happyberry27's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness and Alcohol
Minor: Lesbophobia, Biphobia, and Homophobia
sarahmcg's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I really enjoyed reading this M/M hockey romance, a true enemies-to-lovers story with freshman-in-college aged characters (I would consider this new adult genre).
I thought the mental health representation of clinical depression was thorough, showing that feeling of numbness/emptiness and loss of enjoyment rather than just sadness people think of when they hear about someone being depressed. I appreciated seeing Mickey’s progression from being closed-off and self-medicating with alcohol to getting help, anti-depressant meds, and opening up to friends/family and a counselor.
It felt like a slow-burn romance with Jaysen initially, but then the pacing was a little off for me when they finally kissed and then it was like *bam.* lol. It was great seeing queer rep in a sports romance, and I would have liked a little more peek into their future in the epilogue!
I also want more Dorian and Barbie!!! (I listened on audio so I’m sorry if I spelled any character names wrong). I think the Barbie / Nova dynamic could have been a little more fleshed out, and I’d love to see more from Mickey’s sisters as well. I like how they touched on how his sisters were treated different from him, even though they were excellent athletes as well (sexism in sports).
My only other complaint is how much Mickey’s height/being short was focused on, although I guess that was one of his only “flaws” that could be picked on for hockey. We couldn’t let him have it too easy with his family legacy and everything.
The ending… even though for a moment I was dissatisfied at the last sentence that *kinda* left us hanging, I think it was actually the perfect ending the way it put things in perspective.
I think this was an impressive debut, and it was cool to see the author is a Buffalo native (relatively local to me, gotta love the Loganberry reference).
I thought the mental health representation of clinical depression was thorough, showing that feeling of numbness/emptiness and loss of enjoyment rather than just sadness people think of when they hear about someone being depressed. I appreciated seeing Mickey’s progression from being closed-off and self-medicating with alcohol to getting help, anti-depressant meds, and opening up to friends/family and a counselor.
It felt like a slow-burn romance with Jaysen initially, but then the pacing was a little off for me when they finally kissed and then it was like *bam.* lol. It was great seeing queer rep in a sports romance, and I would have liked a little more peek into their future in the epilogue!
I also want more Dorian and Barbie!!! (I listened on audio so I’m sorry if I spelled any character names wrong). I think the Barbie / Nova dynamic could have been a little more fleshed out, and I’d love to see more from Mickey’s sisters as well. I like how they touched on how his sisters were treated different from him, even though they were excellent athletes as well (sexism in sports).
My only other complaint is how much Mickey’s height/being short was focused on, although I guess that was one of his only “flaws” that could be picked on for hockey. We couldn’t let him have it too easy with his family legacy and everything.
The ending… even though for a moment I was dissatisfied at the last sentence that *kinda* left us hanging, I think it was actually the perfect ending the way it put things in perspective.
I think this was an impressive debut, and it was cool to see the author is a Buffalo native (relatively local to me, gotta love the Loganberry reference).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol and Mental illness
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Homophobia and Biphobia
kellysbookverse's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Abandonment, and Mental illness
Moderate: Vomit, Homophobia, and Misogyny
Minor: Biphobia, Suicidal thoughts, and Sexual content
reading_rainbows's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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 want to find out what happens to these characters next. How does the NHL go for them? The experience of living with depression was captured beautifully. The relationship growth between teammates felt authentic. The whole thing was written so well it felt like I could be Mickey even though we have very different upbringings.
Spoiler
Do they come out publicly? How does that go for them?
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Biphobia, Abandonment, and Alcohol
ridesthesun's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.25
Hockey boyfriends 🥺🥺🥺
This is such a fun rivals-to-lovers story. Even if you don't know much about hockey (I like to watch but I don't know all the rules/intricacies) it's really easy to follow all the ins and outs of it through the story. I wasn't expecting such a deep and genuine dive into mental illness, but I was really impressed by the accuracy of it. It wasn't like so many YA books that are just "depression=sad." The apathy, the exhaustion, the things that really take you out at the knees when you're depressed.
My only complaint was how quickly/abruptly everything wrapped up. I wanted to see them navigate a relationship as teammates, growing and healing together. It just felt like so little pay off for all the work they did.
This is such a fun rivals-to-lovers story. Even if you don't know much about hockey (I like to watch but I don't know all the rules/intricacies) it's really easy to follow all the ins and outs of it through the story. I wasn't expecting such a deep and genuine dive into mental illness, but I was really impressed by the accuracy of it. It wasn't like so many YA books that are just "depression=sad." The apathy, the exhaustion, the things that really take you out at the knees when you're depressed.
My only complaint was how quickly/abruptly everything wrapped up. I wanted to see them navigate a relationship as teammates, growing and healing together. It just felt like so little pay off for all the work they did.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Biphobia, Cursing, Mental illness, Misogyny, and Sexual content
Minor: Blood and Suicidal thoughts
afternoon_sunshowers's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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
4.5
This was heavily focused on Mickey and his depression and his pain about feeling abandoned by his family and the pressure to live up to his father and grandfather’s legacies, somewhat more so than his relationship with Jaysen.
I loved it though. I just wanted to give mickey a big hug, and his journey with depression felt more realistic. There was no magic cure, and he struggled to “deserve” it. The side characters - Dorian, Barbie, Nova and sisters in particular - were so well done.
