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Written on Ice: A Dark Academia Hockey Romance
Not yet published
Expected 24 Feb 26Do you believe every elite university has skeletons buried in its history?
What if those secrets were carved into the ice beneath your feet?
What if someone chose you to expose them?
Then welcome to Valcérre University, where secrets, mystery, and legacy blur under frozen glass
Luna del Sol isn’t a legacy at Valcèrre University. She’s an outsider, fighting for her shot at the Olympics.
No mistakes. No distractions.
Until she meets him.
Zayden Aldenhurst. Broody. Untouchable. The arrogant hockey captain who calls her an ice princess, like she hasn’t fought for every second on the ice.
She hates him for it.
But no matter how hard she tries to stay away, the tension between them is undeniable. The closer they get to each other, the deeper they're pulled into Valcerre's darkest secrets.
A hidden rink.
A deadly competition.
And a dead student no one talks about—one the school will do anything to keep buried.
They're getting too close to the truth.
And if they’re not careful…one of them might be next.
What if those secrets were carved into the ice beneath your feet?
What if someone chose you to expose them?
Then welcome to Valcérre University, where secrets, mystery, and legacy blur under frozen glass
Luna del Sol isn’t a legacy at Valcèrre University. She’s an outsider, fighting for her shot at the Olympics.
No mistakes. No distractions.
Until she meets him.
Zayden Aldenhurst. Broody. Untouchable. The arrogant hockey captain who calls her an ice princess, like she hasn’t fought for every second on the ice.
She hates him for it.
But no matter how hard she tries to stay away, the tension between them is undeniable. The closer they get to each other, the deeper they're pulled into Valcerre's darkest secrets.
A hidden rink.
A deadly competition.
And a dead student no one talks about—one the school will do anything to keep buried.
They're getting too close to the truth.
And if they’re not careful…one of them might be next.
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 24, 2025
34 people are currently reading
784 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 148 reviews
November 4, 2025
I’m a bit tired of the way books are marketed by referencing other popular titles when the actual vibe doesn’t really match. In this case, the comparison to Icebreaker x A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder made me expect a blend of both when in reality I only found one of those elements. As an AGGGTM fan, I expected a similar touch, but the mystery aspect is only partially developed. I don’t mind that, 'cause every book develops in its own way, but when it’s marketed like this, you can’t help but expecting something specific. So, if the premise caught your attention because of those comparisons, just know that you’ll only get one side of it. However, if what draws you in is the atmosphere or the representation of BIPOC characters, then this might still be a good pick for you.
Rant aside, I have to say I did enjoy the story overall. It has its flaws: there were moments where the story felt too short and could have benefited from more depth to make the narrative feel more natural, and other moments that could have been trimmed. But overall, it’s a quick and engaging read if you’re looking for something to pass an afternoon with.
One of the book’s strongest points — and a major reason I requested the ARC — is its representation. I haven’t come across many stories featuring people of color in this particular sport, so it was refreshing to see how the author showcased a diverse cast without leaning on stereotypes. Because of the color of their skin, both main characters must constantly prove that they are deserving of the places they’ve earned, and this theme is handled with honesty and depth. There’s a strong message here about letting go of the need for external validation and learning to shine on your own, and I loved that.
Valcérre, the snowy elite university setting, is a cool concept, though I found some details a bit confusing at the start. It was also disappointing to see that the setting was later put in the background throughout the story. It could have been one of the central elements, making the narrative feel more unique and immersive. By the end, I felt it was just another reserved, wealthy school, so nothing particularly special.
Both protagonists are well-portrayed, carrying their own traumas and struggles, and while they try to handle them individually, they ultimately find comfort in each other. Luna, FMC, doesn’t leave me with too much to say. She’s likable, and I appreciated her dedication and passion for skating, but I would have loved to see more “therapy sessions”: not just with her family, but moments for her to reflect and work on herself. The story is too short to really show her personal growth, partly because everything happens so quickly. That said, I still didn’t quite understand how she could miss a clue in the mystery that was right in front of her.
Zayden, on the other hand, surprised me and left me with mixed feelings. He’s initially presented as a solitary, closed-off person, but after only a few exchanges with Luna, he suddenly opens up completely — almost like a different person — immediately kneeling at her feet. I understand that confessing your feelings can change you, but his transformation felt so sudden that it seemed inconsistent with his earlier characterization.
This ties into one of my main critiques: the romance. While cute, it leans heavily into insta-lust. — one look, one exchange, and Zayden is completely smitten with Luna. Their chemistry is intense, but I would have appreciated more emotional build-up and development before diving into physical attraction, especially since Zayden had been holding back until that point. Furthermore, the romance dominates most of the story, relegating the mystery to a subplot. Initially, the balance could have been interesting, but after a while, their interactions start to feel repetitive. The emotional connection that could have strengthened their bond gets a little lost, as much of their relationship alternates between confession/connection and physical intimacy, leaving me feeling that their growth wasn’t fully realized.
The mystery is where the book fell short for me. The premise — a hidden rink, dark secrets, and a mysterious death — sounded intriguing, but the plot never fully delivered on that promise. The mystery felt more like a subplot than a driving force, with only a handful of chapters focusing on it, while the rest of the story revolved around the romance. Although Luna shows interest in solving the mystery and Zayden tries both to keep it hidden and figure out who might be targeting them, it often felt like their priorities lay elsewhere. I think it was a missed opportunity, because the setting and themes of elitism, ambition, and hidden danger had so much potential. Zayden could have been portrayed as morally grey, given the background he’s hiding, but instead the story ends up feeling flat, and it doesn’t take long to figure things out. I’m not expecting something overly complex, but at the very least, the way the mystery was presented could have been more engaging and satisfying.
All in all, this was a fast-paced and enjoyable read, particularly if you’re looking for something light and romantic without focusing too much on the mystery. The story leans heavily into the romance at the expense of the suspense it promised, so if you were expecting an Icebreaker × AGGGTM blend, it might feel a little underwhelming. That said, the setting, character representation, and hints of intrigue still kept me engaged, and I’m curious to see where the series goes next, given how this book concludes.
Thanks Torch Lit Ink, for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Rant aside, I have to say I did enjoy the story overall. It has its flaws: there were moments where the story felt too short and could have benefited from more depth to make the narrative feel more natural, and other moments that could have been trimmed. But overall, it’s a quick and engaging read if you’re looking for something to pass an afternoon with.
One of the book’s strongest points — and a major reason I requested the ARC — is its representation. I haven’t come across many stories featuring people of color in this particular sport, so it was refreshing to see how the author showcased a diverse cast without leaning on stereotypes. Because of the color of their skin, both main characters must constantly prove that they are deserving of the places they’ve earned, and this theme is handled with honesty and depth. There’s a strong message here about letting go of the need for external validation and learning to shine on your own, and I loved that.
Valcérre, the snowy elite university setting, is a cool concept, though I found some details a bit confusing at the start. It was also disappointing to see that the setting was later put in the background throughout the story. It could have been one of the central elements, making the narrative feel more unique and immersive. By the end, I felt it was just another reserved, wealthy school, so nothing particularly special.
Both protagonists are well-portrayed, carrying their own traumas and struggles, and while they try to handle them individually, they ultimately find comfort in each other. Luna, FMC, doesn’t leave me with too much to say. She’s likable, and I appreciated her dedication and passion for skating, but I would have loved to see more “therapy sessions”: not just with her family, but moments for her to reflect and work on herself. The story is too short to really show her personal growth, partly because everything happens so quickly. That said, I still didn’t quite understand how she could miss a clue in the mystery that was right in front of her.
Zayden, on the other hand, surprised me and left me with mixed feelings. He’s initially presented as a solitary, closed-off person, but after only a few exchanges with Luna, he suddenly opens up completely — almost like a different person — immediately kneeling at her feet. I understand that confessing your feelings can change you, but his transformation felt so sudden that it seemed inconsistent with his earlier characterization.
This ties into one of my main critiques: the romance. While cute, it leans heavily into insta-lust. — one look, one exchange, and Zayden is completely smitten with Luna. Their chemistry is intense, but I would have appreciated more emotional build-up and development before diving into physical attraction, especially since Zayden had been holding back until that point. Furthermore, the romance dominates most of the story, relegating the mystery to a subplot. Initially, the balance could have been interesting, but after a while, their interactions start to feel repetitive. The emotional connection that could have strengthened their bond gets a little lost, as much of their relationship alternates between confession/connection and physical intimacy, leaving me feeling that their growth wasn’t fully realized.
The mystery is where the book fell short for me. The premise — a hidden rink, dark secrets, and a mysterious death — sounded intriguing, but the plot never fully delivered on that promise. The mystery felt more like a subplot than a driving force, with only a handful of chapters focusing on it, while the rest of the story revolved around the romance. Although Luna shows interest in solving the mystery and Zayden tries both to keep it hidden and figure out who might be targeting them, it often felt like their priorities lay elsewhere. I think it was a missed opportunity, because the setting and themes of elitism, ambition, and hidden danger had so much potential. Zayden could have been portrayed as morally grey, given the background he’s hiding, but instead the story ends up feeling flat, and it doesn’t take long to figure things out. I’m not expecting something overly complex, but at the very least, the way the mystery was presented could have been more engaging and satisfying.
