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britwalsh16's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
5.0
I may be biased when it comes to hockey romances now, but I absolutely loved this book!! Stassie & Nate are just the cutest! And they are a real power couple! I also loved all the side characters (besides Aaron obvs š) Lola, Robbie, Henry, JJ, just all of them! The support they show one another is incredible! I canāt wait for Russ & Henryās stories, & I hope thereās more after that!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Minor: Cancer, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, and Terminal illness
siobhankeira's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
4.25
I was hesitant to read Icebreaker because of the hype around it.
So I went into this book with low expectations and kind of expecting it to be not as good as people on social media have said.
Now, the first thing Iāll say is, no I canāt answer if it lives up to the hype. I think overhyped anything holds it to higher than normal standards, which isnāt honest to me.
That being said, I was surprised by this book. It was deeper than I thought it would be, and made me smile at some of the things characters said and did. Other times my chest ached for them, because the vulnerability the characters were able to show in different ways really impressed me.
To be honest, the way I can tell if I really like a book is if I put off reading it, because I donāt want it to endā¦and I did that with Icebreaker.
Things werenāt easy and perfect, there was growth needed between all characters, some did grow and some did not.
However, one of my greatest appreciations in reading peopleās stories is when the characters feel real enough. To where I can relate, understand how they came to that conclusion or mindset. They have āgoodā traits as well as ābadā traits.
They are complex, not simply just bad or just good. Those are the characters in stories I crave the most and I definitely saw two sides to each character, they had depth to me.
End of spoiler free review tldr; I was surprised by how much I liked this book, the characters, and the complex issues the characters dealt with, the different kinds of relationships, etc. The characters are unique in their own ways, for worse or for better, but they are believable, and honestly the humour got me too. Maybe roll your eyes with a smile on your face, but I loved it.
I would recommend this to readers who like enemies to lovers, sports romances, each main character (and side characters) that have their good and bad moments, and
If you are able to quiet the high expectations placed on any popular source of media, I think most will like this book, and I, for one am excited to read the next in the series. :)
SPOILERS AHEAD:
One thing that made me really like this book is the FMC of this story, Anastasia/Stessie. I saw myself in her in a lot of ways, and I also try to see the best in people, even if it hurts. I give others the benefit of the doubt, my understanding, even after being burned over and over again. Having Stessie open up was like looking in a mirror for me a bit. Having to be strong and assertive all the time, placing high expectations of yourself, puts a person in high stress without all the additional things.
Her character showed how much a toxic person can poison your life overtime, even if you also have had good memories of them too. I admired her for seeing that there was more to Aaron than just the cruelty, but like her therapist pointed out, she needs to be able to be safe mentally too.
Seeing her open up and allowing others to care for her, love her, and appreciate her for just existing, was beautiful to see and I think most of us crave that, need that.
Nate by no means was a perfect book boyfriend, he had his faults and Iām sure things we all got irritated by, but it honestly made me like him more. I donāt like perfect characters, because I donāt connect to them.
I loved how much the hockey team embraced and loved Stassie, I always love that kind of big brother dynamic. It warms my heart.
As for the things I want too much a fan of, one Iāll start off with which is minor and completely up to preference - and itās taking the epilogues, 2-3yrs later, and it focuses more on pregnancy or children than what the characters had been working towards the entire book.
Iām not saying at all that that having a family is lackluster, I just wish if it was included into the epilogue, it wasnāt overshadowing the facts that like Anastasia was an Olympic medalist? It was like mentioned once and seemed odd considering the entire book was about her figure skating.
It would be more believable to me if it was 5-7yrs later. But again, just my personal preferences.
The other thing that did bother me in the book was that despite Stessie having her best friend Lola, whom sheās lived with before all of the story happens, it doesnāt feel like she is much of the story even as she is present in the scenes.
I feel like JJ, Henry and even Russ had more conversations than Lola. Maybe Iām misremembering a part in the book, Iām not sure. I just feel like she was more in the background than most, and I mean, they didnāt really even discuss Nate? No little gossip sesh or anything really, which was disappointing imo.
I wouldāve liked to see more of the girls friendship throughout the book, and not just brief appearances when they literally were living in the same apartment, then home. They had conversations, but most of them happened offscreen.
Plus, what the hell happened to Ryan? He was present for a good quarter of the first half of the book at the very least - encourages Stessie & Nate to be together in whatever capacity, we donāt hear from him until he shows up near the last bit of the book? And now heās being handsy with Stessie? No conclusion to him and Olivia? Not saying that couldnāt happen, but it felt very unfinished to me and itās like he just poofed from existence for a good chunk of the book.
I know this is the authors first book, (I think) and by no means am I wishing to be harsh. These things are only disappointments because I am interested in these characters and wish we got to learn about them more.
I havenāt read the next two books, so hopefully we will get some answers or hints there.
Overall, I really enjoyed the book, and definitely need a Nate in my life for my inner Anastasia <3
Now, the first thing Iāll say is, no I canāt answer if it lives up to the hype. I think overhyped anything holds it to higher than normal standards, which isnāt honest to me.
