEA was well deserved. Everyone deserves to go on vacation and have your back blown out by a hot hockey player who turns into the love of your life. Love that for her.

✨ Hockey Romance
✨ Vacation Fling
✨ Surprise Step- Siblings
✨ Workplace Romance
✨ Friends with Benefits

I love Julia's writing as a whole, and this was no exception. Her characters ae rich and complex, and I could read abut the Boston Rebels world forever. Aiden was kind of an enigma in the previous books, but this man showed up and showed out.

He is my favorite kind of hero, he has a mouthy side, but he's a caretaker at his core. I love when they guy that doesn't think he's ever going to want an Hea just kind of have it blindside him, and that's exactly what happened with him and Morgan. And Morgan, god I love her and related to her so much. She needed to learn to put her eats first and watching that happen. well I cheered for her a little.

this book was the perfect combination of heartfelt and spicy. Oh, did I mention this might be Julia's spiciest book... hello vacation fling...and I absolutely loved every second of it.

The Rebels may be over, but I will never get over this series. I love them with my whole heart.

[Sim-fully Ever After · Rating 5 out of 5]

5🌟, 3🌶️

From the first interaction, the chemistry and emotional pull are undeniable.

Aidan and Morgan’s connection is immediate, but what made me fall for them was the care beneath the heat. Morgan is strong, capable, and actively unlearning her people pleasing habits, and the way Aidan instinctively supports her boundaries and makes her feel safe gives their romance real emotional weight.

For a so called red flag hero, Aidan is nothing but green when it comes to Morgan. Watching him fall hard while navigating his own fears and career setbacks added depth and vulnerability to their story. There is no over the top drama here, just two adults grappling with messy timing, temptation, and feelings they never planned to catch, which somehow makes everything hit even harder.

As a series finale, this absolutely delivered. Even as a step sibling romance, which is not usually my thing, it worked beautifully. The banter, emotional growth, and authenticity of their relationship made this a standout.

This was an unforgettable finale that left me full, emotional, and already missing these characters.

~~~~

Thank you, Julia Connors & Valentine PR, for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨

[Anca A · Rating 5 out of 5]

#Review: *Penalty Play* - Julia Connors - ARC/ALC [18+]
4.6/5✨
3/5🌶️

What can go wrong when you have a super hot one night stand on a beautiful island in Bermuda? Well, in Morgan's case, everything!😅 Because the next day came with a huge surprise.🤭 In the moment her mom was getting married, Morgan discovered that her one night stand was, in fact, her stepbrother. On top of that, Morgan and her newfound sibling will have to work in the same place too, at the Boston Rebels hockey team. The lust was still very much present and they said that they wouldn't give into it anymore, but one time turns into more, becoming harder to leave what they had behind. But he swore that he would never give his heart away again. How will their story end?

Haha, this story had, even from the start, a surprise element which made me laugh because of that awkward situation 🤭. Morgan and Aiden tried really hard to leave that one night stand behind and forget about it, but the pull to each other was way stronger and made it impossible. Their secret romance was so juicy, being super captivating because of their strange situation. I liked that we got to learn more about the characters too, besides their romance story, being able to create a picture about them and their lives, with all the ups and downs.

It was so much fun to get to listen to this book. Aiden Snow and Megan Wicks did an incredible job in portraying Aiden and Morgan. I giggled a lot and I was again pulled into that feeling of yearning and forbidden that was created around our characters. I loved so much that I got the chance to be back into this story, but this time around I got to listen to these amazing narrators doing their thing! Their duet was sooo good and it was really addicting 🥰.

Another super fun and easy to fall in love story, having a great time reading this book because of their secret relationship, one of my favorite tropes.

So grateful for being part of Julia's permanent ARC/ALC team and I wanna thank her and her team for offering me this e-ARC & ALC🫶🏼.

