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uranaishi's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Addiction, Alcohol, Abandonment, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Medical content, Excrement, Vomit, Drug use, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Car accident, and Drug abuse
kerrinikole's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Addiction, and Abandonment
Minor: Excrement and Alcohol
amanda_reads13's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Aurora and Russ hookup at a house party. The next day they find out they will be working together for 2 months at a summer camp.
This was a cute and sweet story. The summer camp setting was a fun angle.
The first half of the book had a lot of miscommunication and unnecessary drama. Instead of talking to each other like adults, both Aurora and Russ made assumptions about each other which made their situation super awkward.
Russ and Aurara come from different worlds, but are both dealing with similar trauma. Daddy issues. Aurara's dad is a rich asshole who completely ignores her until he needs a photo opp, where as Russ' dad is gambling addict who has put him down his whole life. Aurara's reaction was to act out, where as Russ' was to make himself small. Aurara is loud and pushes the limits, where as Russ' is a shy rule follower who lacks confidence.
I love how much these two grow and heal together. It takes a lot for Russ to open up and trust, he hates people knowing about his family situation. Aurora is so patient with him and pushes him to step out of his comfort zone. Russ is a definition golden retriever boyfriend (with a dirty mouth). He is incredibly kind, empathetic, and considerate. He is there for her as she struggles through her complicated relationship with her family and is there to support her at every turn. I adore these two together.
One thing I love about this series is the friend group. They add so much to the story. They aren't what your expect from the typical "hockey boys". Yes, they tease and razz each other, but also show up for each other in the best possible way.
Tropes: forced proximity, university, hockey player, opposites attract, found family
This was a cute and sweet story. The summer camp setting was a fun angle.
The first half of the book had a lot of miscommunication and unnecessary drama. Instead of talking to each other like adults, both Aurora and Russ made assumptions about each other which made their situation super awkward.
Russ and Aurara come from different worlds, but are both dealing with similar trauma. Daddy issues. Aurara's dad is a rich asshole who completely ignores her until he needs a photo opp, where as Russ' dad is gambling addict who has put him down his whole life. Aurara's reaction was to act out, where as Russ' was to make himself small. Aurara is loud and pushes the limits, where as Russ' is a shy rule follower who lacks confidence.
I love how much these two grow and heal together. It takes a lot for Russ to open up and trust, he hates people knowing about his family situation. Aurora is so patient with him and pushes him to step out of his comfort zone. Russ is a definition golden retriever boyfriend (with a dirty mouth). He is incredibly kind, empathetic, and considerate. He is there for her as she struggles through her complicated relationship with her family and is there to support her at every turn. I adore these two together.
One thing I love about this series is the friend group. They add so much to the story. They aren't what your expect from the typical "hockey boys". Yes, they tease and razz each other, but also show up for each other in the best possible way.
Tropes: forced proximity, university, hockey player, opposites attract, found family
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, and Gaslighting
lacanadienneinreads's review against another edition
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
3.0
This book was a welcome palate cleanser after heavier literary fiction and deep diving fantasy series. After Ice Breakers I thought I would dislike this book, as it's the same world and involves the same group of characters. But what the first book had in charm, this one keeps, while also dropping some of the original more off-putting elements. The contrived tension to add conflict to the story was refreshingly not just constant horrible communication (although there was some) that dragged (which is honestly always the worst). Occasionally the tension or dialogue felt clunky, but nothing a fluffy reader can't get past. There could be a trigger warning for family strife, messy divorces and gambling addiction, but the blasé nature of the first book's approach to disordered eating and abuse is not present here. Characters recognize bad stuff themselves rather than being babied by others. Characters also remain true to their characterization, even in the epilogue, which feels like a huge improvement. Finally, when it comes to the spice spicing, this book is for the praise girlies (bless).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Addiction
nat_in_bookland's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Alcoholism, Car accident, Medical content, Addiction, Abandonment, and Mental illness
vaguelyredhead's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Abandonment
Minor: Car accident
puddleshoes's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Abandonment, and Sexual content
Minor: Addiction
kdscolley's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I went into this book wanting something from it, but I got something entirely different. But stay with me.
Russ and Rory really worked well together. The bonding over daddy issues is for real, and those of us that have them too could relate.
There were still a lot of moments of connection to the team and friends and the interconnected pieces we want to see, but I don’t know how I feel about this being a summer camp setting nowhere near Maple Hills when I thought I was getting a series about hockey.
Once I realized it was a very different vibe, I reset my expectations and honestly had a great time with it. I love that Rory over shares and fills the silence when she’s nervous…I do that. I love that she needs validation and praise…I need that. Her actions have mirrored mine through my years around her age and watching a “find myself” story from the outside felt a little bit like healing my inner 20 year old and letting them know their experience was perfect for them.
Russ is just a semi-shy sweetheart who I loved in the first book and am happy to see him get what he deserves in life.
And that epilogue was lovely. Every book girls dream. ❤️
Russ and Rory really worked well together. The bonding over daddy issues is for real, and those of us that have them too could relate.
There were still a lot of moments of connection to the team and friends and the interconnected pieces we want to see, but I don’t know how I feel about this being a summer camp setting nowhere near Maple Hills when I thought I was getting a series about hockey.
Once I realized it was a very different vibe, I reset my expectations and honestly had a great time with it. I love that Rory over shares and fills the silence when she’s nervous…I do that. I love that she needs validation and praise…I need that. Her actions have mirrored mine through my years around her age and watching a “find myself” story from the outside felt a little bit like healing my inner 20 year old and letting them know their experience was perfect for them.
Russ is just a semi-shy sweetheart who I loved in the first book and am happy to see him get what he deserves in life.
And that epilogue was lovely. Every book girls dream. ❤️
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction and Emotional abuse
abby_can_read's review against another edition
emotional
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
3.0
🎧
Since I haven't seen this book all over BookTok and Bookstagram, I'm assuming it's not as popular as "Icebreaker."
Based on my experience with "Icebreaker," I went into this book with low expectations. I thought it was alright. The characters were flat, and I struggled to connect with either Aurora or Russ. I just found that I didn't really care about them or what they were going through. The plot was fine. I think the pacing was a little slow as I got bored with this book at times. The writing style was okay.
Since I haven't seen this book all over BookTok and Bookstagram, I'm assuming it's not as popular as "Icebreaker."
Based on my experience with "Icebreaker," I went into this book with low expectations. I thought it was alright. The characters were flat, and I struggled to connect with either Aurora or Russ. I just found that I didn't really care about them or what they were going through. The plot was fine. I think the pacing was a little slow as I got bored with this book at times. The writing style was okay.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Addiction, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Abandonment
Minor: Car accident
midnighttt's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction
Moderate: Emotional abuse