sports romance with rivals to lovers? say less. this book was charming and humorous and the romance was the cutest. also the mental health representation was amazing.

I love everything about this book EXCEPT the ending. This book has the unfortunate timing where it’s the second hockey romance book in a row for me where the story is a slow burn that drops the ball in the way it ends. I feel like the epilogue here does this book a huge disservice and it really feels like it got shoved in because the book needed an ending. And quick. It just really, really doesn’t work for me and takes what WAS a 5 star book for me until the epilogue, to maybe a 2 star book for me at best. This is a perfect example that how a book ends can completely ruin an excellent story for me.

This story is technically YA with the story set in college. There’s no explicit sex scenes but couldn’t we call this NA? In that sense, this story with a short 5’5” MC set in college reminds me of the graphic novel Check, Please! but that’s where the similarities end. This is a rivals to lovers romance and I ADORE the characters.

This story is told entirely from Mickey James III’s POV. He is the youngest of 6 kids and the only boy in the family. He is named after his father and his grandfather, hockey legends. It doesn’t matter that his mother is a figure skating legend in her own right, or his sisters are all into sports and very good at what they do. Mickey has always understood that he needs to be the #1 draft pick into the NHL and he doesn’t get a choice or whether he wants to play hockey or not. It’s expected of him.

Content notes include depression, anxiety, dependency on alcohol, and fear of coming out.

I really do love the characters and the rep in this book. There’s also no homomisia and we have m/m/f and f/f rep from side characters, even though Mickey does have anxiety about coming out as bi (he thinks he’s pan but prefers the bi label). There mental health rep with depression and how Mickey and other characters have it, and there’s diverse rep with a Black love interest (the wonderful Jaysen Caulfield, also called “Cauler”) and a diverse college hockey team.

Mickey and Cauler are bitter rivals when the book starts out. Mickey feels like he deserves the top draft pick spot, but Cauler is fighting for that spot too and feels like Mickey is only slated as #1 because of his name. Mickey doesn’t technically need the scholarship spot on the Hartland college hockey team when he’s only going to be there for a year before getting drafted into the NHL (he’s only in Hartland due to age in the draft requirements, and just the tradition that his father and grandfather went to Hartland for a year before going professional). The thing is, and Mickey admits it to himself, is that Cauler is right. He didn’t NEED to go to college, and he could’ve just gone to a development team instead. But Mickey sees Cauler as a threat to his draft spot so Mickey hates him from the start.

I wouldn’t say there’s a LOT of hockey in this since a lot of this story is focused on the relationships and dealing with mental health off the ice, but this story does kind of assume you know the hockey world and can understand why Mickey is left with other families at the age of 10 to…learn more hockey? I don’t know, the concept of billet families is not explained and no other sport does this, so the very concept of it if you’re not familiar with how hockey works is pretty baffling. I understand it in a vague sense, but in practice I still do not.

I think it’s disappointing that this book puts you into this almost slice of life story where you’re following Mickey around all through the fall semester and leaning about his fears and seeing him build up a relationship with his teammates, but the book essentially ends in January before the spring semester begins and proceeds to jump to JUNE when draft picks starts and skips showing us how Hartland progresses to the NCAA championship at all. I feel super cheated.

AND THEN. The ending gives you an open ended ending and doesn’t tell you who drafts #1 or #2 at all or how Mickey and Cauler can make their relationship work, and it feels like a total cop out. It’s an ending for the sake of ending a book, but in the most unsatisfactory way imaginable. The speech Mickey gives in his interview about depression and choosing the draft over attending school in the epilogue after all the angst during the entire book, comes across as a holier-than-thou attitude shoved down everyone’s throat because we don’t see that growth or the decision WHY he chooses that.

There were good characters and a great story, but you can rip out and throw away that epilogue. This would’ve been a 5 star book for me if not for that ending. If anyone wants to write fanfic of the spring semester and what happens after, that would be a more satisfying closure than what this book gives us. I wanted to love this, and the thing is I DID, but I am left too adrift and disappointed.

