Travis Campbell has been at this hockey thing for a while. He knows his days on the ice are numbered, but he’s happy with the Moncton Ice Cats and he’s still got some time to figure out what comes next. He’s been taking college classes online and thought he knew what he was doing, but then he made the ultimate rookie mistake. It turns out the poetry class is not the easier way to get his required … required English credits. Barnaby Birtwistle has exiled himself to the wilds of New Brunswick, leaving London, his so-called friends, and his cheating ex behind. His life is finally getting back on track, and he’s going to keep it that way, even if it means living like a monk.Travis is expecting a bookish nerd to help him pass his staggeringly boring class; Barnaby is expecting a meathead hockey player who struggles to string two words together, let alone appreciate poetry. Turns out that they both have something to learn.
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Talk about a book that came out of nowhere. Didn’t know much about Poetry in Motion by Samantha Wayland going in, but I got hooked and read every free chance I got.
-Sports Romance
-Hurt/Comfort/Healing
-Barnaby & Travis. Barnaby, an adorable English grad student who has moved to Canada to start over. Travis, a mid-thirties hockey player who is loveable and sweet.
-CHEMISTRY IS OFF THE CHARTS.
-Relationship development. From their first meeting to the tutoring sessions, to the first kiss, all of it.
-Low angst
-Dual POVs
-And at the end, we know these guys are in it forever.
Now all I hope is that Grady and Jack get their HEA soon!! I need that book!
Can’t recommend it enough. 4.5 Stars!
++Can it be read as a standalone? Yes, I haven’t read all the books in the series, and I never felt lost.
I loved this book. Poetry…. this alone should be enough to entice you into reading this one. However, don’t panic if poetry isn’t your thing, this book has so much to offer. The main characters are two men who are both dealing with life and life choices.
Barnaby has left England for the cold frozen wonders of Canada. He is back on track to finishing university and getting his degree. He went all-in for love and dropped out of school to support a boyfriend and his ballet aspirations. The whole experience has left Barnaby deeply in debt, leary of love, and focused on his getting his degree.
Travis is a hockey player facing any professional athlete’s worst nightmare, the waining of his career. It would be easier at times to count body parts that don’t hurt and, the number of concussions is piling up.
Travis is at a crossroads and more than slightly lost. He has loved hockey from an early age. His parents bought into the push from coaches, agents, educators, etc. that he didn’t need an education. His future was set – professional hockey = million$. Funny life doesn’t always work out so easily.
Travis has been taking online classes without a clear degree in sight. The classes have become a spot of pride. He has a learning disability that went undiagnosed for years. The classes are a way to prove to himself that he is intelligent but, a seemingly easy poetry class is kicking his butt. Help comes in the way of Rupert the team’s manager. He recommends his cousin Barnaby as a tutor.
The magic begins when Travis and Barnaby meet. Travis can comprehend when he hears the poetry read aloud. Barnaby accommodates and even recording the readings for Travis’ road trips. It isn’t long before they agree to friends with benefits which lasts all of three seconds. While not admitting it, they both have feelings for each other.
Both men have to come to terms with their personal demons. Barnaby realizes maybe caring deeply for someone isn’t a failing after all. Travis has to face the big elephant in the room and decide what comes after hanging up the hockey skates.
Don’t miss this one. It is a special book.
4.5 stars
There is just something about Samantha’s Waylands Ice Cats world that just sucks me in again every time. It is always great to see old friends especially my favorite couple Rupert and Callum, but she also keeps adding interesting and lovable characters to the group.
Barnaby is Rupert’s cousin from England and he is trying for a fresh start to get over heartbreak and some personal issues. Travis Campbell is getting a bit old to play hockey, but is unsure of what comes after. He is in school trying to figure that out, but is struggling.
Thus one hot English tutor and one equally hot hockey player finding friendship, then some benefits, and then unexpectedly catching feelings. But both have reasons to think they should not be in a relationship. And they both have histories and issues still affecting them. I totally fell for both of these guys and loved them together. My heart broke for them in parts and celebrated with them in others.
And even their supportive best friends, Grady and Jack also have tragedy in their pasts. So there are definitely things to overcome. And sometimes they seem like they have no control. But the harder issues are tempered with flirting, kisses, poetry, humor, and passion making it a story that touches your heart. I just cannot get enough of this world and cannot wait for more. Grady and Jack please! I am intrigued by and love these two and need a book for them asap.
Thoroughly enjoyed this one! It was nice to read a hockey/sports romance from the perspective of a pro athlete who’s not the superstar…also amazing story line about concussions in the sport. I loved the book and these two men.
I was thrilled to be able to read a new Ice Cats novel! I just love the level of storytelling in these books. And was happy the author took on not just a steamy romance with wonderful characters, but she highlighted the very real dangers of contact sports by having one of her characters deal with multiple concussions and the fear of permanent brain damage.
And to spend the with characters we’ve already fallen in love with was a very nice bonus. Not to mention finally hints about a couple of characters who we’ve had glimpses of all along… But won’t be a spoiler… Looking forward to her next book… Can hardly wait…