Icebreaker
Ratings27
Average rating3.9
15
Ratings27
Average rating3.9
A. L. Graziadei's Icebreaker is an irresistible YA debut about two hockey players fighting to be the best—and the romance that catches them by surprise along the way. Seventeen-year-old Mickey James III is a college freshman, a brother to five sisters, and a hockey legacy. With a father and a grandfather who have gone down in NHL history, Mickey is almost guaranteed the league's top draft spot. The only person standing in his way is Jaysen Caulfield, a contender for the #1 spot and Mickey's infuriating (and infuriatingly attractive) teammate. When rivalry turns to something more, Mickey will have to decide what he really wants, and what he's willing to risk for it. This is a story about falling in love, finding your team (on and off the ice), and choosing your own path.
Reviews with the most likes.
I got approved for this really close to publish date so here is my lightning-fast review!
Nothing like a good enemies to lovers story, and this one goes beyond a simple read and brings with it a lot of hockey therms, love, well developed characters and a lot of the good kind of drama. I loved it
I really enjoyed this book for how real it feels. We may not all be 3rd generation college hockey players fighting to live up to a pressure of a family legacy but many of us are familiar with the strong hold of depression and how it can affect every aspect of your life. The main character, Mickey is constantly blocking his own blessings, not letting himself enjoy the few things in life that actually make him happy in order to appease others. But in his defense, it's hard to see the blessings for what they are when everything inside is saying the opposite.
I was a bit worried browsing some reviews of the book about how the ending wasn't very satisfactory. I can see where people are coming from. It did feel a bit rushed and I'm sure a lot of us wanted Mickey to enjoy college more with his friends and continue to explore his relationship with Jaysen. However, Mickey's whole relationship to hockey just changed and it seems like he's going to give a pro career a shot for himself. Not to please his parents and the family legacy. Not to beat Jaysen. Just himself. And that I can respect.
4.5/5 stars from me and very happy I keep reading
