Audiobook: I really love the concept of this! There were a collection of short stories (6) that took place on a night in NYC during a blackout. I thought it started off really strong and my favorite story was definitely "Mask Off". I love the idea of people going to underground parties as it something I see in movies/television. There was one recurring story "A Long Walk" that I was just tired of by the end. The back and forth was driving me nuts. The stories showcased all the different emotions of love. I really love how with the audio the stories all had different narrators which gave them all their own personalities. Also how gorgeous is this cover?! 

 Thank you so much to NetGalley, A.L. Graziadei and Henry Holt & Co. 

"Icebreaker" is a YA novel that takes place in upstate New York during first year of college. Hockey is life for our main character Mickey James III. He is third generation hockey player with a lot of pressure on his shoulders to continue his family's legacy.  In true sports fashion, there is a rivalry but instead of the rivalry being against someone on another team, this time it is his own teammate, Jaysen Caulfield. The tension between these two would cause issues off the rink as well as on the rink. They are both eyeing for the top spot during the NHL draft and they are very vocal about. Things become complicated when they realize that their tension is not just about hockey but also about their feelings towards one another. 

I really enjoyed this book! Mickey is a very complex character and I love his growth throughout the book. We have this young athlete who feels the weight of being the son of a famous athlete that is also dealing with his insecurities, sexual identity and depression. Jaysen is a great juxtaposition to Mickey. He has a solid relationship with his family, he knows who he is, he knows his talents and has a plan for the future. Jaysen was also a refreshing character as he is queer, black and has an emo style (piercings, tattoos). You don't see that especially in the hockey world (at least from my minimal knowledge of hockey). 

The book ended kind of on a cliffhanger. I am not sure if this is going to be a series but I am ready for Mickey and Jaysen part two. 

If you are looking for the following: 

YA (college) – check
 LGTBQ rep – check
 Enemies to friends to lovers - check 
 Hockey – check
 Mental health - check 
 Family drama - check 

Congrats, on your first published book A.L. Graziadei! 

Audiobook:  I was a little apprehensive going into this book because I really didn't care for the first one in the series (the format wasn't for me at least via audio). But this one I loved!! The format was definitely more my style and of course the steam was on fire. I love that both of the characters were queer Latinos which was great seeing that representation. Michelle was a little sneaky in getting Gabe to be close by with his parents which wasn't cool but it all worked out in the end. I also love that they grew up chatting via instant messaging writing fan fiction. I thought that was super cute and as a millennial could relate. 

Also one of my favorite quotes that made me laugh out loud: 
"This was it. 
This was the moment he died - in the condom isle of a CVS at the 
age of 31 because his father had told him to practice safe sex."

Thank you Libro.fm for an advance copy of this book! 
There was a lot going on with this that I was not expecting. We went from a missing person case to suddenly there is abuse of minors while at a camp?  Even though at times it felt a bit choppy and I was confused on who the people were, I was still intrigued and wanted to finish. 

A woman was pulled from a vehicle accident 15 years ago with no memory of her life prior. She becomes best friends with the woman who pulled her from the vehicle. She changes her name to Hope and starts a new life. She ran away to try to start over again when she disappeared. Her best friend knew that she wouldn't just do that. It is also mentioned that they had a relationship and even kissed but once that came about, it wasn't brought up again?  A dead body was found and Hope is the prime suspect. 

Everyone is connected in some way and it takes us from the East Coast to the Midwest.  This was not a bad story but just not my favorite. 

Audiobook: Trickling in last minute Christmas listen we have The Holiday Swap. If Hallmark was written on paper, this would be it and it should be a movie next year!!! This is a typical twin switching places and chaos ensues. The sisters both have a cooking background - one is a food tv show and the other runs their family's bakery. I will tell you I definitely wanted some baked goods after finishing this one with a side of milk. Yum! 

Audiobook: I could not wait to get my hands on the book as well as the audio of this! I absolutely loved "What If Its Us" and had high hopes for this one. We pick up approximately 2 years after the first book ended. Ben is still in NYC and Arthur is in school in Georgia. Arthur has a chance to intern with an off Broadway director in NYC and takes the job. Both have for the most part moved on but once they see each other, old feelings start bubbling back up. I do not normally like the whole love triangle trope as someone always gets hurt and they don't always pick the one you think they should go with but in this I felt like it worked. I also loved all the side characters in this! Ben's best friend Dylan is such a treat and always makes me laugh. Just like with the first one, the audiobook narration was done by actors Noah Galvin (Arthur) and Froy Gutierrez (Ben) and they were superb! I could listen to them both narrate all day.

I was so happy that they did end up choosing one another. Also happy that we got to experience their engagement and wedding vows. It just felt full circle.

 I have complicated feelings towards this book. I wanted to like it so bad because literally all the reviews of my book peers were excellent. So I think this is one of those where its not you, its me. 

The cover is one of the most beautiful covers I've seen in the last few years. It instantly draws you in.

In a quick summary, a magician and a non magician work together to figure out what happened to the magician's friend/colleague. I am not a fan of long chapters and these chapters seem to drag on and on. Maybe I would've flown through it more having it be shorter chapters? I'm not sure.

I do struggle with fantasy/magic realism but for the most part I was able to follow along and imagine all that was happening.

The romance part of this was FANTASTIC and honestly made me want to keep going. Those were the faster chapter and had so much description and passion in the actions.

Also, how horrible were Edwin's family members?! None of them had good traits and were so nasty to him.

I will say, I highlighted a LOT of quotes/moments from this book because there were so many good ones:

This is the first of a series and I don't know if I will read the 2nd one. 

Audiobook: Thank you to Libro.fm for a copy of this audiobook!  I had kept seeing reviews for this book and was instantly intrigued. I am not usually a fan of true crime and even attempted previously a true crime audiobook and failed. 

I love the idea of this and it sounded what I imagine a true crime podcast would sound like. I like that there were different narrators for the different people involved. I had to keep remembering that this was a work of fiction even if it all sounded more non fiction. 

My only issue is I needed some kind of cheat sheet with a name and who they were. I did think it went a little long and by the end I was like what?

I’d be interested to see the physical copy of the book to see the emails and transcripts. 

Audiobook: This was a cute, holiday, quick listen. The two characters are coworkers, Lila and Teddy, at an Inn that was based off a movie & the two stars were coming to visit. After Lila and Teddy accidentally had each other phones for a mere 24 hours, they learn a little about one another including each of their biggest secrets. This was such an innocent book that their secrets weren't even super huge but I guess when you are a teenager, everything is huge. 

This is the exact Christmas book that I needed in this moment. 

This is my second Christina Lauren book this year and I love their style of writing. 

This book made me long for big family-friend traditions that carried over more than one night. Loved how close everyone is!! 

I was really really hoping there was not going to be a love triangle between the brothers because that would not end pretty. I do wish though we got a small update on Theo in the epilogue. Was he happy? Had he moved on? I feel like I need a spin off for Theo’s quest for love.

I really loved Mae and Andrew’s relationship. Mae had finally gotten the guy she has loved for so long & Andrew needed that kick to realize she was the one. Plus I think I like the force proximity used in this!!! 

Also I feel like we all need an Uncle Benny!  

This book made me smile & that’s all I could ask for while reading.