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sarahsbooklife's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Infidelity
Minor: Cursing and Alcohol
kestra84's review
emotional
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders
beckyremillard's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, and Mental illness
Moderate: Abandonment
abb_ey_normal's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness
gabs_parr's review
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Icebound was laugh-out-loud funny, medium-to-fast paced and fun while also capturing all of the feels in a feet kicking slow burn romance. Nina and Rhode shared a great story with SUCH a relatable and honest relationship roadblock that has everything and nothing to do with their age gap. Couples of all age differences have had these same difficult conversations and had to make the same decisions about their futures, either together or separately. I really admired he way it was handled with maturity and compassion, without flippancy or dramatics. Nina’s confidence by the way… love that for her. I think I said both “Get it, girl” and “Good for her” out loud at separate points 😂
Not to mention the true heart of the story: The Puck Buddies. The true reason I love hockey romcoms is for the green flag energy that is the brotherly, affectionate, protective, and fun love that is shared between the hockey team in any given series. These male friendships are the foundation on which hockey romcoms are built in my opinion. And Icebound is a masterclass in how to do teammates/ side characters well. Each man was so well defined from the others, with clear personalities, motivations, and contributions to the group and storyline. There were also small hints dropped for each character to prompt us to care about each boy’s book when their time comes. I DON’T EVEN WANT TO TALK ABOUT CHAPTER 32, MEREDITH. YOU KNOW WHAT YOU DID, YOUNG LADY 😩😭
I also want to quickly give an honorable mention to my LOVE for the familial relationships in this book. Both Nina’s and Rhode’s. They were complicated, messy, awkward, and difficult. But they were tender, and delicate, too. Beautifully crafted.
I highlighted THIRTY-FOUR quotes in this book!
Here’s a favorite talking about the nature and importance of siblinghood: “What I mean is that you were there the day I was born, and when our parents are gone, you’ll still be here. Our parents don’t get the end, and our partners won’t get the beginning, but you get it all. You’re my infinity.” 🥹 Made me want to cry and call my baby sister at 10:30 at night lol
And a favorite about romantic love: “The idea of fate bringing two strangers together is a pretty one, but love is stronger when it’s a choice.” UGH 🔪 meet ❤️, I mean COME ON! 🥹
Meredith Trapp’s Icebound is going to be a hit for fans of Meghan Quinn, Emily Henry, Julie Soto, and Stephanie Archer. Can’t wait for Patty Daddy’s story in book 2 😉🥰
Not to mention the true heart of the story: The Puck Buddies. The true reason I love hockey romcoms is for the green flag energy that is the brotherly, affectionate, protective, and fun love that is shared between the hockey team in any given series. These male friendships are the foundation on which hockey romcoms are built in my opinion. And Icebound is a masterclass in how to do teammates/ side characters well. Each man was so well defined from the others, with clear personalities, motivations, and contributions to the group and storyline. There were also small hints dropped for each character to prompt us to care about each boy’s book when their time comes. I DON’T EVEN WANT TO TALK ABOUT CHAPTER 32, MEREDITH. YOU KNOW WHAT YOU DID, YOUNG LADY 😩😭
I also want to quickly give an honorable mention to my LOVE for the familial relationships in this book. Both Nina’s and Rhode’s. They were complicated, messy, awkward, and difficult. But they were tender, and delicate, too. Beautifully crafted.
I highlighted THIRTY-FOUR quotes in this book!
Here’s a favorite talking about the nature and importance of siblinghood: “What I mean is that you were there the day I was born, and when our parents are gone, you’ll still be here. Our parents don’t get the end, and our partners won’t get the beginning, but you get it all. You’re my infinity.” 🥹 Made me want to cry and call my baby sister at 10:30 at night lol
And a favorite about romantic love: “The idea of fate bringing two strangers together is a pretty one, but love is stronger when it’s a choice.” UGH 🔪 meet ❤️, I mean COME ON! 🥹
Meredith Trapp’s Icebound is going to be a hit for fans of Meghan Quinn, Emily Henry, Julie Soto, and Stephanie Archer. Can’t wait for Patty Daddy’s story in book 2 😉🥰
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Mental illness, Infidelity, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Death of parent, Infertility, Alcohol, and Child death
ambercunningham's review
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
This book has one of the best, most realistic anxiety reps in a character I’ve read. Nina’s struggles made me feel so seen. Their banter, support, and communication skills were beautiful and made the push and pull of their journey so REAL and ANGSTY ugh this was such a beautifully done age gap romance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma, Medical content, Mental illness, Car accident, Injury/Injury detail, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
Moderate: Child death and Infertility
Minor: Abandonment and Alcohol
bookishafternoon's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️/5
Icebound is an age gap SPICY hockey romance about 33-year-old sexiest bachelor and NHL superstar Rhode Tremblay and 22-year-old Nina Alstyne who’s an art student in his little sisters class and getting ready to leave for an internship abroad.
Rhode is looking for someone to settle down with. Someone his age who’s ready to start a family and follow him while he continues his hockey career.
Nina is a free-spirited college student who prioritizes her studies and is no where near ready to settle down and have a family and the idea of being in the spotlight gives her anxiety. There’s a big mental health representation in her character, she suffers from anxiety and panic attacks in this book. I like that a lot, to others it may be triggering.
I should have been able to read this book in 3-4 days but college courses are in full swing and I was sooooo busy. It was the worst! I thought the speed throughout the book was very medium-paced and well done.
Something about this book just didn’t do it for me. I really love cute romance books but I think how the spice was portrayed in this book takes that away from me. I feel like their entire relationship is founded on sex and there’s not a lot of depth to create an actual romance. It just felt a little superficial to me. However, I can tell the author wanted to create a spice-forward book and she did just that.
I also had a hard time connecting with the characters, I think it’s because their thoughts 75% of the book are the equivalency of a horny teenage boys diary. 🤷🏼♀️
Icebound is an age gap SPICY hockey romance about 33-year-old sexiest bachelor and NHL superstar Rhode Tremblay and 22-year-old Nina Alstyne who’s an art student in his little sisters class and getting ready to leave for an internship abroad.
Rhode is looking for someone to settle down with. Someone his age who’s ready to start a family and follow him while he continues his hockey career.
Nina is a free-spirited college student who prioritizes her studies and is no where near ready to settle down and have a family and the idea of being in the spotlight gives her anxiety. There’s a big mental health representation in her character, she suffers from anxiety and panic attacks in this book. I like that a lot, to others it may be triggering.
I should have been able to read this book in 3-4 days but college courses are in full swing and I was sooooo busy. It was the worst! I thought the speed throughout the book was very medium-paced and well done.
Something about this book just didn’t do it for me. I really love cute romance books but I think how the spice was portrayed in this book takes that away from me. I feel like their entire relationship is founded on sex and there’s not a lot of depth to create an actual romance. It just felt a little superficial to me. However, I can tell the author wanted to create a spice-forward book and she did just that.
I also had a hard time connecting with the characters, I think it’s because their thoughts 75% of the book are the equivalency of a horny teenage boys diary. 🤷🏼♀️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
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