***Thanks to the publisher for providing me this ARC on NetGalley***

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC for free to review.
This story is about a 3rd generation hockey hopefully-to-be professional player who struggles to find his own way onto the game. Finding himself in a new team as he gets in college and everything that's implicated with that. One of his teammates is Jaysen Caulfield, his most immediate threat to get professional and has to deal with starting to have feelings towards him in the very unwelcoming towards the non-straight world of hockey.
I really enjoyed this book, and it feels it's been a while since I said this. I have to admit, have no idea about hockey, but I feel this book was really well informed and I feel I have learned a lot from it. The way depression and anxiety are dealt with in this book also felt very realistic even dough there were some scenes that I would have demanded a little bit more. The relationship between the main characters is really cute and I would have liked to see them develop it a little bit more. This leads me to the end, this is the part that I liked the least, this book deals with many heavy topics, and once they are minimally dealt I feel there's a rush to end it without us really seeing the impact it has. The same goes for the relationship, I feel once Mickey starts to actually deal with it, it stops showing. [I understand that the idea of not saying who ends up winning the competition is so that the reader can come up with their own ending but I lacked a little bit more of the changes Mickey has chosen in the last part of the book. It would have benefited more to have a longer third act because as it is, it feels as if we are missing another book, which according to Goodreads it's not a duology so...

Thanks to Fierce Reads for the eARC of this book!

All of my hockey knowledge comes from The Mighty Ducks so this was a lot at first. What I enjoyed about that was… it felt like while hockey was a huge deal in the book, even someone like me who has no hockey knowledge could enjoy it.

Also, the romance was on point. Enemies to lovers at its finest! I enjoyed all of their back-and-forth tension and steam.

Finally, what gives this book 5 stars instead of 4 is the representation of mental health - namely depression. It was… brilliantly executed. I can’t tell you how many times I almost felt like crying when he talked about it.

I hope all of you read this one when it comes out in January!

I really liked this. I didn't know this had depression rep, but I really loved that aspect. Just all in all, a really great book and I look forward to reading more from this author.

If I had a dollar for every queer hockey story I’ve read this year…
“Icebreaker” does a really good job of setting itself at the top of the pack. Mickeys struggles with depression bring very real aspects to a story that could of relied heavily on the toxic masculinity of the hockey game. While, yes, the story still lends its ear to the toxicity it doesn’t overshadow what is happening with Mickey. The side characters in this are phenomenal, every single one of Mickey’s 5 sisters and all of his teammates elevate the story. Mickey’s relationship with his dad is both heart wrenching and heart warming towards the end. Eventually the rivalry between him and Jaysen turns passionate, and I had so much fun reading their progression. Who doesn’t love a good enemies to lovers? This ends on a cliffhanger but in the best way possible, because it’s the absolute perfect ending for this story. I hope more books in this world are planned. I’d love to have a book centered on Delilah!

i wanted at least 100 more pages, which is both a testament to how much i enjoyed this book, its characters, their relationships—and also how underdeveloped the ending was. i hit the 90% mark and was like...really?? that’s all that’s left, when so many things still need to be resolved? still, this novel included pretty much every single one of my favorite tropes and i had a blast reading. jaysen and mickey are the Cutest, i’m obsessed.

(shout out to check, please! for being the only reason i understood literally any of the hockey lingo.)

Thank you, NetGalley and Henry Holt for the ARC of this book!

Icebreaker takes a hard look at mental health and trauma, and how sometimes the real person standing in our way is ourselves.

I can't express how much I loved this book. From the get, I got major AFTG vibes, and yes some of that was sports and gays. But the thing AFTG does so well is providing a support system of a team against the better judgment of our main character and that team having your back even when you mess up. Micky has always been a loner, always kept to himself and separate from his teams because what was the point of getting close to anyone when you'd have to end up leaving them? This, naturally, is tied to trauma, but also to his own waning mental health. Suffering from depression and anxiety, Micky has to navigate college and sports and his family all while trying not to fall apart. There are real and honest depictions of depression in this book, and I appreciated the talk of medication and therapy.

The romance is an enemies-to-lovers story that still manages to fit in respect and consent and a healthy dose of fear of what it means for the future. It touches on homophobia in the sports world. I don't want to spoil anything, but I absolutely LOVE how the author ended this book.

The rep in this book is great, with a mlm main relationship, a wlw side couple, a FMM poly relationship, and a diverse cast of characters. There's also a completely platonic friendship in this book between two guys that is absolutely lovely to read.

Overall, such a great read to kick off 2022!

DRC provided by Macmillan Children's Publishing Group via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Representation: bisexual white half-Italian protagonist, gay Black secondary character, lesbian white half-Italian secondary character, white half-Italian secondary character, Mexican secondary character, Mexican tertiary character, lesbian Black tertiary character, polyamorous white half-Italian tertiary character, bisexual polyamorous tertiary characters.

Content Warning: anxiety, depression, sexism, alcohol, violence, abandonment issues.

Icebreaker by A.L. Graziadei is a beautiful contemporary novel about hockey, parental pressure and the weight of one’s name, identity, mental illness and health, family and love.

Mickey James III is starting his first and probably last year at Hartland, the university his father and grand-father before him attended before getting drafted into the National Hockey League. The pressure of getting the number one spot on the draft ranking is not the only fact weighing down on Mickey.

I really liked the novel and how Mickey’s internal journey towards personal growth, acceptance and acknowledgement of his problems is the main focus of the plot. The addition of the rivals-to-lovers romance was the cherry on top of this incredible literary experience.

What I did not especially agree with though was the writing which at times felt a tad stilted, mostly in the beginning. Conversely, the way those last chapters hit me right in the heart was so astounding and cathartic I almost wish the same level of pathos had been present from the start. I reckon though that had been that the case, those last chapters would not have had the same effect and I am prone to think that emotional evolution of the narration was indeed a stylistic choice to represent the main character’s growth.

Icebreaker by A.L. Graziadei was such an impactful contemporary novel and a refreshing reading experience because books that put discussion of mental health and illness front and centre in this way are very few and far between, so I definitely recommend it.

Thank you to Netgalley and Fierce Reads for an arc of this book.

Mickey James III has a legacy to hold up to: go to college for a year to play hockey for the Royals, then get first round draft pick in the NHL just like his father and grandfather. The only problem? He's not sure if he wants it. And on top of that, his number one rival, Jaysen Caulfield is on the same team as him...and he's hot.

I loved this book so much!!!! Am I completely head over heels for queer sports romance? Yes, yes I am. Do I regret it? No, no I do not. This was amazing.

Mickey's struggle with depression, family issues, and his sexuality were all so incredibly relatable. I really felt it. And Jaysen is such an amazing and interesting character and the perfect love interest!

I also love all of the side characters! Mickey's teammates are awesome, his family is great, and one of his sister's is in a poly relationship 😍. Honestly I would die for any of them.

I loved the plot of this and how it all turned out! In my mind, the ending was perfect. The only problem I had was there were a few moments that I really wished the writing had lingered more because I loved them and they went by too fast. I really think this book could have used an extra 50 or so pages all dedicated to the main relationship 🤣. Maybe it will be different in the final version?

Keep an eye out for this in January!

CW: mental illness, depression, abandonment, homophobia, injury detail

4.5/5 stars

*Thank you to NetGalley and Fierce Reads for sending me an eARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own*

I pretty much make it a point to read every queer sports romance I can find, so I HAD to read this one. Rivals to lovers? Depression rep? Lots of queer rep? Yah I pretty much knew this was going to be a favorite. And. It. Was.

Synopsis: Mickey James III is part of a huge family hockey legacy. He has to secure the top draft spot for the NHL at the end of his freshman year, and honestly, he would have no competition if it weren't for Jaysen Caulfield, his rival and new teammate.

This was the perfect book for me to read right now. Its fast paced, fun, and features some really great friendships especially. The romance is very sweet and not overplayed, and I really really enjoyed this book.

In fact, this would be a five star read if not for three small things. First off, the storyline did feel a bit rushed during the last couple of chapters as things were wrapping up. Second, I wihs more time had been spent specifically showing Mickey actually learning more about his teammates. This is a huge part of his character arc, but it felt a bit glossed over. Lastly, I think the very ending (like last couple of lines in the arc at least) was a cop out. Maybe its more to other peoples' taste, but I wish that the Graziadei hadn't tried to make the ending so non confrontational.

This book is still so high after all that because it was just so amazing in every other aspect. There is a good amount of critique on the recruitment system, but it doesn't take away from any other aspect of the story.

Graziadei addresses how pro sports, especially the NHL, perpetuate sexism, racism, and homophobia. There also is a huge discussion on the stress that both competitive athletics and family pressure have on children.

Personally, I found that what really hit me hard about this book was the depression rep. Mickey comes from a wealthy family, and while they have their issues, he is loved and cared for. Mickey also is very privileged, and so feels like he isn't allowed to struggle with his mental health. I also found that the way his depression manifested was pretty similar to some things I went through, and it affects his relationship with his friends, family, and self.

While a lot of heavy topics are covered, Icebreaker manages to be funny, hopeful, and it makes me want to be in love so badly.

I think this book would be good for fans of Check! Please, All For the Game (minus the toxicity), and She Drives Me Crazy.

