Reviews tagging 'Abandonment'

Icebreaker by A.L. Graziadei

47 reviews

atsuanna's review against another edition

emotional funny inspiring 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

2.75

I had this on my TBR for so long and I hyped it up so much in my head after I read a similar book that’s one of my favorite romances so I think that’s the reason it didn’t meet the high ass expectations I had! It was very sweet, well written, emotional and funny but it felt so repetitive at some points and it’s not something I’d be itching to re-read. The tropes and characters are not my cup of tea and some of them are things I actively avoid. Maybe I just wasn’t in the mood for it rn? but for now it’s a book I don’t think of often. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Mental illness

Moderate: Abandonment, Misogyny, and Racism

Minor: Homophobia and Vomit

waywardcrow's review

dark emotional hopeful reflective 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 was hard to read only because I didn't expect it to be so character-driven despite the fact that reviews on Storygraph said exactly that. And by hard to read I mean emotionally draining. In the best way. Mickey's perspective is so raw, real, and relatable even when he's being a complete ass. The portrayal of mental health in this book was for me, so true and honest. Like if you struggle with depression and anxiety fueled by being a perfectionist and overachiever…prepare to be triggered. Also, have to mention the romance of course. Mickey and Jaysen are so cute together. I definitely wish we'd gotten more of them and I need a sequel or at least 200 more pages of this book. 

But I felt the author staying true to what their intention was with the writing and I have to respect that.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcohol, Mental illness, and Alcoholism

Minor: Abandonment, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, and Vomit

rickireadss's review against another edition

4.0

wow. the depression rep in this hit a little to close to home. i related to mickey a lot, and it hurt but also was so nice at the same time. i enjoyed the rivals WHILE lovers aspect. the banter between mickey and jayden was just *chef’s kiss*

this book could have easily been a 5 star read for if it hadn’t been for two things: 1) this being marketed as YA seems a little misleading. yes mickey is 17 but it’s his freshman year in college and a lot of the topics were more in the NA age range. 2) the ending was SO abrupt and then we didn’t even get to find out one of the key parts of the plot..??

⚠️: mental illness (clinical depression), panic attacks/disorders, alcohol, alcoholism, drug use, suicidal thoughts, self harm, abandonment, homophobia

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, and Drug use

Moderate: Alcoholism, Suicidal thoughts, Abandonment, Homophobia, and Self harm

kevin_the_intern's review

emotional funny inspiring sad 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

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment and Mental illness

tragicgloom's review

emotional funny hopeful inspiring relaxing 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? It's complicated

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Alcohol, Bullying, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Classism, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Body shaming, and Violence

leahkarge's review against another edition

emotional reflective 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Mental illness, Alcohol, Violence, Vomit, Alcoholism, and Panic attacks/disorders

aeterna's review

lighthearted fast-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? It's complicated

3.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Mental illness

Minor: Abandonment, Classism, and Alcoholism

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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Abandonment, and Mental illness

Moderate: Vomit, Homophobia, and Misogyny

Minor: Biphobia, Suicidal thoughts, and Sexual content

fanboyriot's review

hopeful 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 devoured this book.  It was nice being able to get lost in the pages and fall in love with the characters and their world.  Rivals to lovers is always the best but adding it to a queer sports book it is downright perfect.  It was seriously amazing.  The friendships were so wholesome.  The friendship between Dorian and Barbie was so comforting to read.  The way Mickey was an absolute simp and idiot when it came to Cauler.  It was both funny and aggravating at times when he would think one thing and say the other.  Delilah and Jade were so wholesome and cute and I loved them both separately and as a couple.  Not to mention any of Mickey's sisters, they were all so kind and I loved them all dearly.

The mental health rep was SO good.  Some parts were really relatable and it was really comforting in a way to read about it.  I really liked the paragraph in the epilogue: "Honestly, don't be ashamed.  A lot more people deal with it than you think, and the best way to cope is to acknowledge it and ask for help.  Don't suffer alone." (page 307)  it was so nice to see how far Mickey had come with his mental health.  Such a good read that now I have no idea what I'm going to do.  I need more.  10/10 will read again.


Queer Hockey
Mild Hurt/Comfort
Wholesome Friendships
Amazing Mental Health Rep
Mickey's Sisters (so damn wholesome)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Cursing, and Alcohol

Moderate: Alcoholism and Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Homophobia, Sexual content, Vomit, Misogyny, Racism, and Sexism

tuliptohru's review against another edition

emotional funny lighthearted 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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness and Alcohol

Moderate: Abandonment

Minor: Self harm and Suicidal thoughts