A review by stargazer3845
Fire & Ice by Lily Seabrooke

emotional funny medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

This sapphic college romance (with spicy scenes and happily ever after) has a very unusual premise. A group of less well-off students effect class warfare against the rich students, for unclear reasons (revenge? Access to resources?), and this warfare sometimes includes breaking their hearts on purpose. The "straight" girl heartbreaker is assigned a female student in the figure skating team to break, and as you might imagine things don't go to plan. It's very strange: the group gets a little abusive at times to its members (since it helps provide housing and is also the social circle - and loss of these is threatened in case of failure of a "job"), though maybe no more so than other university social organizations.

Despite the strange setting, I really enjoyed this one. We gradually learn more about the characters as the book moves along, and as they learn more about themselves. There is emotional manipulation, which might be a little triggering to some, but it makes sense in context and is resolved more realistically than many "relationship started based on deception" books. Tears were shed during obvious 3rd act breakup (her job was to break her heart, it has to happen), but it didn't feel arbitrary or cruel or needless like these sometimes do. The conclusion was pretty satisfying.

Additionally there is effectively an extended epilogue available from the author linked at the back of the book, which is worth reading: fun and quite spicy.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings