I love figure skating. I'm also a Canadian who grew up watching hockey. So, when I read Icebreaker by Hannah Grace was about a figure skater and hockey player who fall in love, I was sold. (Kindle | Kobo | Paperback)
As much as I enjoy each sport though, I was thrilled that this wasn't a sports book with a dash of romance. No, this was a spicy romance with a dash of sports. In other words, it turned out to be exactly what I was hoping for.
Whether you're thinking of reading it or are currently reading it, below you will find answers to a number of frequently asked questions about the book. I've also put together a list of five books like Icebreaker for those of you who are now hooked on figure skating/hockey romance books. (Warning: This article contains spoilers)
What Is the Book Icebreaker About?
The book Icebreaker by Hannah Grace is about the love story between a competitive figure skater and a hockey player. Anastasia Allen has been working towards her dream of becoming a top pairs figure skater her entire life. Unfortunately, just before one of the biggest competitions of her athletic career, she gets the news that the figure skaters and hockey players now have to share a practice rink. There, sparks fly between Anastasia and the hunky hockey team captain, Nathan Hawkins.
How Long Does It Take to Read Icebreaker?
According to How Long to Read, it will take the average reader approximately 7 hours and 13 minutes to read Icebreaker by Hannah Grace.
Is Icebreaker a Spicy Book? What Are the Spicy Chapters?
Yes - Icebreaker is a spicy book! The spicy chapters are chapters 9, 13, 15, 16, 19, 29, 32, 36, 40, and 47.
Is Icebreaker Part of a Series?
Yes - Icebreaker is part of the Maple Hills series by Hannah Grace. However, because each book in the series focuses on a different couple, it can easily be read as a standalone. Here is the official order of the series:
Icebreaker - Anastasia and Nathan
Wildfire - Russ and Aurora (Nathan's hockey teammate)
How Old Are Anastasia and Nathan? Is There an Age Gap?
In Icebreaker, Anastasia Allen is confirmed to be 21 years old but Nathan's age is not. We know he is a senior, so he is likely the same age or a year older than Anastasia. Therefore, the age gap between the two would likely be around a year.
Does Icebreaker Have a Happy Ending?
Yes - Icebreaker has a happy ending! Anastasia and Aaron's performance at Nationals goes perfectly, except at the end, Aaron kisses her even as she attempts to break free of his grasp. Off the ice, she quits as Aaron's partner and leaves with Nathan. The two drive back to her apartment and find Lola there with the hockey team already packing up the girl's stuff to move out of Aaron's apartment.
Two and a half years later, we find out that Anastasia went on to win an Olympic gold medal in Women's Singles, while Nathan won the Stanley Cup. The two are living in Seattle and are pregnant with their first child, a baby girl. On their babymoon, Nathan proposes and Anastasia says yes, she'll marry him.
5 Books Like Icebreaker by Hannah Grace
After reading Icebreaker, I completely understand if you feel like it wasn't enough and you want to dive headfirst into another figure skating/hockey romance. If that's the case, here are five books like Icebreaker that I think are well worth checking out next.
From Lukov With Love by Mariana Zapata
The Deal by Elle Kennedy
Pucking Around by Emily Rath
Consider Me by Becka Mack
Breakaway by Grace Reilly
1. From Lukov With Love by Mariana Zapata
When I sat down to give my recommendations for books like Icebreaker, From Lukov With Love was easily the first one that came to mind. While it doesn't have any hot hockey players in it, it is about a feisty figure-skating pair that start out as enemies and slowly into lovers. It's kind of like the part in Icebreaker when Nate becomes Anastasia's partner turned into a full-length book. If that has your interest piqued, here's a description for you: "After seventeen years - and countless broken bones and broken promises - Jasmine Santos knows her window to compete in figure skating is coming to a close. But when the offer of a lifetime comes in from an arrogant idiot she’s spent the last decade dreaming about pushing in the way of a moving bus, Jasmine might have to reconsider everything. Including Ivan Lukov."
2. The Deal by Elle Kennedy
As soon I finished Icebreaker, it was like TikTok knew and started giving me hockey romance book recommendations. Of all the books in those videos though, The Off-Campus series by Elle Kennedy (specifically the first three books), came the most highly recommended. Plus, once I looked into the first book, The Deal, the main character gave me Nate vibes because they both are the ones to pursue a relationship with the female main character. Here's a description for you: "Garrett intends to play professional hockey after graduation, but his GPA is threatening that. If helping a sarcastic brunette make another guy jealous will help him secure his future, he's all for it. But when one kiss leads to the wildest sex of both their lives, Garrett sets out to convince Hannah that the man she wants looks a lot like him."
3. Pucking Around by Emily Rath
I love Icebreaker exactly as it is but sometimes I think about alternative storylines. For example, what if other guys on Nate's team had crushes on Anastasia and were all pursuing her? Well, turns out Pucking Around by Emily Rath is almost exactly that. Plus, it has a whopping 4.44 out of 5 stars on Goodreads, so I know it's going to be good. Here's what it's about: Two months ago, Rachel Price shared one magical night with the perfect man who she thought she'd never see again. As it turns out, Mr. Perfect is one of the player's on the NHL’s hottest new team and she's his new physical therapist. This is her chance to prove herself, and Rachel's not willing to risk it for anything. But after one unexpected night and one secret revealed, a few of the men on the team are ready to test all her limits. She can’t fall for a player…let alone three. But if love is a game, these guys are playing to win.
4. Consider Me by Becka Mack
Another hockey romance series that comes highly recommended for fans of Icebreaker is Becka Mack's, Playing for Keeps series. I've specifically chosen the first book, Consider Me, because the female main character reminded me of Anastasia's determination not to fall for Nate. I'll let you read the description and see what I mean: "Carter Beckett is the NHL's bad boy. He's a top player on the ice and in the bedroom. He’s also had everything served to him on a silver platter, including women, and apparently, I’m up next. I have no intention of falling for his sh*t. That is until I let my guard down and he starts showing me pieces of himself I had no intention of seeing. The bricks surrounding me may be tumbling down, but I’m not sold yet, which means for the first time in his life, Carter’s the one begging for my time and trust. For me to just…consider him."
5. Breakaway by Grace Reilly
While it's still a hockey romance, Grace Reilly's book, Breakaway, uses completely different tropes than Icebreaker. As the description says, it's about "a secret friends-with-benefits arrangement with the coach’s daughter shouldn’t have a shot in the dark of leading to more." Despite the differences though, fans of Icebreaker are all over the Goodreads reviews expressing how much they loved it. Here's one example from the reviewer, Baleigh's Bookends: "This book was giving what Icebreaker gave, but in a smaller amount of pages and with a more concise plot. Which is a lot coming from me because I’m an Icebreaker stan. The spice was incredible and the plot and premise itself was just so fun and empowering. I also loved Cooper and the way he took care of Pen, such a sweetheart!"
