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Minor Penalties #2
Two for Boarding
Not yet published
Expected 17 Feb 26With fourteen years as the San Francisco Sea Lions’ top defenseman under his belt, Phil Easton is tired. After his coaches push him into playing on a bad knee and he ends up on long-term injured reserve, the chances of having his contract renewed dwindle before his eyes. He’s ready to hang up his skates when head coach Ben Morris shows up on his doorstep to help him recover. As what starts as a short-term boarding situation turns into friendship and maybe more, Phil can’t help noticing a few things about his coach that don’t add up.
Barring a short stint on a college hockey team, journalist Ben Sinclair has never been a sports fan. Every day he spends posing as the Sea Lions’ coach while investigating a scandal at the heart of the Sea Lions’ management, he hopes he can finish the job quickly and move on. But living in Phil’s spare room, growing closer to him by the day, Ben begins to wonder if putting down roots would be so bad. When Ben’s family calls in a favor in the form of taking in his wayward nephew, Charlie, Phil offers his support. The closer they grow, the more Ben relies on Phil for help with coaching and Charlie, going against every instinct he’s trained into himself for two lonely decades.
With his heart on the line, can Ben accept Phil’s offer of a convenient marriage to keep custody of Charlie? Can Phil figure out his own sexuality in time to make the marriage real? And can both of them work together to protect the Sea Lions from a conspiracy going all the way to the top?
Reading book 1 in advance is recommended.
Barring a short stint on a college hockey team, journalist Ben Sinclair has never been a sports fan. Every day he spends posing as the Sea Lions’ coach while investigating a scandal at the heart of the Sea Lions’ management, he hopes he can finish the job quickly and move on. But living in Phil’s spare room, growing closer to him by the day, Ben begins to wonder if putting down roots would be so bad. When Ben’s family calls in a favor in the form of taking in his wayward nephew, Charlie, Phil offers his support. The closer they grow, the more Ben relies on Phil for help with coaching and Charlie, going against every instinct he’s trained into himself for two lonely decades.
With his heart on the line, can Ben accept Phil’s offer of a convenient marriage to keep custody of Charlie? Can Phil figure out his own sexuality in time to make the marriage real? And can both of them work together to protect the Sea Lions from a conspiracy going all the way to the top?
Reading book 1 in advance is recommended.
- GenresSports
353 pages, ebook
Expected publication February 17, 2026
4 people are currently reading
6 people want to read
About the author
S.B. Barnes
4 books41 followersS. B. Barnes attended college in the Hudson Valley, studying English Language and Literature and Anthropology (although unlike her characters, her time there was not interrupted by crime-solving). She grew up split between the USA and Germany, attending university in both countries before eventually settling in Germany. Today, she works as a teacher and lives with her husband, son, and two cats. Fiction has always been one of her greatest loves, as a reader, as a teacher, and as a writer, and she hopes you enjoy reading her work as much as she enjoys creating it.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 25, 2026
I liked this but not as much as the first book. Phil is such a sweetheart and I loved everything about him! I wasn’t as crazy about Ben. He was undercover but he wasn’t very good at it. At least try to be a hockey coach. I could never see this happening in real life but it’s a book so obviously I had to suspend disbelief.
I absolutely loved Ben’s nephew, Charlie. I am so happy that he was included in the story. The support for the trans teen and the other teens at the LGBTQIA+ shelter are some of my favorite parts of this series.
I read the first book and I loved it but I was still a bit lost at times because this story happens on the same timeline. You really need to read the first book in order to understand this one. I recommend reading g them close together.
The hockey players (almost all of them) on the Sea Lions are a great group of guys and they are so fun to read about. Breezy is my favorite and I think he could work his way into anyone’s heart.
I liked the relationship between Phil and Ben but I wish the story didn’t overtake so much of it. Everything else kind of overshadowed what was building between them. Things happened kind of fast. Even everything with Charlie happened quickly. This book is so intertwined with the first book that it took away from the love story.
I am very excited for future books, especially Breezy and Luca’s story! Now that the issues with the team that happened during books 1 & 2 are resolved I hope the third book can focus more on the relationship between these two men.
