Netflix is set to bring another steamy romance to screens following the success of “Heated Rivalry.” The streaming service announced its adaptation of the best-selling book “Icebreaker” by Hannah Grace, a college romance drama series.
“Icebreaker” tells the story of Anastasia Allen, an ambitious figure skater, and Nate Hawkins, a hunky hockey team captain, who find love when they are forced to share the ice at the fictional University of California, Maple Hills campus. The novel, published in 2022, has achieved great success, becoming a No. 1 New York Times bestseller, selling nearly five million copies, and being translated into 24 languages.
Described as a tale of ambition and passion, Netflix stated, “She’s the transfer gunning for Olympic gold. He’s the campus star chasing the NHL. But when an accident forces their teams to share one rink, Anastasia Allen and Nate Hawkins collide — and discipline gives way to obsession, because the only thing more dangerous than wanting to win is wanting each other.”
Jinny Howe, Netflix’s head of scripted series for the U.S. and Canada, revealed the new series at the Banff World Media Festival, emphasizing Netflix’s success in adapting beloved romance novels into global hits. The release date for “Icebreaker” has not been disclosed.
Following the popularity of Crave’s “Heated Rivalry,” which focuses on two male hockey players navigating a complex relationship, the new series is expected to continue the trend of sports romance books, particularly in the hockey genre. The show received critical acclaim, winning a Peabody Award and being praised as a Canadian content success.
“Icebreaker” is the first installment in Grace’s Maple Hills series, accompanied by “Wildfire” (2023) and “Daydream” (2025), all set at the University of California campus. Amanda Lasher, the showrunner for “Icebreaker,” brings her experience from shows like “Riverdale” and “Gossip Girl” to the production.
The rise of sports romance books, especially in hockey, has captured the interest of readers, with titles like “Canadian Boyfriend,” “Body Check,” and “Pucking Sweet” gaining popularity, fueled by BookTok discussions on TikTok.