All in all, this was a fast-paced and enjoyable read, particularly if you’re looking for something light and romantic without focusing too much on the mystery. The story leans heavily into the romance at the expense of the suspense it promised, so if you were expecting an Icebreaker × AGGGTM blend, it might feel a little underwhelming. That said, the setting, character representation, and hints of intrigue still kept me engaged, and I’m curious to see where the series goes next, given how this book concludes.
Thanks Torch Lit Ink, for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 16, 2025
Got this as an ARC read and it did not disappoint!! If you love a romance with palpable tension and a cozy winter setting, go head and pick this one up. Written On Ice gives slight enemies to lovers vibes (they dont totally hate each other) and Smardline perfectly captures the electricity between Luna and Zayden. You feel every shift in their relationship, and the descriptions/detailing of the moments where they physically feel the connection they have—the change in breathing, the racing heart, etc., is one of the best parts! The chemistry between the two is both crazy and undeniable, and the tension between them only intensifies with all the pressure they're both under. And the intimate settings? Chile those are 100% swoon worthy😭
While this is a romance, it does give a lil mystery which I really liked!! As they navigate their complicated personal struggles and intense chemistry, Luna and Zayden start to realize the school itself has some shadyyyyyy secrets. Thanks to some anonymous person, Luna and Zayden are basically led to expose the truth about Valcerre.
Smardline also does an amazing job at painting a picture of what the university and surrounding area looks like, I would visit for sure😂
While this is a romance, it does give a lil mystery which I really liked!! As they navigate their complicated personal struggles and intense chemistry, Luna and Zayden start to realize the school itself has some shadyyyyyy secrets. Thanks to some anonymous person, Luna and Zayden are basically led to expose the truth about Valcerre.
Smardline also does an amazing job at painting a picture of what the university and surrounding area looks like, I would visit for sure😂
October 18, 2025
Getting to read Written on Ice ahead of its official release was genuinely special. I’m so grateful to Smardline S. for sharing this story with early readers it’s a rare privilege to witness something this compelling before it reaches the wider world.
From the very first chapter, I was pulled into Luna and Zayden’s dynamic. Their connection felt real and layered, and the story unfolds with a magnetic mix of tension, mystery, and emotional depth. The book blends the best elements of enemies-to-lovers romance, dark academia, and thriller think Icebreaker, The Secret History, and A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, all woven into something fresh and unforgettable.
I truly hope that once this book is out, more people get to experience it. You can feel the care and craft in every page, and it deserves to be read, talked about, and celebrated.
From the very first chapter, I was pulled into Luna and Zayden’s dynamic. Their connection felt real and layered, and the story unfolds with a magnetic mix of tension, mystery, and emotional depth. The book blends the best elements of enemies-to-lovers romance, dark academia, and thriller think Icebreaker, The Secret History, and A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, all woven into something fresh and unforgettable.
I truly hope that once this book is out, more people get to experience it. You can feel the care and craft in every page, and it deserves to be read, talked about, and celebrated.
February 4, 2026
I had the absolute pleasure of being a Beta reader for Smardline. This book was truly amazing in so many ways. This was actually my first sports romance book I’ve ever read and I’m completely hooked now! Both Zayden and Luna as characters are so well developed as well as the background characters too, Annika was way favorite! The suspense in this book made me read as fast as I could.
The flashbacks of Luna and Zayden’s past are so heartbreaking but are so needed for this story to understand why the way they are today.
One of my favorite parts of this book is when Luna sasses Zayden in different languages but he still knows what she’s saying 😂. I had major flashbacks to Luc and Rylee.
I am so unbelievably excited for part 2 of this book! As always, thank you Smardline for your beautiful writing!
The flashbacks of Luna and Zayden’s past are so heartbreaking but are so needed for this story to understand why the way they are today.
One of my favorite parts of this book is when Luna sasses Zayden in different languages but he still knows what she’s saying 😂. I had major flashbacks to Luc and Rylee.
I am so unbelievably excited for part 2 of this book! As always, thank you Smardline for your beautiful writing!
February 8, 2026
Written on Ice follows Luna Del Sol, a figure skater who has just started at Valcérre, and Zayden Aldenhurst, a legacy hockey player who is in his third year at Valcérre. Where Luna is scared she doesn't belong at Valcérre, Zayden has no choice but to belong there. They both have a lot of pressure on them, to be the best, to win, to make it in Valcérre and not buckle under all of that pressure. Zayden is reserved, he's quiet, gets his head down and only really gives the time of day to his best friend, Jasper. Luna is louder, isn't afraid to back down from a fight, stubborn, and whilst she feels the weight of the world on her shoulders, she isn't always so good at leaning on people. They get off to a rocky start, naming calling and a public argument will do that, and while Luna doesn't know the hold she has on Zayden, she can't help but be drawn to him despite the fact she "hates" him.
I absolutely loved the mystery element running through this story, it really did keep me gripped. The romance unfolding between Luna and Zayden is, of course, a very good part of the story but it's not the bit that drew me in. I enjoyed the darker aspects of Valcérre and the secrets hidden there. I also loved how stubborn Luna was about trying to find out the truth, and the empathy she has for the boy nobody seems to remember is heartbreakingly beautiful. Her character was my favourite throughout; strong, stubborn, fierce, hard working, vulnerable and kind.
I will say, I knew this story was going to be good simply for the fact the ARC acceptance emails were so creative, so thoughtful and fun. You could tell Smardline S really cares about the story from that alone, and then to be able to dive into her world, that is only intensified. Her characters are fleshed out, flawed, wonderful and real. And her story is gripping, detailed and well thought out. The first book gives you enough information to keep you turning the page, but not so much that you aren't left at the end still trying to piece things together!
The story is fast paced, well written and has the perfect amount of romance, sports, spice and mystery to really make a good story! The cliffhanger is cruel and wonderful, and I cannot wait for book two. If you're a fan of dislike to lovers, strong female characters, sports romance, a little bit of mystery and dark academia, I highly recommend this one!
I absolutely loved the mystery element running through this story, it really did keep me gripped. The romance unfolding between Luna and Zayden is, of course, a very good part of the story but it's not the bit that drew me in. I enjoyed the darker aspects of Valcérre and the secrets hidden there. I also loved how stubborn Luna was about trying to find out the truth, and the empathy she has for the boy nobody seems to remember is heartbreakingly beautiful. Her character was my favourite throughout; strong, stubborn, fierce, hard working, vulnerable and kind.
I will say, I knew this story was going to be good simply for the fact the ARC acceptance emails were so creative, so thoughtful and fun. You could tell Smardline S really cares about the story from that alone, and then to be able to dive into her world, that is only intensified. Her characters are fleshed out, flawed, wonderful and real. And her story is gripping, detailed and well thought out. The first book gives you enough information to keep you turning the page, but not so much that you aren't left at the end still trying to piece things together!
The story is fast paced, well written and has the perfect amount of romance, sports, spice and mystery to really make a good story! The cliffhanger is cruel and wonderful, and I cannot wait for book two. If you're a fan of dislike to lovers, strong female characters, sports romance, a little bit of mystery and dark academia, I highly recommend this one!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to the author for an opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book! Luna and Zayden meet at Valcerre where they are both hoping to find some sense of belonging and purpose in life through hockey and ice skating. These two meet and get off on the wrong foot but the chemistry between them is palpable. These two cannot stay away from each other. And outside forces are pushing them together even further. We get some answers in this book but not enough to stop you from needing to read the next in the series. I loved the setup for this book a lot. I was deeply interested in both Luna and Zayden's back stories. I think the pacing of this book felt a little rushed to me which left me hoping for more overall. Additionally, I think some of the relationships with the background characters were lacking depth. But I am definitely interested to see where this plot goes. 3.5 rating rounded up.
February 1, 2026
(arc review) — 3.25⭐️
i will say, this was very entertaining and fast paced. the mystery element kept me hooked, the characters as well. the characters were super enjoyable, i was truly never left bored while reading. the setting was so cool, set in a country where their only season is winter, i loved seeing hockey x figure skating.
BUT, while this was shown as an enemies to lovers, to me it didn’t feel like that. the romance was fun and cute, but it was very insta-lovey/insta-lust. and i also think the mystery element got lost for a decent part of the book and all at once, it was just boom. the plot twist, i kind of figured, and the ending was just a little rushed.
I WILL SAY, i overall did enjoy the book and i cannot wait for the second book to come out, because i genuinely am curious on what’s going to happen with miss luna and mister zayden!! definitely check out the book when it releases, it’s fast paced and a good read, genuinely.
thank you so much for the opportunity for the arc, i had a fun time!!:)
i will say, this was very entertaining and fast paced. the mystery element kept me hooked, the characters as well. the characters were super enjoyable, i was truly never left bored while reading. the setting was so cool, set in a country where their only season is winter, i loved seeing hockey x figure skating.
BUT, while this was shown as an enemies to lovers, to me it didn’t feel like that. the romance was fun and cute, but it was very insta-lovey/insta-lust. and i also think the mystery element got lost for a decent part of the book and all at once, it was just boom. the plot twist, i kind of figured, and the ending was just a little rushed.