✨Tropes
▫️Step Siblings
▫️Secret Romance
▫️Vacation Fling
▫️Opposites Attract
▫️Workplace Romance
▫️Forced Proximity
▫️Sports Romance
▫️Hockey Player

[Chiara^•^ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Penalty Play by Julia Connors
4,25/5⭐
3/5🌶️

This book includes some of the tropes I really love. Forbidden, stepsiblings, and forced proximity tropes in one book are my cryptonite. Aidan and Morgan spent the night together, but the next day they discovered they were actually stepsiblings. However, that doesn't stop them from having a fling. They believed that the situation would end once they left the island and went their own separate ways. But life had a way of bringing them back together, since Morgan is now on the same hockey team as Aidan, and her father is Aidan's agent. At first, they try to keep their distance, but the tension between them is palpable. As they work closely together, they can't help but feel attracted to each other.

I really liked how Aidan is sure about what he wants and he keeps chasing her without giving up. Morgan tries to resist at first, but of course, it doesn't last long. Aidan and Morgan have a chemistry that's full of fire and passion, yet it's also filled with sweetness. I really appreciated how Morgan's presence helps to soothe Aidan. I loved how Aidan looks out for her and seems to understand what she needs.

The friendship in this book is amazing. I really enjoyed watching how other couples were getting along. Their friendship always brought me joy and made me laugh. Overall, this was really great, and I enjoyed every moment of reading it.

🏒Hockey romance
🛥️Vacation fling
🏒Stepsiblings
🛥️Forbidden
🏒Forced proximity
🛥️Workplace romance
🏒Secret relationship

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was good because everything Julia writes is worth reading. There was really never anything critical that happened. It was “oh they’re step siblings! Except not really because that’s not his dad and also these people never stay married long” and then “oh no she works for the team! But actually she doesn’t at all”

The biggest stakes were truly just how to overcome the embarrassment of explaining how they met.

Good characters, good references to the rest of the series, and it was nice to see Morgan get a story after being in the background of like 9 previous books

ARC from Julia Connors <3

[Elise Koontz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Calling all spicy book lovers! 🌶️ I absolutely devoured this book. The characters were relatable and developed so well throughout the story, which made it incredibly easy to get invested. If you love hockey romance, this one is definitely for you.

I’m absolutely going to need to read the rest of the Boston Rebels series! While this can be read as a standalone, there are spoilers for previous books, so keep this in mind if you plan to read this series in order.

Thank you so much to Julia Conors and The Smuthood for allowing me to be one of the ARC readers-this was such a fun read!

[Zoe · Rating 1 out of 5]

why is his name aiden

[Reading Romance with Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

✨ARC Review✨
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶
First Person, Dual POV

I enjoyed the start of this book, but I found myself losing interest around the 50-60% mark. That being said, if the book were shorter, I may have liked it better. I’m all for smut in books, but I began to feel like Aidan and Morgan evolved into hookup buddies—not two people with real feelings for each other, which is why I found myself struggling to push through the end of the book.

What to Expect:
🏒Step-Siblings
🌴Vacation Fling
🏒Agent’s Daughter
🌴Opposites Attract
🏒Secret Relationship
🌴Friends with Benefits
🏒Workplace Romance

Thank you to the author and The Smuthood for this opportunity and the gifted eARC. This review was left voluntarily, and all thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

⚠️A brief list of content warnings is provided in the Author’s Note along with a link to the author’s website for a full list of content warnings.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

ALC Review
Received from author for an honest review.

This is my honest review of Penalty Play by Julia Connors.

Morgan is covering Public Relations for the Boston Rebels for a few months while Tatum is on maternity leave. Before she starts this part-time job she has to attend another one of her mother’s weddings. Morgan arrives in Bermuda just before the island is hit with a tropical storm, but the rest of the wedding party has been delayed until the storm has passed. With nothing to do she heads to the bar to get a drink.

