Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read.
Start by marking “Penalty Box (Straight No Chaser, #0.5)” as Want to Read:
Penalty Box
(Straight No Chaser #0.5)
by
**Penalty Box is the prequel to the Straight No Chaser series**
I’m the bad boy who will stain his soul to keep her safe.
She’s a runner.
Always has been...at least, she’s always run from me.
Our history repeats relentlessly.
Longing.
Secret trysts.
Pounding hearts.
Fiery stolen kisses.
Her retreating back.
Now she’s home, hunted by someone sinister.
The lesser of two evils, I’m the ...more
I’m the bad boy who will stain his soul to keep her safe.
She’s a runner.
Always has been...at least, she’s always run from me.
Our history repeats relentlessly.
Longing.
Secret trysts.
Pounding hearts.
Fiery stolen kisses.
Her retreating back.
Now she’s home, hunted by someone sinister.
The lesser of two evils, I’m the ...more
Kindle Edition
Published
May 24th 2022
by Beautiful Misfits Press
Friend Reviews
To see what your friends thought of this book,
please sign up.
Reader Q&A
To ask other readers questions about
Penalty Box,
please sign up.
Be the first to ask a question about Penalty Box
This book is not yet featured on Listopia.
Add this book to your favorite list »
Community Reviews
Showing 1-30

Start your review of Penalty Box (Straight No Chaser, #0.5)

Oh lord where do I even start with this review? This is a prequel to a series so it’s relatively short compared to other books so we don’t get as in depth with the characters. Despite that, I found myself completely absorbed in the story and invested in Jackson and Savannah. Savannah’s strength and her willingness to do whatever it takes to protect her daughter shows how fierce of a mother she is. And even though she’s scared of her current situation she doesn’t let it get in the way of reconnec
...more

This novella made me so freaking excited for what's to come in this series. Jackson and Savannah have been almost lovers for so long, both of them so in love with the other -- but Savannah would run every time it got too serious. This time however, she's running to Jackson, hoping against everything that he still feels something for her to help her and her daughter escape a monster.
I wasn't excepting this to be so dark or emotional, but from the very first page I was just so invested. Jackson is ...more
I wasn't excepting this to be so dark or emotional, but from the very first page I was just so invested. Jackson is ...more

You never know what you’re getting into when you try a new author, but this first offering from Grayce was a pleasant surprise. And I applaud her for jumping head first into the deep end with this one, because she tackles some difficult subjects.
It's a bit dark and needs a trigger warning regarding spousal and child abuse as well as murder. And if you’re not a fan of cheating, you'll want to skip it, because the heroine is still someone else's wife when she and the hero get together.
Jackson and ...more
It's a bit dark and needs a trigger warning regarding spousal and child abuse as well as murder. And if you’re not a fan of cheating, you'll want to skip it, because the heroine is still someone else's wife when she and the hero get together.
Jackson and ...more

3.75-4 STARS
Savannah was the wealthy, good girl in high school to Jackson’s bad boy who was believed to be destined for trouble.
She broke up with him and left town after school and Jackson has a lot of hurt and resentment.
The story deals with some serious issues, it’s a novella so it all happens fast and I would have loved a bit more background on the characters and their past together.
I understand with a short prequel there’s the length restraint. So, with that in mind I felt the main and seco ...more
Savannah was the wealthy, good girl in high school to Jackson’s bad boy who was believed to be destined for trouble.
She broke up with him and left town after school and Jackson has a lot of hurt and resentment.
The story deals with some serious issues, it’s a novella so it all happens fast and I would have loved a bit more background on the characters and their past together.
I understand with a short prequel there’s the length restraint. So, with that in mind I felt the main and seco ...more

Penalty Box is a short prequel to a new series by Echo. It's a short and quick but oh so sweet read. You don't get too much of a back story on these two characters..but you honeslty get just enough to understand their story.
Jackson had me memorized from the beginning. He's the hot ex bad boy who has worked his butt off for what he's got.
Savannah sweet sweet Savannah. She's running from something twisted.
Their pasts are intertwine. They have some sort of history that neither has gotten over.
T ...more
Jackson had me memorized from the beginning. He's the hot ex bad boy who has worked his butt off for what he's got.
Savannah sweet sweet Savannah. She's running from something twisted.
Their pasts are intertwine. They have some sort of history that neither has gotten over.
T ...more

I kind of don't even know how to put my reactions to this book into words. This isn't a long read, but it's also not a light one. The connection between Jackson and Savannah is everything bright and beautiful, and it's what my second chance dreams are made of. However, there’s a lot of pain and hurt that this pair have inflicted on each other that they need to overcome. It also deals with a monster that walks on two legs, so be warned that there are some discussions about the cruelest things one
...more

