penalized love by emery paige
book review #25
Hey readers,
Here I am again with my favorite type of post… —book reviews! And this one is even better, given that it is an ARC review!
From the moment I opened Penalized Love, I was hooked. Emery Paige has crafted a sports romance that’s equal parts heartwarming, funny, and swoon-worthy, making it impossible not to fall in love with Asher and Isla’s story.
The opening chapters, set “3 years before,” immediately set the tone with humor and charm. Asher and Isla share a kiss at a party she wasn’t supposed to be at, and then, due to life complications, Asher later has to spend a couple of weeks living with her and her family. But wait for it…her dad is his college hockey coach! The situation was so hilariously awkward that I found myself grinning the entire time. This backstory not only invested me in their chemistry but also gave context to the layers of tension and unresolved feelings between them.
The forced proximity trope makes an early and delightful appearance, and I was thrilled to see it resurface later in the book. Even though we didn’t fully witness how things played out during their first stint of closeness, Paige uses it brilliantly to reignite the spark between them.
It’s impossible not to adore Asher’s nickname for Isla, “Sunshine.” It’s sweet, tender, and perfectly encapsulates how he views her—someone who lights up his life even when at odds.
One of the standout moments for me was how the characters addressed their past. I loved that they had an honest conversation about what went wrong reasonably early in the story instead of dragging it out. That said, what is the reason for their breakup? It's a bit silly, honestly—but I can overlook it because the rest of their journey more than makes up for it.
Asher’s relationship with his mom and sister brought a wholesome dynamic to the book. His love for his family is genuine and touching, from volunteering to take his sister to her game so his hardworking mom can rest to how he cherishes their bond despite their busy schedules. Isla’s role in bringing things full circle—convincing Asher’s mom and sister to attend one of his games—is such a beautiful moment, showing how much she fits into his world and supports him.
And can we talk about how Asher willingly volunteered for even more forced proximity? That move sealed the deal for me. It perfectly blends romance and humor, showing how much he wants to be with Isla.
Finally, Penalized Love avoids the dreaded third-act breakup—a refreshing and welcome choice. Instead of unnecessary drama, we get a satisfying and well-earned conclusion that leaves you cheering for Asher and Isla.
This book is everything I want in a romance: heartfelt, funny, and full of genuine moments that make you believe in love. Emery Paige has scored big with this one! If you love a sports romance with lovable characters and plenty of forced proximity, don’t miss it.
So…would you give it a chance?
Read you soon,
Bea.
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Photo by: Bea Barros.