I WILL SAY, i overall did enjoy the book and i cannot wait for the second book to come out, because i genuinely am curious on what’s going to happen with miss luna and mister zayden!! definitely check out the book when it releases, it’s fast paced and a good read, genuinely.
thank you so much for the opportunity for the arc, i had a fun time!!:)
February 3, 2026
I expected a bit more cohesiveness here and there wasn’t really a set genre for me. It started as what felt like a mystery but I felt like I solved it relatively quick and then it was a romance that completely slipped away from any mysterious parts at all. I loved Icebreaker and AGGGTM so I felt drawn to this but it didn’t feel like it fell into either of those categories. There were some discrepancies in the writing where I couldn’t tell where we were supposed to be located. The mystery concept needs developed more because the idea is cool I just felt like it got a little lost in the overall storyline.
Liked:
- The Cover
- The concept of the mystery portion
- the representation
- Jasper as a character (chefs kiss)
Disliked:
- Being sold to the book as a Icebreaker x AGGGTM love child and it not being that
- The dialogue felt clunky at times and we used “ain’t”, “yall”, and “mate” for what reason
- the sex scenes seemed…strange at times
Thank you NetGalley for an arc.
Liked:
- The Cover
- The concept of the mystery portion
- the representation
- Jasper as a character (chefs kiss)
Disliked:
- Being sold to the book as a Icebreaker x AGGGTM love child and it not being that
- The dialogue felt clunky at times and we used “ain’t”, “yall”, and “mate” for what reason
- the sex scenes seemed…strange at times
Thank you NetGalley for an arc.
October 18, 2025
Super cute!
It is a fast read, instant attraction. Starts off very YA but moves into dark academia, romance smoothly. I’m an a sucker for a dark brooding guy who turns into goo for his girl. Give me all the YEARNINGGG 🥰
REPRESENTATION MATTERS!! The collection of minority characters that while facing the day to day obstacles of just being who they are without the over work of stereotypes is wonderful. It is very blatantly stated that we must work so much harder just to be considered near comparable and this story is setting it up nicely to prove that once we stop seeking outside validation we can truly shine and I LOVE that.
I feel like the author did a great job at framing plot lines that would typically be overlooked but will become major bullet points as the series continues.
I’m eager to return to this little island of Valcérre!
It is a fast read, instant attraction. Starts off very YA but moves into dark academia, romance smoothly. I’m an a sucker for a dark brooding guy who turns into goo for his girl. Give me all the YEARNINGGG 🥰
REPRESENTATION MATTERS!! The collection of minority characters that while facing the day to day obstacles of just being who they are without the over work of stereotypes is wonderful. It is very blatantly stated that we must work so much harder just to be considered near comparable and this story is setting it up nicely to prove that once we stop seeking outside validation we can truly shine and I LOVE that.
I feel like the author did a great job at framing plot lines that would typically be overlooked but will become major bullet points as the series continues.
I’m eager to return to this little island of Valcérre!
October 21, 2025
ARC Review: I fell in love with the character’s . From the first chapter, I was sucked into the icy, gothic world of Valcérre University — set high in the snow-covered mountains, home of elite figure-skating and hockey programs. Luna Del Sol, a new Black-Latina figure skater arrives at Valcérre. Determined to prove she belongs just like everyone else, meanwhile, the legacy hockey star Zayden Aldenhurst — the coach’s son and only Black player on the team — is hiding pain behind his polish and public persona. 
Add in the anonymous message that leads her to a hidden rink, that she knew nothing about but Zayden knows it all too well, and it’s tied to a student’s death five years ago.
I was hooked to it once I knew broody Zayden only spoke to Luna.
It’s giving everything! If you are looking for a murder mystery romance, look no further.
Can’t wait for book two.
Add in the anonymous message that leads her to a hidden rink, that she knew nothing about but Zayden knows it all too well, and it’s tied to a student’s death five years ago.
I was hooked to it once I knew broody Zayden only spoke to Luna.
It’s giving everything! If you are looking for a murder mystery romance, look no further.
Can’t wait for book two.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 5, 2025
What I liked:
-The gorgeous cover
-That both POC main characters were athletes at an elite prestigious school
-The mystery aspect of the book
-Unraveling parts of the school’s sordid past
What I disliked:
-The book being described as Icebreaker meets A Good Girls Guide to Murder because it didn’t feel much like either
-The book felt very YA and the dialogue felt very unnatural to read and then all of a sudden there were spicy scenes
-We kept being fed an enemies to lovers storyline but it felt like insta lust the whole time
-aspects of the big mystery felt disjointed and underdeveloped
Overall I think this could have been way better with more storyline development because the concept is solid.
-The gorgeous cover
-That both POC main characters were athletes at an elite prestigious school
-The mystery aspect of the book
-Unraveling parts of the school’s sordid past
What I disliked:
-The book being described as Icebreaker meets A Good Girls Guide to Murder because it didn’t feel much like either
-The book felt very YA and the dialogue felt very unnatural to read and then all of a sudden there were spicy scenes
-We kept being fed an enemies to lovers storyline but it felt like insta lust the whole time
-aspects of the big mystery felt disjointed and underdeveloped
Overall I think this could have been way better with more storyline development because the concept is solid.
October 20, 2025
⛸️🏒 ARC Review 🏒⛸️
“𝘐 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯’𝘵 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘰𝘥𝘺 𝘣𝘰𝘺𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘺.”
—Luna
📖 Written on Ice by Smardline S.
Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 / 5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ / 5
⛸️ Book One of Duet
🏒 Black Hockey Romance
⛸️ Dark Academia
🏒 Insta-Hate
⛸️ Uncovering Secrets
🏒 “I hate you!” 😏
⛸️ “Baby”
🏒 He 💦 in His Pants
⛸️ Slow Burn
🏒 Snowed In
⛸️ He’s Only Soft For Her
🏒 She Wears His Jersey
⛸️ He Takes Care of Her
🏒 So Much Tension
Luna is an aspiring figure skater and a new freshman at an elite private university. She was raised poor with a negligent mother, but is able to attend this school after her rich brother in law pays her tuition.
At the university, she’s inexplicably drawn to the broody hockey captain, but they seem to spark off of each other whenever they’re in the same vicinity. When they’re both texted by a mysterious number, they discover that their university has some dangerous secrets.
I went into this book completely blind and loved the whole ride. The beginning of the book was a little bubbly, but it progressively gets darker and more serious as the story progresses.
Luna and Zayden had great chemistry. Their banter started off antagonistic and evolved into a flirty love language. For a slowish-burn book, I will admit that some of their scenes had me fanning my face. 🪭 It took them a bit to get together, but once they did it was FULL SPEED ahead 🥵.
The cliffhanger was so brutal. I adore the hidden message that Zayden left us with 👀 I need to know what’s happening, like ASAP. 🙏 Book 2 can’t come soon enough.
TLDR: Bantery, broody hockey captain tries to hide his infatuation with the new figure skater. Spoiler: He fails 🤭
“𝘐 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯’𝘵 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘰𝘥𝘺 𝘣𝘰𝘺𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘺.”
—Luna
📖 Written on Ice by Smardline S.
Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 / 5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ / 5
⛸️ Book One of Duet
🏒 Black Hockey Romance
⛸️ Dark Academia
🏒 Insta-Hate
⛸️ Uncovering Secrets
🏒 “I hate you!” 😏
⛸️ “Baby”
🏒 He 💦 in His Pants
⛸️ Slow Burn
🏒 Snowed In
⛸️ He’s Only Soft For Her
🏒 She Wears His Jersey
⛸️ He Takes Care of Her
🏒 So Much Tension
Luna is an aspiring figure skater and a new freshman at an elite private university. She was raised poor with a negligent mother, but is able to attend this school after her rich brother in law pays her tuition.
At the university, she’s inexplicably drawn to the broody hockey captain, but they seem to spark off of each other whenever they’re in the same vicinity. When they’re both texted by a mysterious number, they discover that their university has some dangerous secrets.
I went into this book completely blind and loved the whole ride. The beginning of the book was a little bubbly, but it progressively gets darker and more serious as the story progresses.
Luna and Zayden had great chemistry. Their banter started off antagonistic and evolved into a flirty love language. For a slowish-burn book, I will admit that some of their scenes had me fanning my face. 🪭 It took them a bit to get together, but once they did it was FULL SPEED ahead 🥵.
The cliffhanger was so brutal. I adore the hidden message that Zayden left us with 👀 I need to know what’s happening, like ASAP. 🙏 Book 2 can’t come soon enough.
TLDR: Bantery, broody hockey captain tries to hide his infatuation with the new figure skater. Spoiler: He fails 🤭
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5 ⭐️*ARC REVIEW* I had such a good time reading this Dark academia hockey romance. From the moment I started, I knew I was going to love it. The mystery and suspense behind the school’s hidden secrets pulled me in immediately, and the push and pull between the MMC and FMC kept me completely hooked.
When I say I want a good enemies to lovers romance, this is what I mean. It’s not full-on hatred, but more of them fighting the inevitable, and it works so well. The fire, the sizzle, the shift from tension to infatuation. The buildup was worth every second, and you can feel the soul-deep connection between them. don’t let the cover fool you… it definitely gets spicy, and I was absolutely here for it. But I also loved the softer touches: the acts of service, the found family moments, the support, all of it. Ughhh, I just ate this book up.
