Title: Icebreaker
Author: Hannah Grace
ISBN: 9781668026038
Publisher: Atria Books
Pages: 433
Source: Private copy
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?
Official Summary
03 December 2024
So, Icebreaker by Hannah Grace was a bit of a mix of emotions. I went into it with pretty high expectations because, let’s face it, who doesn’t love a story set in the world of sports? Hockey players and figure skaters? Yes please, I mean who didn’t love those early 2000s ice-skater movies? But if I’m being honest, the beginning dragged for me. It took way too long for the actual plot to kick in, and I found myself wondering when things were going to get moving.
The main characters, Anastasia and Nathan, are likeable enough, and I appreciated their dynamic once it finally picked up. Nathan is sweet and has that charming golden-retriever vibe, while Anastasia’s was more of a black cat type which was nice to see for once. That said, I think the pacing held this book back. There were so many side characters and subplots introduced early on that it felt overwhelming like I was waiting for the story to find its footing. When it did, I enjoyed the interactions between the characters and the emotional beats, but it took longer than I would’ve liked to get there.
I loved the dialogue, and some of the banter genuinely made me laugh out loud. The way she weaves in themes of teamwork and personal growth. That said, I’m still on the fence about continuing this series. While I enjoyed this one, it didn’t fully hook me the way I hoped it would. However, I have “give an author a second chance” on my book bingo card for next year, so Hannah Grace might make the cut for that. I feel like her writing has a lot of potential, and maybe the next book will grab me faster.
Overall, this was a decent read, but it didn’t blow me away. If you’re a fan of sports-centred stories, it’s worth a shot!
Also by Hannah Grace
WILDFIRE
The latest in the Maple Hills series follows two summer camp counsellors who reconnect after a sizzling one-night stand.
Maple Hills students Russ Callaghan and Aurora Roberts cross paths at a party celebrating the end of the academic year, where a drinking game results in them having a passionate one-night stand. Never one to overstay her welcome (or expect much from a man), Aurora slips away before Russ even has the chance to ask for her full name.
Imagine their surprise when they bump into each other on the first day of the summer camp where they are both counsellors, hoping to escape their complicated home lives by spending the summer working. Russ hopes if he gets far enough away from Maple Hills, he can avoid dealing with the repercussions of his father’s gambling addiction, while Aurora is tired of craving attention from everyone around her, and wants to go back to the last place she truly felt at home.
Russ knows breaking the camp’s strict “no staff fraternizing” rule will have him heading back to Maple Hills before the summer is over, but unfortunately for him, Aurora has never been very good at caring about the rules. Will the two learn to peacefully coexist? Or did their one night together start a fire they can’t put out?
About The Author
Author Bio from the Author’s Site
Hannah Grace began her writing journey with a focus on storytelling that blends humour and emotional depth. Her books often feature characters carrying personal pieces of her own life experiences. Grace has gained recognition for her engaging narratives and authentic character dynamics, earning a spot as one of the notable voices in contemporary new adult fiction. She is represented by Brower Literary & Management, further showcasing her rising influence in the literary world.
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