Aiden has been on medical leave from hockey due to breaking his hand during a bar fight. Before returning to work he takes one last trip to Bermuda and that is where he meets a woman at the bar. They talk about the impending storm and how they are alone due to their companions all being delayed. The more they flirt and get to know each other the storm hits and the power goes out. They end up in one of their rooms and end up having the best night, but when Aiden wakes the next morning the woman from the bar is gone.

What happens when they see each other the following day and it’s their parents that are getting married - to each other!

Now realizing that they are step siblings they are both struggling with their draw to each other. They both decide since they won’t be seeing each other again, they give in and spend more time together. Vowing to never see each other again. Is anything ever really that simple?

They both return home and each other continue to remember their trip and the person they met while there. Morgan is shocked when she meets the man that she is supposed to interview and realizing who it is. Both are shocked and don’t mention that they know each other.

I loved seeing them fighting their attraction to each other and keeping it secret from everyone how they know each other.

Great story and great audiobook.

Narrated by Aiden Snow and Megan Wicks. These narrators were perfect for this story. They made you feel like you were there with Morgan and Aiden throughout this story.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok, there were some odds stacked against Morgan and Aidan (Her dad is his agent, she works for the team he plays for in a PR capacity) and one of them being step siblings did make me pause... but I did enjoy them together and how their relationship progressed. Slight spoiler...
They were not step siblings for long.
Their insecurities were believable and valid and were handled pretty well and overall, I enjoyed this one.

[lucialeelibros · Rating 4 out of 5]

thank you my dear Julia for making me part of your ARC team and read this beautiful, funny and incredible story.

perfect ending, perfect story, there's nothing more beautiful like see how a series end and all of them were perfect

[Shanna Ferris · Rating 4 out of 5]

• One night stand
• Hockey Romance
• Vacation Fling
• Stepsiblings
• YEARNING
• Forbidden/Secret relationship
• Agent's daughter
• She falls first, but he falls harder


Ahhh! The end of a much loved era! Julia has done such an incredible job bringing The Boston Rebels series to life, and I truly loved every second of it. This series will forever have a special place in my heart. I have found some of my all time favorite couples in this series, and this book was the perfect way to end it.

I absolutely loveeee a stepsibling romance! And Julia put her own spin on this for sure, and I couldn’t have loved that more! It brought ALL the fun flirty banter and INTENSE yearning I love about a stepsibling forbidden romance!

I absolutely loved Morgan’s character. She appeared so confident on the outside, but internally she was battling her own heartbreak and abandonment when it came to the relationships in her life. That mix of strength and vulnerability made the yearning in this story even more intense, because you could feel how much she was holding back versus what she truly wanted. I LOVED watching her lean in, both in her career and in her relationship with Aidan!

Aidan’s character had me a tad conflicted at times, but he ultimately won me over like all of Julia’s MMCs always do! Like Morgan, Aidan was handling his own heartbreak, and I loved watching him find his way back with the team and within himself after being gone for so long due to the injury we learn about throughout the series. It was so special to see him come full circle.

I would have loved to see a tad more groveling from Aidan’s character, but that is literally my only complaint when it comes to their relationship. I adored the yearning between these two! It was sooo well done, and Aidan’s jealousy was top notch!!!

I am definitely going to miss these characters, but I do revisit this series quite often! I can’t stay away and I love relistening to it, especially Fake Shot!

🎧 Audiobook review 🎧
Duet Narration
Narrated by Megan Wicks and Aiden snow

Ahhhh! These two were PERFECTION. Not only did they do an incredible job bringing these characters to life, but the chemistry was INSANE! I am so glad I held off reading this book until the audiobook came out because it was absolutely worth the wait. Megan did such a beautiful job with Morgan’s character. I just adore when she performs a vulnerable, yet sassy character! She always captures the perfect mix of vulnerability and sass, which only makes me love the FMCs she narrates even more!

And alongside Aiden’s performance as Aidan, it was PERFECT! He did an equally amazing job bringing Aidan to life, especially in those JEALOUS moments. Ahh! I just loved it! His growly tone comes out perfectly in those scenes, and it’s enough to make a girl absolutely MELT!!!