That being said, I was surprised by this book. It was deeper than I thought it would be, and made me smile at some of the things characters said and did. Other times my chest ached for them, because the vulnerability the characters were able to show in different ways really impressed me.
To be honest, the way I can tell if I really like a book is if I put off reading it, because I donāt want it to endā¦and I did that with Icebreaker.
Things werenāt easy and perfect, there was growth needed between all characters, some did grow and some did not.
However, one of my greatest appreciations in reading peopleās stories is when the characters feel real enough. To where I can relate, understand how they came to that conclusion or mindset. They have āgoodā traits as well as ābadā traits.
They are complex, not simply just bad or just good. Those are the characters in stories I crave the most and I definitely saw two sides to each character, they had depth to me.
End of spoiler free review tldr; I was surprised by how much I liked this book, the characters, and the complex issues the characters dealt with, the different kinds of relationships, etc. The characters are unique in their own ways, for worse or for better, but they are believable, and honestly the humour got me too. Maybe roll your eyes with a smile on your face, but I loved it.
I would recommend this to readers who like enemies to lovers, sports romances, each main character (and side characters) that have their good and bad moments, and
If you are able to quiet the high expectations placed on any popular source of media, I think most will like this book, and I, for one am excited to read the next in the series. :)
SPOILERS AHEAD:
Iām not saying at all that that having a family is lackluster, I just wish if it was included into the epilogue, it wasnāt overshadowing the facts that like Anastasia was an Olympic medalist? It was like mentioned once and seemed odd considering the entire book was about her figure skating.
It would be more believable to me if it was 5-7yrs later. But again, just my personal preferences.
I wouldāve liked to see more of the girls friendship throughout the book, and not just brief appearances when they literally were living in the same apartment, then home. They had conversations, but most of them happened offscreen.
I havenāt read the next two books, so hopefully we will get some answers or hints there.
Overall, I really enjoyed the book, and definitely need a Nate in my life for my inner Anastasia <3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Sexual content, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Body shaming, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Sexual assault, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
chainsawheartbooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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? It's complicated
3.75
Iām not one for romance novels, and although this is a fucking spicy-ass book, the romance is the sweetest thing! I squealed more times than I can count, and like itās not the best written, think YA, but that doesnāt detract from how wonderful the romance is.
Itās cheesy enough, very 00s romcom, that itās a nice change of pace from how heavy and dark some of what Iāve read this year has been, and the two main characters are so adorable together.
It feels like the warming tipsy feeling you get after a couple of glasses of wine.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Moderate: Mental illness, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Infidelity
saretta02's review
emotional
funny
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Cursing, Eating disorder, Sexual content, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Moderate: Infidelity, Pregnancy, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual harassment
miafoster44's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Eating disorder
Minor: Infidelity, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment
megthecatlady's review against another edition
funny
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
5.0
Nate is like the perfect book boyfriend. The way he supported Anastasia through everything, and their whole relationship š„ŗ I loved that there was no third act break up and no miscommunication trope. This book was everything I didn't know I needed in a romance novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Eating disorder and Mental illness
Minor: Infidelity
kloughlin's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Moderate: Eating disorder, Infidelity, and Pregnancy
Minor: Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Violence, and Death of parent
thereadingfairy's review against another edition
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? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Body shaming, Cursing, Eating disorder, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Minor: Infidelity, Medical content, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment
The cover of this book misleadingly makes it look like a cute, innocent, lighthearted romance. The characters and their relationships, however, are certainly not āinnocentā. Most of the book is more about lust than love, which I personally didnāt want to read.jreshsingh26's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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: Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Body shaming, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Body shaming, Chronic illness, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Toxic friendship
jeanettesreadingcorner's review against another edition
emotional
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
3.5
What I liked:
- Once I read past 200 or so pages, itās like the author found the plot and the story actually began. I started to enjoy the characters the romance, and everything else more. Nate and Anastasia are really cute. I enjoyed how they supported each other and their character growth, together and as individuals. The hockey team guys are funny and sweet too. I loved their found family dynamics.
- Nate punching Aaron was really satisfying.
- Iām curious to read Wildfire to see how it compares to this one and I liked the characters enough to continue reading in the Maple Hills book world.
- The ending was astronomically better than the beginning of the book. Overall, I eventually liked Icebreaker and I could see why itās popular. There are some aspects that bothered me about it thoughā¦
What I disliked:
- Aaron The Asshole sucks and I hate him, especially the way he treated Anastasia.
- Aaron The Asshole sucks and I hate him, especially the way he treated Anastasia.
- the beginning is a mess. Thereās no direction or storyline. The characters are just partying and having sex, talking about sex, or insinuating it. I donāt mind sex scenes and they donāt bother me. However, they donāt need to be so frequent and in every moment the main characters are together. It was just too much in one book. Thatās something that I donāt like about adult romance books.
- British phrases in a book set in the USA and the characters are American? So weird. I guess it could be the quirky thing that the author writes but it seemed so odd and out of place to me.
- The book is written in dual pov, which I usually prefer and love, but it did feel repetitive at times in this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cancer, Abandonment, and Alcohol