Maple Hills #1

Icebreaker

Specs:

What The Vibes Are

What It’s About

Anastasia Allen has worked her entire life for a shot at Team USA. It looks like everything is going according to plan when she gets a full scholarship to the University of California, Maple Hills, and lands a place on their competitive figure skating team.

Nothing will stand in her way, not even the captain of the hockey team, Nate Hawkins.

Nate’s focus as team captain is on keeping his team on the ice. Which is tricky when a facilities mishap means they are forced to share a rink with the figure skating team—including Anastasia, who clearly can’t stand him.

But when Anastasia’s skating partner faces an uncertain future, she may have to look to Nate to take her shot.

Sparks fly, but Anastasia isn’t worried . . . because she could never like a hockey player, right?

What I thought about it

***Massive Spoilers below

Anastasia – “Stassie” or “Stas” – Allen was a figure skater who lived by her schedule. Her dream of going to the Olympics rested on Stassie and her partner’s placement at the upcoming skate competition. Things didn’t go her way when the university’s hockey rink got trashed, and she ended up having to share her rink. Annoyed with the fact that she’d be losing ice time, Stassie spent the beginning of the novel giving the hockey captain, Nathan, loads of sh!t. But that didn’t mean she was blind and couldn’t see that Nate was a 6’5 beast with the sex appeal of a God. So when her skating partner was injured, and Nate was benched, Stassie took Nate up on his offer to be a stand-in until her partner could skate again. As drama ensued and they both prepared for their respective competitions, they fell in love. Reluctantly. At least on Stassie’s part.

Character Thoughts:

 Anastasia “Stassie” Allen:

Stassie was a smart-mouthed, independent, and educated woman who embodied strength and grace. She also knew what she wanted and when she wanted it. I loved Stassie’s character. She was nothing but sass and ambition; it was amazing and hilarious to see her character develop. She was naive at times, especially with her friends. I grew frustrated with her relationship with Aaron, her skate partner. She made a lot of excuses for his cruel and manipulative behavior, and it was painful to read.
Her chemistry with Nate came so naturally with their banter that it helped ease the relationship. Their relationship was both sultry and downright adorable at times.

Nathan “Nate” Hawkins:

Nate was an absolute sweetheart. He was everything a book boyfriend should be! He’s fiercely protective, yet gentle and kind. His praising skills? Top notch. 

Queue the Smut Rant 

Today’s rant is brought to you by the filth of my mind and quotes from our book.

Introducing Nathan Hawkins’….*pause for drum roll* ……One Liners!!……

“I’m going to fuck you like this tight pussy is mine. You’ll take it like a good girl, won’t you?”

“Look at you taking it all like a good fucking girl.”

Honorable Mentions 

“Can you be a good girl and be quiet?”

“One day, I’m going to fuck your pretty little mouth, and you’re not going to be able to be such a bossy, impatient little brat.”

“You think you can get under my skin, mhmm? Do you think I don’t see the little game you’re playing? It’s my cock you come all over. Even when you wanna put another guy’s name on your back… It’s my name you fucking scream.”

A N Y W A Y S

I enjoyed Nate’s character, not just for his wicked tongue, but because of his personality. He is the first book boyfriend I’ve come across who can be emotionally intelligent while also dominant in bed. Definitely a new flavor, not sure how I like the taste yet. Nate was a very emotionally available and intelligent guy for someone who was raised by an emotionally undeveloped father. He was not only a good boyfriend but also a good friend. Very much the-boy-next-door vibe but also not. 

Aaron Carisle:

Below are the gifs I would use to describe my experience reading about this barnacle of a man.

That was dramatic but necessary. Aaron was your textbook narcissist with immense daddy issues. He topped it off with an overindulgent dose of control issues sprinkled with an obtuse amount of self-victimization. I hate him. Aaron was Stassie’s prick of a skating partner who spent his time degrading her and enabling/pushing an ED on her with a less-than-nutritious meal plan he came up with. With no understanding of what he was doing, mind you. 

She gained a pound? He’d make grunting noises during practice, knowing he could lift double her weight at the gym with ease. He slut shamed her constantly to her face and behind her back. Somewhere during the plot, it was brought up that he may be in love with Stassie, but frankly, he can sit on it and spin. That’s not love. That’s control. When Nate punched him on the ice, it was *Chef Kiss.* Aaron was a troll who deserved more than he got.

Favorite Quotes

“You’re my greatest gift, Anastasia.”

– Nathan Hawkins

Conclusion

Overall, I enjoyed Hannah Grace’s Icebreaker. Very fluffy. The one issue I had was that this book definitely could’ve been 100 pages shorter. There were quite a few filler chapters and scenes that didn’t contribute much to the plot. Maybe a little too much on the character development. I do recommend this book if you love a fluffy romance with a 6’5 hockey player who likes to get on his knees for his woman. Nice feel-good HEA as well as a good/satisfying ending for the female character herself. Comment below if you’ve read it and tell me what you think!

♡ G&P