Penalty Box of Hearts

Penalty Box of Hearts: An M/M Slow Burn Hockey RomComA closeted hockey captain and his openly gay new coach battle attraction, rumors, and career-threatening accusations in this heartwarming slow burn romance set in the high-stakes world of professional hockey.

Rule #1 in hockey: Don't fall for your coach.

Casey Winters has his life perfectly compartmentalized-captain of the struggling Icebreakers on the ice, carefully closeted gay man off it. For years, he's kept his sexuality separate from his career, unwilling to risk the leadership position he's worked so hard to earn.

That strategy works perfectly... until Dean Martinez skates into his life.

The Icebreakers' new assistant coach is everything Casey isn't-confident, open about his sexuality, and unapologetically himself. He's also gorgeous, perceptive, and completely off-limits. As Dean pushes Casey to improve his game, their chemistry becomes harder to ignore, especially during a team retreat where "booking issues" force them to share a room.

But when rumors about their relationship spark a league investigation that threatens Dean's career, Casey faces an impossible choice: stay safely in the closet or stand up for the man he's falling for. With the franchise's future hanging in the balance and a scheming teammate determined to expose them, Casey and Dean must navigate professional boundaries, personal fears, and a slow-burning attraction that could change everything.

In this delightful debut rom-com, Julian Teixeira delivers a heartwarming story about finding the courage to be yourself-even when it feels like you're skating on thin ice.

Featuring:

Grumpy captain meets sunshine coachOnly one bed at the team retreatEnemies-to-lovers tensionCloseted athlete journeyFound family with chaotic teammatesSteamy-but-SFW romanceHilarious locker room anticsA guaranteed happily ever afterPenalty Box of Hearts is a 16,000-word short read, perfect for romance fans looking for a quick, feel-good story with plenty of heat, heart, and hockey.