They were the perfect duo to end a series full of amazing narrators!

[Amanda hercozybookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Penalty Play — Julia Connors 🎧
Narrated in duet by Aiden Snow & Megan Wicks

I’ve absolutely loved the entire Boston Rebels series, so I was really excited for this final book — and it was such a fun one to end on.

Morgan has been one of my favorite characters in the series - She’s real, a total girls’ girl, and I was so ready to see her get her happily ever after.

This starts with a vacation fling in Bermuda… only for them to realize the next day their parents are getting married. After one unforgettable night, they’re suddenly step-siblings and then thrown back into each other’s lives when they end up working together. The forbidden tension here was so good.

I really connected with Morgan and her struggles with self-confidence. Even with Aiden constantly showing her how incredible she is, she still has to believe it for herself, and that growth felt so genuine.

Aiden is coming back from injury and working through his own past, trying to be a better teammate and a better man. Watching him grow while completely falling for Morgan was everything.

These two are fun, flirty, and full of chemistry with just the right amount of tension and emotional pull.

The duet narration was absolutely fantastic. Julia spoils us with her narration choices! Megan Wicks brings this undeniable sass and grit to Morgan. You ca feel her vulnerabilities and struggles. She’s our perfect Morgan!
And Aiden Snow, Sir!!! He was wonderful as Aiden. I loved him as the grumpy hockey player and that low baritone he has reverberated in my bones. Their voices work so well together!

Such a strong and satisfying end to the series.

Thank you to Julia Connors and team for the ARC and ALC

[Cokiereads · Rating 5 out of 5]

How does she keep writing such great books in one series? Like how am I supposed to pick a favorite couple?

After a one night stand in Bermuda, Morgan and Aiden weren't going to see each other again. Except they did, on the same trip. Because Morgan's mom married Aiden's step-dad. So of course nothing else happened the rest of the trip.

When Morgan gets home its back to work. She's helping out with the PR for the Boston Rebels for a short term. While there she runs into Aiden. Who's back playing with the team. The team shes working with.

Aiden is... into her so much but does he really know he is? The jealousy that pops up during this story just made me so happy. I love a guy who doesnt know what he wants but acts up anyways!!

Theres just so much thats keeping them apart. The parents married, working together (and something else!) thats just keeping them separated. Too many ties. But when you have the chemistry that these two have. Whew. It would be impossible.

I love how Morgan stands up for others and finds that strength for herself. And this book delves into a corner of sports I'd never come across, when youre part of a team but you've been gone for awhile and how the changes affect your teammates and how you view them.

Is this the end? I dont know, but I do know the world's not finished!!!

[AnnaMeansFun · Rating 4 out of 5]

The squeaks and giggles I squeaked and giggled in the beginning of this book!

It was such a cute and funny comfort read with two lovingly dumb characters, lying to themselves and each other right from the start with their “no feelings attached” nonsense. Well, I had all the feelings and so did Aidan and Morgan.

A great ending to the series, I will miss this bunch a lot.

[QuinnReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

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Tropical Storm Serendipity

How they met was destined to happen, but the start of it all is awesome. I love Aidan (Danny) Renaud and Morgan Kaplan! Even when they're fools, I can't help but like them. Of course, the fact that their chemistry burns white hot certainly helps.

"Pretty sure that orgasm killed me."
-- Morgan Kaplan

The possessiveness is hot and wild. It gets a little angsty in the middle, but not too much. It's very realistic and fun. They're also adventurous and a delight.

I really like that they both have conversations with their parental units, sharing things they've been keeping bottled up. While the talks may not necessarily end on happy notes, I truly appreciate the realism.

It's rumored that this is the last in the series. While I'm not keen on this idea, there are at least two possible spin-off options that I see. Hopefully, that means checking in with these lovely couples, too. If the rumors are wrong, I'll happily continue the series.

