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4.06 AVERAGE
4.06 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
read it on vacay when i didn't have fanfiction, it felt very comforting and the humor was the same as mine
pacing was weird
pacing was weird
Mental health rep in this was written so well would give it four stars but the ending felt unfinished but it was still great
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
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
emotional
hopeful
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
hopeful
inspiring
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
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
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
Rating: 4.5/5 ⭐️
For a debut novel, this is incredible. I was surprised when I looked up the author to see their other works after loving this one and found out this is the first.
The story follows Mickey during his freshman year in college. He’s the third generation of hockey players in this college’s team (after his father and grandfather), so the expectations of being a legacy player are a big part of the story. Getting used to his new team, dealing with classes he doesn't want, and the fact a former rival also got into this college and is now a teammate.
Mental health is an important –and probably my favorite– part of the book, and I really loved the way the author handled it. Mickey’s depression was so clearly present and I think a lot of people who are depressed themselves can relate to his feelings. Coming from a privileged family (olympic athletes, famous NHL players), growing up with money, he feels like he’s not allowed to be depressed as he has everything a lot of people would want. His anxiety and struggles, dealing with living up to the expectations everyone –his parents, teammates, the media– has of him. Feeling like he's taking the attention his sisters deserve, he’s the youngest of five and the only boy. His sisters are all accomplished athletes, one is even a hockey player in the female team, but his parents focus –and pressure– is on him, since he’s the boy and the legacy player. And on top of all that, you add figuring out his sexuality, and coming out.
Mickey and Jaysen’s romance progressed slowly. It felt like a typical enemies to lovers and at the same time original in a way. Their chemistry and how they understood and helped each other was everything.
The side characters were also a great part. The whole hockey team, from the senior captains to the other freshmen, Mickey’s friend Nova the supermodel, and his sisters. Mickey came from a team were everything was all business, and didn’t hang out with them, and now he’s part of a team where the captains demand team bonding activities, they care and support each other, and try to show him that is ok to open up and trust them was so refreshing; sometimes the found family/friendships can feel force, but here it was so well developed.
Of course, there’s a lot of focus on hockey. A lot of the scenes actually take place during games or practices. And even though I know nothing about hockey, everything was explained in a way that was easy to understand.
The ending seemed a bit rushed and the epilogue, to be honest, unsatisfying. I would’ve liked a little more resolution, but I actually liked what I got, it seemed to fit with the rest of the story.
The author has a second book also set in this university (In Repair). And though the focus is on a new main character and it works as a standalone, a lot of the characters we met in this book show up in the second. I wouldn’t mind if this becomes the type of series where each book focuses on someone new or a side character of a previous book, and the rest of the characters show up in the background.
Hartland University Reviews:
#1 Icebreaker → 4.5⭐️
#2 In Repair → 5⭐️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcohol
Moderate: Biphobia, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Drug use, Vomit, Outing
emotional
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated