Meet Me in the Penalty Box: A Forbidden Hockey Romance (Orchid City Book 1)

3.7 3.7 out of 5 stars | 5,710 ratings

Price: 4.99

Last update: 01-30-2025


About this item

She was the one thing he couldn't have, but that wouldn't stop him from getting what he wanted.


After a nasty break-up with her ex, moving to Orchid Beach was like a breath of fresh air.

Harper landed a brand new job as a sports photographer for a professional hockey team.

It was just what she needed to get away from everything she had ever known.

One drunken night at a club had her sneaking into another room with a stranger.

But that stranger ended up being no one other than Nico Cirone.

The star rookie player for the Orchid City Vipers.

The same team that she was now working for.

And that made him completely off limits.

Nico Cirone had been at the top of his game, but as a rookie, he couldn’t afford to lose his new position.

His luck felt like it was stretching thin and there was only one solution.

He needed a new good luck charm.

And after running into Harper, he knew that he had finally found what he was looking for.

It was an easy arrangement, one they could both benefit from.

He would help her forget her ex and she would help him play the best hockey he’d ever played before.

It was supposed to be simple…

Until it wasn’t anymore.


From the Publisher

She was the team's new photographer... and his new good luck charm.

“Who are you, Nico Cirone?” she questioned me, her voice husky as she raked her teeth over her plump bottom lip.

I winked as I held my hand out to her. “Come with me and I’ll show you.”

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3.6 out of 5 stars
5,710
3.9 out of 5 stars
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3.6 out of 5 stars
5,710
Price $17.99 $17.99 $4.99
Other Editions Illustrated Cover Alternate Cover Available in Kindleunlimited

Top reviews from the United States

  • Bills & Books
    3.0 out of 5 stars Nico and Harper ????????
    Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2023
    3.5/5⭐️

    Meet Me in the Penalty Box is a quick, light, easy to read hockey romance.

    This book was cute, but for me it left a lot to be desired. I finished feel like I needed more details and information. I felt the characters lacked depth and their love story was almost too much instalove that we missed the development of their relationship. I also didn’t love the chapter where the next book’s MMC was introduced. I mean I get it was necessary for the next book to be interrelated, but I felt it was random and happened at a a terrible time in Nico and Harper’s story. I really liked Harper and how independent she was. I absolutely loved Wes and I hope he gets a book so we can find out what he’s been researching and who he’s been researching with! He was also such a good friend. I love how Nico took care of Harper. I loved he and Giana’s relationship. I loved there was no third act breakup.

    All in all, a cute, spicy hockey romance to add to your TBR and a good start to new series! Interested to read the next book, I’m always down for a good second chance romance and have never read a book about golf before. Hope we can see snippets of Nico and Harper in upcoming books of the series.
  • Courtney Shaw
    4.0 out of 5 stars Nico. Book Boyfriend. Material
    Reviewed in the United States on August 20, 2023
    RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
    SPICE: ????️????️????️

    Cali Melle is one of my go to Hockey Romance Authors, and she hit it out of the park with this one!

    Nico Cirone is the star rookie for the Orchid City Vipers NHL team, and on a night out, meets a beautiful girl at a bar. There’s an instant spark between them, but Nico’s teammates need his help before he can found out who she is. So imagine his surprise when he finds out her name is Harper, and she is the new team photographer. Which makes her off limits. But Nico knows what he wants and he isn’t afraid to go after it.

    This book was just a great low-angst comfort read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Insta-love can be a hit or miss trope for me, but I love how this one played out and how sure Nico was of his feelings. He didn’t play any games with Harper and sometimes you just need to read a hero that’s all green-flags. ❤️❤️

    I really liked the chemistry between Nico and Harper, the way they opened up with each other and how they took a chance on love despite knowing the risks. Harper needed someone to show up for her, and Nico did that over and over. I loved seeing his protective side come out as well when she was hurt ????. Nico and his dirty dirty mouth..talk about SWOON and melting into a puddle at his feet ????????

    I also really liked the side characters, especially Giana, and the disability rep included because of her hearing loss. I think Nico won me over as much with his interactions with his sister as he did with his feelings for Harper.

    This one was sultry, steamy and heartwarming, and a fabulous beginning to this series.

    Definitely Recommend ❤️
  • LoveleighReads
    5.0 out of 5 stars Typically not one for insta-love, but this is an exception!
    Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2024
    Meet Me in the Penalty Box is a sweet, insta-love, hockey romance between Nico and Harper that left me wanting more! These two meet one night out and are instantly attracted to one another. Nico ends up having to leave abruptly; neither one thinking they will see the other again until Harper just so happens to be the team photographer. Imagine how surprised they both were when they came face-to-face with each other!

    Although their chemistry is undeniable, Harper doesn't want to lose her job and tries to keep Nico at a distance. But Nico falls first and HARD. He's determined to be with Harper no matter the consequences! I appreciated the little amount of angst in this one, no miscommunication or third act break-up! Absolutely recommend this book for a sweet and easy read!
  • Jessica
    2.0 out of 5 stars Cute And Fast Read
    Reviewed in the United States on December 28, 2023
    The story was simple and sweet, but I felt like it was lacking in plot development, I was expecting to get attached to the characters , but none of them felt fully formed, and the chapter that is obviously used as gateway introducing the next book and characters felt awkward , forced and random as opposed to something flows and comes about organically in the book. Would not read again.
  • Megan Easley
    3.0 out of 5 stars Okay, Not the Best Sports Romance.
    Reviewed in the United States on October 30, 2023
    Book Review: “Meet Me in the Penalty Box”
    Author: Cali Melle
    Pub Day: July 16, 2023
    Tropes: Sports Romance, Forbidden Love?
    •
    This is my first book ever by Cali Melle (who kindly gifted me a copy of the second book in the Orchid City series), and it was a nice, quick, and fun read! I enjoyed the male main character, Nico Cirone, and how he went after what he wanted even though it was against the rules. I also really liked how every sentence he said ended in “love”. Finally, I enjoyed the sarcasm and banter between the characters (read quotes below).
    •
    One thing I didn’t understand was why new characters were introduced in like the second to last chapter. It added nothing to the plot, so we probably could have skipped over them. I also didn’t really like that the characters, almost immediately, were head over heels for one another. It seemed like an unrealistic timeline.
    •
    Overall, I’d give the plot/storyline a ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars and the spice/smut a ????️????️/5. I am excited to finally be able to start reading the second book!
    Customer image
    Megan Easley
    3.0 out of 5 stars
    Okay, Not the Best Sports Romance.

    Reviewed in the United States on October 30, 2023
    Book Review: “Meet Me in the Penalty Box”
    Author: Cali Melle
    Pub Day: July 16, 2023
    Tropes: Sports Romance, Forbidden Love?
    •
    This is my first book ever by Cali Melle (who kindly gifted me a copy of the second book in the Orchid City series), and it was a nice, quick, and fun read! I enjoyed the male main character, Nico Cirone, and how he went after what he wanted even though it was against the rules. I also really liked how every sentence he said ended in “love”. Finally, I enjoyed the sarcasm and banter between the characters (read quotes below).
    •
    One thing I didn’t understand was why new characters were introduced in like the second to last chapter. It added nothing to the plot, so we probably could have skipped over them. I also didn’t really like that the characters, almost immediately, were head over heels for one another. It seemed like an unrealistic timeline.
    •
    Overall, I’d give the plot/storyline a ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 stars and the spice/smut a ????️????️/5. I am excited to finally be able to start reading the second book!
    Images in this review

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