A review by tyras_bookshelf
Icebreaker by Hannah Grace

emotional funny inspiring tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

I liked it for a figure skater/hockey romance. It was a little long and drawn out in places but not overbearing about it. I'm also new to Hannah Grace's style and felt pretty critical of the writing at times. 
 
Anastasia was in pretty deep when it came to Aaron. She trusted him and was a little naive but also manipulated into letting her goals and anxieties drive her rather than her own common sense. 
 
I hate that she only breaks away from one man with the help of another but her and Nate were very cute. Nate was in his toxic man bag a time or two but finally gets his head out his butt to realize that Anastasia grown and can think for herself. 
 
Decent book but some of the chapters felt so random.
Like sister literally almost drowned at one point and like nothing happened with that. It forced a love confession (realization of her love) so there’s that but just seemed random to me.
 
Also kinda random was Nate’s immediate interest in Ana to begin with. So it’s forced proximity because of plot/conflict but while he is the hockey captain (vested interest in peace) she’s not the only figure skater nor the perceived leader of the skaters. It didn’t make sense why he singled her out other than I guess she seemed the most of upset and he wanted to be helpful. Really its because she’s hot and the main character but that’s too easy. 
 
It was actually very upsetting to read about Aaron — he’s a narcissistic, manipulative, leech of a man. Sure, hurt people hurt people and he definitely needed therapy or (another) punch to the face but I think he was super aware of his actions and doing it all on purpose because he lacks power in his family life and could exercise power over Ana. 
I’ve got mixed feelings on how the conflict was resolved and that bothers me. 
 
I feel like Ana “won” —no longer on his grasp and fully in control of what she wants— but it also felt like she got that closure/victory at the expense of her dreams. 
 
Idk she wins gold in the Olympics in the epilogue so what do I know I guess?
Cute HEA at the end and I feel like most of the important threads were tried up along the way so I’m good with it. 
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