Icebreaker – Hannah Grace
AGE RECOMMENDED TO READ: 14 years and up *CommonSenseMedia
SUMMARY
Icebreaker by Hannah Grace is a contemporary romance novel that has grown to be very loved in the BookTok
community. Icebreaker includes college romance, hockey, and shows a lot of chemistry between the characters Anastasia and Nathan.
Anastasia (Ana) is a figure skater that’s been training her whole life in order to make it to the top. She’s a dedicated and disciplined girl whose world gets turned upside down when her ice rink gets shut down, she’s forced to share a new rink with the hockey team until it’s reopened.
Nathan Hawkins is captain of the college’s hockey team. Nathan is talented and cocky which fuels Ana’s hatred for him after they get into an argument over space on the ice.
REVIEW
There are several aspects of this book that work and some that don’t so much.
What Works
One of the best parts of Icebreaker was Ana and Nathan’s undeniable chemistry and banter. The relationship feels real as it develops from enemies to friends to lovers.
The character development is also something to be mentioned; Ana starts off as a closed-minded perfectionist but as her and Nathan’s relationship progresses she begins to allow herself to be vulnerable. Nathan fits into the “bad boy” type in the beginning but as he and Ana get to know each other you get to see a softer side that adds character depth.
The figure skating and hockey aspect gives a nice backdrop to the romance as well, it’s a good combination and adds a layer of tension and competition that adds to the drama and connection between the characters.
What Might Not…
Some people are picky readers and might feel like the book relies on certain tropes that have been used many times before, so if you’re not a fan of the usual dynamics of enemies to lovers or the bad boy and good girl this might not be the one for you.
Next is the conflict. The misunderstandings that occur between Ana and Nathan can feel like it’s being drawn out and, while for some of us it’s part of the enjoyment, some readers could find it frustrating.
Although the chemistry between the characters was great, the plot of the book doesn’t have any striking elements so if you’ve read a lot of romance novels, the storyline might feel too familiar and cause you to get somewhat bored.
Final Thoughts
Icebreaker is a nice, fast-paced romance that’s perfect for those who like a lighthearted college romance with a sports aspect. It has a great combination of tension and humor but still has the emotional depth you might hope for in a romance book. If you like enemies-to-lovers stories with a sideplot of hockey and figure skating, this is a great book for you.
My Dark Romeo – Parker S. Huntington
AGE RECOMMENDED TO READ: 16 years and up *Goodreads
SUMMARY
My Dark Romeo by Parker S. Huntington is a dark and intense romance novel that follows Luca and Juliet, a clear hint to Romeo and Juliet, but this isn’t a star-crossed lovers’ story.
Luca is a complicated man with a troubled past. He has a reputation for being dangerous, and is known in town as the son of a powerful family. Juliet, however, is innocent, even though her life is filled with struggles and secrets as well. The two come from different worlds but come together by undeniable attraction.
The book starts off with a powerful hate-fueled dynamic between the two. The push and pull of the relationship is filled with tension as they both try to figure out their feelings for each other and deal with their individual conflicts simultaneously.
As the plot continues, Luca and Juliet have to face the dark sides of themselves with each other, with the relationship growing more and more complicated.
REVIEW
My Dark Romeo is definitely a rollercoaster for those who enjoy a dark, enemies to lovers with intensity and conflict. The author does a great job of making characters with emotional depth, especially Luca. Luca’s backstory provides a lot of emotional weight to the book.
Juliet, though, can feel like a damsel in distress, which may be a problem for readers who like reading about a more independent female role. But her development throughout the book is good and she shows some growth when she challenges Luca and fights against the toxic aspects of their relationship.
The chemistry between Luca and Juliet is undeniable. Their banter and tension are so juicy and keep the pacing of the book fairly quick. However, the novel shows deeper and darker elements of relationships. Manipulation, obsession and the blurred lines between love and control. It could definitely be a difficult and triggering read for some. Some people might find the darker elements a bit too much, but others could be drawn to it.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The best part about My Dark Romeo is the atmosphere that is created and the way it builds tensions between Luca and Juliet. Their relationship is toxic but it’s also somehow magnetic. The pacing is fast and there are plenty of plot twists that keep you hooked. This isn’t a book for people who like more fluffy romance or avoid darker themes and characters who are morally gray. If you like enemies to lovers or a dark romance with a lot of tension, this book will probably be an amazing read for you.
