Axel :
I’ve been around the hockey block more times than I care to count. Hockey is my life, my sanctuary, and the only thing that’s kept me going through the years. Traded to the expansion Portland Lumberjacks, I’m now the grizzled, some would say grumpy, old-timer tasked with being the voice of experience for a team of wide-eyed rookies and journeymen. Dragged down by a scandalous past, I’ve long since given up on finding romance, but a certain blond, blue-eyed rookie is about to change everything.
Quinn:
Fresh out of college, I’m ready to storm the professional hockey world. With a sunshine smile and a quick wit, I’m determined to make my mark on the ice and in the hearts of my teammates. When I meet Axel Karlsson, the Lumberjacks’ grumpy defenseman, in person, I’m speechless, and I can’t look away. I’ve always been into older, more experienced men. I don’t want a daddy, but I want a lover who knows what he’s doing…in every part of his life. Armed with confidence and a persistent drive, I set out to melt the ice around Axel’s guarded heart.
Icebreaker is a mm romance with grumpy/sunshine, age gap, and first time themes. It’s the first book in the Portland Lumberjacks hockey romance series.
I’ve never read this author before, and even though the market is saturated with hockey romances, I do like sport romances so I thought I would give it a try. This is the 4th book this author has written and they are all hockey based. Which shows in the detail she gives to various scenes on the ice. That attention to detail could have gone a long way in other areas.
Grumpy veteran player who was just traded to an expansion team. Super happy rookie on the same team. Who decides to prank the veteran player? Ok, whatever. But Axel lets it be known that he isn’t babysitting or training or helping anyone. And he doesn’t need friends either.
And then he is suddenly friends with Quinn. They spend tons of time together doing non-hockey things. They declare love to each other. I think MAYBE they kissed at this point. But they are basically making life plans together. Is there a male equivalent to U-haul lesbians? Because that.
There’s a build up of a story line with Axel’s ex boyfriend. But it was so nothing, in my opinion. So really weird and didn’t fit. They make it out like this ex is going to ruin Axel’s life somehow. Which causes Axel to tailspin and isolate. But there is no big secret at all. A plot point that really went no where.
Quinn is a virgin but they have sex for the first time quick and dirty. Not cool. Mostly because even though Axel is grumpy, he isn’t that guy.
Honestly, my favorite character was Axel’s dad. He was awesome.
So unless you really love hockey and want to read this FOR the hockey, skip it.
2 pieces of eye candy