I do love the hockey in these books. The game is another character and I really love that. Barnes writes realistically about hockey and how it affects the players. I enjoy that. It makes these books stand out from other sports books.
Thank you to the author for an ARC
All thoughts and opinions are my own
I absolutely loved Ben’s nephew, Charlie. I am so happy that he was included in the story. The support for the trans teen and the other teens at the LGBTQIA+ shelter are some of my favorite parts of this series.
I read the first book and I loved it but I was still a bit lost at times because this story happens on the same timeline. You really need to read the first book in order to understand this one. I recommend reading g them close together.
The hockey players (almost all of them) on the Sea Lions are a great group of guys and they are so fun to read about. Breezy is my favorite and I think he could work his way into anyone’s heart.
I liked the relationship between Phil and Ben but I wish the story didn’t overtake so much of it. Everything else kind of overshadowed what was building between them. Things happened kind of fast. Even everything with Charlie happened quickly. This book is so intertwined with the first book that it took away from the love story.
I am very excited for future books, especially Breezy and Luca’s story! Now that the issues with the team that happened during books 1 & 2 are resolved I hope the third book can focus more on the relationship between these two men.
I do love the hockey in these books. The game is another character and I really love that. Barnes writes realistically about hockey and how it affects the players. I enjoy that. It makes these books stand out from other sports books.
Thank you to the author for an ARC
All thoughts and opinions are my own
February 1, 2026
Ben is the head coach for the Sea Lions, but not really. He’s an investigative journalist and is undercover, working to prove the team owner and defensive coach are using the team for insider betting.
Phil is off due to an injury, and he can see how Ben has no clue about coaching, and that Trout, the defensive coach, is overworking his group, which led to Phil’s injury.
Phil’s friend Tom, the captain, tells Ben that Phil needs help so he moves in to look after him. Phil can’t find out any more about Ben and his coaching background, which is suspicious, so he coaches through Ben to help him.
They feel attracted to each other and share a kiss, which, for Phil, brings up old memories of teenage fumbling with boys. But this is very different, and he and Ben want to explore their growing feelings for each other.
Meanwhile, Ben’s mother calls to tell him he has to look after his cousin, Charlotte, who’s being kicked out, much like him when he came out. Charlotte is actually Charlie, and he’s only 14, so Ben scrambles to get him set up at school and thinks about getting an apartment and moving out of Phil’s house.
Phil offers to have them both stay, and learns that Ben was a Mormon, and his family was very strict, so he’s been on his own since 18, and he can’t leave Charlie to fend for himself.
To that end, when the social worker visits Phil says they’re going to get married, but Ben is hesitant, even though he’s falling in love with Phil. Phil is desperate to have Ben and Charlie stay, and realizes he’s also in love with Ben.
Ben figures out a way to uncover the bad coach and team owner’s betting, and they are charged. The manager who hired him escapes and tells Ben not to do anything, but Ben has to do what’s right. Ben and Phil do get married, for themselves, and Phil gets the family he’s always wanted.
This was an interesting story, with an undercover element and a heartbreaking religious subplot that shows how hurtful rejection can be. It wasn’t believable for Ben to not be caught out sooner, but a Cyrano save made it work.
I received this ARC for free and am glad to give it my honest review with thanks.
Phil is off due to an injury, and he can see how Ben has no clue about coaching, and that Trout, the defensive coach, is overworking his group, which led to Phil’s injury.
Phil’s friend Tom, the captain, tells Ben that Phil needs help so he moves in to look after him. Phil can’t find out any more about Ben and his coaching background, which is suspicious, so he coaches through Ben to help him.
They feel attracted to each other and share a kiss, which, for Phil, brings up old memories of teenage fumbling with boys. But this is very different, and he and Ben want to explore their growing feelings for each other.
Meanwhile, Ben’s mother calls to tell him he has to look after his cousin, Charlotte, who’s being kicked out, much like him when he came out. Charlotte is actually Charlie, and he’s only 14, so Ben scrambles to get him set up at school and thinks about getting an apartment and moving out of Phil’s house.
Phil offers to have them both stay, and learns that Ben was a Mormon, and his family was very strict, so he’s been on his own since 18, and he can’t leave Charlie to fend for himself.
