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A review by romcombc
Icebreaker by Hannah Grace
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
***Spoilers have been removed so review will jump around.***
It has taken me FOREVER to write this review and it still feels like I just finished this book yesterday. The layers upon layers between Nate and Anastasia burrow so deep into your psyche that you find yourself thinking about scenes long after you close the book. If you are a fan of Elle Kennedy and have finished the Off-Campus Series - consider this a second helping (yes, I am aware of the Briar U Spin-off).
For as long as she could remember, all Anastasia ever wanted to be was a figure skater. Now, with her partner Aaron, she finally has a chance of qualifying, moving her even closer to her dream of competing in the Olympics. Said dream quickly turns into a nightmare when the antics of the school's hockey team causes one of the only two rinks on campus to shut down, forcing the skaters and hockey players to split rink time. With competitions coming up, consolidated practice time and distractions are not an option, even if the drop dead gorgeous Hockey Captain is apologetic and determined to "make nice". As the hostility builds, the coaches come up with a bright idea to have an icebreaker exercise. Despite skepticism everywhere, it works and bonds are formed. All is well until one run-in leads to an unexpected connection. Reminding herself that she doesn’t do relationships and can live without the drama, Anastasia suddenly realizes there is something (or someone) else she can’t seem to live without.
The best way to describe this book is as a very "casual", laid back read. It has its moments of intensity and insanely spicy scenes, but nothing was over the top, which is a nice change of pace. You didn't feel like you were going 160mph in terms of intensity and hostility between these two characters. It felt more like watching a relationship develop and evolve - namely the ups and downs caused by different backgrounds combined with their own hopes, aspirations, and dreams. What did make me laugh was the unrealistic maturity level of people in their very early 20s. While I am not saying it is impossible, it reminded me a lot of Dawson’s Creek and the unbelievable vocabulary and articulation of high school students!
Back to the casualness of the story, when reading most contemporary romantic comedies, as I have said on numerous occasions, the tone is set by an overly used formula. This one didn’t even consider it and just let events fold as they happened. This book was a literary rollercoaster (again no deep dives or high drops, just in the up and down aspect).
The supporting characters in this book were some of my favorite people. I am 100% IN LOVE with Nate’s teammates. Robbie cracked me up and I am head over heels for Henry! JJ was just too much for his own good! I also enjoyed the inclusivity of the book, from Robbie being wheelchair bound to JJ being pansexual, the sexual liberty of Anastasia and Henry having same sex parents.
I think for individuals disappointed in this book, what they may not have liked was the mellowness of it and the lack of resolve for certain characters. There are a few characters plot holes that leave open the possibility of adding books to the series but if this is a one and done, we are left wondering what happened!
***Quick note - as again it has taken me a lifetime to write this review, I have learned there is a book two! While I was hoping it was going to be about Henry, it focuses on Russ. Can't wait!***
Anyone who has read this book will tell you it is hot. Sure, I could call this book spicy. I could call in steamy. Truth be told, I feel like it needs a whole new category. This book was not just five alarm chili hot, it was stuck in Death Valley kind of heat! Hannah over delivered and just kept it coming. The scenes between Nate and Anastasia were some of the best I have read (no one has been able to top AK Landow yet though but Tessa Bailey and Amy Daws may have some competition!)
While the heat was front and center (and what many gushed about when it came to this book), I enjoyed the ongoing theme of communication and therapy. The book also showed how some may try to weaponize mental health as well.
Icebreaker is definitely one I will read again in the future. Again, it wasn't the type of book that will have you weeping (fanning yourself - definitely) but it will get those gears moving and give you a lot to think about when it comes to love, life, relationships, friendship, hopes, and dreams.
It has taken me FOREVER to write this review and it still feels like I just finished this book yesterday. The layers upon layers between Nate and Anastasia burrow so deep into your psyche that you find yourself thinking about scenes long after you close the book. If you are a fan of Elle Kennedy and have finished the Off-Campus Series - consider this a second helping (yes, I am aware of the Briar U Spin-off).
For as long as she could remember, all Anastasia ever wanted to be was a figure skater. Now, with her partner Aaron, she finally has a chance of qualifying, moving her even closer to her dream of competing in the Olympics. Said dream quickly turns into a nightmare when the antics of the school's hockey team causes one of the only two rinks on campus to shut down, forcing the skaters and hockey players to split rink time. With competitions coming up, consolidated practice time and distractions are not an option, even if the drop dead gorgeous Hockey Captain is apologetic and determined to "make nice". As the hostility builds, the coaches come up with a bright idea to have an icebreaker exercise. Despite skepticism everywhere, it works and bonds are formed. All is well until one run-in leads to an unexpected connection. Reminding herself that she doesn’t do relationships and can live without the drama, Anastasia suddenly realizes there is something (or someone) else she can’t seem to live without.
The best way to describe this book is as a very "casual", laid back read. It has its moments of intensity and insanely spicy scenes, but nothing was over the top, which is a nice change of pace. You didn't feel like you were going 160mph in terms of intensity and hostility between these two characters. It felt more like watching a relationship develop and evolve - namely the ups and downs caused by different backgrounds combined with their own hopes, aspirations, and dreams. What did make me laugh was the unrealistic maturity level of people in their very early 20s. While I am not saying it is impossible, it reminded me a lot of Dawson’s Creek and the unbelievable vocabulary and articulation of high school students!
Back to the casualness of the story, when reading most contemporary romantic comedies, as I have said on numerous occasions, the tone is set by an overly used formula. This one didn’t even consider it and just let events fold as they happened. This book was a literary rollercoaster (again no deep dives or high drops, just in the up and down aspect).
The supporting characters in this book were some of my favorite people. I am 100% IN LOVE with Nate’s teammates. Robbie cracked me up and I am head over heels for Henry! JJ was just too much for his own good! I also enjoyed the inclusivity of the book, from Robbie being wheelchair bound to JJ being pansexual, the sexual liberty of Anastasia and Henry having same sex parents.
I think for individuals disappointed in this book, what they may not have liked was the mellowness of it and the lack of resolve for certain characters. There are a few characters plot holes that leave open the possibility of adding books to the series but if this is a one and done, we are left wondering what happened!
***Quick note - as again it has taken me a lifetime to write this review, I have learned there is a book two! While I was hoping it was going to be about Henry, it focuses on Russ. Can't wait!***
Anyone who has read this book will tell you it is hot. Sure, I could call this book spicy. I could call in steamy. Truth be told, I feel like it needs a whole new category. This book was not just five alarm chili hot, it was stuck in Death Valley kind of heat! Hannah over delivered and just kept it coming. The scenes between Nate and Anastasia were some of the best I have read (no one has been able to top AK Landow yet though but Tessa Bailey and Amy Daws may have some competition!)
While the heat was front and center (and what many gushed about when it came to this book), I enjoyed the ongoing theme of communication and therapy. The book also showed how some may try to weaponize mental health as well.
Icebreaker is definitely one I will read again in the future. Again, it wasn't the type of book that will have you weeping (fanning yourself - definitely) but it will get those gears moving and give you a lot to think about when it comes to love, life, relationships, friendship, hopes, and dreams.