Icebreaker

By: A.L. Graziadei

Narrated by: Tom Picasso

Length: 8 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

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 number one 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.

©2022 A.L. Graziadei (P)2021 Recorded Books

Surprising

At the beginning, I REALLY did not like the characters. Honestly I was a little put off almost at being introduced to a gay character so early on, but that was mostly because it kind of caught me by surprise. I was worried that the characters were going to be like that the whole book, and I wasn't about that life but once I got more into it... I couldn't stop listening. Every character had a relatable quality to them, and it didn't feel forced. Even the background characters quickly grew on me. especially their teammates. This book really does show a raw view of what it's like to have what I would call high functioning depression; it doesn't depict it as nothing more than feeling sad all day and crying yourself to sleep at night. As someone who has high functioning depression, it felt so raw. I could see myself in Mickey. Which also lead me to being annoyed by him. Then there was him struggling with his feelings for Jaysen. I've never had to deal with truly coming out (aro/ace, no one believes I exist) so it was difficult to truly understand his reasoning. Or it would've been had he not been an athlete. It's so hard to watch the heteronormativty of sports, even today, and that's what really made his character, his struggles, real to me. The only bad thing I could really say about this, and it's hardly on the author seeing as it's clear as day what this book is about, but the hockey. references. When you've never played, it's easy to sort of zone out during the play by play sections.

As for the narrator, phenomenal job. The one thing, as others have said, though was that it would've been nice to have a little bit more differentiation netween characters. Sometimes it was very ... deadpan.

I always get nervous reading LGBTQ+ fiction because a lot of it falls into the same stereotypes and tropes, but I honestly feel like this managed to stay away from that. It was a solid book through and through for me.

Idk

This made me cry, because it’s relatable. We have a protagonist that can be a jerk plenty of times, who has flaws and struggles. I love the way the author approaches the mental health issues that Mickey has. It’s an amazing story about learning to live with your own self and with others, of love, family, friends, and more.

Great portrayal of mental health issues

I was a little hesitant on this book because pulling off mental health issues in a tasteful yet sensitive way is hard. But as someone with depression this book hit so close to home. The way Mickey thinks is all too familiar to me and had me crying so many times. There’s also just a lot of minority representation that made me feel seen. All I have to say is make sure you are in the right head space if you’re someone who goes through similar issues.

came for a cute story left with so much more

that ending though!!! that deserved 5 star's on its own! that was very well done. made me scream and laugh!

what do i even say

I envy the relationship cauler and terzo have, and this book portrays depression better than anything ive ever read

Fun

Tension between characters was excellent. Loved the mental health rep. Does what it does well.

great mm love story

A tender look at depression, anxiety, coming out and love. You truly get to know and care for each character. The ending of the book is wonderful.

Loved it!!! but the ending really???

YA LGBTQ+ books have always been a fave genre of mine. Even still now that I am 35 years old. They are why I started to love books so much in the first place. I have ready many over the years, and I love most of them to be fair. I think the writer did a great job here. I would have preferred a stronger build-up to the switch in the relationship between the 2 lead characters. They are the epitome of rivals, after all. Also, I wish there was a little more passion and emotion when the switch happens. The relationship with the parents could have been developed better as well to help set up for the final chapters. I understand the character needs help with his mental health issues, and even he doesn't fully understand where those issues come from. But he doesn't understand the pain and where that has come from and it just felt too unclear through out the story and I think the mental health aspect of the story would have connected better to the reader with clearer developement. That may seem like a lot of cons for a 5 star review, but truth is I'm just being hyper critical. In almost all regards, I loved the story. I loved the team, the friends, the siblings. I appreciate the tender moments between the characters. The acceptance and understanding was beautiful. The only thing that drove me nuts was the end...

exactly!

so good, so cute

exactly what I was hoping for. gay angst, beautiful character development, mental health discussions...just an overall incredibly enjoyable book

TEARS

That final sentence was perfection. I literally sobbed with joy. Such an incredible story!!

10/10 recommend.