I listened to the audio book. The narrators, Megan Wicks and Aiden Snow, are fantabulous in duet. Really, really good listen. 🎧🩵🎧

Story: 4.5 stars
Narration: 4.5 stars
Listening Speed: 1.8x

H = 33; h = 28

TROPES:
✨ stepsiblings
✨ vacation fling
✨ hockey romance
✨ opposites attract
✨ workplace romance
✨ secret relationship
✨️ found family

[stackedwithsteph · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fine finish to this series.
We love emotionally competent men.

[Molly (hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75

[Amber Tentnowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ARC REVIEW✨

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️🌶️🌶️

👙 agent’s daughter
👙 step siblings
👙 workplace romance
👙 opposites attract
👙 secret relationship

The Boston Rebels series is one of my favorite hockey series. Julia’s ability to build tension between the leads, blend witty banter and make them show enough vulnerability to have their connection feel genuine is on point.

The chemistry between Aidan and Morgan was instant and I didn’t hate getting some spice early on. The ending was fairly more fast paced than the rest of the book but the character growth was so satisfying that I was fully routing for their love story. If you haven’t already definitely read the bonus epilogue because it was truly the perfect way to wrap up the end of this series.

Thank you Julia for the advanced copy.

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Penalty Play by Julia Connors is available now on audio.

Spice level: 🌶️🌶️
4.5/5

Narrated in duet by Megan Wicks & Aidan Snow
Produced by One Night Stand Studios

Tropes: Vacation;Rom-com; step siblings; Forced proximity; Mistaken identity; Workplace romance;Hockey MMC

Happy release day to Penalty Play by Julia Connors, book 5 in the Boston Rebels series!

I absolutely loved this one. It was such a cute, feel-good listen with the perfect mix of flirty tension, laugh-out-loud moments, and swoony chemistry. The audio made it even better. Megan Wicks and Aidan Snow brought so much charm and personality to these characters, and the duet narration style made every scene 🙈🤌🏻🤌🏻. This was the kind of audiobook that leaves you smiling. Such a fun, addictive listen.

Thank you @juliaconnorsauthor for the opportunity to advance listen to this one! 🩵🩵

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m obsessed with Morgan & Aiden and I want you guys to be just as unhinged with me because who knew step siblings were our thing?

I love them each in their way but together they are unstoppable. He loves her and is gentle and remembers the small things 🥹
She’s strong and resilient with her soft edges that we just want to hug her and squeeze her.

Julia you really created a master piece with this one. 😮‍💨😮‍💨

Not sure how I’ll get over them any time soon.

[Jessica Alcazar · Rating 5 out of 5]

📚ARC REVIEW📚 January 2026

January winter shenanigans not for the win! *side-eye* I’m behind on my reviews but today I have power so here we gooooooo (lol) …

I have to give mad props to Julia for this blurb! I mean if you are not LOL by the time you are halfway through reading it, I can’t help you! Shenanigans for the #win! I’ve read it so many times for its humor effect that I might have it memorized! And you know what, the story had the same vibe! #winning I have yet to meet a Julia Connors story that I didn’t like! I’ve not read every one of the stories she has ever penned, but the ones I have, have been winners for me, not just reading but also listening! I cannot wait to get my listening groove on with this story!

Normally I talk about this next aspect towards the end of my reviews, if I talk about it all, but it was done so realistically, that I’m doing it now. I’m not a fan of last minute/third-act conflicts. Mostly because they come across as forced and unnecessary in most stories that I read. This is not one of those cases! Yes, there is conflict towards the end(ish) but it’s realistic conflict. Could the story be as impactful without it? Sure, but having it didn’t really register to me as a negative. It felt more like an “of course” moment to me. Obviously, this all sounds super cryptic now that I read over it (lol), but I can’t spoil it for you, so you get what you get!

