Scan barcode
A review by tristatereader
Icebreaker by A.L. Graziadei
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
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? No
4.5
HELP.
I finished Icebreaker this morning (after starting it last night) and I can’t think of anything else.
This book had me hook, line, and sinker from the first page. This is a hockey romance that follows the MC in a heartbreaking and heartwarming journey toward finding his own path. Mickey is a hockey legacy who is in his first year of college, but plans on entering the NHL draft in the summer. He is slated to take the #1 draft spot, as his grandpa and dad did before him. But he’s just joined a team with his sworn enemy, Jaysen Caufield (Cauler), who is also hovering around that #1 spot. In addition to tension flaring between him and Cauler, Mickey is also suffocating under the pressure of expectations.
I absolutely adored the MCs. I loved how much Cauler genuinely cared for the people in his life, especially Mickey. This was such a well-written story with perfect pacing and such a natural progression in all of Mickey’s relationships. And the rep!!! The author introduces readers to a very happy and loving poly relationship (not involving the MCs), describes trichotillomania in a sensitive and informative manner, mentions endometriosis (who cheered?!), and really hones in on living life with depression.
I am in full book withdrawal from this story and these characters. I miss them so much that I’m unsure if I will ever fully move on. And I’ll definitely be in a state of emotional distress for a minimum 7-10 business days. I’m already heavily manifesting to the book gods (cc: A.L. Graziadei) that they bless us with a sequel 🙏🏼🔮
I finished Icebreaker this morning (after starting it last night) and I can’t think of anything else.
This book had me hook, line, and sinker from the first page. This is a hockey romance that follows the MC in a heartbreaking and heartwarming journey toward finding his own path. Mickey is a hockey legacy who is in his first year of college, but plans on entering the NHL draft in the summer. He is slated to take the #1 draft spot, as his grandpa and dad did before him. But he’s just joined a team with his sworn enemy, Jaysen Caufield (Cauler), who is also hovering around that #1 spot. In addition to tension flaring between him and Cauler, Mickey is also suffocating under the pressure of expectations.
I absolutely adored the MCs. I loved how much Cauler genuinely cared for the people in his life, especially Mickey. This was such a well-written story with perfect pacing and such a natural progression in all of Mickey’s relationships. And the rep!!! The author introduces readers to a very happy and loving poly relationship (not involving the MCs), describes trichotillomania in a sensitive and informative manner, mentions endometriosis (who cheered?!), and really hones in on living life with depression.
I am in full book withdrawal from this story and these characters. I miss them so much that I’m unsure if I will ever fully move on. And I’ll definitely be in a state of emotional distress for a minimum 7-10 business days. I’m already heavily manifesting to the book gods (cc: A.L. Graziadei) that they bless us with a sequel 🙏🏼🔮