Marina Vivancos does it again. "Broken Ice" is sheer joy and delight in book form: I inhaled it in a day, I had the giddiest smile on my face for the whole time, and I lost count of how many times it made me swoon. I swear, this author's writing seems to be made for me specifically: everything I've read of hers has been an automatic favourite, and even now I can't stop re-reading them.

Broken Ice is set 10 years after the events of the previous "Alpha Omega Hockey" books, when Omegas are finally starting to come out and hockey seems to be finally becoming an inclusive space for everybody... Key word: seems, because as Beau, our protagonist, knows, discrimination is still rampant in the league.
I was a bit worried about the time jump, honestly, because I felt like the previous characters had so much left to say; I shouldn't have been though, because not only did it make sense from the series standpoint, but it was absolutely fascinanting to see how much (and how little) things have changed for Omegas.

Despite this somewhat bleak(ish) premise, this book is seriously joyful: Beau was put through the wringer by his previous team and coach, his body forced to endure supressants that messed up his heats and his health, but he never loses his smile and his playful attitude.
I loved him so much. He's so different from the previous protagonists: every single one of them has been one of a kind, but both Omegas (and one closeted, subby Alpha) were the same in the sense that they had something to hide, a hidden, scarred and terrified part of them that they thought the world shouldn't know about, or wouldn't want to know about. In other words, they were the grumps in the grumpy/sunshine equation. Here we get the sunniest, most playful, most idiotic and most oblivious Omega (Beau is the himbo), and the grumpiest (and most idiotic) Alpha, i.e. the love of my life, Emilio Torres (I might have a tiny, tiny crush on him okay?)

< They stared at each other. This was probably a good time to say something like, ‘What the hell was that last night?’, or ‘Is this really just sex?’, or ‘Blink twice if you want to keep me forever.’ >

I loved both of them to bits. Their relationship starts off with a bit of one-sided enemies-to-lovers dynamic (because Beau is a bit oblivious, and Emilio is a grump) but soon flourishes in the dirtiest, sexiest, most delicious, I'll-help-you-through-your-heats arrangement.
Of course, both of them are pining, insecure idiots, so it takes a while for them to understand that they're the loves of each others lives, but the bits in between were just as glorious as the ending: I loved their dynamic, their relationship, so damned much. Despite the rocky start, it was packed with playfulness and a smidge of (endearing) misunderstandings, so much care and protectiveness, so much joy and affection, and literally, the dirtiest stuff I've read in an omegaverse in a long time (i.e. since the last Vivancos omegaverse): "Broken Ice" is packed with all the delicious A/B/O tropes you could wish for. Heats (lots), and ruts? Scenting (lots and lots) and pack dynamics? Nesting, claiming, mating and everything in between? This book has it. Needless to say, I was obsessed.

< Beau jolted, a gasp ripped out of him. “Oh, my God.” “You’re gonna be fucking covered in me after I’m done with you,” Emilio promised, voice low and sure. >

I loved both of them individually too. Like I said, I have an enormous crush on Emilio: he's grumpy and respectful (sooooooo respectful), kind and lovely, with some hidden insecurities that were simultaneously heartwrenching and endearing.
And Beau: god, where do I start with him. He's a himbo, he's an idiot and a joker, he's oblivious, he can't shut up to save his life, but he's also damned sweet and affectionate, so desperate for pack and a place to belong it broke my heart, so insecure and afraid, despite all the bravado and smiles. I adored him, and while I did want to jump into the book and shake him a few times, I also wanted to wrap him up in blankets for everything he's had to put up with. This book is joyful and fun, I promise, but it wouldn't be a Marina Vivancos book without a bit of feels and a smidge of trauma.

I also adored the fact that this book has such a found family atmosphere: I loved how the author incorporated omegaverse dynamics into team dynamics, and I loved all the side characters. Now, I'm desperate to know if two other pining idiots will get their HEA soon: I'm desperate to talk about them, but I'll shut up now.

I wholly recommend this book: it can easily standalone (but the other three books are marvellous as well). I already can't wait to re-read this, and I'm so damned excited to see what else Marina has planned for this universe. I hope she never stops writing in it.