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A review by thebooseller
Icebreaker by Hannah Grace
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
A fun, light read, but one that isn't as good as its successor (Wildfire)
Full disclosure: I read the books out of order because I liked the cover of Wildfire more. Oops. But that was the better book, though Icebreaker isn't bad.
If you're looking for plot, this ain't it. There are some plot points, but this is almost entirely character driven—and smut driven.
If I were Hannah's editor, I'd have recommended cutting Ryan or Henry. Aaron made sense, even if he was the. worst. But Ryan and Henry blended together, and their friendship dynamics were a touch too romantic/intimate for what was needed. (Like, there was some weird moment between Anastasia and Henry in the last 25% that felt very.....like it should have been between Stas and Nathan? I dunno.)
Nathan is cute and, respectfully, deserves better than Anastasia. She says she's been in therapy for years. As someone who's been in therapy since she was 12, I can attest to the fact that there's no way Stas has done years' worth of meaningful therapy work. She has a level of emotional immaturity that was offputting, and her blind trust in Aaron felt unfounded.
Also, for people worried about the pregnancy trope: It is my least favorite. Let's get that out of the way. But it also happens in the epilogue, so at least it isn't an essential plot point! (Though tbh the way it happened???? Sus.) There are decidedly way too many heavyhanded allusions to the inevitability of Stas's pregnancy, though.
Full disclosure: I read the books out of order because I liked the cover of Wildfire more. Oops. But that was the better book, though Icebreaker isn't bad.
If you're looking for plot, this ain't it. There are some plot points, but this is almost entirely character driven—and smut driven.
If I were Hannah's editor, I'd have recommended cutting Ryan or Henry. Aaron made sense, even if he was the. worst. But Ryan and Henry blended together, and their friendship dynamics were a touch too romantic/intimate for what was needed. (Like, there was some weird moment between Anastasia and Henry in the last 25% that felt very.....like it should have been between Stas and Nathan? I dunno.)
Nathan is cute and, respectfully, deserves better than Anastasia. She says she's been in therapy for years. As someone who's been in therapy since she was 12, I can attest to the fact that there's no way Stas has done years' worth of meaningful therapy work. She has a level of emotional immaturity that was offputting, and her blind trust in Aaron felt unfounded.
Also, for people worried about the pregnancy trope: It is my least favorite. Let's get that out of the way. But it also happens in the epilogue, so at least it isn't an essential plot point! (Though tbh the way it happened???? Sus.) There are decidedly way too many heavyhanded allusions to the inevitability of Stas's pregnancy, though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship and Eating disorder
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Pregnancy