To that end, when the social worker visits Phil says they’re going to get married, but Ben is hesitant, even though he’s falling in love with Phil. Phil is desperate to have Ben and Charlie stay, and realizes he’s also in love with Ben.
Ben figures out a way to uncover the bad coach and team owner’s betting, and they are charged. The manager who hired him escapes and tells Ben not to do anything, but Ben has to do what’s right. Ben and Phil do get married, for themselves, and Phil gets the family he’s always wanted.
This was an interesting story, with an undercover element and a heartbreaking religious subplot that shows how hurtful rejection can be. It wasn’t believable for Ben to not be caught out sooner, but a Cyrano save made it work.
I received this ARC for free and am glad to give it my honest review with thanks.
Review of advance copy
You definitely need to read Two for Holding first, because there is an underlying situation that starts with the first book and ends in this one.
Ben is the head coach of the Sea Lions, but things are odd – he doesn't seem to care much or really know what he's doing. Hockey player Phil wrecks his knee during practice and is having a hard time getting around his house due to the stairs. Ben moves in to help (& really never leaves).
There's a gambling crime ring going on within the Sea Lion's coaches that Ben is under cover to try to solve. There's a 14-year-old that comes to Ben to raise because he is kicked or his Mormon household (Ben left his Mormon upbringing many years ago). Then there's Phil and Ben falling in love (despite Phil thinking he was straight).
Loved the rest of the team – looking forward to seeing more of them. There's a bit of an age gap between Ben & Phil – but everyone's an adult here. Medium spice, trans teenager, and found family.
Good book – a little confusing at first because I had forgotten some things from the first book. Maybe a little slow in spots, but definitely worth reading. I'll be picking up the third book when it comes out.
Ben is the head coach of the Sea Lions, but things are odd – he doesn't seem to care much or really know what he's doing. Hockey player Phil wrecks his knee during practice and is having a hard time getting around his house due to the stairs. Ben moves in to help (& really never leaves).
There's a gambling crime ring going on within the Sea Lion's coaches that Ben is under cover to try to solve. There's a 14-year-old that comes to Ben to raise because he is kicked or his Mormon household (Ben left his Mormon upbringing many years ago). Then there's Phil and Ben falling in love (despite Phil thinking he was straight).
Loved the rest of the team – looking forward to seeing more of them. There's a bit of an age gap between Ben & Phil – but everyone's an adult here. Medium spice, trans teenager, and found family.
Good book – a little confusing at first because I had forgotten some things from the first book. Maybe a little slow in spots, but definitely worth reading. I'll be picking up the third book when it comes out.
Review of advance copy
I’m going to be honest—I liked this, but not as much as the first book. If you haven’t already, you should definitely read Two for Holding first, as there is an ongoing situation that begins in the first book and concludes in this one.
Having read and enjoyed the first book, I found parts of this one a bit confusing, especially since it shares the same timeline. I felt like the first 30% covers events we’ve already experienced, just from another character’s point of view.
Ben is the head coach—who is actually a journalist investigating a scandal—and Phil, who is a sweetheart, ends up injured. Phil needs help, and Ben ends up needing a place to stay. I enjoyed reading about their growing relationship and the support they were able to offer each other. Most of the hockey players on the Sea Lions seem like a great group of guys. Breezy is my favourite, and I can’t wait to read his book.
Ben’s nephew, Charlie, was a highlight of the story, and his inclusion added real heart. The support for the trans teen and the other teens at the LGBTQIA+ shelter is among my favourite elements of the series.
Having read and enjoyed the first book, I found parts of this one a bit confusing, especially since it shares the same timeline. I felt like the first 30% covers events we’ve already experienced, just from another character’s point of view.
Ben is the head coach—who is actually a journalist investigating a scandal—and Phil, who is a sweetheart, ends up injured. Phil needs help, and Ben ends up needing a place to stay. I enjoyed reading about their growing relationship and the support they were able to offer each other. Most of the hockey players on the Sea Lions seem like a great group of guys. Breezy is my favourite, and I can’t wait to read his book.
