Lately, I’ve seen Icebreaker by Hannah Grace around a lot. I was somewhat intrigued by this title, but still I didn’t want to pick it up. I had serious doubts whether it would be something for me or not. I’ve read many new adult romances in the past and let’s face it, sports romances are the most present within this age category. Not that I mind that, but I’ve read a lot in the past and maybe I’m satisfied by the amount I’ve read. However, this particular book got translated into Dutch and my ongoing curiosity needed to be fed. So, I caved, bought the book and read it. Was it exactly what I was hoping to get?

About the book

• Title: Icebreaker
• Author: Hannah Grace
• Series: Maple Hills #1
• Publish date: August 21, 2022
• Publisher: Pig & Bear Publishing
• ISBN: 9781915593009
• Number of pages: 414
• Genre: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Anastasia Allen has worked her entire life for a shot at Team USA. A competitive figure skater since she was five years old, a full college scholarship thanks to her place on the Maple Hills skating team, and a schedule that would make even the most driven person weep, Stassie comes to win. No exceptions. Nathan Hawkins has never had a problem he couldn’t solve. As captain of the Maple Hills Titans, he knows the responsibility of keeping the hockey team on the ice rests on his shoulders. When a misunderstanding results in the two teams sharing a rink, and Anastasia’s partner gets hurt in the aftermath, Nate finds himself swapping his stick for tights, and one scary coach for an even scarier one. The pair find themselves stuck together in more ways than one, but it’s fine, because Anastasia doesn’t even like hockey players…right?

My review

This story is about figure skater Anastasia (Stasi) and icehockey player Nathan. Stasi is determined to become the best figure skater in the world and she really wants that place in Team USA at the Olympics. This means that she’s really competetive and does everything to win. Nothing or nobody may interfere, especially no hot guys. A relationship is out of order. Nathan on the other hand is a teamplayer and has the responsibility for the entire hockeyteam resting on his shoulders. When after a misunderstanding one of the rinks is out of use, both Stasi and Nathan have to share the ice. Well, that can’t go right, can it? When something happens Stasi can’t fix by herself, Nate seems the only one able to help. Will they part ways afterwards or does one thing lead to more?

Quite honestly, this book is a little two-faced to me. I’ve had an enjoyable time reading on one hand, but got annoyed on the other. Yes, the writing is accessible and easy to read, but I still found it easy to put the book aside for a while. I have the feeling this is a life phase thing, because I graduated college about 6 years ago. I was 26 at the time and I’ve read a lot of college romances in the past years. However, I’m turning 32 now and I got a bit disturbed by student life. I avoided student life like the plague anyway when in college.

One of the best things – probably the best thing – about this book are the characters and their growth. They both are truly passionate about their respective sports. However, this was more noticeable with Stasi, to the point where it felt really toxic and unhealthy. Figure skating was the only thing that mattered to her and she forgot that there’s more in life. Later on, we learnt what made her think like this. Nathan on the other hand has some struggles of his own, but he seems to hide them. However, their time together really made them grow, especially on individual level. They both learnt to find their balance within their lives, including their sports.

Unfortunately, I struggled a lot with the plot itself. This storyline is nowhere new for a new adult romance. In fact, it’s becoming so repetitive and predictable, I’ve already seen it all in previous books. Therefore, I wasn’t really intrigued. Gladly, Grace put more serious themes in this book, for instance toxic relationships. And yes, you can take this literally and figuratively. If these themes weren’t existent in this book, it was just plain smut. Because oh, the smut guys, the smut. I had a feeling that there’s more of it than in any other books I’ve read within this subgenre. It also started faster and that’s exactly what annoyed me in this book. Why so fast? I mean, they already did it at about a quarter of the book? I think I’m done with that and therefore feel so old LOL. However, the plot with its more serious themes support the characters in their growth and that has been done well.

Overall, Icebreaker by Hannah Grace is not a book I’ve fully enjoyed. The characters and their growth were great to witness and the writing is easy to follow. However, the plot is paperthin and the smut is a bit too fast. I don’t mind sex and smut, but I think I’m at an age now that I prefer growth and slowburn over quick sex. In my opinion, this book was more of the latter and less of the first, allbeit both present. This makes me less excited for the second book in the Maple Hills series than I’d hoped.