Penalty Box

Lux Brumalis #1

by Kris Butler

I loved two things above all others: hockey and Reese. Becoming Reese’s guardian hadn’t been in my plans, but I couldn’t turn my sibling away when they needed me. I never anticipated how difficult juggling hockey and raising a teenager would be.

Being a woman in a male-dominated sport meant I spent the majority of my time proving I could measure up. It didn’t matter that I’d won two Olympic medals or could outshoot most male players. I was a woman, and that was all that mattered.

When an ex leaked a private video, I was suspended from the league for ‘morality issues.’ Suddenly, I had no clue what to do with my life if it didn’t include hockey. With no direction, purpose, or job prospects, I felt lost, with no clear sign of what to do next.

Visiting a friend, an opportunity for Reese emerged in Utah, and I was thrust into a world I hadn’t known existed—an elite academy for winter sports. Between coaching hockey and training Reese, I met three guys who made my heart race. But after my last relationship disaster, I wasn’t ready to choose a life I wasn’t sure fit me anymore.

Feeling hopeful, I accepted a job coaching the male hockey team. Maybe trying something new would be what Reese and I needed. Lux Brumalis could be what got us out of the Penalty Box once and for all.

Watch out, boys; it was time you learned how to play like a girl.
My name’s Henley Henshaw, but you can call me Coach.

This is a contemporary why-choose hockey romance intended for 18+ due to language and content. This book deals with some dark themes that might be triggering to readers. Please read the foreword for more details.

Genres: Sports, Hockey, Sports Romance, Why Choose, Romance, Hockey Romance, Contemporary

440 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 11, 2023

About the author

Kris Butler writes under a pen name to have some separation from her everyday life. Writing has become her second love, providing a safe place to normalize mental health through her characters. Kris enjoys writing emotional books with flawed characters, sassy heroines, and all the book boyfriends she loves to drool over. You can find her at home most nights reading with her husband and furbaby, trying to maintain her nerdy sock collection, or playing tabletop games with her friends. Kris loves to talk with readers about her books, even if it’s just them yelling at her for that cliffhanger. If you enjoyed her book, please consider leaving a review. You can find her in her reader group or on social media.

Follow Kris's journey as an author on Instagram (@authorkrisbutler) and Facebook, and join her reader group (Kris Butler's Misfit Penguins) for exclusive content.

If you enjoyed her book, please consider leaving a review.

Reviews

[Izzy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The ending has me SCREAMING cause I can't continue it yet and I HAVE TO KNOW MORE.

[Juju · Rating 5 out of 5]

I commend the author for creating such a strong, fierce and passionate heroine in Henley. I love the dynamic between our main characters, and also there individuality.

This book is so much more than I expected. It has good pace, great plot with a sprinkle of spice. I look forward to the next instalment. Highly recommend this book.

Thank you to the author, for providing me with this ARC. 😊

[MK · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am completely and entirely in love with Henley Henshaw and her guys! This book was so freaking good and getting to see characters we know and love from previous series was the cherry on top.

Penalty box was a perfect introduction to these characters and this new story! Henley is a girl boss hockey player / Olympic athlete who is put through it but she keeps pushing herself to stay strong and authentic to who she is. She is fierce and loving and so protective of her sibling Reese and I love that aspect of this story so much! Seeing non-binary people represented is something we do not see enough so the fact it’s included is an absolute plus.

Fletcher and Reed are my favorites and I’m not even sorry. I love Fletcher and his need to take care of everyone. Definitely giving off care taker daddy vibes 😂 Reed is the steady type always by your side, only saying what needs to be said and nothing more. Dax *sigh* Dax is giving off lost puppy vibes and I look forward to seeing his character grow and see him become the third pilar of strength for Henley and she for him.

Plenty of naughty bits in this one but not so much that it takes away from the introduction of these characters and the fact they are all still getting to know each other. If you’re looking for all smut not plot this isn’t the one for you, but if you’re looking for heat , passion , raw emotions, mystery and a hełł of a story you’ll find it in Penalty Box.

Happy reading.

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Penalty Box by Kris Butler takes us back to our favourite winter sports academy with a brand new name. Lux Brumalis, has changed since The Council fell at the hands of Sawyer and her men, though there are still a few who still cause issues.

Henley Henshaw, our new FMC is brilliant and I love how Kris Butler has created her. This is a fantastic first book in what I am sure is going to be a brilliant new series.

[aaliyah · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was ok. I would not read it again. It was long and the story line wasn’t good. The ending came out of nowhere and was basically shit. With the secret society trying to attack Henley, no real movement with Reed, Dax, and Fletcher. Honestly don’t recommend. Also there was no plot during the book to hunt at the secret society, it was just the ex boyfriend trying to come back and ruin her life and he is part of the secret society.

