hailslynn's review
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Big fan of the forced proximity trope but not usually in the case where they’re already attracted to each other. Not as spicy as Icebreaker (more like half as spicy) but still very entertaining and enjoyable. Was definitely missing the hockey aspect of it tho.
stephisbranded's review
5.0
KILL MEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE. UGH! Why was this SO CUTE?! I honestly can't tell you if I liked this more than Icebreaker or not, but I freaking loved this. It took me the longest time to remember who Russ was from Icebreaker (mostly because there were so many awesome side characters) and then when I remembered that Russ was the whole reason there was drama in the first book, I was like OH RIGHT! Russ is "MUFFIN". Ughhhh. So yes, Russ is our strong silent type with daddy issues. Enter in Aurora- vibrant, funny, outspoken, rebellious, Aurora, who also has some daddy issues. These two end up meeting at the Hockey House during a party and immediately hit it off, to the point where they... you know... *wink wink*. But while Russ is taking too long in the bathroom afterwards (amping himself up to ask Aurora out), Aurora thinks he's giving her the cold shoulder and leaves without saying goodbye.
But don't you worry. They are both working at the same Summer Camp that Summer.
This was... just everything. Russ is sensitive in a way that is adorable while also being very protective. And not in an annoying protective way. More like a hot way. A very hot way. Also, Russ is always telling Aurora "good job sweetheart" and I WANT TO DIE. Apparently, I'm really into the praise kink. This book also had Emily Henry feels. It was an emotional rollercoaster, and didn't follow your typical romance tropes that made you feel like you knew EXACTLY how the characters were going to react to certain things- which is honestly why I loved it so much.
So yeah. Just go read this.
But don't you worry. They are both working at the same Summer Camp that Summer.
This was... just everything. Russ is sensitive in a way that is adorable while also being very protective. And not in an annoying protective way. More like a hot way. A very hot way. Also, Russ is always telling Aurora "good job sweetheart" and I WANT TO DIE. Apparently, I'm really into the praise kink. This book also had Emily Henry feels. It was an emotional rollercoaster, and didn't follow your typical romance tropes that made you feel like you knew EXACTLY how the characters were going to react to certain things- which is honestly why I loved it so much.
So yeah. Just go read this.
kmattice's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
If you loved Icebreaker, you should pick up this book regardless, but you should definitely pick up this book if you
✨like workplace/forbidden romances
✨hate miscommunication tropes
✨want cozy summer romance vibes
✨are seeking out praise/good girl recs
✨love a golden retriever/cinnamon roll MMC
I said this for Icebreaker and I’ll say it again with this book, the friendships and found family vibes this group has makes these books so enjoyable for me. We have a new setting and new faces with this book but the jokes and dynamics work so well having me laugh in every chapter. I found this book more relatable in a lot of ways but also felt like this book was more rushed than Icebreaker and I wish there was more especially near the end. Maybe I’m just used to Meghan Quinn books where the last act of the book takes you for a whirlwind, but I do wish this ending had more to it. There are certain things about this book that is docking it down to a 3.75 for me but overall I cannot wait to talk to people about this book!
Manifesting a Henry or JJ book next, especially after those last scenes we have with them 🕯️
Thank you to Netgalley and Edelweiss for the opportunity to have this arc
✨like workplace/forbidden romances
✨hate miscommunication tropes
✨want cozy summer romance vibes
✨are seeking out praise/good girl recs
✨love a golden retriever/cinnamon roll MMC
I said this for Icebreaker and I’ll say it again with this book, the friendships and found family vibes this group has makes these books so enjoyable for me. We have a new setting and new faces with this book but the jokes and dynamics work so well having me laugh in every chapter. I found this book more relatable in a lot of ways but also felt like this book was more rushed than Icebreaker and I wish there was more especially near the end. Maybe I’m just used to Meghan Quinn books where the last act of the book takes you for a whirlwind, but I do wish this ending had more to it. There are certain things about this book that is docking it down to a 3.75 for me but overall I cannot wait to talk to people about this book!
Manifesting a Henry or JJ book next, especially after those last scenes we have with them 🕯️
Thank you to Netgalley and Edelweiss for the opportunity to have this arc
_rachel_roo_'s review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
laura_is_fae's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I absolutely inhaled this book, it was so good!! While I loved Icebreaker, I think I liked this one even better!
