A review by tellatrix
Icebreaker by Hannah Grace

funny lighthearted relaxing fast-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

2.5

Disclaimer: While I'm not a fan of lighthearted books without much plot, I received this as a gift and have read similar books in the past. Therefore, I'll review this book based on its genre: a lighthearted romance with minimal plot.

I didn't expect much from this book due to its genre, but I still managed to finish it. The male characters were a positive aspect. Unlike many similar books where male characters are portrayed as jerks, these characters were genuinely nice guys. Seeing them respect and be affectionate towards their partners was refreshing. However, the book's biggest flaw wasn't the lack of plot but the insufficient character development.

The author introduces several characters, but ultimately, we only get to know the two main leads. This might be acceptable for readers who haven't read the book, but for those who have, I have a question:

After finishing the book, do you know who Aaron truly is, why he did what he did, or even have a slight idea of his feelings for Anastasia?

I don't, and I suspect most readers don't. This is strange because the entire plot revolves around him, and he's in almost every chapter. Why introduce a character like him? As a reader, I like to connect with characters and create a mental image of them. But with Aaron, I couldn't do that. This isn't just about Aaron; Henry, JJ, and even Summer had scenes but were never fully explored.

This is a major misstep because the side characters were the only entertaining part of the book.
I don't even want to discuss the plot, as it couldn't have been more basic. The situation with Nate's father and Anastasia being adopted reminded me of a Wattpad story I read when I was 10.

While the book had some charming characters (especially the male leads), the lack of plot and character development ruined it for me. The ending was also disappointing.

I personally don't consider falling for someone after initially being against relationships as character development.
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