Icebreaker Paperback – January 14, 2023

I normally read fantasy, romantasy, or pnr. This was my first sports romance read, and now I get what all the hype was about.This book has it all. Plot, awesome lovable (and loathable) characters and development, the writing style is fun and excellent quality with no errors, the vibes are spot on, and although I am new to sports romances, I'm confident the originality is high.Anastasia (FMC) is a collegiate pairs figure skater dealing with very real issues in realistic ways. Her growth and the arc of enemies-esque to lovers with Nate (MMC) may have started in a predictable way, but the characters were so real and well developed that everything else felt unique to this story.The romance, spice, humor, friendship and real-real talk are all very well balanced. I appreciate so much the author's focus on therapy and the MCs growing in a way where they can talk out their issues. Miscommunication is a huge trope in romance, and this was so refreshing and real.My only not was that at some points, the pacing felt a little on the slow end, but I wouldn't have it any other way in the end because now I want even more time with these characters!

ICEBREAKER - HANNAH GRACE (MAPLE HILLS 1)RATING4 out of 5 starsREVIEW:You know it's a great romance novel, when I have it on Kindle and paperback, right?And when I finish it in under two days.And when there's a Book Boyfriend Badge I'd gladly pin on Nate's chest.Anastasia Allen has her whole career mapped out in front of her. As one half of a promising duo on the ice, she's determined to reach for the stars and dance amongst them. Nothing can deter her from achieving her dreams - as nothing in her personal life feels important enough to give up on her dream. Not even a cocky hockey captain with a heart of gold and eyes of a darling puppy.Even if a one night stand from heaven is looping around her head, daring her to get lost in him.Nate's agenda is playing hockey and enjoying his college years. Seems easy, right? But no, captaining a bunch of idiots comes with consequences, consequences which almost sabotage the training time of one pretty girl, he can't and don't want to forget.So, naturally, the forced proximity does its job, and things get pretty serious and exciting and fun and complicated quite soon.As Nate infiltrates Stassie's life from practice to the bedroom, they have to try to sort out their budding feelings, betrayal and the aspects of playing house, growing up under intense pressure.The smut is smutting in this one, so be prepared for the explicit content!I loved the tight-knit group of friends, the banter and cute domestic scenes!This is what a smutty, sweet romance novel with low angst should and could look like! Nothing else while reading, just immersing yourself in a sweet story!TROPES:- forced proximity- golden retriever/black cat- found family- sports romance- hockey romance- hockey player/figure skater- banter (!!!)- book boyfriend badge- college/ new adult romance

I bought this book in person when I saw it in target but soon realized that I can’t do physical books because I read at night and I’m not buying a whole desk and light to read. So I bought this book twice and I don’t regret it at all. I think Nathan is such a sweet man and obviously written by a woman. Anastasia was great and then not so greatSPOILERSI understand that she wanted to make her partnership work for her own future, but I just feel like she was letting Aaron off too easy. Trying to give him one more chance when she literally already made it clear that he was given so many chances over the years. He’s a grown man and he knows what he’s doing. Getting mad at Nathan for seeing how toxic the relationship was and wanting it to end was horrible. Just because Nathan has money doesn’t mean that his opinion isn’t valid. Obviously he doesn’t know poor people problems but Aaron was literally feeding her less food and leading her to an eating disorder. That is a problem that Nathan could see clear as day.