When I say I want a good enemies to lovers romance, this is what I mean. It’s not full-on hatred, but more of them fighting the inevitable, and it works so well. The fire, the sizzle, the shift from tension to infatuation. The buildup was worth every second, and you can feel the soul-deep connection between them. don’t let the cover fool you… it definitely gets spicy, and I was absolutely here for it. But I also loved the softer touches: the acts of service, the found family moments, the support, all of it. Ughhh, I just ate this book up.
January 11, 2026
Written on Ice is a dark hockey romance set at an elite, gothic university where secrets are buried just as deeply as ambition. It follows Luna Del Sol, a figure skater determined to prove she belongs, and Zayden Aldenhurst, the broody hockey star with far more beneath the surface than anyone realizes. What starts as tension and resistance slowly turns into something neither of them planned for. Especially as long-buried secrets begin to resurface.
This was my first NetGalley read, and overall I really enjoyed it. I didn’t realize going in that this was part of a series, so the cliffhanger at the end genuinely caught me off guard.
The highlight for me was the relationship between Luna and Zayden. I loved how Zayden took care of Luna and how she gradually broke him out of his shell. Once they moved past surface-level hostility and actually started having real conversations, their connection felt much stronger and more believable. I will say it took me a little while to connect with them at first because their early interactions felt somewhat flat, but that completely changed as their emotional walls came down.
The spice was a pleasant surprise and more intense than I expected. I also never thought I’d enjoy the term “good boy” as much as I did, but it definitely had me blushing.
Overall, this was a strong start to a series with solid tension, emotional growth, and a mystery element that kept me invested. I’m very curious to see what happens next
This was my first NetGalley read, and overall I really enjoyed it. I didn’t realize going in that this was part of a series, so the cliffhanger at the end genuinely caught me off guard.
The highlight for me was the relationship between Luna and Zayden. I loved how Zayden took care of Luna and how she gradually broke him out of his shell. Once they moved past surface-level hostility and actually started having real conversations, their connection felt much stronger and more believable. I will say it took me a little while to connect with them at first because their early interactions felt somewhat flat, but that completely changed as their emotional walls came down.
The spice was a pleasant surprise and more intense than I expected. I also never thought I’d enjoy the term “good boy” as much as I did, but it definitely had me blushing.
Overall, this was a strong start to a series with solid tension, emotional growth, and a mystery element that kept me invested. I’m very curious to see what happens next
October 19, 2025
4.5/5 Stars ⭐️
Thank you Smardline S. and Torch Lit Ink for this ARC!
Written On Ice is very atmospheric and gives all the fall/dark vibes. Taking place in a snowy setting of a prestigious university where familial ties run deep. With this story, you get dark academia, romance, and mystery.
FMC, Luna, is there for figure skating and hoping to be Olympic worthy, while MMC Zayden, is the hockey team captain who is trying to be more than just the "coach's son."
Both have something to prove, and neither need a distraction; however, Luna and Zayden are drawn to each other which leads to them getting wrapped up in a secret that left one student dead a few years prior.
I was not expecting the ending to leave us on a cliffhanger like that.....so many questions that need to be answered in book 2.
Thank you Smardline S. and Torch Lit Ink for this ARC!
Written On Ice is very atmospheric and gives all the fall/dark vibes. Taking place in a snowy setting of a prestigious university where familial ties run deep. With this story, you get dark academia, romance, and mystery.
FMC, Luna, is there for figure skating and hoping to be Olympic worthy, while MMC Zayden, is the hockey team captain who is trying to be more than just the "coach's son."
Both have something to prove, and neither need a distraction; however, Luna and Zayden are drawn to each other which leads to them getting wrapped up in a secret that left one student dead a few years prior.
I was not expecting the ending to leave us on a cliffhanger like that.....so many questions that need to be answered in book 2.
October 20, 2025
First, I’d like to thank Smardline for the opportunity to read this ahead of release. It was an absolute pleasure!!
I was first interested with the book because it had all my favorite tropes in one and boy, was i not disappointed!! Luna and Zayden’s dynamic throughout the story had me hooked from the first chapter and never let me go! I love their banter and their making up hehe ;)
This was my first sports romance and i must say, i’m intrigued if this is how it is!! The imagery was beautiful and I wish this was a place I could visit fr. The descriptions of scenes, of places; my imagination didn’t have to do much to envision what was going on and I love that in a book.
I look forward to any future projects of Smardline’s!!
I was first interested with the book because it had all my favorite tropes in one and boy, was i not disappointed!! Luna and Zayden’s dynamic throughout the story had me hooked from the first chapter and never let me go! I love their banter and their making up hehe ;)
This was my first sports romance and i must say, i’m intrigued if this is how it is!! The imagery was beautiful and I wish this was a place I could visit fr. The descriptions of scenes, of places; my imagination didn’t have to do much to envision what was going on and I love that in a book.
I look forward to any future projects of Smardline’s!!
February 1, 2026
I was so excited to read this book and it did not disappoint in the slightest. Kinda has a little second chance romance vibes and has some thriller and mystery added into the plot (was a little predictable for me) but I did enjoy reading it. Definitely ended on a cliffhanger but I am so ready to read what comes next!
November 9, 2025
Thank you for the Arc!
Okay, I enjoyed the book, I just feel like it could have been more fully developed. I haven’t read Icebreaker, but I have read A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, and it wasn’t giving that level of depth or tension.
I liked both characters, but there was a disconnect. I wanted more development from them, more insight, more emotional depth. We didn’t really get to know them. They felt surface-level, and the “enemies to lovers” angle didn’t fully land. It was mostly just them repeatedly saying they were a “distraction” or that they “hated” each other. If I had to read “I hate him” one more time, I was going to lose it.
The mystery also felt pretty flat. It was obvious who was involved, so the suspense never built. I think the story would have benefited from more background on Valcérre, too—why it matters, what its significance is.
Overall, it read very YA. For a moment, I genuinely thought the characters were in high school, the banter and conversations felt that young.
Beautiful cover, though.
Okay, I enjoyed the book, I just feel like it could have been more fully developed. I haven’t read Icebreaker, but I have read A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, and it wasn’t giving that level of depth or tension.
I liked both characters, but there was a disconnect. I wanted more development from them, more insight, more emotional depth. We didn’t really get to know them. They felt surface-level, and the “enemies to lovers” angle didn’t fully land. It was mostly just them repeatedly saying they were a “distraction” or that they “hated” each other. If I had to read “I hate him” one more time, I was going to lose it.
The mystery also felt pretty flat. It was obvious who was involved, so the suspense never built. I think the story would have benefited from more background on Valcérre, too—why it matters, what its significance is.
Overall, it read very YA. For a moment, I genuinely thought the characters were in high school, the banter and conversations felt that young.
Beautiful cover, though.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5✨️
3.5🌶
Romance❤️🔥
⛸️Figure skater x hockey player
⛸️Dark academia
⛸️Winter setting
⛸️Slow burn
⛸️POC main characters
⛸️Duology
The thing I liked the most about this book was the setting: the old, antique college on an island where it's basically always winter gives the right amount of spooky and cozy vibes. I think I would have liked being able to experience the whole academic setting a little bit more, because we followed the main character story basically always out of the lessons, and only a couple of times during skating practice. I liked that Luna was not the typical small, tiny, miniscule FMC that you can lift with your finger, but that actually some partners of her weren't stong enough for her muscular body, and I love that she didn't give a damn and never changed: like, you can get stronger, I don't need to get weaker💪🏻 Zayden sometimes walked on the edge of being a red flag, but all in all I understood his motives and he was mainly really sweet, but a bit too clingy sometimes (a girl can walk and be okay, you know 😂).
Unfortunately, there were also a lot of lows for me in this book. First of all, I found the whole "orgasm" talk a bit on the nose, but the sex scenes were really hot, and this is coming from someone who usually skips sex scenes because they're too cringy. I also would have liked to follow the mystery a bit more closely, as at first it felt like it was going to be as important as the love story and then it just got completely left behind and we got like 30% of the book of Zayden and Luna in the cabin going at it like rabbits😂 The reveal on the anonymous texter had zero pathos for me, because at around 50% of the book Luna talks to the aforementioned character and she lets something slip that she wasn't supposed to know. It could have been a great way to reveal the anonymous texter, with the reveal being "I wasn't supposed to know that, was I?", instead I feel like the author lost a great opportunity.
Talking about the writing style, I found the book easy to read and fluid, but it was a bit too redundant in some parts. For example, the book could have gone without the constant reminders that Rylee was the most important person for Luna and how she felt left behind when Rylee left for Paris. I understand it surely left a lot of trauma for Luna but there was no need to repeat it every chapter.
Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange of my honest opinion!
