Reviews with content warning for Toxic relationship - Icebreaker

Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

Icebreaker by Hannah Grace

59 reviews

pippwynn's review against another edition

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hopeful 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? No

3.5

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sillyduckie's review against another edition

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I tried.

The main character has an eating disorder that is fueled by her skating partner constantly telling her she’s too heavy for lifts and needs to eat less. And the two guys she’s hooking up with are constantly feeding or trying to feed her. It was exhausting. The sex scenes (“spice”) were laughable. They just didn’t make sense to me and yet there are so many. They feel so medical and clinical? Also completely unrealistic. I was very puzzled by her having mind blowing orgasms and then being able to walk immediately after. Also the fact that after the first time the main characters have sex they get up and shower. He goes to his housemate’s room to get “girl stuff” which includes shampoo and conditioner??? And he insists on washing her hair but he doesn’t know what conditioner is?

There is so much needless drama. If this was set in high school and everyone was about sixteen then the drama and emotional stakes would make sense. But for twenty something year olds?? Nah.

I usually listen to audiobooks on 1x. With this I kept upping the speed to make it go faster. I got to 2x (at which this book still felt slow and natural??) and then finally gave up.

This is the first booktok rec I’ve given a chance and never again tbh.

Also holy exposition and repetition back man! We learn so much about every single background character for reasons I can’t fathom. And every time the main characters are in the same scene and the POV switches we get to read the scene through both. Honestly if one POV was taken out, the book would’ve been much shorter and the quality would’ve stayed the same.

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mareliza's review against another edition

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emotional funny medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I thought it was an okay to good book and see why people really like it.

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emmasmidnightlibrary's review against another edition

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slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? N/A
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

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my3bb8's review against another edition

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dark emotional inspiring medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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srulon's review against another edition

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medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

1.5

I wanted to like this book and there were moments I did enjoy it, but it felt like it rushed through some of the most pivotal moments. I could’ve also lived without some of the spicier scenes. I enjoyed the smaller romantic moments in it. Forehead kisses and bonding over interests, would’ve like more of that and less of the thirsting. I also very much wish I hadn’t read the epilogue at all. Full cliché. A lot of the characters and story beats were really compelling but they just weren’t fleshed out enough.

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babylinda's review against another edition

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funny inspiring lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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camillasini's review against another edition

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emotional funny slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

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cjetty's review against another edition

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medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

I love quick spicy book, and this was a quick spicy book. I think this one was over recommended and my expectations were too high.

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amyteurhour's review against another edition

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4.0

Content warning: disordered eating, parent neglecting child(ren) and high-control parent-child relationship, manipulative friendship/partnership, sexual assault

I had some trouble connecting with the main characters initially, and wasn't too motivated to pick it up again after pausing. Things definitely do pick up once Stasi and Nate get together, and I thought their relationship was sweet. I did get annoyed with how blasé the figure skating coach was towards Aaron's initial meanness towards Stasi

which then turned into assault, which I felt she was not the appropriate amount of horrified and while I get that it's supposed to show the perspective of a very ambitious team of skaters, that's still pretty fucked up that the coach witnessed it and basically said you need to suck it up buttercup and we'll deal with this later

. Overall, I did still enjoy this and it got me out of a mini-slump, and I'm looking forward to Book 3 that will come out this Summer. I thought the audiobook by Elizabeth Louise and Tim Paige was good.

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