Icebreaker: A Novel By Hannah Grace

Based off the cover I thought this was going to be a sweet and innocent romance novel. Turns out it was spicy, addictive and romantic. I love a good frenemies storyline. It was such a perfect read for me. I fell in love with the characters. Ughh I wish I could reread this for the first time again!

Tropes/Key Points:
✨Sports/College Romance
✨Enemies to Lovers
✨Warped Love Triangleish
✨Dual POV

3.5⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Blurb:

Anastasia is a junior in college on track to be an Olympic Figure Skater. It’s all that she has worked towards since she was five years old. She managed to get a full scholarship, but her pairs partner wasn’t interested in furthering his career. So, as a freshman she was paired up with Aaron who was in the same boat.

Stasis comes to win and nothing will get in her way. She has a meticulous schedule, regime and diet that will not be put off track for anybody or anything. Until she gets summoned along with the entire sporting department for a mandatory meeting that disrupts her day. This disruption continues when they are informed that Rink Two, the Hockey Teams Ice, is out for the count and they all have to share one ice rink.

Nathan is the captain of the schools hockey team. He has never met a problem he couldn’t solve, that is until his ice rink is flooded and they have to share with the figure skating team. He sees Anastasia arguing with her coach after the meeting, and his attempt to smooth things over backfires in his face.

Anastasia’s partner gets injured so Nathan steps in to fill the role. Swapping out a puck for a toe pick, the pair find themselves stuck together and closer than ever.

Review:

I don’t even know where to fully start here.

The premise is amazing and reminded me of the movie “The Cutting Edge”. It’s a semi-accurate comparison but only in certain spots. I give this author credit though as she made it her own and it didn’t feel like a rip off of a timeless classic. I’m not even mad at the execution of the story, as it kept me hooked.

One complaint though is the spice level. It comes out of the gate swinging and while it does calm down after chapter two until a bit later in the book, this was just too much for my personal preference. Not to mention that the first sexual encounter between Anastasia and Nate left much to be desired. She just used the bathroom dude and you knelt…. Well. You get it. 🤮

My second complaint is the epilogue. It just wasn’t needed. I got to the last chapter of the book and thought I was done only for there to be a very predictable epilogue. I think the epilogue actually ruins the story and rushes achievements for the Main Couple. It felt out of place from what we learned through the book, like the author wanted it so it happened. The lady chapter would have been the perfect ending.

One thing I absolutely loved about this story was the cast of characters. It wasn’t just about the main duo, it included such lovable hockey players on Nathan’s team and an amazing best friend for Anastasia. The author managed to flush out these characters and give them their own personalities and problems. It really felt like I could be in a room with a group of friends.

Banter is also my weakness. Coming in strong with not only enjoyable back and forth between Ana and Nate, the way the hockey team comes together and ribs on each other was so perfect. There were multiple spots outside of the main couple that had me laughing. The team even accepted Ana and Lola into their group and they joined in on the fun of driving Nate crazy.

I have to say that the way the author really delved outside of the romance to introduce complex backstories and emotions for these characters was really well done. Anastasia is in therapy and we see how her anxiety and obsessive planning became established. We see how it affects her daily life and even those around her. It wasn’t just a throwaway plot point, the author actually disperses it throughout the story in a great way.

We also get to see some healing in regards to how Ana looks at food. This is such a delicate subject and I think it was handled so well. Of course, I’m coming at this from someone who has (luckily — but no shame to anyone who hasn’t been so lucky — I support you) never experienced trauma with food. I hope that the author truly did portray it in a healthy way and if not, can someone please educate me?

The climax of the story was pristine but there were some moments that had me rolling my eyes. Development that we worked through only for it to be torn down to further the plot. But, that’s the way the stories are written so what can you do?

Overall there were some really great moments through the book but it wasn’t enough to overpower the ending. The ending really ruined it for me and unfortunately that’s a big ding taking away from the rating.

Cutesy little love story with one sassy Anastasia and one beautiful ice hockey player, Nate. Quite an easy read with a lot of character development! And I LOVE that it tells you more about the friend group too -you learn about their friend’s quirks as well as the main characters!
Perfect little book!

I’m always a little one foot out the door with TikTok books just because I find so many of them that go viral just are basic and kind of the same story over and over again type books but this book is worth it.
First…It’s characters, despite there being a lot more than average in my opinion, we’re very well thought out and honestly so interesting I could read their stories too.
The way she portrays communication in a relationship especially for the ages they are is actually amazing, I don’t see it often really with a good story line that I can keep reading without knowing the ending. Communication like this is rare and deserves the hype so these younger smutt readers (don’t lie to yourself please we know when it starts) can experience a relationship like this. One where from pretty much the beginning have great communication. I would mention something else but that would also ruins it so I can’t say it.
I was very annoyed sometimes at some very obvious “Why?what the point” moments as everyone does but the fact I was blushing kicking my feet like a 13yo girl balanced that out and overall I will be putting this on my books to re-read in a year or two. Great amazing book especially if your in the moon for a light hearted, actually way funnier than expected, and blush inducing with some great surprises kind of story.

This books was fantastic. I had to knock it down to a 4 star thing just because of the ick I got every time Stas called Nate “bub.” Ew. It totally messed up the romance vibes in several places. Other than that, solid plot, amazing characters, and a happy ending. Couldn’t have asked for more.

I loved this story and characters. The romance and comedy made for the perfect read. The spice was more than expected. This story kept me intrigued until the end. The perfect “fluffy comfort book”!

“The only time I ever want to see a grown man on his knees in front of me, Nate, is when his face is between my legs. So no, I don’t want you to beg me.” ✨

If you’re following #booktok at all, you are well aware the world is living in the land of the #hockeyromance trend and I 👏🏻 AM 👏🏻HERE 👏🏻FOR 👏🏻 IT, friends.

Don’t let the cute cover fool you — Icebreaker by @hannahgraceauthor is one of those books that I read once and *immediately* read again — it is SPICY (hi, see quote above for proof 👀) and real and warm and fuzzy and makes you want to put on ice skates and go back to college. Immediately.

Anastasia is an Olympic bound figure skater with a toxic partner that is thrown together with Nate Hawkins, captain of the school’s hockey team, when a prank gone wrong destroys one of the available practice arenas. While it’s not quite enemies-to-lovers, there’s heavy tension and build up to their romance. Not only were the main characters well done the entire supporting cast is so developed that you will want a spin-off for each and every one. Petition for Henry’s own book, please! ⛸️

Spice, sports romance, heavy topics, healthy relationships and more — Icebreaker has it all. I personally cannot wait for the sequel to make its appearance on my kindle.

5/5 stars! ⭐️

TW: disordered eating & accidents/hospitalization