Icebreaker

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