[Megan Dycus · Rating 5 out of 5]

So. Damn. Good!
Holy moly Batman.
Can you say obsessed?? Cause I am.
I neeeeeeeeeeeed more!!

[Sophie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Definitely not worth the time - very glad that this was a free on Kindle because it was not worth the money. DNF.

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first hockey romance book and I could not get enough of it!!!! I loved Henley and how strong she is despite all of the backlash handed to her first, by the tape and then with everyone thinking she can’t coach just because she’s a female. This book really shows female empowerment and how to not let something get to you because of your gender. I also love all the men in the book and how diverse they are but how great they are with Henley and Reese. I wasn’t even finished with this book before I bought and downloaded the second one and am diving right into that one. There are multiple content warnings from the author at the beginning as well. I cannot wait to continue on in the Lux series!!

[The_Book_Brat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy Hockey Hotness 😍
*Reverse Harem
*Contemporary
*Multi-POV
*hockey plotline
*academy setting
*building harem (3)
*fast burn 🔥
*1/3
Henley is a cracking FMC, as a female Olympic-medal winning hockey player in a male dominated world she faces a lot if challenges 😬 yet she absolutely stays true to herself and what she believes in despite the hypocrisy and double standards of the league and typically male players 😡 she finds herself being approached for a coaching role at Lux Brumalis whose reputation is also in tatters (if you’ve read The Council series you’ll know all about that - but you don’t need to for this storyline)! This also brings her into contact with a blast from her past the very happy go lucky and laid back Fletcher; she once again encounters her dashing one night stand Dax who hasn’t been able to leave her mind since; and her hockey crush Reed who might just have a crush all of his own 😜 there’s some trials and tribulations in bringing these together but I love how they communicate with each other and really begin to form a unit… and work together 🌶️🔥🌶️
Sadly though not everyone is on Henley’s side or believes in her place, there’s typical male posturing alongside her mother being up to something but this really take a turn when she overhears a certain phone all 😬 looking forward to the next book and seeing how this pans out!

[RainChaser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hockey is one my favorite sports so this book was right up my alley. I love Henley’s balance of femininity, strength and protectiveness of her sibling. Her men are perfection. It was also so nice to see BOSH again and I love how they help and support Henley and her men as they navigate the unconventional relationship.

p.s. if you love you some beautiful hockey men google Tyler Seguin, go to images and scroll down. You’re welcome 😉

[la ~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
I am totally in love with Reed>>> I was so excited when I reallize that there was no third story breakup or any extreme conflict but then I realized that it was a series and was so happy and sad... consecutively. But I'm excited to see how the storyline will gooo

[Mandy Robitaille · Rating 4 out of 5]

So excited for a book that features a female hockey player! I love Kris Butler's works and this doesn't disappoint. Book 1 really sets the scene for the relationships and I can't wait to see things develop further as the series goes on!

[Jillian Locke · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved being back in this winter sports world. These characters were phenomenal to read and get to know. I thought nobody could win me over more than sawyer but I have to admit Henley has done an amazing job of meeting the high standards set. You will be sucked into this journey with Henley and her guys and all their stories that go with them! Highly recommend this book.

[H · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm on a hockey kick. And this was surprisingly good. Interesting characters FMC pro hockey player and all the challenges in a male sport plus a sibling that is nonbinary. Plot has layers as well. There is a secret society, which I'm not a fan of this trope, but so far isn't a detractor. On to book 2!

[Julereads · Rating 2 out of 5]

2,5⭐️
I don’t really know what to say.
I liked it at first but towards the ending it just got more skurrile, especially with the cliffhanger we got in the end.

[Ashley Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading about Henley, Reece and the guys. Henley is such a fierce character that has a love for hockey no matter, that she gets all the criticism for it being a man's sport. For her and Fletcher to reunite was just a special. For Henley and the guys to come together and be the support they all needed for each other was amazing. No that cliffhanger on the other hand was a different story. I just sat there after finishing the book thinking, "what in the world just happened!?!?" Great read and I can't wait to see what happens next.

[kaitie · Rating 1 out of 5]

def giving 13 year old writing a wattpad fic in english class!!! ngl i lowkey ate it up but then it just felt like it kept dragging and dragging. i didn't realize it was part of a series so now i feel like i need to read the other books 😔😔

[zo :)) · Rating 1 out of 5]

what utter crap

[Court Small · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ice Hockey Why Choose

New to me author
I'm not usually a lover of sports romance in general but I found I really enjoy this and will be continuing the series.
I read this as part of a Love Is Love Reader Challenge

[Keziah · Rating 3 out of 5]

3⭐️

To preface, I thoroughly enjoyed the relationship development and chemistry between Henley, Fletcher, Dax, and Reed. In my eyes, reverse harems tend to struggle to create realistic attraction between characters, so I was pleasantly surprised to learn Kris Butler excels in this kind of writing. That alone is the reason I will be continuing this series.


