Icebreaker

 

My Thoughts:

Mickey James III is supposed to be the golden child in hockey with a father and a grandfather who were National Hockey League legends. But this college freshman has so many pressures on his small shoulders from media, from other players, from his family, from himself. So when Jaysen Caulfield shows up as his teammate and largest rival for the number one slot in the draft, Mickey is full of rage that hides his fear as well as his lust for this boy that he cannot stop pushing away at the same time he wants to pull in. 

However despicable Mickey gets, though, the readers will try to hold on to him and cheer for him to find some kind of emotion between his rage and his feeling nothing at all. It is obvious to the reader that Mickey is severely depressed and we cannot wait for him to get the help he needs. It comes in the form of teammates, his sisters, and even his parents who he feels estranged from. I love how he gets to really talk to his father about the feeling of abandonment and it opens up for more conversation about what will make Mickey happy. The fact that it does not have to be hockey was the opportunity for Mickey to start on the path to healing. 

The enemies to lovers trope in here is obvious from the cover and the description, but what makes this better than just ok is both Mickey's very real and complicated struggles, but also Jaysen's ability to use his passion and ferocity on the ice but also be very different off the ice. Yes he is still passionate about taking Mickey down a notch, but he is also funny, soft, and invested in trying to make a relationship work. 

For those readers who like a good bro/enemies tussle to love interest book, this one is for you.

From the Publisher:

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 #1 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.

Publication Information:

Author: A.L. Graziadei

Publisher: Godwin Books (January 18, 2022)

Print length: 316 pages