Savannah fell in love with Jackson when they were teenagers, but her parents believed he was a bad influence on her and if you based your opinion of him on his actions rather than the man you might be right as well. She left him and her hometown behind only to make a much more dangerous choice when it came to her husband and her daughter’s father.
Jackson was hurt when Savannah left him with no further contact, but he also understood. Now that she is back there is nothing he won’t do to protect h ...more
Jackson was hurt when Savannah left him with no further contact, but he also understood. Now that she is back there is nothing he won’t do to protect h ...more

Jackson has been in love with Savannah since they were teenagers, but he knew he was no good for her even then. She’s always run from him, but now, Savannah is on the run from something worse. So instead of running away from Jackson, she runs towards him. And now that he’s had her again, he knows he’ll do anything to keep her safe. And that he’ll never let her go again.
Okay, so this was my first book by this author, and I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised!!! I absolutely adored Jackson an ...more
Okay, so this was my first book by this author, and I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised!!! I absolutely adored Jackson an ...more

Jackson and Savannah have a history but never got to be together. Now she is back in town with her daughter, and he knows that something is wrong. When he finally gets her alone, she explains how she should never have listened to the people of town about him. They painted him as a bad boy that would never be good and it was what had her run from him. However, she knows what a monster really looks like and its her estranged husband. Will Jackson be able to protect them from her estranged husband?
...more

* I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review*
Penalty Box is a prequel novella to the Straight No Chaser series. A steamy, second chance romance in a small town setting. This was a super quick, easy read that was well written. This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I was pleasantly surprised how quickly I was sucked into the story!
I loved the way we just jump right into the story. There’s such a strong sense of longing and history between Jackson and Savannah. You’ll definit ...more
Penalty Box is a prequel novella to the Straight No Chaser series. A steamy, second chance romance in a small town setting. This was a super quick, easy read that was well written. This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I was pleasantly surprised how quickly I was sucked into the story!
I loved the way we just jump right into the story. There’s such a strong sense of longing and history between Jackson and Savannah. You’ll definit ...more

Jackson & Savannah were high school sweethearts who never stood a chance because of her family as he was considered a bad boy & did get into trouble. She's a flight risk so she ran while Jackson truly believed he would never be good enough for her. Now she's back in town with her daughter, and while he's still mad at her flight risk tendacies, he is still drawn to her while she's trying to stay away from her horrible husband. Penalty Box was a short(ish) story that packed an exciting suspenseful
...more

I really enjoyed this opposites-attract, second chance romance, that is the prequel to the next book, False Start. AND ITS OUT NOW!!!! HAPPY PUB DAY!
It was a quick read, that definitely brought some spice, and made me excited to read the rest of the series! I really liked the author's writing style and she definitely wrote some awesome characters!
This one definitely has some TW so read up before diving in.
Tropes:
Second chance romance
small time romance
opposites attract
right person, wrong time
boot ...more
It was a quick read, that definitely brought some spice, and made me excited to read the rest of the series! I really liked the author's writing style and she definitely wrote some awesome characters!
This one definitely has some TW so read up before diving in.
Tropes:
Second chance romance
small time romance
opposites attract
right person, wrong time
boot ...more

Echo is a new author to me and when she opens up applications for her ARC team with the description of the book I happily applied.
This is a shorter story following Jackson and Savannah. They were high school sweet hearts that were ripped apart my unapproving family members and are now finding their way back to each other.
This book is on the darker side and I think Echo did an amazing job balancing those aspect with the romance that we wanted for such a short tale.
If you’re looking for a dark, ...more
This is a shorter story following Jackson and Savannah. They were high school sweet hearts that were ripped apart my unapproving family members and are now finding their way back to each other.
This book is on the darker side and I think Echo did an amazing job balancing those aspect with the romance that we wanted for such a short tale.
If you’re looking for a dark, ...more

It seems a little odd to come back to this series and be someplace before the beginning of it. I kind of don't even know how to put my reactions to this book into words. This isn't a long read, but it's also not a light one. The connection between Jackson and Savannah is everything bright and beautiful, and it's what my second chance dreams are made of. However, there’s a lot of pain and hurt that this pair have inflicted on each other That they need to overcome. It also deals with a monster tha
...more

ARC KINDLY PROVIDED FOR AN HONEST REVIEW:
I really enjoyed this book for the most part!
Penalty Box had all the ingredients to be an absolute banger- possessive man, wounded woman, a sweet kid, a small town set up where everyone cares about each other, and a love story that never got its happily ever after. One problem? It was too damn short!
I UNDERSTAND THAT IT'S A PREQUEL.
But please bear with my confused emotions while I explain stuff!
Let's talk about the good, because there's a lot of it. Echo ...more
I really enjoyed this book for the most part!
Penalty Box had all the ingredients to be an absolute banger- possessive man, wounded woman, a sweet kid, a small town set up where everyone cares about each other, and a love story that never got its happily ever after. One problem? It was too damn short!
I UNDERSTAND THAT IT'S A PREQUEL.
But please bear with my confused emotions while I explain stuff!
Let's talk about the good, because there's a lot of it. Echo ...more