So Why 3 Stars?


I really wanted to like this book considering how far and few between sports romances are. However, I’m quite disappointed with the plot and the characters outside of Henley’s harem.


Issues

While this is just me moaning and groaning, but I expected a hockey romance where the characters play hockey. I knew from the blurb that our heroine, Henley, has stepped back from the world of professional hockey and took up coaching at Lux Brumalis. I figured that the heroes would be part of the hockey world in some way and expected at least one to be a professional player. You know what they say about assumptions though. The plot is about coaching hockey, not playing it—her harem, two of which are former pro hockey players, now coach the game. This was disappointing to say the least.

But the main event and reason I teetered between rating 2 or 3 stars: Penalty Box felt more like an ad for The Council Series than it’s own unique story.

While I understand that both books are set in the same world and expected some crossover, Sawyer and her men make up a majority of the cast—you see them more than her sibling just about. It’s giving bad movie product placement.

• New hockey coach? Oh you’ll be working with Ty and Oliver (Sawyer’s men)
• Fresh in town, need a place to stay? The B&B is run by Rhett’s mom (Sawyer’s man) and, yes, he will show up too.
• Lux Brumalis is a winter sports school, the training facility is so large it has three ice rinks. No way you could run into someone here! Wrong, Sawyer and Rey (her man) will practice on the same rink.
• Interested in a new hobby? Think snowboarding is up your alley? Soren (Sawyer’s man) thinks so too, and will be sure to talk to you.
• Team needs to do work with a trainer for strength and conditioning? Meet Rhett, one of Sawyer’s men.
• Thinking of taking a position here? Great, we provide staff with housing. Would you like to hear about Sawyer’s mansion?

This is by no means an exhaustive list. “Sawyer” was mentioned 15 times in a 345-page book, which means that she’s brought up every 23 pages. Let’s not forget the 6 times Henry/Rey was named, 8 times Rhett was named, 13 times Soren was named, etc.

TL;DR
STFU ABOUT SAWYER

Like I said, I do plan on reading the next installment because I hope that the rest of the series focuses more on the characters in Henley’s life rather than those in Sawyer’s.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so excited to return to this world. I love the council series! Henley is awesome, I love the way she stays true to herself even when it’s hard. The relationship she has with Reese is beautiful too. The guys are all amazing, Dax had some growing to do but he’s definitely making progress. Fletcher is a sweetheart, Reed just needs to be loved and needed. I love seeing familiar characters too, that’s always a fun little bonus. I can’t wait for more

[Kinga · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a great introduction to Kris Butler's books. I have such a girl crush on Henley Henshaw. I just find her so real and powerful. I absolutely loved those moments where she would stop and basically talk some sense into herself like "I worked hard for this and I do deserve this and I am a badass" because I think that's something every girl can relate to at one point or another when we need that extra little reminder. And as a woman who did get a sports management degree myself, I think Kris perfectly captured some of the struggles that women face in a male-dominated industry.

Now onto the MMC's. I loved Henley's men. I loved how much depth each character had, and how they each were able to give Henley a different piece of what she needed. I also really loved how it wasn't an instantly built harem. A lot of RH's seem to quickly establish the harem without many conversations or struggles, and it can feel unrealistic. Getting to see/feel how these characters struggled and thought and talked through their issues in starting this unconventional relationship felt really real .


Apart from the hockey aspect, there is also a mystery part that you don't really find out about until the last third of the book. I hadn't realized there was a Council series before this, so I will definitely be going back and reading before I continue on with this series. But I will say, I don't think you need to have read the previous series to understand this one. I may just be missing some cues and references from the prior series, but there was no confusion with plot or anything. But this cliffhanger at the end of this book will definitely leave you with "wtf just happened. I need to start the next book immediately" vibes.


That's your warning for this book: Don't start it, unless you are prepared to immediately jump into the next one. 😂 Can't wait to read more of this author's work.

[Kelly McMillan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I’m gutted that the other 2 books in the series are not yet finished because that was one hell of a cliffhanger!

Henley was great! Standing up not only for herself but her sibling as well and coaching essentially an all boys hockey team at a pristine winter college. She is badass yet also she is sensitive. She knows when to pull out the mama bear card, when to be the coach but then in private she sometimes crumbles under the pressure.