Written on Ice comes out on February 24, 2026! Mark your calendars🗓
3.5🌶
Romance❤️🔥
⛸️Figure skater x hockey player
⛸️Dark academia
⛸️Winter setting
⛸️Slow burn
⛸️POC main characters
⛸️Duology
The thing I liked the most about this book was the setting: the old, antique college on an island where it's basically always winter gives the right amount of spooky and cozy vibes. I think I would have liked being able to experience the whole academic setting a little bit more, because we followed the main character story basically always out of the lessons, and only a couple of times during skating practice. I liked that Luna was not the typical small, tiny, miniscule FMC that you can lift with your finger, but that actually some partners of her weren't stong enough for her muscular body, and I love that she didn't give a damn and never changed: like, you can get stronger, I don't need to get weaker💪🏻 Zayden sometimes walked on the edge of being a red flag, but all in all I understood his motives and he was mainly really sweet, but a bit too clingy sometimes (a girl can walk and be okay, you know 😂).
Unfortunately, there were also a lot of lows for me in this book. First of all, I found the whole "orgasm" talk a bit on the nose, but the sex scenes were really hot, and this is coming from someone who usually skips sex scenes because they're too cringy. I also would have liked to follow the mystery a bit more closely, as at first it felt like it was going to be as important as the love story and then it just got completely left behind and we got like 30% of the book of Zayden and Luna in the cabin going at it like rabbits😂 The reveal on the anonymous texter had zero pathos for me, because at around 50% of the book Luna talks to the aforementioned character and she lets something slip that she wasn't supposed to know. It could have been a great way to reveal the anonymous texter, with the reveal being "I wasn't supposed to know that, was I?", instead I feel like the author lost a great opportunity.
Talking about the writing style, I found the book easy to read and fluid, but it was a bit too redundant in some parts. For example, the book could have gone without the constant reminders that Rylee was the most important person for Luna and how she felt left behind when Rylee left for Paris. I understand it surely left a lot of trauma for Luna but there was no need to repeat it every chapter.
Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange of my honest opinion!
Written on Ice comes out on February 24, 2026! Mark your calendars🗓
November 3, 2025
Note: This book is my first ARC read 🤭
-Honest review!-
This book left me wanting more. Since the first chapter, I was hooked, always wondering what’s coming next. And it did not disappoint.
This book was unlike any other that I have read. It gave off dark academia vibes and that fantastical aura. However, the romance and the mystery were definitely mixed into it very well! The plot evolved throughout the story, something new always being revealed. Now, did I expect some of the plot twists? Yes, and might I add that I was pretty proud that I did. Did I expect the ending? Perhaps also yes. But I like to think that it means a lot, that even though this story ended the way it did, that I still feel that this was one of the shortest books I’ve ever read. Not because it was short, but rather because of how fast-paced this book was. How invested I was, that I flew by the pages 😍🫠
First of all, the setting was just so.. whimsical.. in a dark, beautiful way, for lack of a better explanation. The first few pages were a hard read, and honestly, I thought that I’d just be struggling to get by the book. But, would you have it, everything seemed to fit right into my mind. The frozen lake, the buildings. Though, I did sort of hoped that there’d be more of a focus on the University itself, the world-building did not disappoint.
Secondly, the characters 😍
Luna was fire and ice, both the moon and the sun (iykyk 🤭) through and through. She wasn’t weak-willed, and was certainly one of the strongest FMC I’ve seen, emotionally, at least. She is such a risk taker and I love that for her 🫠
Zay, I both loved and hated. A “broody” male main character that is actually a soft teddy bear (and I don’t take it back 😌🙂↕️). To think about it, he’s more sunshine and storm than Luna is, but I don’t mind the nickname!
And not to forget our wingman and wingwoman (lovebirds—wait, who said that?? ☺️), Jasper and Sophie (not to exclude Annika and Cam of course). Love love love how much of a girl’s boy and girl’s girl they are 💗🎀 But seriously, I don’t stumble upon male side characters that aren’t all “nope, MMC won’t like or want me to.” So bonus!! And I hope they get their own story 🥹😍
Would recommend greatly to those who crave:
-Dislike to.. Love? 💋
-Spice 🔥
-Strong FMC 🖤
-Grumpy AND Sunshine (but only for her) MMC 💛
-Romance on Ice ⛸️🩵(she’s a figure skater, and he’s a hockey player—one that can skate-skate, at that)
-Nicknames 🫠🥹
-Murder Mystery🩸🔎
AND for those who aren’t afraid of cliffhangers, secrets, and the unknown ❤️🩹
Overall Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
-Honest review!-
This book left me wanting more. Since the first chapter, I was hooked, always wondering what’s coming next. And it did not disappoint.
This book was unlike any other that I have read. It gave off dark academia vibes and that fantastical aura. However, the romance and the mystery were definitely mixed into it very well! The plot evolved throughout the story, something new always being revealed. Now, did I expect some of the plot twists? Yes, and might I add that I was pretty proud that I did. Did I expect the ending? Perhaps also yes. But I like to think that it means a lot, that even though this story ended the way it did, that I still feel that this was one of the shortest books I’ve ever read. Not because it was short, but rather because of how fast-paced this book was. How invested I was, that I flew by the pages 😍🫠
First of all, the setting was just so.. whimsical.. in a dark, beautiful way, for lack of a better explanation. The first few pages were a hard read, and honestly, I thought that I’d just be struggling to get by the book. But, would you have it, everything seemed to fit right into my mind. The frozen lake, the buildings. Though, I did sort of hoped that there’d be more of a focus on the University itself, the world-building did not disappoint.
Secondly, the characters 😍
Luna was fire and ice, both the moon and the sun (iykyk 🤭) through and through. She wasn’t weak-willed, and was certainly one of the strongest FMC I’ve seen, emotionally, at least. She is such a risk taker and I love that for her 🫠
Zay, I both loved and hated. A “broody” male main character that is actually a soft teddy bear (and I don’t take it back 😌🙂↕️). To think about it, he’s more sunshine and storm than Luna is, but I don’t mind the nickname!
And not to forget our wingman and wingwoman (lovebirds—wait, who said that?? ☺️), Jasper and Sophie (not to exclude Annika and Cam of course). Love love love how much of a girl’s boy and girl’s girl they are 💗🎀 But seriously, I don’t stumble upon male side characters that aren’t all “nope, MMC won’t like or want me to.” So bonus!! And I hope they get their own story 🥹😍
Would recommend greatly to those who crave:
-Dislike to.. Love? 💋
-Spice 🔥
-Strong FMC 🖤
-Grumpy AND Sunshine (but only for her) MMC 💛
-Romance on Ice ⛸️🩵(she’s a figure skater, and he’s a hockey player—one that can skate-skate, at that)
-Nicknames 🫠🥹
-Murder Mystery🩸🔎
AND for those who aren’t afraid of cliffhangers, secrets, and the unknown ❤️🩹
Overall Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
October 28, 2025
Real rating: 2.5 to 3 stars.
Thanks for the ARC!
Intense romance, very insta-love, the MMC falls instantly in love with the FMC, once he sees her. It is a twin flame romance, so it fits but I needed more emotional development and more yearning, the romance was rushed and took the entire plot of the book away from what I thought was going to be as it was marketed as a good fit for fans of "A Good Girl's Guide to Murder".
The mystery was very lacking, I expected more from this idea of a secret rink and challenges, it didn't matter as much as the romance, so it made this book feel like it had a romance main-plot with a very miniscule mystery sub-plot. The main characters spend most of the book falling in love and "hating"/disliking each other instead of investigating the mystery.
The ideas were good: this academy with deeply hidden secrets and elitist categories, our main characters being driven to exhaustion just to prove that they belong in this place, was interesting and also brings up many important points about what society considers who can just be good and who has to be constantly proving themselves even if they are better. However, this wasn't properly implemented, so I kept wondering why they weren't actively concerned about the secrets and threats. Even if when they did investigate, it was only a few chapters (5 to 6 max), while the rest is just romance.
At first, I really liked the characters personalities and their pasts, but after a while they become repetitive (in the things they do and say), and the potential for emotional conection gets lost and replaced by physical connections, which isn't bad. But I believe that such scenes only work when you really care about the characters and believe in their romantic interactions, which wasn't the case for me.
Overall, a fast paced book that's entertaining and not bad (or with a bad storyline) just a little lackluster. I enjoyed it, but I wouln't consider it a mystery or dark academia book just because it's set in an academy that harbours a few secrets. It's a romance, with a sprinkle of hidden dangers. I am hoping the next books have more mystery, and that the main character is actually involve in the investigation.
Thanks for the ARC!
Intense romance, very insta-love, the MMC falls instantly in love with the FMC, once he sees her. It is a twin flame romance, so it fits but I needed more emotional development and more yearning, the romance was rushed and took the entire plot of the book away from what I thought was going to be as it was marketed as a good fit for fans of "A Good Girl's Guide to Murder".
The mystery was very lacking, I expected more from this idea of a secret rink and challenges, it didn't matter as much as the romance, so it made this book feel like it had a romance main-plot with a very miniscule mystery sub-plot. The main characters spend most of the book falling in love and "hating"/disliking each other instead of investigating the mystery.
The ideas were good: this academy with deeply hidden secrets and elitist categories, our main characters being driven to exhaustion just to prove that they belong in this place, was interesting and also brings up many important points about what society considers who can just be good and who has to be constantly proving themselves even if they are better. However, this wasn't properly implemented, so I kept wondering why they weren't actively concerned about the secrets and threats. Even if when they did investigate, it was only a few chapters (5 to 6 max), while the rest is just romance.
At first, I really liked the characters personalities and their pasts, but after a while they become repetitive (in the things they do and say), and the potential for emotional conection gets lost and replaced by physical connections, which isn't bad. But I believe that such scenes only work when you really care about the characters and believe in their romantic interactions, which wasn't the case for me.
Overall, a fast paced book that's entertaining and not bad (or with a bad storyline) just a little lackluster. I enjoyed it, but I wouln't consider it a mystery or dark academia book just because it's set in an academy that harbours a few secrets. It's a romance, with a sprinkle of hidden dangers. I am hoping the next books have more mystery, and that the main character is actually involve in the investigation.
October 25, 2025
Enemies, Ice, and Mystery — I NEED Book Two!
ARC Review: Written on Ice by Smardline S.
I had the pleasure of being an ARC reader for Smardline, and let me just say — she did her big one with this one!
We meet Luna Del Sol (love that name), a Black Latina figure skater who’s determined to prove she belongs, but she’s used to the pressure. I related to her instantly. As someone with a sports background, that feeling of always having to prove yourself and work a little harder than everyone else? Yeah… that hit home.
Then there’s Zayden Aldenhurst — the only Black guy on the team, the school’s hockey star, and the coach’s son. He’s dealing with more than he lets on, but he’s pretending he’s got it all together (aren’t we all, lol?).
Luna walks in like the storm he never saw coming. He calls her “Ice Princess” — and let’s just say, that nickname did not land, and she definitely let him know it.
Now, I don’t know why I thought this was a YA book… Girl, when I got to the smut, I was like, “YA where?!” 😭 She ate that up — and so did I! The tension cake she baked? I devoured it. Every. Single. Bite.
What surprised me most is that it wasn’t just romance — there’s mystery, secrets, and a darker edge that kept me hooked. Luna and Zayden reconnect through a strange text, and suddenly the university is hiding more than anyone realizes. Watching them unravel it all together? Chef’s kiss.
Big ups to Zayden for turning it around and being the man Luna needed. I loved how he showed up for her — protective, patient, and swoon-worthy. But that letter at the end? 👀😭 I was rooting for Zayden so hard, and now I’m questioning everything. The way Smardline dropped that twist right when I thought things were settling? Genius. It’s giving “I need book two right now” energy. I have theories, but I’m keeping them to myself until I see how she plays it out — because if it’s not from who we think it is… whew, Luna’s about to be in for it!
If you’re looking for a winter romance with suspense, mystery, and enemies-to-lovers tension all wrapped into one delicious story — and a cliffhanger that’ll leave you begging for more — this one’s for you.
ARC Review: Written on Ice by Smardline S.
I had the pleasure of being an ARC reader for Smardline, and let me just say — she did her big one with this one!
We meet Luna Del Sol (love that name), a Black Latina figure skater who’s determined to prove she belongs, but she’s used to the pressure. I related to her instantly. As someone with a sports background, that feeling of always having to prove yourself and work a little harder than everyone else? Yeah… that hit home.
Then there’s Zayden Aldenhurst — the only Black guy on the team, the school’s hockey star, and the coach’s son. He’s dealing with more than he lets on, but he’s pretending he’s got it all together (aren’t we all, lol?).
Luna walks in like the storm he never saw coming. He calls her “Ice Princess” — and let’s just say, that nickname did not land, and she definitely let him know it.
Now, I don’t know why I thought this was a YA book… Girl, when I got to the smut, I was like, “YA where?!” 😭 She ate that up — and so did I! The tension cake she baked? I devoured it. Every. Single. Bite.
What surprised me most is that it wasn’t just romance — there’s mystery, secrets, and a darker edge that kept me hooked. Luna and Zayden reconnect through a strange text, and suddenly the university is hiding more than anyone realizes. Watching them unravel it all together? Chef’s kiss.
Big ups to Zayden for turning it around and being the man Luna needed. I loved how he showed up for her — protective, patient, and swoon-worthy. But that letter at the end? 👀😭 I was rooting for Zayden so hard, and now I’m questioning everything. The way Smardline dropped that twist right when I thought things were settling? Genius. It’s giving “I need book two right now” energy. I have theories, but I’m keeping them to myself until I see how she plays it out — because if it’s not from who we think it is… whew, Luna’s about to be in for it!
If you’re looking for a winter romance with suspense, mystery, and enemies-to-lovers tension all wrapped into one delicious story — and a cliffhanger that’ll leave you begging for more — this one’s for you.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
(arc review)
I think my main issue is that I wish this book was longer. We can clearly tell that the author cares about this story, from the idea behind it, the representation, and even just how creative the ARC emails were. But I do think the execution would have been much better if we had taken our time getting to know the characters, watching them evolve and figure things out.
For me, everything happened way too quickly and dramatically, almost as if the author had a series of plot points or ideas for the characters that she threw in together without caring about connecting everything… For example, the way Luna and Zayden grow, both on their own and within the relationship, felt like flipping a switch - same with their first reactions to each other, what was that about?
They also don’t feel fully fleshed out: we have a few key characteristics of each MC or things that have happened to them in the past, but we don’t know much else outside this “checklist”. We know Zayden has a bunch of tattoos, I don’t recall reading about more than one. We know they are in college and maybe one or two classes they frequent, I don’t think we know what their majors are - and this is a dark academia book.
Speaking of, dark academia is the main background of the mystery side of the plot, but I would have loved if we had gotten deeper into it - learning more about what Zayden knows and feels about all that, or seeing characters discuss the topic between themselves… I hope we get more of that in the next book, but then again, there were specific moments in this one where I felt we could have spent more time diving deeper.
Unfortunatelly, both plot twists were obvious to me from the start, and I have a pretty clear idea on how the second book is going to go . That being said, it was a quick easy read, quite a page turner from how fast the pace was, so if you’re looking for something to pass the evening with, this might just be the book for you!
I think my main issue is that I wish this book was longer. We can clearly tell that the author cares about this story, from the idea behind it, the representation, and even just how creative the ARC emails were. But I do think the execution would have been much better if we had taken our time getting to know the characters, watching them evolve and figure things out.
For me, everything happened way too quickly and dramatically, almost as if the author had a series of plot points or ideas for the characters that she threw in together without caring about connecting everything… For example, the way Luna and Zayden grow, both on their own and within the relationship, felt like flipping a switch - same with their first reactions to each other, what was that about?
They also don’t feel fully fleshed out: we have a few key characteristics of each MC or things that have happened to them in the past, but we don’t know much else outside this “checklist”. We know Zayden has a bunch of tattoos, I don’t recall reading about more than one. We know they are in college and maybe one or two classes they frequent, I don’t think we know what their majors are - and this is a dark academia book.
Speaking of, dark academia is the main background of the mystery side of the plot, but I would have loved if we had gotten deeper into it - learning more about what Zayden knows and feels about all that, or seeing characters discuss the topic between themselves… I hope we get more of that in the next book, but then again, there were specific moments in this one where I felt we could have spent more time diving deeper.
Unfortunatelly, both plot twists were obvious to me from the start, and I have a pretty clear idea on how the second book is going to go . That being said, it was a quick easy read, quite a page turner from how fast the pace was, so if you’re looking for something to pass the evening with, this might just be the book for you!
December 15, 2025
💫eArc Review💫
Thank you to S. Smardline for this eArc!
Written on Ice by Smardline S
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 (3.5/5)
Written on Ice takes place at Valcérre University, an elite mountain school known for its powerhouse hockey and figure skating programs. The story follows Luna Del Sol, a Black Latina figure skater who doesn’t come from money and is determined to prove she belongs, and Zayden Aldenhurst, the hockey star and coach’s son who appears to have it all but carries his own hidden burdens.
Luna and Zayden start on very tense footing, with resentment, distrust, and friction galore. That tension pulls them into an unsettling mystery when anonymous messages lead them to a hidden ice rink connected to a student’s death five years earlier.
There was chemistry between Luna and Zayden, but the romance turned to spice much faster than I expected, and it felt awkwardly placed. The enemies-to-lovers vibe barely had time to breathe before becoming insta-lust, and while it seemed like there might be a deeper reason for that pull, it was never fully explored. I don’t mind spice, but I wish there had been more balance between romance, character development, and mystery.
That said, I absolutely loved the representation in this book. Seeing people of color as leads in figure skating and hockey, sports where representation is rare, was refreshing. The setting was another standout: Valcérre University and its surrounding mountains were beautifully described, perfectly capturing that dark academia, icy, suspenseful atmosphere.
Unfortunately, the mystery, which initially had me hooked, fell a bit flat for me. The story started strong, but by the middle, the focus shifted heavily toward romance, leaving the mystery underdeveloped. Overall, Written on Ice was a fast-paced and entertaining read that didn’t fully live up to its potential, but it has a solid foundation. I’m hoping the next book leans harder into the mystery and adventure while letting the characters and tension truly unfold.
Written on Ice comes out February 2026!
Thank you to S. Smardline for this eArc!
