Veteran winger Robbie is chasing one last great season when a new face on the ice catches his attention, Olivia, a determined, razor-focused referee grinding her way up a male-dominated ladder. They start as friendly fixtures in the same rinks and hallways, trading quips and quiet check-ins after bruiser nights. As schedules overlap and off-ice talks get real, the line between professional courtesy and personal connection blurs. The question isn’t whether they’re interested, it’s whether they can risk careers, reputations, and team dynamics for something that suddenly feels inevitable.

4 Reasons Why Love Panalty Works

1) The banter builds the relationship
Robbie and Olivia’s back-and-forth isn’t just cute; it pushes the story forward. Their conversations sometimes flirty, sometimes frank reveal values, fears, and loyalties, so when the romance deepens, it feels earned.

2) A genuinely compelling heroine
Olivia’s career as a ref is well you know…the book digs into prep, pressure, and the scrutiny she faces on and off the ice. She’s not just “tough”; she’s competent and the plot respects that.

3) A hero who shows up
Robbie’s charm isn’t performative. He listens, backs off when lines matter, and steps up when it counts. It’s peak “soft but solid” book-boyfriend energy without losing the grit of a pro athlete.

4) The hockey world feels lived-in
Game-day rhythm, travel fatigue, locker-room noise, and ref crews—there’s texture here. Even readers who don’t watch hockey will track the stakes.

Who Will Love It

• Readers who want sports romance with real job stakes
• Fans of friends-to-lovers where the friendship actually develops on the page
• Anyone craving a capable heroine and a respectful, low-ego hero

Personal Note:
This is the first book by Stef C.R. that I’ve read, and it definitely won’t be the last. She’s a fellow Michigander, which makes the hockey-world detail and Midwest charm hit even closer to home for me. There’s a certain warmth and familiarity in her writing that made Love Penalty feel like more than just a romance—it felt like a hometown win.

Vibe: Friends-to-lovers, pro-hockey world, slow simmer that turns into a full send

Tropes: Forced proximity (same arenas/travel circuit), “we shouldn’t” workplace boundary, competent heroine

Heat level: Moderate–steamy, emotion-forward

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

Click Here to Grab Your Copy

Tessa Bailey hits a romantic hole-in-one with Fan Girl Down, the first book in her Big Shots series. If you’re a fan of steamy banter, sizzling chemistry, and lovable characters, this rom-com will have you swooning from the first chapter to the final kiss.

Plot & Characters: Golf, Comebacks, and Second Chances

You’ll meet Wells Whitaker, a once-promising professional golfer whose self-destructive habits have sidelined his career. Enter Josephine “Wells’s Belle” Doyle, his lifelong and fiercely loyal fan, who surprises everyone when she becomes his caddie to help rebuild both of their lives. Their partnership begins as a professional arrangement but quickly evolves into something far more compelling. 

Josephine is not only endearing in her optimistic sunshiney and gritty personality, but she also faces real-world challenges, such as running her family’s struggling pro shop and managing Type 1 diabetes. Bailey handles her condition with realism and sensitivity, making Josephine feel authentically strong and nuanced.

Meanwhile, Wells’s journey from grump to caring partner unfolds naturally through dual point-of-views that balance emotional growth and romantic tension.

Banter & Flirtation: Electric and Unfiltered

If you live for witty and romantic tension, this book delivers. The back-and-forth banter between Josephine and Wells is razor-sharp, equal parts superfan sass and reluctant attraction. Their dynamic is grumpy-meets-sunshine done right, minus most of the typical miscommunication drama. Bailey keeps the pace tight, focused, and fun. 

Spice and Emotional Depth

Tessa Bailey doesn’t hold back on the heat, and this story is no exception. Their steamy encounters, balanced with emotional intimacy, feel earned and integral to their evolving bond. Every scene contributes to the layered storytelling rather than just serving as filler.

Why This Golf Romance Stands Out

You’d think golf might feel dull or technical, but here it’s central to the story’s stakes and emotional arc. Bailey transforms tournament prep and pressure into metaphor, for personal healing and teamwork. Even golf skeptics will find themselves cheering at Wells’s putts.

Final Thoughts

Fan Girl Down is Big Shots series brilliance wrapped in a sweet, spicy, and emotionally satisfying package. With witty banter, meaningful character arcs, and a fresh take on the sports-romance genre, it’s a five-heart winner from start to finish.

And let me be clear: I know absolutely nothing about golf… and I don’t even care for it. But I still loved this book. That’s how strong the writing, characters, and emotional depth are. The romance completely stole the show, and Wells and Belle will stay with me long after the last page.