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rubester's review against another edition
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? N/A
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Mental illness, Eating disorder, Alcohol, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Death of parent and Body shaming
maddysoup's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
if this would have had an editor it would have benefited so greatly.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Sexual content, Mental illness, Eating disorder, Abandonment, Toxic friendship, and Death of parent
nikimorr's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
slow-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
2.5
A cute read that keeps it pretty light, only touching on some more serious topics. A good story for those that like sweet romances (with a touch of spice) and happy endings.
I enjoyed the first part of the book the most - it is very nostalgic of college for those that are a bit older. I also enjoyed the anticipation of the “frenemies” to lovers build up (although this did happen very fast for this type trope). I was definitely cheering for their love story by the end.
My lower rating is primarily because this book is not particularly deep, especially in the area of character exploration. Although all of the characters have issues, they are mostly not thoroughly explored, perhaps with the idea of bringing these characters back in a series. Either way, I definitely was looking for more . SPOILERS - For example, Aaron is arguably the most complex character, but we learn almost nothing about him beyond some quick references to his family. Henry and Russ were also interesting with little background or information - Russ being unable to speak about himself and diminishing his worth; Henry being a bit all over the place - blunt, a worrier, a bit moody. We go through Anastasia’s character most in depth - her difficult relationship to food was both interesting and insightful. Anastasia’s promotion of therapy is also a wonderful addition and may have an Impact on the mostly young adult readers thinking of going to therapy.
In essence, if you want a quick, easy, and sweet read, this is a good option. Be prepared for spice to be a focus of the story, leaving little depth in many areas.
I enjoyed the first part of the book the most - it is very nostalgic of college for those that are a bit older. I also enjoyed the anticipation of the “frenemies” to lovers build up (although this did happen very fast for this type trope). I was definitely cheering for their love story by the end.
My lower rating is primarily because this book is not particularly deep, especially in the area of character exploration. Although all of the characters have issues, they are mostly not thoroughly explored, perhaps with the idea of bringing these characters back in a series. Either way, I definitely was looking for more . SPOILERS - For example, Aaron is arguably the most complex character, but we learn almost nothing about him beyond some quick references to his family. Henry and Russ were also interesting with little background or information - Russ being unable to speak about himself and diminishing his worth; Henry being a bit all over the place - blunt, a worrier, a bit moody. We go through Anastasia’s character most in depth - her difficult relationship to food was both interesting and insightful. Anastasia’s promotion of therapy is also a wonderful addition and may have an Impact on the mostly young adult readers thinking of going to therapy.
In essence, if you want a quick, easy, and sweet read, this is a good option. Be prepared for spice to be a focus of the story, leaving little depth in many areas.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Sexual content, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Death of parent
maybeimali's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
3.25
Light hearted and some great "scenes". Mostly a good couple but I had some issues. Likeable characters. Did not like the end, I wish the second last chapter is where the book had ended. Nice start to the year.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Gaslighting, and Eating disorder
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Sexual assault
brookpaige's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Eating disorder, Mental illness, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Death of parent
abidavisf's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I was prepared to fall head over heels in love with Icebreaker and it did capture my attention, but I found myself feeling like, for such a long book, a lot of scenes were rushed.
I’d heard a lot about Icebreaker: that it’s spicy (I would say it’s spice adjacent), that’s its emotional (I would say it could have been had the more serious scenes been broken down more), and that it’s addictive (I have been thinking about it a lot but more in a ‘why did it play out like that?’ kind of way).
Icebreaker is an easy read if that is what you are looking for. It touches on some really important and hard topics and handles them well. It also has a diverse cast of characters which is refreshing. I would say, however, that it lacks depth and you may find yourself wanting to know more than you are being given.
I’m definitely interested to read Wildfire so stay tuned for my thoughts on that. I’ve heard it’s a lot more thorough.
I’d heard a lot about Icebreaker: that it’s spicy (I would say it’s spice adjacent), that’s its emotional (I would say it could have been had the more serious scenes been broken down more), and that it’s addictive (I have been thinking about it a lot but more in a ‘why did it play out like that?’ kind of way).
Icebreaker is an easy read if that is what you are looking for. It touches on some really important and hard topics and handles them well. It also has a diverse cast of characters which is refreshing. I would say, however, that it lacks depth and you may find yourself wanting to know more than you are being given.
I’m definitely interested to read Wildfire so stay tuned for my thoughts on that. I’ve heard it’s a lot more thorough.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Toxic friendship, Eating disorder, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Infidelity, Pregnancy, Sexual content, Violence, Abandonment, Body shaming, Cursing, Death of parent, Vomit, Fatphobia, Gaslighting, and Sexism
amegis17's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic friendship and Eating disorder
Minor: Death of parent
hart_ley's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
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
“We’re still individuals, but we’re individuals together, and I never knew relationships could be like this.”
“I love a woman who enjoys reading.”
God, what a good time !! This was my first dive back into romance after a long genre-slump last February, & this really scratched an itch. I’ve never been one for forced proximity, but this concept, with the teams being forced to share a space & not the individuals MCs, was drastically relatable. Nate Hawkins - written by a woman, for the girlies out there, I salute you. Anastasia Allen - sweet girl, I get it. I too am an overly anxious perfectionist who has high goals & is working on communicating better.
It’s so nice to read a romance with such SMART characters. & especially with the MMC & FMC duel-POVs, we got to see so much more in-depth into their though processes of why they felt a certain way & how they chose to react. Even when that reaction was idiotic, foot-in-the-mouth, we got to see reasoning & regret & characters holding strong to their opinions. Also with smart characters come smart VILLAINS. & manipulation! & things that elevate a romance to something juicy you just get to take a massive bite out of!
My biggest gripe came from the fact that it was a little too long. There were moments where I found myself thinking everything either could have been split into 2 books, or that there were chunks that could’ve been removed entirely & the plot wouldn’t have changed at all. BUT even with all the twists it may or may not have needed, it had me blushing & kicking my feet & gasping & putting the book down to recover until the very end!
Long story short, TL:DR, this was such a fun read & I cannot wait to read Wildfire & Daydream & whatever other Maple Hills fun gets put into the world !
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Eating disorder, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Death of parent
tadhgdoran08's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Death of parent, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Sexual harassment, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Abandonment
misshelenjune's review against another edition
emotional
funny
fast-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Emotional abuse, and Eating disorder
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Pregnancy