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4.06 AVERAGE
4.06 AVERAGE
emotional
reflective
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
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Alcohol
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Homophobia, Racism, Sexual content
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
emotional
lighthearted
Admittedly, I'm not usually one for contemporary romance, so I feel my disappointment in this book was my own fault. I tried very hard to like this book and while I adored the characters, I finished with a feeling of overall disappointment. Namely, this book should have had about a hundred more pages. Certain plot points felt underdeveloped and rushed. There were certain character traits brought up that were interesting bits to add humanity and diversity to side characters but were mentioned once and never again.
The representation and strength of the female characters was a highlight. The feminism felt important and needed for a sports romance fic, but there were other topics that I felt less satisfied with their depiction. I'd like the give the benefit of the doubt and admit, I am a thirty year old man and not the target audience for a young adult romance where readers might not be as educated or experienced but it very much gave "baby's first exploration into mental health and medication" which left much to be desired.
Spoilers for the ending henceforth:
The entire ending felt rushed. The fraught relationship with Mickey's parents resolved too quickly, the settling of the boys' relationship unexplored, the ending cut mid-scene. I felt like screaming after finishing the book.
There was so much to love about this book. I felt so attached to every character and intimately invested in Mickey and Cauler's relationship. I just needed the book to be a little longer
The representation and strength of the female characters was a highlight. The feminism felt important and needed for a sports romance fic, but there were other topics that I felt less satisfied with their depiction. I'd like the give the benefit of the doubt and admit, I am a thirty year old man and not the target audience for a young adult romance where readers might not be as educated or experienced but it very much gave "baby's first exploration into mental health and medication" which left much to be desired.
Spoilers for the ending henceforth:
Spoiler
What upset me most was the ending. Intellectually I can understand why the open ending was important thematically for the story. But on a personal level, it's so frustrating. After spending the whole book leading to this moment, just for it to be cut short, to be robbed of the outcome and the emotions, I'm still thinking about it with sore feelings.The entire ending felt rushed. The fraught relationship with Mickey's parents resolved too quickly, the settling of the boys' relationship unexplored, the ending cut mid-scene. I felt like screaming after finishing the book.
There was so much to love about this book. I felt so attached to every character and intimately invested in Mickey and Cauler's relationship. I just needed the book to be a little longer
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
This book is just so well done. This was a reread, and I really loved the narrator on this, he really brought a heartbreaking vulnerability to Mickey that I really loved. I think this book treats college guys like college guys ("not-quite-adults") in a really wonderful way that highlights the messiness of figuring out what you are doing with your life, even when your life seems mapped out before you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Alcohol
5/5
Looks like I have a thing for romance novels about closeted queer ice hockey players. 15yo me would be astonished. I wish he could've read them. This one tackles mental health sensitively and honestly.
Looks like I have a thing for romance novels about closeted queer ice hockey players. 15yo me would be astonished. I wish he could've read them. This one tackles mental health sensitively and honestly.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
Loved it
I hate sport and usually not interested in reading about it, but after reading and adoring All for the game, I am a bit more open-minded about sport stories.
So I am glad that Icebreaker more about finding yourself and struggling with depression and absolutely heartwarming rivals-to-lovers romance with sport playing as props and background. But I need to say that I would have loved to see more bonding time with support cast.
Need to read that fanfic with elf-assassin and human prince though.
I hate sport and usually not interested in reading about it, but after reading and adoring All for the game, I am a bit more open-minded about sport stories.
So I am glad that Icebreaker more about finding yourself and struggling with depression and absolutely heartwarming rivals-to-lovers romance with sport playing as props and background. But I need to say that I would have loved to see more bonding time with support cast.
Need to read that fanfic with elf-assassin and human prince though.