I am glad that the author put a forward in the book stating that some of this was not how the nhl would react to a situation like hers with the leaked video but obviously for the story to be enriching she had to take some liberties.

I think it’s interesting that Reed and Fletcher pretty much jump on board straight away and Henley allows Dax to take as much time as he needs to come around to this new relationship. I love how the 3 guys are all coming together as friends too and helping each other out. They each need a family for different reasons and this is nice they are coming together.

I would have liked the Dax/Gareth situation fully sorted by the end of this book as now there is a whole new issue to deal with in book 2 (and possibly 3) so really knowing Gareth was locked up and away from Dax would have been nice. Only reason I can see that that issue was left open ended is in case he reappears in the next book which is clearly about Dax by the cover photo.

I liked Reese, they were young and wanting to be their true self which every person close to them seemed to embrace. This is the first book I’ve read with a non binary character so it took me a while to get used to the they/them terminology when she was talking about them to someone else sometimes I read they/them as the person Henley was talking to not about.

A great book and I can’t wait to read the next one but I may leave it until all 3 are released so I’m not left reeling that I need to read the last book immediately.

[Macee Grisenti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why Choose Hockey Romance

Tw: se*ual harra$$ment, bul*ying, transph*bia(transmisia), panic attacks, unlawful distribution of a s*x tape

This book was odd to me. I mean. I liked it well enough. I didn’t realize it was part of a series and it’s like now that I started it I want to continue cuz I’m curious but I also don’t know.
I really liked Henley as a character. She’s strong and a true bada$$. She is great. She’s also a hockey player and a great one and I liked to see that she got down and dirty with the best of them as well. It wasn’t just the boys.
The male leads seemed rushed. Only Dax doesn’t jump right on board and he seemed the most realistic. Although I did understand Fletcher being open to it right away it seemed odd that no one got jealous even once. They also seemed to get over their issues a little too quickly. Only Henley held onto hers really and that seemed the most reasonable. Even she however would get on herself about getting over it. Like she should be able to just snap her fingers and no longer have that trauma. Idk. I did like the idea of all the side characters though. Although having so many poly relationships seemed also unrealistic to me. I could understand them having one around them maybe but having more in such a small area seemed liked reaching.
This book had great representations though and for that I gave it 4 stars.

Tropes: one night stand, ex boyfriends rival, friends to lovers, slow burn, spicy, hockey romance, coworkers, forced proximity, she’s running from her past, lgbtq representation, best friends brother, single parent, protective MMCs, hurt/comfort, she’s his boss

Spice: 🌶️.5
Steam: 🔥🔥
Sweetness: 💗💗

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was going to give this just 2 stars but the cliffhanger ending had me intrigued enough for one more.

Honestly, I mostly hate read this. I almost DNF'd it but was too far gone. For the majority of the book it felt like it was someone writing an observation of feelings, rather than actual feelings themselves. It was almost academic in the take on the perfect poly relationship and it was completely unbelievable. The spice level was incredibly low, especially considering the way it started off, which just adds to me feeling like this book didn't know what it really wanted to be. I am also 100% positive that instalove is just not a trope for me and in general feels like it ruins the pacing/timing of a story.

And then the end had me feeling like the first 97% of the book was all built for this last minute twist. I think I'd be more okay with that if there was a clear intent leading up to that but otherwise, it had just been another (mediocre at best) sports romance.

I wanted to love this because I think exploring the sports dynamic from the perspective of a female athlete in a male dominated world is both important and validating. However, all the other women in the book were written so horribly with the intention of the reader hating them that I was skeptical of Henley actually trying to make hockey better for non-male athletes and just saw her as an oppressed class trying to become the oppressor in some ways. Anyway, clearly this one was not for me. I want to know what happens in the series but I genuinely think this one was too bad to go on.

[Lynsey Reads Romance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clear your week because you’re going to want to read all three books!

Trope: Why Choose, hockey, reverse harem
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Emotion: 🥰🥰🥰
Plot: 📈📈📈📈📈
Readability: 📖📖📖📖

Penalty Box is the first book in the Lex Brumalis series. This story ends in a cliffhanger, so if you aren’t looking to read three books to get the whole story, I would continue looking. On the other hand, all three books are available, so you can finish once you start! No pesky waiting for months to see how the drama plays out!

Penalty Box is what I would consider “world building” for the rest of the series. The characters are getting to know one another and determining if a reverse harem relationship is for them. There are a couple steamy scenes between the MFC and one of her men but only one short scene with her and two men. The scenes aren’t lengthy or overly graphic. As I said, more world building leading into the rest of the series. There is no MM. The men are working on a friendship, complete with banter and defense of each other.

