Reviews tagging 'Sexism'

Icebreaker by A.L. Graziadei

12 reviews

honeybeewitched87's review

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful sad tense 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol

Moderate: Cursing, Vomit, Grief, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders

Minor: Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Lesbophobia, Homophobia, and Biphobia

tragicgloom's review

emotional funny hopeful inspiring relaxing sad tense 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? It's complicated

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Alcohol, Bullying, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Classism, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Body shaming, and Violence

fanboyriot's review

hopeful 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

I absolutely devoured this book.  It was nice being able to get lost in the pages and fall in love with the characters and their world.  Rivals to lovers is always the best but adding it to a queer sports book it is downright perfect.  It was seriously amazing.  The friendships were so wholesome.  The friendship between Dorian and Barbie was so comforting to read.  The way Mickey was an absolute simp and idiot when it came to Cauler.  It was both funny and aggravating at times when he would think one thing and say the other.  Delilah and Jade were so wholesome and cute and I loved them both separately and as a couple.  Not to mention any of Mickey's sisters, they were all so kind and I loved them all dearly.

The mental health rep was SO good.  Some parts were really relatable and it was really comforting in a way to read about it.  I really liked the paragraph in the epilogue: "Honestly, don't be ashamed.  A lot more people deal with it than you think, and the best way to cope is to acknowledge it and ask for help.  Don't suffer alone." (page 307)  it was so nice to see how far Mickey had come with his mental health.  Such a good read that now I have no idea what I'm going to do.  I need more.  10/10 will read again.


Queer Hockey
Mild Hurt/Comfort
Wholesome Friendships
Amazing Mental Health Rep
Mickey's Sisters (so damn wholesome)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Cursing, and Alcohol

Moderate: Alcoholism and Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Homophobia, Sexual content, Vomit, Misogyny, Racism, and Sexism

libscote's review

dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad 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

4.25

Normally I'm turned off by YA books that take place during the first year of college, but this one won me over! It helps that it reminds me of Check Please!, a graphic novel I loved. 

Mickey James III is in his freshman year of college. He's got focus--follow in his dad and grandfather's footsteps and get drafted as the number one pick in the NHL. He didn't plan on his main competition, Jaysen Caulfield, to also be at Hartland University and on the same hockey team. And also so cute. This enemies to lovers story is so much fun.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexism, Homophobia, and Mental illness

matheo's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring

• 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Mental illness, Alcoholism, and Alcohol

Moderate: Blood, Homophobia, Medical content, Sexism, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Lesbophobia, Biphobia, Medical trauma, Misogyny, Outing, Racism, Sexual content, Vomit, and Suicidal thoughts

jenarae's review

emotional lighthearted relaxing 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

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Outing, Sexual content, Alcohol, Mental illness, and Vomit

Minor: Homophobia, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Racism, and Misogyny

grimm_bear's review

challenging dark emotional funny informative inspiring sad tense 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

!!!!!THIS MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS DEPENDING ON HOW YOU DESCRIBE THEM READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!!!!

this book covered two things im struggling with right now (falling back in love with my sport and feeling alone) it was so relieving to see someone in similar conditions as me get better and find a way out

the only harp i have on this book is the ending, we didnt get to see mickey and jaysen be together in their relationship, i think an epilogue would have been nice, but over all the ending was rushed

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism and Mental illness

Moderate: Biphobia, Mental illness, Sexism, and Alcohol

Minor: Classism, Gaslighting, Sexism, Alcohol, Biphobia, Cursing, Racism, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Mental illness, and Outing

albon's review against another edition

emotional funny 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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness

Minor: Sexism

crackedspines_'s review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Alcohol, and Alcoholism

Moderate: Abandonment, Sexism, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, and Sexual content

sexual content - nothing explicit like erotica but not *fully* closed door either mental illness - detailed depictions of depression alcohol/ism - includes underage drinking injury/injury detail - sports injuries

danielghurst's review against another edition

5.0

I really enjoyed this rivals-to-lovers romance! Thanks Netgalley and Recorded Books for the advance audiobook!

Mickey and Jaysen are the top two hockey players on the NHL draft list. Mickey, the son of a legendary hockey pro, is destined for the NHL, but all that pressure combined with his abandonment issues, his depression, and his closeted bisexual status have him wondering if professional hockey is what he really wants. Jaysen, on the other hand, doesn't have any of the inherited notoriety and has worked hard as a Black, queer player in a predominantly white, heterosexual sport to get where he is. But whatever rivalry and resentment exists between them, it doesn't stop them from catching feelings for each other when they end up playing for the same college team.

The story is well-written, and both the hockey world and the experience of depression are described so well, the author is clearly experienced and/or well-researched. They've found a perfect balance between depicting these experiences with clarity and detail without isolating a reader, such as myself, who isn't familiar. Mickey's relationships with his parents, sisters, friends, and fellow players all feel realistic and nicely developed. The central romance is also sweet, adorable, and full of angst that feels earned and authentic.

I also really appreciate the range of sexualities and relationships depicted on the page. We see various queer identities and relationships, including a polyamorous romantic relationship and a friendship between two straight guys who aren't afraid to show their affection. Toxic masculinity begone!

ICEBREAKER is a quality read for anyone, and I think hockey folks and those who live with depression will especially love it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Abandonment, Biphobia, Alcohol, Blood, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Sexual content, and Suicidal thoughts