Ben’s nephew, Charlie, was a highlight of the story, and his inclusion added real heart. The support for the trans teen and the other teens at the LGBTQIA+ shelter is among my favourite elements of the series.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Another book I absolutely devoured - this series is quickly becoming a favorite for me!
I did not want to put this down at all, staying up late, waking up early, and avoiding adulting.
After getting a glimpse of Phil and Ben in the first book, I had so many questions as was excited to get a chance to hear the answers from them directly! Their love story is not direct in any way, but by the end I was rooting for them and I could see how good they were for each other.
While this is a hockey book, this isn't a book that worships the sport or the league. The commentary covers homophobia, racism, and even illegal schemes at the management level. There is no idolization of the sport, but rather actual conversations about some of the negatives of it all.
Added to Ben being a head coach with no experience (and while thinking hockey is a silly sport), his nephew gets sent to live with him, without having ever met in the past. Having to handle so many things at once, Phil really steps in and becomes the family both Ben and his nephew needs.
Absolutely beautiful book, I'm so excited to recommend it when it releases!
Thank you to the author for the ARC!
I did not want to put this down at all, staying up late, waking up early, and avoiding adulting.
After getting a glimpse of Phil and Ben in the first book, I had so many questions as was excited to get a chance to hear the answers from them directly! Their love story is not direct in any way, but by the end I was rooting for them and I could see how good they were for each other.
While this is a hockey book, this isn't a book that worships the sport or the league. The commentary covers homophobia, racism, and even illegal schemes at the management level. There is no idolization of the sport, but rather actual conversations about some of the negatives of it all.
Added to Ben being a head coach with no experience (and while thinking hockey is a silly sport), his nephew gets sent to live with him, without having ever met in the past. Having to handle so many things at once, Phil really steps in and becomes the family both Ben and his nephew needs.
Absolutely beautiful book, I'm so excited to recommend it when it releases!
Thank you to the author for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I enjoyed this one a lot more than the first. I had wondered if it was going to be a little over the top, what with all the drama that goes on in this story, but it actually meshes together really well.
I liked the idea of the illegal betting, and Phil and Ben were really cute together.
Phil was a sweetheart and handled his changes really maturely. Ben is a terrible coach, grumpy, funny, and surprisingly endearing.
Charlie’s situation was so sad, but I’m glad he had people he could rely on. I can’t imagine being 14 and being ripped away from everything I’ve ever known.
I’m still not into the articles at the beginning of each chapter; I don’t think it adds anything, but that’s really my only negative. I thought the story kept you engaged this time around, and the characters were more interesting and likeable.
………………………………………………………….
I got an ARC from GRR, and this is my honest review.
I liked the idea of the illegal betting, and Phil and Ben were really cute together.
Phil was a sweetheart and handled his changes really maturely. Ben is a terrible coach, grumpy, funny, and surprisingly endearing.
Charlie’s situation was so sad, but I’m glad he had people he could rely on. I can’t imagine being 14 and being ripped away from everything I’ve ever known.
I’m still not into the articles at the beginning of each chapter; I don’t think it adds anything, but that’s really my only negative. I thought the story kept you engaged this time around, and the characters were more interesting and likeable.
………………………………………………………….
I got an ARC from GRR, and this is my honest review.
Review of advance copy
I wavered between four and five stars for this, but what the heck, it made me smile a whole lot, and these days that’s worth an extra half star. This is just a sweet, kind, heartwarming story from start to finish. Is it entirely, or even particularly, plausible? No. But it made me want to reread book one and wriggle in anticipation of book three. Tons of fun, no notes.
My thanks to Gay Romance Reviews for an advance copy of this book.
My thanks to Gay Romance Reviews for an advance copy of this book.
Review of advance copy
LOVED!! Loved this second book as much as the first. Once again I thoroughly enjoyed the real take on a lot of issues in the NHL and in this case with professional sports in general when it comes to race and ethnicity. I also deeply related to Ben LOL I too cannot make it though an entire hockey game without getting a headache from the constant sound of the sticks on the ice and the godawful goal horns 😂 five stars lol
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January 28, 20263.5 stars, rounded up to 4. Full RTC
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews