Icebreaker

Okay so if you’re a reader, then you know all about the Icebreaker craze that happened a while ago. This book was EVERYWHERE. I was never particularly interested in a hockey romance story, so it took me a long time to read it. But I finally did! More specifically, I listened to the free audiobook on Spotify.

Let me say.. this is not a book you want to listen to.. this is a reading book..

I have no problems saying that I did not get the hype behind this book. I understand why and how people would connect with the main character, that I do understand, but overall I didn’t ever feel surprised or sad or anything else about these characters while reading. I really prioritize the books I read making me feel something, but Icebreaker didn’t make me feel anything except “wow, I should turn this down some.”

Arguably, maybe my problem with this book was that I listened to it and not read it, but even then, I don’t think I would have connected with these characters and this plot. I think it’s great for other people - our main character, Anastasia, is a female college athlete and struggles with her mental health related to her body and her sport. Love reading that - if anything, we need more books with characters like her, especially for the current teenagers who read this and need to know that it’s okay to let yourself be healthy and that it’s okay to stand up for yourself. Our main male character is, in my eyes, just a rich college hockey player. He’s written to have more depth than that, but it didn’t ever really hit me like that.

There is a lot of steamy scenes in this book, which you probably already know if you’re reading my blog. It sometimes felt like the plot was written so that the author could write steamy scenes - and there’s nothing wrong with that either. Maybe it’s just me getting older, but I like some plot and some emotions before we work up to those steamy scenes.

Now I know you’re reading this and you’re thinking “come on Mary, lighten up, it’s just a casual read.” And to that I say, yea you’re right! It’s just not my casual read.. I didn’t connect with the characters, the plot, or any really other part of it. I’m not saying it’s a bad book but I am saying that it didn’t resonate with me on any level.

Talk soon,

Mary