Explicit: language, sex, abuse, violence, drug abuse
You get the chance to be with the one who got away, will you take it no matter the cost?
Penalty Box by Echo Gracey is the prequel novel in the Straight No Chaser Series and it was deep! Jackson and Savannah come from a small town and were high school sweethearts that ran from each other, for the sake of each other. One day, Jackson is working at his skating rink and in walks the one who got away, Savannah. To him, it’s like no time has gone b ...more
You get the chance to be with the one who got away, will you take it no matter the cost?
Penalty Box by Echo Gracey is the prequel novel in the Straight No Chaser Series and it was deep! Jackson and Savannah come from a small town and were high school sweethearts that ran from each other, for the sake of each other. One day, Jackson is working at his skating rink and in walks the one who got away, Savannah. To him, it’s like no time has gone b ...more

This is the prequel in the Straight No Chaser series by Echo Grayce
Hi everyone the name is Jackson,
Jackson everyone knows me that I’m the bad boy
A bad boy who is known to try and totally will stain his soul to keep Savannah safe.
Now here's a secret well not so a secret about Savannah, You see Savannah's a runner.
Savannah has always run away from everything even me.
You see Savannah and I have history that is constant and it's relentless. It drives me mad but the thing is there is one thing abou ...more
Hi everyone the name is Jackson,
Jackson everyone knows me that I’m the bad boy
A bad boy who is known to try and totally will stain his soul to keep Savannah safe.
Now here's a secret well not so a secret about Savannah, You see Savannah's a runner.
Savannah has always run away from everything even me.
You see Savannah and I have history that is constant and it's relentless. It drives me mad but the thing is there is one thing abou ...more

I love a good second chance, small town romance, and Echo Grayce came out swinging with this one! Penalty Box is a prequel to the Straight No Chaser series, and Echo brings us a variety of characters, or misfits as she likes to call them & what a group they are! Penalty Box introduces Savannah & Jackson "Jay" - the good girl and the bad boy! Opposites attract in this one because these two could not be more different. Jackson was the rebellious stoner going nowhere fast from the town's perspectiv
...more

Penalty Box is a prequel to Echo Grayce's Straight No Chaser series and is Jackson and Savannah's story.
Penalty Box is a short, steamy, second chance romance with a side of danger that grips you from the very first page.
When Jackson and Savannah were younger they were everything to each other but instead of ignoring other peoples opinions of their relationship and of them, Savannah ran and left Jackson behind broken hearted.
After ten years Savannah is back but she's not alone, she has an adorabl ...more
Penalty Box is a short, steamy, second chance romance with a side of danger that grips you from the very first page.
When Jackson and Savannah were younger they were everything to each other but instead of ignoring other peoples opinions of their relationship and of them, Savannah ran and left Jackson behind broken hearted.
After ten years Savannah is back but she's not alone, she has an adorabl ...more

One thing i liked about this is that it was kind of a role reversal... With the FMC being the one to leave instead of the MMC. I feel like normally it's the other way around in second chance romances, or at least it feels that way with the ones I've read, so it was nice to see it changed up a little.
Also, i really loved how even though Jackson has had a previous relationship with drugs and being arrested etc when he was younger, we get to see from Savannah's POV that underneath it all he still h ...more
Also, i really loved how even though Jackson has had a previous relationship with drugs and being arrested etc when he was younger, we get to see from Savannah's POV that underneath it all he still h ...more

It's not very often that a prequel novella sucks me into a story, but Penalty Box did just that. Without getting too much backstory on Jackson and Savannah, you can immediately tell these characters have a past that haunts both of them pretty severely. The first few interactions between them are rife with the angst of their past and I am here for it. It's your typical good girl meets bad boy and they fall in love, but also SO MUCH MORE. This is them coming back together after a decade and Jackso
...more

I would like to thank the author for reaching out to me and asking me to read and review her book. It was an absolute pleasure
I was worried about not finishing it on time but I couldn’t put the book down!
You know when people say “this was the first book from this author I read but it won’t be the last”? It’s so true
Our two main characters are Savannah and Jackson who’ve known each other for years but haven’t seen each other for over a decade.
When Savannah finally decides to move back home, she ...more
I was worried about not finishing it on time but I couldn’t put the book down!
You know when people say “this was the first book from this author I read but it won’t be the last”? It’s so true
Our two main characters are Savannah and Jackson who’ve known each other for years but haven’t seen each other for over a decade.
When Savannah finally decides to move back home, she ...more

In this prequel to the Straight Chaser series, we are introduced to Savannah and Jackson, two people that were high school sweethearts, the rebel and the good girl. Ms. Grayce tells us a story of two people who have found their way back to each other. Jackson was a rebel through his teens and early twenties, drugs and causing problems but he has turned his life around and runs the local roller rink in his hometown. His one that got away was Savannah, and that is only because she was a runner but
...more

Penalty Box is the prequel book in the Straight No Chaser series. Jackson and Savannah have a wild past of always wanting more, but never lasting together. Now Savannah is back in town with her daughter, but danger stalks their every move. Will Jackson be able to keep his girls safe, no matter the cost, or will they all pay the ultimate price?
Oh wow, this book starts off quick and heavy and will leave you on the edge of your seat! Savannah and Jackson have a very emotional and tough history, bu ...more
Oh wow, this book starts off quick and heavy and will leave you on the edge of your seat! Savannah and Jackson have a very emotional and tough history, bu ...more

I RECEIVED AN ARC FOR AN HONEST REVIEW
Penalty box is a short prequel novella to a new series written by Echo Grace . This novella is a quick read and second chance steamy romance. I didn’t know what to expect coming into this book since it’s the first book I’ve ever read by this author but I was surprised at how much I loved the characters, Jackson and Savannah.
Since this book is straight to the point, we learn that Jackson and Savannah have a deep longing after years apart. During this time apa ...more
Penalty box is a short prequel novella to a new series written by Echo Grace . This novella is a quick read and second chance steamy romance. I didn’t know what to expect coming into this book since it’s the first book I’ve ever read by this author but I was surprised at how much I loved the characters, Jackson and Savannah.
Since this book is straight to the point, we learn that Jackson and Savannah have a deep longing after years apart. During this time apa ...more

🛼 ARC REVIEW 🛼
Review: 4/5 ⭐️
Steam: 2/5 🔥
#pentaltybox is a short novella to start a new series by @echo.grayce. This is my first book from this author.
Jackson had a bad reputation. He was the bad boy growing up, getting into trouble and drugs. He changed his life around as he got older, but not before pushing away the one woman he loved. Savannah was the good girl, top of the class and going places. She was friends with Jackson and loved him then. But when he wanted her she ran. She knew Jackson ...more
Review: 4/5 ⭐️
Steam: 2/5 🔥
#pentaltybox is a short novella to start a new series by @echo.grayce. This is my first book from this author.
Jackson had a bad reputation. He was the bad boy growing up, getting into trouble and drugs. He changed his life around as he got older, but not before pushing away the one woman he loved. Savannah was the good girl, top of the class and going places. She was friends with Jackson and loved him then. But when he wanted her she ran. She knew Jackson ...more

He’s the one who got away.
Savannah Bryant is back home with her daughter in tow. She feels safe for the moment but she knows her ex-husband, Colton, is on his way ready to charm the entire town into believing he is the good guy. If he succeeds, no one will ever believe the truth. Nor will she and Skye feel safe again.
Jackson Stone never stopped loving the one he let go. Now she is back with fear in her eyes. Jackson may not have thought much of himself at one time. But he does have a good head o ...more
Savannah Bryant is back home with her daughter in tow. She feels safe for the moment but she knows her ex-husband, Colton, is on his way ready to charm the entire town into believing he is the good guy. If he succeeds, no one will ever believe the truth. Nor will she and Skye feel safe again.
Jackson Stone never stopped loving the one he let go. Now she is back with fear in her eyes. Jackson may not have thought much of himself at one time. But he does have a good head o ...more

In ‘Penalty Box’ we meet Jackson and Savannah. Jackson and Savannah have always had this intense relationship. He was the bad guy, she was the one with a bright future ahead of her. And every time Jackson thought Savannah would stay, she left town and broke his heart. Now Jackson has turned his life around and worked hard for a successful business. But then Savannah comes back into town, and she is definitely in trouble. And even if Jackson knows he is probably better off without interfering.. h
...more
There are no discussion topics on this book yet.
Be the first to start one »
USA Today Bestselling author Casey Hagen pens her stories from the salty air of Kennebunk, Maine. She's the author of over 30 books that would make your mama raise her eyebrows if she caught you reading them!
All things Casey here: geni.us/StalkCasey
FULL LIST OF BOOKS:
Fierce Protectors:

Tallulah Cove:
...more
All things Casey here: geni.us/StalkCasey
FULL LIST OF BOOKS:
Fierce Protectors:








Tallulah Cove:







Other books in the series
Straight No Chaser
(6 books)
Related Articles
Mateo Askaripour is a Brooklyn-based writer whose first novel, Black Buck—which Colson Whitehead calls a “mesmerizing novel, executing a...
42 likes · 7 comments
No trivia or quizzes yet. Add some now »