The Cheat Sheet – Sarah Adams
AGE RECOMMENDED TO READ: 14 years and up *Goodreads
SUMMARY
The Cheat Sheet by Sarah Adams is lighthearted and a sweet rom-com. The Cheat Sheet follows Chloe and James.
Chloe is sweet and very relatable who works as her best friend James’ personal assistant. James is a famous football player and he and Chloe have known each other for years and there’s an undeniable tension between them that they continuously try to ignore.
James has a charming public persona but in private his life is more complicated. He has a reputation for being with a lot of women, and Chloe has always kept things professional, even though she’s secretly been in love with him. She’s never told him how she feels, and she’s convinced that he doesn’t feel the same way.
Suddenly, Chloe finds a solution to her problem, she creates a “cheat sheet” for him. This cheat sheet includes dating tips, advice, and rules for his complex love life. She offers it as a fun idea but James takes it very seriously. This leads to several funny, sweet, and awkward situations as he follows her advice.
It starts as a fun experiment and turns into something much deeper as Chloe and James spend time together and the feelings begin to unfold, the line between friends and lovers starts to get a little blurry.
REVIEW
The Cheat Sheet is a rom-com that is full of charm and humor but also balances emotional depth. Sarah Adams does an amazing job of creating characters that feel real. Chloe is kind-hearted and very likeable and has insecurities just like the rest of us, it makes her very easy to love. James starts out as a typical jock stereotype but as the plot progresses, you see layers to him that make him likeable in his own way.
The chemistry between Chloe and James is one of the best parts of the book. The banter is playful, and the slow-burn that builds between them is so heartwarming but it’s not so slow that it’s boring. The “cheat sheet” concept is very unique and adds a layer of humor to the book as well as creating a background for the characters to grow and connect in ways they hadn’t before.
The pacing of the book is great, there’s a nice balance between humorous and romantic moments. You get the light, fluffy moments that make the story feel like a movie. The book’s biggest strength is its focus on vulnerability mainly for Chloe. She’s not perfect, neither is James, and their growth feels weirdly authentic. The book also has that dynamic of friends to lovers and the idea of being true to yourself, which gives it depth instead of just being the usual rom-com novel.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The Cheat Sheet is a very enjoyable and easy to read rom-com that serves the perfect balance between the romance and comedy. It’s not very dark or dramatic, but it deeply focuses on love, self-worth, and vulnerability. If you like a rom-com with good banter and a feel-good atmosphere you’ll likely have fun with this one.
Happy Place – Emily Henry
AGE RECOMMENDED TO READ: 15 years and up *CommonSenseMedia
Happy Place by Emily Henry is a heartfelt and deep romance that blends humor and emotional depth. The story follows Harriet and Wyn, a couple who have been dating for several years but are now going through a breakup, which is heartbreaking and complicated for the both of them. Part of what makes the situation even more complex is that they’ve kept the breakup a secret from everybody, including their closest friends.
To make things even worse, Harriet and Wyn have a summer tradition of spending it together at a lake house with their tight-knit group of friends that don’t know about the breakup. Come time for their summer stay at the lake Harriet and Wyn decide to pretend that nothing has changed and that they’re still in love for the sake of their friends. As they spend time together, they have to confront their relationship, the reasons behind the breakup, and the feelings the still hold for one another.
The book is told from Harriet’s point of view which offers an emotional look into her complicated feelings about Wyn and their relationship, her friendships, and the future. As the week goes on secrets come to be revealed and Harriet and Wyn are forced to decide whether or not they’re willing to continue pretending or if they’ll come clean about what they truly want from each other.
REVIEW
Similar to Emily Henry’s other novels, Happy Place is emotional but still funny. In the book she perfectly demonstrates the complications of relationships, both romantic and friendships, as well as the challenges that come with letting the past go, even when you still care about someone. The forced happy couple facade brings forth tension and a lot of drama, which leads to show ideas of love, loss and healing.
Harriet is very relatable and a greatly developed character, her emotional arc is definitely one of the book’s greatest strengths. The internal conflicts she goes through while trying to resolve the feelings she still has for Wyn with the reality that he might not be the right person for her makes this a very emotionally deep read. The dynamic between Harriet and Wyn is very interesting and the way their backstory is revealed little by little adds a layer of intrigue and mystery. You feel for both Harriet and Wyn as they try to navigate the boundaries between love and letting go.
