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melbeereading 's review for:
Icebreaker
by Hannah Grace
Unfortunately, this oversea author’s debut was not a hit for me, so my streak ends at 2. This book was problematic on so many levels. And I’m going to be harsh about it.
I don’t know if the audiobook or published version I had is the true final version, but the cultural representation of a character was either completely changed or added after the fact. Either of which is extremely problematic. To be fair, there was a good amount of representation in this book, other than culturally.
The writing felt underdeveloped. I’m trying to find the right word to describe it. Almost like either the author was trying to relate to a younger generation and it came out awkward or the author just needed more time to broaden her writing in this book. It did get better as the book went on though.
The stereotypical women shit about food decisions and “girl shit” for the washroom was kind of offensive given the fact that the majority of the audience for this book is women. I know it was written to feel relatable, but when it’s being given from the POV of the male character, meh it doesn’t come across that way.
This was a sports romance? Where were the sports? “They won their game… now it’s two weeks later.” Uhm, okay? Where are the scenes describing the games and performances? All we get is one sentence about it in past tense or a little blurb on the types of figure skating jumps. Am I delusional in saying that I pick up a sports romance because I actually have an interest in that sport and not strictly the romance of it?
And look, generally I am an easy rater when it comes to romance books because I just binge through them most of the time. This was kind of boring though. Aside from the fact there were more time skips than I could keep up with, there seemed to be more spicy scenes than an actual concrete plot happening. The whole enemies to lovers connotation was so unconvincing when they’re getting spicy barely 100 pages in. Also, I think this made me realize that I prefer non technically descriptive spicy scenes. Spicy scenes can be great, but not when I’m cringing because all I can think about is “slapping skin” and “folds”. Gag. Show me the chemistry, not literal IRL physicality.
Someone convince me why a deluxe version of this was printed. It is not worthy. I’m sorry if you love this, but this gave me another insight on cringey, cheesy, spicy romance books that I can not get on board with while I was expecting that I would.
I don’t know if the audiobook or published version I had is the true final version, but the cultural representation of a character was either completely changed or added after the fact. Either of which is extremely problematic. To be fair, there was a good amount of representation in this book, other than culturally.
The writing felt underdeveloped. I’m trying to find the right word to describe it. Almost like either the author was trying to relate to a younger generation and it came out awkward or the author just needed more time to broaden her writing in this book. It did get better as the book went on though.
The stereotypical women shit about food decisions and “girl shit” for the washroom was kind of offensive given the fact that the majority of the audience for this book is women. I know it was written to feel relatable, but when it’s being given from the POV of the male character, meh it doesn’t come across that way.
This was a sports romance? Where were the sports? “They won their game… now it’s two weeks later.” Uhm, okay? Where are the scenes describing the games and performances? All we get is one sentence about it in past tense or a little blurb on the types of figure skating jumps. Am I delusional in saying that I pick up a sports romance because I actually have an interest in that sport and not strictly the romance of it?
And look, generally I am an easy rater when it comes to romance books because I just binge through them most of the time. This was kind of boring though. Aside from the fact there were more time skips than I could keep up with, there seemed to be more spicy scenes than an actual concrete plot happening. The whole enemies to lovers connotation was so unconvincing when they’re getting spicy barely 100 pages in. Also, I think this made me realize that I prefer non technically descriptive spicy scenes. Spicy scenes can be great, but not when I’m cringing because all I can think about is “slapping skin” and “folds”. Gag. Show me the chemistry, not literal IRL physicality.
Someone convince me why a deluxe version of this was printed. It is not worthy. I’m sorry if you love this, but this gave me another insight on cringey, cheesy, spicy romance books that I can not get on board with while I was expecting that I would.