Not long ago, my son Marcus convinced me our garden needed a "robotic squirrel deterrent." It involved wires, rocks, and a lot of creative, mismatched socks left outside. (Spoiler: the squirrels are still winning.) At least our efforts brought the family together for an afternoon of laughs. All the chaos reminded me how rivalry isn't just on the ice or the backyard—the tension can be hilarious and heartwarming in equal measure. That same energy pulses through Poetry on Ice: Totally Pucked, Book 1, a romance novel that hits with both intensity and humor.
Plot Summary
Poetry on Ice: Totally Pucked, Book 1 by Jesse H. Reign throws two hockey pros, Robbie McGuire and Ant Decker, onto the same team after a high-profile trade. Robbie, full of ambition and tangled emotions, must face Ant, his longtime rival and a notorious NHL bad boy—complicating both his stats and his personal life. As they battle it out for dominance on and off the ice, their rivalry morphs into something hot, complicated, and electric. Set among the Seattle Vipers, this hockey romance launches the "Totally Pucked" series with sharp banter, fierce competition, and explosive chemistry at its core.
Why I Love This Book
I love how the author brings out the raw, real emotion between Robbie and Ant. Their dynamic jumps off the page—snarky, steamy, and always a little unpredictable. The tension feels genuine, never forced, and every scene is packed with character depth. My favorites moments are when rivalry turns tender, and heated banter gives way to vulnerability. The writing captures both the adrenaline of hockey and the quieter ache of falling for someone you shouldn't. I found myself cheering, cringing, and grinning through it all—even remembering the thrills of childhood competitions with my own brother!
Who Will Like This Book
If you enjoy MM sports romance, rivals-to-lovers tension, and explicit, emotionally-charged stories, you'll likely love this book. It's perfect for readers who crave fast-paced action on the ice, high heat between complex characters, and banter sharp enough to skate across. I especially love how the chemistry and kink amplify both the rivalry and the romance. Definitely for fans of grumpy-sunshine, queer awakening, and steamy, forbidden relationships.
⚠️ Trigger warning: explicit sexual content, dominance/submission dynamics, strong kink, manipulation, high steam, emotionally intense encounters, language.
Tagged As
MM romance, sports romance, hockey, rivals to lovers, forced proximity, grumpy sunshine, athletes, queer awakening, emotionally intense, explicit, dominance, submission, dirty talk, kink, contemporary, Seattle, series starter, substantial steam, hurt-comfort, secret relationship, bisexual awakening, indie, dual POV, spicy, long-length
Steam Level
Expect explicit, high-heat scenes—intense, frequent, and central to the story's emotional journey. The passion is wild, raw, and often steers the momentum between main characters, contributing to both conflict and connection. This is no "fade-to-black" romance—everything plays out on the page in vivid detail.
