A review by gabichatslit
Icebreaker by Hannah Grace

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective

5.0

Icebreaker is easily one of the cutest romances I’ve read this year. 

Stassie and Nate are so personal to me and I love them so much. I wasn’t sure how much I was going to enjoy this bc of how hyped this book was on TikTok and that can go either way. But this one was truly amazing. 

I loved how committed to her dreams and growth Anastasia was. And how protective and easy with his affection to those he loves, Nate was. 

It was really nice to read/see how Stas overcame her disordered eating issues (which I could relate to) and see her supported by Nate through her struggles with it. There’s a moment towards the end of the book where Stas reflects and says how when Nate finally alerted her to her unhealthy relationship with food, how he valued her health and wellbeing over whether or not her feelings would be hurt (via the critique of her routines which she highly values/valued) and I thought about how necessary that is sometimes— to have someone who cares so much that temporary hurt feelings have to take a back burner in favor of one’s wellbeing. And Nate being able to discern that as well. 

And I loved watching Stas get more comfortable and firm in drawing boundaries with the people in her life— both big and small, and especially with Nate. I was so proud of her watching her hold space for his valid feelings about various situations while simultaneously affirming that no matter how valid he might be feeling, she was owed respect and autonomy in their conversations and interactions. Like as “perfect” as Nate was as a friend and a boyfriend, he isn’t infallible. I was like your therapist would be so proud Stas lol 

Also Kiss Me by Sixpence being their song was just too cute and I’ll associate that song with them now. Also also, I’m glad Nate got his lick back with Aaron— I know Henry was proud of him when he found out lol. 

Also x3, I really enjoyed the spice scenes. Stas’ teasing nature in her and Nate’s dynamic was my favorite, and Nate always gave as good as he got. Both in and outside the bedroom. Which was another thing I loved about the main characters— they felt equally coupled, like it made sense they would be together. 

And critiques of Stas being “mean” fell flat for me, she wasn’t a mean girl, she’s a woman with a lot on her plate, dealing with college shit and falling in love fast, her responses felt understandable.

I would’ve liked to see Nate dig a bit deeper to his issues with his dad, and his protective nature, and how those things were intertwined but I loved seeing him take on a big brother/dad role with Henry and Russ throughout the book. Like those are really his boys. In the other side of that though, I think we saw him work through those things with himself and with the boys when they would give him the harsh truth. Also the moments between Stas’ dad and him were so healing and sweet. 

I’ve seen a lot of people talk highly of the romance— which is definitely deserved, but the true highlight of Icebreaker for me was the found family that was threaded throughout the story. 
Stas and Nate, were the ultimate mom and dad friends with the boys and I loved it so much. And I appreciated how fleshed out the side characters felt, like I genuinely cared about each of them and they didn’t feel cursory. Also I’m so excited for Russ and Henry’s respective books— this wasn’t even his story and I had a whole tab color dedicated to Henry, I’m already in love with him lol 

Ms. Hannah Grace, you did your big one with this book babe and I’m so glad you published this. 
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