Getting to see all the characters from Icebreaker was one of the best parts. I love the whole gang, and their group texts have always been one of my favorite things because they're absolutely hilarious. The side characters have my whole heart, and I want to be part of the friend group SO bad.
I liked both Aurora and Russ a lot too. The way they both struggled with different family problems but we're still able to be there for each other and help each other was nice, and I appreciated the way that the author dealt with a character with a family member struggling with addiction.
Aurora's reading habits were fantastic, and I loved the popular romance easter eggs. She was overall just really funny and relatable, and so was Russ! He was such a classic dog dad by the end, and I loved it.
My favorite thing though (by far) was their amazing communication and the lack of a third act breakup. This is the thing I've been complaining about, and Hannah Grace DELIVERED.
Getting to see all the characters from Icebreaker was one of the best parts. I love the whole gang, and their group texts have always been one of my favorite things because they're absolutely hilarious. The side characters have my whole heart, and I want to be part of the friend group SO bad.
I liked both Aurora and Russ a lot too. The way they both struggled with different family problems but we're still able to be there for each other and help each other was nice, and I appreciated the way that the author dealt with a character with a family member struggling with addiction.
Aurora's reading habits were fantastic, and I loved the popular romance easter eggs. She was overall just really funny and relatable, and so was Russ! He was such a classic dog dad by the end, and I loved it.
My favorite thing though (by far) was their amazing communication and the lack of a third act breakup. This is the thing I've been complaining about, and Hannah Grace DELIVERED.
katesbookcart's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
let me just start off by saying that if this was a stand alone not related to the maple hills series, i would probably have enjoyed this more and thus reviewed it differently.
however, i wholeheartedly do not understand why this wasn’t just published as a different standalone! i knew what i was going into, yet after reading icebreaker you’d expect a bit more of a college setting & more sport?! but no, russ & aurora spend 90% of the book at a summer camp around kids, with absolutely nothing going on.
there was A LOT of daddy issues from both characters which was honestly talked about heaps, but i didn’t really care because this is something SO overdone throughout college romance books.
finally, THIS BOOK FELT SO SO UNFINISHED? like hannah gave us nothing at the end. it feels like the first book in a series which needs a sequel. we don’t even get to see the characters relationship flourish outside of the summer camp setting, leaving me to believe they’re just going to break up immediately.
i do want to note that i read an arc, so it still needed HEAPS of editing which, god, it needs. but i don’t even think that more editing would make it better? scenes could do with being cut & replaced with more emotional & relationship development between aurora & russ.
anyways, i am yet to read an anticipated release where i am impressed. wish me luck for the second half of 2023!
however, i wholeheartedly do not understand why this wasn’t just published as a different standalone! i knew what i was going into, yet after reading icebreaker you’d expect a bit more of a college setting & more sport?! but no, russ & aurora spend 90% of the book at a summer camp around kids, with absolutely nothing going on.
there was A LOT of daddy issues from both characters which was honestly talked about heaps, but i didn’t really care because this is something SO overdone throughout college romance books.
finally, THIS BOOK FELT SO SO UNFINISHED? like hannah gave us nothing at the end. it feels like the first book in a series which needs a sequel. we don’t even get to see the characters relationship flourish outside of the summer camp setting, leaving me to believe they’re just going to break up immediately.
i do want to note that i read an arc, so it still needed HEAPS of editing which, god, it needs. but i don’t even think that more editing would make it better? scenes could do with being cut & replaced with more emotional & relationship development between aurora & russ.
anyways, i am yet to read an anticipated release where i am impressed. wish me luck for the second half of 2023!
brookiebooks's review against another edition
3.0
I think I just didn't vibe with the couple and wish that it was focused more on the Maple Hills campus and not on a different location. I still loved the relationships of friendship between everyone, but I just didn't vibe with the main couple.
I liked it just not as much as Icebreaker.
I liked it just not as much as Icebreaker.
hannah_razmo's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
dennikel's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
fast-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? Yes
5.0
My ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I didn’t read the first book, Icebreaker, before reading this book and the first chapter was a little confusing introducing most of the characters all at once without many background details but that quickly became a nonissue as the story focused on the two main characters afterwards. The story was fast paced, lovable characters with relatable struggles. Will definitely prioritize more of this author’s work!
carmenflorea's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0