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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
annamay1021's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-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
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Abandonment, and Sexual content
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
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
gibbse97's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Death
rainbowsandbookshelves's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Thank you LoveNotes PR and Meredith Trapp for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I absolutely loved Icebound! Icebound is an age gap romance with a 33 year old hockey player, who's ready to settle down, and a 22 year old art student, who's wanting to travel and start her life post college.
I don't often read age gap romances but I immediately fell for Rhode and Nina, loving their romance and rooting for them! He fell first and hard, which I really enjoyed, and I loved seeing their dynamic develop.
Icebound had a lot of things I love - hockey romance, he falls first, banter & inside jokes and a developed love story: I got the feel of both Nina & Rhode and understood why they fell for each other.
But, more importantly for me, it had one of my favourite underrated things from a romance book - developed side characters! I immediately loved Cruz & Patty and am so invested in them both. Their dynamic with Rhode was great and they were in my favourite scenes. I love the bromance and banter for them but alsoreally enjoyed Cruz & Nina's platonic friendship (loving even more Rhode's slight jealousy over nothing). I need to see a story for Cruz & Wyn, and more of Patty as well - there were lots of breadcrumbs left for them both so I am already anticipating their stories!
It did feel slightly slow building up to the end for me and then suddenly rushed in the last chapter, but overall I really enjoyed it. I would really recommend this to all my fellow hockey romance lovers :)
I absolutely loved Icebound! Icebound is an age gap romance with a 33 year old hockey player, who's ready to settle down, and a 22 year old art student, who's wanting to travel and start her life post college.
I don't often read age gap romances but I immediately fell for Rhode and Nina, loving their romance and rooting for them! He fell first and hard, which I really enjoyed, and I loved seeing their dynamic develop.
Icebound had a lot of things I love - hockey romance, he falls first, banter & inside jokes and a developed love story: I got the feel of both Nina & Rhode and understood why they fell for each other.
But, more importantly for me, it had one of my favourite underrated things from a romance book - developed side characters! I immediately loved Cruz & Patty and am so invested in them both. Their dynamic with Rhode was great and they were in my favourite scenes. I love the bromance and banter for them but also
It did feel slightly slow building up to the end for me and then suddenly rushed in the last chapter, but overall I really enjoyed it. I would really recommend this to all my fellow hockey romance lovers :)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
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