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A review by karis321
Icebreaker by A.L. Graziadei
3.0
~Thank you Netgallery and Fierce Reads for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!~
I didn't know what to expect when I got this ARC. I don't read many sports books and the blurb didn't really grab me. But I figured I might as well read it, since I won it and all. And I'm glad I did.
I really liked how depression was portrayed here, especially how it the stigma in the professional sports world severely affects him and prevents him from seeking proper treatment until near the end of the book. It's not just in sports, but in his personal life, too, where he can't find joy in anything because of his feelings of emptiness and self-hatred. Those parts were especially relatable for me.
And the relationships Mickey has throughout the book are a joy. I loved the bond he had with his sisters, the friendships he eventually develops with his team, and the romance with Cauler. I'm normally not one for enemies-to-lovers in fiction, but the interactions between them had me giddy at some points and smiling like a goofball.
But the biggest thing holding me back from rating this higher is the ending. It kind of dropped the ball and was too sudden. I really didn't feel like the story was ending until the epilogue hit. There was so much that could have been expanded on or explored more, like Mickey rebuilding his relationship with his dad or more of a natural lead up to Mickey and Cauler finally getting together. This probably could have been a hundred or so pages longer; maybe Graziadei could explore more in a sequel, but it's hard to tell because the book hasn't even come out at the time of this review.
Overall, a good debut that just needed a bit more to be a great or excellent one. I only hope for Graziadei to improve as time goes one.
I didn't know what to expect when I got this ARC. I don't read many sports books and the blurb didn't really grab me. But I figured I might as well read it, since I won it and all. And I'm glad I did.
I really liked how depression was portrayed here, especially how it the stigma in the professional sports world severely affects him and prevents him from seeking proper treatment until near the end of the book. It's not just in sports, but in his personal life, too, where he can't find joy in anything because of his feelings of emptiness and self-hatred. Those parts were especially relatable for me.
And the relationships Mickey has throughout the book are a joy. I loved the bond he had with his sisters, the friendships he eventually develops with his team, and the romance with Cauler. I'm normally not one for enemies-to-lovers in fiction, but the interactions between them had me giddy at some points and smiling like a goofball.
But the biggest thing holding me back from rating this higher is the ending. It kind of dropped the ball and was too sudden. I really didn't feel like the story was ending until the epilogue hit. There was so much that could have been expanded on or explored more, like Mickey rebuilding his relationship with his dad or more of a natural lead up to Mickey and Cauler finally getting together. This probably could have been a hundred or so pages longer; maybe Graziadei could explore more in a sequel, but it's hard to tell because the book hasn't even come out at the time of this review.
Overall, a good debut that just needed a bit more to be a great or excellent one. I only hope for Graziadei to improve as time goes one.