Icebreaker: A Novel (The Maple Hills Series)

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
Over two million copies sold!

Sparks fly when a competitive figure skater and hockey team captain are forced to share a rink in this TikTok sensation that is perfect for fans of hockey romances like Heated Rivalry.

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?

Hannah is an English self-labelled “fluffy comfort book” author, writing predominantly new adult and contemporary romance from her home in Manchester.

When she’s not describing everyone’s eyes ten-thousand times a chapter, accidentally giving multiple characters the same name, or using English sayings in her American book that nobody understands, you can find her hanging out with her husband and two dogs, Pig and Bear.

"Sweltering chemistry, sizzling banter and swoonworthy romance. Icebreaker melted me head to toe."
—Elena Armas, New York Times bestselling author of The Spanish Love Deception

Hannah Grace’s Icebreaker is a wildly popular contemporary college sports romance that brilliantly executes the forced-proximity and reverse grumpy-sunshine tropes, delivering a story as emotionally grounded as it is swoon-worthy. The novel centers on Anastasia Allen, a fiercely driven and highly regimented competitive figure skater at Maple Hills College. Anastasia has her entire life meticulously planned out, with her eyes locked on securing a spot on Team USA and competing in the Olympics. She manages her intense schedule, demanding diet, and overwhelming anxiety with a strict planner and a no-nonsense attitude. Her carefully constructed world is thrown into total chaos when a misunderstanding results in the destruction of the university's secondary ice arena. As a result, the school forces the figure skaters and the men’s ice hockey team to share a single rink for the rest of the season. Enter Nathan Hawkins, the relentlessly optimistic and wildly capable captain of the Maple Hills Titans hockey team. Nate is the ultimate peacekeeper, a natural leader who views his teammates as his family and takes his responsibilities incredibly seriously, despite his laid-back, golden-retriever demeanor.

The forced sharing of the ice immediately sparks a massive turf war between the elegant, highly disciplined figure skaters and the rowdy, boisterous hockey players. Anastasia is furious at the disruption to her grueling training schedule and directs her icy frustration squarely at Nate. However, Nate refuses to take the bait. Instead of arguing, he responds to her hostility with infuriating patience, charm, and a genuine desire to find a compromise. As the captain, he takes it upon himself to smooth things over, often going out of his way to accommodate Anastasia’s demanding ice time. This constant exposure slowly chips away at Anastasia’s frosty exterior. Despite her best efforts to dislike the cocky hockey captain, she finds herself increasingly disarmed by his unwavering kindness and the startling realization that he genuinely respects her relentless work ethic.

The central conflict of the novel, however, does not revolve around the rivalry between the two sports, but rather the deeply toxic dynamic between Anastasia and her long-time skating partner, Aaron. Aaron is emotionally manipulative, deeply insecure, and constantly gaslights Anastasia to keep her entirely dependent on him. He makes her feel responsible for his mistakes on the ice and actively alienates her from making friends outside of their partnership. The situation reaches a critical boiling point when Aaron sustains an injury that sidelines him. With a major, career-defining competition looming on the horizon, Anastasia is left completely devastated and stranded without a partner, watching her lifelong Olympic dreams rapidly slip through her fingers.

In a surprising twist that solidifies his role as the ultimate supportive hero, Nate offers to step in as her temporary figure skating partner so she can continue her essential lifts and training routines. Despite having no background in the precise, elegant world of figure skating, Nate approaches the challenge with total dedication. The grueling, intimate hours they spend training together shift their dynamic from reluctant allies to undeniable romantic interests. The intense physical proximity required for figure skating forces them to build profound, mutual trust. Through this process, Anastasia finally experiences what it is like to have a partner who communicates openly, prioritizes her safety, and builds her up rather than tearing her down. Nate’s unwavering support provides a stark, illuminating contrast to Aaron’s emotional abuse, helping Anastasia slowly realize the full extent of the toxicity she has been enduring for years.

As their romance blossoms, the novel refreshingly avoids the trap of manufactured miscommunication. Nate and Anastasia’s relationship is built on a foundation of radical honesty, mutual respect, and emotional maturity. Nate introduces Anastasia to his chaotic, lovable hockey teammates, who quickly adopt her as one of their own, providing her with the warm, protective found family she has always desperately needed. However, the tension spikes when a recovered Aaron returns to the ice, instantly threatened by Anastasia’s newfound confidence and her tight-knit support system. Aaron's subsequent attempts to sabotage her and regain control culminate in a dramatic climax that tests Anastasia's newly forged boundaries. With Nate and the hockey team standing firmly in her corner, she finally finds the immense courage to stand up to Aaron, sever the toxic partnership, and take completely unapologetic ownership of her own incredible talent.

Ultimately, Icebreaker is a deeply satisfying exploration of ambition, the healing power of healthy relationships, and the importance of advocating for yourself. It delivers plenty of witty banter and heartwarming found-family moments alongside its central romance. Because you are an avid reader who loves to utilize Google Books and Kindle for their convenience, this viral hit is an excellent choice for your digital library. The electronic format is perfect for instantly searching back through the text to find your favorite banter-filled scenes between Nate and his teammates. Plus, it is incredibly easy to download a free ebook sample right now to see if Hannah Grace’s engaging, swoon-worthy writing style hooks you before you commit to the entire journey!