I don’t always love the use of texts to advance a plot but the texts between Mickey and Jaysen showed their relationship develop.
For all the focus on their hockey rivalry, there wasn’t much unnecessary focus on game or practice situations unless it was relevant to their personal relationship, but it’s clear the author knows their sport (shout out to Bailey’s 2x Tewaarton trophies).
I loved it though. I just wanted to give mickey a big hug, and his journey with depression felt more realistic. There was no magic cure, and he struggled to “deserve” it. The side characters - Dorian, Barbie, Nova and sisters in particular - were so well done.
I don’t always love the use of texts to advance a plot but the texts between Mickey and Jaysen showed their relationship develop.
For all the focus on their hockey rivalry, there wasn’t much unnecessary focus on game or practice situations unless it was relevant to their personal relationship, but it’s clear the author knows their sport (shout out to Bailey’s 2x Tewaarton trophies).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Biphobia
matheo's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Mental illness, Alcoholism, and Alcohol
Moderate: Blood, Homophobia, Medical content, Sexism, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Lesbophobia, Biphobia, Medical trauma, Misogyny, Outing, Racism, Sexual content, Vomit, and Suicidal thoughts
grimm_bear's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
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
4.75
!!!!!THIS MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS DEPENDING ON HOW YOU DESCRIBE THEM READ AT YOUR OWN RISK!!!!
this book covered two things im struggling with right now (falling back in love with my sport and feeling alone) it was so relieving to see someone in similar conditions as me get better and find a way out
the only harp i have on this book is the ending, we didnt get to see mickey and jaysen be together in their relationship, i think an epilogue would have been nice, but over all the ending was rushed
this book covered two things im struggling with right now (falling back in love with my sport and feeling alone) it was so relieving to see someone in similar conditions as me get better and find a way out
the only harp i have on this book is the ending, we didnt get to see mickey and jaysen be together in their relationship, i think an epilogue would have been nice, but over all the ending was rushed
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Mental illness
Moderate: Biphobia, Mental illness, Sexism, and Alcohol
Minor: Classism, Gaslighting, Sexism, Alcohol, Biphobia, Cursing, Racism, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Mental illness, and Outing
urlocalvocaloidstan's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is an amazing rivals to lovers book, and there was tension between the two characters in the very first chapter. There was also a lot of diversity and the Mickey knows that he is privileged, being white and growing up in a rich family. The mental health struggles also said a really good message, about how being privileged doesn't mean you can't have your struggles. All of the characters were really big comic reliefs and were shipping Mikey and Jaysen even before they started having romantic feelings for each other.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Mental illness, and Alcohol
Moderate: Biphobia, Classism, Homophobia, and Racism
Minor: Lesbophobia
thedanielhurst's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this rivals-to-lovers romance! Thanks Netgalley and Recorded Books for the advance audiobook!
Mickey and Jaysen are the top two hockey players on the NHL draft list. Mickey, the son of a legendary hockey pro, is destined for the NHL, but all that pressure combined with his abandonment issues, his depression, and his closeted bisexual status have him wondering if professional hockey is what he really wants. Jaysen, on the other hand, doesn't have any of the inherited notoriety and has worked hard as a Black, queer player in a predominantly white, heterosexual sport to get where he is. But whatever rivalry and resentment exists between them, it doesn't stop them from catching feelings for each other when they end up playing for the same college team.
The story is well-written, and both the hockey world and the experience of depression are described so well, the author is clearly experienced and/or well-researched. They've found a perfect balance between depicting these experiences with clarity and detail without isolating a reader, such as myself, who isn't familiar. Mickey's relationships with his parents, sisters, friends, and fellow players all feel realistic and nicely developed. The central romance is also sweet, adorable, and full of angst that feels earned and authentic.
I also really appreciate the range of sexualities and relationships depicted on the page. We see various queer identities and relationships, including a polyamorous romantic relationship and a friendship between two straight guys who aren't afraid to show their affection. Toxic masculinity begone!
ICEBREAKER is a quality read for anyone, and I think hockey folks and those who live with depression will especially love it.
Mickey and Jaysen are the top two hockey players on the NHL draft list. Mickey, the son of a legendary hockey pro, is destined for the NHL, but all that pressure combined with his abandonment issues, his depression, and his closeted bisexual status have him wondering if professional hockey is what he really wants. Jaysen, on the other hand, doesn't have any of the inherited notoriety and has worked hard as a Black, queer player in a predominantly white, heterosexual sport to get where he is. But whatever rivalry and resentment exists between them, it doesn't stop them from catching feelings for each other when they end up playing for the same college team.
The story is well-written, and both the hockey world and the experience of depression are described so well, the author is clearly experienced and/or well-researched. They've found a perfect balance between depicting these experiences with clarity and detail without isolating a reader, such as myself, who isn't familiar. Mickey's relationships with his parents, sisters, friends, and fellow players all feel realistic and nicely developed. The central romance is also sweet, adorable, and full of angst that feels earned and authentic.
I also really appreciate the range of sexualities and relationships depicted on the page. We see various queer identities and relationships, including a polyamorous romantic relationship and a friendship between two straight guys who aren't afraid to show their affection. Toxic masculinity begone!
ICEBREAKER is a quality read for anyone, and I think hockey folks and those who live with depression will especially love it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Abandonment, Biphobia, Alcohol, Blood, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Sexual content, and Suicidal thoughts