Wyn is mysterious at first but turns into a lovable and flawed character. His back and forth with Harriet is packed with tension and a deep sense of affection at the same time. Their chemistry is almost tangible, and the slow-burn keeps you hooked as you watch them struggle with figuring out whether or not they should try again. Their interactions are intertwined with warmth and irritation that keeps readers entertained.
Harriet’s friends add a lot to the story. They all bring a sense of humor to balance out the heavier parts of the book. Their interactions with the couple give comedic relief and emotional moments at the same time.
FINAL THOUGHTS
What’s really amazing about Happy Place is the idea that happy places aren’t always perfect places, instead they’re places where you face your biggest challenges and grow the most. This book isn’t just about romance, it’s about learning to accept who you are, embracing change, and finding the courage to face things you know will be hard, even if you have to do it without someone who once meant everything to you.
Hooked – Emily McIntire
AGE RECOMMENDED TO READ: 17 years and up *Goodreads
Hooked by Emily McIntire is a dark Peter Pan retelling with a twist. It’s a romance novel that reimagines the classic story of Peter Pan, but instead of a magical adventure, it takes a more mature turn. The book follows James “Hook” Darling and Wendy Darling, whose fates are bound by complicated pasts.
James Hook isn’t the mischievous villain of Peter Pan, he’s an anti-hero with a tortured soul. He’s a devious man who controls the underworld and is horribly scarred by his past. Wendy Darling is struggling with her own troubles and her relationship with Hook is as magnetic as it is toxic. Wendy becomes ravelled into his dangerous world, and as they become more clear on each other’s pasts, their connection starts to blur the line between hate and passion.
The story is set in a dark world where emotions are intertwined with power, revenge and desire. As Wendy gets drawn deeper into Hook’s compass, she is forced to decide whether or not she can trust him and also if she can survive his chain of manipulation and danger he’s tangling her in. As the tension builds though, so does the darkness of their joined history.
REVIEW
Hooked is a very intense and morally gray romance that changes the classic Peter Pan tale. Emily McIntire’s writing is very compelling and she does a wonderful job of creating an almost seductive atmosphere that really does suck you into the world of Hook and Wendy Darling. The book explores the complexity of love and the lasting effect of past trauma while still holding the suspense.
James Hook is a very different character compared to the one we know from the original Peter Pan story. He’s much more abused and morally questionable, this makes him a very likeable anti-hero. His darker persona gets balanced with moments of vulnerability and you can’t help but love him, even when you know you shouldn’t. Wendy is also a very layered character. She’s smart and capable but she’s very deeply troubled by her past trauma. The way she beetles her feelings for Hook that are stuck between attraction and distrust, gives the book very unique emotional depth.
The romance between Hook and Wendy is extremely intense. It’s not sweet and innocent, it’s filled with passion and emotional confusion. The tension between them has a slow-burn quality and it’ll keep you hooked, as you watch them circle around each other and become drawn but avoidant of each other.
FINAL THOUGHTS
One of the most unique elements of the book is the way that McIntire goes about the darker themes, like trauma and power. McIntire clearly isn’t afraid of writing about the uncomfortable elephants in the room that nobody would want to talk about. It’s definitely not a light romance and might not be for everyone, if you’re looking for a fluffy, cute story this is not the book for you. The moral grayness of the characters and their relationship adds to the plot in so many ways and it makes it very emotional, tense and dramatic.
These characters are flawed and the story shows the darker sides of love and obsession and McIntire’s writing creates a beautiful story that readers who enjoy intense, tortured romance should love this.
Better Than The Movies – Lynn Painter
AGE RECOMMENDED TO READ: 14 years and up *CommonSenseMedia
SUMMARY
Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter is nothing like Hooked. It’s a sweet rom-com that mixes high school romance with the classic rom-com movie tropes. Better Than the Movies follows Liz Buxbaum, a senior in high school who is a hopeless romantic because she’s grown up watching and rewatching her favorite romantic comedies. Liz is convinced
that love should be like the movies but her love life isn’t at all perfect.
Liz’s focus is her childhood crush, Michael, who on paper is the perfect guy. He’s charming and handsome and seemingly uninterested. Things become complicated when Liz teams up with her childhood enemy, Wes, who has always been annoying and impossible to deal with. But to Liz’s surprise, Wes has grown into a good guy over the years and the more time Liz and Wes spend together, she questions everything she once believed about love and relationships.
Wes has always been in Liz’s life, he’s been a constant presence and she’s taken him for granted and now she has to deal with the fact that the person who knows her the best might also be the one who changes her perspective on what a perfect love story looks like. As Liz and Wes grow closer, she realizes love isn’t like the movies, it’s better.
