Self-growth
Business & Career
Success
Communication
Healing
Relationships
Psychology
Happiness
Sharing an ice rink with your worst enemy sounds like a nightmare, until the tension between a figure skater and a hockey captain turns into something far more passionate. If Hannah Grace's ice hockey romance novel left you hungry for more love stories, here's a personalized book list for you.
We've found the top seven books like 'Icebreaker,' from Elle Kennedy's 'The Deal' to Stephanie Archer's 'Behind the Net,' that deliver that same addictive mix of sports romance and emotional depth.
Not enough time to read every romance novel on your TBR? Headway helps you absorb the most valuable insights from world-changing nonfiction, all in bite-sized formats tailored to your pace.
Get Headway today and join 50 million users who choose smarter reading over doomscrolling!
Quick picks: Five books like 'Icebreaker' you can't miss
'The Deal' by Elle Kennedy: A hockey captain tutors a music major in exchange for fake dating, creating one of the most beloved off-campus romances in new adult fiction.
'Behind the Net' by Stephanie Archer: A small town hockey player and a woman rebuilding her life find second chance romance on and off the ice.
'Collide' by Bal Khabra: Two college students from rival hockey teams navigate enemies-to-lovers tension with electric chemistry.
'Daydream' by Hannah Grace: The third book in the Maple Hills series brings found family vibes and another swoony hockey romance.
'The Cheat Sheet' by Sarah Adams: A best friend romance between an NFL player and the woman who's been by his side all along.
The complete list of college drama reads is just one scroll away!
Top seven books to read next if you can't get over 'Icebreaker'
As romance novels show, love comes from the most unexpected places. It may strike you on the ice rink or football field, and it surely won't let you walk away so easily. With these book recommendations, you can feel each love story deep in your heart and find new characters to root for.
1. 'The Deal' by Elle Kennedy
Hannah Wells needs help passing her music theory class, and Garrett Graham needs a fake girlfriend to make his ex jealous. When these two strike a deal, neither expects the tutoring sessions and pretend dates to turn into something real.
Spice level: Medium
Romance trope: Fake dating, tutoring arrangement
What gives it 'Icebreaker' vibes:
College sports setting
Friendship vs. romance
Athletic competition and personal vulnerability
2. 'Boarded Hearts' by Ruth Stilling
Professional hockey player Cole Matthews returns to his hometown for the off-season. One day, he bumps into his childhood sweetheart, who is now a single mom, starting fresh. Through a series of uncomfortable encounters while working at the local ice rink, Cole finds evidence of undeniable chemistry and emotional connection.
Spice level: Medium-high
Romance trope: Second chance romance, single parent
What gives it 'Icebreaker' vibes:
NHL player as a male lead
An ice rink setting that becomes a character in its own right
Small town atmosphere that creates forced proximity
Relationship dynamics in fiction often reflect real-life connections. If you're interested in how to set relationship goals that mirror healthy communication, check out the 'Relationship Goals' summary on Headway.
3. 'Behind the Net' by Stephanie Archer
Having moved on from her past, Pippa returns to a small town. But when professional hockey player Jake enters her orbit, her safe and secure walls begin to tumble down.
Spice level: Medium-high
Romance trope: Second chance romance, workplace connection
What gives it 'Icebreaker' vibes:
A hockey player dealing with the pressure of performance and recovery
Small town setting that forces characters into close proximity
Found family themes woven throughout the narrative
Athletes in fiction and real life face similar mental challenges. Headway summary of 'The Inner Game of Tennis' examines the psychological side of sports performance — the same internal battles Nathan faces as a team captain in 'Icebreaker.'
4. 'Collide' by Bal Khabra
Summer Preston and Aiden Crawford attend rival colleges, but when circumstances force their hockey teams to share facilities, these two can't avoid each other. Their banter crackles with tension, and their competitive spirits match perfectly.
Spice level: High
Romance trope: Enemies-to-lovers, rival teams
What gives it 'Icebreaker' vibes:
College hockey setting with authentic team dynamics
Steamy scenes balanced with emotional development
Contemporary romance that tackles modern relationship issues
5. 'Daydream' by Hannah Grace
Hannah Grace returns to Maple Hills with another swoon-worthy sports romance about Henry Turner, a hockey player who has a gentle heart hidden beneath his athlete's body.
When Halle, a bookish college student, meets Henry, there is a sweet sense of discovery, support, and friendship.
Spice level: Medium-high
Romance trope: Grumpy/sunshine, protective hero
What gives it 'Icebreaker' vibes:
Set in the same Maple Hills universe with familiar faces
Hockey team dynamics and college sports culture
Cozy, heartwarming moments mixed with athletic competition
Personal growth often happens alongside romantic growth. The summary of 'The Mountain Is You' on Headway addresses self-sabotage and healing — themes that resonate with characters like Anastasia Allen as she works through barriers to connection.
6. 'Check & Mate' by Ali Hazelwood
Mallory Greenleaf gave up competitive chess years ago, but when she's forced back into the game to help her family, she faces off against Nolan Sawyer, the current world champion.