Julia really went out with a bang with this story. She hit every one of my high notes and I am so in love with it all that it makes me giddy! I love the growth that both Aiden and Morgan underwent because of their relationship. They were to each other the thing they both needed so they could be the best possible people to each other! It was a thing of beauty. The support and lifting up they gave to each other was very emotional for me and I just loved it! Their chemistry sparked off the pages from their vacation fling to the end! The banter and wit in the story were addictive and humorous.

I’ve loved this team from the very beginning, and I hate to say goodbye to them, but it was a superstar goodbye so I’m okay with it! This is one of those series that I know I will come back to over and over again in the future!

🎧ALC REVIEW🎧 April 2026

🎧There are just not enough audiobooks narrated by 🎤Megan Wicks! Her talent holds no bounds. I’ve only listened to a handful of the audiobooks she has narrated since I discovered her this past summer and in every single one she has had to perform a different “type” of character and she has nailed every single one. I could not have asked for a better Morgan! I really felt all of her layers thru Megan’s performance, from her quick wit and sass to her self-doubts. Megan brought her to life spectacularly for me and I found myself even more emotional listening to this story than I was while I read it. 🎤Aiden Snow is a narrator that I have come to gravitate towards in the last year or so and knowing that he would be bringing Aidan to life just made me so excited! And yes, he too brought his a-game to the table. Aidan is the kind of character that really fits Aiden’s voice and style and together with Megan in a duet performance they just exploded.

I’ve experienced this series both with my eyes and my ears and last month I took the opportunity to sit with the series as a whole back to back and I have to tell you guys, that not only do I think that overall my audio experience beats my reading experienced but also this is one of the few series that I can say can be binged back-to-back without a missed beat. Let’s be honest, or at least I’m going to be honest LOL, when it comes to “binging”, after the 3rd book I tend to wonder and come back. That’s not true “binging”. Well, I didn’t stray. I started with Center Ice and did not stop until the end of Penalty Play, back to back to back. I can count on one hand the number of series I can do that with and I love a lot of series. <<< Pay attention LOL! I bring this up because it’s something I think Julia Connors needs to be celebrated over. It takes a lot of work to find the perfect fit for a character and not just “any” talented narrator will do for every character. Julia not only found exceptional narrators in their own right, but they all fit the characters they performed ridiculously well. I cannot express how much I have loved this series from the very beginning and the cast of narrators that Julia has brought together played a big role in that. Those of you in your audiobook era, pay attention. *wink*

[Aubrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

The odds were stacked against them, but they made it through.

I have been waiting for Morgan's story since I started reading this series.

Aiden was a bit of an enigma in the previous books, but here? He absolutely showed up and showed out. He’s my favorite kind of hero: sharp-tongued and a little mouthy on the surface, but deeply caring and protective at his core. There’s something so satisfying about watching a man who doesn’t believe in his own happily ever after get completely blindsided by love.

This book strikes the perfect balance between heartfelt and spicy, delivering both emotional depth and chemistry in equal measure. It’s a story about vulnerability, growth, and unexpected love—and it absolutely delivers.

[D. L. Foley | My Last Romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Rating: ❤️❤️❤️❤️.5
Narration: ❤️❤️❤️❤️.5

General Thoughts:I discovered Julia Connors last year, and I have loved reading her books ever since. Her books are enjoyable, fun, and ones I fly through. She did the tropes in this one so well! She handled the step-sibling trope in a way I think people who love the trope will enjoy and those who don't will.

Julia Connors' books are always a treat to read, and I'm so glad I read this one. The series is interconnected standalone, so you could jump in wherever, but they are fun to read in order, too. If you're looking for banter, fun, spice, and connection, then Julia has you covered. I received a review copy for free and a review listening copy and am leaving this review voluntarily. Thanks to the author and Valentine PR.

Spice Meter:❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥 Spicy, and so so good!