A few of the hockey scenes have some incorrect information. Unless you watch or play hockey you probably wouldn’t notice. I was happy that this hockey themed book actually had time on the ice and not just an MMC that plays hockey.

Penalty Box has a non-binary character and several characters with various sexual orientations. Women trying to make a place for themselves in a predominantly male sport is also a heavy theme.

Overall I would recommend this book.

[hanny¨̮ · Rating 3 out of 5]

—> a stuff your kindle day book

to be honest, for a book that talks with how women are treated badly and how women are always thought to be these sexual, sensitive, girly, weak, and etc. beings, it does not deal with it very well. every woman apart from the main character has a bad rep, the only empowered woman being the main character which isn’t amazing. like a book about women empowerment, potentially, but they way they talk about other women but the main character is not it.

also, i very much understand feminine rage because same. but she’s just so angry all the damn time, almost feeling like she had anger issues? idk, it’s hard to explain but maybe it’s just me :/

but what a dream — three healthy men pining after you. there’s not a lot of smut, despite it being a 400+ paged book, so if that’s what you’re looking for, maybe start on another book.

i very much did enjoy the healthy communication skills the three men had, seriously talking about where they stand with the main character and just sharing about their lives. we stan healthy communication in his household.

i was tempted to dnf it from time to time but i powered through and it was fun enough. however, i don’t think i’ll be reading the other books of the series and i don’t think i would’ve read this if it weren’t for the stuff your kindle day deal.

[Katie Leonard · Rating 1 out of 5]

Lux: a school for polyamory. Seriously, did I miss a few books because why is everyone in this in poly relationships?

Two of these men didn’t even know Henley and were like yep, she’s perfect. I’m down to date her anyway I can because she’s “not like other girls” and can play hockey. Snooze. If the author gave her a better more interesting personality maybe I’d buy it. It was also a little too quick. She starts dating Fletch, tells him she’s into to strangers that she’s unsure if she’ll ever see again. Coincidentally they also teach at the school and all live together. It’s just too easy.

Henley is also on the verge of tears the entire book. She started crying when her random one time hook up that’s she knows nothing about said he didn’t want to be in a poly relationship with her. Then she pretty much wears him down til he’s like yeah sure whatever I’m so obsessed with you it’s cool.

The fact that only Henley could be a cool girl was so lazy. The whole “Barbie brigade” of it all was pretty sexist.

Don’t even get me started on Dax’s shady past catching up to him. He was selling PEDs to his rich clients, clients who could easily find a new dealer, but they hunt him down years later, in a different state to demand more drugs from him. Yeah, no.

And it ends on a who done it cliff hanger🙄 will not be continuing this series.

[Shae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fair warning, I will be sharing my thoughts about the entire series here, because I can't be bothered to write 3 separate ones since I read them all so close together. I will mark spoilers after this point, so you have been warned!

What a fun series! A little bonkers and banana pants at times, but very fun! This hockey romance was different than any of the hockey stories I had read before. Henley was a heroine that was easy to root for. Strong, beautiful, and she learns it's ok to be vulnerable. I love the relationship between her and her sibling, Reese. The queer love in this series was lovely. Fletcher was the most parental of the partners for sure. He kind of fathered all of them, and it was something that the group needed. Reed was the stoic brawn with a heart of gold. He was her soft place to land even before she realized it. He also did this for our resident playboy, Dax. He is the first that Henley sleeps with, but the last to get on board with the polyamory. I enjoyed how much character growth we got with all of them but Fletcher. I would have loved to see a little for him also. Otherwise, I thought it was a lovely book, and I will be reading more from this author!

[Danielle Jensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Henley is a strong FMC with lots to deal with. An a-hole ex who gets her suspended from the game she loves. A crazy mother who keeps trying to pop back into her & sibling Reese’s life for reasons unknown. I’m sure not for anything good, since Henley is Reese’s guardian after their mother’s emotional abuse and drug use. (She couldn’t handle Reese being a non-binary child.)
I love the chemistry between Henley & her guys, grumpy Reed, teddy bear Fletcher, & playboy Dax. I thought it was interesting how they spoke with their colleagues/friends about their experiences starting & having a poly relationship. I think it definitely helped our main characters to decide that, yes, it could be possible that they too could be in a poly relationship. (Some of the side characters are crossovers from their own series. There’s a shared universe, but you don’t have to read them first. I haven’t read them yet, & didn’t have any issues starting with this book.)
And what a cliffhanger to end with!!
What secrets are lurking beneath the surface that the main characters don’t seem to know about!? Can’t wait for book 2!