Though this isn't a hockey romance, it captures the same energy: two people at the top of their competitive fields finding connection through shared passion. The sports romance tropes translate perfectly to the chess world.
Spice level: Low-medium
Romance trope: Opposites attract, competitive rivals
What gives it 'Icebreaker' vibes:
Competitive sports setting with high-stakes tournaments
Female protagonist returning to her passion after time away
Found family through teammates and competitors
7. 'The Cheat Sheet' by Sarah Adams
Bree Camden has been Nathan Donelson's best friend since they were kids, supporting his NFL career from the sidelines while building her dance studio.
When fake dating seems like the solution to both their problems, they cross the line from friendship to something more.
Spice level: Medium
Romance trope: Best friend to lovers, fake dating
What gives it 'Icebreaker' vibes:
Small town community that feels like found family
Slow-burn tension between two people who know each other deeply
Сontemporary romance with emotional depth
Love languages play a role in every romance, fictional or real. 'The 5 Love Languages' summary on Headway can help you see how characters (and people) show affection differently — similar to how Nathan shows love through actions, while Anastasia needs words of affirmation.
Choose your next read: 'Icebreaker' vs. similar books
Not sure if 'Icebreaker' is your next obsession? We've rounded up six more books full of steamy tension and sports romance you love so much. Check out how they stack up!
| Book title | Spice level | Romance trope | Setting | Main characters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
'Icebreaker' | Medium-high | Forced proximity, grumpy/sunshine | College/ice rink | Figure skater & hockey player |
'The Deal' | Medium | Fake dating, opposites attract | College campus | Hockey captain & music major |
'Behind the Net' | Medium-high | Second chance romance | Small town/ice rink | Hockey player & business owner |
'Collide' | High | Enemies-to-lovers | College/hockey team | Rival hockey players |
'Daydream' | Medium-high | Grumpy/sunshine | College/Maple Hills | Hockey player & college student |
'Check & Mate' | Low-medium | Opposites attract | Chess tournament circuit | Chess prodigy & chess champion |
'The Cheat Sheet' | Medium | Best friend to lovers | Professional sports | NFL player & best friend |
If you're interested in exploring romance from different angles, podcasts about love offer conversations about relationships that complement the fictional stories you're reading.
Keep growing while you read with Headway book summaries
Now that you're working through this list of books like 'Icebreaker,' it's time to build your own TBR. So, if you like romantic summer reads similar to The Summer I Turned Pretty,' or explore the summary of Colleen Hoover's emotional bestseller 'Heart Bones' on our blog.
Loving romance books is one thing, but finding time to balance fiction with personal growth reading can feel impossible. Headway helps you absorb the most valuable insights from nonfiction books on self-development, growth mindset, and more in under 15 minutes, in both audio and text formats.
While you're reading about fictional relationships, Headway summaries can also teach you practical relationship skills and emotional intelligence strategies.
Download the Headway app today and access 2000+ summaries that complement your fiction reading!
Frequently asked questions about books like 'Icebreaker'
What's the novel 'Icebreaker' about?
Hannah Grace's 'Icebreaker' follows figure skater Anastasia Allen and hockey captain Nathan Hawkins at Maple Hills University. When their teams share ice, the initial tension quickly develops into undeniable chemistry. This book features sports romance with emotional depth, as both characters deal with personal struggles, team struggles, and a relationship that evolves from forced proximity into something real.
What books are similar to 'Icebreaker'?
'The Deal' by Elle Kennedy, 'Behind the Net' by Stephanie Archer, and 'Collide' by Bal Khabra all involve either college hockey or professional hockey players (goalies, team captains) in a contemporary romance. They share a lot of what makes 'Icebreaker' popular with readers — sports romance vibrations, strong female leads, and emotional depth.
Is 'Icebreaker' spicy?
'Icebreaker' contains moderate to high spice levels throughout, including several intimate scenes between the main characters. The romance develops gradually, building emotional connection before physical intimacy. Throughout the story, Hannah Grace balances steamy moments with character development and plot progression.
Why is 'Icebreaker' so popular?
This book merges sports romance with relatable characters and real-world challenges, such as anxiety and communication obstacles. Hannah Grace's writing feels contemporary and approachable for the BookTok audience. The Maple Hills setting and hockey team relationship dynamics and growth of the sweet relationship are enjoyable to read, and thus create the ideal atmosphere for binge reading.
Should I read 'Icebreaker' before 'Daydream'?
Although 'Daydream' is the third book in the Maple Hills collection, it can be read independently. However, 'Icebreaker' offers an extra layer to the story since you are introduced to the friend group and the college life before engaging in 'Daydream.' You will see characters from 'Icebreaker' in 'Daydream,' and it gives additional depth to the found family feeling in the reading experience.
What age group is 'Icebreaker' appropriate for?
The novel 'Icebreaker' fits the new adult genre and is best suited for readers aged 18+. The content is more mature in nature, containing intimate scenes and adult themes. Although the characters are college-aged, the level of spice and relationship dynamics in the novel are not geared towards the young adult audience.