Romantic Tropes and Things:
-contemporary realistic
-sports romance
-hockey romance
-taboo-lite
-step siblings (meet as adult)
-workplace/office romance
-one night stand to more
-friends with benefits to more

You can read more of my reviews on Insta @mylastromancenovel.

[Amy Storment · Rating 5 out of 5]

📚Penalty Play by Julia Connors
🎤Aiden Snow & Megan Wicks

DUET NARRATION
4.5 ⭐

Thanks to Julia Connors for the #gifted ARC & ALC. Being on your team is wonderful. All thoughts are my own.

I knew I was going to love this last book in the series just based off the tropes alone & I wasn't wrong. I related to this story all too well & Morgan really climbed to the top of my favorite FMC's in this series. She was so relatable. Deep down, she's a romantic, someone looking for a real & meaningful love but she keeps picking the wrong men. She's realized that she done with "casual" love & she just wants a man that's gonna stick around.

When she and Aiden meet in beautiful Bermuda, she thinks she's found him only to discover that he's her new stepbrother. I loved watching Morgan grow in this story, coming into her own & finally taking a stand for herself, not only with her mother but with Aiden as well. Her body insecurities were so real & genuine. As a woman who is curvy & tall, I related to her insecurities, her struggles with her self-confidence and how she perceived herself. Even though, she had a man who just slathered on the praise & adored every inch of her body, she still struggled with believing it but her real turning point was realizing that she deserved MORE!

After being off the ice for a year due to an injury, Aiden is back and determined to skate better than ever. He's definitely got the drive but Morgan's a big distraction and he can't seem to get her off his mind. Not only is he recovering from a physical injury, his heart is still recovering from a past relationship. He genuinely tries to be a better teammate & man and watching him develop and realize that he needs Morgan was so satisfying.

These two have such a fun dynamic with flirty, sexy banter. I LOVED how Aiden made Morgan feel seen, feel beautiful & wanted. She did the same for him and that's what made these two so great together. Even though their relationship becomes complicated and could have probably been solved with a little communication, it honestly felt like something that could easily have happened in life. Sometimes the hardest conversations make for the easiest solutions. The chemistry & growth between both of these characters just made for such a great read & I was rooting for them from start to finish!

🎤Let's talk audio: Megan Wicks just slayed this ya'll. I ADORED her as Morgan. She is just sooo good! You feel every layer of emotion that Morgan is going through in her performance from feisty, to fun, to sassy & determined. She's vulnerable & genuine when dealing with Morgan's insecurities and her performance really sealed the deal for me in me loving this character so much. Aiden Snow's voice is exactly what you're looking for in a grumpy hockey player whose got a guard up to love. His commanding & deep tone HITS LADIES! I really loved the dynamic between these two narrators and the audiobook is absolutely one you need to get your ears on. Without question!

I'm sad to see this series come to and end but the found family, girl gang and older MC's are what keep pulling me back to Julia's writing. Her books are genuine & relatable. She works hard to craft characters that people can connect with & I loved EVERY one of these characters and their stories.

[_.Beckyslibrary._ · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW

“For anyone who ever felt the need to make themselves small in order to fit the mold of someone else’s expectations…this is your world, take up all the space you need.”
•
Penalty play is the last book in the “Boston Rebels” series, here you’ll find:

🏒Vacation fling
🛥️Agent’s daughter
✨Opposites attract
🌆Secret relationship

This was such a fun, entertaining, and engaging read. It was my first book by this author, and I really enjoyed her writing style—it was smooth, easy to follow, and pulled me in right away.

Morgan is such a relatable character. She’s a romantic at heart who keeps ending up disappointed by love, and I really connected with her desire to find something real and meaningful instead of just another temporary connection. She’s not the kind of girl who can do casual, and I loved watching her growth throughout the book—especially the way she finally finds her voice and learns to stand up for herself, particularly in her relationship with her mother. That development felt honest and earned.