Written on Ice by Smardline S
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 (3.5/5)
Written on Ice takes place at Valcérre University, an elite mountain school known for its powerhouse hockey and figure skating programs. The story follows Luna Del Sol, a Black Latina figure skater who doesn’t come from money and is determined to prove she belongs, and Zayden Aldenhurst, the hockey star and coach’s son who appears to have it all but carries his own hidden burdens.
Luna and Zayden start on very tense footing, with resentment, distrust, and friction galore. That tension pulls them into an unsettling mystery when anonymous messages lead them to a hidden ice rink connected to a student’s death five years earlier.
There was chemistry between Luna and Zayden, but the romance turned to spice much faster than I expected, and it felt awkwardly placed. The enemies-to-lovers vibe barely had time to breathe before becoming insta-lust, and while it seemed like there might be a deeper reason for that pull, it was never fully explored. I don’t mind spice, but I wish there had been more balance between romance, character development, and mystery.
That said, I absolutely loved the representation in this book. Seeing people of color as leads in figure skating and hockey, sports where representation is rare, was refreshing. The setting was another standout: Valcérre University and its surrounding mountains were beautifully described, perfectly capturing that dark academia, icy, suspenseful atmosphere.
Unfortunately, the mystery, which initially had me hooked, fell a bit flat for me. The story started strong, but by the middle, the focus shifted heavily toward romance, leaving the mystery underdeveloped. Overall, Written on Ice was a fast-paced and entertaining read that didn’t fully live up to its potential, but it has a solid foundation. I’m hoping the next book leans harder into the mystery and adventure while letting the characters and tension truly unfold.
Written on Ice comes out February 2026!
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
originally my rating was going to be a 2.5/5 stars, but thankfully as i kept reading especially after the plot picked up after the cabin (which…i’ll come back to) it’s definitely a 3.2, which isn’t a big change but it feels right.
what instinctively drew me in to read this book was definitely the unique setting and plot PLUS the diversity (both mc’s being poc???? YES), i thought i found my next five star read but nah…
but what ended up throwing me off was the insta love/lust between luna and zayden, and it sucks because i genuinely like them. i think im just a sucker for slow burn (best trope. don’t care.) and would’ve loved their chemistry being shown during moments of them ice skating together AND during moments when they’re both getting suspicious/anonymous text messages that has to do with the plot. if this was longer, maybe 370 pages (just a random number i picked but still my point stands) i think this would’ve been a 4 star especially with the romance plot between luna and zayden. which would’ve made the ending 10x stronger (for ME.)
WHICH….commenting on the whole cabin weekend chapters. let’s just say, i was getting annoyed with the constant smut back to back and the plot magically disappearing? now, i may be wrong but it was like atleast six chapters straight (not the smut BUT the weekend of them being together which did contain smut….thats what i mean) don’t get me wrong, i enjoyed it since they were being vulnerable with each other and there were moments where i would smile (like an idiot, they were cute nevertheless) but most of the time….😕.
what i enjoyed most was their backstory and how it plays a role into their personality + relationship with others, but esp with each other. though, i would love to see more moments with sophie, annika, and jasper (and noah, i knew he was gay/bisexual!!!)
this is my first review (kinda nervous, goodreads scares me) but i hope this all make sense. at the end of the day, this is my opinion and i may re read again before the second book comes out because believe, i will be tuned in for this series.
what instinctively drew me in to read this book was definitely the unique setting and plot PLUS the diversity (both mc’s being poc???? YES), i thought i found my next five star read but nah…
but what ended up throwing me off was the insta love/lust between luna and zayden, and it sucks because i genuinely like them. i think im just a sucker for slow burn (best trope. don’t care.) and would’ve loved their chemistry being shown during moments of them ice skating together AND during moments when they’re both getting suspicious/anonymous text messages that has to do with the plot. if this was longer, maybe 370 pages (just a random number i picked but still my point stands) i think this would’ve been a 4 star especially with the romance plot between luna and zayden. which would’ve made the ending 10x stronger (for ME.)
WHICH….commenting on the whole cabin weekend chapters. let’s just say, i was getting annoyed with the constant smut back to back and the plot magically disappearing? now, i may be wrong but it was like atleast six chapters straight (not the smut BUT the weekend of them being together which did contain smut….thats what i mean) don’t get me wrong, i enjoyed it since they were being vulnerable with each other and there were moments where i would smile (like an idiot, they were cute nevertheless) but most of the time….😕.
what i enjoyed most was their backstory and how it plays a role into their personality + relationship with others, but esp with each other. though, i would love to see more moments with sophie, annika, and jasper (and noah, i knew he was gay/bisexual!!!)
this is my first review (kinda nervous, goodreads scares me) but i hope this all make sense. at the end of the day, this is my opinion and i may re read again before the second book comes out because believe, i will be tuned in for this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 9, 2026
Written on ice
Wauw wat een boek was dit! Dit boek had me van begint to eind en zelf al ervoor. Ik mocht dit boek lezen als arc en ik ben dol blij! De mails die ik kreeg ervoor waren al leuk, hierdoor kwam ik helemaal in de stemming van het boek en ik werd zo benieuwd naar dit verhaal. Dit boek was echt geweldig ik heb er eigenlijk geen woorden voor maar ga het toch proberen.
De personages waren al top, de school ook geweldig echt een elite school en zo goed beschreven. De scenes op het ijs waren ook een van mijn favoriet. Samen zo synchroon over het ijs, zo vrij en mooi geschreven. De spanning door het verhaal heen was geweldig. De opbouw, de mystery en alle puzzelstukjes waren van begin tot eind af. Ik bleef lezen en het einde..... wat een cliffhanger. Ik kan echt niet wachten op het volgende deel en ik hoop dat er nog veel meer boeken erna komen! Dit was zo'n goed boek, tegen de tijd van deel 2 wil ik deze nogmaals lezen.
Wow, what a book this was! This book had me from start to finish, even before. I got to read this book as an arc, and I'm thrilled! The emails I received beforehand were already great; they really got me in the mood for the book and made me so curious about the story. This book was truly amazing, I can't describe it, but I'm going to give it a try anyway.
The characters were fantastic, the school was amazing too—a truly elite school, and so well-written. The scenes on the ice were also among my favorites. Together, so synchronized on the ice, so free and beautifully written. The suspense throughout the story was amazing. The structure, the mystery, and all the puzzle pieces were complete from start to finish. I kept reading, and the ending... what a cliffhanger. I really can't wait for the next book, and I hope there are many more to come! This was such a good book; I want to read it again when I read part 2.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ sterren
#lezenisontspanning #neverstopreading #spreadthebooklove #reading #bookstagramreadsfebruari
Wauw wat een boek was dit! Dit boek had me van begint to eind en zelf al ervoor. Ik mocht dit boek lezen als arc en ik ben dol blij! De mails die ik kreeg ervoor waren al leuk, hierdoor kwam ik helemaal in de stemming van het boek en ik werd zo benieuwd naar dit verhaal. Dit boek was echt geweldig ik heb er eigenlijk geen woorden voor maar ga het toch proberen.
De personages waren al top, de school ook geweldig echt een elite school en zo goed beschreven. De scenes op het ijs waren ook een van mijn favoriet. Samen zo synchroon over het ijs, zo vrij en mooi geschreven. De spanning door het verhaal heen was geweldig. De opbouw, de mystery en alle puzzelstukjes waren van begin tot eind af. Ik bleef lezen en het einde..... wat een cliffhanger. Ik kan echt niet wachten op het volgende deel en ik hoop dat er nog veel meer boeken erna komen! Dit was zo'n goed boek, tegen de tijd van deel 2 wil ik deze nogmaals lezen.
Wow, what a book this was! This book had me from start to finish, even before. I got to read this book as an arc, and I'm thrilled! The emails I received beforehand were already great; they really got me in the mood for the book and made me so curious about the story. This book was truly amazing, I can't describe it, but I'm going to give it a try anyway.