REVIEW
Better Than the Movies is a heartwarming and fluffy read that is a great choice for fans of the movie The Duff. The book has a charm to it that blends nostalgia with a modern sense. Lynn Painter’s writing is very playful and it makes the book a very easy read that can go by in one quick sitting.
Liz is an extremely relatable main character. She’s passionate about rom-coms and feels out of place in the world of perfect teen love stories, it gives her a unique perspective. Her obsession with rom-coms feel humorous and genuine, especially when she tries to relate the movies to her reality. The book does a great job portraying Liz maturing through the story, she learns that love isn’t picture perfect and that’s okay.
Wes, the bad boy turns into a lovable character that is the perfect opposite to Liz’s idea of what love is. Their slow-burn, enemies to friends to lovers connection is the second best part of the book, the best by far is their banter and tension is amazingly written and makes the story. The chemistry between Liz and Wes feels real and it makes it a very fun read.
There are plenty of laughable moments, especially if you’re a rom-com fan, the book also gives insight on what it means to grow up and understand what a real relationship looks like. Liz’s friends and family add depth to the story.
The pacing of the book is steady, with enough plot twists to keep things interesting without feeling exaggerated. The tension between Liz and Wes is well written and has a heartwarming ending.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Better Than the Movies is a perfect choice if you want a light, fluffy romance that serves character development and growth overall. Lynn Painter does a great job exploring the idea that real love isn’t scripted and sometimes the best relationships are the ones you don’t expect.
Divine Rivals – Rebecca Ross
AGE RECOMMENDED TO READ: 13 years and up *CommonSenseMedia
SUMMARY
Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross has a beautiful atmosphere and its an amazing fantasy romance that blends elements of mythology, magic, and fate. The book follows Irene, a talented young girl who is a journalist for a struggling newspaper in a world where gods and humans are constantly fighting over dominance. Irene’s life gets turned upside down when she becomes caught between the two “divine forces,” the gods of light and the gods of darkness.
As Irene navigates her changing world, she is forced into a dangerous alliance with Acheron, a mysterious rival. Acheron is one of the gods who leads the darkness, he’s everything Irene shouldn’t trust, but over time, they are bound together by fate. As they grow closer they have to face the threats of gods and their feelings for each other.
The plot focuses on ideas of destiny, power and love between the divine and human worlds, with every character having to decide between desire and responsibility. The world-building in Divine Rivals is so immersive and the readers go on a journey filled with mystical creatures, ancient myths, and huge plot twists. As Irene and Acheron’s relationship deepens, they go through betrayals, untrusted alliances, and self-reflection.
REVIEW
Divine Rivals is an emotionally packed fantasy romance that fans of slow-burn romance, complicated characters, and beautifully created worlds will love. Rebecca Ross creates a very intense atmosphere that brings readers to a world of divine politics and magical realms.
The best part of this book is the slow-burn romance between Irene and Acheron. Their chemistry is electric from the beginning and the tension between them is built on rivalry, trust issues and understanding and it will get you hooked. What makes their relationship different from others is their transformation from friction to something trusting and vulnerable. The romance is full of struggles and it’s not easy but that is what makes the end so worth it.
Irene is strong, determined and smart but she has an emotional vulnerability that makes her relatable and human. Irene’s journey is as much about her self-growth as it is about her relationship with Acheron. She’s someone you root for, not because of their connection but, because she has a clear sense of self and purpose.
Acheron is a classic tortured hero, he’s distant and has a hidden heart. His backstory is complex and as the story unfolds, the depth of his character is shown. While he’s made out to be a rival, you get to see his true self that makes his connection with Irene that much more intense.
The atmosphere and world-building in Divine Rivals is truly beautiful. The magic system and politics between gods and mortals, as well as the historical background of their battles, all come together and create a setting that feels very well thought-out. Ross also does a great job of blending the divine and human worlds, with the gods being distant but involved in mortal affairs at the same time. That balance of greatness and emotional intimacy keeps stakes high while also adding to the individual character’s personal stories.
The pacing of the story is well done, there’s a good balance of action and romance and the character development really shines in this one. The tension between Irene and Acheron builds very naturally and has enough twists that it keeps you interested.
Divine Rivals is a great fantasy romance that blends world-building, character development, and slow-burn, enemies to lovers and makes it feels different from most other fantasy books like it.
