9th Book of the Year

 Icebreaker by Hannah Grace 

Spoilers!!!

I read this book in a day. This is one of those books that has a deceiving cover; it was much deeper and much spicier than the cover lets on. I have never met another person or character who vomits when under stress; most people look at me with concern when they hear vomiting is my go to stress response, so to have Stas have the same issue was mind blowing. I loved Anastasia. She was strong, determined, hopeful, and trusting. But she also faced her fears, grew, and learned how to stand up for herself. Nate was everything you hope for in a modern (non-fantasy) man. He was strong, protective, understanding, open, and communicative. He knew not only when to apologize, but how. That their relationship started with animosity was adorable; fighting the attraction, at least on her side. He was all in from the start. I loved Lo and his teammates. Aaron was so obviously a narcissist and Nate hated him from the jump. He was so manipulative and refused to own up to anything. And he was intentionally starving her, and making comments about her weight. Nate showed great restraint by waiting to punch him until Aaron forcibly kissed Stas at the end of their competition. I am so happy that not only was Nate able to get there, but he was able to be her support after the forced kiss. When she quit pairs and Aaron told he she wasn't good enough to make it on her own, he should have gotten punched again. I'm so glad that Stas told the dean the truth about what really caused Aaron's injury, but I'm not sure how she found out since only Nate was told. Still, having her win an Olympic singles medal was amazing. And Nate getting not only a Stanley Cup, but traded to her hometown was cute. I normally hate an accidental pregnancy, but since this was at the end of the book and they were well and truly established as a couple it was fine. I did not realize this was going to be part of a series until I was writing this review. But, I am very much looking forward to more books in this series, and more books by this author.