Icebreaker (Hardcover)
Staff Reviews
Icebreaker follows the journey of Mickey James III, who is navigating the first year of college hockey, accepting his mental health, and finding love. James has always followed in the footsteps of his father, and his father before him, trying to become the first pick draft within his first year of college in hockey. This pressure causes him constant distress. At first, he loved playing hockey, but eventually saw it as a way to live up to others' expectations. To add to this pressure, he struggles to manage his depression and confidence while constantly being compared to those around him, especially the second-draft pick (and his rival) Jaysen Caulfield. When James discovers he has to play on the same team as Jaysen and still come out on top, he loses confidence in his abilities. Throughout the story, James experiences depression and anxiety and learns to accept it as part of himself while branching out to those around him. This story is about falling in love, finding friends, and empowering yourself to choose your own path.
-Lauren
Available as an eBook
— From Arresting August Staff PicksDescription
A. L. Graziadei's Icebreaker is an irresistible YA debut about two hockey players fighting to be the best—and the romance that catches them by surprise along the way.
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.
About the Author
A.L. Graziadei was born in Buffalo, New York and raised on Sabres hockey and video games, using their free time to write books inspired by both. Now living in Wisconsin, A.L. still plays plenty of video games and is a proud member of the Displaced Buffalo Sabres Fans group. Icebreaker is their first book.
Praise For…
"Graziadei’s empathetic first novel is richly plotted and handles its gay themes and hockey action well, making it a natural read-alike for Ngozi Ukazu’s Check, Please! #Hockey (2018). The author shoots and scores!" —Booklist
"A thoughtfully rewarding read for those who need one most." —Kirkus Reviews
"Debut author Graziadei clearly knows the sport, but even readers who don’t will enjoy a tale that’s more than just enemies-to-lovers . . . A complex read." —Publishers Weekly