Content Warnings: racism, homophobia, fetishization of poly relationship by the media, underage drinking, alcohol abuse, suicidal ideation (not a focus)

Icebreaker is enemies to lovers at its finest. I read this book in one sitting and did not want it to end. From the first page, I was drawn into the world of hockey in which this novel takes place. This queer YA romance features two collegiate hockey players competing for the same spot in the NHL draft. The romance is beautifully raw and honest, and pairs perfectly with discussions of homophobia in athletics. Graziadei writes platonic and familial love just as artfully as romance and is able to add multiple dimensions to every character– not just the protagonist. I really appreciated the conversations on mental health, not just in the athletic sphere but in academic spaces as well. Icebreaker proves that you are never alone and that family can be found in the most unexpected places. This is a great read for older Young Adult readers as it takes place on a college campus and deals with more mature topics such as drug use and sex. I cannot wait to read more of Graziadei’s work.

This was a cute book, but I wasn't really into it. It was obvious the author's a debut, it had potential but I didn't see myself getting into the writing.

Icebreaker was such a fun and compelling read! I adored Mickey, and though I just wanted to give him a hug through most of the book, I loved watching his growth and journey. Icebreaker was a fantastic novel about navigating mental illness/health, maturing and discovering yourself as you grow up, and being true to your feelings and experiences. I thought there was a great balance between hockey games and lingo, Mickey’s personal struggles and growth, and the romance between him and Jaysen. I think this book could be such an important portrayal of depression, and really appreciated that it was set in college. My only complaint is that the ending felt abrupt, and I just wanted to live in this world a bit longer!

Icebreaker was another book that brought me serotonin in the bloodstream. I was hooked from the beginning with sports rivals that play on the same team. There are never enough queer books that are based around a sport. The word building from A.L Graziadei was phenomenal. There were zero complaints from me while I was reading this book. The characters were exceptional and easy to relate to. The conflict resolutions were brilliant and in my opinion realistic. This book easily became one of my favorite reads of this year and I cannot wait until it’s released in January.

I adored this book! It absolutely destroyed me and kept me on the edge of my seat. I was torn between devouring it in one sitting and taking my time with it. I'm going to be recommending it to everyone!

Once I got into this, I literally couldn't put it down. The depiction of Mickey's depression is so wonderful, all the hockey stuff is spot on, and the relationship between Mickey and Jaysen irresistible. I felt like I KNEW this whole cast of characters and this wonderful little college by the end of the book. Mickey's character growth was fantastic. Loved it.

I’m…not exactly sure how to feel about this book. I devoured nearly half of it in a day. I loved it and couldn’t wait to see how everything would be resolved. Then I got to the last 10% and I kept thinking “How is this going to be wrapped up and feel satisfying at the same time?” It didn’t leave me feeling all warm and gooey inside like I hoped it would.

This isn’t a bad book per se. I guess I expected a lot more from the climax, with a lot of unresolved issues. I wanted more for these boys and in a way I felt cheated when I got to the end. So my thoughts overall? Depends on what you want out of this as a reader.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions on this book are my own.

I DEVOURED this book!! So indulgent even though there's heavier subject matter/themes. Definitely recommend for fans of Check, Please!

What happens when you’re at the spot to become a #1 NHL draft pick but you end up playing hockey in college with the ONE guy who could take your place? Nothing major, right? Maybe a couple of fistfights? Definitely no late night text sessions or sneaky links, right? Right?

Mickey James III is a college freshman with a family history of NHL history. He’s in line to become the #1 draft pick of the NHL and all he has in his way is one Jaysen Caulfield. The only problem? He’s just as hot as he is annoying and when pent up anger turns into something else, Mickey has to decide what’s more important, all the while battling everything else.

Okay, okay, okay. First of all, huge thanks to @netgalley for this one. Secondly, WHAT GAVE AL GRAZIADEI THE RIGHT TO STEAL MY HEART LIKE THAT?!!? I love this book so much. It absolutely stole my heart. If you’ve been around for a bit, you know I love All for the Game and pretty much all queer sports books, but it’s hard to reach the level that “The Foxhole Court”, “Carry On”, “Winter’s Orbit”, and “Red, White and Royal Blue” have reached in my head. BUT THIS HIT THAT.

Do I even need to continue?

Okay, all I’m gonna say is Mickey has my heart and soul. I LOVE this guy. It’s a queer, sports enemies-to-lovers and UGH is it done well. It’s slow burn, full of banter and just so, so, so well done. I will not take a single bad word against this book, thanks. :)