Scan barcode
stngkimi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.5
Graphic: Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Moderate: Sexual assault and Pregnancy
siobhankeira's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Now, the first thing I’ll say is, no I can’t answer if it lives up to the hype. I think overhyped anything holds it to higher than normal standards, which isn’t honest to me.
That being said, I was surprised by this book. It was deeper than I thought it would be, and made me smile at some of the things characters said and did. Other times my chest ached for them, because the vulnerability the characters were able to show in different ways really impressed me.
To be honest, the way I can tell if I really like a book is if I put off reading it, because I don’t want it to end…and I did that with Icebreaker.
Things weren’t easy and perfect, there was growth needed between all characters, some did grow and some did not.
However, one of my greatest appreciations in reading people’s stories is when the characters feel real enough. To where I can relate, understand how they came to that conclusion or mindset. They have “good” traits as well as “bad” traits.
They are complex, not simply just bad or just good. Those are the characters in stories I crave the most and I definitely saw two sides to each character, they had depth to me.
End of spoiler free review tldr; I was surprised by how much I liked this book, the characters, and the complex issues the characters dealt with, the different kinds of relationships, etc. The characters are unique in their own ways, for worse or for better, but they are believable, and honestly the humour got me too. Maybe roll your eyes with a smile on your face, but I loved it.
I would recommend this to readers who like enemies to lovers, sports romances, each main character (and side characters) that have their good and bad moments, and
If you are able to quiet the high expectations placed on any popular source of media, I think most will like this book, and I, for one am excited to read the next in the series. :)
SPOILERS AHEAD:
I’m not saying at all that that having a family is lackluster, I just wish if it was included into the epilogue, it wasn’t overshadowing the facts that like Anastasia was an Olympic medalist? It was like mentioned once and seemed odd considering the entire book was about her figure skating.
It would be more believable to me if it was 5-7yrs later. But again, just my personal preferences.
I would’ve liked to see more of the girls friendship throughout the book, and not just brief appearances when they literally were living in the same apartment, then home. They had conversations, but most of them happened offscreen.
I haven’t read the next two books, so hopefully we will get some answers or hints there.
Overall, I really enjoyed the book, and definitely need a Nate in my life for my inner Anastasia <3
Graphic: Eating disorder, Sexual content, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Body shaming, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Sexual assault, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
bookscatcoffee's review against another edition
3.5
There were parts about this book I loved, but it took a long time for it to get started. And I feel like there was a more concise way to tell the overall story. That being said, there were some relationship gems:
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Dysphoria
Moderate: Alcohol
chainsawheartbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Moderate: Mental illness, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Infidelity
queenari's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Eating disorder and Sexual assault
catsteaandabook's review against another edition
1.75
Graphic: Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
Minor: Death of parent
beth_3004's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Eating disorder, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
zandile_ngwenya's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Sexual content and Vomit
Moderate: Sexual assault
maddieaverett's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Eating disorder, and Fatphobia
Minor: Sexual assault, Violence, Vomit, and Pregnancy
cbarbosa's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Eating disorder
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Sexual assault and Pregnancy