Aiden (Danny) was a great male lead. Coming back after a year away due to his hand injury, he’s clearly dealing with more than just physical recovery. I loved seeing his character growth and how he actively works on becoming a better person. His personal struggles were handled really well, and while I would’ve loved a bit more depth and conversation about his past, I still found his journey compelling and emotional.

Their relationship was such a fun dynamic. What starts as a casual vacation fling quickly becomes complicated when they discover they’re now step-siblings and coworkers—hello tension 😅. The banter was great, the chemistry was strong, and I loved how their relationship evolved from something purely physical into something much deeper and more emotional. Aiden made Morgan feel seen and understood, and she did the same for him, which made their connection feel genuine and meaningful.

Sure, some of the “final drama” could’ve been avoided with better communication—but honestly, that’s realistic, and it didn’t take away from how enjoyable the story was overall.

Overall, this was such a fun, emotional, and satisfying read. Great chemistry, strong character growth, and an engaging romance that kept me invested from start to finish.

Thank you so much to @valentine_pr_ & @juliaconnorsauthor for the ARC!

[skyeslibrary · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Being with you is like being seen for the first time. It’s being appreciated for who I am, not who I could be.”

Morgan has a problem…she can’t stop dating assholes. So, when she promises herself she’s done with them and goes to Bermuda for her mom’s wedding, it only makes sense to have a one night stand with the hot guy at the bar just for fun. Aidan doesn’t do relationships, so casual hook ups aren’t new for him. But. he’s never had as much fun as he did with the girl from the resort bar. Both of are riding the high of their night together until their real identities are revealed, and they realize that they absolutely shouldn't have a repeat.

But when they get back to Boston the next week and learn they will be working together for this hockey season, they have a big decision to make: let what happened in Bermuda stay in Bermuda, or explore the fun connection they had…with no strings attached, of course.

Will they be able to stay away from each other when their lives are suddenly so closely intwined? And if not, will they be able to keep things casual?

Julia Connors has a way with irresistible characters and angsty love stories. Penalty Play gives us even more of the heartstrings-tugging romance she’s known for!
—

this and that:
♡ agent’s daughter
♡ dual pov
♡ grumpy x sunshine
♡ hockey romance
♡ hurt x comfort
♡ no strings attached
♡ open door spice
♡ opposites attract
♡ secret hook ups
♡ taboo-adjacent relationship
♡ workplace romance

triggers:
☞ death of loved ones (past, off page)
☞ drug addiction (not mc, past, off page)
☞ high risk pregnancy (not mc)
☞ toxic parental relationship
—
thank you to Julia Connors for the gifted review copy!
—

♡ find me on Instagram!

[Emmy Wong · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a hockey romance and this book was just what I needed. It was a fun, spicy yet emotional read that had me hooked onto every moment. A stepsiblings, situationship kinda thing where they can’t stay away from each other? Sign me tf up! I loved seeing them go from the bliss an amazing one nightstand to seeing each other at their parents wedding and realising they’re stepsiblings. Truly was a highlight of the book for me. I loved their dynamic and it truly did carry a lot of the book. My only little complaint is the slower bit in the middle, I was starting to lose focus as the plot kind of felt off track. But it was very minor as they. But overall there was an amazing plot; that had scarred my emotionally at the end. For characters, I loved both MCs, but I admit while they may not be my favourite out of the series they worked really well with the plot and we got to see lots of growth. There were just times I couldn’t get around Aiden, because man was so damn stupid and oblivious. But that man is a yearned and I love that, even though he made many mistakes. I loved Morgan, and I saw my self in her quite a lot which was part of what kept me so intrigued by this book. This book isn’t the first I’ve read that mentions body image issues but this one felt really real, because it’s often the subtle details that people don’t notice, that hurt the most. Moving away from the heavy stuff… let’s talk smut! This book was quite spicer than I anticipated and I was loving every bit of it! Aiden may have had insecurities but none of them were about his skills in bed. This book has been back in my hockey romance era and Im really hoping to see more from this series! I’m not ready to let the Boston rebels go yet! I give this a 4/5