The characters were fantastic, the school was amazing too—a truly elite school, and so well-written. The scenes on the ice were also among my favorites. Together, so synchronized on the ice, so free and beautifully written. The suspense throughout the story was amazing. The structure, the mystery, and all the puzzle pieces were complete from start to finish. I kept reading, and the ending... what a cliffhanger. I really can't wait for the next book, and I hope there are many more to come! This was such a good book; I want to read it again when I read part 2.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ sterren
#lezenisontspanning #neverstopreading #spreadthebooklove #reading #bookstagramreadsfebruari
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
i sat with my thoughts with this one for a bit because there were definitely parts that i liked but some things didn’t work and i want to make sure to articulate this right.
the concept, the setting, the intention of characterization are all there! i think this had promising roots of being something really cool & fresh & new but some issues with execution made it difficult to fully hit for me.
what initially drew me to this was the ice skating x hockey dynamic paired with the promise of a dark academia tone. i think these two things were very strongly delivered and the scenes where these were at the forefront were very beautifully written.
the school mystery started off really intriguing and ominously spooky but at abt 40%, there was a complete shift in a different plot direction (which i’ll get to in a moment) and when we finally did circle back to it, the buildup had been lost and the big reveal was disappointingly underwhelming.
as for the change in plot direction,
why are we shacking up for a good 35% of the book 😩 especially with how strongly this started, i was not prepared for the amount of smut that would be contained in a book such short length and it felt so overtly gratuitous that i truthfully found myself skimming most of it. i also find the level of (ahem) intimacy we were achieving was not entirely believable given the fmc’s verbalized inexperience (she’s also 19 so in general, i was a bit uncomfy with the amount of on page sex was described).
i do think the author is incredibly talented in her craft (although i did notice a frequent repetitiveness in different idioms) and genuinely wish this book had worked out for me. perhaps it will resonate more with other readers.
thanks to victory editing for my advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest thoughts 💌
the concept, the setting, the intention of characterization are all there! i think this had promising roots of being something really cool & fresh & new but some issues with execution made it difficult to fully hit for me.
what initially drew me to this was the ice skating x hockey dynamic paired with the promise of a dark academia tone. i think these two things were very strongly delivered and the scenes where these were at the forefront were very beautifully written.
the school mystery started off really intriguing and ominously spooky but at abt 40%, there was a complete shift in a different plot direction (which i’ll get to in a moment) and when we finally did circle back to it, the buildup had been lost and the big reveal was disappointingly underwhelming.
as for the change in plot direction,
why are we shacking up for a good 35% of the book 😩 especially with how strongly this started, i was not prepared for the amount of smut that would be contained in a book such short length and it felt so overtly gratuitous that i truthfully found myself skimming most of it. i also find the level of (ahem) intimacy we were achieving was not entirely believable given the fmc’s verbalized inexperience (she’s also 19 so in general, i was a bit uncomfy with the amount of on page sex was described).
i do think the author is incredibly talented in her craft (although i did notice a frequent repetitiveness in different idioms) and genuinely wish this book had worked out for me. perhaps it will resonate more with other readers.
thanks to victory editing for my advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest thoughts 💌
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5
ARC Review: Written on Ice by Smardline S. (@smardline.s_author )
This book understands that the cold is not the cruelest thing about a winter campus.
The cruelest thing is what gets protected.
Valcèrre is prestige wrapped in frost, a place where tradition feels holy and silence feels enforced. The air is all stone, shadow, and spotless reputation, and the rink is not just a rink. It is a stage, a battleground, and a confession booth that never absolves.
At the center is Luna Del Sol, a figure skater who has learned how to survive being underestimated. Across from her is Zayden Aldenhurst, the hockey captain with a legacy name and a weight he cannot set down. Their dynamic is enemies to lovers with bite. The tension is sharp, personal, and rooted in pride. Every interaction feels like a test of control, and neither of them wants to be the one who flinches first.
But what truly hooked me is the rot underneath the romance. The Midnight Challenge is whispered like a warning. Invitations appear like threats dressed as honor. A death in Valcèrre’s recent past lingers in the background like a bruise no one is allowed to acknowledge. The school closes ranks. Things vanish. The truth is treated like an inconvenience.
🕯️ What worked best:
• Dark academia atmosphere with real teeth
• Elite sports intensity and obsession
• Enemies to lovers tension that stays dangerous
• Mystery and secrets woven into the stakes
🩶 Overall:
Seductive, bleak, and soaked in ambition, Written on Ice is about desire as risk, legacy as a weapon, and the kind of institution that survives by erasing what it breaks. If you like dark academia vibes, elite sports, slow-burn heat, and secrets that refuse to stay buried, this is one to watch.
Would I reread it? Yes.
Would I recommend it? Absolutely.
🩸 Some places build champions. Others build cover-ups.
ARC Review: Written on Ice by Smardline S. (@smardline.s_author )
This book understands that the cold is not the cruelest thing about a winter campus.
The cruelest thing is what gets protected.
Valcèrre is prestige wrapped in frost, a place where tradition feels holy and silence feels enforced. The air is all stone, shadow, and spotless reputation, and the rink is not just a rink. It is a stage, a battleground, and a confession booth that never absolves.
At the center is Luna Del Sol, a figure skater who has learned how to survive being underestimated. Across from her is Zayden Aldenhurst, the hockey captain with a legacy name and a weight he cannot set down. Their dynamic is enemies to lovers with bite. The tension is sharp, personal, and rooted in pride. Every interaction feels like a test of control, and neither of them wants to be the one who flinches first.
But what truly hooked me is the rot underneath the romance. The Midnight Challenge is whispered like a warning. Invitations appear like threats dressed as honor. A death in Valcèrre’s recent past lingers in the background like a bruise no one is allowed to acknowledge. The school closes ranks. Things vanish. The truth is treated like an inconvenience.
🕯️ What worked best:
• Dark academia atmosphere with real teeth
• Elite sports intensity and obsession
• Enemies to lovers tension that stays dangerous
• Mystery and secrets woven into the stakes
🩶 Overall:
Seductive, bleak, and soaked in ambition, Written on Ice is about desire as risk, legacy as a weapon, and the kind of institution that survives by erasing what it breaks. If you like dark academia vibes, elite sports, slow-burn heat, and secrets that refuse to stay buried, this is one to watch.
Would I reread it? Yes.
Would I recommend it? Absolutely.
🩸 Some places build champions. Others build cover-ups.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is a Dark Academia dual POV story. Following a hockey player and a Figure Skater at a prestigious college in France on a remote island. This book features many mixed-race and biracial representations that I appreciate. Seeing and hearing these voices in this scholarly setting was refreshing. Our main characters have had a brief past encounter; only one remembers it, and we slowly learn more about it as the story progresses. They try to figure out the mystery behind who brought them together and the Shadow Rink. Our main girl, Luna, is not from the same background as many of her classmates at her new school. She has worked her whole life to get to this figure skating program and has something to prove. Our main male character is Zayden, a legacy hockey star on campus who is deeply misunderstood. We follow these two individually as they deal with their personal struggles, trying to prove their worth in their respective fields and in the social settings of the school and fractured familial ties. The two come together when a mysterious texter leads them not only to each other but also to the mysteriously abandoned Shadow Rink on campus. No one on campus will talk about it, and Luna is driven to uncover the story behind it, eventually getting Zayden on board to help her figure out who is toying with them through the anonymous messages.
This book leaves off on a cliffhanger that sets us up nicely for the next book—giving us a mix of new revelations, keeping the mystery alive, and adding new twists. I am excited to see how this series continues. I am also curious to see if there are any other potential romantic pairings or if the focus will stay on our main characters.
This book leaves off on a cliffhanger that sets us up nicely for the next book—giving us a mix of new revelations, keeping the mystery alive, and adding new twists. I am excited to see how this series continues. I am also curious to see if there are any other potential romantic pairings or if the focus will stay on our main characters.
Review of advance copy received from Author
wow. first and foremost, i wanted to thank smardline for granting me early access to this book and trusting me to review this book as i see fit.
written on ice tells the story of two afro-characters who are trying to make a name for themselves in their field of choice while studying at an elite sport university. They start uncovering details about a murder that occurred on campus grounds following a secret society, that everyone seems to have forgotten about or refuse to mention, while mutually falling in love.
now on to my review:
zayden & luna, you have absolutely surprised me in the most amazing way. zayden is truly perfection on paper, a broody hockey captain who is only a sweetheart for her?! god!! I have never read a black male character who has lived up to what zayden has.
zayden, a black hockey player (BE HONEST WHEN HAVE YOU SEEN THIS?!) who is trying to make his mark in a predominately white industry and luna, such a strong female character. an afro-latina figure skater trying to find her place in a predominately white industry.
they find comfort in each other while struggling with their own problems at home, on the ice, and at the university. this was genuinely a 4 ⭐️ read. now, is the writing PERFECT? no, but the story made up for it in every way, and these characters have been written to such detail! the only wish i have for this book was just a bit more detail in the world-building, but besides that, truly a great read!
my favorite quotes:
“she probably doesn’t know yet, but she could ask me for the stars and i’d find a way to bring them to her one by one” SWOOOOOON, gosh i don’t even know what i would do to hear these words. zayden, the man that you are!!
written on ice tells the story of two afro-characters who are trying to make a name for themselves in their field of choice while studying at an elite sport university. They start uncovering details about a murder that occurred on campus grounds following a secret society, that everyone seems to have forgotten about or refuse to mention, while mutually falling in love.
now on to my review:
zayden & luna, you have absolutely surprised me in the most amazing way. zayden is truly perfection on paper, a broody hockey captain who is only a sweetheart for her?! god!! I have never read a black male character who has lived up to what zayden has.
zayden, a black hockey player (BE HONEST WHEN HAVE YOU SEEN THIS?!) who is trying to make his mark in a predominately white industry and luna, such a strong female character. an afro-latina figure skater trying to find her place in a predominately white industry.
they find comfort in each other while struggling with their own problems at home, on the ice, and at the university. this was genuinely a 4 ⭐️ read. now, is the writing PERFECT? no, but the story made up for it in every way, and these characters have been written to such detail! the only wish i have for this book was just a bit more detail in the world-building, but besides that, truly a great read!
my favorite quotes:
“she probably doesn’t know yet, but she could ask me for the stars and i’d find a way to bring them to her one by one” SWOOOOOON, gosh i don’t even know what i would do to hear these words. zayden, the man that you are!!
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