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- Title: Icebreaker: A Novel
- Author: Hannah Grace
- Narrator: Elizabeth Louise, Tim Paige
- Length: 13:23:39
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 22/11/2022
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
- Genre: Romance, Rom-Com, Contemporary, Sports, Romance, Rom-Com, Contemporary, Sports
- ISBN13: 9.78E+12
It’s not every day you stumble across a romance that feels like a journey – both on and off the ice – but “Icebreaker: A Novel” by Hannah Grace, narrated by Elizabeth Louise and Tim Paige, is exactly that kind of audiobook experience. The story unfolds like a winding road trip through a landscape of rivalry, unexpected alliances, and that electric hum of attraction you can’t quite ignore. Picture this: Anastasia Allen, a fiercely driven figure skater with her eyes on Team USA, and Nate Hawkins, the hockey captain who’s all grit and heart, forced to share a rink. Sparks fly, tempers flare, and what starts as a clash of wills turns into something neither of them saw coming. As a travel writer who’s spent years chasing stories across deserts and mountains, I can tell you – this audiobook swept me up like a sudden gust of wind in the Atacama.
Let me take you back to a memory that hit me while listening. A few years ago, I was driving through Chile’s Atacama Desert, the driest place on Earth, with Gabriel García Márquez’s “One Hundred Years of Solitude” pouring through my speakers. The narrator’s voice wove magic into that barren expanse, turning sand and silence into something alive. Listening to “Icebreaker” brought that same visceral connection. There’s something about a well-narrated audiobook that transforms wherever you are – whether it’s a dusty road or a quiet evening at home – into the heart of the story. Anastasia and Nate’s world of icy rinks and heated glances felt as real as those desert dunes, and I couldn’t help but lean into every twist.
The book digs into themes that resonate deeply with anyone who’s ever chased a dream or stumbled into an unlikely connection. Anastasia’s relentless ambition mirrors the kind of focus I’ve seen in artisans I’ve met – from weavers in Oaxaca to fishermen in Portugal – people who pour their souls into their craft. Nate, meanwhile, carries the weight of leadership with a quiet strength that reminds me of a guide I once had in Patagonia, steady even when the path got rough. Grace weaves their story with a rom-com lightness that never feels forced, blending contemporary sports vibes with that slow-burn tension romance fans crave. You can almost feel the chill of the rink, taste the sharp edge of their banter, and hear the scrape of skates cutting through the silence.
Now, let’s talk about the narration, because this audiobook experience hinges on Elizabeth Louise and Tim Paige. Elizabeth brings Anastasia to life with a fire that’s equal parts determination and vulnerability – you can hear the crack in her armor when she starts to soften toward Nate. Tim, on the other hand, gives Nate a gravelly warmth that makes you root for him, even when he’s being a stubborn a*s. Together, they’re like a perfectly timed dance, each voice lifting the other. The audio quality is crisp, with just under 13 hours of runtime that flies by – trust me, I listened straight through a long flight from Lisbon to New York and didn’t even notice the turbulence. It’s the kind of performance that echoes the storytelling mastery I once heard from a grandmother in Oaxaca, her voice rising and falling with every tale around the fire.
That said, “Icebreaker” isn’t flawless. The pacing stumbles a bit in the middle – some scenes feel like they’re circling the rink one too many times before moving forward. And while the chemistry is undeniable, a few plot points lean hard into rom-com tropes that might make you roll your eyes if you’re not fully on board. But here’s the thing: the strengths outweigh those hiccups. Grace’s knack for building atmosphere, paired with the narrators’ ability to pull you into every moment, makes this a standout in the genre. It’s not just a sports romance; it’s a story about finding common ground in the unlikeliest places – something I’ve learned time and again on the road.
How does it stack up to other listens? If you loved Talia Hibbert’s “Get a Life, Chloe Brown” for its wit and heart, or Tessa Bailey’s “It Happened One Summer” for its opposites-attract heat, “Icebreaker” will feel like a natural fit. It’s got that same blend of humor and depth, elevated by an audio performance that keeps you hooked. I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good rom-com with a sports twist – especially if you’re the type who listens while cooking, driving, or unwinding after a long day. Bonus points: there’s a free audiobook version floating around if you know where to look, which makes it even easier to dive in.
Reflecting on it now, “Icebreaker” reminds me of a time when I was stuck in a tiny Andean village, sharing a meal with strangers who became friends by the end of the night. That’s what this story does – it bridges gaps, finds warmth in the cold, and leaves you smiling at the journey. For me, it’s not just about the romance; it’s about the human connections that sneak up on you when you least expect it.
Until the next story takes us somewhere new, happy listening,
Marcus Rivera
