Icebreaker by Hannah Grace

 

"You have no idea, do you? The lengths I'd go if you'd let me. What I'd do to make you happy."

TW: disordered eating, mental health, toxic friendships, near-death experiences, death of a parent, slut-shaming

Release Date: November 22, 2022

Genre: Contemporary romance, fiction

Rating:

Summary:

He's the one thing she couldn't plan for.

Anastasia Allen has worked her entire life for a shot at Team USA. It looks like everything is going according to plan when she gets a full scholarship to the University of California, Maple Hills, and lands a place on their competitive figure skating team.

Nothing will stand in her way, not even the captain of the hockey team, Nate Hawkins.

Nate's focus as team captain is on keeping his team on the ice. Which is tricky when a facilities mishap means they are forced to share a rink with the figure skating team - including Anastasia, who clearly can't stand him.

But when Anastasia's skating partner faces an uncertain future, she may have to look to Nate to take her shot.

Sparks fly, but Anastasia isn't worried...because she could never like a hockey player, right? 

Review:

DEVOURED. RAVAGED. DEMOLISHED. 

I absolutely DEVOURED this book in less than 48 hours. I ate this shit up, licked my fingers clean, and left no crumbs. 

SCRUMPTIOUS. MOUTHWATERING. DELECTABLE.

This book was utterly SCCRUMPTIOUS. I had seen it all over Bookstagram and knew I needed to read it at some point. I was entirely underprepared for how magnificent it would be. 

 I had never read a proper sports romance novel and this definitely delivered. The ice skater x hockey player trope is so fantastic. This very much gives me Cutting Edge vibes. I'm so hooked. I need to read more of this trope! 

The chemistry between Anastasia and Nate is astounding. Their connection leaps off the pages! I know a lot of people did not like Anastasia at first but she is exactly what I expected when her character was first introduced. I really appreciated getting to know the depth of Anastasia, know her deepest-darkest thoughts, and watch her interactions/budding relationships with other characters. On the flip side, can I get an order Nate Hawkins to-go please? Thank you! He is the perfect book boyfriend. Nate is ABSOLUTELY written by a woman. 

"It's not porn. It's a romance book that happens to have a little bit of sex in it." You're damn right, Anastasia. HOWEVER, for a book that is set on the ice, the smutty parts in this book were STEAMING HOT. SPICY. MUY CALIENTE. Chef's kiss. While there was quite a healthy dose of smut in this book, it was more than just the physicality of these scenes. Both of our protagonists are very physical, sex positive people. There were many soft moments during sex that allowed good insight to the characters and their relationship with each other. While also being just damn right delectable. 

I was fully prepared for a cheesy, smutty romance (which it definitely was) but in the most delicious ways while also having our main protagonists tackle some really tough experiences together. This book touched on some very mature topics while also demonstrating very healthy, communicative relationships.

An abundance of amazing side characters: Lola, all the hockey players, the coaches, Nate's sister and Anastasia's parents. I felt like I was part of their little family, this little community. It was so funny and so amazing to read. Russ, one of the hockey players, is getting his own spin-off novel called Wildfire (set to come out late 2023). Anastasia's relationship, specifically, with Henry was so heartwarming. Henry is such a great character, I hope he gets his own spin-off novel too! Also, how amazing Anastasia's family is and how great her parents are with Nathan. So precious.

This book was phenomenal from start to finish. This easily gets 5 out of 5 bunnies without-a-doubt. We have your enemies-to-lovers, reverse grumpy x sunshine, sports romance, spicy, showcases healthy relationships, and down right hilarious. If you haven't read this yet, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? I highly recommend you pick this up. It will not disappoint! 

*Also the playlist provided at the beginning of the book is FIRE. It is so good. 

Quotes: 

"Looking at her makes me want to be the funniest guy in the room, so I can be the one to make her laugh."

"You have no idea, do you? The lengths I'd go to if you'd let me. What I'd do to make you happy."

"Of course, I know you really well, Anastasia. You're my favorite subject."

"Don't give me that shit. I've seen what you have on your smutty bookshelf."

"You're my favorite," I whisper, leaning in to kiss her flushed cheek. "Even if I had crab hands?" "Even if you had crab hands, Anastasia."

"Let it all out. You're safe. I'm here."

"She's taught me communicating doesn't mean everything is perfect, it doesn't mean we don't disagree. It means we work through the imperfect bit together, and if we don't agree, we at least know why the other feels that way, even if it's not going to change our minds. We're still individuals, but we're individuals together, and I never knew relationships could be like this."

"Falling in love with Nathan Hawkins was not something I could have planned. No planner, iPad, or freaking sticker chart could have prepared me for my future. My imagination isn't capable of dreaming up this level of happiness."