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betweenstories 's review for:
Icebreaker
by Hannah Grace
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I went into Icebreaker without reading the synopsis, just drawn in by the sweet, wholesome-looking cover. I expected a light university romance with some classic tension and character growth—and in the beginning, that’s exactly what I got. The enemies-to-lovers setup between Nathan and Anastasia was fun, and I really enjoyed their dynamic at first. It had potential and made me hopeful for a solid, engaging read.
But as the story went on, it started to feel like I was watching a TV series that didn’t know when to end. They get together fairly early in the book, and while I do appreciate that the author didn’t rely on the usual miscommunication drama (a trope I’ve grown completely tired of), the lack of real stakes or meaningful conflict made the rest of the book drag. Everything just felt a little too easy and convenient.
What really threw me off, though, were the sex scenes. I wasn’t expecting that level of graphic, explicit detail—especially considering how the book is marketed. The cover gives the impression of a cute college romance, but the content veers into extremely smutty, almost pornographic territory. It felt out of place and, honestly, unnecessary. What disturbed me most was the way Nathan talks during those scenes—it didn’t match his character at all and gave me major ick. It felt performative, almost as if it was written to appeal to a specific corner of BookTok rather than to serve the story or the characters.
I think we need to have a conversation about how books like this are being marketed. If I, as an adult, was misled by the cover and tone, I can’t help but worry about younger readers picking this up expecting a light romance and ending up with something much more adult. It feels like “sex sells” has crept into nearly every modern romance novel, and I miss the balance that used to exist in this genre.
All in all, Icebreaker had a promising start, and I liked the refreshing avoidance of tired tropes, but the overall length and extreme explicitness really ruined it for me. I wish more authors (and publishers) would trust in good storytelling instead of relying on shock-value steam to carry the plot.
But as the story went on, it started to feel like I was watching a TV series that didn’t know when to end. They get together fairly early in the book, and while I do appreciate that the author didn’t rely on the usual miscommunication drama (a trope I’ve grown completely tired of), the lack of real stakes or meaningful conflict made the rest of the book drag. Everything just felt a little too easy and convenient.
What really threw me off, though, were the sex scenes. I wasn’t expecting that level of graphic, explicit detail—especially considering how the book is marketed. The cover gives the impression of a cute college romance, but the content veers into extremely smutty, almost pornographic territory. It felt out of place and, honestly, unnecessary. What disturbed me most was the way Nathan talks during those scenes—it didn’t match his character at all and gave me major ick. It felt performative, almost as if it was written to appeal to a specific corner of BookTok rather than to serve the story or the characters.
I think we need to have a conversation about how books like this are being marketed. If I, as an adult, was misled by the cover and tone, I can’t help but worry about younger readers picking this up expecting a light romance and ending up with something much more adult. It feels like “sex sells” has crept into nearly every modern romance novel, and I miss the balance that used to exist in this genre.
All in all, Icebreaker had a promising start, and I liked the refreshing avoidance of tired tropes, but the overall length and extreme explicitness really ruined it for me. I wish more authors (and publishers) would trust in good storytelling instead of relying on shock-value steam to carry the plot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Toxic friendship
Moderate: Body shaming, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Vomit, Gaslighting
Minor: Death of parent