Reviews with content warning for Sexual content - Icebreaker

This was my first foray into hockey romances and it was…fine? This book was wildly hyped up online, so naturally it was underwhelming. (I need to start lowering my expectations for TikTok famous books!)

I liked:
- the university setting and college athlete rivals-to-lovers bit
- the friend group dynamics
- the banter between the main characters

(especially the bit where Nate becomes Anastasia’s stand-in skating partner! That was very sweet and fun!)

- the modeling of a healthy communication style and mutually supportive romantic relationship

I disliked:
-the general flow of the plot. It felt like everything and nothing happened at the same time.
- the excessive amounts of spicy scenes and the cringey dialogue that came along with them. I’m not opposed to a smutty romance, but it felt like every other chapter and, to me, lessened the romantic tension that was being built between the two main characters because there was no slow burn whatsoever.

I have a special complaint about the Uber scene because what do you mean you did that in front of all your friends???? But I will say the Uber slut joke was funny!

- THE EPILOUGE!!!! WHY???

I hate an accidental pregnancy trope and I hate that the author only did a two year time jump. I also feel like Freud would have a lot to say about the paragraph Anastasia narrated on how her unborn baby responds to Nate’s touch. 🤢

Overall, this book is sweet and sporty and fun, but it could have been about half the length and nothing would have been lost.

Content Warnings

sabrina_riegler's review against another edition

Go to review page

DNF @ 25% I can't take it anymore.

What in the Wattpad was that? Literally no plot, just smut. I need to stop trusting tiktok's recommendations.

Content Warnings

jennyg1234's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional funny informative inspiring tense medium-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? It's complicated

3.5

I can see why this is so popular. It’s very GenZ friendly. I liked how healthy they are about communication, but I was pretty casual about finishing it.
I can see this being a movie or a series.

Content Warnings

underscoresyd's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny lighthearted relaxing 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

4.75

Content Warnings

nat1018's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny lighthearted slow-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? No

3.0

Very good message. Liked how realistic and cute it was. Very mature themes, overall good, sweet, romance.

Content Warnings

ojudge's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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

I love this book! Do not let the cover fool you though…this is very much an ADULT read!

I feel as though I can sometimes be too critical of books and rarely give 5 star ratings..but nothing could change my mind about rating this book 5 stars. I loved the characters, the plot, the progression. I never felt bored reading this book and constantly kept wanting more. The book is over 400 pages long, and I easily could have read 400 more of Anastasia and Nathan’s story!

Content Warnings

More...