My Poetry On Ice Book Review - No Spoilers
Plot Summary
I picked up Poetry On Ice by Jesse H. Reign because I craved a messy, high-heat sports romance with true enemies to lovers energy. This book is the kickoff to the Totally Pucked series, and it delivers all the snark and steam I was promised. Robbie McGuire, the golden boy, gets traded to the NHL team he grew up loving, the Seattle Vipers—and right into the orbit of Ant Decker, the team’s infamous bad boy. On and off the ice, they are rivals who can’t keep their fists (or eyes, or hands) off each other.
Things escalate quickly—when their inability to work together starts messing with the team’s performance, the coach forces them into extra training sessions and away game room-sharing. Forced proximity and raw chemistry turn their fights into something else, and soon, their rivalry is burning with tension and desire. The “fight or fuck” vibe dominates the first half; after that, the story surprises me with sweeter, more vulnerable moments that make both men feel real. Both are fully grown adults with complicated pasts and family dynamics, and the dual POV lets me see all the push and pull firsthand.
This book doesn’t play subtle; the tropes are front and center—grumpy/sunshine, rivals to lovers, forced proximity, secret relationship, sexual awakening. I laughed, squirmed, and often had to set the book down just to catch my breath.
Why I Love This Book
I love how Poetry On Ice throws its characters into chaos and just lets them spiral. The chemistry is absolutely feral—Robbie and Ant can barely form a rational thought around each other, and that tension is addictive. The banter is dirty, the sex is frequent and explicit, and the power dynamics shift in a way that keeps it interesting. What really gets me is the second half: when the fog of lust lifts, there’s actual tenderness and growth. Suddenly, I’m seeing both guys for who they truly are—and watching them drop their walls is both hilarious and heartwarming.
The grumpy/sunshine trope is vivid here. Ant is gruff, introverted, and secretly all heart. Robbie is the subtle bulldozer—sexy, persistent, and the only one who can break down Ant’s defenses. Their relationship is wild and exhausting (in the best way), but it’s the small, quiet moments—snuggling after chaos, gentle bulldozing over boundaries—that made me fall for them. The hockey backdrop adds to the pressure and gives more texture to the chaos, but I didn’t have to know much about the sport to root for them.
The explicit content is unapologetic—not just thrown in for heat, but part of the messy journey both guys are on. I came for the steam, but I stayed for the emotional payoff.
Who Will Like This Book
If you want rivals to lovers, grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity, and MM hockey romance that doesn’t hold back, this is for you. The dirty talk, high-voltage banter, and explicit content make it a wild ride. If you need slow burn or subtlety, this isn’t it—but if you want a book full of raw lust, fighting, frenemies, and eventual softness, you’ll love it.
⚠️ Trigger warning: Extremely explicit sex, spanking, BDSM play, kink, dirty talk, and adult language throughout. Both MCs are grown adults—no underage content—but the book is for mature, open-minded readers only.
Tagged As
mm romance, sports romance, hockey, enemies to lovers, rivals to lovers, forced proximity, grumpy/sunshine, bisexual awakening, secret relationship, explicit romance, kinky romance, dirty talk, spanking, BDSM, dual pov, sweet hero, introvert hero, hurt-comfort, size difference, contemporary, series, open-door romance, kindle unlimited, indie romance
Steam Level
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️Insanely Hot
