Netflix is set to bring another steamy romance to the screen following the success of “Heated Rivalry.” The streaming service announced its plans to adapt the best-selling book “Icebreaker” by British author Hannah Grace into a college romance drama series.
“Icebreaker,” a young adult romance novel released in 2022, tells the story of Anastasia Allen, an ambitious figure skater, and Nate Hawkins, a charismatic hockey team captain. The two characters find love on the ice at the fictional University of California, Maple Hills campus.
The book quickly became a sensation, topping the New York Times bestseller list and selling nearly five million copies worldwide, translated into 24 languages. Netflix described the plot as a collision between Allen and Hawkins, where discipline gives way to obsession as they navigate their dreams of Olympic gold and NHL stardom.
Jinny Howe, Netflix’s head of scripted series for the U.S. and Canada, made the announcement at the Banff World Media Festival, expressing excitement for bringing another beloved romance novel to the global audience. The series will follow the success of Crave’s “Heated Rivalry,” based on novels by Canadian author Rachel Reid, which won critical acclaim, including a Peabody Award.
“Icebreaker” is part of the rising popularity of sports romance books, particularly within the hockey genre, alongside titles like “Canadian Boyfriend,” “Body Check,” and “Pucking Sweet.” This trend has been fueled by platforms like BookTok, a community on TikTok dedicated to discussing literature.
Amanda Lasher, the showrunner for “Icebreaker,” has a background in shows like “Riverdale,” “Gossip Girl,” and “Togetherness,” expressing her passion for the YA genre. The Maple Hills series by Grace includes “Icebreaker,” along with sequels “Wildfire” (2023) and “Daydream” (2025), all set at the University of California campus.